Ethiopian Bethlehem Tilahun named Most Successful African Female Entrepreneur by Moving Woman Magazine. Entrepreneurship is traditionally male-dominated. Moving Women Magazine aims to break this belief and highlight women who are out to conquer the world, with most of them paving their ways in entrepreneurship and dominating the space. These women have an important impact on the economy in creating jobs for themselves and others.
Bethlehem was born and raised in Zenabwork, one of the most poverty-stricken communities in Ethiopia. She founded SoleRebels in early 2005, right after she graduated. The pioneering footwear company was formed to create jobs for the community. Since its creation, Bethlehem has built the company into the world’s fastest-growing African footwear brand.
SoleRebels is the first global footwear brand to emerge from a developing country. It is also the world’s first and only World Fair Trade Federation FAIR TRADE-certified footwear company. In addition, the company emerged as the African brand to turn into an international job creation powerhouse with over 500 jobs in its international stores.
Bethlehem is also FORBES World’s 100 Most Powerful Women & CNN’s 12 Greatest Entrepreneurs of the last century.
