Life of the Party: Lemmawossen Sebhatu Dies Age 73

Weighing the profit margin and analysing risks while contemplating a business idea is forte of a savvy businessperson. Lemmawossen Sebhatu was a pro when it came to that. His children admired his ability to play with numbers at breakneck speed and come up with an answer. He  grew up counting coins. His advice to his five children had always been to start small.

Although from a well-established background, Lemma as he was fondly referred to, has been financially independent since his teen years. The son of the founder of Bihere Tsige Park was not interested in getting his hands dirty with gardening but rather focused on sales. Scaling up to be the best salesman at the insurance firm he worked at, he decided to leave the employment arena. He started his own business in his early 20s.

His brother Solomon Sebhatu remembers Lemma always generated unique business ideas. In a time when print was unfamiliar to many, he set up the printing house Ethio Graphics, located around the National Theatre, which became popular with offices that ordered prints and photocopies in bulk. He also took on the role of printing out plan designs for upcoming industrial projects.

Lemma loved photography. He owned the latest camera then, with a long-term plan to convert his business model into industrial photography.

His sociable behaviour, coupled with the nature of his work, acquainted him with the movers and shakers of the town.

The time was in the late 70s when Ethiopia was broiling over a revolution. Lemma’s once-known close acquaintances turned into foes. As the pressure mounted, he was forced to leave his family and well-established business and move to the US in the mid 80s. Following his abrupt decision, what awaited him in the unknown world was not easy.

He had to start from scratch, working minimum wage at a printing press. Through the years, he ended up managing the place.

“It’s a testament to how quick he was,” said Solomon.

When talking about the uneasy times, Lemma often mentioned learning about his mother’s passing and how he dealt with the loss alone.

As the second-born of eight and oldest son, he took on the role of mentoring his siblings from an early age. The bond he had with his little sister, Tigist, was unmatched. Humour may have been one of the qualities she shares with her brother, as she accredits their special connection to never challenging him, unlike the rest.

She was also the first from the family to join him in the US. From partying in the capital to opening her first business, Lemma took her by the arms, nurturing, coaching, and encouraging her to pursue the hospitality industry.

His love for art is reflected through the paintings on the walls of his house as his easygoing lifestyle is projected in the office. He measured performance on the output rather than enforcing strict work hours. Tsega Gebregziabher, Weletu as he called her, has worked with him for over a decade. She recalls spending the last Father’s Day at Lemma’s residence with a cake, a gesture she did not make to her own father. Likewise, he demanded to meet and get to know her husband moments after the marriage proposal before giving his blessing. He was the person she depended on, with the ability to melt what seemed like an iceberg of problems.