News

Proud to see soleRebels founder & CEO named winner of the FACE Award for Entrepreneurship! Posted on 20 Jun 10:52

Behind this magnificent topiatry is an incomparably talented and determined woman: Ethiopian businesswoman Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu.

How to's, tips and hidden features of our NEW site, soleRebels.com Posted on 6 Dec 16:04

In case you missed it, we launched our new website, soleRebels.com! 
 
It's been a week now, so the growing pains have subsided, but we are always looking to hear your thoughts.
Send us an email or Tweet us @soleRebels and we'll get back to you. 
 
Our site has many new features designed with you in mind! 
 
Some may not be so obvious, so we thought we would give you the lowdown on a few key features that will help you shop and learn quickly and easier than ever. 
 
Responsive. No matter where you are, you’ll be able to shop + learn on your phone, tablet, or desktop. Freedom feels great, doesn’t it?
 
Red, green or blue; quickly search for something new. 
Our new live search feature lets you find what you’re looking for quickly. 
 
Everyone’s an artist! Easily select your favourite colour from the swatches and see your shoes come to life.
Hold tight. We’ll be rolling this feature out over time.
  
So you got lucky and received a soleRebels gift card. How nice! 
Now you don’t have to spend it all in one go. Save some for next time or spend it all- it’s up to you!
Gift cards hold their value for future purchases.
  
Cha-ching! Choose your own currency when shopping.
Find the currency selector near your shopping bag in the top right corner. 
  
2-Click Buying. By the time you finish reading this you’ll have been able to buy a pair of soleRebels in just two clicks! If you're in a rush to get your soleRoebels, our buying process is simple and quick. Create an account and save even more time on future purchases. 
 
Sign up for soleRebels emails and be the first to know about exciting promotions, new styles and upcoming store openings. We'd love to chat. Sign up is at the bottom of every page on our website- you can't miss it! 
 
Along with our new website, we've been social butterflies on our favourite social networks. Catch up with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Google+.
 
Until next time, keep well! 
-the soleRebels Team

soleRebels launches exciting new ecommerce platform , soleRebels.com Posted on 29 Nov 09:00

soleRebels launches exciting new ecommerce platform , soleRebels.com 

soleRebels  gives its fans a whole new way to walkNAKED !

 

--- addis ababa, ethiopia  , Nov 29 ,  2013 . 8 am --

soleRebels  , the planets  fastest growing African footwear brand has launched a new ecommerce platform soleRebels.com .

soleRebels.com marks the next  exciting phase  in soleRebels ecommerce  endeavors” ,  stated soleRebels ceo Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu.  “ The platform  has been designed with our fans  in mind and features so many great things to make their soleRebels experience more exciting and enjoyable.”

Regarded as the ecommerce pioneers in Africa , soleRebels was determined to give their global fan base something truly amazing. Packed with visual appeal and  fluid in its usability,   soleRebels.com exciting features include:

[] beautiful new product photography

[] detailed fabric swatches that allow fans to see detailed images of soleRebels unique hand  loomed fabrics and ABYSSINIAN PURE™ leathers.

[] LIVE search: This powerful tool allows YOU  to search for products and get live results. You can even search by color ! Try searching your favorite color.

[] Mobile Friendly: Now everyone  gets  the same great soleRebels.com experience no matter what size of device they are using!

[] a HUGE  b*KND section for people who want cool , comfy + animal friendly footwear!

[] MULTI-USE Gift Cards: Our new quick + easy GIFT CARD function allows you to buy automatically generated GIFT CARDS that create INSTANT GIFT CARDS – great for every holiday or special occasion! BEST OF ALL our gift cards hold their value, meaning they can be used more than once!

[] Quick Buy: Buying is faster than ever with   our new two clicks   quick buy option!

[] Currency Selector: lets you  pick your OWN  currency when shopping! The selector is in the upper right corner near the bag.

[] Lots of  Social Links: lots of great ways to engage with soleRebels via  social media channels!

[] Colour Selection: now YOU can click on a thumbnail or select a swatch to choose the product color!  This is a feature we will be rolling out over time. 

[] Size Selection: We've made our size selection menu SUPER easy to use so you can find the soleRebels that’s the right sized for you - whether you are buying for yourself , your kid sister  and everyone in between !

            To create even more crazy excitement , soleRebels is kicking off an ongoing twitter promotion called  walkNAKED  + WIN !  the contest will let fans  tweet a picture of them with their   soleRebels using hashtag #walkNaked and tagging @soleRebels and once a week soleRebels  will select a winner to win a free pair of soleRebels! 

“ I invite everyone to comer experience soleRebels.com and let us know how you feel !  ”, added bethlehem

######

For more information contact

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu

Founder & CEO, soleRebels footwear

bethlehem@soleRebels.com

251-0911 11 08 48

                      


soleRebels walks into Barcelona with New Retail Store Posted on 27 Nov 11:55

We've noticed our Barcelona store getting lots of attention, so we've gathered the best comments from articles for you to read.

 dezeen writes: "Spanish firm Dom Arquitectura and Rwanda-based Asa Studio renovated the narrow interior by stripping away the tiles that used to line the walls then painting over the rough plastered surface and blobs of leftover adhesive with a grey glaze"

Located in Gracia, in one street with high pedestrial flow, we had a very small place and a very limited budget.The place was an old butcher with white and bright tiled walls. The coating did not fit with the brand and with the image that we wanted for the store. So we took out the tiles, but decided to leave the plaster gobs that held them, and paint in that textured walls with a stone grey with a gray glaze, so we keep alive part of the place history.

