Bengü Karakaya graduated from the Department of Mining Engineering and she worked as a mining engineer for a while but she realized that working in an office was not for her. Then, she worked in several sectors such as the sales department, marketing, and photography. When she became unemployed, her sister bought a homemade chocolate bar and that chocolate bar changed Bengü’s life. She began to take courses on making homemade chocolates. She first made homemade chocolates at home with her sister but she always wanted to have her own business and she opened her own shop and she has produced homemade chocolates. She has also organized workshops for women to teach them how to make homemade chocolates.

ZEYNEP PEHLİVAN

İzmir- Bengü Karakaya made homemade chocolates at home with her sister for two years. Then she opened a shop to sell her homemade chocolates and she has run the shop for four years. Bengü was born in 1971, Berlin, Germany. And she grew up in İzmir. After she graduated from the Department of Mining Engineering at Dokuz Eylül University, she worked as a mining engineer for a while. She got married and moved to Ankara. Bengü has two sons but she asked for a divorce after 12 years and she returned to Izmir. And she began to work again.

“I worked as a mining engineer for a year after graduating from university. I realized that working in an office was not for me. Then I worked for companies in sales and marketing departments for years. But I was fired due to the economic crisis in Turkey. I was unemployed for two years and I worked as a photographer at that time.

“I thought I'd take pictures, but I started making chocolates”

While working as a photographer, her sister was taking courses on making homemade chocolates and cakes. Bengü and her sister’s biggest dream were to start their own business. Bengü thought she could take pictures of chocolates and cakes.

“My sister was thinking if we should open a place on chocolate. Since I didn’t know anything about making chocolate, I didn’t say anything. I thought I couldn’t make chocolate but my sister motivated me. I started making several chocolates at home when I was unemployed. I told my sister ‘you will make them; I will take their pictures’. That time, my sister became pregnant and she said she couldn’t make chocolates anymore. And my journey with making homemade chocolates started. After sending my children to school, I started to search everything about making chocolates on the internet. I started to examine the recipes of famous chefs around the world and how they use the ingredients. I participated in online courses. I started making chocolates at home and created a social media account. I shared the photos of chocolates on my account. My friends didn’t believe me but then they gave orders.”

Two sisters overcame difficulties by standing shoulder to shoulder

Two sisters decided to realize their dream. But opening a shop wasn’t easy. They faced difficulties when organizations providing financial support ended their support. But they never gave up. Their family supported them after they opened the shop. Two sisters organized workshops for children to teach how to make chocolates. Then the mothers of children also wanted to make homemade chocolates. The two sisters have organized workshops for children and women.

“Chocolate is actually a sensitive product. It can be affected by weather or your mood. Making chocolates is surely enjoyable. Producing a product that makes people happy when they eat it is enjoyable. I managed to do this job without knowing anything about it. Women can do whatever they want. I studied to be a mining engineer but now I am making homemade chocolates now.”