About Elite Business Coaching

Your Strategic Partner for Business Excellence in Turkey

Elite Business Coaching team meeting in Istanbul office
Elite Coaching founding partners in Istanbul

Our Story

Elite Business Coaching was founded in 2012 by Mehmet Yilmaz and Sarah Johnson, two seasoned business consultants who recognized a unique opportunity at the crossroads of East and West. With Mehmet's deep understanding of Turkish business culture and Sarah's international corporate expertise, they set out to bridge the gap between global best practices and local business dynamics.

What began as a small consultancy with just four clients in Istanbul has grown into Turkey's premier business coaching firm, with offices in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. Our journey has been marked by continuous learning and adaptation, as Turkey's business landscape has evolved dramatically over the past decade.

In 2015, we expanded our team to include specialists in digital transformation, recognizing the technology revolution sweeping through Turkish businesses. By 2018, we had established our Leadership Academy, which has now trained over 1,200 executives from both Turkish companies and international corporations operating in the region.

Today, Elite Business Coaching stands as a trusted partner to businesses of all sizes across Turkey, from ambitious startups to established multinational corporations. Our diverse team of 25 coaches brings together expertise from various industries, united by a common mission to elevate business performance through strategic coaching.

Our Mission & Values

Mission

We exist to transform business performance in Turkey through strategic coaching that bridges global expertise with local insight, empowering leaders and organizations to achieve sustainable success in a rapidly evolving market.

Core Values

Excellence

We are committed to the highest standards in everything we do, continuously refining our methodologies to deliver exceptional results for our clients.

Cultural Intelligence

We navigate the complexities of diverse business environments with sensitivity and insight, creating bridges between different approaches and perspectives.

Innovation

We embrace change and foster creative thinking, helping our clients stay ahead in Turkey's dynamic business landscape.

Integrity

We build relationships based on trust, transparency, and ethical conduct, maintaining the highest professional standards at all times.

Elite Coaching team workshop in progress

Meet Our Leadership Team

Experienced professionals dedicated to your business success in Turkey

Mehmet Yilmaz, Founder & CEO

Mehmet Yilmaz

Founder & CEO

With 25+ years of experience in Turkish and international business environments, Mehmet brings deep expertise in strategic leadership and organizational development. Prior to founding Elite Coaching, he held executive positions at Koç Holding and Unilever Turkey.

Sarah Johnson, Co-Founder & Head of International Relations

Sarah Johnson

Co-Founder & Head of International Relations

Sarah specializes in cross-cultural business strategies and multinational operations. Her background includes executive roles at McKinsey and HSBC's Middle East division. She holds an MBA from INSEAD and speaks four languages fluently.

Ayla Demir, Director of Executive Coaching

Ayla Demir

Director of Executive Coaching

Ayla leads our executive coaching practice with expertise in leadership development and performance optimization. A certified ICF coach with previous experience at Turkish Airlines and Garanti BBVA, she specializes in helping leaders navigate complex market transitions.

Daniel Park, Head of Digital Transformation

Daniel Park

Head of Digital Transformation

Daniel spearheads our digital transformation practice, helping traditional Turkish businesses adapt to the digital economy. With a background in tech startups and consulting roles at Accenture Digital, he brings innovative approaches to business challenges.

Our Achievements

Delivering measurable results for businesses across Turkey

Business Impact

  • 650+ Businesses transformed across Turkey
  • 32% Average revenue growth for client companies
  • 85% Client retention rate
  • €120M+ Investment secured for client startups

Recognition & Expertise

  • 2022 Turkey Business Excellence Award Winner
  • 25 Internationally certified coaches
  • 1,200+ Executives trained through our Leadership Academy
  • 12 Industries served with specialized expertise
Elite Coaching team accepting business award

Client Testimonials

Hear what our clients say about their transformation journey

Emre Kaya, CEO of TechIstanbul

"Elite Coaching transformed our startup into a market leader. Their strategic guidance helped us secure Series A funding and expand across the Middle East. The team's understanding of both Turkish business culture and international best practices was invaluable during our growth phase."

Emre Kaya

CEO, TechIstanbul

Isabella Schmidt, Country Manager at EuroTech Turkey

"As we expanded into Turkey, Elite Coaching was our trusted partner in navigating local business practices and building an effective cross-cultural team. Their insights helped us exceed our first-year targets by 35% and establish strong foundations for sustainable growth."

Isabella Schmidt

Country Manager, EuroTech Turkey

Ali Ozturk, Managing Director of Anatolian Manufacturing

"Our 30-year-old family business was facing increasing competitive pressure when we engaged Elite Coaching. Their digital transformation program modernized our operations and opened new export markets in Europe. The ROI has been remarkable, securing our company's future for generations to come."

Ali Ozturk

Managing Director, Anatolian Manufacturing

Ready to Transform Your Business in Turkey?

Let's start a conversation about your business goals and challenges