The family business dates back to its foundation in 1975, when a courageous young entrepreneur made a bold move to start his own textile trading business. Later, as the business took shape for the better, Getu Gelete, Samuel’s father, made his younger brother join the venture in 1980 and his nephew in 1985.

This year marks its 50th anniversary, and the once modest venture has grown into a multidisciplinary group spanning trading, real estate, dry cargo logistics, manufacturing, asset management, and investments in various sectors. The group company, GetAs, is derived from the founder’s name, Getu, and his brother Asrat.

Q: Did you grow up wanting to run the family business, or were you pulled in another direction? And what is the most bizarre piece of advice an older relative ever gave you that, against all odds, worked?

Samuel: My involvement in the family business wasn't preplanned, but it took its current form naturally after I completed my studies in the United Kingdom (UK). Although the Chairman [Getu] instilled strong family values in each of us, I think he demonstrated it better through his hard work and dedication that inspired the family members over the past years.

Q: How do you maintain the old-school charm and family traditions that people love without falling behind modern expectations?

It is having a balanced approach between modern business science and family culture, which has been a cornerstone that helped drive growth over the many years.

Q: What is your secret for surviving those heated boardroom debates with relatives who still call you by your childhood nickname? And how often do you consult your parents’ coffee-stained notebook to guide today’s decisions?

This is never easy, as things can sometimes get overheated, and you might lose sight of what made you get involved in the family business in the first place. But the most important aspect is to remember it is never personal, and the intentions are all geared towards making the business better.

If we can stick to the notion of “I am my brother’s keeper”, as famously quoted by our Prime Minister during the Nobel prize acceptance speech, then you begin to realise we are all responsible for one another. This simplifies understanding intentions.

Q: If your business has an age-old family motto, what is it really (not just what is on the brochure)? And which piece of “family business wisdom” do you refuse to pass down to the next generation? Why?

Hard work has been the simple and understood motto across generations. The motto that I always look to for inspiration is: “If you want to walk fast, walk alone. But, if you want to walk far, walk together.”

Q: If your company’s journey became a holiday movie, would it be a comedy, a drama, or a cautionary tale? And if your family business were a movie character, would it be the eccentric genius, the lovable underdog, or something else entirely?