Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to May Jeffers. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, May thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.

It was truly an unforgettable thrill and experience. Our products hadn’t arrived yet; they were still in shipping. I only had product images on hand, which I shared on online platform and few people reached out to me through those platforms, saying they wanted to buy my products. Their interest excited me so much that I’m feeling that same excitement all over again as I share this with you now. My very first customer messaged me and then picked up her order on my first day at the Farmers Market, where we were set up on Saturday! She was such a sweet person and has continued to support us ever since. Similarly, I’ll never forget my second customer; she came to my home to buy several items and even left me a tip. I still keep that tip in my wallet as a good luck charm. We really appreciate everyone who supports us in this journey! We really can’t do without them.

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.

Journey from Turkey to Denver: The Story Behind Cappadocia Turkish Towels
For those who may not be familiar with my story, my name is May Jeffers, and I’m one of the co-founders of Cappadocia Turkish Towels, a business I started with two close friends in 2023. I’m originally from Turkey, and like many entrepreneurs, my journey into this industry began with a mix of uncertainty, a strong desire to build something meaningful, and a little inspiration.
Six years ago, my friends and I arrived in Denver, Colorado, on work visas. We all had one thing in common: the dream of starting our own business in the U.S. But none of us knew where to begin. It felt overwhelming. We had no clear path forward; at the time, we thought we’d need a large budget to get started. That is until an unexpected conversation changed everything.
One of my business partners, Birsen Duran, has a family-owned weaving company in Turkey, and they offered to support us with products if we decided to start a business. Although that was a huge advantage, we still weren’t sure how to get things off the ground.
The breakthrough came in 2023 when a close friend, Debby, asked for my help with her flower business at the farmersmarket. Watching her manage a small-scale operation so successfully inspired me—if she could do it, so could we, even with a modest budget.
I immediately reached out to Birsen and our third co-founder, Muhittin Koksal, to share the idea. We were all excited, and it was then that we decided to take action. We started small, but with a clear vision and determination to build something special.
Cappadocia Turkish Towels is all about creating high-quality, handcrafted, and sustainable home products. We specialize in 100% Organic Cotton Turkish Towels, blankets, robes, shawls, scarves, and home decor items. What sets our products apart is the fact that they’re not only incredibly soft and versatile, but also lightweight, quick-drying, and compact—perfect for today’s active, on-the-go lifestyle.
We design most of our products ourselves, focusing on both functionality and aesthetics. The moment customers touch our products, they’re hooked. The softness is unmistakable, and it only gets better with every wash. Our customers often share how they can’t resist purchasing once they feel the texture.
We sell our products at farmers markets throughout Denver, as well as online through our website, www.cappadociacotton.com.
We’ve come a long way since we first launched with just 100 items in our inventory. Today, thanks to the support and love of our customers, we’ve expanded to over 5,000 items—a milestone we’re incredibly proud of.
We believe what sets us apart is our commitment to quality and customer service. We put a lot of care into every product we create and ensure that we meet our customers’ needs. For us, it’s not just about making sales; it’s about building relationships and creating loyal customers. Some days, we go the extra mile—literally— by delivering products to our customers’ doors. We want them to feel valued and appreciated, and we’re willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.
Starting a business in a new country has been a learning experience, but with hard work, perseverance, and the backing of a dedicated team, we’ve been able to build something truly special. Our journey is just beginning, and we’re committed to expanding our offerings, reaching more customers, and continuing to share the beauty and craftsmanship of Turkish textiles with the world.
Thank you for supporting Cappadocia Turkish Towels. We look forward to what’s next!

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

I started running Cappadocia Turkish Towels full time as a stay-at-home mom, while my partners, Birsen Duran and Muhittin Köksal, still work their full-time jobs and manage the markets on weekends. Our ultimate goal is for the business to become our full-time pursuit one day.

It’s been incredibly rewarding to share a piece of our Turkish culture with others and to create job opportunities in Turkey. From a humble start, it has grown in ways we never imagined, and we’re excited for what the future holds.

Can you tell us the story of how you built your audience on social media? Any advice for those just starting to build their social media presence?

We primarily focus on in-person marketing at the weekend markets where we sell our products. We realized early on that connecting directly with our customers was key. To make sure they could stay in touch with us after the markets, we started placing QR codes on our business cards. When customers scanned the code, they could easily follow us on social media.

Additionally, we added our website to the labels of our products. This way, even if someone misplaced the business card, they could still find us online and get in touch. Thanks to the QR code on our business cards, our social media presence began growing rapidly, and it felt like we were building a community.

For those just starting to build their social media presence, I’d recommend making it easy for people to connect with you and always have a clear path for them to follow you or learn more. Sometimes it’s about making those small connections and ensuring your contact information is always accessible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cappadociacotton.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cappadociaturkishtowels/profilecard/?igsh=MXYxdHFndHJndGhrNg==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094088343274&mibextid=LQQJ4d