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I was born on October 26th, 1990 in Dire Dawa in the province Harrar, that's East Ethiopia. My mom, a businesswoman was always working and my dad was a coffee farmer so I was raised by the village. This was common practice in Ethiopia. I say village relating to the popular idiom and not to mean I grew up in a small town in the rural area. I actually grew up in a gated community in the suburb.

One childhood memory that sticks out like a sore thumb is when I got my ears pierced at 4 days old. Yes, 4 DAYS old, I never forgot that pain. Another childhood memory I have is when I use to sneak into the pantry to get some of my formula powder. It was so delicious. My parents caught me of course and I denied it like Johny in that nursery rhyme "Johny Johny Yes Papa".

Me a weeks old with my parents

But making memories in Ethiopia was short-lived due to my parents fleeing in the early 1990s. It was a dark time for our people. Whatever valuables you had were given to the government. My parents worked their fingers to their bone. Can you imagine being forced to give up everything you've earned?

My dad decided to find a way out for our family even if that meant losing everything you have and know. Ethiopia could no longer be home. He left for a strange, new land called The Netherlands (Holland) and we followed. I don't remember much about this journey. I can just imagine how difficult and depressing it was for my family at this time. When I look at my own child, I know I would do anything to ensure he's safe just like my parents did.

This was a few months before my dad left for a better life..

We moved to Holland and my parents picked up the pieces quickly, worked night and day to give me a future. I was just 3 years old when our location changed from the "Thirteen Months of Sunshine" to the wood lands . My parents being busy rebuilding our lives, no longer had a village to rely on. They had to get me a babysitter. I remember my babysitter and I practising Oromo, which is, the Cushitic language spoken by about 30 million people in Ethiopia. Soon, my mother tongue, Oromiya, disappeared and Amharinya became our home language. I soaked up this language like a sponge and now I speak Amharinya and Dutch like my mother's tongue.

This picture was made after we just moved to Holland..

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Episode 1; The Genesis of Kanessa - Kanessa Muluneh

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I was born on October 26th, 1990 in Dire Dawa in the province Harrar, that's East Ethiopia. My mom, a businesswoman was always working and my dad was a coffee farmer so I was raised by the village. This was common practice in Ethiopia.

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I was born in 1990 in the land of Kaffa Buna (Ethiopian word for coffee). At 3 years old,my parents brought me to Holland. It was my first time boarding a plane this far. It was incredible how the iron bird took us from Ethiopia to a whole new world

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My mom reunited with my dad in South Holland to rebuild our lives here. I felt weird but excited that
this was a fresh journey. It was like getting a new dollhouse for the first time and discovering all its
perks. But, I soon realize it wasn't as simple as that.
The transition was not easy. When my mom brought me to school that first day, I hid behind her leg. The
teacher came over and spoke in this unfamiliar language. Like a square trying to fit into a round hole, I
didn't belong. Reflecting on this now, I can recall the uncomfortable feeling. No one looked or talked like
me. Then I wasn't sure if this was the right place for me.

I wrote that little poem to explain how I felt at that time. I didn't feel ready for Holland. But, the teacher
wouldn't have me hiding. She took me from my mom, smiled at me and tried to comfort me. The other
children were by no means unpleasant. We just weren't able to communicate. Then there were recess
and I saw everyone playing. It took me three days to relax. I had learned to say "Hoi" instead of "Tenastelign"
and before I knew it, I knew enough to have a conversation and participate in activities with the other
children.

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Episode 2; First day to school - Kanessa Muluneh

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My mom reunited with my dad in South Holland to rebuild our lives here. I felt weird but excited thatthis was a fresh journey. It was like getting a new dollhouse for the first time and discovering all itsperks. But, I soon realize it wasn't as simple as that.

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There was a young Ethiopian couple who helped us from that very first day we arrived in Holland. They didn't have any children back then. The woman was so warm and friendly. I was really fond of her. I asked my mom about them recently and she said they moved to the US. There was also an older Dutch man who assisted us but I don't believe he's alive anymore. I don't remember their names but I will always remember their faces.

