Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Abenezer Merdassa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Abenezer, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
My confidence and self-esteem were built by my friends and family, or at least the building blocks were. Where things began changing for me was when I began to embrace fear as part of the deal when chasing my dreams. No amount of bad experiences or embarrassing moments is worse than not trying everything to get to where I want to be. Once I began seeing the payoff my confidence skyrocketed, it truly makes you feel like you have agency of your life.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a stand-up comedian based out off Minneapolis MN. I spent the first part of my childhood in Ethiopia and the ladder half in Southside Minneapolis. I started comedy in 2018 and I have loved every minute of it. I’ve gotten to go to some cool venues and cites, I got to perform at the 10,000 laughs comedy festival along side some of the best comics in the country, won funniest comic in the twin cites at Sisyphus brewing, helped run the renowned comedy corner underground. This year I want to take some more risks, headline some shows around the Midwest and keep growing my material, make sure to follow me on ig @aben_waq to check out some upcoming shows
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?
Definitely the jokes, Ability to deliver, and stage presence. From my experience the people who truly work at startup thrive, write everyday even if it sucks. Of course the most important part is just doing the thing, getting on stage and grinding at the mics around town.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
The Entire scene is really supportive, I’ve felt nothing but love and encouragement to keep going. If I had to pick one it would be Ali Sultan, he’s had done a lot in helping me succeed. Booked me for one of my first shows, gave advice on how to navigate the scene, and offered encouragement every step of the way. Definitely a life long friend
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Aben_waq
