Success is not measured solely by financial gain. True success lies in dreaming, setting goals, and moving forward despite all obstacles.
Güldal Tutan sees entrepreneurship not just as building a business but as creating value, touching lives, and leaving a lasting legacy.
Alongside her intense 27-year career as a businesswoman, she has raised three children. “They are my greatest masterpieces, shaped with love and respect,” she says. Even though they are still students, her children actively support the family business in every aspect. “The early bird catches the worm,” she adds.
Born in the Arapgir district of Malatya, Güldal did not inherit financial wealth despite coming from a well-established family. Her greatest assets were hard work, honesty, and a culture of sharing. Her interest in fashion began in childhood, sewing doll clothes with her mother. Over time, this passion turned into a professional pursuit, leading her to study Textile and Apparel at Marmara University.
In her early twenties, she was appointed as the Turkiye’s Secretary of the World Textile Institute, headquartered in Manchester, England, by the Dean of her university. She reached out to more than 3,000 industry leaders in Turkiye’s textile sector, supporting the institute’s expansion in the country.
After graduating, she worked as an executive in production and marketing. However, she soon realized her true calling was in fashion retail.
MAKING HISTORY IN RETAIL
She became one of the first entrepreneurs to bring modest fashion into shopping malls in Turkiye. Initially met with resistance, this bold move soon led to a transformation in the industry.
Today, thanks to this visionary step, modest fashion brands have a strong presence in major shopping malls across Turkiye, and women who prefer modest attire have better job opportunities in these spaces.
However, Güldal’s entrepreneurial journey was not limited to fashion. Alongside her husband, Yusuf Tutan, she opened five preschools within five years and later established elderly and disabled care centers, making a significant impact in social entrepreneurship.
A NEW CHAPTER IN AMERICA: PRIME SHINE & MILLED
In 2023, she took on a new challenge by moving to the United States. There, she founded Prime Shine, a brand offering innovative indoor signage and lighting solutions. Later, she and her husband decided to introduce Milled, a company they had successfully built in Turkiye, to the American market.
Milled specializes in customized LED lighting solutions for luxury retail stores, residential spaces, museums, and historical sites. The brand focuses on the proper illumination of artworks and historical artifacts, aiming to collaborate with museums in the U.S.
With high energy-saving capabilities, Milled’s LED fixtures can pay for themselves in just a few months in high-usage areas.
GT STYLE & CONSULTING: A POWERFUL PLATFORM FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
Over the years, Güldal has provided entrepreneurial guidance to her friends. This informal mentoring eventually evolved into a professional platform: GT Style & Consulting.
This initiative aims to empower women and help them integrate into the business world. Drawing on her experience in fashion, beauty, retail, business development, and marketing, Güldal guides entrepreneurs in navigating the American market.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND HUMANITARIAN WORK
As GT Style & Consulting, she sponsored and provided styling consultancy for a fashion show organized in honor of Sudanese women affected by war, led by Samar Salman. Güldal expresses her deep honor in supporting such meaningful projects and affirms her commitment to continuing these efforts.
“I wish for an end to wars worldwide and for humanity to choose love and tolerance,” she says.
Despite her long-term involvement in preparing for Samar Salman’s fashion show, she was unable to attend at the last moment due to a personal tragedy.
LOSS, CHALLENGES, AND REBIRTH
On Thanksgiving Day 2024, Güldal experienced one of the greatest pains of her life. Her 31-year-old brother lost his life in a motorcycle accident in Turkiye.
Being far from her loved ones and unable to grieve with her family made this loss an immense challenge. But she could not afford to fall.
“For the first time, I struggled to adapt to life again. But I had to rise, reconnect, and keep going. I am a mother, a daughter, and an entrepreneur. I must move forward.”
This experience has motivated her to raise awareness about motorcycle safety. She wants to reach out to motorcycle enthusiasts, saying:
“A motorcyclist has no steel armor. The licensing process should be stricter, and advanced riding techniques should be mandatory.”
TURKISH COFFEE AND CULTURAL DIPLOMACY
Güldal is also deeply passionate about cultural heritage and gastronomy. As a member of the advisory board of the Turkish Coffee Lady Foundation, she aims to promote the 500-year-old tradition of Turkish coffee in America and worldwide.
“They say a cup of coffee is remembered for forty years. But with the right communication, its legacy can spread across the world,” she believes.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Güldal Tutan aims to leave a lasting impact not only in the business world but also in cultural heritage, women’s entrepreneurship, and social responsibility.
- With GT Style & Consulting, she empowers female entrepreneurs.
- With Prime Shine and Milled, she is expanding into new markets in the U.S.
- With Turkish Coffee Lady Foundation, she is building cultural bridges.
But her most important message is this:
It doesn’t matter where you start or what you lose along the way. What matters is that you keep moving forward.
