en
Turkey
As a female entrepreneur hoping to scale her businesses, Fatma Güven was confident that WBE certification through WEConnect International would help her company to “reach bigger and more global institutions.” As CEO of Affani Ithalat Ihracat Ltd. Sti., Ms. Güven founded her company in 1999 to specialise in solar and security glass films in Istanbul, Turkey. With its mission to save energy and protect building and auto glass exteriors from breaks due to impacts scaling from a slight bump to a full-blown bomb attack, the company was growing, but she had big plans to expand.
Shortly after being certified in 2016, she attended one of WEConnect International’s meet-the-member events in Istanbul. There, Ms. Güven introduced Affani Ithalat Ihracat to contacts at Le Meridien Hotel. Soon thereafter, Ms. Güven successfully documented the company’s qualifications and experiences and was later contracted to apply security films to Le Meridien, which is part of Marriott International.
Affani Ithalat Ihracat has now secured a contract with WEConnect International corporate member Coca-Cola Company as well. Moreover, in addition to the resources, contacts and partnerships gained through training and matchmaking events, she notes that certification has provided her with “education, communication and a network of other strong women to connect with.”