Name: Sadettin Saran
Birthdate: 1964
Birthplace: USA
Child: Lal Saran
Height: 1.94 m
Education: Kentucky University, Engineering Department
Student years and first years of business life
"I knew I had to do my own job. I didn't have capital, but I had an idea. As I was in financial difficulties while studying in the USA, I spent most of my free time at home and watching television. There was no private channels in Turkey in the late 80's. There was only one public channel in Turkey. The establishment of the second was under discussion. I saw it while living abroad, there were a lot of channels. I thought: 'One day, there will be private televisions in Turkey too. Then the content will be important'. I borrowed money. Then I started knocking on doors to find content in the US. Nobody even looked at my face. I was 23-24 years old. I was very young, had no work experience. Finally ESPN agreed. At first, it was a 3-month trial period. Then there was a 6-month trial period. My first sale was truck racing to a new private television. On the other hand, I was working for an aviation and industrial company. I had a paid job during the day, I was doing my content business at night. I've also been successful in my salaried job. But I quit in 1995. And I continued my own business."
First meeting with ESPN
"I was knocking a lot of doors. Most of them were closed to me. One day, I went to ESPN headquarter. I remember that day very well. It was a very hot August friday afternoon. The whole floor was empty. There were no employees left. Only the person who I had a meeting and his secretary were working. He even forgot that we had a meeting. But I got that chance."
Life at Saran Holding
"We are a team here. A good boss is one that makes himself unnecessary. The biggest investment is the investment made in people. I care about employees being happy. I care that the person working here hopes that he/she can rise in her/his career. Merit is important for us. 5-6 years ago I said to the directors; 'From now on, our priority is not to make a profit. As long as we do not lose money, our employees are our priority'. The rate of quitting job in this company is less than 2 percent. I am succesful at this."
Sadettin Saran's icon
"Warren Buffet is one of the world's most successful businessmen, but he still drives his car himself. This is not something we are accustomed to in Turkey."
Sadettin Saran's sports life
"We are 4 brothers. We were so active when we were children. So my mother sent us to sports activities. I have no ability other than sports. No music, no painting... I went to university in the US by football scholarship. I started swimming in the university. And my scholarship turned to swimming. Now I still do sports 6 days a week, 2 hours a day. Boxing, yoga, fitness and swimming."
Sadettin Saran's net worth
Sadettin Saran owns Saran Holding. Saran Holding has investments in media, aviation, defence and tourism. Saran Holding is not listed on the stock exchange. So we don't know value of Saran Holding.
Sources: StoryBox, CnnTurk, Sky360, Saran Holding