Today we’d like to introduce you to Turkan.
Hi Turkan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey with Tutunaki began four years ago, when I moved from Istanbul, Türkiye, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with a dream of bringing my family’s textile heritage to the American market. My family has been in the textile industry in Türkiye for 45 years, and growing up surrounded by this world gave me a deep appreciation for quality, craftsmanship, and the stories behind the fabrics. Bringing that knowledge and vision to the U.S. market had always been a dream of mine.
When I started building my brand, I wanted its name to reflect who I am as a person. During my student years in England, my friends gave me a nickname that felt so true to my personality that I eventually decided to make it the name of my brand: Tutunaki. I also wanted my logo to tell a little story about me. As someone who loves the sea and the sun, I incorporated these elements into its design.
My first product choices were inspired by my own lifestyle. I have always loved robes and cover-ups, pieces I naturally reach for at home and by the sea. I started with a small collection of just 10 products and introduced them to customers at weekend markets, using their feedback to understand what resonated with them. The response was encouraging, and as customers began asking for more versatile styles, I gradually expanded the collection beyond beachwear to include pieces that could be worn and enjoyed in everyday life.
As the brand grew, I began participating in larger markets and trade shows, and eventually opened a small store in Miami. After two and a half wonderful years in Florida, life took an unexpected turn. My husband and I had visited Austin simply for a vacation, but we fell in love with the city at first sight. We both had a feeling that we could build a very happy life there, so we made the spontaneous decision to move.
Austin turned out to be an exciting new chapter for both our family and our business. The warmth and support we received from Texas customers gave us the confidence and opportunity to grow Tutunaki even further. Today, what began with just 10 products has grown into a brand available through select boutiques and major American online retail platforms, including Macy’s.
Looking back, I feel incredibly grateful for how far we have come in just four years. Tutunaki is much more than a business to me; it is a reflection of my personality, my love for textiles, my family’s heritage, and the lifestyle that inspires me. My biggest dream now is to continue growing the brand while staying true to the quality, individuality, and spirit that brought it to life in the first place.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Of course, the journey has not always been easy. One of my biggest challenges at the beginning was leaving my family, my friends, and the country where I was born and raised to pursue a dream. Starting a new life in a different country requires courage, patience, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone.
Beyond the personal challenges, I had to learn how to introduce 100% Turkish products to the enormous American market. I was building a business in a country I had never lived in before, without English being my native language, and without knowing American customers’ tastes, shopping habits, or how they would respond to products made in Türkiye. Understanding a new market while trying to establish a brand from scratch was a learning experience in every sense.
Another challenge was gaining recognition as a small, emerging brand. Getting accepted into trade shows was not always easy, and I cannot even begin to count how many boutique doors I knocked on to introduce my products. There were many moments when I had to be patient, keep going, and believe in what I was building, even when progress took longer than I had hoped.
Looking back, I believe one of the most important decisions I made was starting with products I truly believed in. I focused on quality, distinctive designs, and products that offered something meaningful to customers. Gradually, the positive response began to open doors, and opportunities followed.
My journey has taught me that building a brand takes much more than a good idea. It requires resilience, consistency, and the courage to keep moving forward when things are uncertain. Sometimes, the road becomes easier not because the challenges disappear, but because you learn to trust your vision and stay committed to it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Tutunaki is an Austin, Texas-based lifestyle brand specializing in distinctive robes and cover-ups crafted from premium cotton and linen. The brand was born from my passion for textiles, my family’s 45-year heritage in the Turkish textile industry, and my desire to bring the quality and craftsmanship I grew up with to the American market.
What makes Tutunaki special is the combination of textile heritage, distinctive design, and versatility. We believe a robe or cover-up can be much more than a simple beach essential. It can be an expression of personal style, a statement piece, and something you reach for in different moments of everyday life. Our collections are designed to move naturally between beach days, vacations, relaxing at home, and casual everyday wear.
We are particularly passionate about fabrics, textures, and designs that help each piece stand out. From handwoven jacquard styles to expressive prints and distinctive details, our products are created for people who appreciate individuality and want something beyond ordinary, mass-market designs. We also value the character of handcrafted textiles, where subtle variations can make each piece feel unique.
Our roots in Türkiye are an important part of who we are. The textile knowledge and appreciation for quality passed down through my family continue to influence the way I approach the brand. For me, quality is not simply about how a product looks; it is about how it feels, how it fits into someone’s lifestyle, and how much enjoyment it brings over time.
I am most proud of the fact that Tutunaki has grown from a small collection of just 10 products into a brand carried by select boutiques and available through major American online retail platforms, including Macy’s. Building that presence while staying true to our original vision has been incredibly rewarding. The support and enthusiasm of our customers, especially those who have discovered us at markets and continued to follow our journey, mean a great deal to me.
What I want readers to know is that Tutunaki is about more than robes and cover-ups. It is about bringing together Turkish textile heritage, distinctive design, and a relaxed, expressive lifestyle. Our goal is to offer pieces that feel special, encourage individuality, and become favorites that people enjoy wearing in their own way, whether they are by the sea or going about their everyday lives. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to the quality, creativity, and unique character that inspired Tutunaki from the beginning.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I truly believe that no meaningful journey is built entirely alone. While Tutunaki has been a very personal journey for me, there are several people who have played an important role in bringing the brand to where it is today.
First, my family deserves a great deal of credit. My family’s 45-year history in the Turkish textile industry gave me the foundation, knowledge, and appreciation for quality that continue to guide me today. The textile expertise and values I grew up with have been essential in shaping Tutunaki.
My husband has also been an important source of support throughout this journey, especially as we built a new life in the United States and eventually made Austin our home. Starting over in a new country and building a business comes with many uncertainties, and having his support has meant a great deal to me.
Our customers deserve special recognition, too. From the people who first discovered Tutunaki at weekend markets to those who have continued to support us, recommend our products, and follow our journey, their trust has been one of my greatest motivations. Their feedback has also helped me understand what they love and how I can continue developing the collection.
I am also grateful to the boutique owners, market organizers, and trade show teams who gave a small, emerging brand like ours opportunities to be seen and discovered. Every opportunity helped us take another step forward.
Finally, I want to recognize the women behind our products: our all-female production team. Their skill, care, and hard work are an essential part of what makes Tutunaki possible. I have great respect for the people who bring our designs to life, and I believe it is important to acknowledge the craftsmanship and dedication behind every piece.
Tutunaki may have started with my personal vision, but its journey has been shaped by the knowledge, encouragement, trust, and hard work of many people. I am genuinely grateful to everyone who has played a part in helping the brand grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tutunaki.com
- Instagram: @tutunakii
