Growing Up and Growing a Business in Türkiye
Growing Up and Growing a Business in Türkiye
August 1, 2023 | Nawar Maarri
A young entrepreneur from Aleppo, Syria, Hani came to Türkiye with his family as a teenager in 2013. Before the war, his family had long been involved in the textile industry, owning and operating factories that produced a variety of fabrics and textiles. When they fled, they had to leave everything they had built behind.
Starting from scratch in a new country was not an easy feat. Hani finished high school in Türkiye and was eager to continue his education, but initially struggled to get accepted into a university. While he waited, he took a series of jobs at various factories before opening a small store that sold and repaired mobile phones and accessories, which helped him to make ends meet until he was finally accepted into Bursa University.
Throughout higher education, Hani’s interest in entrepreneurship grew stronger. So when he graduated from college, despite the advice of his family and friends to seek a stable job, Hani decided to pursue his dream of starting his own business and launched Hani Perde in 2021. Specializing in the design and manufacture of plastic and iron curtain accessories, Hani Perde is Hani’s passion project come to life.
Hani has benefited from Building Markets’ export distribution services, which enabled him to contact new buyers and explore opportunities to expand his business. Today he has established a name for himself in his field and his products are sold throughout Türkiye and exported to countries such as Iraq, Libya, and Morocco.
Hani recognizes the importance of building strong relationships in the business world, and has established connections with many companies he would otherwise not have had access to through his involvement with Building Markets. Networking events have been especially helpful for Hani, where he has met other entrepreneurs and made connections that led to high-value opportunities, including expanding his exports.
Hani exemplifies the shared success that is possible when we all work together. In the last 10 years, he says he’s noticed more understanding and integration between Syrian and Turkish communities, with about 60% of his customers being Turkish merchants. He’s also proud that his business has grown, allowing him to employ 15 Syrian refugees like himself.
“Business relations, product quality, and credibility are superior to the company’s nationality,” Hani said, emphasizing that the factors that truly drive business success in his experience.
When asked about his future plans, Hani expressed his optimism about the future of Türkiye as a country where one can find success through small business. “I truly believe that this country has the potential to be one of the best places in the world to live and work. And I see myself right here, building my business and my life, in the years to come,” Hani stated proudly.
