e05: Asli Kahraman turned broken English into an advantage

Welcome to Unfiltered w/ PORCH, where we explore what it means to be an immigrant entrepreneur from the POV of the immigrant.

In this episode, I'm speaking with Asli Kahraman, Founder of Operations Mavenue, a business operations consultancy operating out of Toronto, Canada.

After years as a corporate lawyer at one of the world's largest law firms, Asli packed up her life into a couple of suitcases, moved to Canada as an international student, finished school, worked for a year, and launched her first business.

However, it took her trying about 30 different business ideas before she hit on Operations Mavenue.

In this conversation, Asli and I chat about turning our disadvantages into advantages, why traction is all that matters when you launch a business, and everything moved upward once she stopped trying to sound like no one else but herself.

Key Takeaways

• Your accent can work in your favour: Asli’s “broken English” and foreign accent allowed her close more deals because prospects saw her authenticity and commitment as proof she believed in what she was selling.

• Focus on product-market fit over passion: After 30+ business ideas, Asli learned that traction matters more than loving your concept. If people aren't buying or engaging, move on regardless of your emotional attachment.

• The resilience you built as an immigrant is transferable: The same determination that got you through the physical and mental chaos that comes with settling into your new country can also become fuel for getting through the challenges that inevitably come as a business owner.

• Authenticity beats imitation: Stop trying to sound like native-born entrepreneurs. Your unique perspective and background are what differentiate you in the marketplace.

• Accept you're not special: Drop the expectation of overnight success and accept that progress might seem average sometimes. This mindset makes the entrepreneurial journey more sustainable.

Official Links

• Connect with Asli Kahraman on LinkedIn.

• Buy a business operations manual

Asli’s Media Diet

1. One newsletter you’d never miss: City of Toronto’s BusinessTO and CultureTO newsletters

2. One immigrant entrepreneur that inspires you: Marina Mogilko, Founder of Linguamarina Inc.

3. One podcast you regularly listen to: I’m more of a book nerd.

4. Any books or resources that have significantly shaped your entrepreneurship journey:

   1. Good to Great by Jim Collins

   2. The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber

   3. Unfair Advantage by Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba

   4. Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles

   5. The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer

   6. Most books from Louise Hay and Brian Weiss

One Ask

If you got value from this episode, please forward it to one immigrant entrepreneur you know.