With their assistance and the social services Holland offered, we were able to settle in.

Mentally and emotionally, it was hard on my parents. It took my mother a long time to adjust and my dad was preoccupied with all the trauma he went through to get to this new country.

My mother was used to having people around her all the time in Ethiopia. Here, she was a bit isolated especially after the divorce that came shortly after moving to Holland.

I remember us living on the ground floor of a flat. There was this grass field right in front of our door. Initially, that was where I was only allowed to play so that my mom could watch me. The school was nearby, my mom eventually allowed me to play on the school's playground with other children. Soon I'll visit their homes and they'll visit mine.

Our home in Maastricht

Sometimes, when I visited their homes and it was dinnertime, the parents would tell me to leave because they were about to have dinner. I found that odd. In Ethiopia and at my home, we always included everyone present when it came to dinner. My mom would tell me often that I'm different and that I will always be different and I shouldn't give up myself to be one of them.

I spent weekdays with mom and weekends with dad. I looked forward to seeing dad because he got me anything I wanted lol Things that weren't allowed at mom's like chocolate, cookies and so. I distinctively remember that on Saturdays, we would eat french fries with mayonnaise and chicken. I don't remember having any negative feelings because my parents were separated. To me, it was still mom and dad. I believe they did a good job of making us feel like a family even though they were no longer together.

Visiting my dad on a weekend

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Episode 3; Adjusting to a new life style - Kanessa Muluneh

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There was a young Ethiopian couple who helped us from that very first day we arrived in Holland. They didn't have any children back then. The woman was so warm and friendly. I was really fond of her. I asked my mom about them recently and she said they moved to the US.

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When I was 8 years old, we visited Ethiopia! I was blown away by how different it was from Holland. The people, food, air all carried a unique flavor. Surprisingly, I had a rash due to the difference in humidity but that didn't dampen my mood. I was happy to be back!

This was the day that I flew to Ethiopia for the first time

A few things that struck me right away were the interactions I had with the children. I remember meeting these kids and asked them "how old are you?". Their reply was "I don't remember" ...I was flabbergasted because they seemed to be around my age and I wondered to myself, how could they not remember? I later found out that's the way of the Ethiopian culture. They didn't revolve around time hence knowing your age wasn't as important as where I now lived.

Village kids in Ethiopia

Then there was this time some kids said they were going to play soccer. I realized they had no ball. I suggested to them that we could buy a ball. They looked at me weird and said "Why buy a ball when we can make one?". I didn't understand until I saw them putting plastic together until it was big enough for a ball. I was amazed by their simplicity and ingenuity!

We travelled around Ethiopia and I loved it. When it was time to leave, I bawled. I didn't want to leave Ethiopia again. I was very emotional. My parents promised we would go back. We did the next year but it was nothing like what I experienced the year prior.

Capital city, Addis Ababa, in the year I went

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Episode 4; Back to my roots! - Kanessa Muluneh

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When I was 8 years old, we visited Ethiopia! I was blown away by how different it was from Holland. The people, food, air all carried a unique flavor. Surprisingly, I had a rash due to the difference in humidity but that didn't dampen my mood. I was happy to be back!

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I returned to Holland. I missed Ethiopia but after that episode in the airport, I knew I could no longer live there. So, it was back to life, back to reality. That year I noticed how different my hair was. It was so big and curly. My classmates would touch it and ask it was real.

"Your hair is humongous, "I remember one of the girls saying when I wore an Afro to school one day. A few of my classmates chuckled.

This was how my mom tried to handle my hair before bedtime

I wanted to straighten my hair, to look like theirs. But, my mom would not allow it. She believed it would damage my hair. Other than Afros, I wore plaits, cornrows and other styles my mom came up with. Sometimes, it was difficult to comb through especially when it had knots. Mom would just keep it in braids when she didn't have time to handle it. That's when kids would ask me why I always had my hair in braids and why it wasn't like theirs.

