Helen Suraphel is co-founder and Managing Director of YeSu event organizer which is a private limited company that works on event organizing, consultancy, stationery, and Kids Activity Class or DIY. She was born in Addis Ababa and raised with her older siblings.
She went to Armenian community school from KG to grade 6 and joined Ledita catholic cathedral school from grade seven to 12. Helen pursued her BA degree in International Economics and Trade from the University of Huzhou, in Zhejiang Province, China. Currently, she is attending her MA degree in Project management at Unity University.
When she was in high school, she used to participate in extracurricular activities such as football club, and anti-AIDS club, where she visited orphan children and those living with the virus. Later, she mobilized money from families and relatives which and donated to muddy charity Association.
During her stay in China, she worked with university’s Environment club, which allowed her to get to know the policies and laws regarding environment protection and institutes responsible for it. She also had the opportunity to closely work with international students and the University administration.
The following is her stay with The Ethiopian Herald where she talked about her life experience, career journey as well as her accomplishment. Enjoy reading!
Can you walk us through your career journey?
Over the four years in China, I did different part time jobs besides my full-time classes. I worked as an English teacher for children and facilitated creativity class or DIY (Do it yourself) classes. I was coaching children to make different jewelry such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and key holders from Amber Resin, for Chinese students.
Upon returning to Ethiopia after my graduation, I worked with the Network of Ethiopian Women’s Association as an intern for six months. Then I joined Rened Consultancy trading PLC where we worked on business processes. Later, I was employed by the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia as bank front worked with the bank for four months.
Due to my desire to start my own business, I left CBE and founded YeSu event organizer’s PLC with my brother. YeSu works on event organizing, consultancy, stationery, and kids activity class or DIY.
Organizing and managing international & local events is not an easy task. So, as a young woman, what was the toughest challenge that you encountered and what did you learn from it?
As a young Ethiopian woman with no prior experience of running a business was not easy at all. My biggest challenge was managing people because people have different backgrounds, interests, and priorities. In addition, starting a new business was never easy because I was not sure whether it would succeed or fail, even close family members and friends were not sure that I would make it.
The cumulative effect of all these have made me a better person and stronger than before. I also developed life skills that enabled me to treat people well which helped me to increase the number of my customers. I remember, I had customers who were not sure of the quality of work I do until I managed to do beyond their expectations, which was very frustrating at the beginning. As the days go by, I was able to refine and improve the work I do which helped me to be committed, persistent and courageous to realize my dream. Thanks to God now I am able to guide and advise startup businesses.
What are the biggest events or conferences that you have so far organized?
As YeSu Event Organizer’s PLC, we worked with an NGO called Kalkidan that was organized by a group of volunteer doctors who were supporting children who need medical care. The group of doctors was mobilizing financial resources by organizing fundraising events. YeSu was approached to organize a fundraising event for Kalkidan. As part of the program, there was a plan to hold race contest for the children from the main post office to Piassa. What made the event difficult was, there was heavy rain and flooding all the way from piassa down to the main post office. As it was very difficult to run in that weather, I had to quickly change plan and came up with indoor games (under a tent) which the kids enjoyed very much.
How did you move forward when women are mostly valued with their appearance/looks than with their thoughts?
I always try to demonstrate that only hard work and perseverance pays back. I also cherish the values I was nurtured with by my parents, do whatever task I am given to the best of my ability and demonstrate that I am able.
Is there any area that you are currently engaged in? If yes, share your experience on that?
I am working with an organization called Options Consultancy Service an International NGO based in Nairobi, works on stopping Female genital Mutilation (FGM). I work as a rapporteur, but I have gained a lot from the discussions and human stories shared during the training. Most of all, making sure that people who have undergone traumatic experiences need to be supported to overcome anxiety and stress.
I was in Dubai last year for a best diplomatic conference organized in collaboration with the UN, which brought together young people from different countries and disciplines. I was elected as a delegate for Switzerland, which helped to study about Switzerland and explains to the huge gathering at the conference. It was a great experience, where I was able to show my communication talent. In addition, I was able to foster partnership and network with professionals from different countries.
What do you think have contributed to your success?
Well, I give all the credit to my mother (Yelfigne Abegaz Yimam) who is my role model and mentor. It is undeniable that when you have a great mother you become a great person, so I cherish the values I got from my mother which made me who I am today. I would also like to thank her for doing a good job with me.
What is your biggest accomplishment over the years?
While I was in China, I was granted a scholarship from the Zhejiang Provincial government which was a result of my hard work and commitment. That time was a test case for me, I was on my own, out of the country, but with the level of commitment I had I was able to perform very well and make my living by doing part time jobs. I was very happy with what I have accomplished, that exposure has taught me lessons that I am always building on. It has made me believe in myself.
How do you assess Ethiopia’s progress in organizing international and local events and conferences?
These days, social media is bridging the physical distance and making the world one village. Technology has made it possible and easy to communicate with people far apart in a fraction of a second. We can educate and train ourselves on anything we want to acquire. By the same token, organizing local or international events have become easier using social media, though we need to use it wisely, because it may also have damaging effects if not managed well.
We just need to be smart enough to choose what we want and how to go about it. Unless we know what we exactly want to gain out of it, we may be wasting time. I would say do not be afraid to try out new things and adapt or apply new techniques that will add value to the work you do.
As the saying goes ‘Never start a business just to make money. Start a business to make a difference.’ we have to exert our effort to do best and benefit ourselves as well as the country through businesses.
What piece of advice that you would like to give to our readers?
Stay focused on what you are aiming at in life, be persistent, do not give up when you fall, you learn from your mistakes. If you have a dream, work towards it, act upon your plan, if you do that you are all able to reach wherever you want to be. It is always possible if you put your heart to it.
BY BETELHEM BEDLU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2023
