Name: Meron Girma Mekonnen

Education: B.S. Architecture and Urban Planning

Company name: Méms Studio Plc

Title: Co-founder and manager

Founded in: 2016

What it does: Makes and designs home and office furniture and interior decorating

HQ: Addis Ababa (Ayat area)

Number of employees: 9

Startup Capital:     15,000  birr

Current capital:     200,000 and counting

Reasons for starting the business: Passion for design and creativity

Biggest strength: Persistence

Biggest perks of Ownership: Flexibility with almost everything

Plan: Factory level operation with worldwide distribution

Biggest challenge: Finding professional employees and finance

First career: Interior designers’ assistant

Most interested in  meeting:  Paulo Coelho

Most admired person: My mom

Stress reducer:  Meditation

Favorite past-time:  Downtime with family

Favorite book:  Alchemist

Favorite destination:  Bali

Favorite automobile: Jeep