Adana Haber Ajansı – Erdem Genç
While studying Mechanical Engineering at Yıldız Technical University, Erdem Genç was elected chairman of the university's Rock Club and began organizing concerts on campus. He later founded his own company at age 20.
Breaking the mental image of what a boss looks like, Erdem Genç founded his own company at 20, grew its revenue into the millions of dollars, and, at 33, never put off his dream of touring the world. He shared his inspiring success story with Yaşar University students. Having guided young entrepreneurs three years earlier with his book "Boss at 20", Erdem Genç said, "When you find a good business idea, don't be afraid to put it into practice. And if you build it with passion, success will surely follow. Remember, it's not all about money — it's about time and happiness."
While studying Mechanical Engineering at Yıldız Technical University, Erdem Genç was elected chairman of the university's Rock Club and began organizing concerts on campus. He later founded his own company at age 20. Over the years he grew its revenue into the millions of dollars, and now, at 33, has become a well-known businessman in a short span of time. The young businessman also published a book titled "Boss at 20", sharing the experience he had gathered over the years with fellow entrepreneurs. Treating his employees with great warmth and breaking the mental image of what a boss looks like, Genç met with Yaşar University students to tell his success story.
HIS FIRST EVENT FAILED, BUT HE DIDN'T GIVE UP
Recounting his experiences, Erdem Genç said: "As a member of a rock band, alongside playing successful concerts, I also started putting on successful music events. When I began earning money from it — and enjoying it immensely — I founded an events company called M3 to make it professional. I got the chance to meet major organizers like Ahmet Sun and tried to learn the finer points of the business. But my first big event outside campus was a huge failure. We expected 20,000 people for a concert featuring famous rock artists like Hayko Cepkin, Duman, and Erkin Koray, but heavy rain meant barely 2,000 showed up. All my savings were seized, and I ended up deeply in debt."
HIS BUSINESS: ENTERTAINING THE BUSINESS WORLD
Erdem Genç, founder of the corporate activity and events company M3 Works, shared the secret to his success with young people, saying: "To pay off my debts, I did various side jobs for a while, like selling products online and doing web design; but despite the bad experience I'd had, I never gave up on doing the work I loved and enjoyed so much. If you have a job you love, it's impossible not to succeed. With M3 Works, which I founded at 20, I went on to run many successful events. That way, I paid off my debts and grew my revenue into the millions of dollars. In other words, I chose the path of entrepreneurship over the career path laid out for me. In 2015, M3 Works won Best Event Supplier at the World Tourism Forum, attended by tourism leaders from around the world. When you find a good business idea, don't be afraid to put it into practice. And if you build it with passion, success will surely follow."
