Five Fundamental Principles of Entrepreneurial Longevity
It all started with a desire to be self-employed…
The journey of entrepreneurship often begins with a simple desire to be self-employed. For Sabelle Beraki, that journey started at just 16 years old. As a regional manager of several Swedish retirement homes, she discovered her passion for independence and leadership. This story of a budding international entrepreneur offers valuable lessons for those looking to succeed in the business world. Discovering Independence Early Sabelle's early experiences were instrumental in shaping her entrepreneurial spirit. At 14, she started in an entry-level position at a retirement home, quickly impressing her superiors with her dedication and work ethic. By 16, she was promoted to regional manager, overseeing multiple facilities. Every weekend, she traveled up to four hours to different cities, balancing her schoolwork with significant managerial responsibilities. She led teams, coordinated with county executives, and made critical decisions—experiencing a level of autonomy that sparked her passion for self-employment. "I loved that job. It was very underpaid," she joked. "But that was where I discovered that I love working for myself." This early taste of independence and leadership set the foundation for her future ventures. Imagining herself as a future CEO, she longed to monetize her hobbies and build a business that reflected her values and interests. At 19, Sabelle embarked on her most significant entrepreneurial venture—founding Bells Toys. The idea was born out of a personal need. While shopping for a birthday gift for her cousin, she was frustrated by the lack of dolls that resembled her cousin —a young girl with brown skin and curly hair. Growing up in Stockholm as the daughter of Eritrean immigrants, Sabelle had always struggled to find dolls that represented her own identity. Standing in a sea of fair-skinned dolls with straight hair, she decided to address this issue herself. “I’d grown up without dolls that looked like me; my sister had grown up without dolls that looked like her. Now my little cousin was going to do the same unless I did something about it,” she shared with OkayAfrica. Her determination led to the creation of Bells Toys, a line of diverse dolls designed to reflect a variety of skin tones and hair textures. Two years after that fateful shopping trip, Bells Toys are now available in 13 retail stores across Sweden.
| The Bellwether |
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