The Unconventional Journey of Erald Hysi: From Refugee to Entrepreneur
Erald Hysi, a name that may not strike a bell for many people, is a person with an unconventional journey that is worth sharing. From fleeing his homeland due to a civil war, living in a refugee camp with his family, migrating to the United States, and ultimately becoming an entrepreneur – Erald’s journey is full of challenges, sacrifices, and achievements. In this blog, we will discuss various aspects of Erald Hysi’s journey in detail, including his struggle as a refugee, education, career, and entrepreneurship.
Childhood: Fleeing Homeland and Living in a Refugee Camp
Erald Hysi was born in Tirana, Albania, in 1987. However, his early years were tumultuous as he and his family had to flee their homeland due to the civil war. They became refugees in Greece, where they lived in a camp for two years. Life in a refugee camp was far from comfortable, and Erald and his family had to endure many hardships.
Education and Career: The Power of Persistence and Perseverance
After the family was granted permission to migrate to the United States, Erald restarted his education in a new country, where he faced language barriers and a lack of resources. However, his persistence and hard work paid off, and he received a scholarship for college, where he earned a degree in computer engineering. Erald worked as a software engineer for several years before starting his own company, Gjirafa, which is now one of the leading e-commerce companies in the Balkan region.
Entrepreneurship: Establishing Gjirafa.com
Gjirafa.com, Erald’s brainchild, is an e-commerce company that provides products and services in the Albanian language. The idea for Gjirafa was born out of Erald’s personal struggles in finding information or products in Albanian when he first migrated to the United States. Erald saw a gap in the market and decided to create a platform that offers services in Albanian, a language spoken by approximately 10 million people worldwide. Gjirafa.com revolutionized the Albanian e-commerce industry and created numerous job opportunities in Albania.
Challenges Faced: Breaking Barriers and Stereotypes
Starting a company is not an easy feat, and it becomes even more challenging as a person of color. Erald faced many obstacles while establishing Gjirafa.com, including raising funds, hiring the right people, and breaking stereotypes. However, he remained resilient and focused on his vision of providing the Albanian community with a reliable e-commerce platform.
Awards and Recognition: Celebrating Success
Erald’s hard work and dedication toward Gjirafa.com have earned him numerous accolades and recognition. In 2015, he was named one of Forbes’ 30 under 30 entrepreneurs, and in 2017, he received the World Summit Award for his contribution to e-commerce. Gjirafa.com has been featured in various international publications such as TechCrunch and CNN.
Philanthropy: Giving Back to the Community
Erald Hysi believes that success must be shared with the community, and he actively contributes to various philanthropic activities. He founded the Gjirafa Foundation, which focuses on providing education and opportunities to underprivileged children in Albania. The foundation has built computer labs, donated school supplies, and established the first coding school in Albania.
Future Goals: Expanding Gjirafa and Inspiring Others
Erald’s journey is a testament to the power of persistence and dedication. He aims to expand Gjirafa.com to other Balkan regions and inspire other entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams. Erald’s passion for providing quality services to his community knows no bounds, and he is determined to create a lasting impact.
Conclusion
Erald Hysi’s journey from a refugee camp to an entrepreneur is an inspiration for many. His dedication to creating a reliable e-commerce platform for his community and giving back to the underprivileged children in Albania is admirable. Erald’s story is a reminder that no matter how challenging life may seem, with hard work and persistence, one can achieve their dreams.
FAQs
Q1. What is Gjirafa.com?
Gjirafa.com is an e-commerce company that provides products and services in Albanian.
Q2. What has Erald Hysi achieved?
Erald Hysi is the founder of Gjirafa.com and has won numerous accolades for his contribution to e-commerce.
Q3. What challenges did Erald Hysi face while establishing Gjirafa.com?
Erald faced challenges such as raising funds, hiring the right people, and breaking stereotypes while establishing Gjirafa.com.
Q4. What is the Gjirafa Foundation, and what is its mission?
The Gjirafa Foundation is a philanthropic initiative started by Erald Hysi. It focuses on providing education and opportunities to underprivileged children in Albania.
Q5. What is Erald Hysi’s vision for the future?
Erald aims to expand Gjirafa.com to other Balkan regions and inspire other entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams.