He began his new life in Adana as a laborer in the cotton plantations but after only one or two years he had saved enough to set up a modest commercial enterprise. His remarkable initiative, far-sightedness and unflinching resolution added one link after another to the chain of successes built up over the years. He was responsible for the foundation of enterprises such as MARSA, AKBANK and BOSSA, companies which constituted the first steps towards the creation of the Sabancı Group, now the largest private holding in Turkey.

Married to Ms. Sadıka in 1928, Mr. Hacı Ömer Sabancı was the father of six children: İhsan, Sakıp, Hacı, Şevket, Erol and Özdemir.

Mr. Sabancı passed away on February 2, 1966.