Ahead the walls, as a new layer, we proposed a number of recycled items, such as pallets, ropes and wheels that fit with the brand image and the idea that we wanted to convey. With minimal resources we bet for a sustainable and original design.We decided to use natural materials and neutral colors to highlight the product. The colorful shoes should be the element that attract and stand out the street walker and future client.One iron piece in "U" form wrap the space and allows us to exhibit the most outstanding shoes. One store side is lined with pallets, which helps to increase exposure while gives warmth to the space. Some ropes tied to the pallets go up by the ceiling to come down to the other store side, where they also hold several wheels, reused to promote featured shoes.Everything is held between both sides and generates a sustainable tension.

Explore more of our retail locations here.


BBC is featuring soleRebels - Ethiopian shoemaker takes great strides Posted on 27 Jul 08:28

BBC News Africa

Head over to BBC.co.uk to catch soleRebels' video feature from African Dream, titled Ethiopian shoemaker takes great strides.


soleRebels Featured on BBC Afrique Posted on 6 Jun 07:42

BBC Logo

soleRebels has just been featured on BBC Afrique in an article titled "Succes story" africaine. Check out an excerpt from the article below:

"Nous employons des gens sans expérience mais talentueux, parfois de milieux très défavorisés, nous les formons a nos méthodes d’artisanat et nous les récompensons financièrement ".

Pour l’heure, SoleRebels produit jusqu’à 800 paires de chaussures par jour, dont les prix varient entre 35 et 95 dollars sur le marché international.

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu affirme que son modèle économique, qui mise essentiellement sur internet, lui permet de comprendre les besoins du marché en temps réel.

Click here to read the full article: "Success story" africaine
Click here to read the English translated version: African Success Story


soleRebels to be featured on BBC's African Dream Posted on 24 May 19:53

BBC World News

A great crew from the BBC stopped by today and filmed a great segment about soleRebels for African Dream, a program dedicated to spotlighting top African entrepreneurs. 

It will be broadcast on BBC World starting in June!!!! 

Thanks BBC!


Speaking at INDIAFRICA: A Shared Future Posted on 13 May 08:19

Indiafrica Logo

I’m very excited to be speaking at the AWESOME upcoming INDIAFRICA: A Shared Future, Campus Outreach Event at Addis Ababa University on May 18, 2012. ( INDIAFRICA a Shared Future on Facebook )

This is a fantastic event and a must attend for anyone interested in hearing about what the state of entrepreneurship is from an Ethiopia AND Indian perspective.

I will be speaking at both sessions:

  • The first session runs from 10.00 am - 1.00 pm and is an Interactive Session with Entrepreneurs from India and Ethiopia called "Building youth innovation and entrepreneurship together" ****Please note space for THIS SESSION IS BY INVITATION ONLY !!!!
  • The second session runs from 3.00 pm - 4.30 pm and is an Interactive Session with Entrepreneurs from India and Ethiopia "Success stories from India and Ethiopia to inspire the youth" *(This session is OPEN TO ALL BUT SPACE IS LIMITED SO ARRIVE EARLY!!!)

Both sessions will BE web cast LIVE!!!

During the program we will also be talking about the INDIAFRICA Young Visionaries Program. This is a very unique initiative identifying promising young entrepreneurs in India and Africa and offering them opportunities for growth and collaboration AND A CHANCE AT being awarded one of FOURTEEN Grants of $10,000 USD !!!!!!!!!!!

Parikrama performing

And no conference should be complete without ENTERTAINMENT. So from 6.30pm onwards on May 18 at Addis Ababa University, THERE WILL BE a musical performance by India's super HOT 9 member rock band Parikrama.

Parikrama will jam with a HOT up and coming addis based band whose name will be revealed in the coming days and who will add some serious spice to the whole event…

And best of all IT'S ALL FREE !!!!


Forbes features Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu as one of Africa's Most Successful Women Posted on 5 Jan 22:20

Forbes LogoForbes has just published an article featuring soleRebels' founder, Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, as one of Africa's Most Successful Women.

Keep reading for an excerpt from the article, and click the link below to be taken to the full article:


Bethlehem has earned significant international recognition for her work at SoleRebels and is now one of Africa’s most recognizable female entrepreneurs. Early last year, she was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. In June she won the award of ‘Most Outstanding Businesswoman’ at the annual African Business Awards organized by African Business Magazine, and in November, she was named the ‘Most Valuable Entrepreneur’ at the 2011 Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW).

Africa's Most Successful Women: Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu


soleRebels Video Feature from the 2011 Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship Posted on 12 Dec 07:55

soleRebels accepting Africa Award for EntrepreneurshipThis video feature was played at the Gala Night for the 2011 Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship, held in Nairobi.

The Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship are sponsored by Legatum, the Omidyar Network, and Google, and this year's awards were selected by an elite group of judges, including Virgin Founder, Sir Richard Branson.




soleRebels was selected as a Winner at the Awards, and received a prize of $50,000 USD.

Click here to read the full press release of the announcement.