We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ayse Ergin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ayse, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
One of the biggest risks my twin sister, Zeynep, and I took was leaving our full-time jobs to focus on Aster Society just as the COVID-19 pandemic began impacting the U.S. Starting a business is challenging under any circumstances, but the early months of the pandemic—with lockdowns and travel restrictions—tested the strength of our partnership.
When we launched Aster Society, we anticipated scaling up would be a significant challenge (even under normal circumstances) because each piece takes hours or even days to create, but this became an even more complex problem to solve with all of the uncertainties introduced by the pandemic.
We knew we needed to build a resilient supply line to help us stay nimble as we looked to smartly scale up our inventory, so we connected with multiple teams of talented artisans in Turkey who were equally enthusiastic about our mission. Through Aster Society, these artisans could earn an income safely from home during a difficult time, while we were able to tap into a large pool of newly available talent, allowing us to scale up production even faster than we expected.
Later, when we secured our first wholesale order with Uncommon Goods, we had to quickly build out our wholesale operations and faced new challenges. Wholesale demand required us to involve even more artisans to meet higher production volumes and tighter turnaround times. Additionally, COVID-related delays caused customs processing times to slow significantly. To navigate this, we pivoted from placing large, quarterly orders to focusing on smaller, more frequent batches. This approach ensured smoother delivery timelines while allowing us to stay agile and responsive to shifting wholesale needs.
So what initially felt like a significant risk turned into a transformative learning experience. Building and managing our supply chain remotely during that first year taught us the importance of flexibility, collaboration, and problem-solving. These lessons not only helped us overcome short-term challenges but also created a solid framework that continues to support our growth today.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Quick Summary About Us
The idea for Aster Society came naturally to my twin sister, Zeynep, and me, as it reflects our shared passions and values. Born and raised in Istanbul, we moved to Austin, Texas, at age 15 to attend boarding school. After completing high school, we stayed in the U.S. for college and later earned Master’s degrees in Environmental Sciences and Policy from Johns Hopkins University.
After working in environmental policy in Washington, D.C., I felt drawn to create something that aligned with our commitment to sustainability. Together, we envisioned a brand that collaborated with nature, not against it. In addition, we were deeply passionate about cultural sustainability—preserving traditional crafts that carry generations of history and meaning. Our business is more than just beautiful accessories; it’s a way for us to honor our heritage, empower artisans, and share unique, meaningful creations that reflect both art and purpose.
How did you get into your industry or craft?
When my twin sister, Zeynep, and I were kids, our great-aunt introduced us to Oya, a traditional Turkish needlework technique. We watched in awe as she transformed simple threads into intricate, three-dimensional floral designs using only a short sewing needle. The pieces she gifted us became cherished treasures. As we grew older, we learned to create Oya ourselves, deepening our appreciation for its artistry and cultural significance.
Fast forward to 2020: I rediscovered one of my Oya necklaces that had been tucked away for years. After reminiscing with Zeynep about the wonderful times we shared with our great-aunt, I suggested starting a small Oya business. Less than three months later, we launched the first version of AsterSociety.com! From the beginning, we felt inspired to breathe new life into this craft with updated styles and eagerly embraced the opportunity to run a business together.
Today, we collaborate with talented artisans in Turkey to refine designs while preserving the authenticity of Oya. The term “oya” comes from the Turkish saying “iğne oyası,” which roughly translates to “creating something that requires patience and time.” This philosophy of resilient creation and collaboration with nature became the guiding principle of Aster Society and continues to serve as our “north star” as we add new products and designs.
Drawing from the natural beauty of the Mediterranean and Anatolia, we incorporate vibrant colors and organic motifs into our pieces, blending tradition with modern sensibilities. Oya’s roots, which date back to the 8th century BCE, remain central to our mission as we aim to make this centuries-old craft relevant in today’s world.
Through Aster Society, we celebrate Oya’s timeless beauty, empower women, support sustainable practices, and honor its rich cultural legacy—all while sharing its artistry with a new generation.
What type of products do you offer?
Aster Society specializes in hand-sewn jewelry and accessories inspired by the beauty of nature. Our collections include bracelets, necklaces, earrings, eyeglass holders, scarves, bookmarks, and brooches—all meticulously crafted using the delicate Oya needlework technique. Each piece, whether featuring a floral design or a more abstract creation, requires anywhere from a few hours to days to complete, showcasing the artistry and dedication involved.
We offer both ready-made designs and custom pieces, collaborating closely with our artisans to bring unique visions to life. Every item is created to be cherished—whether as a meaningful gift or a personal treasure—blending traditional craftsmanship with modern appeal.
What are you most proud of?
We’re incredibly proud of the community we’ve built at Aster Society. By championing female artisans and preserving a craft with deep cultural roots, we help keep this rich tradition alive for future generations. It’s deeply fulfilling to see people from all corners of the globe connect with our pieces and the stories they carry. Each purchase not only celebrates artistry and heritage but also empowers the women behind these beautiful creations, making every piece a testament to their skill, resilience, and spirit. This impact is something we cherish and are immensely proud of.
What is Oya?
Oya is an ancient and uniquely feminine art form, characterized by tiny loops and knots that come together to form breathtaking patterns inspired by nature. Dating back to as early as the 8th century BCE in the Anatolian and Mediterranean regions, this delicate technique involves the use of fine needles and silky threads to create intricate designs. Each piece often requires hours, or even days, of meticulous craftsmanship.
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
I’ve known my co-founder for as long as I can remember—literally. I met her in the womb! My twin sister, Zeynep, has always been my closest collaborator, so starting a business together felt like a natural next step. When I brought up the idea of launching Aster Society, she was immediately excited and ready to dive in.
Having a twin as a business partner comes with unique advantages. We know each other so well that we can divide responsibilities in a way that plays to our individual strengths. Zeynep is incredibly detail-oriented and has a natural talent for design, so she focuses on curating our collections and ensuring everything looks beautiful. Meanwhile, I handle the operations and overall vision for the business. Our complementary skills create a seamless partnership, and I love how we can bounce ideas off each other—often finishing each other’s sentences!
What makes working with a twin especially rewarding is the deep trust and understanding we share. We challenge each other, but we also provide unwavering support. Building Aster Society together has been an incredible journey, knowing that we’re not just business partners, but lifelong partners as well.
Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?
At Aster Society, we use a multi-channel approach to sell our products, including our website, pop-up events, markets, and wholesale partnerships. While our website isn’t the primary sales channel, it plays a vital role in branding and accounts for a significant portion of sales.
Our website allows us to create a shopping experience that reflects our brand identity and integrate tools for inventory management, marketing, and analytics—critical resources for a small business. Unlike platforms like Etsy or Amazon, managing our own website gives us full control over customer relationships and the ability to tell our brand story authentically. However, this also requires more effort, from building and maintaining the site to driving traffic through independent marketing efforts, which can be both challenging and rewarding.
The benefits of selling on our own platform include retaining a higher profit margin, fostering direct customer connections, and offering a personalized shopping experience. On the downside, it demands greater time, technical expertise, and resources, with no built-in marketplace audience to tap into.
By combining online sales with in-person channels like markets and wholesale, we diversify our reach, engage with different audiences, and stay aligned with our mission to showcase the artistry and tradition of our handmade products. This blended approach balances scalability with authenticity and ensures a seamless shopping experience for our customers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://WWW.ASTERSOCIETY.COM
- Instagram: @ASTERSOCIETY
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/astersociety/
- Twitter: @ASTER_SOCIETY
- Other: TIKTOK: @ASTER_SOCIETY
Image Credits
N/A