In each Issue of Sibo-Lifestyle Magazine, we celebrate individuals that dream big, pursue their dreams and are pursuing success on their own terms. I’d like us to learn from them, to see how like us they are or how they differ from us. For us to see what we can do differently or continue to do to pursue our own dreams and success. This month the spotlight is on Lyuba Nyathi.
Having grown up in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, Lyuba Nyathi is a UK based entrepreneur. With a background in Forensic Mental Health and Clinical Risk Assessment, upon taking an entrepreneurial route, she saw the need to better equip herself and now holds a Master of Science in Management with International Business and Development.
In Lyuba Nyathi’s story you will find the essence of entrepreneurship, that of never giving up. You will see how Lyuba tried different things that didn’t work out before starting again because she is on a mission and nothing can stop her. We get to experience this side of her when we find out how she summited Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Dream pursuit and follow-through are at the heart of her journey as she dreamed of travel growing up and now has made that a part of her life, from Amsterdam to New York to Venice and many other places. Strap on your seat belts and let’s take a trip down Lyuba Nyathi’s journey.
Where are you from and where do you currently live? If not your country, how did you end up in the country you’re living in?
I’m from an old but beautiful city of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe. However, the economic situation that was brewing in Zimbabwe in the late 90s and early 00s led my eldest sister to strongly urge me to move to England at the age of 19 to pursue a more hopeful future. I applied to universities in the UK and got places to study English Literature and Nursing respectively. I then obtained a 3 year student visa from the British Embassy in Harare. I was extremely lucky as my other sister was already in the UK since the early 90s on a scholarship and I got to live with her and my brother in law for my first 12 months while I acclimatised.
Tell us about your childhood. What was life like for you growing up?
I can honestly describe my childhood as happy. My parents tried very hard to give us a decent life. I am so grateful to them. I come from a big but close knit family. Mum and Dad, 3 older sisters and 1 younger brother, all squashed in a small house. There is a big age gap between the older sisters (because of the liberation war.) It was a typical traditional set up. Mum was the home maker and dad worked for an engineering company. We did not have much in the way of stuff but we ate well and felt safe and loved. I no longer like to describe my childhood as poor, because we had more than most and we had each other.
We were able to have conversations and jokes with our parents. Up to now I can have a natter and gossip with mum. Don’t get me wrong, she would not hesitate to mete out African mum discipline if you misplaced your manners. She is very easily tickled by funny stories, which helps because dad, in the privacy of home was a joker. He taught me how to play card games, fill out the crosswords and do “Target” a puzzle that was at the back of the Chronicle newspaper. He was a socialist at heart and I grew up with what might be considered controversial views of Castro and Gorbachev. He died in 2007 and I still miss him terribly.
I was a scrawny, loud and energetic little thing. Mum strongly encouraged we stick together. My sisters were avid readers so they read my brother and I dramatic and sometimes scary stories. This made me a voracious reader. I read a lot and I read EVERYTHING, including the books my sisters hid under the mattress. I read Jane Eyre for the first time when I was 11. It is still my favourite novel, mostly due to the sentimental attachment. When they all flew the nest, they helped out with pocket money, social activities, clothes etc. I then went to two girls’ boarding schools for my entire high school (6 years) where I made the most awesome friends and happy memories.
Growing up, did you imagine you would do the things you’ve been able to do in your life?
Not in a million years! I was always a dreamer and fantasist and spent countless hours lost in books and my imagination. I dreamed of visiting places but they seemed so far-fetched. Sometimes as I drift off to sleep I say to myself, “I can’t believe this is my life.”
So far, what are you most proud of achieving in your life?
I managed to fulfil my intention to read the entire bible for myself. It took me 10 months and renewed my faith. I also completed a full time Master’s degree in a completely new subject area (Business) while also working full time as a community nurse and graduated with merit. I almost lost my mind from exhaustion but I actually showed myself what you can do when you decide to make things happen. I’m also proud that I successfully climbed and summited Mount Kilimanjaro. I launched a business during a pandemic and built my own website, work still in progress.
What are you currently working on?
I own a gift shop that sells products with an African “flavour.” I want people to be able to get good quality gifts, made by or designed by Africans at an affordable price. I launched in October 2020 and have been overwhelmed by the response. I have already had customers in America, Australia and of course the UK. I’ve recently been accepted at my former University’s (University of London) flagship pioneer 2.0 programme for entrepreneurs so I am very excited at the prospect of mentorship and scaling my business. I also run a shoe and candy business with my cousin Lolo in Zimbabwe. I have a much bigger project in the works and it is a few years away from fruition but it is in the pipeline.
What did you do before starting your own business?
I worked as a nurse.
What made you decide to start a business? How did you come up with the idea and why that particular business?
I started this shop because in England, this is the shop I was looking for but could never find easily. For example, one Christmas, we were putting up and decorating our Christmas tree and traditionally a star or an angel goes on top of the tree but that year I wanted a black angel doll, because why not? My fiancé then set out looking for a black angel and managed to find one in Canada and have it shipped and it ended up costing more than the tree itself! It should not be that hard to get things like this if we want to embed representation of diversity in all aspects of life. We must naturalise diversity. So a seed was sown.