I would look at my classmates' hair and thought they must have it so easy. Their hair was so straight and beautiful and when they ran, the wind took delight in playing with their tresses. I figure the wind must think my hair is too stubborn and gave up before it even began running its soft fingers throughout my hair.

I even thought of straightening my own hair when mom constantly refused my request. But I never dared attempted. I preferred to face several hands in my hair, nagging me if it was real than my mom's wrath. Though my mom was in a different country, her ways of disciplining remain the same. And in Ethiopia, you would be out of your mind to disrespect your parents.

Once in a while I was allowed to wear my hair freely

Then one day out of the blue, she decided to relax my hair. I was blown away at how long and beautiful it was. Eventually she even allowed me to colour it in this blonde brownish shade. I soon found out my mother did my hair that way because it was easier for her to manage. She couldn't hold my natural hair even with both hands . Shortly after processing, my hair started to break. My mom wasn't aware of cutting split ends then. It wasn't long before I was back to being curly again.

The older I got though, the more I realized I love my kinks and curls and I prefer my hair this way. I adore how big it is and how stubborn it can be. I now consider my hair my natural crown and now, I wear it quite proudly.

This was what my hair is like, without straightening

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Episode 5; Big hair do - Kanessa Muluneh

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I returned to Holland. I missed Ethiopia but after that episode in the airport, I knew I could no longer live there. So, it was back to life, back to reality. That year I noticed how different my hair was. It was so big and curly.

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My mom's name is Merdia and my dad's name is Derribe. My dad grew up in a farmer's house. He knows everything about agriculture. He lives for his coffee farm. It was his love for Kaffa that inspired me to start my own coffee brand.

Back in the days, when my parents just met

My mom didn't grow up with her immediate family like my dad did. Her dad died at three years old and her mom at twelve years old. Her grandmother and aunties took her and her younger sister in. My mom doesn't remember much about her dad since he died when she was so young. The only thing I know of grandpa was that he was a businessman. So as you can see, entrepreneurship runs in the family.

Also, she told me that my grandmother had long Indian-like hair, unlike the curly type we were familiar with in Ethiopia. She mentioned if my grandmother was alive, I would be her favourite grandchild. Lol I thought that was so sweet of her. Generally though, my parents do not tell me much about the past. I figured it's too emotional for them.

Before faith put my parents together, they were married to someone else. In 1988, my mother and father (after divorcing from their first marriages) met, grew in love and viola, I was conceived in 1990!

Me (few weeks old) with my parents

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Episode 6; My parents (part 1) - Kanessa Muluneh

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My mom's name is Merdia and my dad's name is Derribe. My dad grew up in a farmer's house. He knows everything about agriculture. He lives for his coffee farm. It was his love for Kaffa that inspired me to start my own coffee brand

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My parents are pretty different individuals. My mom has a fierce but loving spirit. It's not difficult for her to influence others. For such a small woman (physically), she has a big personality. She's very independent and has no issues doing what she needs to do to ensure her family is taken care of. She adores people and is big on family. But, she can also be short-tempered.

My dad is very laid back. Dad loves nature. He doesn't like drama or worrying. He's a bit of a loner whereas my mom likes company. Its odd that my mom, though used to being alone due to her parents departing this Earth before she was 12 years old, is so fond of others.

This photo is a little unclear, but this is one of first photos taken when they moved to Holland.

I absolutely love my parents, individually and together. Their different personalities decorate my life in a way I'll never forget. I look forward to spending quiet days with dad and talking about fashion with mom and so much more. Even if there was no conversation with my parents, I would enjoy just being in their presence which is a gift to me. I am eternally grateful that God chose Merdia and Derribe to nurture me. Their sacrifices are not unnoticed and I work every day, push as hard as I do because I have parents who sacrificed so much so that I can have a decent life.

Blessings and love always, mom and dad.

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Episode 7; My parents (part 2) - Kanessa Muluneh

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My parents are pretty different individuals. My mom has a fierce but loving spirit. It's not difficult for her to influence others. For such a small woman (physically), she has a big personality. She's very independent and has no issues doing what she needs to do to ensure her family is taken care of.

