Why I Love My Job In Istanbul
by Ibrahim Akyunus
I was born in Turkey in simpler times. I grew up, had fun, went to school, ate great Turkish food, graduated and went into business for myself.
One day a witty Indian friend of mine told me: "Success without happiness is failure."
He was witty and wise.
Being a graduate of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Istanbul, my primary goal in life at that time was to start a pharmacy. What disappointment I felt, soon after I opened the doors when I learned it wasn't the challenge I expected.
"Give me an aspirin.
"OK, here..75 cents."
"What is your suggestion for a cough syrup?"
"Start immediately by taking 3 of these laxative pills. I can assure you, you will stop coughing, within the next half hour."
I don't want to remember the next 3 years I spent trying get rid of the pharmacy for a reasonably decent price. Financially I was doing pretty well but I was miserable. I hated what I was doing. My family, my friends could never understand why I felt so bad at a time when I was running a reasonably popular pharmacy.
Then I joined a leading multi-national pharmaceutical manufacturer in Istanbul as a Product Manager of Psychotropic Drugs. Soon I was feeling much, much better, and it wasn't because I was ingesting the drugs. My decisions had impact. The more ideas I created, the more they were turning into solid sales which in turn gave me a sense of satisfaction. I started loving my job and, sure enough, it paid off. I, quickly became Director of the Scientific Bureau, then Production Manager and finally the "Responsible Pharmacist" at a very young age.
Then I moved to Los Angeles. I started working in a research facility as a R&D Chemist. We were doing R&D work for the " biggies" in the cosmetic industry. I loved that job, too. I was making formulas that nobody ever had before me: the first sprayable body lotion, the first incorporation of waxes into clear microemulsions, the first usage of suspended materials in pump hair sprays. What a feeling of accomplishment I had after the successful launch of my own formulas. People say they feel like they are walking on the clouds; well, I felt I was walking above the clouds. Of course, success brought promotions, money and recognition. I became Research and Development Vice President to 3 midsize manufacturing companies. What a blast. I was soaring. I was at the top of my game.
Then I developed cancer. I slumped into depression. My love life wasn't going well either. I had a relationship that I realized was very superficial. That realization made me even more miserable. I thought I should go back to Istanbul where I would get the human touch I needed most. So I went back.
In Istanbul, I already had a dormant hotel project. It had been started by my friends and had gone nowhere. The project was the family home in Sultanahmet district of Istanbul which is considered the Mecca of Turkish cultural tourism. It is a small area that holds many world class tourist gems like Topkapi Palace, the Archeology Museum, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar, the 400-year-old Blue Mosque and the 1500-year-old Saint Sophia Church. So I decided to take over the moribund project and continue transforming the old family home into a small boutique hotel. Maybe I was nuts or inspired or desperate to find happiness.
It took me a year to finish the project. During that time, I was constantly being bothered by thoughts like "what if I don't find happiness as a hotelier?" "What if I buried close to 2 million dollars in a stupid project?"
Although I had stayed in many different hotels in my lifetime, I had no clue about how to run a hotel. I was operating by the seat of my Turkish-tailored pants. It was a big gamble and I had no idea what the outcome would be.
After 5 years of operation, the Zeynep Sultan Hotel is now considered in the top 10% of Istanbul hotels as far as customer satisfaction rating is concerned. It is not a great hotel by any standard measures. It is just a basic, comfortable, clean hotel that serves its purpose in a fabulous location. But I think what makes it a great hotel is the simple fact that there is a lot of "human touch" that turns it into a home away from home for guests. It is a win-win situation. I am happy and so are the guests. We connect, we enjoy each other, and we feel good. I give them an insider's view of Istanbul and an insight into Turkish Culture and in return they delight me with their appreciation.
One one hand, I don't make a lot of money, but it's enough to fulfill my retirement expectations. On the other hand, which is much more important, I get the human touch I was craving. By connecting with people, I focused on issues other than my health problems and luckily I now have no trace of depression or cancer. I work hard, but I love my job.
