We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashenafe Tessema a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashenafe, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken in my life was creating my brand, Risk Takers International. As a first-generation American who immigrated from Ethiopia, I’ve always felt a deep connection to the concept of risk-taking. My parents took a significant leap of faith in coming to this country to provide a better life for me and my siblings. Their journey inspired me and laid the foundation for my belief in the importance of taking risks.

Risk Takers International isn’t just a brand name; it symbolizes the many risks I’ve taken throughout my life to reach where I am today. From pursuing a college education and deciding against taking a typical job in my field to starting my own business and venturing into photography, jewelry industry etc. each step was a calculated risk. I even experienced the sting of failure with a business venture that didn’t work out. Despite this, I continued to push forward.

Today, I run a successful manufacturing company that partners with notable brands like Zig-Zag, Beats by Dre, Warner Records, Rolling Loud, and Coachella. Looking back, I realize that taking risks has been essential to my journey, shaping my path and leading me to where I am now.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, teacher, mailman, or mechanic, we all take risks in our lives. It’s these choices that define us and propel us forward, helping us achieve our goals and dreams.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born in Ethiopia in 1990, under some very challenging circumstances. My mother wasn’t able to make it to the hospital in time, so I was born in a small home in Addis Ababa. It was a very high-risk situation for both of us, but fortunately, we made it through. Because of this, my parents named me Ashenafe, which means “winner” in Amharic, as they felt I had won by surviving such a dangerous birth.

When I was young, my family moved to Philadelphia in 1994. Growing up in a poor neighborhood with high crime rates, my parents both worked full-time jobs doing hard labor to provide a better life for me and my siblings. They were determined to give us the best education possible, which is why they chose to enroll us in Catholic schools, knowing that the public schools in our neighborhood weren’t the best choice.

I attended West Catholic High School, where I wasn’t necessarily a straight-A student, but I worked hard and eventually graduated. I went on to attend Neumann University, where I earned a degree in marketing.

From a young age, I always had an entrepreneurial spirit. During high school, I started selling sneakers online, which led to some business opportunities with local celebrities. This experience fueled my passion for business and helped me realize I had a knack for identifying and seizing opportunities. I also discovered a love for photography during this time, which led me to a job in social media content creation and photography for a high-end jewelry store. This role allowed me to gain valuable experience in both sales and marketing.

After a few years, I took the skills and knowledge I had gained from working in the jewelry industry and launched my own clothing brand, Risk Takers International. What started as a simple clothing line quickly grew as clients began asking me to help them create and manufacture similar products for their own brands. It was then that I realized I had the potential to do much more than just sell clothing.

Over time, Risk Takers International evolved into a full-scale manufacturing company, offering a wide range of products, from clothing and rugs to toys, ashtrays, and custom packaging. I leveraged my experience in photography, sales, design, and manufacturing to build a business that could bring clients’ visions to life. I am proud to say that we are known for delivering high-quality products, competitive pricing, and quick turnaround times, ensuring that our clients receive exactly what they envision.

What sets me and my brand apart is our commitment to quality and creativity. I take great pride in being able to help others create and realize their ideas, turning them into tangible products that stand out. For me, it’s not just about making a sale; it’s about building relationships and providing a service that exceeds expectations. I want my clients to feel confident in our ability to deliver on our promises and know that we are dedicated to helping them succeed.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for me is through relationships. Since starting my business, I’ve come to deeply value my community. Word-of-mouth has become my primary way of attracting new clients. When I successfully deliver a project on time and to the client’s satisfaction, they often refer me to close colleagues, friends, or other companies, music labels, brands, and more. This kind of personal recommendation has proven more effective than social media, my website, or paid advertising.

Any advice for managing a team?

My advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale is to take care of your team. From my experiences working with both great and not-so-great leaders, I’ve learned to take the good and the bad and use them as lessons on what to do and what not to do. A good manager or leader always puts the team first—recognizing their achievements, showing gratitude, and leading by example.

Mistakes will happen, but it’s essential to view them as learning opportunities rather than failures. Creating a family-oriented work environment can make a big difference, as we often spend more time at work than with our actual families. It’s important to foster a sense of community and support.

Regular team meetings can help keep communication open and maintain morale. Leading by example is crucial; when your team sees you actively engaged and demonstrating the behaviors you expect from them, they are more likely to follow suit. In essence, showing your team how much you value them and their contributions can go a long way in maintaining a positive and productive work environment.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: _ashenafe