Entrepreneurial Journey & Mindset - The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing and activating one's potential, which often requires taking initiative and stepping outside of one's comfort zone [1][5] - The speaker's father instilled an entrepreneurial spirit by encouraging self-reliance and independent work [9][10] - The speaker highlights that it's never too late to learn new skills, referencing learning English at 28 years old [10] - The speaker underscores the significance of believing in oneself and one's ideas, even when facing challenges or uncertainties [18] - The speaker acknowledges that failure is a part of the entrepreneurial process, using the example of a mobile application idea that was ahead of its time [20] Career Development & Innovation - The speaker's early exposure to botany and anatomy through encyclopedias influenced the decision to study biology and pharmacy [2] - The speaker transitioned from a pharmaceutical company to human resources and consulting, demonstrating adaptability and recognizing potential in different fields [3][4] - The speaker's experience working abroad in England, including sales roles and a position at Heathrow Airport, broadened perspectives and led to the idea of starting a business [7][8] - The speaker founded a company focused on preparing young people for the workforce, utilizing digital applications and AI to connect them with companies [11][21] - The speaker participated in a United Nations competition with an application idea to reduce youth unemployment, showcasing a commitment to social impact [13][14] Skills & Competencies - The speaker emphasizes that skills and competencies, including leadership and success, are learnable and can be developed through various experiences [22] - The speaker highlights the importance of providing guidance and feedback to young people to help them develop their potential and make informed career choices [20][21]

Company Overview & Growth - Vilko, founded in 1991 in Van, has grown into a brand providing industrial cleaning services across 81 provinces in Turkey with 14,000 locations and 6,000 employees [2] - The company transitioned from providing home cleaning services to serving public institutions, and later moved its headquarters to Istanbul in 2005 to capitalize on the city's potential [3] - In 2012, Vilko was established with the aim of providing professional services to the private sector, securing its first contract with Mercedes-Benz [10] Strategic Initiatives & Innovation - To compete with global players, Vilko formed a strategic partnership with a German company specializing in industrial cleaning and hygiene engineering, operating in 60 countries [11] - Vilko pioneered the concept of hygiene engineers in Turkey, initiating efforts to establish a Hygiene Technical University [13] - The company introduced waterless cleaning to Turkey and launched a hygiene project in schools with the slogan "Hygiene Before Alphabet" [14] Overcoming Challenges & Business Model - Vilko diversified its client base to include the private sector, which helped the company survive the government's decision to terminate contracts with cleaning companies in the public sector in 2018, which led to the closure of 20,000 cleaning companies [15] Social Responsibility & Community Engagement - The speaker and friends established a friendship group focused on ideas, initiatives, and investments to benefit the Eastern Anatolia region, which faces high unemployment rates [18][17] - The friendship group includes a quota for female business owners, emphasizing the belief that women contribute to higher quality service [19] - The speaker joined TÜSİAD (Turkish Industry and Business Association) in 2018 to contribute to Turkey's economy, business world, and employment [22] - The speaker advocated for TÜSİAD to engage more with eastern cities like Van, leading to the organization's first business meeting in Van in 2019 [25][26][27] - The friendship group established a textile factory in Van to contribute to the city's employment and export, creating approximately 300 jobs [28][29] Leadership & Vision - The speaker served as the president of Vanspor, becoming the youngest president in Turkey's professional leagues [31] - During his tenure, Vanspor focused on success and collaborated with universities to provide fan education seminars [32][33]

Key Takeaways - The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-investment and continuous learning for personal and professional growth [3][4] - Education and skill development are crucial for success, surpassing the sole focus on marketing [3] - Investing in oneself, whether through knowledge, technology, or skill enhancement, is essential for making a positive impact [3][4] - Continuous self-improvement is necessary for staying relevant and competitive in various fields, including arts and technology [18][19] - The speaker advocates for a holistic approach to success, encompassing education, personal values, and community support [11][21] Entrepreneurship and Youth Development - Supporting and investing in the younger generation is vital for future success [20][24] - Encouraging young people to pursue education and develop their skills is crucial [3][20] - The speaker highlights the importance of mentorship and guidance for young individuals [27] - Overcoming challenges and seeking support from others are essential aspects of entrepreneurial journeys [21] - The speaker expresses gratitude for the support provided to young entrepreneurs, particularly by the Van Chamber of Commerce [25][26] Arts and Culture - The speaker shares personal experiences in the entertainment industry, emphasizing the need for continuous learning and professional development [12][16] - Formal education and training are essential for achieving excellence in acting and other artistic pursuits [16][17] - The speaker discusses the establishment of the Turkish Art Academy in Azerbaijan, focusing on personal development and talent discovery [23][24] - The speaker highlights the importance of adapting to technological advancements in the arts [19] - The speaker emphasizes the need to provide comprehensive training in the arts, including personal development [23]

