Our Story

During the cold season of 2018, my mother, Meskele Negeri, surprised my sisters and me with hand-knitted scarves. We initially thought she had purchased them from a store — until we saw the leftover yarn and realized she had made them herself. Intrigued and inspired, we asked her to teach us how to knit.

After learning the basics from my mother, my sisters and I began practicing every day. Our first big challenge was to knit sweaters. Although my sister eventually moved on, I continued to develop my skills and discovered how much I loved creating with my hands.

Knitting became more than just a hobby — it became an expression of patience, creativity, and dedication.

One Sunday, I wore my handmade sweater to church. There, Aster Gudina — daughter of Reverend Gudina Tumsa and Tsehay Tolessa — noticed it. She was impressed by the craftsmanship and encouraged me to think of knitting not just as a passion but as a business opportunity.

Her encouragement opened my eyes to the possibility of turning this craft into something impactful.

After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Economics, I found myself drawn back to a long-held passion—knitting. Determined to turn this love into something tangible, I began developing Oli's Collection, the brand that would soon define my creative journey.

I dove headfirst into experimentation—testing different yarns, creating swatches, mastering colors, and exploring intricate knitting patterns. I even imported yarns from abroad to craft truly unique pieces. One of my most rewarding challenges was learning to operate a knitting machine dating back to 1952—an experience that demanded patience, curiosity, and perseverance.

By the end of the year, this extensive training had transformed my hobby into a craft with potential for the market.

On November 19, 2022, Oli's officially launched on Instagram. The journey wasn't easy—every new post, every promotion, every sale required relentless effort—but encouragement from my family and friends kept me moving forward.

I held onto a favorite saying: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Each stitch I shared felt like a step closer to turning passion into purpose.

This was the year Oli's began to make its mark. We participated in our first bazaar at Friendship Park, collaborating with the prominent NGO Gudina Tumsa Foundation. There, I had the honor of meeting Ethiopia's Prime Minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, whose words of encouragement fueled my determination.

That same year, Oli's staged its first and second runway shows, bringing our creations to life on the stage. I also hired my first employee—a remarkably talented woman who had never touched yarn before. With guidance, she grew into our most skilled knitter, setting the tone for the incredible team we would continue to build.

Our presence grew stronger, particularly on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where we connected directly with our audience. Oli's participated in numerous bazaars, including Yenegew Bazaar, ICS Farmers Market, Shop Local, African Celebrate at Skylight Hotel, and an event at the Sweden Embassy.

Each opportunity allowed us to introduce our unique knitwear to new customers and expand our community of supporters.

By this year, the demand for Oli's knitwear had skyrocketed. Clients and customers alike expressed a desire for a physical space to experience our collections in person.

In response, we proudly opened our first boutique at Gerji Alfoz Plaza, 2nd floor, Shop #207—a space where our journey, creativity, and passion could be fully shared with the world.