Duygu Yilmaz Koksal

Her career began with over a decade of professional experience spanning construction, real estate, and healthcare. However, it was during a transformative career break that Duygu embraced her entrepreneurial spirit and co-founded Saledo in 2022. “Founding Saledo has been the most rewarding achievement of my journey,” she shares, “as it allowed me to turn a vision into reality and make a meaningful impact.”

Saledo is a women-led initiative rooted in sustainability, social responsibility, and innovation in the food sector. Starting with the production of green banana flour—a gluten-free, nutrient-rich alternative made from upcycled bananas grown in a 100,000 m² greenhouse in Antalya/Alanya—Saledo exemplifies Duygu’s commitment to healthy, natural, and sustainable food solutions. 

“Our vision for Saledo is to add value to our customers by offering healthy, delicious, natural, and sustainable alternatives,” she explains. More than just a food brand, Saledo is a social enterprise, proudly affiliated with organisations such as UN Women, EWA (Empowering Women in Agrifood), and the Turkish Food Innovation Platform (TÜGİP). 

Since its launch, Saledo has expanded into retail, selling through marketplaces, specialty stores, and its website, with ongoing R&D efforts to explore applications in sectors like food supplements, cosmetics, and vegan products.

For Duygu, entrepreneurship is deeply personal. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs and sharing this background with her partner, starting her own venture felt like a natural progression. Yet, it came with its challenges. “The transition to entrepreneurship meant being solely responsible for every decision, success, and failure,” she reflects. “Unlike working in a team, entrepreneurship can sometimes feel isolating. But the joy of creating something meaningful and watching it grow outweighs those struggles.”

Duygu’s time at UOWD played a pivotal role in shaping her journey. Managing full-time work alongside evening classes taught her the importance of discipline and resilience. “The diverse cultural perspectives at UOWD sparked my passion for lifelong learning,” she notes. “And the alumni network showed me the value of connections, which has been crucial in my entrepreneurial journey.”

Her fondest memories of UOWD include the immediate application of knowledge. “What I learned in my evening classes, I could implement the very next day at work,” she shares, highlighting the practical value of her education.

Today, Duygu envisions a future of innovation and growth for Saledo, with a focus on food technology and upcycling. She also dreams of contributing to science through a PhD, merging her entrepreneurial expertise with academic discovery.

Balancing her roles as an entrepreneur and a mother of two, Duygu emphasises the importance of structure and celebrating small achievements. “Checking off tasks and taking breaks that bring me joy keeps me motivated,” she says.

As we celebrate Duygu’s journey, we are inspired by her resilience, vision, and dedication. Her story exemplifies the values of perseverance and balance, and we are proud to have her as a distinguished member of the UOWD alumni community.