In this episode of Eylül Aşkın İle, Eylül Aşkın visits the office of Vedat Uğurlu, Chairman of Turkey’s first and only cruise company, Miray Cruises, located at Maslak Spring Giz Plaza!
“It Wasn’t Meant for Sakıp Sabancı.”
Vedat Uğurlu, sharing a memory with the late Sakıp Sabancı while working on a ship in the early ’90s, said: “One morning after breakfast, he was chatting with us Turks. He said, ‘Guys, we’re surrounded by seas on three sides, and we don’t even have a passenger ship. But I promise you, one day I will buy that passenger ship.’ It wasn’t meant for the richest man in Turkey, but it was meant for a poor man like me.”
“The World Tour Project will never be brought up again.”
Previously drawing attention with the 1001-day world tour project, Miray Cruises was unable to complete the tour due to a series of mishaps and was subjected to false fraud accusations regarding the matter. Chairman Vedat Uğurlu emphasized that all refunds had been completed, stating, “Those who made these reports didn’t even feel the need to ask us. They even copied my picture from social media.”
“I strongly believe in the power of prayer.”
In response to Eylül Aşkın’s question, “Aside from hard work, what qualities do you think brought you to this success?” Vedat Uğurlu replied, “I am a very patient man. I never lose hope at any point in my life. I’ve never been ungrateful, and I’ve always embraced my past. I also believe that the power of prayer is very important.”
“I go to Fatih every weekend.”
Vedat Uğurlu expressed that every weekend he visits Fatih, the neighborhood where he grew up, and walks around the places from his childhood. He also mentioned that he frequently visits his village in Kayseri, adding sincerely, “I come from that world. At the end of the day, what are we, really?”
“I have over 57 songs.”
Vedat Uğurlu, a humble boss whose employees clearly admire him, also stands out for his emotional character and his talent as a composer. With two music videos released so far, Uğurlu said, “I have over 57 songs. I love writing lyrics. My voice isn’t great, but I really enjoy singing. It’s just part of who I am.” He also has a passion for poetry, sharing his poem titled “Broken Guitar” with us.
