Turkish business owner learns life lessons to keep family business alive amid economic crisis

ISTANBUL— In the heart of Taksim Square, Taspinar Ciftligi is more than just a retail market for Turkish delight, salep, baklava and cheeses. For Erden Mungan, his family-owned establishment represents a lifelong journey.

Erden Mungan began working at 12 years old washing dishes and now runs Taspinar Ciftligi— a family-owned and operated business that employs a handful of his relatives.

“Family helps out to make things run,” Mungan said. “We help each other when someone can’t do something to keep making money.”

Mungan hasn’t always worked at his family business, in 1999 he moved to the U.S. because “everyone else was.”

In the U.S., he attended the University of New Haven in Connecticut for six months to learn to speak English. Mungan reminisced on travelling across the Northeastern U.S. working on construction projects while learning about the culture.

Mungan said his time in the U.S. was cut short after the 9/11 attacks because his visa was revoked by the government. He added that he hopes to make a visit back to the U.S. soon.

“In the United States, everyone always working to make money and have a good life—I learned that very quickly when I was there.”

He stressed the importance of this lesson and how it has carried his family business through the financial situation plaguing Turkey.

In Turkey, inflation rates have hit an all-time high of 64.90%, according to YCharts. Mungan said that the increased inflation rates have impacted his business greatly and they are financially struggling.

“It’s f----d,” Mungan said. “It is not easy to make money and everyone in Istanbul is poor.”

For Mungan, life is about more than money. It’s about the spirit of fans that fill the streets of Taksim Square before a Galatasaray football match, heartfelt conversations with customers shared over Turkish tea, and the bond he creates with his family members.

“This is my country. This is my land. Istanbul is my home,” Mungan said.