Journey

From factory floor to Olin.

I trained as a mechanical engineer, co-founded a detergent manufacturer at 23, and scaled it to 17 tons a day. A war shut it all down for two years. I came back, ran the turnaround, cut costs 37%, and won back 85% of our market — then earned a full-tuition Dean’s Scholarship to study corporate finance and strategy at WashU Olin. That arc is the resume; here it is with the receipts.

Jul 2017

Education

BSc Mechanical Engineering, Mekelle University

Led a 5-member team across 3 capstone engineering design projects, from concept through final implementation.

Oct 2017

Founding

Co-founded Gedion & Hizbawi Detergent Manufacturing

Identified an underserved market, recruited four co-founders, and secured government-backed financing to launch operations.

28% regional share in 4 months

2018–2021

Growth

Scaled the business as General Manager

Grew ~45% CAGR over three years leading 25 employees and 40+ laborers; nearly doubled daily production from 9.5 to 17 tons; demand forecasting cut inventory costs 45%; Kaizen lifted yield 17%.

~45% CAGR

Jun 2021 – Dec 2022

Resilience

War-induced shutdown

Regional conflict forced a two-year halt. Stayed sharp through business books and podcasts — then came back to rebuild.

Jun 2023 – Mar 2025

Turnaround

Led the post-conflict turnaround

Restructuring plan cut total costs 37% and restored 85% of pre-war market share within three months; renegotiated importer contracts for a 26% input cost reduction; workforce reintegration program drove an 18% productivity gain.

−37% costs · 85% share restored

Aug 2025 –

Education

MBA at WashU Olin — Dean’s Scholar (full tuition)

Concentration in Corporate Finance and Strategy. Led quantitative analysis for an RGA-sponsored forecasting study using Python, Excel, and AI tools. Olin Strategy & Consulting Association and Finance Club.

Class of 2027

The numbers behind the story

Growth and recovery, charted.

Scaling the factory

Daily production capacity (tons/day), co-founded detergent manufacturer

Post-conflict turnaround scoreboard

Outcomes of the 2023–2025 restructuring (%, from the resume)

Capabilities

The toolkit.

Where I operate

Self-assessed strengths across the toolkit

Roles

Experience, in detail.

MBA Candidate — Dean's Scholar

2025 – May 2027

Washington University in St. Louis, Olin Business School

Pursuing my MBA with concentration in Corporate Finance and Strategy. Recognized as Dean's Scholar.

General Manager — Post-Conflict Turnaround

June 2023 – March 2025

Gedion and Hizbawi Detergent Manufacturing Company

Led post-conflict business turnaround after two-year wartime shutdown. Developed 90-day recovery roadmap, rebuilt operations, restored market position, and renegotiated supplier relationships.

  • 37% total cost reduction
  • 85% market share restored in 3 months
  • 26% input cost reduction
  • 18% productivity improvement

War-Induced Career Break

June 2021 – December 2022

Northern Ethiopia (Tigray Region)

Regional conflict disrupted business. Used period for professional development through business reading and strategic reflection.

General Manager & Co-Founder

October 2017 – June 2021

Gedion and Hizbawi Detergent Manufacturing Company

Co-founded consumer goods manufacturing company. Recruited four co-founders, secured government-backed financing, scaled operations, expanded production capacity, led team, built demand forecasting models.

  • ~45% CAGR over 3 years
  • 28% regional market share in 4 months
  • 25 employees + 40 laborers
  • 45% inventory cost reduction
  • 17% yield improvement via Kaizen
  • 23% revenue growth

BSc, Mechanical Engineering

July 2017

Mekelle University

Graduated with BSc in Mechanical Engineering. Foundation in systems thinking, quantitative analysis, and project execution.

Education

The classroom record.

Washington University in St. Louis — Olin Business School

Master of Business Administration, May 2027

  • Dean’s Scholarship recipient (full tuition)
  • Concentration: Corporate Finance and Strategy
  • Coursework: M&A, Advanced Corporate Finance, Data Analytics, Project Management, Management & Strategy, Strategic Cost Analysis, Financial Management, Financial Accounting, Operations Management
  • Led quantitative analysis for an RGA-sponsored forecasting study using Python, Excel, and AI tools
  • Member, Olin Strategy and Consulting Association and Olin Finance Club

Mekelle University

BSc, Mechanical Engineering, July 2017

  • Led a 5-member team across 3 capstone engineering design projects, managing scope, timelines, and deliverables from concept through final implementation