Unsung Hero: One Bossa Sales Manager on Loving and Living Denim
When someone brings both a personal love of denim and 17 years of industry experience to a role, they’re likely to contribute quite a lot to your business.
That’s the case with Burcu Dalaman Özek, sales manager at Turkey’s Bossa and our latest Unsung Hero. Burcu, according to Bossa general manager Onur Duru, brings something special to the organization that specializes in denim textiles.
“She has worked in the industry for many years and experienced in shirting, smartwear and denim. She is an innovative person who is constantly bringing new ideas, new projects and she is a good leader who always tries to take her team one step further,” Onur said.
Carved in Blue caught up with Burcu to find out what makes her tick and what makes her love her denim-rooted role.
Sales Manager Burcu Dalaman Özek
Carved in Blue: How long have you been doing this job? What keeps you there?
Burcu: I have been in the business more than 17 years. Many things keep me in this job actually: dynamism of the denim business, the excitement of the production and sales, as I believe this will never end. Bossa is another reason for me to be in the business as it’s with 68 years of experience in the business, Bossa is one of the very well-known and biggest players in the denim industry, and to be a part of this team is a great opportunity for me.
Carved in Blue: What does the denim industry mean to you?
Burcu: Denim is a never-ending story for me, it is an industry that requires more innovation, more creativity each day which makes you think big about new products, new techniques of finishing, dyeing, weaving etc. Because denim is timeless, we have to think more about the future but taking into consideration the history of denim. And also as denim is classless, genderless and nationless, I believe denim is the most unique shape of the cotton.
Carved in Blue: How important is your role to the greater business?
Burcu: As being in the sales for more than 18 years, I have a knowledge of each market and consumer needs, which helps me to take part when creating collections for each season with the R&D team and also helps me working with the production team on new colors/shades, new dyeing techniques for more innovative products.
Carved in Blue: What do you love most about the job that you’re doing?
Burcu: Selling denim fabric and creating a story behind this fabric makes me love my job. Being in sales keeps me always energetic and dynamic; visiting clients, attending fairs, making sales meetings, travelling—these are all the building blocks of my business. Every day I have new subjects to work on, which I believe makes my life more amazing and me more enthusiastic to do my job. Working with a great team and great people is priceless.
Carved in Blue: What do you love most about denim?
Burcu: Denim is full of continuous stories, once you buy a pair of jeans your story with your denim starts. The frequency of your wearing, even if you wash it or not, however you wear it, all affects the look and the color of your denim. Your denim is living on your body with your every move. This is great I believe, in this journey. The more often you wear your denim, the more you see the effect on your denim.
Carved in Blue: What’s one idea you have for the denim industry that you don’t think enough people are talking about?
Burcu: Everybody is now talking about sustainability in denim but I believe we are not talking about traceability enough. In the near future, once I buy a pair of jeans I want to see all the history of my denim by using the QR code on the fabric. Starting from the farm till the shop I want to know; at every stage how much water is used, how much energy is saved, the origin of the cotton used, etc.
Carved in Blue: What does Carved in Blue mean to you?
Burcu: Carved in Blue is the platform where you can have the updated data of the denim industry with recent news and interviews.