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From my own life experiences, I realized it was absolutely possible to maintain a perfect harmony between motherhood and business or your work life. The first word that comes in, is planning. I have experienced myself in various moments where the situation was extremely challenging. I know many people who faced similar challenges when it comes to time management. I am dedicating this article to all those working moms or entrepreneurial moms who are finding it difficult to maintain a balanced work-life harmony.

I am writing down a few basic tips with regards to time management that I followed and maintained a balanced life:

Make a Plan - If you are a working lady, design a proper work plan. You will have dozens of responsibilities plunged on you. Think, what is on top of your to do list and how you can achieve those. Any business requires a lot of personal attention, but with a proper planned time management, both can be handled with ease.

Keep working hours flexible - Even in business you need to have fixed office timing, but when you are managing motherhood and business, be on a flexible schedule. Talk to your subordinates and make all your important meetings and plans accordingly. Never hesitate to discuss as motherhood is a blessing and you will find all the people besides you. Communication is key!!

Split your work schedule and work remotely in case you are with a newborn baby. This is very important as a newborn baby seeks more attention. So, be with your baby, dedicate authority and responsibility to the best of your colleagues/employees and monitor the activity.

Childcare - Definitely go for it. This is a great tip, and I got benefited a lot after getting help (in my case it was grandma). It is going to reduce your stress a lot as you will not get worried about your child lacking personal attention. This will also allow you to complete your planned schedule properly and effectively.

Avoid business Trips (in the first 3 months) - I know, it's very important for a business woman to go out on business trips, but, you may plan to avoid it during your initial motherhood phase. Instead, take the help of technology and do virtual meetings or video conferences. Now a day with the advancement of technology, it is not a big issue. This will not only save time, but it will reduce your travel expenses. Moreover, you can focus on your child, as he/she needs you the most.

Getting organized with your daily work - This part is of predominant importance to get yourself organized. Prepare a daily calendar for yourself on all the tasks that you need to perform. Keep the calendar ready at home so that all the family members can see and know what your day looks like. Don't spend unnecessary time on things that can be managed by other family members. Talk to them and seek help. Keep yourself less occupied during the morning in a family matter and kick start your day.

Learn to prioritize - You must learn to filter and prioritize during this phase. You may have important situations where you need to take important decisions, sometimes it makes you choose between a family function and an office meeting. In those cases, you have to sacrifice a few social gatherings. In this case I just like to remind you of one thing; gatherings come and go, but, precious moments with your baby don't. Make a wise decision!

These are some time management tips for all working women, I believe these tips can help you maintain the perfect balance. Motherhood is a blessing and a challenge, so plan to enjoy every moment of your motherhood & business.

You should be proud of yourself, especially since you are raising a human being & a business/career at the same time! You are strong!!

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Time Management Tips (For Working Mothers) - Kanessa Muluneh

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From my own life experiences, I realized it was absolutely possible to maintain a perfect harmony between motherhood and business or your work life. The first word that comes in, is planning. I have experienced myself in various moments where the situation was extremely challenging.

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If anyone told you it's easy to be a mother and business woman then I must say, that person has no clue about either of them. I can tell you first hand that running my business as well as being a mother to my baby has been harder and messier than I ever imagined. Sometimes I am filled with self-doubt and left to wonder what I have gotten myself into once or twice a day. But then the truth remains both have been the most rewarding and fulfilling experience of my life. Both offers va stly different experience in several ways and if I were to do it all over again, I would say yes to it!

It is true, there's nothing easy about being a housewife, a mother and a business owner (momprenuer). I have been able to manage because of sheer determ ination and desire to succeed greatly.

