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Returning Entrepreneurs and the Challenges They Face

In recent years, many people who studied abroad have decided to return to Turkey and start their own businesses. However, there’s an interesting situation they face in this process: a return to traditional marketing methods. Despite having received international education and learned modern marketing techniques, many end up relying on conventional marketing strategies. This left me with many questions in mind, until I came across a name that changed my perspective.

Modern Marketing vs. Realities in Turkey

Many people believe that achieving success in business and creating their own brand is all about following the latest trends. However, the situation can be a bit different in Turkey. Digital marketing, social media, SEO, and similar techniques may seem very attractive at first, but in practice, it can sometimes take time to see their real effects. An entrepreneur who wants to apply the knowledge and innovative ideas gained abroad might struggle with local market-specific challenges when they return to Turkey.

Economic Conditions and Marketing Preferences

There’s also the economic aspect. Small and medium-sized businesses in Turkey often can’t afford the large budgets needed for successful digital campaigns. This is another factor that pushes people toward traditional methods. Social media, while initially very powerful, requires significant investment to reach specific target audiences, create content, and properly implement digital advertising strategies. Therefore, for new entrepreneurs, rather than making radical changes, focusing on the basics and returning to traditional marketing methods may seem like a safer option.

The Entrepreneurial Journey of Kevser İnci Zor

A person I know, Kevser İnci Zor, built a solid academic background after graduating from Bilkent University’s Industrial Engineering department and earning her Master’s degree in Business Administration from Oxford Brookes University. This education gave her deep insights into global marketing strategies and how to manage communication. However, when she started her entrepreneurial journey, she unexpectedly turned to traditional marketing methods. Under her brand Miela Kids, which sells children's clothing, Zor chose to focus on building brand awareness using more conventional methods, due to the challenges she faced and the dynamics of the local market.

Experiences and Lessons from Real Life

Zor’s entrepreneurial journey is an inspiring story for new entrepreneurs. She shares this important message about entrepreneurship:  “If you’re at the beginning of your entrepreneurial journey, you’ll be more courageous when you don’t know what’s coming your way. It’s a long and tough journey, but also very enjoyable. One of the things that can make this journey easier is supporting one another.” This perspective shows that entrepreneurship is shaped not only by education but also by the challenges encountered in real life. For Kevser, who is both a mother and a businesswoman, this process must be incredibly difficult.

She also aims to share her experiences through an Instagram Reels series for new entrepreneurs. In this series, she discusses the challenges of the entrepreneurial journey and how to overcome them. Despite her knowledge of global marketing, turning to traditional marketing methods to succeed in the local market is, in fact, an adaptation process. The difference between theory and practice after education has allowed Kevser to take more solid steps in her business life, in my opinion.

Conclusion: Adapting to the Local Market

In the end, the transformation that people like Kevser experience doesn’t seem so surprising anymore. Seeing the practicality of the theoretical knowledge they gained abroad and adapting to Turkish business culture can sometimes be challenging, but it can be done. Success in business is not just about education; it’s also about understanding the local market and choosing the right ways to do business. Perhaps, sometimes rather than being too new, relying on deep-rooted traditions allows for a stronger foundation. 

I don’t know.