Her Story
About blessy
Blessy Khokhar is an entrepreneur, graphic designer, and educational technology professional. She currently owns and operates multiple businesses including Toy Depot, a toy store franchise located in Albany, New York, Aviola Perfumes named after her daughter, and Lily Fruit Ice Cream shops featuring imported Korean ice cream products that she also supplies to other stores. In addition to her retail ventures, she works as a freelance graphic designer creating posters and social media content. Blessy Khokhar earned a bachelor's degree in graphic design in 2018 and completed two master's degrees at Missouri State University: one in educational technology in 2023 and another in project management in 2024. While at Missouri State University, she served as a graduate assistant, worked part-time as a teacher, conducted AI research, and presented a research paper on artificial intelligence at a conference. Her earlier professional experience includes working in fashion design with her father and contributing to the Catholic Women Organization in Pakistan supporting underprivileged girls and addressing issues of forced conversions and gender inequality.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with blessy
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute my success to my mom. I watched her when I was growing, working so hard, taking us to school, bringing us back, teaching different kids, earning because my dad was always busy in his business. She was my biggest inspiration. My husband is pretty supportive too. They both played a vital role in my life to become an entrepreneur.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of my professors from Missouri State University, Dr. Smith, the dean of Marketing Department, told me whatever challenge comes in your life, never think it as a challenge. Think it as that you have to achieve it whether you want it or you don't want it. Crying is not a solution. Make that cry your strength. Change your path and you will get your way.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never think of the problems or hurdles. Always think positive. It's my own identity, I have to make my own identity in the world. If you have an identity, people are gonna come and listen to you. Believe in yourself and walk on the path of your dreams. A woman has so much strength, she can do anything.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is fighting from your own stuff. You have to do it whether you like it or not. Sometimes you feel like you need a break but you can't give yourself a holiday. Being a new entrepreneur you don't have enough room to give yourself time. Being married at the same time demands a different challenge. You have to combine both work and personal life.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Values being humble. Whatever happens you need to be humble, you need to be grounded. You cannot be aggressive. It's never something that you have achieved. It's every time you think you have achieved something, think it's small, you have something bigger to achieve. Being grounded always gives you a higher opportunity. Especially when you are taught to be humble from Bible and Christianity.
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