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Name:  Mehves Ofelya Tangun
Hometown: Istanbul, Turkey
University: Brown University ’13
Major: Engineering & Economics
 
What led you to apply for Venture for America?
After taking my first entrepreneurship class at Brown University I realized that I really enjoyed drafting business plans and pitching to investors. My entrepreneurship professor Danny Warshay introduced me to VFA. With his advice I decided to apply.
What were you doing when you found out you were accepted?
It was during my spring break when I was in Istanbul, Turkey, suffering from a horrible jetlag. So I was up at 3 am checking my emails in my bed when I received the email from Andrew Yang. At that moment, all it said was: “Let the celebrations begin”. It was a memorable week!
Now that you’re a Fellow, what are you most excited about with regard to VFA? What do you hope to accomplish?
I am very excited to be thrown out of my element and out of my comfort zone so that I could push myself in every project I undertake. As Andrew Yang said: “People spend money and time educating the market for consulting and finance. The theory is you must become a baller before you come back and change the world”. Even though we laugh to this statement, which is said with a touch of sarcasm by Yang; I would like to be trained for the startup sector and I believe Venture for America is the right place for it. So far this is all I want to accomplish- gaining knowledge and experience after a “baller” training.
If you had to live one place for the rest of your life, where would you choose? Barcelona (minus the crisis)
Best thing about Brown:  You are the master of your time!
Favorite Book: The Unbearable Lightness of Being- Milan Kundera
Favorite childhood TV show: Rocko’s Modern Life and The Smurffs
Favorite meal: Dinner
Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving- even though I was introduced to it very recently, I cannot get over the food!
Best class you’ve ever taken: Entrepreneurship and Innovation by Danny Warshay
Favorite movie quote: “Do not be afraid to let go or forget… Because in reality, all that matters never leaves us…” –Mine Vaganti (Loose Cannons)
Favorite thing to do on Sunday: Sunday BRUNCH!
Favorite entrepreneur: Wolfgang Puck or Mario Batali (Going back and forth between the two)
Favorite cereal: Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Most worn article of clothing: Beige Scarf
Favorite sports team: The Celtics
Best trip you’ve ever been on: To the region of Cotes du Provence for wine tasting.
Favorite historical figure: Ataturk- The Great Turkish Leader who brought Democracy to Turkey
Accomplishment you’re most proud of: Opening a bakery from scratch in a small town called Chepkanga in Kenya.