Akşam – Erdem Genç

There are no limits to dreams

Erdem Genç is an entrepreneur who isn't afraid of new beginnings and loves taking risks… He was recently named Turkey's most successful young person in the "entrepreneurship" category at the 21st Junior Chamber International awards. But to learn Erdem's story, it's best if we rewind the film to the beginning…

Fourteen years ago, I met a peer of mine — long-haired, a bit overweight — who frequently organized metal music concerts and published a music fanzine. He was highly productive, sociable, and seemed to never know what it meant to get tired. Even though the events he organized often lost money, he was never afraid to try or to take risks. That metalhead kid, only 18 at the time, who kept working tirelessly even when he occasionally lost money, was Erdem Genç. Not long ago, his efforts finally paid off. He was named Turkey's most successful young person in a competition organized by JCI.

A LIFETIME CAN'T PASS LIKE THIS

Alongside his passion for music publishing and event organizing, Erdem also had a music band called Shred. They even recorded a demo titled "Dreams Have No Limits." Because music took priority over his classes during his student years, he graduated from Yıldız Technical University's Mechanical Engineering department in nine years. While still in school, Erdem did his mandatory internship at a factory two hours from his home, and during that period, worn down by the exhausting office hours and the ordeal of traffic, he said "A lifetime can't pass like this" and decided to plan a different career. Once he started his internship and saw that his elders' saying "Everything will be easier once you finish university" didn't quite hold true, he focused on seizing opportunities to become an entrepreneur. And once again, his starting point was office workers. With a company called M3 Works, he began organizing events where white-collar workers could have a good time. "We offer professionals, whose lives are largely taken up by work, various solutions through art and sport to build motivation, teamwork, and team spirit. We also help brands build one-on-one relationships with their customers by offering them different workshop experiences at points where the brand meets the customer, such as trade fairs, universities, and seminars," he explains, describing the work he has carried out through M3 Works… In short, Erdem and his team create work that entertains office workers living under long, demanding work hours.

I NEEDED MONEY

Even though being in the events business takes up a lot of time, Erdem has strong stamina, having organized concerts back in his high school years. That's why, no matter how intense it gets, this workload never quite satisfies him. Erdem, who can't stand being idle for even a moment and gets bored doing the same things, isn't actually a workaholic who's lost his mind to work. He keeps up his relationship with music, dabbles in photography, and travels the world whenever he gets the chance. On top of all that, he also has a publishing house. Naturally, you find yourself wondering, "Doesn't he ever take a vacation?" — and the answer comes without hesitation. "You won't catch me lying by the pool until evening on vacation either. I need to be doing something, engaged in things I find personally worthwhile. My days are busy, but I do the work I love, and I don't neglect having fun either. We only get a short time in this world. My concern is to experience as much as possible and leave a mark." Whether Erdem Genç, who years ago said "There are no limits to dreams," foresaw that he would grow this much and become his own boss in such a short time is hard to say, but I myself can attest that even back then he said his goal was to turn the work he loved — and, most importantly, enjoyed — into his profession. Half-jokingly, I ask him further ahead, "Can we expect to see you as the head of a holding company?" "When I turn 50, I want to lead an enjoyable life with a certain standard of luxury and leave behind good memories," he says, and continues: "Ten years ago, money was my top priority. Because back then I had no money, and I needed money to bring my ventures to life." Right now, 20 people work at Genç's company, and on daily part-time events, often more than 100 people are employed. We'll be watching with curiosity and interest to see what this entrepreneur — who has set himself goals since he was practically a child and achieved them one by one — will bring to life in the future.

Source: http://www.aksam.com.tr/pazar/duslere-sinir-cizilmez/haber-479435