Introducing Salome Yilma, CEO of EthiDolls

Established in 2003, EthiDolls® is a developer of collectible quality, African signature dolls and accessories, based in New York City. The company creates unique dolls and related accessories that help children and adults embrace African heritage, culture and tradition. “We're pleased to contribute to the growing and important movement of African-American families researching heritage and re-connecting to cultural traditions,” says Salome Yilma, EthiDolls' chief executive officer, who conceived and designed the line along with Yeworkwoha Ephrem, EthiDolls' executive vice president. Both women are Ethiopian-American entrepreneurs living in New York.

Through EthiDolls, Ms. Ephrem and Ms. Yilma plan to develop unique African signature dolls and accessories that teach history and celebrate cultural diversity. The African royalty dolls are handcrafted and the fine fabrics are made in select African countries. The company's special attention to detail and authenticity delivers collectible quality dolls of unprecedented value.

source: www.ethidolls.com

How it all began…

Culled from article by Mitch Rustad, ReZoom Contributor, www.rezoom.com

Salome Yilma saw 9/11/2001 as a wake-up call for her to start doing even better by doing a whole lot of good - with dolls ...

How do you make the professional cliff-dive from earning a comfortable living in some of corporate America's most stable publishing institutions to launching your own independent company that pays homage to your cultural heritage? If you're Salome Yilma, you turn to music icon Bob Dylan for guidance. "'If you want somebody you can trust, trust yourself,'" says Yilma, quoting one of her Dylan favorites from the 70s.

That self-assurance has inspired Yilma, a New York resident born and raised in Ethiopia, to recently launch EthiDolls, a unique line of African signature dolls and accessories that teach history and celebrate cultural diversity. The signature product is based on the ancient legend of Queen Makeda (better known to many as the Queen of Sheeba), the first female ruler of Ethiopia. The dolls are handcrafted by the renowned doll manufacturer Madame Alexander; and the richly detailed costumes, handwoven in Ethiopia, are authentic reproductions of the traditional dress still worn today. In addition, a full-color storybook and accompanying CD showcases Queen Makeda's rise to the throne and her relationship with King Solomon. By spotlighting this remarkable story, Yilma hopes to positively impact an African American youth market she says is in desperate need of positive role models. "The hope is to develop an international line of dolls that satisfy the education and entertainment needs of young girls," says Yilma, "to give them a sense of self-esteem and grounding."

Yilma's father was Ethiopia's ambassador to the United States and United Nations in the 1950s. "When we grew up in Ethiopia, it never occurred to us that we weren't just as smart or good as anyone else on the planet," she says. "That grounding for young girls is especially critical. I felt if we could take the cultural tradition of African women, and add the royalty aspect of it, we'd really have something important."

"It just breaks my heart to see young girls not knowing how much value they really have," adds Yilma, who opted to highlight the inspirational story of Queen Makeda for Ethidoll's inaugural product. "I wanted to choose an independent, strong leader — a real role model." Yilma's years in corporate America taught her equally important lessons about herself, she says. "I've learned that I like to have it my way, and that I don't work well under strict authority. Once I realized who I really was and that I wanted to be independent, things started taking off."

Like many people, Yilma got one final push into diving head first into her dream life: September 11, 2001. "Right then the world turned upside down, and I thought, this is a sign to follow a dream, to be my own boss, and build something that offered more than just commercial value," says Yilma. Until then, her highly successful corporate sales executive resume included Essence, The New York Times and CMP Publications. "I've learned that you have to have courage and persistence," says Yilma, "and my stubbornness has always served me well in my life. I always just do what I think is right."