Going Global: Sole Rebels (Ethiopia)

When Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu sat down to make her first pair of shoes, in 2004, the Ethiopian native knew she wanted to update traditional tire-sole sandals. What she didn't know, really, was how to make shoes. Fast forward nine years - SoleRebels is the world's first Fair Trade–certified footwear company. Its 300-plus factory workers, many of whom had been unemployed for years before being hired, earn around three times the average industry wage in Ethiopia and receive comprehensive medical coverage for their families. They showcase their textile craftsmanship using good-for-the-planet materials like organic cotton, local fibers, and rubber repurposed from worn-out tires. Each and every pair of shoes are hand-made using recycled materials by implementing traditional designs - relating it back to being Ethiopian. With her outsize ambition, she's bringing local culture to people around the world—foot by foot.