Tsigereda Abishew is married and a mother of two.

When she was in elementary School, she used to help

out her brother with his internet caf after school. It was then that her brother saw great marketing potential
in his sister, showering her with praise that she was born for business. That was deeply buried in me, she
says. After completing high school, Tsigereda, also affectionately known as Tsigu, started looking for a job.
Having been informed by a friend that there was a cosmetics shop that was looking to hire, Tsigu went and
spoke with the owner. Observing that Tsigu was handicapped, the employer stated that she had already
hired someone else. My face changed with grief as I knew
she was not telling me the truth; she only said this because
she believed I would not be able to do the work. As she told
the story, Tsigu was struggling to hide her tears and her
voice trembled. It was clear then that her experience had
left her wounded.
Though she had some financial support from her brother,
she had a great urge to work. The owner, realizing my
sadness, called me the next day and said she would hire me
for 100 ETB per month, wishing that I would decline her
offer. But I accepted, and this really shook the employer,
she said. I took the job not because the salary was fair but I
believed I would have the opportunity to show her that I can
do the work like any other person.
Tsigu at her restaurant

The next day, although the work hour was agreed to start at

10am, she went

to her shop early morning at 7am. She cleaned and organized
the shop, to the owners surprise. At the end of the month, the
owner paid her 300 birr, being satisfied with her dedication. Two
years passed and Tsigu decided to go back to her brothers
internet caf. For those two years the internet caf had been
working at a reduced level because of road construction nearby.
Her brother was leaving to work abroad, and therefore offered
her the caf. To add to her amazement, her prior employer also
offered to give her the cosmetics shop, as she was also leaving,
in recognition of the great friendship they had established.
Tsigu decided to continue with the cosmetics business, which
she loved. In order to sustain it, looking for a loan was her only
option. She faced disappointment when one of her relatives who
promised to be a guarantor changed his mind after she
Tsigu in traditional dress

completed the whole loan process with the Addis Credit and Saving Institution (AdCSI). Even my mother
did not try to convince him to do it she says tearfully. Until this day, this has remained a puzzle for Tsigu.
However, with support from a long-time friend of the family, she obtained a loan of 5,000 ETB from her
AdCSI.
Business was growing and things were looking good until one Tuesday in 2010. On that day she went to the
airport accompanying her sister who was leaving to the Middle East to work. Prior to check in, they were
enjoying their last minutes in a traditional coffee ceremony in the airport where they paid 7 birr for one
coffee. I was very impressed with the business and wanted to do it myself in a more friendly and attractive
way she says.
That moment set the foundation to her success story today. The next day, she started the same business by
re-arranging her shop, despite resistance from her family that argued she did not have enough space (this
statement was true, since the total area of her cosmetics shop was only 60 by150cm). After one year of
running her business, a competitor showed up right next to her shop. He was my wakeup call to work
harder and to start opening my shop at 5am. Consecutively 19 other coffee shops opened in that area. Her
customers have, however, remained loyal to her for the relationship she built with them and for the unique
taste of her coffee. Her mother also came on board and started making home-baked bread DifoDabo and
Tej for the shop. Tsigu also began selling homemade and packed Enjera Beshiro, which is prized mainly
by taxi drivers, as it served as a fast food.
One year ago, she learnt about Aggar Microfinance from a friend and took out a loan of 80,000 birr, which
helped her to buy a public bus (Chento) for 480,000 ETB. This activity now contributes about 8,000 birr per
month in added income. Getting a loan was not difficult as my brother stepped in and put up his house as
collateral, she adds pleasantly.
Tsigu has now rented a full compound for 20,000 birr and has opened a restaurant named Tsigu Shiro.
The restaurant is well known and admired for its special shiro and traditional coffee ceremony. She also
distributes food toguest houses and for other events by invite.
Her drive for success comes from
appreciating the ups and downs she has
experienced within her family. Her mother
had eight children and six of them were
girls. Striving to make their lives better, the
children sought to send the eldest among
themselves abroad for work. However I
was jumped and was never part of this
plan says Tsigu with tears. Despite her
desire to work, they rather insisted to
provide for her and expected her to sit at
home. This experience wounded Tsigu, and she says she has no desire to receive support from any family
member whatsoever. But I made it she adds with courage written all over her face. I made it this far, and
Tsigus Shiro Products

I will continue. I have become what I had pictured myself from childhood and will continue to do so; I will
soon have the full-fledged traditional restaurant that I have had in mind from time immemorial.
Monday, June 22nd 2015