Join us for an exciting new episode of our weekly podcast, where we delve into the extraordinary journey of Meried Bekele Bekele, a remarkable entrepreneur and tech visionary. From humble beginnings in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Meried's passion for knowledge and determination to excel propelled him to great heights. As a child, Meried stood out as the analytical and inquisitive one, always seeking answers and challenging himself. His insatiable thirst for learning led him to devour books and magazines, even at a young age, often sparking spirited debates with his father over the purchase of expensive books. This early dedication to education set the stage for Meried's future accomplishments. Throughout his academic journey, Meried's brilliance shone brightly, consistently ranking at the top of his class. His insatiable curiosity and drive to succeed led him to discover the world of Cisco certifications, a field previously unknown to him. Undeterred by the formidable requirements and costs, Meried took it upon himself to become certified, becoming the first Ethiopian and one of the youngest professionals in the world to achieve the prestigious CCIE certification. Meried's professional career blossomed as he assumed roles at prominent organizations, including Global Computing Solutions and the Ethiopian ICT Development Agency. However, his true entrepreneurial spirit beckoned him to forge his own path. Thus, he founded IE Networks, a renowned IT solutions company that has become a key player in the industry. Over the years, Meried's company has undertaken numerous groundbreaking projects, ranging from enterprise network services and business automation intelligence to cloud services and smart infrastructure. Their exceptional work has earned them partnerships with esteemed companies such as Dell Technologies , IBM and Cisco enabling them to deliver unparalleled products and services to their clients. While Meried's journey has been marked by remarkable success, it has also been punctuated by immense challenges. Financial hardships, credit constraints, and even leveraging personal assets have tested his resilience. Nevertheless, Meried's unwavering determination has allowed him to overcome these obstacles and continue to steer IE Networks towards unparalleled growth. Join us as we explore the mindset, strategies, and experiences that have shaped Meried's remarkable entrepreneurial journey. Discover his unique approach to business, his commitment to excellence, and his unwavering belief in investing in the success of others. Prepare to be inspired and empowered by Meried Bekele's incredible story. 0:00 Intro 4:05 Early story 6:37 How IE come to be 20:55 Technician to Business man transition 30:10 Best Business Education 34:00 Challenges 47:21 Potential of IT industry 1:02:16 B2B sales process 1:13:00 Success principle 1:18:26 Talent Management 1:49:09 Recruitment 1:57:32 Routines 2:15:41 One wisdom & Closing STAY TUNED #meripodcast #ethiopia #disapora #habehsa #dc #washington #ethiopiandiasporas #businesstalks Social Links https://www.linkedin.com/company/meripodcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@meripodcast https://twitter.com/MERI_Podcast https://www.instagram.com/meripodcast/ https://t.me/MERI_PODCAST https://youtube.com/@Meriwoch?si=yIpJ3byprnVNwKi1