Gemeda Adem outside his business Total Print Solutions. Source: News Limited

Mr Adem created Total Print Solutions working alone from one small room six years ago.

Today, he has a thriving company with seven employees and a customer base across Australia.

Mr Adem’s business was recently (November 7) named African Australian Business of the Year at the Celebration of African Australian National Awards presented at Parliament House in Melbourne.

The company does design work, printing, signs and website development.

“I started (working) in a small room, then a two room office, now we’re in a two-storey building and I employ many young people from the community from all cultures,’’ he said.

A former Western Chances scholarship recipient, Mr Adem said he has been successful because he actively approached African Australian business people in Footscray and showed them the benefits they could achieve with consistent branding for their businesses, while keeping his own prices affordable.

“I feel like everyone deserves a chance to achieve their dream, and no support is ever too small,’’ Mr Adem said.

“I spoke the language so I went into their shops and explained to them a new perspective about updating their signage and logos and giving it all a professional look.’’

Mr Adem, who is from the Oromo community speaks Oromo, Amharic, English and some Arabic and Somali.

He said receiving the award was an honour and a big deal for the whole community.

The aim of the Celebration of African Australians Awards is to celebrate and showcase the contributions of African Australians to the broader community, and identify role models who will serve as mentors to young African Australians.

Source: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/west/footscray-business-owner-gemeda-adem-wins-african-australian-business-of-the-year-award/story-fngnvmj7-1227120725622?nk=13d8f26f7a58aefd40996446adb4cb84