Strength in Unity: Inspiring Women's Journeys

As a woman, I have always believed that being present in the business world is not just about paving your own way; it is also about having the power to tell other women, “You can do it too.”
With this belief, I embarked on a journey that has led me to where I am today: a member of the Board of Directors of the Aydın Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Executive Board, and the Founding President of the Aydın Businesswomen's Association (İSKAD). I am proud to be the voice of women entrepreneurs.

For years, I have been involved in social projects to make women's labor visible, increase production, and bring a woman's touch to local development. From women's cooperatives to training programs for young entrepreneurs, from social responsibility initiatives to connecting women's brands with commerce, I have worked to grow the idea of “strengthening together” in many areas. Because I know that when a woman is empowered, her family, her community, her city, and ultimately her country are empowered.

One of the most special projects we have undertaken with this approach was our visit to the “Would You Like to Be My Partner?” Fair last month.
This journey to the fair, which took us from Aydın to Istanbul with 135 women, was not just a trip; it was also a story of learning, discovery, and gaining courage.
Some were attending a fair for the first time, others were there with dreams of growing their brands... But we were all together on the same buses, sharing the same excitement, united by the same goal: to empower women entrepreneurs.

The visionary support and trust provided by Mr. Hakan Ülken, Chairman of the AYTO Board of Directors, to female members was one of the most important driving forces behind the realization of this major organization.
The approach taken to encourage female members to participate more actively in economic life and to take part in production and branding processes shapes the distinctive approach of the Aydın Chamber of Commerce.
With this support, we female members are taking bolder steps in the field and finding opportunities to discover our own potential.

The success of the organization is also greatly due to the contributions of my valued colleagues on the AYTO Executive Board: Duygu Sandıklı, Gülhan Erkuş, Şule Civarakoğlu, Pelin Yardım, Gamze Asnuk, and Seçil Uyaroğlu.
Each of them took responsibility for a different aspect of the process, ensuring that women got the most out of this experience.
This solidarity was actually the most concrete demonstration of what women can achieve when they come together.

Throughout the fair, our women met entrepreneurs from all over Turkey, learned new business models, and gained insights into branding processes.
Some found suppliers for their own brands, while others returned with ideas to improve their production.
But most importantly, they all returned home with the same sparkle in their eyes, saying, “I can do it too.”

This sentence has a very deep meaning for me. Because in every social project I have undertaken over the years, my ultimate goal has been to help women realize their potential.
That is why the training programs and projects we run under the AYTO umbrella, aimed at empowering our women entrepreneurs in every area from production to marketing, digital transformation to branding, are so valuable.

We want to create an economy where women inspire each other and grow together with collective wisdom.
And I know that on this journey, every small step we take will pave the way for the strong women of the future.

Looking back today, I feel a sense of peace knowing that I have touched hundreds of stories, from women's cooperatives to entrepreneurship training in Aydın, and from local producers to branding journeys.
But I know we are just at the beginning of the road.
Because it is possible to hold more women's hands, encourage more producers, and inspire more stories.

I believe in this power.
And with this belief, I am delighted to see that every journey women take shoulder to shoulder creates a transformation.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our President, Mr. Hakan Ülken, for his unwavering support throughout this process, to all my colleagues on the Executive Board who worked together with great harmony and dedication, and to all the women entrepreneurs who wholeheartedly believe in this story.

Belgin Çekmen Altay, Member of the Board of Directors of the Aydın Chamber of Commerce, Founding President of İSKAD. She has spearheaded numerous projects in the areas of women's entrepreneurship, local production, and social development; she plays an active role in the development of the women's economy in Aydın.

A Morning Note from the Fair
Özhan Erem – Medyafors Chairman

Last week, it was the morning of the second day of the 23rd Would You Like to Be My Franchisee? Franchising and Branded Franchise Fair held at the Eurasia Exhibition and Arts Center in Yenikapı, Istanbul.
At the entrance to the fairgrounds, I was with 135 female entrepreneurs who had just gotten off the buses. Their eyes sparkled with excitement, their steps brimmed with courage... What I felt in that moment was not the dynamism of an ordinary crowd, but a collective energy of transformation.

I made a few small introductions to facilitate their entry and greeted the booth owners. However, the real surprise and satisfaction lay in the feedback from the brands participating in the fair. They all said the same thing:
“These women entrepreneurs from Aydın are asking exactly the kind of questions we would want to hear from a potential investor.”

These words proved that the women I walked with that morning were not just visitors engaging in mental gymnastics; they were visionary businesspeople. Because success is not a coincidence; it is the result of a vision pursued with faith and patience.

That morning, when I entered the fairgrounds in my car, I noticed Sude Susamcı, the Press and Publications Officer of the Aydın Chamber of Commerce, gathering the Aydın delegation at the entrance gate for a large photo, climbing onto a stool to capture that unforgettable moment. I went over to her and obtained information about the delegation from her. I would like to express my special thanks to her for her sincere interest and professional contribution.
Furthermore, although we did not have the opportunity to meet that morning, I would like to sincerely congratulate İlknur Kahraman, Secretary General of AYTO, who is one of the names behind such an efficient and powerful organization.

As Belgin Çekmen Altay, Member of the Board of Directors of the Aydın Chamber of Commerce, emphasized:
“When a woman empowers herself, her family, her community, her city, and ultimately her country are empowered.”

Supporting women's entrepreneurship is possible not only through education but also through belief and courage in the field.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to Hakan Ülken, President of the Aydın Chamber of Commerce, who spearheaded this meaningful journey, to the members of the Women Entrepreneurs Council, to Belgin Çekmen Altay, and to Sude Susamcı, who immortalized this powerful story with her photography.
Such unity is the most beautiful expression of being “more than just a fair.”