In Ethiopia, where unemployment and economic hardships are constant challenges for young people because of many factors in the country, it’s easy to believe that success belongs only to those with money, connections, or luck. But my friend Abel proved that is not correct every time. With no chance of education, no powerful relatives, and not even enough money to cover his daily meals, he turned a street vending hustle into a registered small business all through determination, learning, and street-smart strategy.
This is the story of how a young man went from selling socks on the sidewalk to owning a shop with his name on the front.
Humble Beginnings
Abel’s story starts on the busy streets of AtobisTera, Addis Ababa. At 19, after dropping out of high school due to financial difficulties because there was no one to help him with education, he began selling small items like phone accessories, socks, and pens from a makeshift tray he carried around.
“I didn’t have a table or even an umbrella,” he told me. “Just a plastic bag and whatever I could afford to buy in the morning.”
Some days, he made just fifteen or sixteen birr profit, not even enough for lunch and transport. But he treated each day like training — like heroes or successful people we know from history. He learned which items sold faster in which locations, how to negotiate with wholesalers, and how to read people’s body language.
Treating a Side Hustle Like a Business
Most street vendors wait for customers to come to them. Abel didn’t. He moved around, adjusted his tone for different people, tested prices, and even recorded daily notes in a small notebook.
He also tracked inventory:
- What sold most on rainy days?
- Which phone chargers had the least return rate?
- How could he display items better?
Without knowing it, Abel was applying basic business principles: customer behavior analysis, sales strategy, product rotation, and feedback collection.
Tips I want to add: Whether you’re in the street or in an office, business is just business. If you treat your hustle seriously, it can grow like any registered company.
Learning in Public
Abel knew what he didn’t know. So he asked. He hung around nearby electronics shops, asked wholesalers about pricing and branding, and learned about common product defects.
In his free time, he’d watch YouTube videos in Amharic and English about sales, customer service, and basic accounting. Slowly, he started improving how he interacted with customers. He stopped pushing sales and started building trust.
“I realized people like to buy from people who listen,” he said. “So I asked them what kind of earphones they wanted instead of just showing what I had.”
His confidence grew. So did his daily sales.
Saving with Discipline (Even When It Hurt)
Abel’s turning point came when he decided to save twenty birr every single day — no matter what. That meant skipping lunch sometimes or walking home instead of taking a minibus. After six months, he had over 3,500 birr saved.
With that, he bought a second tray of higher-quality accessories and asked his younger cousin to help. Now he had two mobile “shops” selling across different areas.
At this point, he wasn’t just a vendor — he was an employer.
Lesson: Business growth often starts with painful discipline. Consistent savings—even tiny amounts—open doors.
Registering the Business
By the end of the first year, Abel had saved enough to rent a small corner in a shared electronics kiosk. With help from a friend who knew someone at a government office, he got a trading license under his name.
He officially registered his business as Abel Tech Accessories. He was now paying taxes and operating legally. This opened new opportunities — such as being able to order items in bulk from importers directly.
Of course, this phase came with its own challenges:
- Bookkeeping
- Managing receipts
- Handling supplier delays
- Paying city tax
But Abel was determined to learn. He kept asking questions, took a short business basics course at a local youth center, and even watched TikTok videos explaining VAT receipts.
Building a Brand
With his business now legal, Abel focused on building trust and consistency. He printed a small sign, used TikTok and Telegram to showcase his products, and started giving tiny warranty cards for his higher-priced items.
People noticed the difference. He wasn’t just another seller — he was someone who cared about quality.
One day, a local café owner needed 20 phone chargers for his staff. Instead of going to Merkato, he called Abel directly. That one order earned Abel more in one day than his first two weeks combined.
Tip: Brand isn’t about logos or websites. It’s about how people feel when they buy from you. Do they trust you? Do they come back?
From One Shop to a Dream
Today, Abel runs a small but growing shop in Piassa. He employs two relatives part-time, has a supplier connection in Dubai through a Telegram channel, and is saving for a second location.
But he hasn’t changed who he is. When he walks around Merkato, he still greets the street vendors he started with. Many of them ask him for advice.
His number one rule?
“Start with what you have. Don’t wait for capital. The capital is in your mind, your feet, and your mouth. Talk to people, move around, and keep learning.”
Final Thoughts: What We Can All Learn
Abel’s journey isn’t just inspiring — it’s a blueprint. It proves that even in tough economic times, and even without connections, you can build something meaningful if you:
- Take your hustle seriously
- Observe, adapt, and track what works
- Invest time in learning — online and offline
- Save even when it’s uncomfortable
- Treat customers like people, not cash
- Register legally and build credibility
- Stay grounded and help others as you grow
You don’t need luck or privilege to succeed. You need courage, curiosity, and consistency. Abel had all three — and he turned a plastic tray into a small empire.
So next time someone tells you you need a rich uncle or a big loan to start a business, just tell them about Abel.
Because sometimes, the street is the best business school in the world.
