“I am an entrepreneur at heart and enjoy bringing innovative business ideas to life that address a gap in the market.”
- Khanyi Dhlomo, Founder and Managing Director of Ndalo Media, South Africa
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“Being able to penetrate a male-dominated industry has been a career highlight.”
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu: Africa must build global brands
soleRebel's international brand success is exemplified by their trendy store in Tawain
African entrepreneurs must build global brands....
“soleRebels is based on the revolutionary idea that to truly enjoy lasting development, developing nation producers MUST create, grow and control successful global brands and the equity developed in them, the very same formula that global brands in developed nations have so successfully deployed to build themselves and their countries...”
- Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu is founder and Managing Director of soleRebels, the world's fastest-growing African footwear brand and the only Fair Trade-certified footwear company in the world. Growing up in a poor suburb of Addis Ababa, Bethlehem decided that there was only one way to defeat poverty – use local craftsmanship to make products that can compete in the global marketplace. She decided on footwear and today 70,000 pairs of shoes leave her factory every year. soleRebels has been expanding rapidly and today exports to no fewer than 45 countries and is targeting 50 stand alone soleRebels retail stores across the United States by 2018 and 500 worldwide by 2022.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu: Innovate and create world class products
Innovate and create world class products....
“soleRebels is LIVING PROOF that creating innovative world class products and trading them with the world is THE BEST road to greater shared prosperity for developing nations like ours!”
- Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu is founder and Managing Director of soleRebels, the world's fastest-growing African footwear brand and the only Fair Trade-certified footwear company in the world. Growing up in a poor suburb of Addis Ababa, Bethlehem decided that there was only one way to defeat poverty – use local craftsmanship to make products that can compete in the global marketplace. She decided on footwear and today 70,000 pairs of shoes leave her factory every year. soleRebels has been expanding rapidly and today exports to no fewer than 45 countries and is targeting 50 stand alone soleRebels retail stores across the United States by 2018 and 500 worldwide by 2022.
Read moreDelight juice manufacturer diversifies into other businesses
Source: Daily Monitor Uganda | May 20, 2014
If there is any validity to seeing “a woman’s touch” in operating a key beverage company, it is illustrated by Delight Limited’s managing director Julian Nyamahunge Omalla. Just like any other entrepreneur, Nyamahunge is not afraid to try out anything. With nearly two decades of experience in business, Nyamahunge has mastered the art of processing juice from her mother....
Read moreVideo: VOA showcases Ethiopian entrepreneur Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu and her flair for shoes
Source: Voice of America
Featured in the United States as part of the Black History Month series, VOA's Diane Butts showcases Ethiopian entrepreneur Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu and her flair for shoes.
Read moreVideo: Watch Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu interviewed at The One Young World Summit 2013 in Johannesburg
soulRebels founder, Bethlehem Alemu and YouGovStone founder, Carole Stone give advice and take questions on how to be an entrepreneur in this Special Session at the One Young World Summit 2013. The One Young World Summit 2013 took place in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Read moreVideo: Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu featured on BBC
Watch this video where BBC's George Alagiah features prominent Ethiopian entrepreneur Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu.
Read moreVideo: Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu honoured at the 2011 Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship
This feature was played at the Gala Night for the 2011 Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship, held in Nairobi. The Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship are sponsored by Legatum, the Omidyar Network, and Google, and this year's awards were selected by an elite group of judges, including Virgin Founder, Sir Richard Branson.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Sibongile Sambo: Women entrepreneurs can make it in male dominated industries
Women entrepreneurs can make it in male dominated industries....
“Most people saw my entry into the sector as very awkward, and initially, people never took me seriously. I had to prove myself more than 10 times. However, I told them I’m here, I’m here to stay, I’m here to grow this business, and I’m here to make changes as well, because I’m young, I’m very innovative and I want to bring a new spice into the industry.”
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.
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"As we like to say Africa accounts for only 2% of global trade... give us the chance to compete and WIN some market share, just like TIMBERLAND or PUMA, or NIKE or any of these global brands, and watch what we can accomplish..."
- Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu is founder and Managing Director of soleRebels, the world's fastest-growing African footwear brand and the only Fair Trade-certified footwear company in the world. Growing up in a poor suburb of Addis Ababa, Bethlehem decided that there was only one way to defeat poverty – use local craftsmanship to make products that can compete in the global marketplace. She decided on footwear and today 70,000 pairs of shoes leave her factory every year. soleRebels has been expanding rapidly and today exports to no fewer than 45 countries and is targeting 50 stand alone soleRebels retail stores across the United States by 2018 and 500 worldwide by 2022.
Read moreCappuccino entrepreneurs: Make mine a hot chocolate please!
My early morning best friends, Patrick, Brian and Dave, the amazing barista's at my local coffee spot, serve me up an early morning 'Lioness Hot Chocolate'. Their artistry and ever cheerful mood always gets my day started on just the right note. Purrrrr!
If, like me, you start your entrepreneurial day with a cappuccino, or in my case a hot chocolate, in your favourite local coffee shop, then you are part of a growing global trend of coffee shop entrepreneurs who use this relaxed environment to network, brainstorm or just work quietly amongst other like-minded entrepreneurial souls.
Read moreBethlehem Tilahun Alemu: Social entrepreneurship can make a really meaningful impact
You can make a massive impact as a social entrepreneur....
"We began soleRebels to bring jobs to our community, a place where there literally were NONE."
Read moreMeet a Lioness: Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu the founder of soleRebels
A letter from Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu the founder of soleRebels
Dear friends, my name is Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu and I am the founder and Managing Director of soleRebels (Bostex PLC) here in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It is my immense pleasure to introduce myself and soleRebels to you.
Read moreEssential Video: Richard Branson tells the inspiring story of how he started Virgin with just $200
Essential Video
Watch this video where Richard Branson tells the inspiring story of how he started Virgin as a 15 year old with just $200 given to him by his mother.
Read moreVideo: Jenna Clifford leading South Africa jeweller talks to Movers & Shakers
Source: Movers & Shakers | Published on May 14, 2013
Jenna Clifford Designs represents the apex of high fashion jewellery design and the epitome of rare quality and superlative craftsmanship. Established in 1992, the company has steadily grown its clientele and improved its profile to institute itself as a powerful force in the jewellery industry. The premium designed and handcrafted range of rings, necklaces, pendants, bracelets and many other outstanding products has attracted international appeal.
Read moreQuote of the Day
"There are probably no more market-oriented individuals on the planet, than low income people."
- Jacqueline Novogratz founded and leads Acumen, a non-profit organisation that takes a businesslike approach to improving the lives of the poor. Read her profile here.
Read moreQuote of the Day
"Very small investments can release the infinite potential that lies in all of us."
- Jacqueline Novogratz founded and leads Acumen, a non-profit organisation that takes a businesslike approach to improving the lives of the poor. Read her profile here.
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“It hasn’t been easy, it’s been a huge task but it’s been worth every sleepless night I’ve endured. The company is now well established and is a growing enterprise, with an annual turnover of R54 million. To me, that alone is an incredible achievement.”
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.
Read moreEntrepreneur Advice from Sibongile Sambo: Networking and gathering market intelligence are powerful weapons
Networking and gathering market intelligence are powerful weapons....
“Doing this hasn’t always been easy, but as soon as men are aware that you’re as intelligent as, or more intelligent than they are, they take you seriously. So I stay knowledgeable; I read continuously and attend conferences and industry events regularly.”
- Sibongile Sambo is a pioneering woman of South African aviation. She is founder and Chief Executive Officer of SRS Aviation Ltd., the first 100 percent black, female-owned aviation services company in South Africa. Launched in 2004, SRS is an integrated provider of private aviation services offering South African and international clients professional and personalized flight options including VIP Charter, tourist charter and helicopter services, to destinations around the world. Today, the company also provides maintenance, sales and fleet management services to private jet owners.
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