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Skateboards and Posters

Growing up with just one parent and three siblings, I
had an insufficient childhood. We lived in a house with two
rooms with my grandparents, my mother, my older sister
and two older brothers. I grew up wearing my sister and
brother’s clothes. I was using old books, clothes and brushes.
Most of the time, we even shared the bed. When I was 6, I
had my own skateboard. The skate area was close to my house
and I felt I could go whenever I wanted. Being able to go
where I want to go is a priceless thrill for me.
At 13, I started hanging posters in my room, like band
posters. At 14, my mother thought it would be prettier and
less dirty if I did graffiti, and she allowed me to buy spray
paint and paint graffiti in the skateboard area, and I became
the popular kid with the cool room. I did a lot of street
painting in the 8 months after that.
But I can’t feel any love in my home, only rules. From
the time my father died when my mother returned to my
grandfather’s house, there were always boundaries in my
home. My family was always like that — this is my home,
and if you are here, follow my rules! My grandfather never
hugged my mother. Naturally, my mother treated me the
same way.
Then, at 15, I left home and went to Istanbul to start
my life, participated in mural festivals, skate park painting
and many street paintings.
At the age of 16, my friend gave me some papers about
drawing techniques when she knew I did not have any chance
to study Art. And I started to do art through imitation. I
could not believe it when my friend asked me to create some
art for a concert. I can say sincerely that true friends helped
me to develop myself in terms of self-confidence.
I started working at an extreme sportswear store when
I was 17. This work experience made me realize my passion
for adventure and that my ideal workplace was where I
could openly welcome my self-expression. However, be-
cause the company was facing financial problems, I was
forced to find another job.

Coffee Helps Me Find Myself

I Googled “places to work where tattoos wouldn’t be
a problem” and found that a coffee shop might be a good
choice. When I was 28 years old, a coffee shop gave me an
opportunity to work here in Turkey, and my mom was “Build confidence and momentum with
happy as she thought the job was better than in an extreme
sports clothing store where I was often injured. each good decision you make from
I entered the coffee industry by washing dishes, and
then I started to fully understand it when I became a here on out and choose to be inspired. ”
barista and assistant roaster.

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