SoleRebels is an International footwear company based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The company was created by Ethiopian entrepreneur Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu in 2005. The business is recognized for its ethical production,[1][2] including Fair Trade practices and the use of sustainable materials in its manufacturing, particularly its use of recycled tires for the soles of its shoes.[3][4]
History edit
Alemu started the company with a bank loan of 580,000 Ethiopian Birr ($33,000). Her shoes are all spun on eucalyptus looms with hand-cut and stitched soles with recycled materials.[5]
She named the company as a nod to Ethiopian rebel soldiers who wore handcrafted rubber tire sandals.[5]
As of 2016, the shoes were sold in more than 50 countries.[6][3]
Called the "Fastest Growing African Shoe Brand" in 2014,[7] the business sells its products direct to customers via its website and in retail outlets in North America, Europe, and Asia.[8]
Locations edit
In October 2014, soleRebels opened its first retail store in San Jose, California.[9][10] As of 2016, they had retail outlets in Addis Ababa, the United States, Taiwan, Japan, Greece, Switzerland, Spain, Austria and Singapore.[3] In August 2018, soleRebels opened its first retail store in Hamburg, Germany.[11][12]
Controversies edit
From 2021 to 2022, there have been numerous complaints against SoleRebels, citing undelivered orders and customers waiting over a year in some cases for their orders to be delivered. Others have stated, according to the SoleRebels Facebook page, that their emails and messages go without response. SoleRebels did not respond to accusations of theft regarding this issue and returned the attempt to begin a report by the Better Business Bureau.[13]
References edit
- ^ "Shoes with an ethical footprint". CNNMoney. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
- ^ Britton, Bianca. "Ethiopian shoe designer hopes for repeat success with coffee". CNNMoney. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
- ^ a b c "SoleRebels: An Ethiopian success story". Africa M.E. 2016-05-13. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
- ^ "Ethiopia's Solerebels Handcraft Eco Shoes and Win - Our World". ourworld.unu.edu. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
- ^ a b "Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu: A Rebel with a Cause". www.theglobalipcenter.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
- ^ Africa; Africa, Middle East &. "In Ethiopia, Trading Poverty for Prosperity Provides Global Success for soleRebels". Knowledge@Wharton. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
- ^ Gundan, Farai. "Fastest Growing African Shoe-Brand 'SoleRebels' Launches Flagship Store In Silicon Valley". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
- ^ "BusinessDay Media - Online | Print | TV | Podcast". www.businessdayonline.com. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
- ^ "Eco-Friendly African Shoe Store Comes to San Jose". NBC Bay Area. Retrieved 2018-08-21.
- ^ "SoleRebels - The African Footwear Brand that makes Shoes from Used Tires". Industry Leaders Magazine. 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
- ^ Hamburg, Hamburger Abendblatt -. "Schuhmarke aus Äthiopien eröffnet Laden auf St. Pauli" (in German). Retrieved 2018-08-21.
- ^ Chutel, Lynsey (October 2018). "An Ethiopian shoe worn all over the world shows how you do sustainable manufacturing in Africa". Quartz Africa. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
- ^ "SoleRebels | Better Business Bureau® Profile".