From Fat Shamed Mom to 1.5M Followers: Ayca’s Power Move!
There are people who talk about chasing their dreams, and then there are those like Ayca Dederke, who turn impossible situations into powerful success stories. Today, with over 1.5 million followers on Instagram, Ayca is a leading influencer, businesswoman, and inspiration for women and mothers worldwide. But her path to stardom wasn’t always glamorous—it started in the rawest, most vulnerable chapter of her life.
The Turning Point: A New Mother’s Painful Wake-Up Call
Ayca’s story begins not in a shiny studio or behind the scenes of a brand campaign, but in her living room as a new mother, struggling with postpartum body changes and self-esteem issues. After giving birth, Ayca openly admits, “I was fat, I was ugly, to be honest.”
When she shared her ambition of becoming an influencer with her partner, she was met with nothing but laughter. “Look at yourself,” he told her, “how can you be an influencer?”
But instead of letting those words break her, Ayca used them as fuel. That was the moment everything changed.
Diving Into the World of Influencer Marketing
Most people dream of change but wait for the perfect timing. Not Ayca. With her infant by her side, she started devouring every book, article, and YouTube video she could find on influencer marketing. “I was crazy about it. I didn’t care if my baby was sleeping, eating—I was always learning,” she recalls.
She dedicated herself to understanding social media algorithms, camera presence, audience building, and brand collaborations. Her days were a blur of motherhood and marketing strategies. Slowly but surely, she began posting, experimenting, and engaging online.
From Small Beginnings to 1.5 Million Followers
Growth didn’t come overnight. The influencer world is known for being overcrowded and cutthroat, but Ayca’s relentless spirit helped her carve a unique space for herself. She admits that the early stages were full of challenges—juggling content creation with a corporate job, handling criticism, and battling self-doubt.
Yet, consistency remained her secret weapon. “Talent and creativity are important,” she says, “but without showing up every single day, you won’t get far.”
Years later, that strategy paid off in ways even she couldn’t imagine. Ayca built a loyal community of over 1.5 million followers on Instagram, inspiring women globally with her honest storytelling, radiant personality, and business insights.
From Creator to Entrepreneur: Founding an International Agency
Not one to settle, Ayca leveraged her success into something bigger. She co-founded an international influencer marketing agency, connecting creators from around the globe with top-tier brands. Her agency has collaborated with world-renowned companies like Accor Hotels and several national tourism boards.
“Building an agency from scratch while still growing my personal brand taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, leadership, and adaptability,” she says. Managing a team across different time zones and cultures pushed her out of her comfort zone and gave her a deeper appreciation for the power of human connection.
A New Chapter in Dubai
Recently, Ayca made a life-changing decision to relocate her family and business to Dubai, a city known for its dynamic influencer scene. “We’d spent a lot of time here professionally, and it just made sense,” Ayca explains.
The move wasn’t just personal—it was strategic. With her son now enrolled in a Dubai school, Ayca officially opened the Dubai branch of her agency. This bold step marks a fresh start for her family and unlocks new possibilities for expanding their brand collaborations across the Middle East, while continuing operations in Turkey, Egypt, and the Maldives.
Dubai’s global outlook and booming digital economy offer the perfect backdrop for Ayca’s vision: building a truly international community of creators and brands.
The Philosophy That Drives Her
At the heart of Ayca’s success is a powerful philosophy: consistency wins over everything. While talent, timing, and connections matter, she believes that showing up and putting in the work—especially when no one’s watching—is the real game-changer.
“Every follower, every partnership, every campaign I’ve landed has come from believing in myself and committing to the grind, even when results took time,” she says.
Her journey is proof that real, lasting success isn’t accidental—it’s built on countless unseen moments of effort, sacrifice, and unwavering belief.
Ayca Dederke: The Woman Behind the Brand
Beyond the glitz of social media numbers and brand deals, Ayca remains grounded in what truly matters. For her, motherhood is the greatest achievement of all.
“Bringing my son into the world gave my life a deeper meaning. Everything I do is for him,” she shares.
She’s also passionate about using her platform for honest storytelling and meaningful conversations. Rather than chasing superficial trends, Ayca focuses on building real relationships with her audience, creating content that resonates, and sharing lessons learned from both her victories and setbacks.
Lessons for Aspiring Influencers and Entrepreneurs
When asked what advice she’d give her younger self, Ayca says, “Embrace every part of your journey—even the uncertain and difficult moments.”
Starting out in Turkey, studying in Germany and the U.S., and finally building a company in Dubai taught her the power of understanding different cultures and people. At the core of every successful brand or idea, she believes, is one thing: human connection.
“Focus less on the ‘what’ and more on the ‘who.’ Understand people. Listen deeply. Lead with empathy,” she says.
It’s advice that has guided her career and life—and one she hopes will inspire the next generation of creators.
What’s Next for Ayca Dederke?
With her agency flourishing in Dubai and her personal brand stronger than ever, Ayca shows no signs of slowing down. She’s currently working on expanding partnerships in the Middle East while growing her TikTok presence under @wearethebest4ever.
Her goal is to bridge influencers and brands globally, creating campaigns that feel personal, authentic, and culturally relevant.
As for her personal mission, Ayca hopes to be remembered as a woman who fearlessly followed her passion and lifted others along the way.
“If people remember me as someone who inspired them to believe in themselves and take bold steps, then I’ll know I’ve made a difference,” she smiles.
Final Thoughts
Ayca Dederke’s journey is a testament to what’s possible when courage, consistency, and self-belief come together. From a discouraged new mom to a Dubai-based influencer powerhouse and entrepreneur, Ayca’s story proves that with enough grit and heart, even the most unlikely dreams can become reality.
If you’re looking for your next dose of inspiration, follow Ayca’s journey on Instagram and TikTok (@wearethebest4ever)—and remember her words: “Trust yourself more. You’re capable of more than you know.”
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