Meet Ali Lemma

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ali Lemma. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ali , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My mom, for sure. Since I was a young teenager, hardship is a state I have been all too familiar with. I was born in the States, but moved to Ethiopia with my 3 siblings at the age of 10. At 14, I lost father due to illness and my mom was left to raise her 4 kids on her own. We moved back to the States shortly after and I saw my mom raise her kids as perfect as any single or duel parent household around me. I won’t get into the details, but there has been and still is so much tragedy that we continue to face today as a family and my ability to stay calm, positive, and resilient in the midst of all this comes from my mom.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
After 6 years in corporate America, I joined the “Great Resignation” in November 2021 and took that leap of faith to start a restaurant. Nestled in the heart of East Atlanta Village, Ruki’s Kitchen brings a unique experience to the community. Ruki’s Kitchen is a haven for Ethiopian cuisine, offering a curated selection of dishes in a casual, street food-inspired setting. It’s more than a restaurant; it’s a symbol of “A Taste of East Africa in East Atlanta,” bridging the gap between my Ethiopian roots and the community (i.e. Atlanta) that raised me, a testament to my passion for sharing the richness of Ethiopian culture through food and the love for my city.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The first and most important, TAP INTO YOUR NETWORK. We all have a network, regardless of where we worked, lived, or played. I went to highschool in Dekalb County, college at Georgia State and worked the bulk of my corporate career in Buckhead, so my Atlanta network and connections run deep. The majority of us have some form of social media and follow folks that we have met along the way. So, we have a general idea of what some of these people are up to from a distance. If you see someone in a place where you want to get connected, reach out and ask. You’d be surprised how many people are willing to help.

I heard this on an “Earn Your Leisure” podcast: Start where you are, use what you have, learn as you grow. So many people think they don’t have the tools, abilities or resources to start a business or even their journey to wherever. Honestly, not many do. I’ve cooked on a personal level for years, but never in a professional setting. I had the passion for it and honestly I feel like that is all I needed. A few months before I decided to start a restaurant, I decided to work as a cook for a short period to learn how it was done on the professional side. This sounds crazy, but a month later I felt like I was ready to run a restaurant. And here I am almost 2 years later doing that, still learning and growing everyday doing it.

Lastly, nothing comes easy and there are no shortcuts, do the work. Everybody is looking for a quick come up. I’ve seen in from my own experience and my surroundings, anything that comes quick will leave just as fast. Build a solid foundation that will be strong enough to build your empire right on top of it.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
Instilling the “hustlers mentality” in me. My Dad and his siblings migrated from Ethiopia in the early-80’s at the peak of a civil war in their homeland. He was close to 20 years old, barley an adult. He came to America with nothing. No money. No work experience. No community. No network. No friends. Just him and his siblings hoping for a better life. One thing my Dad did have was that “hustlers mentality”, and that was more valuable than any of that.

He started started driving taxicabs and worked his ass off to later have a gas station. Years later, married my mom and brought her to America from the countryside of Ethiopia. My mom didn’t even know English. But one thing my Dad taught her was that “hustler mentality” and she stood by his side as they worked together for years at this gas station.

Fast forward to 2006, my Dad passed. I was 14. My mom was on her own raising her 4 kids here in Atlanta. We had sold the gas station at this point and my mom needed to work. She bought into a business she literally had no idea about. A cigar shop. The first black, female-owned cigar shop in Atlanta. 17 years later, her business is thriving and she is considered a “Cigar Aficionado” in the community.

In May 2022 (18 months ago), I started the restaurant. One of the most riskiest businesses in the country. I come from a family of entrepreneurs, but none were crazy enough to start a restaurant. So here I am, first-generation restaurant owner, almost 2 years in. I feel myself moving at the same force my mom and dad did. That “hustlers mentality” is in my blood and definitely the most impactful attribute my parents gifted me with.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Nur Chernet: @nurfilm407 Josh: @cityslicka

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