Turkish People in America - Turk of America

From a Bag Stand in Connecticut to a 40,000 Square Foot Warehouse in New Jersey: Ali Dayı's Entrepreneurial Journey

Ali Dayı, who came to the United States in 2006 through the Work and Travel program, now operates a 40,000 square foot warehouse in Hackensack, New Jersey. From this facility, he provides 3PL, warehousing, and logistics services to nearly 50 companies looking to expand from Turkey into the U.S. market. He coordinates the entire process from storage to final delivery for firms selling on platforms such as Amazon, Walmart, Wayfair, Target, eBay, and Shopify. With his own truck fleet, Dayı offers intra- and interstate transportation services, employing a total of 25 people through his offices in both the U.S. and Turkey.

May 15, 2025
Published in Businessman
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Hiram & Solomon Cigars Introduces the Patriot Cigar Honoring M.W. George F. Hamilton, 91st Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts

Hiram & Solomon Cigars is proud to announce the release of the Patriot Cigar, a distinguished addition to its portfolio, crafted exclusively in the Dominican Republic to honor Most Worshipful George F. Hamilton, the 91st Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts. This carefully curated blend results in a medium-to-full-bodied profile that is bold yet balanced. The Ecuadorian Habano Claro wrapper lends a smooth, elegant finish, while the Dominican Ligero and Seco fillers provide depth and complexity in every draw.

March 26, 2025
Published in Businessman
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Chasing a Dream: From a Passion for Cinema to $100 Million in Auto Sales

Entrepreneur Yiğit Yalçın has never been motivated purely by money; success has always been his driving force. As the third-generation member of a family with a 100-year commercial legacy, Yalçın’s roots run deep in business. His grandfather, Hüseyin Yalçın, founded the first timber factory in Tekirdağ, Türkiye. Following in his family’s entrepreneurial footsteps, Yiğit opened his first car dealership in Austintown, Ohio, with the goal of building a lasting legacy like his ancestors. In the years since he opened his first dealership, Yalçın has launched two more in Youngstown. Since starting operations in 2017, he has sold over $100 million worth of cars. Yalçars, Yalçın’s dealership group, has established itself as a reliable partner in the auto industry, and Yalçın plans to expand nationwide through trusted partners and franchise models. Though the COVID-19 pandemic slowed his growth plans, his ambitions remain strong.

January 21, 2025
Published in Businessman
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"A Passion for Justice: Fejir Uğurlu's Fight for Accident Victims"

Fejir Uğurlu, one of New York's emerging Turkish-American attorneys, has built a reputation for advocating passionately on behalf of accident victims, particularly within the Turkish community. Uğurlu's path to the U.S. legal scene is anything but conventional, involving international education, high-stakes cases, and a deeply personal motivation rooted in family tragedy. Uğurlu began her legal journey at Maltepe University in Türkiye, where a scholarship opportunity allowed her to continue her studies in Germany. This was followed by a stint in London, where she gained practical experience before taking on leadership roles, such as serving as Vice President of the European Law Students' Association (ELSA) in Türkiye. She was selected to participate in a prestigious delegation to the United Nations, representing one of only five individuals worldwide, further honing her legal acumen at the UN's Permanent Mission of Türkiye.

January 21, 2025
Published in Women
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New Jersey-Based TriaExodus Aims to Redefine the Cigar Experience with Personalized Luxury

In a market saturated with tradition, TriaExodus is bringing a breath of fresh air to the cigar industry. Founded in New Jersey, TriaExodus specializes in creating personalized cigars and bespoke cigar boxes, offering a unique blend of luxury and individuality that promises to resonate with discerning cigar enthusiasts. At the heart of TriaExodus is a commitment to craftsmanship and customization. The company sources its cigars from renowned factories in the Dominican Republic, where skilled artisans hand-roll each piece to perfection. These premium cigars are then shipped to New Jersey, where TriaExodus adds the final touch—custom-designed packaging and cigar bands tailored to the tastes and preferences of each customer.

January 21, 2025
Published in Professionals
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Afa Zada: Bridging Cultures and Industries with Zada Advisors

Afa Zada, with a diverse background spanning various industries, is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Zada Advisors, based in Palm Beach County, Florida. She has been in this role since January 2022. Zada is also a Certified Life Coach and translator, running her own practice since June 2016, primarily in the Greater New York City Area. Additionally, she holds a position as a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson with RealZon, specializing in commercial real estate, hospitality, and investment properties in the Greater New York City Area. Moreover, from November 2020 to January 2022, she served as the owner of Century 21 Guyana, a branch located in New York, United States.

January 21, 2025
Published in Women
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An American Dream Realized Through Ali Koç’s Touch: Pegasus Transport

Founded in 1994 with humble beginnings in New Jersey, Pegasus Transport Services Inc. has grown to become one of New Jersey's leading transportation companies. Behind this success story lies the support and vision of one of Turkey's wealthiest businessmen, Ali Koç. Cengiz Taşdemir, initially set on a path in music education, transformed into a thriving entrepreneur in the commercial world. A 1987 graduate of the Turkish Music State Conservatory at Istanbul Technical University, Taşdemir made the bold decision to emigrate to the United States, turning a new page in his life. This decision was heavily influenced by his wife and her sister's encouragement. Initially, the Taşdemirs stayed in Virginia Beach for 2.5 months before moving to New Jersey on the recommendation of a friend from Rize.

