The Global Business Hall of Fame, presented by JA Worldwide, is an online exhibit that features top entrepreneurs and business leaders from the last two centuries. The laureates are classified into two categories. The leader category recognizes executive-level professionals, motivating others, advancing the business landscape, improving lives, leading companies & initiatives toward the Global Goals, is a role model exhibiting social values, inclusivity, and a global point of view. The second category, Innovator, recognizes individuals under 40 years of age who have an entrepreneurial spirit, are community-focused, and have changed the global landscape or recently emerged worldwide.
Bethlehem was inducted into the 2022 Global Business Hall of Fame for her contributions to creating employment and showing Ethiopia’s skills to the world. 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 its fastest-growing African footwear brand. She also founded more startups, including The Republic of Leather, Garden of Coffee, Made by Ethiopia, Giza digital, NoodFoods, TeffTastic, and Selam Bank.
Bethlehem has outstanding entrepreneurship abilities, aiming to create employment and showcase Ethiopia’s skills to the world. She was recognized globally and received multiple recognitions, including Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2011, FORBES World’s 100 Most Powerful Women, CNN’s 12 Greatest Entrepreneurs of the last century, Most Successful African Female Entrepreneur by Moving Woman Magazine, and more.
