Tashitaa Tufaa’s path to entrepreneurship began thousands of miles from Minnesota.

Originally from Ethiopia, Tashitaa attended college in Zimbabwe before returning home to work as a high school teacher. He immigrated to the United States in 1992 in search of opportunity, often working multiple jobs at a time. Living in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul, he often used the bus for transportation while steadily building a new life.

While in graduate school in 1997, Tashitaa began driving for Metro Mobility and later drove taxis. He started noticing something: transportation wasn’t just a job – it was a business opportunity.

In 2003, he launched a simple but ambitious marketing campaign that reached out to schools to offer transportation services. The following year, he secured his first route with Osseo Area Schools transporting students with special needs. He continued building relationships with other districts from there.

When Tashitaa ordered his first yellow school bus, the dealer initially didn’t take him seriously. They doubted he could afford it. But he proved them wrong, which is one of many moments where determination carried him forward.

In 2011, Tashitaa was introduced to MEDA, which became an important partner as he navigated the financial challenges of growing a transportation company. He received guidance from MEDA’s consulting services about financing, expansion, and overcoming business hurdles.

“MEDA lifts up small businesses,” Tashitaa said. “The word I associate with MEDA is trust.”