Ilker Aybey
Thor Teknoloji

What inspired you to start your own business?

I was inspired to start my own business due to my deep understanding of the confectionery market and my passion for creating products that kids would love. I saw an opportunity to bring beloved kid brands to life through confectionery products and bring joy and fun to kids everywhere. With a team of experienced professionals and a commitment to innovate, I was confident that we could make a big impact in the world of confectionery. And so, we set out on our journey to bring our vision to life.

What is the best part of running your own business?

I can say that the best part is the sense of pride and fulfilment that comes with building something from the ground up and seeing it grow and succeed. There is a tremendous sense of accomplishment in seeing your vision become a reality, and in knowing that you are making a positive impact on the world through your work.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced running your own business and how did you overcome it?

As the owner of my own business, I have faced numerous challenges over the years, but one of the biggest was building a robust and reliable supply chain. When I first started, I struggled to find suppliers who could provide the quality and consistency of goods I needed to meet customer demand. This resulted in frequent stockouts, frustrated customers, and lost sales.

To overcome this challenge, I took a proactive approach, investing in the development of strong relationships with suppliers and building a robust, data-driven system to monitor and manage my inventory. I also worked closely with my suppliers to identify and resolve any issues in the supply chain, such as delays or quality control problems, to ensure that I could always meet the needs of my customers.

What is your 5 year vision for the business?

I have a bold and exciting vision for the next five years. Our goal is to solidify our position as a leading player in the confectionery industry and expand our reach to new markets. Our aim is to be present in every major European and British city, with a strong and diverse portfolio of licensed products that are loved by kids everywhere.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to anyone wanting to start their own business?

As someone who has started and grown their own business, I would say the most important piece of advice I can give is to believe in yourself and your vision. Starting a business is not easy and there will be challenges along the way, but if you have a clear and compelling vision and the determination to see it through, you can achieve great things.

Were there any key moments during your time at NUBS which ignited your entrepreneurial spirit?

The Digital Marketing course gave me a comprehensive understanding of various tools and platforms to promote my business online. It covered SEO, social media, email marketing, and data-driven decision making, which helped me increase my online presence and generate more leads.

The New Product and Service Development course taught me to innovate and develop products to meet customer needs. I learned to identify market gaps and introduced new flavours, shapes, and packaging for my confectionary products, resulting in increased sales and customer satisfaction.