Five years ago, Ediz Ozturk was deep in textbooks and case law, finishing up a double degree in law and finance. But while his classmates were polishing their résumés for big law firms, Ediz was quietly building something else — a fitness blog born out of his passion for training and connecting with like-minded gym junkies.

“It wasn’t about creating a brand,” he says, looking back on those early days. “It was about sharing a passion. Fitness gave me an outlet. The blog gave it a voice.”

That voice has since grown into a global roar.

Today, Ediz is the founder of DoYouEven, a powerhouse fitness apparel brand that ships to over 150 countries and has cultivated a community of nearly two million followers across Instagram and Facebook. Not bad for a side hustle that started between lectures.

DoYouEven: a passion project

Despite being on the cusp of a legal career, Ediz couldn’t shake the feeling that he was climbing the wrong ladder.

“I felt like I was building someone else’s life, not mine,” he says. “I hadn’t launched the blog yet, but I was immersed in fitness and saw a real gap in the market for a brand that spoke directly to that passion. Taking the leap wasn’t easy, but I knew if I didn’t back myself then, I never would.”

So, he did. And while the first merch drop didn’t quite break the internet, it sparked something bigger.

“The response was undeniable. It had immediate resonance. That’s when I realised this could actually be something.”

From bedroom startup to global fitness brand

DoYouEven didn’t grow overnight, but it grew fast. The secret? Community first, product second.

“We listened. We built a community before we built a product. Everything was organic. From seeding to scaling, and grounded in shared values,” Ediz explains.

The brand’s early merch drops weren’t just about selling tees and tanks. They tapped into something deeper.

“They were raw, real, and personal. It wasn’t just merch — it was identity. We weren’t selling product, we were building pride in being part of something bigger.”

Influencer seeding before it was cool

Long before influencer marketing became a buzzword, Ediz was sending DoYouEven gear to athletes and fitness influencers he admired. People like Kayla Itsines and Regan Grimes. It wasn’t about strategy; it was about authenticity.

“It felt real, and it built a flywheel of trust and credibility that paid off tenfold,” he says.

That authenticity still underpins everything the brand does, especially when it comes to content and community.

“Be human,” Ediz advises other business owners. “Talk to your customers like people, not data points. Share more than your product — share your story, your values, your why. If you build a brand with depth, people will want to carry it with them.”

Doing it lean, doing it right

With just seven people on the team, DoYouEven runs a tight ship. But it’s by design, not necessity.

“We’re lean by choice,” Ediz says. “It keeps us focused, hungry, and agile. Everyone knows their role, and we operate with high trust and high standards.”

And when it comes to scaling, the brand leads with purpose, not ego.

“Everyone on the team understands the ‘why’ behind what we do. That’s what keeps the culture strong.”

Ediz Ozturk outside a Big W store during a DoYouEven activation

Cracking retail with BIG W

This year, DoYouEven hit a major milestone, landing on the shelves of BIG W.

“BIG W saw the strength of our DTC presence and community, and we saw the value in retail accessibility,” Ediz says. “Fitness shouldn’t be exclusive. We wanted to create a product that didn’t compromise on quality but was still accessible to everyone.”

The collab is already proving a hit, helping the brand reach a wider audience while staying true to its roots.

Going global

With customers across the US, UK, Japan, China and beyond, Ediz has had to navigate the logistical beast that is international e-commerce.

“Logistics was the biggest hurdle early on. But we kept at it, refined our systems, and made international shipping feel seamless.”

Still, nothing beats seeing a DoYouEven hoodie in the wild halfway across the world.

“That never gets old.”

The wins, the lessons, the legacy

For Ediz, the proudest part of the journey isn’t revenue or reach, it’s the community.

“Seeing people tag us in their personal wins — in the gym, on the track, through transformation stories — that’s the legacy we’re building.”

But it hasn’t all been PBs and PRs. The toughest lesson?

“Timing is everything. You can have the right product, but if you launch too soon (or too late), it won’t land. I’ve learned to balance instinct with patience.”

Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

If you’re sitting on a side hustle or passion project and wondering if it could be more, Ediz has some simple advice.

“Don’t wait for perfect. Start small, stay consistent, and learn on the run. Passion will get you going, but resilience is what keeps you going.”

And if he could go back and give his younger self one piece of advice?

“Trust the long game. You don’t need to sprint every day. Just keep showing up, evolving, and playing with purpose.”

With plans to expand product lines, grow the retail presence, and bring more in-person experiences to life, Ediz and his team are just getting warmed up.

“We’re not slowing down on community,” he says with a grin. “Expect more IRL experiences soon.”

From a blog written between law classes to a fitness label repped in over 150 countries, Ediz Ozturk’s journey proves if you back yourself and build something that matters, the results can be game-changing.

And to that, we say: DoYouEven? Hell yes, he does.

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