Yasemin Sahin Natural Laurel Soap and Local Products!

Yasemin produces natural laurel oil soap using the oldest methods. Before starting soap production, she worked as a shopkeeper in the retail sector for many years. However, she left this business for special reasons and lived out of the city for 4 years. When she returned to Hatay, she wanted to start her own business and earn income by producing at home. This method would be more comfortable and sustainable for him. She had a garden with olive trees and had previously been trained in local laurel soap production in public education courses.

Wanting to utilize the resources at her disposal, Yasemin started to produce local laurel soap by collecting the fallen olives. She improved her production by experimenting and gaining experience over time. While producing at home, she learned that she could formalize her business with an artisan exemption and received an Artisan Exemption Certificate. After formalizing her business, she started selling online on her Instagram account. Not limited to soap production, she started to produce natural products such as pomegranate syrup, olive paste, tomato paste, which are local products of Hatay.

In the February 6 earthquakes, Yasemin’s house was destroyed. She was forced to stay out of the city for a month. But when she returned, she felt that she had to continue her work in order to hold on to life again.

She started producing local soap, pumpkin fiber and St. John’s Wort oil with the materials she could salvage from her home. However, she was worried about sales as many people around her had moved to other places. Despite all the difficulties, she continued to produce. Yasemin applied to MaviKalem’s project and was both surprised and happy to receive a positive response.

“Thanks to the materials delivered, soap production has become much easier for me. Your support is very big for me. Before, my customers would ask for soap, but I couldn’t give it to them because I didn’t have it. I had to sell what I produced without waiting for it to dry. Now I can stock up and offer products to my customers according to demand.”

Thanks to the support provided, it accelerated its production and had the opportunity to make stocks. Thus, she was able to deliver her soaps to her customers more easily and increased her sales. In addition to Instagram, she also sends her products out of the city using different digital sales channels.

Currently, Yasemin continues to produce in the garden of her house and produces natural products such as local laurel soap, pumpkin fiber and St. John’s wort oil. Yasemin believes that women should gain their economic freedom: “If a person wants to, they can do anything, especially women! As women, we are detail-oriented and want to do the best in everything. If you want to do what you desire, be brave and take action!”