Together Textiles: Our Who and Why?
The moment I saw Güven walking into Abercrombie, where I was working in 2013, I knew he was the one for me. It wasn’t logical, it was almost impossible, and it was e l e c t r i c . It felt the way you feel when you know something was meant for you.
Güven and I literally grew up on the opposite sides of the world from each other (Turkey, in case you’re new here). He had a perspective and set of life experiences that were profoundly different than mine and our communication was complicated due to English being his second language (and if I’m honest, learning and speaking English was not high on his priority list until we met although he did know some!).
Güven comes from a family of entrepreneurs. Almost all of the men in his family had their own textile companies or worked for each other’s textile companies. He experienced firsthand the good, the tough, and the great things entrepreneurship can offer a life. Güven always assumed he would be an entrepreneur his entire life.
The beginning of our relationship were some of my best and h a r d e s t days. We experienced some really high highs learning about each other and some really low lows when we weren’t understanding each other. If you or someone you know is a first generation immigrant, then you know a similar experience I am sure. I met Güven his 1st week after moving to America - so we went through it all together.
In the beginning, I asked Güven to commit to assimilation. I thought that was the best idea at the time. We were living in Ohio and I had a dream of a 401k retirement. I wanted to show him the type of life and the standard of living I was working towards. And, he did! He worked so many jobs, acted and dressed the part, and gave all of his energy into learning and assimilation. Ultimately though, that version of my life wasn’t working for him.
I can’t explain how we got through those first years going deeper into debt, unfulfilling jobs, suffering through the immigration process, resistance against our relationship, blatant discrimination, and a mental health crisis (my panic episodes from 2015). But my connection with Güven was what I came home to every day.
It was time to try his idea and dream for life next: e n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p . We began Together Textiles, one week after we gave birth / lost our first born, Toros. We were hurting, empty, in debt and felt really lost. We had nothing more to lose and were ready to go a l l i n ; betting on ourselves, taking risks, and hustling beyond burnout (at times) to make something new, something ours.
Today, I am writing to you from a version of life where we are full time employed by our small biz while continuing to grow our family and live a life that doesn’t only look good, it feels good with almost a d e c a d e of togetherness. I hope that as you’re reading this, it inspires you to take a baby step in the direction that will get you closer to that next version of life that f e e l s as good as it looks, too!
About Together Textiles:
Cozy, sustainable, and versatile, Together Textiles designs robes and towels traditionally woven on looms in Turkey using the same techniques passed down four generations. Purchasing from Together Textiles means you are supporting an ancient craft, along with a budding family of five who loves connecting with the local communities while splitting time between Turkey and America. Follow the family business journey on Instagram @togethertextiles or read the blog togethertextiles.com/blog.
To shop Together Textiles, visit https://www.togethertextiles.com