From Frustrated Parent to Transportation Innovator: The Blen Hailu Story

Most business ideas come from market research or profit potential. Mine came from a very personal place: every morning when I struggled to get my children to school.

The Moment That Changed Everything

I had a good career in banking—six years at Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in management positions. I had stability, respect, and a predictable life.

But every school year, the same stress: How do I get my three children to school safely?

The options were terrifying:

• Unreliable and unsafe transportation services
• Drivers with no background checks
• No way to monitor my children's trips
• No guarantee of continuity

I realized: if I'm struggling as someone with resources, what about the thousands of other parents facing this daily?

The Leap of Faith

In 2021, I made a difficult decision: leave banking and start Kabba Transport.

"Entrepreneurship is about creating tangible value and addressing real-world problems. Remain patient, stay true to your purpose, and allow your core vision to shape each decision."

It wasn't easy. I was:

• Leaving a stable income
• Entering a male-dominated industry
• Building technology I didn't fully understand
• Balancing startup demands with motherhood

But I believed in the problem I was solving.

Building with Purpose

What drove me wasn't profit—it was purpose. I wanted to create something that:

• Keeps children safe
• Gives parents peace of mind
• Creates meaningful employment
• Changes how Ethiopia views transportation

The Journey So Far

Four years later, we've:

• Completed 400,000+ trips
• Served 300+ children monthly
• Partnered with 10+ schools
• Created jobs for women and youth
• Been recognized by JICA's NINJA Program
• Joined the Mesirat Entrepreneurship Program

Looking Forward

I'm often asked: "Was leaving banking worth it?"

Without hesitation: yes. Watching children arrive at school safely, seeing relieved parents, building something that truly helps people—that's worth more than any salary.

To anyone considering entrepreneurship: find a problem you're passionate about solving. The rest will follow.

Have a story to share? We'd love to hear from you.