From Container Toward Stability: Melis’s Beauty Center in Nurdağı
From Container Toward Stability: Melis’s Beauty Center in Nurdağı
March 13, 2026 | Navar Maarri
Melis Kodaz, a young entrepreneur from Nurdağı in Gaziantep, transformed her passion for the beauty sector into her own business. After graduating from high school, she continued developing her skills and always dreamed of creating a beauty center where she could build her future through work she truly enjoys.
However, life changed after the devastating earthquakes of 6 February 2023 hit the region. Melis and her family were among those affected, their house was severely damaged, and in their neighborhood many buildings collapsed. Nurdağı was one of the areas most impacted by the disaster.
Despite these difficult circumstances, Melis did not give up on her plans for the future. In 2025, she opened her own small beauty center, Melis before and After, in a container in her neighborhood. With many buildings damaged after the earthquake and rents rising, finding and affording a regular shop was not possible at the time, so the container became her first step toward building her business.
Running a business under these circumstances was not easy. Financial challenges made it difficult for Melis to complete the formal procedures required to operate legally. Without registration, she felt limited in how much she could grow her business or reach new customers.
After joining the Building Markets network, Melis received support through the Resilient Employment and Socio-Economic Development in Earthquake-Affected Regions of Türkiye (RE-SEED) Project to formally register her business. Through the RUHSAT support provided under the project she was guided through the steps required from chamber registration, obtaining an e-signature, and installing essential safety equipment such as a first aid kit and fire extinguisher to meeting municipal requirements, and contributing to three months of social security (SGK) payments.
Through the RE-SEED project’s support for business registration, Melis was able to promote her business more openly, reach new customers, and expand beyond her close circle of acquaintances. As more people discovered her services, her customer base quickly grew.
“After the registration, I was able to promote my workplace more. People started discovering the beauty center and recommending it to others.”
With the support received through the RE-SEED project, the number of customers visiting her beauty center increased by around 30% in a short time. As her business grows, Melis is now able to contribute more to her family’s livelihood and take on a greater role in supporting her household. The progress of her business is also giving her the confidence to look ahead and continue planning for the future.
Melis now hopes to continue growing her business and eventually move from the container to a more stable and better-equipped beauty center. As her work expands, she also hopes to create opportunities for other young women in her community. She plans to hire two female vocational school students, giving them the chance to gain practical experience while continuing their studies.
For Melis, her beauty center represents more than work. In a district heavily affected by the earthquake, it shows how support through initiatives like the RE-SEED project can help small businesses recover, rebuild livelihoods, and bring economic activity back to communities.