January 21, 2025
Published in Businessman
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Berker Hazar’s Bold Vision: 1,000 Employees and Billion-Dollar Policies

In the United States, insurance is an indispensable financial instrument, covering nearly everything and everyone, from businesses to individuals. Hazar Insurance, based in Maryland, is no exception. Founded by the young and ambitious entrepreneur Berker Hazar, the company is on a mission to become a billion-dollar policy issuer. With over 120 direct and indirect employees, Hazar Insurance is growing rapidly. Since its inception, the company has built a database of over 100,000 businesses. Now, with plans to expand beyond Maryland to states like Florida, Texas, and California, Hazar is confident in his vision. “In ten years, I want to surpass 1,000 employees,” he says.

January 21, 2025
Published in Professionals
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From Father to Son: The Uzel Family's Legacy in Dentistry

Dr. İlhan Uzel graduated from one of Türkiye’s top medical schools, Hacettepe University, in 1992. In addition to practicing as a clinician, he pursued both specialization and doctoral studies.
Driven by a desire to further his expertise in periodical diseases and implantology, Dr. Uzel made a pivotal decision to move to the United States. He chose Boston University among many other respected teaching institutions that he received acceptance from. Boston is universally known as a biomedical research city and advancement in general, Boston University school of Dental Medicine has been one of the fundamental schools shaping up Dental Research, and of course, one of Dr. Uzel ‘s favorite sports basketball and favorite player Larry Bird wore the Boston Celtics jersey.

January 21, 2025
Published in Academicians
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Engineering Excellence: Florida Quality Truss Shapes Iconic Structures

Florida Quality Truss, based in Pompano Beach, FL, has been a leading truss manufacturer in South Florida since 1986. The company specializes in designing and manufacturing wooden trusses for residential, commercial, and custom projects, serving clients across the state, from the Keys to Tampa Bay and beyond. Founded with a commitment to quality and community, Florida Quality Truss is managed by Tolga Adak, who serves as the Vice President, and Güney Adak, who holds the position of President. Under their leadership, the company has grown to be a trusted name in the industry, known for its timely delivery and top-notch engineering services. The company operates strategically located manufacturing plants that ensure the prompt delivery of components throughout Florida. Güney Adak, who founded Florida Quality Truss with his brother Tolga in 1986, was born in Ankara, Turkey, in 1953. After completing his high school education in Ankara, he attended Istanbul University, where he studied economics before transitioning to Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ) to pursue civil engineering. However, driven by a desire to enter the workforce at a young age, Adak left İTÜ and embarked on his entrepreneurial journey at the age of 20.

January 21, 2025
Published in Businessman
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Dr. Nalan R. Oncul: Pioneering Optometry and Empowering Communities

Totowa, NJ - Dr. Nalan Oncul opened her clinic, 20/20 Eyecare, in Totowa, New Jersey, in 2019 as a young doctor starting out on her journey. Over the course of five years, 20/20 Eyecare has seen a significant increase in clientele and has become more widely recognized in the surrounding area. During this time, the clinic has achieved a remarkable feat of receiving five-star ratings from all patients who left Google reviews. Patients not only from local New Jersey residences but also from neighboring cities and states have visited the clinic for treatment.

January 21, 2025
Published in Professionals
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Honoring Dr. Banu Onaral: A Lifelong Champion of Knowledge and Progress

Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Dr. Banu Onaral came from a lineage deeply rooted in innovation. Her mother, Şükûfe Demirağ, was the daughter of Nuri Demirağ, a pioneer in Turkish aviation and industry, while her father, Mehmet Kum, was one of Turkey’s first aircraft engineers and pilots. This environment nurtured her passion for learning and exploration from an early age. Dr. Onaral attended Notre Dame de Sion French Girls’ High School in Istanbul and pursued higher education at Boğaziçi University, earning a BS and MS in Electrical Engineering. She completed her PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania in 1978. Joining Drexel University in 1981, she became the H. H. Sun Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering, and later, the Founding Director of Drexel’s School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems.

January 21, 2025
Published in Academicians
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Banu Onaral

Empowering Women Through Technology: Lara Ozkan’s Vision for Inclusive Health Solutions

Lara Özkan's journey into the realms of Computer Science and Molecular Biology is a testament to her passion for solving complex biological problems through innovative research. Her academic path began as a wet-lab researcher at the Izmir Institute of Technology, where she worked on a project aimed at targeting breast cancer with nanocarriers for combinational drug delivery. This experience opened her eyes to the potential of integrating deep biological understanding with computational science skills. Unlike many who specialize in either biology or computer science, Özkan found a deep interest in the intersection of both fields. The high-dimensional and complex data emerging from biological samples intrigued her, driving her to use computer science tools to decode these intricate puzzles. This led her to delve into data science for biology and conduct computational biology research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. These experiences have paved the way for her current academic career at MIT, where she is pursuing dual majors in Computer Science and Molecular Biology and engaging in computational biology research at the MIT Media Lab and MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL).

January 21, 2025
Published in Academicians
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How an Ice Cream Truck Became Her American Dream

In June 1999, Tülay Unutmaz arrived in the U.S. on a tourist visa with her three children, unaware of the tough journey ahead. Following an unfortunate marriage that ended after 18 years, she chose to stay in America rather than return to Turkey, determined to provide a better future for her children. Her estranged husband tried to force her out of the home through a restraining order. However, after learning of the domestic abuse she had suffered, the local sheriff intervened and instead issued the order against her husband, allowing her and her children to remain in their home for three additional months. After that, she began the search for a rental.

January 21, 2025
Published in Businessman
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