Core Philosophy - Achieving success requires focusing on a single endeavor and striving for excellence, rather than spreading efforts thinly across multiple ventures [8][9][10] - Defining concepts clearly is crucial for navigating life and business successfully, as ambiguity can hinder progress and lead to confusion [6][16][25] - Upgradable dreams are essential for continuous growth and adaptation, allowing individuals and businesses to evolve and remain competitive [18][19] - True value lies in creating lasting impact and meaning, not just producing goods; companies should focus on generating value that resonates with people worldwide [13][14] Entrepreneurship & Business Strategy - Genuine entrepreneurship involves creating value, adding to existing products, and contributing positively to the nation's well-being [28][30] - The speaker's company focuses on creating status and sells it to the world's most important people, with a minimum export value of $1350 per dollar [14] - The speaker is designing a car with a base price of 10 million euros, aiming to revolutionize the automotive industry [15] Personal Development - Defining one's dreams and understanding their reality is essential for achieving them; dreams should be viewed as tangible goals [20][21] - Success is not about wealth but about the struggle and effort put into achieving goals; it requires perseverance and determination [34][36] - True advantage lies in one's relationship with a higher power and adherence to moral principles, rather than material possessions or social status [38][39] - Intelligence is the greatest form of luck, and how one uses it determines their success; individuals should recognize and utilize their intellectual capabilities [33][34]

Company Background & Motivation - The founder was inspired by her parents' work as doctors and initially aspired to be a scientist, but life led her to entrepreneurship in the apiculture industry [1] - The founder's child suffered from a severe illness that traditional medicine couldn't resolve, leading her to explore apitherapy and the potential of bee products [1] - Witnessing the lack of high-quality, domestically produced bee products in the market motivated the founder to start her own company [2][7] Industry & Market Analysis - China is the largest apiculture country, followed by India, and then Turkey, with 82 million bee colonies [1] - Turkish beekeepers primarily focused on honey production, with limited production of value-added bee products like royal jelly and propolis [1] - Imported bee products, often from China, were of low quality and potentially harmful, highlighting the need for authentic and natural alternatives [1][2] - The company utilizes a contract-based beekeeping model, which is a first in Turkey and possibly globally, ensuring quality and sustainability [12] Business Model & Achievements - The company secured government support from KOSGEB and TÜBİTAK to develop local propolis production and extraction technologies [9][10] - The company established a contract-based beekeeping model, providing beekeepers with materials, equipment, purchase guarantees, and training [13] - The company exports to 37 countries and has become a significant player in the value-added bee products market [15][18] - The company's sustainable apiculture model has helped increase the number of hives for participating beekeepers, with some growing from 10 to 500-600 hives [19]

Innovation & Technology Transfer - The technology transfer industry facilitates the translation of discoveries into real-world applications, with approximately 1,000 professionals globally and around 50 in Turkey dedicated to this process [6] - Technology transfer professionals play a crucial role in fostering collaboration, developing strategies, and building ecosystems to bring innovative ideas to fruition [7] - The journey from laboratory to practical application is lengthy, requiring safety validation, clinical trials, and scalable production methods [4][5] - The establishment of connections between universities and industries is essential for technology to positively impact numerous lives [5][12] Ecosystem & Collaboration - A thriving innovation ecosystem comprises researchers, entrepreneurs, technology parks, and industry, necessitating a supportive culture to function effectively [12][13] - Local ecosystems are vital for innovation, and success stories within these ecosystems inspire others and demonstrate the accessibility of achievement [16][17] - Innovation benefits from intercultural diversity, and individuals within an ecosystem can learn and develop, becoming prepared when opportunities arise [18] - Even seemingly insignificant actions, such as attending training or expressing ideas, can initiate significant transformations [19] Entrepreneurship & Investment - The first billion-dollar valuation startup in Turkey emerged from the gaming sector, demonstrating the potential for local innovation [15] - Early-stage support, including connecting founders, fostering collaboration, and assisting with business plans and investment acquisition, is crucial for startups [11] - Investment and talent converge to amplify impact, as seen in the development of a globally recognized game within a local incubation center in Samsun [16]

