From NASA to Social Entrepreneurship | Business with Purpose Podcast EP 252: Ferzan Jaeger, Founder of Olive & Loom and Kin & Care

My guest today is Ferzan Jaeger, the founder of Olive & Loom. Her mission is to bring her customers traditional, old world goods with a fresh, modern aesthetic.

Raised in Istanbul and settled in the U.S., Ferzan’s passion is exploring new ways to bring these two cultures together. She loves to surround herself with simple treasures that remind her of family, history, her favorite foods, and the vibrant Mediterranean lifestyle.

After having kids, she has become even more interested in raising them in a multicultural environment and teaching them her family traditions.

4:45 – Ferzan 101

She has a very quantitative side to her. She loves science and math but is also very creative.
While working at NASA, she discovered a more creative, entrepreneurial side to herself.

8:30 – Growing up in Istanbul

She felt like life events took over her destiny. She wanted to find out what she liked besides math and science.

12:15 – Finding herself in her 30s

Farzan felt like she started finding herself in her 30s.
She wanted to do her own thing and be an entrepreneur.
She settled into a routine and realized that nothing mind blowing was happening for her to quiet the noise of wanting to be an entrepreneur.

17:12 – Olive & Loom

Ferzan wanted to do something on her own and was struggling with homesickness. She couldn’t find any Turkish products.
She started her company with Turkish towels and olive oil soaps. It started getting traction, but not as much as she wanted.
She eventually left NASA to focus on her business.

25:32 –A different approach

Many women think they can do more, but she underestimated how difficult it would be to run two brands.
It’s important people know it’s not a charity brand.

27:46 – Misconceptions

Some people have misconceptions about working with the refugee community.
Even though they have accents, we all think the same.

32:43 – Get to know you

What sport would she want to win a medal in? Tennis
What she misses most about Turkey? The food

FEATURED QUOTES

“This desire to do something for myself and use a more creative side of me grew and grew and grew.” – Ferzan

“Do you just stay somewhere, dreaming of some other aspect of a life, or do I just go follow my dreams?” – Ferzan

“It’s like these life events kind of take over your destiny in a way.” – Ferzan

CONNECT:

https://www.oliveandloom.com/

Thank you to our partners of the show:

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