She Graduated in Beauty Expertise, but Marble Dust Changed Her Life’s Course…
Life is a journey… You set out on a path, experiencing the turns, destinations, and surprises along the way. Like that unforgettable song, like a black-and-white movie—perhaps the most exciting part is the unexpected. Just like in İncilay Soydan’s story. We knew her for her smiling face and positive attitude in the industry. But when we sat down to listen to her life story, we were amazed. A woman with two diplomas had turned away from both and surrendered to the magic of marble. Let’s tell her story…
GOODBYE TO TWO DIPLOMAS
When İncilay Soydan received her Skin Care and Beauty Expertise diploma from Gazi University, everyone expected her to build a career in that field. She was young, beautiful, and in a popular profession. But just as a stunning dress might not feel right on your soul, it didn’t fit her either. She changed direction and enrolled in Anadolu University’s Public Administration program. With her second diploma in hand, career paths like civil service work were open to her. But once again, she said “no.” She started working at a language school, moving up from the marketing department to become the institution’s director. But something was still missing—she hadn’t yet found her true calling. Then, a friend’s casual remark changed everything: “Ermaş Marble is looking for a brand ambassador.” And that was the sharpest and most exciting turn in her journey.
WHEN SHE GOT COVERED IN MARBLE DUST…
At first, İncilay Soydan joined a marketing campaign and later started working at Ermaş Marble. When we ask her about those early days, she takes a deep breath and begins: “Honestly, at first, I didn’t think I could do it. When my boss said, ‘Come on, put on your boots, we’re heading to the quarry,’ I wasn’t too thrilled. My clothes got dirty. That day, my boss said something that still echoes in my ears: ‘You’re covered in marble dust now. You won’t be able to leave this job.’ As I questioned whether I could do it or not, I started learning. After a short break, I began working at Stone By İda. One day, during a downpour, I was counting slabs on a truck. It was past 7 PM. I looked at the work I was doing and then at my salary. That’s when I asked myself, ‘Why am I not doing this for myself?’ That moment fired me up—and I’m so glad it did.”
“I LANDED A PROJECT WHILE PAINTING BOOTHS”
And then? Just one day later, she took the leap and founded her own company: White İnci Marble. That was when the wind started blowing in her favor. The very next day, she received an order for 30 containers—almost as if the universe was sending her a message: “You’re exactly where you need to be.” She proudly continues: “In my first year, I opened a stand at the Izmir Fair. But suddenly, I found out that the person building my stand had a warrant out for his arrest—and he was taken away on the spot! I was left wondering how I would finish the stand. That night, as I was painting it myself, I met representatives from Sobha, one of Dubai’s largest companies. It felt like life was rewarding my hard work. They gave me a major project, which became a huge milestone for me.”
BOTH BLOCK AND SLAB SALES
Finally, we ask İncilay Soydan about White İnci Marble and her passion for natural stone. Her face lights up as she explains: “As White İnci Marble, we’ve made great progress in block and slab supply. Recently, we’ve been exporting blocks to India and Italy, while slabs go to Dubai, Qatar, and Kuwait. The projects we work on are also incredibly valuable to us. My biggest passion in natural stone is boutique stones. I see great value in the rare and unique. Maybe loving to be different naturally leads to loving different kinds of stones. I truly love this journey and the path that has shaped me into who I am today.”
