Success could not crystalize without an unflagging effort. It may task one a huge push. It as well could take a long time. Most people give up easily or stop their marathon soon. As such, only a few emerge with flying colors realizing their visions and breaking down barriers erected on their paths.
Today’s success story of Herald has placed focus on Enkutatash Belachew, Owner and General Manager of Tommy International Hotel.
Before reaching this stage after a long walk in the arduous track of life, she had passed through lots of ups and downs.
She was born and brought up in Debre Markos town, where she completed high school. Dissatisfied with her school leaving result, she came to Addis to acquire skills in accounting and secretarial science.
After completing the training, she immediately went to Bishoftu (Debrezeit) town.
But she did not start job immediately as she got married.
A year later, she gave birth to a child. At that time the only breadwinner of the family was her husband.
The upheaval that shook the country upon the demise of Derg had been changing things. As a result her husband got fired from his job. Then their lives took a turn to the worse. They began to run out of bare necessities. As the saying goes “an insult to injury” She got pregnant to deliver the second baby.
Luckily, after sometime he resumed his job and she gave birth.
But he was fired again. They lapsed back to previous problems. “It may appear simple to talk that with you now. But the time we spent was a harrowing one,” she said with wistful eyes.
Enkutatash’s life had been eclipsed by many challenges. To overcome the hurdles posing a challenge in their home, she started running a business. Her husband, together with his friend, had started a small poultry business. She didn’t opt confining herself to financial assistance only. By taking chickens with credit from her husband and his friend, she started preparing chicken products adding values. Then renting houses in 10 places, she headfirst engaged in poultry sector.
The Chicken-products were prepared at home. She used to work past midnight. She had no car to distribute her outputs. As such she could not work effectively. So renting a car she had been supplying products to supermarkets in Addis at the midnight and early in the morning.
Enkutatash had not only a business knack but also she had skills of producing handicraft items. She had to lean on that to support her family. She began producing bedspreads, tablecloths uniforms and other types of handicraft items as part of her additional income generating bid and whiling time in worthwhile ventures. Renting bridal cloths, decors and others were among her business types she had been engaged in.
After some years, the business began becoming better and better. She had a plan to prepare roasted chicken and sell it as takeaway on the street. To realize her dream, she had to know about how to prepare the roasted chicken. So, she had to go to Addis to one of her clients who buy chicken products from her. Returning back with experience she immediately started making roasted chicken. Then she began making traditional dishes and foods from abroad. Customers opted to come to her.
Gradually, she developed enough capacity to manage her family. On top of that she began to save to beef up her financial muscle.
As complacence was the farthest thing from her character she had to go to Bishoftu town’s municipality and ask for investment land. It had not taken lots of time, they gave her the investment spot, where she built Tommy International Hotel.
Today, the hotel has turned one of the jewels in the crown of the town as it is a big and luxurious hotel. It has created job opportunities to 200 citizens.
It is not hard to guess that it is hard to run business and become a mom simultaneously. Children need mothers’ affection and attention round the clock.
As she had no vehicle when she kick started the hotel business, she was expected to walk to her home late at night after the hotel was closed. But those challenges did not deter the hotel’s manager from her pushes.
“The work is demonstrating a leap from ascent to ascent very fast. It has some challenges. But I never say die just because it is difficult. Rather I change the challenges to opportunities. I use challenges as steppingstones not as stopping stones. Challenges are ways of betterment and change for me. In the absence of hurdles one may not propel oneself forward. Stumbling blocks serve a way to create new things,” she said.
It was unusual to see women posted on higher governmental and non-governmental organizations especially before some years. It was also strange to see women being owners of higher organizations especially in developing countries. If women have a dream to join the ranks of influential persons, they had to pass through lots of twists and turns than men.
“I am not a person who thinks something will be difficult for me only because I am a woman. My husband has also confidence in my potential. He always encourages me to do better. He is my supporter. After our work, we meet home equally exhausted. We are glad about it,” she added.
She is working with a spirit of friendship with her colleagues in the hotel. Because she believes that her returns and the quality of service she renders increases only if she works hand and glove with employees. Her customers’ satisfaction concerns her because she gives priority to clients than money.
Many of the society members honor Enkutatash because she is practicing social corporate responsibility ethically. And also she pledges that she has a dream to do more for her community down the road.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday Edition 6 October 2019
BY GENET FEKADE
