“Makeup is more than a skill. It can become a business.” Wengelawit (Liya) Gole, an Ethiopian beauty entrepreneur, professional makeup artist, bridal specialist, and Founder and CEO of International Makeup School (IMS), Liya Gole Salon, and Dura by Liya. From studying accounting and working in aviation to establishing and later selling her own travel business, Liya eventually pursued her passion for makeup artistry. After receiving professional training at the London College of Makeup, she went on to build businesses spanning beauty services, professional education, and bridal accessories, creating opportunities for aspiring beauty professionals in Ethiopia. In this conversation, we explore entrepreneurship, makeup artistry, beauty education, branding, leadership, business growth, and the evolution of Ethiopia’s beauty industry. Liya shares lessons from discovering her passion, transitioning between industries, building International Makeup School, and expanding her expertise into multiple businesses. We also discuss the challenges of building a professional beauty brand, developing talent, creating sustainable business systems, and her vision for transforming makeup artistry from an individual skill into a recognized profession and thriving industry. Abyssinia Remit: https://mcnpkmnf81rz7s-0mxl8ql8p6yz8.pub.sfmc-content.com/wvki4fcnklo?src=Meri&cmp=rmt Amibara Properties: You can reach their sales and corporate consulting teams via the following contact lines:- Line 1: +251 901 69 69 69; Line 2: +251 969 36 36 36 Dukamo Coffee CMC: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yPQwHfz4xWNR3k1Z9 Phone No: 0950050607 To advertise on Meri: https://meri.et/advertise +251974255555 info@meri.et Social Links https://t.me/MERI_PODCAST https://twitter.com/MERI_Podcast https://www.instagram.com/meripodcast/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzKNuQ80qNSpt2x-7dsazJg https://youtube.com/@Meriwoch?si=yIpJ3byprnVNwKi1 https://youtube.com/@mericlipset?si=wwa0KeQ_Nv2aPy9l https://www.tiktok.com/@meripodcast https://www.linkedin.com/company/meriethiopian/ Copyright Notice for Meri Podcast: All rights reserved. The content featured in this podcast is protected by copyright laws. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or modification of any portion of this podcast is strictly prohibited. For permission to use our content, please contact us at info@meri.et Thank you for respecting our copyright.