In 2008, I Am Modern Magazine was a double finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year and Product of the Year categories in Loudoun Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards. We ended up winning the Entrepreneur of the Year Award for 2008. Following is a brief interview with our Founder and Publisher, Hulya Aksu.

Question: Congratulations on winning the inaugural Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This must be a huge personal accomplishment.
Answer: This award was given to me but is truly owned by all the creative people that make this magazine a reality every quarter. Our readers, advertisers, contributors, investors, and community made this award happen
for us.

Question: Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce is the largest one of its’ kind in Virginia. Why do you think you were selected as the winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award?
Answer: All the recognition we received this year invigorates us and at the same time humbles us to work even harder. We believe success does not happen as an accident. Success is the result of very, very, very hard work. We worked hard and put out a great product that filled a need in our community and the community welcomed us.

Question: You are a mom with two very young children. You practically started this business with one baby sitting on your lap while you worked in front of your computer. Did anything suffer in your life this year?
Answer: I hear people say women can’t have it all. You can’t be a great mom and a great business woman. Pure fiction. You can have anything you want in life. You just have to be willing to work very hard, never quit and learn to prioritize early. I made a few mistakes at the beginning, but learned fast. My life is exactly the way I dreamt it would be.

Question: Do you have a mentor?
Answer: Northern Virginia is full of strong business women and among my advertisers, I found many who were willing to share their wisdom with me, Sharon Inetas, from Flintstone Marble and Granite stands out as she is one I trust very much. She is a business woman who gets it.

Question: What type of an entrepreneur are you? Do you have any pearls of wisdom?
Answer: I am a hot-blooded Mediterranean so I tend to jump and learn how to fly on my way down. I crashed many times though. You have to be willing to accept that. You don’t always fly. But when you do, boy, it feels good. My pearls of wisdom? Do the best you can and leave the rest to what is meant to be and accept the outcome. I tried many little businesses until this one stuck. If you only talk about great ideas or start things and never really dedicate your whole self, than you lose. Finally, accept and study your failures as much as your successes.

Question: Do you have anyone in particular you would like to thank that directly contributed
to your success?
Answer: I want to particularly acknowledge my investors, my graphic designer Sitki Kazanci for his hard work and wisdom, my family, my advertisers and last but not least, my husband, Murat Aksu, who is my inspiration and my mirror of truth.

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