At our faculty, within the scope of the Entrepreneurship course, a conference titled “Making a Difference in the Natural Products Market: A Successful Entrepreneur’s Story” was held with the aim of sharing sectoral experience with students.
The event, hosted at the Prof. Dr. Sabri Bektöre Conference Hall, was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Prof. Dr. Gökhan Demirtaş, along with academic and administrative staff and students. The invited speaker of the conference was Soner Çakıroğlu, Founder and Manager of Çakıroğlu Natural Products.
“Sirkengebin: A Healing Remedy of Ottoman Cuisine”
Beginning his presentation by sharing insights into his educational background and professional career journey, Soner Çakıroğlu provided information on production processes and the dynamics of the natural products market. He emphasized the historical, cultural, and spiritual significance of vinegar, noting its deep-rooted past. Drawing attention to its importance in Turkish culture—particularly in Ottoman cuisine—Çakıroğlu stated:
“Turks are among the earliest civilizations to use vinegar in world history. In the Ottoman period and culinary tradition, sirkengebin—a mixture of honey and apple vinegar—held an important place. Known for its throat-cleansing properties, sirkengebin was historically used as a remedy against tuberculosis, formerly referred to as the ‘consumptive disease,’ and remains one of the enduring values of Ottoman cuisine that has survived to the present day.”
Three Key Recommendations for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
In the latter part of his talk, Çakıroğlu offered advice to students aspiring to become entrepreneurs, outlining the fundamental principles of successful entrepreneurship. Emphasizing the importance of risk management, planning, and legal safeguards, he noted:
“If you want to become an entrepreneur, first you must be willing to take risks. Second, you need to plan the process very carefully. Third, while trust is essential in commercial relationships, you should always formalize your agreements in writing to ensure legal security.”
The conference concluded with a Q&A session in which participants’ questions were addressed.
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