Women’s Mark on Entrepreneurship: Success Stories That Inspire the Future

At the “Women’s Entrepreneurship Stories: Inspiration for the Future” seminar organized by the Industry and Leadership Club, Fatma Aysun Özkan and Melike Çengel, successful names in the world of design and fashion, shared their experiences with students.

The Üsküdar University Industry and Leadership Club continues to bring students together with women leaders who make a difference in the business world. At the seminar titled “Women’s Entrepreneurship Stories: Inspiration for the Future,” held at the Ayhan Songar Conference Hall on the Main Campus, the success journeys of two strong women entrepreneurs who established their own brands and made their mark in the sector were examined.

In the first part of the event, Fatma Aysun Özkan, founder of the Maisa Şal brand known for its original work in design, took the floor. Özkan talked about the process of taking an idea from design to production, the challenges encountered during branding and the finer points of creating sustainable value in the creative industries. Drawing attention to the importance of originality in entrepreneurship, Özkan advised students on discovering their own potential.

The seminar’s other guest, Melike Çengel, founder of the Melike Çengel Bridal brand, shared her entrepreneurial experiences in the evening wear and bridal gown sector with participants. Sharing the dynamics of building a brand identity in the fashion world, Çengel detailed critical strategies regarding customer satisfaction, quality management and the path from a boutique business to a brand. Çengel’s sector-specific insights drew great interest, especially from students interested in textile and fashion management.

At the event, attended by around 40 students, an interactive discussion was held on leadership qualities and the current state of the entrepreneurship ecosystem. In the Q&A session, students had the opportunity to broaden their professional vision by asking the guests about technical details and market strategies. The seminar provided a productive platform where theoretical knowledge was blended with the practices of professional life.

At the end of the program, club officials thanked Fatma Aysun Özkan and Melike Çengel for their inspiring talks. Organized in partnership with the Directorate of Health, Culture and Sports (HCS), this gathering once again reinforced Üsküdar University’s vision of equipping its students not only academically but also with industry leadership skills.