While I was pregnant with my baby boy, there were days I simply didn't want to do any kind of work, I just wanted to lay back and relax but, I couldn't do that as often as I thought . I would always try my best to run my business first hand , t o my strength of course (never go off limits). The key here is that YOU know that you don't have all the answers. If you are a momprenuer, you are bound to want answers to all boggling questions, are you doing this right? Are you giving your kid(s) enough time? Should you do this? Or that? These questions are bound to come more often than not but, the best way to deal with them is the way I did. Acknowledge that you don't have the answers. Just flow with it, enjoy eve

I'll leave you with a few momprenuer tips to help you live better.
1. Let the helpers help
Oh yes! This is very important. Don't ever, for one day feel like you can do it all by yourself. You practically can't do it all alone! I have my husband to thank sometimes, he helps me out anyway he can.

Sharing the workload with friends and family is vital if you are to enjoy your momprenuership.
2. Be persistent
I know I am a stubborn persistent person who hardly gives up. Maybe that's why it has seemed pretty easy for me that period. The ability to decide to show up each day and give your best shot is key. You might not necessarily put in your longest hours either as a parent or as a business owner but those times you do spend are the best time you can offer and they are quality!
3. Learn to celebrate little moments and note the big milestones
I always try not to get caught up with the big splashy parties (birthday's and the rest), I rather focus on those little everyday moments that we tend to miss. The toothy grind at bedtime, the easy camaraderie at daily stand up. These are the moments to take note off.

Cherish them!

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If anyone told you it's easy to be a mother and business woman then I must say, that person has no clue about either of them. I can tell you first hand that running my business as well as being a mother to my baby has been harder and messier than I ever imagined.

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People believe that entrepreneurs should have this perfect image especially on social media. We should post that business is always going well or that we have it all together. We shouldn't talk about anything that goes against our perfect image. I don't buy into all that.

As rewarding as business can be, entrepreneurship is not glamorous. It is hard work and requires a lot if not most of your time. Even in my sleep, I'm working. That's how I am wired ever since I starting doing my own thing.

A lot of entrepreneurs struggle with identity because they believe they can't be who they are or it might smear their images.I think it's perfectly fine to inject your personality into entrepreneurship. I'm not afraid to tell my audience what I'm feeling or experiencing or how difficult something can be. I laugh at myself and let people know the real Kanessa. To me, that's best for me & my business.

Being anything else is a lie. And you know how lies are? You have to remember them & keep up with them. That can damage your business tremendously. Nothing is wrong with showing the world the human you. Perfection is exhausting anyways.

So how do I do it? At first, I was a bit apprehensive about posting bits of my life on social media. Then I decided that I needed to. People needed to see what behind the scenes are like. That I am just as human as the next person. I make mistakes & that's fine. I stayed true to me. I should trying to pick the picture picture or video & posted the most authentic one. The one that feels the most like me.

Trust me, it'll might take a few takes because having a camera around you might make you stiff instantly. But, the more you do it, the better it gets. So, I implore you to stay true to yourself. Stay humble and if you ever begin to forget who that is, your family & friends are that reality check. They help you stay grounded.

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Staying Down To Earth (As An Entrepreneur)! - Kanessa Muluneh

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People believe that entrepreneurs should have this perfect image especially on social media. We should post that business is always going well or that we have it all together. We shouldn't talk about anything that goes against our perfect image. I don't buy into all that. Staying Down To Earth (As An Entrepreneur)!

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Last year, October 2018, I launched my first clothing-line ( www.kanessa.net) without having any experience in the fashion or retail industry. Ever since, I have been getting a lot of messages from people, asking me how I managed to build a line of clothes from the ground up . Trust me when I say it's not as easy as it looks but it's not impossible. Based on my experience, here are my tips:

Research your market and fine-tune your niche - My clothing line started with a problem. I couldn't source sportswear for myself. I go to the gym 3-4 times a week and couldn't find anything that fit me well. I thought "If I can't find it, why not make it?" That's how it started. Looking back, I wish I did more research into what suited my market. So, I am letting you know this now so that you won't make the same error I did. Know what customers want so that you can create the best products. That will result in more success later on.

Decide on what platform you'll use - Is it social media, Shopify, a physical store, Amazon? For me, it's a webshop. How will you get your items in their hands? What delivery options would you use? Think about it, research and then decide.