Business & Entrepreneurship - The subject received the first women entrepreneur loan from Halk Bankası in Turkey in 1997 at the age of 18 [15] - The subject established a company providing English courses, translation, and thesis writing services [15] - The subject opened Turkey's first private vocational school in Dudullu Organized Industrial Zone [22] - The subject provided vocational training to 80,000 people within 8 years [23] - The subject created a village school model, teaching children various skills from farming to carpentry [25] Personal Development & Overcoming Adversity - The subject overcame a difficult childhood, including being an unwanted child and experiencing parental abuse [2][3][5][11] - The subject independently pursued education by attending boarding school and university despite family obstacles [6][7] - The subject faced challenges in business, including complaints to official departments, but persevered [16][17] - The subject experienced personal tragedies, including the loss of a child, but continued to work and inspire others [25] Social Impact & Education - The subject's vocational school aimed to address the skills gap in factories by training blue-collar workers [22] - The subject's village school model focused on holistic education, teaching children practical skills and fostering creativity [25]

Career Development & Personal Growth - The speaker emphasizes the importance of continuous self-improvement and viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth and transformation [2][12][13] - The speaker highlights the significance of self-awareness, questioning one's motivations, and making choices aligned with personal values [20][22][23] - The speaker advocates for embracing experimentation, taking risks, and not being afraid of failure, as life is a "prova alanı" (testing ground) [19][25][26] Architectural Practice & Cultural Heritage - The speaker's architectural journey involves a non-traditional approach, focusing on self-discovery and identifying areas of interest through a process of elimination [7] - The speaker values the importance of experiencing different places and cultures to develop aesthetic sensibilities and apply them for the benefit of others [8][17] - The speaker's work involves cultural heritage, aiming to create innovative narratives and transformations, exemplified by the Çatalhöyük project [17][18] Overcoming Challenges & Seizing Opportunities - The speaker faced disappointment when a planned internship in the Netherlands was cancelled due to Covid-19, but this led to an opportunity to work on a project in Cappadocia [11][12] - The speaker made a quick decision to defer studies and work on a project in Halfeti, Şanlıurfa, demonstrating a willingness to take risks for career advancement [14][15] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of turning crises into opportunities, highlighting increased productivity and development during the Covid-19 pandemic [22][23]

Company Overview & Heritage - Gülşa, founded by Gülşa, draws inspiration from the wisdom of roses to overcome challenges in entrepreneurship [1] - The founder's family has been involved in rose cultivation in Isparta, Turkey, for generations, with her grandfather pioneering the production of rose oil for global brands in 1965 [1] - Gülşa aims to honor the labor of rose farmers and ensure the sustainability of their livelihoods through branding [5] Product & Market Strategy - Gülşa was established in 2011 to transform high-quality rose raw materials into value-added branded products, focusing on natural and effective skincare [5][6] - The company differentiates itself by producing authentic rosewater, distinguishing it from synthetic alternatives prevalent in the market [8][9] - Gülşa emphasizes the importance of specializing and deepening expertise in a specific area for successful branding [13] Production & Sourcing - It takes 4 tons of roses to distill 1 kilogram of pure essential oil, which has a high vibration frequency of 320 MHz [3] - Roses are hand-picked by thousands of families in the early morning during harvest season [4] - Gülşa collaborates with a French expert to develop a carefully considered, boutique product line [11][12] Business Development & Achievements - Gülşa products are available in international chain stores, duty-free shops in Turkey, and hundreds of pharmacies nationwide [14] - The company has established a broad export network spanning from China to America, introducing Turkish roses to diverse markets [14] - Gülşa has collaborated with major global brands and received numerous awards [15] Social Responsibility & Future Goals - Gülşa supports students in four schools established by the founder's grandfather in Isparta [16] - The company collaborates with expert associations to improve the living standards of people working in the rose industry and provide better educational opportunities for their children [16] - Gülşa emphasizes resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges, advocating for a focus on passion and purpose in one's work [15][18][19]

Career Transition & Entrepreneurship - The speaker transitioned from a 17-year military career (9 years in military school, 8 years as an officer) to pursue a passion for fishing and content creation [19] - The speaker and a partner started an online store, which quickly became a leader in its niche [16] - Faced with conflicts between military service and a growing business, the speaker chose to leave the military to focus on their passion [17][18] Business Development & Growth - The speaker's social media presence grew organically due to unique techniques and content, leading to sponsorships and product endorsements from fishing equipment companies [11] - The speaker started offering fishing tours due to popular demand, eventually expanding the business with more boats and captains [24][28] - The speaker took over the online store and opened a physical store in Antalya, expanding the business globally with VIP fishing tours in various countries [30][31] Key Success Factors - Passion and dedication were crucial for success, turning a hobby into a full-time career [31][32] - Maintaining integrity and trustworthiness is essential for building and retaining customer loyalty [33][34] - Overcoming the fear of leaving a comfortable situation and embracing hard work are necessary for achieving dreams [35][37]