Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and Chairman of the TOBB ETU Board of Trustees, shared his views on entrepreneurship and ways to succeed with TOBB ETU students in the 2021-2022 Academic Year “Entrepreneurship and Leadership” course.

Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the wealth of countries passes through the wealth of people. “‎Natural gas and oil make states rich. ‎The wealth of nations is created by entrepreneurship. Note the example of Germany and Japan. These countries, which were destroyed in World War II, rose up thanks to their entrepreneurs and became some of the greatest powers in the world.”

Pointing out that where there is entrepreneurship, there will be competition and quality, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Ideas, not capital, are important. The world's most valuable land is the screen of your mobile phone. The important thing is to get a place in this precious land. The whole world is on this screen.” Hisarcıklıoğlu noted that 900 students who graduated from TOBB ETU started their own business today and said that he was proud of this tableaux.

- Entrepreneurship begins with dreaming

Emphasizing that the project he most boasts about is the establishment of TOBB ETU, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Look, let me just give an example of our recent success. TOBB ETU students were the world's first in the competition organized by the American Aerospace Institute.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu, sharing the secrets of entrepreneurship with students, explained that it all starts with dreaming. Then, emphasizing that it is necessary to set goals within these dreams, the TOBB President stated that hard work came afterwards. Hisarcıklıoğlu said: “Set out to make a brand. When you become a brand, both your reputation and your earnings increase. Then make a good team. I'm from Kayseri, but I'm never upset about the money I've given to wisdom. Embrace a partnership culture. Remember, birds fly with their flocks. And we have to be innovative. We weren’t raised to invent, but you bring new customs to the old village. Never be afraid of failure and set your own principles. Get out of your comfort zone. It doesn't matter how old you are, if you're surrendering to comfort, you're old. Be conscientious and fair in everything you do, in any environment you are in. Work for a world where the right are strong, not the opposite. And be honest. Because honesty is the trick. And don't miss life. Travel, learn new cultures. Never stop reading or researching. Be the hero of your own story, not anyone else's.”