Find the right manufacturers - There are a lot of manufacturers out there. A LOTTTTT but there are only a few that will match the quality and quantity of what you want to sell. Additionally, you'll need a manufacturer who'll guide you especially if you aren't as savvy in that field. I went this route because I design my own products. You can also find ready made products and put logos on those stuff. Find manufacturers who are flexible and will facilitate your brand. One way you can find manufacturers is to go to fairs & conventions. One I can recommend is ISPO.

Sizing - Decide on the sizing chart you want to use as countries have different sizing. You can consult your manufacturer for assistance.

Paying your manufacturers - You and the manufacturers have decided on what you want. Now, it's time for the molo. My advice is not to pay everything upfront all at once before you even see what your products look like, You can negotiate with your manufacturer a payment plan that works for the both of you.

That's my 5 tips based on my experience on how to start up your own clothing line. Check out my YouTube video where I expand a

bit more on this. See the video here;

Do let me know if you have any questions and I'll address them in my YouTube videos or blog. You can also email me at k anessa@kanessamuluneh.net .

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How To Start Your Own Clothing Line - Kanessa Muluneh

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Last year, October 2018, I launched my first clothing-line ( www.kanessa.net) without having any experience in the fashion or retail industry. Ever since, I have been getting a lot of messages from people, asking me how I managed to build a line of clothes from the ground up .

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I already mentioned that my work days are sometimes 18 hours long . Thus, it can be tough on my family. Sometimes, I wish there were more hours in the day. But even if there was, maybe it still would be the same. Entrepreneurship as you know has no set time especially when you are just starting up. The onus is on me to make time for those closest to me.

It's good that I have a partner who understands the demands of business. It's important that we keep each other in the loop of what's happening in our current ventures. Business-wise, there's nothing I keep from him. Transparency is key.

The next key is communication. This is very important if you have a child together. Coordinating schedules is essential for the family. If there's something that's not clear, we have to seek that clarification. We don't allow assumptions to slide in. I will admit though that I struggle with discussing feelings. He's more opened to that than I am.

The next key is respect. We respect each other's businesses, none is higher than the other. We also don't tear each other down verbally. We root for each other and bounce off each other's energy. My husband's opinions mean a lot to me so do mine to him. It's mutual and so far, we've been complimenting each other in business and personal lives.

Date night is significant to us. I know some couples believe dating is over once you're married or live with someone. But to me, this is necessary for a healthy marriage. We are still exploring each other...still as interested or even more interested in each other than before we met. We try to keep the weekends free for dates.

We acknowledge that we might have individual businesses but at the end of the day, it's still us. We are a team above all. Our relationship is more valuable than our biggest customer. And there's nothing like coming home to the arms of the man I love after a hectic day.

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Managing Marriage & Business - Kanessa Muluneh

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The next key is communication. This is very important if you have a child together. Coordinating schedules is essential for the family. If there's something that's not clear, we have to seek that clarification. We don't allow assumptions to slide in. The next key is respect.

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Plus Size Active Wear | Gym Outfit for Curvy and Voluminous Woman

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Plus size active wear for curvy and voluminous woman! Our sizes are only available in sizes M to 3XL.

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About Muluneh Coffee

In a magical place in Ethiopia called Kaffa were a man named Aba Jaffar, the king of this beautiful place. He was the proudest king of the whole country because he had something nobody else had.. he ruled the birthplace of Coffee! One of this king's grandchildren was so impressed by his story, she decided to share it with the world..

I like to introduce you to Derebe Muluneh and a princess named Merdia Issa, my parents. Every time someone visited, they would gather the children in the neighbourhood and the visitor on a carpet hand made by Merdia's neighbours.
"Please accept our invitation to our Buna," Merdia would say to her visitor.
The visitors never refused. Derebe entertained the guests and children while Merdia began the ceremony. She wore the most beautiful white dress called 'Habesha Kemis' which was laced with delicate hand made-embroidery borders. The coffee beans Derebe washed earlier would be placed delicately in a flat pan. The pan was then put on a charcoal fire. Slowly, Merdia would hold the long handle of the pan and shook it over the fire until the popped and crackled. The aroma would suffuse the room and the adult shoulders would fall into its natural place.

