Mahider Kebede on Her Success and Launching a New Business

By Faisale Shefawe
Published on 02/16/26

For the past few years, as the popularity of podcasts has exploded across the globe, no entertainment podcast in Ethiopia has gained more followers, viewers, and influence than Wechewgood Podcast. Hosted by six personalities, the show has become a must-stop platform for musicians, artists, social media influencers, and prominent business leaders.

One of the co-hosts of the show is the always-smiling Mahider Kebede. Years ago, she was obsessed with the idea of becoming a movie star.

Growing up in Addis Ababa, Mahider always had a passion for making jokes and making friends laugh whenever it was possible and appropriate.

“As a young teenager, I was known for talking loudly and making funny jokes,” Mahider said. “Even back then, I knew my future was in the entertainment industry.”

After finishing high school, Mahider was fortunate enough to attend Addis Ababa University, where she earned her degree in Management in 2014.

After college, she wanted financial security, so she made sure to get a stable job at a factory.

“I really wanted to make money right after graduation,” Mahider said.

Around 2019, as more people began downloading TikTok, a couple of Mahider’s friends encouraged her to start posting skits to build a large audience and eventually break into the movie industry she once dreamed about. It took her a year to take their advice.

“I always think long and hard before making important decisions,” Mahider said. “I take my time. I hate rushing.”

In 2020, Mahider began posting funny skits on TikTok. Some of her early skits focused on short people — for example, showing how they struggle to reach the brakes while driving. In those early days, her views and follower count were low.

Later, when she started addressing childhood and social issues on TikTok, her posts began to go viral — and so did her audience.

In 2024, when Wechewgood Podcast was looking for a new host, they decided to give the position to Mahider. For her, it marked the beginning of something big.

Her early experience on the show was not easy. It was a completely new environment.

“When I was doing skits on TikTok, it was all about me,” Mahider said. “But when I joined the podcast crew, it became all about the person we were interviewing.”

Her success on the show did not come overnight. She had to earn it.

“When I first started doing the podcast, everything I said was scrutinized. I had to prove myself,” Mahider said.

Nowadays, her hard work is paying off. Mahider sees the public reaction when she is out and about.

“Taxi drivers walk up to me and thank me for being a voice,” Mahider said. “One time, a father told me he makes his daughter watch the show so she can become a host like me.”

Through the podcast, Mahider has learned an important lesson: everyone has a story to tell, and no one should be judged before their story is heard.

In December 2025, Mahider — who usually takes a long time to make major decisions — made a surprising but smart business move by opening a nail salon in Addis Ababa called Tata’s Touch.

The name is derived from what her nieces and nephews call her mother: Tata. She added “Touch” to honor what she describes as the magical touch of mothers.

The nail salon is quickly becoming a popular spot, with celebrities stopping by to get their nails done while showing their support for her new venture.

When she is not conducting interviews or working at her new business, Mahider enjoys reading books and watching movies.

“I love books, documentaries, and for some reason, conspiracy theories,” she said.

When asked about her next move, Mahider was honest.

“I don’t like making plans. I just go with the flow,” she said. “I’ve never been someone who makes long-term plans. Sometimes I think I’m afraid — what if those plans fail?”

The day after we completed this interview, Mahider made a surprising announcement on her Instagram account: she was engaged. The proposal, she later shared, was completely unexpected.