We had the good fortune of connecting with Özgecan Üstgül and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi özgecan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
In 2015, my mother, sister, and I co-founded Women&Women, a textile brand driven by our passion for fashion and design. However, as we navigated the creative process, we faced a harsh reality: following trends, preparing mood boards from pattern and model inspirations, and transforming them into production was an incredibly exhausting and unsustainable journey. By the time our designs reached the production stage, trends had often already evolved, leaving us in a perpetual race against time.

The search for inspiration and the pressure to constantly create fresh patterns and designs became overwhelming. It was a process that demanded endless effort yet yielded little room for innovation or sustainability. I started to question how technology could revolutionize this process. To my surprise, I found there were no existing solutions that addressed this challenge. And so, I decided to create it myself.

This realization marked the beginning of MYTH AI. Founded in 2020, the name MYTH was born from the idea that design is about creating legends—crafting something timeless and extraordinary. With the motto “Designed to Create,” MYTH AI set out to transform the design process, empowering creators with technology that not only accelerates design but also redefines its boundaries. It’s more than a tool; it’s a story, a vision, and a commitment to making creativity effortless and sustainable.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
MYTH AI is a generative AI-powered design platform that revolutionizes the creative process by eliminating the need for constant inspiration, delivering hundreds of unique designs in seconds. What sets us apart is our ability to provide personalized, trend-driven, and sustainable designs tailored to a brand’s identity. We blend cutting-edge technology with creativity, offering businesses the opportunity to own their designs through blockchain-based IP protection, ensuring ethical and transparent ownership.

What Sets Us Apart:
Our platform is unique because it doesn’t just generate designs; it learns your brand’s personality and trends in real-time, creating outputs that align perfectly with your vision. This makes MYTH AI more than a tool—it’s a partner in creativity. Whether it’s textiles, packaging, or other creative industries, we offer precision, speed, and innovation that is unmatched in the market.

My Journey:
The journey to where we are today was anything but easy. In the early stages, I faced countless challenges, from developing a viable business model to communicating the product vision to developers. There were times when I doubted if I could bring the idea to life, but I leaned heavily on mentors who provided critical guidance in areas like finance, technical consulting, and strategic planning. My mother’s financial help and unending support, alongside my sister’s creativity in designing our initial UI, were instrumental in getting MYTH AI off the ground.

The process also taught me to embrace setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow. Rejections, failures, and long nights were all part of building something new, and every challenge made me more resilient and determined.

Lessons Learned:
Collaboration is Key: Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision and bring diverse skills to the table.
Adaptability: Be ready to pivot and evolve as you learn more about your market and customer needs.
The Power of Persistence: Success doesn’t happen overnight—it’s a result of consistent effort, even in the face of obstacles.
What I Want the World to Know:
MYTH AI is not just a business—it’s a movement to redefine creativity. I started MYTH with the belief that design is about creating legends, and I want to empower brands to tell their stories in ways that are innovative, sustainable, and impactful. We are here to challenge the limits of what’s possible in the creative industry and to show the world that technology and art can go hand in hand.

Our story is one of passion, resilience, and a belief in the transformative power of creativity. I hope MYTH AI inspires others to think beyond the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary in their journeys.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As an entrepreneur, holidays have become something of a distant memory—there’s always something that needs my attention. But if I were to imagine the perfect day, it would go something like this:

I’d start by reserving a table at a charming local restaurant a day or two in advance, carefully choosing a three-course menu with my favorite dishes. The anticipation of a beautifully curated meal always adds to the experience.

During the day, I’d take a long, leisurely walk, stopping by a café that catches my eye for a mini coffee break. It’s these little unplanned moments that bring the most joy. I’d also make time to visit at least one or two museums, immersing myself in art, culture, and inspiration. The rest of the day would be spent exploring designer boutiques and indulging in some shopping, feeding my soul with beauty and creativity.

As the day winds down, I’d find a spot with a great view—somewhere I can watch the flow of the city and take in its energy. With a glass of crisp white wine in hand, I’d savor the moment, appreciating the present and the journey so far. That, to me, would be the perfect day.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
No journey is ever traveled alone, and I owe so much to the incredible people and experiences that have shaped my path. While building MYTH AI, I received invaluable mentorship in areas like business model development, technical consulting, and financial guidance. Looking back, I can’t overstate how crucial the right mentorship was, especially in the earliest stages of building the company. There were times when I stumbled, felt unmotivated, or doubted myself, and it was the people around me who lifted me back up.

During those challenging moments, my closest friends became my greatest supporters, offering encouragement and helping me push forward. In the early days of product development, when I had to explain the vision of MYTH to developers and potential partners, my sister—who is a designer—stepped in. She created the first UI designs on her computer, which were instrumental in securing grants and support for the project. Her talent and dedication gave the vision of MYTH a tangible form and helped turn ideas into reality.

Also, my mother, Figen Karabulut, deserves a special mention for her financial help, unending support, and for always pushing me to break through barriers. Her strength and encouragement have been a constant source of motivation throughout this journey.

Building MYTH AI has been a team effort in every sense, fueled by the belief, creativity, and collaboration of many incredible individuals. From mentors to friends and family, each of them played a critical role in this journey, and I’m deeply grateful for their contributions. This experience has taught me that no matter how bold your vision is, having the right people by your side makes all the difference

Website: https://myth-ai.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myth_ai

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/myth-ai

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MYTHAIGENERATOR

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMichigan is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.