As Turkish business continues to evolve, women entrepreneurs are increasingly emerging as key contributors to the country’s economic growth and innovation.
Turkey has a diverse economy with a GDP of approximately $800 billion and is considered one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
We had the opportunity to speak with Demet Sabancı, one of the company’s key female business leaders.
Demet is the first Turkish woman to be inducted into the International Women’s Forum Hall of Fame and is the third generation of the Sabancı family. Her family founded Sabancı Holding, one of Turkey’s two largest conglomerates, operating companies in sectors from banking to energy.
What were your dreams/goals when you founded Shopsa?
My project plans always prioritize social outcomes. Shopsa was a project given to us by the federation. We wanted to do something in the area of e-commerce and women. In one year, he achieved changes that would have taken e-commerce 10 years due to the pandemic. There is a great deal of awareness growing in this area. At Shopsa, we have brought this supply and demand together. Shopsa is essentially a project for women. Use e-commerce as a tool. We bring women to market, both individually and as a company. We train and motivate them in this process. Local governments, professional bodies and non-governmental organizations are also supporting this effort. Our members are only women and women’s cooperatives. We bring the workforce of these brave, hard-working women to our consumers. We also realize your individual marketing projects. As Shopsa, we prioritize women’s labor over our brands. Therefore, this responsible approach is highly supported. My dream was to create a channel for women to enter the market, thereby expanding the economy and expanding profits. This rapid development of e-commerce has given us a strong push to realize our vision. We climbed two and three flights of stairs. The results we achieved are satisfactory.
Do you think you were able to achieve your company’s dreams and goals?
There is no clear goal to stop at. Our dynamism is determined by women. As long as they produce. This platform will grow as we enter the market. Women’s economic participation is a global goal. E-commerce has created great opportunities for entrepreneurial women. Shopsa has become their marketplace. Once they produce, we bring them to market. We will grow as long as they want. Shopsa did not develop its growth strategy independently of women. We have never and will never say, “Now that we have reached a certain scale, let’s make a new plan.” What is important is to increase the participation of women’s cooperatives and women’s trade unions. Therefore, we will be able to attract more women and include them in the economy.
Is Shopsa limited to Turkish women only? Will it spread globally? Which countries/regions are planned?
There are no restrictions on e-commerce. we dream big. However, at the moment we are still developing the brand. We are trying to make local products shine, nurture small producers and spread them throughout Anatolia. We have opened a global store. Infrastructure works are underway. Our activities will proceed as follows. If we can achieve our goals domestically, we can also expand this business in the Republic of Turkey, the Middle East and the Balkans. But we understand that going faster means going longer. If you proceed gradually, your members will be happier.
Is Shopsa e-commerce only? Where can I see Shopsa products?
The good news is that Shopa allows you to sell online and offline. In order to bring the products of women producers to all corners of Turkey and support local producers, we have entered into a partnership with a major Turkish supermarket chain. In addition, there are market chains and home textile decoration companies that are still negotiating cooperation.
In addition to Shopsa, you are also involved in many corporate and social responsibility projects. Isn’t it difficult to make time for everything?
I would like to state with the utmost care that I am a person who dedicates a significant portion of my time to social responsibility projects. I volunteer in various social responsibility projects, such as the needs of talented children, supporting women entrepreneurs, promoting Turkey, and preserving historical artifacts. It’s the energy that comes from within. That’s what makes me happy. You can’t convince someone to volunteer, it has to come from within them. However, I would like to draw your attention to something. If you have a sense of social responsibility, you are on the threshold of new and important initiatives. Together with Tikad (Turkish Businessmen’s Association) and the Creative Children’s Association, I strive to be close to women and children. Women make up society. The more educated, strong and confident a woman is, the happier she will be raising children. At this moment, a healthy society is in the hands of women. That is why I care so much about women and children and try to participate in almost all useful projects.
This article includes partners from Espacio’s portfolio companies