Afterwards, Merdia grounded the roasted Bunna, put it in the Jebena with water and boiled it on a small coal furnace. Once boiled, she served it in a cini (cup) with popcorn to the guest first then Derebe. The children who weren't old enough were only allowed tea. Many of the visitors closed their eyes after taking that first sip of this Buna.
"Delicious, right?" Derebe would say. The visitor agreed.
"Do you know how Bunna was discovered?" Derebe asked the visitor when everyone was settled and sipping from their cini.
"No, I would love to know," the visitor replied.

The children's faces lit up, even though they heard this story a thousand times, they would listen to it as if they were hearing it for the first time. Derebe did his famous hum to prepare his voice for this sacred legend.
" In this very land and particular place called 'Choche', there was a goat herder named Kaldi. Kaldi had over 100 goats. He fed them with all sorts of plants that he grew on his land. Goats, being naturally curious, would eat plants that even Kaldi didn't know he grew. One day, he noticed the goats were acting funny.
"But this is not how goats behave," he said as he watched them moving energetically. He knew the goats ate a certain time and figured that whatever they ate was the reason for their behaviour so he searched for the plant with fresh bite marks.

He spotted them not far from where he was. It was Coffea arabica tree. The goats ate the read berries from it. Kaldi sniffed, taking deep inhales of the berries "hhhhhhmmm," he pulled in air. But, he found nothing special about it. He decided to taste it. Maybe then that would reveal its secret. So with a quick prayer to God, he popped a single berry in his mouth. A few seconds after swallowing, he noticed a change. Before he knew it, he was so hyped up he could run a marathon right there!"

The children and the visitors laughed at that point. When the laughter quieted, Derebe continued, " He knew he was onto something great. He decided that he would bring a batch to a monastery so that they could test it. "This will give you great energy," he said to the religious leaders when he arrived. But, they weren't convinced. They took the batch from him and tossed them into the fire to destroy them! "What's that scent?" one of the religious leaders said after the berries were in the fire. "It's so refreshing," another commented. "It's the berries!" Kaldi exclaimed. The religious leaders were surprised. They all came up with the same idea - Let's boil these berries like we do tea! So, they did and bunna/coffee was born."
That's the story of how coffee came about. Derebe and Princess Merdia never got tired of telling that story. Their children would then carry on the tradition. And so here I am sharing this part of my tradition with you.

You're not drinking coffee, You're drinking history.

-KANESSA MULUNEH

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Muluneh Coffee - You're not drinking coffee, You're drinking history.

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In a magical place in Ethiopia called Kaffa were a man named Aba Jaffar, the king of this beautiful place. He was the proudest king of the whole country because he had something nobody else had.. he ruled the birthplace of Coffee!

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In March 2017, the Queen´s Football League, The Netherlands's first American football league was born from Kanessa Muluneh's dream that European women can excel at American Football.

The first three teams were formed, called the ¨Amsterdam Cats¨ , the ¨Rotterdam Ravens¨ and the "Flevo Foxes" where a high level of talent, guts and passion was shown.

Undaunted by the challenges and fueled by the power of possibilities, the QFL persisted and has garnered popularity and love from the public. Now it's time to expand across the continent. This is an unprecedented goal that this league is fully ready to conquer. Europe, are you ready to create history?

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In March 2017, the Queen´s Football League, The Netherlands's first American football league was born from Kanessa Muluneh's dream that European women can excel at American Football. The first three teams were formed, called the ¨Amsterdam Cats¨ , the ¨Rotterdam Ravens¨ and the "Flevo Foxes" where a high level of

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My name is Kanessa, a real Habesha living in Amsterdam. I am a foodie, I love being weird & I am a big fan of travel. I'm very family-oriented.

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My name is Kanessa, a real Habesha living in Amsterdam. Welcome to my world!