From Refugee to CEO

In 1994, a young man named Hamdi Ulukaya arrived in the United States with little more than a few hundred dollars, broken English, and a dream. Born in a small village in eastern Turkey to a Kurdish family of nomadic dairy farmers, Hamdi grew up surrounded by the rich traditions of cheesemaking and yogurt-making. His childhood was simple, filled with the hard work of tending animals and the deep flavors of homemade dairy products.

But political tension and limited opportunities for Kurds in Turkey pushed him to look elsewhere for a future. He enrolled in a language program in New York, working odd jobs to pay his bills. It wasn’t glamorous — he washed dishes, worked on farms, and attended community college — but he was determined to make something of himself.

While living in upstate New York, Hamdi’s mother visited from Turkey and was shocked by the taste of American yogurt. She found it too sweet, too artificial, nothing like the rich, tangy yogurt she made at home. Hamdi laughed at her reaction, but something clicked in his mind. He realized there was a gap in the market — Americans had never truly tasted authentic, strained yogurt.

In 2005, while flipping through a junk-mail catalog, Hamdi saw an ad for a fully equipped yogurt factory for sale. The factory belonged to Kraft Foods, which was shutting it down. The price tag was steep, and Hamdi had no real savings. Friends told him it was a bad idea. Banks turned him down. But he couldn’t stop thinking about it.

He scraped together a small business loan through a government program for rural development, and with five employees from the old factory, he began working on his dream. He named the company “Chobani,” a Turkish word meaning “shepherd,” as a tribute to his roots.

The early days were tough. Hamdi couldn’t afford marketing campaigns or big advertising deals. Instead, he focused on making the best product possible — thick, creamy Greek yogurt made with natural ingredients and no artificial flavors. He personally visited supermarkets, handing out samples and convincing store managers to give Chobani a chance.

Slowly, word spread. Customers fell in love with the rich texture and authentic taste. By 2009, Chobani had grown from a tiny operation to a nationwide phenomenon. By 2012, it was America’s top-selling yogurt brand.

But Hamdi’s vision went beyond profit. He believed that a company should take care of its people and its community. He hired refugees and immigrants, giving them good wages and benefits. He invested in small towns where his factories were located, reviving local economies.

In 2016, Hamdi made headlines by giving 10% of Chobani’s ownership to his employees. Many of them had started with him in the struggling early days, and now they were part-owners of a billion-dollar company. Some became instant millionaires. When asked why, Hamdi simply said, “The success of a business is shared. If you succeed alone, you didn’t really succeed.”

His generosity and values earned him global recognition. He became a vocal advocate for hiring refugees, speaking at the United Nations and partnering with organizations to help displaced people find work and rebuild their lives.

Hamdi’s journey from a small Kurdish village to the helm of a billion-dollar brand is a testament to the power of vision, courage, and staying true to your values. He never forgot the flavors of his childhood, and he never let go of the belief that business could be a force for good.

Today, Chobani is sold in countries around the world, and Hamdi continues to innovate — from launching oat-based products to supporting rural farms. His story is a reminder that success isn’t just about making money; it’s about making a difference.

When he speaks to young entrepreneurs, Hamdi often says, “Don’t start a business just to make money. Start a business to make a difference, and the money will follow.” His life proves that when you lead with purpose, the rewards are far greater than financial gain.

Hamdi Ulukaya’s rise wasn’t easy. He faced language barriers, financial hurdles, and cultural differences. But he turned every obstacle into an opportunity. He built something lasting — not just a yogurt empire, but a legacy of generosity, equality, and hope.

For anyone chasing a dream, Hamdi’s story is proof that it’s possible to start with nothing and build something extraordinary. All you need is the courage to take the first step, the resilience to keep going when it gets hard, and the heart to bring others with you when you succeed.