This chapter aims to examine the experiences, motivations, and entrepreneurial processes of individuals engaged in the fishing industry in Trabzon, one of the major port cities of the Black Sea region. Fishing in Trabzon, with historical roots dating back centuries, holds strategic significance for the local community both economically and socio-culturally today. In this context, the study employs the oral history method and conducts in-depth interviews with fishing entrepreneurs. The analysis focuses on how multi-layered factors—such as participants’ childhood and upbringing, family traditions, educational backgrounds, personal characteristics, and environmental and societal influences—shape their entrepreneurial decisions.

The research further explores the entrepreneurs’ investment motivations, the challenges they face, how they identify and leverage market opportunities, and their reasons for choosing Trabzon as their business location. In this respect, the study offers a comprehensive perspective on entrepreneurial practices shaped not only by economic considerations but also by cultural and social contexts. The data collected were analyzed using the qualitative data analysis software MAXQDA, following the principles of thematic analysis. One of the study’s key contributions is its effort to construct a collective memory that not only makes visible the region-specific dynamics of entrepreneurship but also serves to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs through the lived experiences of fishing entrepreneurs. This chapter ultimately aims to present findings that may contribute to the development of sustainable entrepreneurship policies in the Black Sea region.