In 2020, Beza Ayalew Sharew started BeSingularity not with the intention to build a business, but to solve a problem she had witnessed for years. Sales, one of the most crucial aspects of any organization, was often treated as an afterthought in Ethiopia. Businesses struggled to find trained salespeople, and young people lacked the skills to fill these roles. She wanted to bridge this gap and create opportunities, not just for businesses, but for the thousands of young people who could thrive if given the right training and tools.
Before launching BeSingularity, Beza worked in various roles that shaped her vision. From managing regional sales at BelCash to leading digital transformation projects at Africa 118, she saw firsthand how businesses struggled to adopt new technologies and sales strategies. It became clear that sales wasn’t just about numbers but about understanding, communication, and building trust. These experiences helped her design a training model focused on sales skills.
BeSingularity started with a simple idea: train junior sales agents and connect them with businesses. But as it grew, so did the challenges. The team realized businesses not only needed skilled sales agents but also support in outsourcing entire sales operations and consulting on their sales strategies. Over four years, BeSingularity adapted, learned, and built a model that serves businesses while providing youth with dignified work opportunities.
However, the journey was not without hardship. Like many startups, BeSingularity faced financial challenges, especially in the early years. There were times Beza worried about paying rent or funding marketing efforts. Programs like Mesirat became a lifeline during these moments. Through its financial support and advisory services, BeSingularity found stability during critical times. Mesirat’s commitment to long-term support rather than one-off grants set it apart. It also connected BeSingularity with resources previously out of reach, legal advisors, financial consultants, and marketing budgets that helped them expand their reach.
What makes Mesirat unique, Beza believes, is its focus on systemic barriers. Access to un-collateralized loans, for example, isn’t just a business challenge, it’s a national challenge. For women entrepreneurs like her, these barriers often feel insurmountable. However, Mesirat’s de-risking mechanisms and hands-on support prove that sustainable solutions are possible.
For Beza, the most fulfilling part of the journey is seeing the impact on the lives of the trainees. Many come to BeSingularity without prior experience, but after completing the programs, they secure jobs and gain confidence and stability. One young woman recently shared how her sales role helped her fund her education and support her family. Stories like hers remind Beza of why she started.
Looking ahead, Beza feels filled with hope. With the continued support of initiatives like Mesirat, BeSingularity is positioned to create even more opportunities for youth and businesses. They are not just growing a company but contributing to a vision of an inclusive and thriving gig economy.
Through the program, BeSingularity also started collaborating on a technology platform to transform its gig model into a regional marketplace. This aligns perfectly with Beza’s vision to expand BeSingularity across Ethiopia and beyond. She imagines a world where businesses in rural areas can access trained sales agents with just a click, a world where youth in underserved communities can earn a living without migrating to urban centers.
Her advice to anyone with a dream is simple: challenges will come, but they also shape you. Dig deeper into your work daily, refine your approach, and find partners who believe in your vision. Together, she believes, we can transform not just businesses but entire communities.
