From Ethiopia Alone to American Dreams of Entrepreneurship Artwork

Media Rebel Unplugged

Welcome to Media Rebel Unplugged, the podcast where leaders unplug from the grind and speak the unfiltered truth. I’m Janice Becker, CEO, speaker, and author of Rebel Rising Within (Releasing March 2026). This show is your backstage pass to real conversations about business, leadership, motherhood, healing, mental health, and what it really looks like to rebuild and rise.

Each week, we feature new conversations with leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives, and change-makers who are navigating life and business.

Topics we cover:
Women in business and entrepreneurship
Women’s leadership and personal growth
Mental health, healing, and resilience for women
Motherhood, work life balance, and boundaries
Digital marketing, branding, and business strategy

Media Rebel is a full-service digital marketing agency that rebels against traditional agency norms.

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Media Rebel Unplugged

From Ethiopia Alone to American Dreams of Entrepreneurship

September 09, 2025 • Media Rebel Unplugged • Season 3 • Episode 4

Today you’ll hear from Nardos Street, an inspiring leader and immigrant who crossed the world alone to pursue her education, start a family, and build a thriving business in America.

Denied the chance to attend college in Ethiopia, and later declined a visa to Syria where she would have worked as a maid, Nardos refused to give up. Instead, she immigrated to Michigan, where she studied, met her husband, and eventually settled in Ohio. Together, they launched Bereka Coffee, a café and coffee trailer business that celebrates Ethiopia’s rich culture through traditional coffee ceremonies, authentic food, and community connection.

Her story is one of faith, resilience, and finding purpose in unexpected places.

This episode will leave you feeling inspired and empowered!

What she shares in this conversation will move you, surprise you, and make you want to embrace her culture.

You’ll learn:

How Nardos turned setbacks into opportunities for growth
Why being denied both higher education and a visa redirected her journey
How faith and resilience carried her across continents
What Ethiopian coffee ceremonies teach us about community
How she built a business rooted in culture and family in Ohio

Takeaways

Closed doors can lead to greater purpose
Faith shapes resilience in the face of rejection
Community and culture bridge differences
Education isn’t just about school—it’s about growth
Entrepreneurship often starts with service and heritage

Sound Bites

“God was just holding it up and saying that wasn’t the path.”
“I was declined education in Ethiopia, then even declined my visa to be a maid in Syria.”
“Coffee is never just for yourself in Ethiopia.”

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Nardos Street

02:00 Growing Up in Ethiopia

07:00 Barriers to Education and Closed Doors

12:00 Visa Denied: The Road Not Taken

14:00 A New Start in Michigan

18:00 Finding Purpose Through Education and Service

21:00 Building a Life and Business in Ohio

25:00 Ethiopian Coffee Traditions and Bereka Coffee

30:00 Lessons on Resilience and Faith

Learn More About Nardos & Bereka Coffee

🌐 Website: https://www.berekacoffee.com