Guest and business inquiries connordeckpodcast@gmail.com.
Connect with Furkan and Kemal! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alikemalserbet/ & https://www.linkedin.com/in/muhammed-furkan-yilmaz/ 00:00 Introduction and Background 07:21 Overcoming Challenges and Resilience 13:44 The Turkish Startup Ecosystem 38:06 Eliminating Middlemen and Reducing Costs 44:34 Monetizing Through Commissions and Interest Income Summary
Kemal Serbet and M. Furkan Yılmaz, co-founders of etrexio and Otorepa, discuss their journey as entrepreneurs and the companies they have built. They started as freelancers and eventually founded their own product development company, etrexio. They also created a CRM for freelancers called Freelancer CRM, which was later acquired. They emphasize the importance of trust, open communication, and managing client expectations in a co-founder relationship. They also discuss the entrepreneurial culture in Turkey and the challenges they have faced, including bankruptcy. They highlight the need for work-life balance and finding passion in what you do. Otorepa is a closed marketplace for the auto spare parts industry in Turkey, solving the problem of finding and buying the correct parts. The industry is worth $15 billion per year in Turkey, and Otorepa aims to capture 10% of the market. Currently, the process of buying spare parts involves going to a repairman who contacts various stakeholders to find the correct parts, resulting in higher prices and longer wait times. Otorepa eliminates middlemen and reduces the number of transactions, saving consumers money. The platform monetizes through commissions and interest income.
Takeaways
Starting as freelancers can be a good entry point into entrepreneurship, as it allows you to sell your expertise and gain experience.
Trust and open communication are crucial in managing a co-founder relationship and resolving conflicts.
Finding a good co-founder who shares your vision and values is essential for success.
Work-life balance is important for managing stress and maintaining overall well-being.
Passion and desire are key drivers in entrepreneurship, and it's important to pursue ventures that align with your interests and goals. OtoRepa is a closed marketplace for the auto spare parts industry in Turkey, aiming to capture 10% of the $15 billion market.
The current process of buying spare parts involves multiple transactions and higher prices, which OtoRepa eliminates by connecting experts directly to buyers.
The platform monetizes through commissions and interest income.
The founders emphasize the importance of taking action, being adaptable, and focusing on providing value rather than just earning money.
They have a strong network and experience in the industry, which gives them an advantage.
If they had to start over, they would leverage their development skills and advisory services.
They would love to have Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, or Henry Ford on their team.