Chasing My Dreams: From Global Exec to Serial Entrepreneur

Society often paints a clear path to success: landing a prestigious job, earning a good salary, and checking off those milestones of achievement.

But after starting my career at a global giant, I realized that the corporate ladder wasn't where I felt most alive.

This is the story of how I learned to define success on my terms, and discovered that the entrepreneurial path is where my passions ignite.

From Cubicle to Corner Office: Learning the Ropes

Fresh out of university in 2008, joining Unilever as an assistant brand manager seemed like fulfilling a dream. Back then, tech giants like Google and Facebook were just emerging in Turkey.

Working at a well-known giant in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) held enormous appeal. The early years were filled with invaluable lessons in traditional marketing.

But after four fulfilling years, the digital landscape began to explode and the desire to build something of my own became undeniable. I even got encouragement from Unilever's supportive leadership.

The Startup Itch: A Leap of Faith

My first startup venture in 2012, a delivery service for FMCG products, proved ahead of its time. But it revealed something crucial: I wasn't just drawn to the idea of building a business. I yearned to disrupt, to create solutions that filled the gaps I saw in the market myself.

The experience taught me the importance of finding the idea that truly makes you happy to work, not just any idea.

At this point, I took a new full-time job at L'Oreal.

Lessons Learned at L'Oreal: It's More Than the Paycheck

L'Oreal offered greater financial security and the prestige of a global brand. It was a valuable experience, but it couldn't extinguish my entrepreneurial desires.

Working on established lines left me yearning for more ownership over the projects I pursued. My time at L'Oreal wasn't about failure; it was about discovering that success, for me, had to be defined on my own terms, not letting others define it for me.

From Texas to Turkey: The Stepping Stones of Scaleups

A chance meeting with an entrepreneur from Texas proved to be a turning point for me. I worked with him to help establish his businesses in Turkey, and I gained invaluable insights in the process.

The main one was on the value of finding talented and excited people to work with, where you each fuel each other's energy and enthusiasm. This felt like what I had been missing with my first company.

Fintech Hurdles and the Power of Adaptation

My second venture was a fintech platform for rentals. I immediately faced the challenges of navigating regulatory complexities and chasing funding. This wasn't easy, but it made me more adaptable and resilient. I learned that everyday, I must learn something that helps me grow.

That said, I needed a more settled environment while building, so I strategically joined a growing startup.

When the pandemic forced a shift to remote work, I felt a surge of energy I hadn't before. Juggling a demanding day job while simultaneously building my own projects demanded extreme focus, but it proved pivotal.

Lessons from my Entrepreneurial Journey

This journey has taught me valuable lessons along the way:

• Describe success for yourself, don't let others describe it for you
• Find the idea that makes you happy to work, not just any idea
• Find good and excited people to work with, who share your passion
• Everyday, learn something that helps you grow and adapt
• Find happiness in the small daily wins
• Find people like you, build a community, and share ideas
• Don't be shy, let the world know what you're building

This journey is ongoing. With every walk I take with my dog, a new idea sparks, pushing me forward. Building businesses isn't just what I do; it's about writing my own story, one chapter at a time.

Currently, I'm focused on building Adsby.co, an AI tool to help businesses with their marketing efforts. If you're navigating the startup world, wrestling with marketing challenges, or simply have questions about the entrepreneurial path, feel free to reach out. I'm always happy to connect and share what I've learned.