Ibrahim Akyunus, known as Abe, is at his hotel whenever he is not honeymooning (over and over again) with his new wife. Learn more at www.ZeynepSultanHotel.com.
Opening photo by Geir Halvorsen
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16 Comments | Ibrahim Akyunus | Email Article | Share Article | Print Article | Permalink tagged Istanbul, Turkey
Reader Comments (16)
Great story! Great message! Makes me eager to return to Istanbul and stay in your hotel. Soon, I hope.
Elyn
My sentiments are the same as Elyn's! How marvelous to reinvent one's self again and again, to recognize the yearning of one's heart, to boldly meet health challenges with courage, persistence and optimism...Abe, your story is an encouragement to live life fully and get what one needs.Thank you for your light in the world.
Such a great post :)
What a great article, and, indeed, what a great life. Abe and Ghulis are terrific people, and anyone coming to Istanbul would be in the best hands at Zeynep Sultan Hotel in Sultanahment.
Life is a trip, especially if you do it the right way!
Thank you Abe for this hopefull article, it shows we can decide what we want our life to be. and that we can change.
Now I understand better why i felt so quiet and happy during my stay in Zeynep sultan hotel.
Dear Ibrahim,
Very nice of you to share some of your life´s best and worst events. I defintely think that Istanbul became a synonym of happiness to you; it has become to us the first day we visited it. It became more evident and imprative to me and Olivia that this beautiful city would become ours someday and then we will be happy as you are now. Zeynep Sultan has also become a must to us because of your frienship and the tasty home made soup you invited us to.
Looking forward to seeing you healthy and happy in April.
Regards,
Firas & Olivia
Hallo Ibrahim,
every year since my childhood we came in the summertime to Istanbul. We lived on the Bosphorus. Istanbul is a part of my life and since I discovered your Hotel, I took it like my 2. home ( I don t need anymore to stay by my family or friends) I have there my room ; specialy what I need is cleaness, that what I found in your hotel..and individualities..and not to forget the kindness, cooperative and warmness of the personal...continue like that and THANKS for the hospitalities..
Munira and Olaf of Germany/ Düsseldorf
I loved your piece because it was a life journey to your true heart. It was a few years ago but I still remember my
visit to Ayvalik (sp?), the kindness and generosity of your country. And, of course, also the good food. If we visit
Turkey again, we'd love to visit your hotel. The photo of you and your beautiful wife says it all.
Thanks again,
Irene
Oakland, California
The Zeynep Sultan really is a lovely, friendly place. And Abe is its heart and soul.
Abe; Great article, and for those reading this article that have any plans on visiting Istanbul you would be doing yourselves a huge favor by staying at Abe's hotel. It is the perfect hotel for visitors! Abe will make you feel like you know Istanbul as much as the locals.
I've only been to Istanbul once, and was fortunate to have stayed at Abe's hotel. My wife and I loved the city -a big reason was due to Abe's welcoming, hospitable and helpful personality!
Thank you Abe, and look forward to seeing you again,
Ali
I've had the pleasure of staying in the Zeynep Sultan twice, during two wonderful, unforgettable trips to Istanbul, one of the most beautiful and culturally interesting cities in the world! Abe, Emre, and all the staff at the hotel are wonderful hosts. I couldn't have asked for better hospitality...or a cuter hotel cat, Bobo. (D.B., rest in peace.)
You should enter a career in aviation because you have a passion for flying (this applies to ground staff, flight crew all the way to senior management). If you are not happy aspiring to live in average to nice home and driving an average to nice car then please head off an become a lawyer, a plumber or a real estate salesman.
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I have never been in Istanbul, but for what you have told here, it would be a great experience and I think you are very lucky to have gone there and stay in that beautiful place that has a large history. I myself have been in Sildenafil, a small town in the North East of the Russian territory, near Kamagra, and people there were very friendly and the female citizens were so beautiful, it was like a town inhabited only by models, all the girls were blond and with beautiful blue eyes, I didn't want to go back home, but I had to :(