Ms.Gülsevin Çağlayan Pastrycook and Pastry shop owner /“SONA PATISSERIE”

  She is a graduate of higher education and at her 35s.After Hotel and TourismVocational High School and the Bread Making Department from a higher education department ,she has gained experience at a variety of patisserie departments of the shopping malls plus as a cuisine chef of a hotel that is Teachers’ House.As once she was rejected after asking for a rise in the salary,the fire is lightened up and she desired to be a self –employed person thereafter.

Interviewing with Gülsevin……

From an employe status to being a boss…. The start of the business What year did you establish

your own company? At the end of 2006. Where is the company?In

the city centre or in the contryside?

In the city centre;In fact the neighbourhood has been resided for over 30 years.

Is it your first experience of the organisation?

YesWhat is the reason of your

founding the company? In Mersin,there are not a lot

that deal with the occupation professionally and the pastry cooks are trasferred from other sectors;thus;they are lack in some essential elements special to this sector.I have trusted in myself and opened the company.

 

What kind of problems have you encountered while opening the company?

“As a woman entrepreneur ,there are many possible problems that one can face.Because,self confidence irritates some people and they think traditionally that there must be some protecting you .Besides,the company is on the basement floor and this disturbs the apartment residents.

 

How have you coped up with the problems?

When people recognise your resolved and regular effort of starting work at 4 a.m in the morning ,they understand your combative soul.The way how you strive and succeed satisfies them(and of course me!)

While founding your company,have you received support from anybody?(economic,educational or informative?) I have been graduated form Anatolian hotel management

and tourism vocational High Schoool and Ege University Bread Making Department.For ten years,I have worked in this sector in different places and have contributed to my occupational development.I had no economic support while starting but had a strong belief of success.I have a business management certificate from the Adult Education Centre and this is enough to build the organization.I also got economic support from KOSGEP.

The present situationWhat are the activities/services that your company provides? Pastry and bakery products.Do you employ other people? If

yes, how many?9 workers.Where is your business located:

home, office, other?Cooking and selling are together in the

place.How many hours do you work in a

week?Nearly 90 hours,I am at work.

Do you experience any problems trying to balance the work and home ?If yes,how do you overcome this?

One day in a week,I am at home and when you balance this,no problem occurs.

 

 

What kind of problems does your company encounter?And how you can manage them?

“The biggest problem in the place is that we work with high capacity and can not use the electricity with the reduced price because of not having dublicate production but the goverment may make law including this issue in the forthcoming days.

Plans for the futureWhat are your business plans for the future?

What are the advantages for a woman to be the owner of the company based on your experience?

I hope to open vocational education school in this field and educate Professional pastry cooks .

“In the society,we have priorities as the people have a higher respect to us than males.Product suppliers are always kind and respective towards us.Concerning KOSGEB(Small and Medium Industry Development Organization),mostly women entrepreneurs are supported.I received financial support two times and the payment procedures are easier and practical.

What are the disadvantages for a woman to be the owner of the company based on your experience? “As the working hours are not flexible,it sometimes creates problem. But I

am single and this fact settles down the complexity .”

What would be your advice to other women who are considering to open up their own companies?

“They should not hurry,they should be sure of their experiences.Trying to obtain the stuff form first hand is the logical and profitable way and provides you gain more money than you can by selling.” 

CONTACT: SONA PATISSERIE Bahçelievler Mah. 16.Sok. Sözen Altı No:15 Yenişehir /

Mersin /TÜRKİYE Tel:0090-324-327 85 47 www.sonapasta.com