During the ‘Digital Talks’ of KAGIDER, the challenges faced by businesses and potential solutions are being discussed in the pandemic period with the successful women entrepreneur laureates of the 2019 Women Entrepreneurs of Turkey Competition. The opening speech was delivered by KAGIDER President Emine Erdem, and the panel was moderated by Gamze Cizreli, Founder and Chairperson of ‘Big Chef’, Gülşah Gürkan, Founder of ‘Gülsha’, Duygu Akbudak, Founder of ‘Denebunu.com’, Esra Odabaşı, Founder of ‘Es Kariyer’, and Müzeyyen Erakuman, Founder of ‘Eray Plastic’. In the panel, Talat Yeşiloğlu, Editor-in-Chief of ‘Ekonomist’, also spoke, emphasizing the urgent need for initiatives and a workforce to be created, stating that economic growth cannot be achieved otherwise.

Emine Erdem: 'The most important thing missing is the role models for women entrepreneurs’

In the opening speech of the panel, KAGIDER President Emine Erdem stated that they have started working by taking all the necessary precautions during the transition period to the new normal. She added that it is a fact that there is concern about the number of cases, but we can overcome the difficulties by understanding the extent of the danger and taking all precautions.

Women's entrepreneurs in Turkey have very high potential. However, the rate of women entrepreneurs in our country is still around 11% today, which is quite low. It should be noted that women with small businesses and the sectors they are actively involved in have been most affected by this difficult period. By turning these challenges into opportunities, women will grow stronger. Women have the courage and power to realize their dreams, but it is crucial that we implement rapid support for women entrepreneurs in this process, through the cooperation of the public sector, civil society, and the private sector. One of the most important shortcomings is the lack of role models for women. I believe it is very important that success and failure stories are shared, and that more examples are put forward. What we are trying to do here today is organize a meeting that will facilitate this kind of sharing.

Gamze Cizreli: 'The competition has a magical and repelling force'

Gamze Cizreli, Founder of Big Chef and moderator of the event, shared that the Women Entrepreneurs of Turkey Competition, which she won 10 years ago, significantly contributed to her career. She expressed her excitement about hosting the panel and added that the competition has a magical atmosphere and serves as a driving force that can change the fate of a female entrepreneur.

Gülşah Gürkan: I will work to promote Isparta better

Gülşah Gürkan, Founder of the Gülsha brand, shared her journey of becoming an entrepreneur, explaining that her decision was influenced by observing and learning from her grandfather’s approach to farmers and field workers while growing roses in Isparta. She said that she founded her brand in 2011, motivated by the joy of touching people’s lives and the confidence that comes from creating something from zero. Gürkan also mentioned that despite the pandemic, Isparta continues to make investments to create new plans, new products and make technological difference in order to declare its natural beauty to the world. She added that she aims to promote Isparta and its natural beauty through tourism.

Duygu Akbudak: "We entrepreneurs are not the ones walking on a stable path"

Duygu Akbudak, Founder of Denebunu.com, explained that before launching her own brand, she worked in different fields in corporate life for eight years, gaining valuable experience. She shared the story of her brand’s founding: “I wanted to create a platform that brings brands and the right consumers together, so I began researching. When I found similar case studies, I knew I was on the right track and created my brand with confidence. My brand grew with the right people at the right time. I collaborated with investors who were my role models. I realized my dream. As entrepreneurs, we do not walk on straight paths—we must not give up. Over time, people have supported and motivated me. Today, we are a team of 27, with 2 million members. I understand the weight of my responsibility. Doing something for 2 million members makes me happy, especially knowing that the people involved are happy too."

Esra Odabasi: '2 million out of the 10 million disabled people in Turkey can work'

Esra Odabaşı, Founder of ‘Es Kariyer’, shared that she became disabled due to a mistake during her birth but has never seen it as a disadvantage in her life. She emphasized the importance of turning disadvantages into advantages. Before starting her own business, she had in-house entrepreneurial experience. She shared her thoughts on the importance of learning business processes from professionals in order to develop one’s entrepreneurial career. Odabaşı also highlighted that 2 million out of the 10 million disabled people in Turkey are in a position to work. "As an organization that supports the employment of people with disabilities, we have reached over 6,000 disabled individuals, supporting them in their careers and boosting their self-confidence. We act as a bridge, helping them find the right companies and positions, ensuring they work in roles they deserve. Equal opportunities in the workplace are essential. This impact is significant not only for people with disabilities but also for their families and communities. The social impact of our work is wide-reaching."

Müzeyyen Erakuman: 'I have turned a deaf ear to all environmental pressures and statements saying that I couldn’t succeed'

Müzeyyen Erakuman, Founder of Eray Plastik, shared the challenges she faced as a woman in a region where societal pressures were high, especially since she had not completed her formal education. Erakuman added: "I faced environmental pressures and heard people say I couldn’t succeed, but I turned a deaf ear to all of it." Erakuman emphasized that she started her business without capital and recieved governmental aid and has since provided jobs for many women in her company.

“KAGİDER Digital Talks” will continue to be held every Tuesday with different speakers and new topics.