He had no money and no clear plan — just a dream and an old family recipe. Here’s how he built a brand from scratch with hard work and networking.
Emre was 22, sitting in his cramped Izmir apartment, staring at the last drops of tea in his glass. He’d just dropped out of university because he couldn’t afford the fees anymore. His part-time job at a café barely paid for meals, let alone rent. His parents worked blue-collar jobs and were struggling with soaring prices themselves. Friends told him, “Get a stable job. Move abroad. Be realistic.” But Emre couldn’t accept that life was just about survival. There was a restless fire inside him, whispering that he was meant for something more.
One night, scrolling on a borrowed Wi-Fi connection, Emre stumbled upon a documentary about a man who turned handmade soaps into a seven-figure business. The story hit him like a thunderbolt. He remembered his grandmother’s olive oil soap recipe — a secret passed down through generations in their village of Edremit. It was simple, natural, and full of heritage. “Could I bring this back?” he thought. “Could I build a brand that honors where I come from, but also speaks to today’s generation?”
He had no capital, no brand, no connections — just a worn-out notebook, his grandmother’s recipe, and an unshakable determination.
Emre’s journey started on two wheels. He biked every morning to local bazaars, talking to olive oil vendors, begging for leftover batches or cheap supplies. His tiny kitchen became a testing lab where he burned through countless failed soap batches. The first batch looked like lumps of dried clay, far from the delicate bars he envisioned. Each failure was frustrating, but he kept mixing, adjusting scents, and experimenting with textures.
Giving out free samples became Emre’s secret weapon. He visited local stall owners and neighbors, asking for honest feedback. Their words shaped the soap — from scent to packaging. He learned that a brand wasn’t just a product; it was a story, a feeling.
Then, one late evening, Emre received an Instagram DM from a woman in Istanbul. “This soap reminds me of my grandmother’s,” she wrote. “Can I buy some?” Emre had no fancy packaging or payment system. But he wrapped the soap in recycled brown paper, scribbled a heartfelt thank-you note, and biked to the post office. He made a small profit — just enough to prove the dream wasn’t impossible.
From that moment, Emre’s story spread slowly but steadily. He shared behind-the-scenes videos — messy shelves, failed batches, and the rich aroma of herbs filling his cramped kitchen. People connected not with perfection but with raw authenticity.
He hustled harder than ever. Attending artisan markets, networking with local influencers, and messaging dozens of bloggers, Emre faced more rejection than acceptance. Out of 50 influencers contacted, only three agreed to feature his soaps. Yet, he didn’t let the “no’s” stop him.
Every sale was reinvested into better ingredients and tools. Using free Canva templates, he designed minimalist packaging that reflected the soap’s rustic roots. A local photographer, impressed by Emre’s story, offered to shoot product photos in exchange for soaps.
Within six months, Köyden — meaning “from the village” — had grown to over 2,000 Instagram followers and 600 repeat customers. Orders poured in from Istanbul, Ankara, and even Germany. His income climbed steadily, allowing him to rent a shared studio space, a step up from his tiny kitchen.
But the journey wasn’t without doubt. Late at night, Emre wondered if he’d made a mistake quitting university. Comments like “You’re wasting time” stung. Some days, the weight of rejection made him want to quit. Yet, every handwritten thank-you note and customer story reminded him why he started.
Today, Emre still packs every order himself. Each soap comes with a handwritten note. He personally replies to every DM, nurturing a community that believes in his story. His product line is expanding to include lip balms and herbal scrubs, all made with the same passion and care.
Emre’s story is proof you don’t need funding, fame, or fancy degrees to build a brand. You need grit, patience, creativity, and the courage to start.
If Emre could build a growing physical product brand from scratch — with no money and nothing but hard work and networking — maybe, just maybe, so can you.
