Yanet Tezera
Addis Ababa University College of Commerce
My name is Yanet Tezera, founder and creative director of SAIO (Shega Manufacturing PLC). I am a mother, a wife, and an entrepreneur who believes that great design begins with purpose. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Addis Ababa University's College of Commerce, a foundation that shaped how I think about building businesses with both vision and discipline. Based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, I have always been deeply passionate about creativity, culture, and craftsmanship — the textures, stories, and traditions that make Ethiopian artistry so distinctive. That passion drove me to take action: I enrolled at Skyline Leather Fashion Training Center, where I learned the art and technique of bag-making from the ground up, refining my skills until I was confident enough to turn a personal passion into a professional pursuit.
What began as a humble, in-house practice with a single machine quickly grew into something much larger. I started crafting bags in my own space, pouring care and precision into every piece. The response from those around me — relatives, friends, and early admirers of my work — was overwhelmingly encouraging. Their enthusiasm confirmed what I had sensed: that there was a real appetite for Ethiopian leather goods made with intention and artistry. Inspired by that support, I leaped and formally established Shega Manufacturing PLC, launching it under the brand name SAIO. The name carries deep cultural meaning — it comes from the Mursi Tribe, located in the Omo Valley, south-western part of Ethiopia, where it means "animal skin." It is a tribute to the raw, natural materials at the heart of our craft and to the rich cultural heritage that inspires everything we create.
As a brand, we focus on creating pieces that balance functionality with elegance, paying close attention to detail, texture, and form. As a SAIO and an Ethiopian women Entrepreneur, we want to show how the Ethiopian leather crafted with quality makes a difference in the global market.
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