Interview with Esra Talu, Founder & CEO of GoGlobal and Author of Breaking Boundaries—How I Built a Startup and Paved the Way for Others
Interviewer (GoGlobal Team): Esra, congratulations on the launch of your eBook! What inspired you to write Breaking Boundaries?
Esra Talu: Thank you! As the Founder and CEO of GoGlobal, I’ve always been passionate about supporting entrepreneurs. My inspiration for writing Breaking Boundaries stems from my own entrepreneurial journey, starting with building Deppo from scratch in Türkiye during the late 1990s. That experience, navigating the challenges of an emerging market and breaking new ground in e-commerce, is something that many entrepreneurs can relate to today. I wanted to share those lessons, particularly with tech founders who are on a similar path, and show that no matter where you start, you can make a global impact.
Interviewer: Deppo was one of Türkiye’s first e-commerce platforms, and you built it during a time when the tech startup scene was just emerging. How did you bring a focus on gender equality and ESG principles into Deppo’s development?
Esra: That’s right—Deppo was a pioneer not only in the e-commerce space but also in how it operated internally. From the very beginning, ESG principles were at the heart of the company. We emphasized gender equality, which was rare in the tech industry at that time. I made it a priority to hire and empower women in leadership roles, creating positions that hadn’t existed before. It wasn’t just about building a business—it was about building one that reflected a vision of a better world. I’ve carried that same commitment to ESG principles into GoGlobal, where we continue to champion diversity, sustainability, and social responsibility.
Interviewer: Now that you’ve founded GoGlobal, how do you see its role in supporting tech entrepreneurs, especially those from emerging markets?
Esra: GoGlobal is an international platform designed to guide entrepreneurs from the very beginning stages of their startup journey to scaling and expanding globally. Having started in an emerging market myself, I understand the unique challenges entrepreneurs face. GoGlobal provides the tools, resources, and connections they need to break into new markets, especially the U.S. and Middle Eastern markets. Our focus is not only on growth but on sustainable growth—helping businesses scale with a clear vision and purpose. ESG principles are deeply embedded in everything we do at GoGlobal, just as they were at Deppo.
Interviewer: What key lessons from your Breaking Boundaries journey can today’s entrepreneurs apply, particularly those working with GoGlobal?
Esra: One of the key lessons I emphasize in Breaking Boundaries is resilience. Building Deppo wasn’t easy, but the perseverance it required shaped how I approach entrepreneurship today. At GoGlobal, we work with entrepreneurs to instill that same sense of resilience. It’s also crucial to focus on building a strong team—at Deppo, I made sure my key team members were invested in the company’s success, offering them share options. Today, with GoGlobal, I encourage entrepreneurs to build companies that prioritize their people, ensuring everyone is aligned with a shared vision. And, of course, always keeping ESG principles at the core of your business from day one.
Interviewer: As someone who built a tech startup from scratch in the 90s, how have you seen the startup landscape evolve, and how does GoGlobal reflect that evolution?
Esra: The landscape has changed dramatically since the 90s, but the core challenges remain the same—finding the right market fit, securing funding, and building a sustainable company. What has evolved is the global nature of startups. Today, you can scale faster and reach international markets more easily. GoGlobal reflects this evolution by providing tech entrepreneurs with access to global financial, human, and social capital. Whether you’re in an emerging market or a more established one, we help founders navigate that journey with the same values I held while building Deppo—resilience, sustainability, and a commitment to positive impact.
Interviewer: You mentioned ESG principles. How does GoGlobal integrate these into the services it provides for entrepreneurs and investors?
Esra: ESG principles are at the very core of GoGlobal. We believe that successful businesses in today’s world must operate with a vision for a better planet and humanity. This means considering environmental impact, ensuring social responsibility, and maintaining strong governance. We guide startups to integrate these values from the start, whether it’s in how they manage their teams, the products or services they offer, or how they scale their operations. Investors today are looking for companies that aren’t just profitable but are also purpose-driven, and GoGlobal helps entrepreneurs align with that demand.
Interviewer: Why should readers pick up Breaking Boundaries today? And how can GoGlobal help them on their entrepreneurial journey?
Esra: Breaking Boundaries is more than a memoir—it’s a roadmap for entrepreneurs, particularly those in emerging markets, who want to build something meaningful and long-lasting. It’s filled with real lessons, practical advice, and stories that entrepreneurs can relate to as they navigate their own paths. GoGlobal takes those lessons further by providing hands-on support to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses globally. By picking up Breaking Boundaries, readers will not only gain insights into my journey but also understand how GoGlobal can guide them through theirs, with a focus on building sustainable, impactful businesses.
Call to Action: Breaking Boundaries: How I Built a Startup and Paved the Way for Others is now available on Amazon.com. Get your copy today and start your entrepreneurial journey with valuable insights from Esra’s experiences. Discover how GoGlobal can help you scale your startup with a vision for a better planet and humanity.
Comentários