Selda Atlamaz

Even before meeting the Venture Warriors, I was trying to touch people’s lives, create social benefit, and dream. But this program taught me how to plan a dream, how to develop it, and how to transform it into a sustainable social enterprise.

In this process, I didn’t just learn entrepreneurship. I gained invaluable perspectives on life, people, and creation. I realized that social entrepreneurship isn’t just about writing a project or starting a business; it’s about seeking solutions to problems, taking responsibility, and persevering without giving up.

It wasn’t an easy journey. Sometimes we thought for hours, sometimes we changed our minds, and sometimes we asked ourselves questions we’d never asked before. But I think that’s what made it so valuable. Because people learn and grow most when they step outside their comfort zone.

For me, one of the best parts of this journey was meeting people who spoke the same language. Being in the same environment with people who believed in social benefit, wanted to create, sought solutions, dreamed, and never gave up on their dreams gave me hope. We learned from each other, empowered each other, and grew together.

As a nurse for 28 years, I’ve tried to touch people’s wounds. Now I feel my dream of making the invisible youth visible through the healing power of art, expression, and stories has grown even stronger.

Thanks to this program, I saw that AYNA and my dream of “Healing in Art” were not just an idea; they could transform into a real social impact when combined with the right information, the right methods, and the right people. I sincerely thank all the trainers, mentors, and fellow travelers who contributed to this process.

Today, I don’t just have a graduation certificate in my hand. I have new friendships, new perspectives, a stronger vision, and a much greater sense of responsibility to produce social benefit.

The road is long…
But now I know I’m not alone on this path.
I’m so glad our paths crossed with the Venture Warriors.