My signature best seller mugs were developed from a smart answer I used to give people when they asked me what my accent was as they couldn’t place it. I’d say, “It’s not an accent, just Zim flavoured English” and they would laugh and diffuse the tension that may come from these awkward questions.
Have you ever started other businesses and how did it go?
This is not my first Rodeo. I have had many false starts and disasters and moderate successes over the past decade. My very first foray into entrepreneurship started when I was doing my nurse training back in 2002. Before Amazon, Etsy, even Google, there was EBay. I sold children’s toys and second hand shoes I’d bought cheaply from sales and then sold. I also sold grown up novels that I would not be caught dead reading or selling now (Think 50 shades of Grey.) I was getting requests from America and the UK and I’d get the bus to this shop that sold them, then I’d resell them. I eventually didn’t have time due to the demands of nurse training plus I had no business sense, I spent the money as fast as I got it. I then tried reselling clothes and underwear. I did this several times, despite losing money. It was disheartening and when you run out of all your money, I will not gloss over the feeling of failure that can hit you.
But the mark of an entrepreneur is that: no matter how long or how devastating the fall, you regroup and start again. I decided to be more intentional about my business, be more organised, arm myself with knowledge and understanding, invest in myself so I gritted my teeth and enrolled in MSc Management with International Business and Development. The modules excited me and I can guarantee you they were worth it. Some people have a natural flair for business and some need a little bit of help. I needed a little bit of help. I am not ashamed to say that. I needed a structured programme to help me understand financial statements, investing in shares, JIT, marketing, loan amortisation, International trade etc. I currently source most of my products from Africa and work with one graphic designer in Argentina and another in Zimbabwe to conceptualise my ideas and terrible drawings. It is important for me to understand things I’d never considered before.
Are you currently working on other things as well, if yes, what?
As an Alumni of the University of London I have been recently accepted on their flagship Pioneer 2 programme to help me grow my business. I’m excited by this chapter and the opportunity for mentorship. I will also be starting a blog on my online shop (lyutopia.co.uk) and this should tap into that creative side of me that has lain dormant for quite some time.
What do you enjoy about running your own business?
The joy I feel with each and every purchase. The hours up late at night individually packaging all the products for my customers. The satisfaction for my customers. Providing people with something that cheers them up or makes them feel good. And obviously the satisfaction of getting paid for doing something you’re actually enjoying. Nothing related to the business stresses me in the same way I have been stressed in the past. I don’t feel powerless even if things go haywire, that feeling of knowing that this is all on me is something that I enjoy.
What have you found to be difficult or challenging as a business owner?
Currently, the biggest challenge has been building brand awareness and therefore, scaling up. This is one of my big priorities this year. Sometimes it is difficult to let go or to park a concept or design because your vision is bigger and faster than the pace at which everyone else is moving at.
How has COVID-19 affected your business and what have you learned as a result?
I launched my business during COVID-19 so in some respects the associated problems are part of my reality. Courier services have been impacted meaning customers getting their goods late and on some occasions I have had to resend a different purchase with different couriers so a client can get it in time for a birthday or Christmas etc. High quality photography is difficult to access for website pictures due to the minimal contact rules of social distancing. Some of my products are in storage awaiting professional photography. Plus some of my products are best showcased when people are out and about. I’ve had to introduce lounge wear, products best used at home, etc.
I learnt that people want things that make them feel good, things that they can use and they feel are worth parting with their money, now more than ever.
If someone wanted to start their own business, what insights would you give them?
Procrastination is the devil. The sooner you meet the challenges and stumble and fall, and tackle them, the better. Because the learning does not stop. I’d also say be prepared to cancel out the negative noise, sometimes even the people who care about you are not able to see what you are seeing and may plant their own fear in you. They are not necessarily haters or intent on discouraging you, they are just not you. Be brave, research, and Start!
What role, if any, has social media played in running your business?
I’m slowly working on this as it will ultimately allow scalability. I did some paid advertising for one product on Instagram and Facebook and it brought customers to my website and resulted in sales. So when I have a more sleek advertising campaign In Summer 2021, I’ll be firmly rooted in social media. It is without doubt more effective at targeted marketing and the somewhat disconcerting growth of the internet of things. At some point, some of my products will need to evolve along with smart homes, smart fashion and it is inescapable. However, for as long as possible, handmade, quirky products will be my main stay.
Have you ever failed at something or not achieved what you hoped for? If yes, what happened and how did you handle the situation?
Yes. When I was doing my nurse training, I set myself a goal to be a Nurse Manager before I turned 30. I achieved this goal at 29. And to my shock and horror, I discovered that I did not enjoy the role at all. I was so miserable. My idealistic and optimistic outlook was utterly crushed and it affected my wellness, happiness, and confidence. It was a poisoned golden chalice. I did a good job, but I knew I could do better but the organisational structures and environment were not fertile enough to allow me to grow. I had been promoted from a clinical role to a managerial role with zero mentorship. I somehow had to suddenly understand how to make a budget of £1.2 million work. It sounds like a lot of money. With 30 staff, and a ward of 18 men, it was not! I really liked my staff but after 3 years I had to let it go.
I remember bumping into a very good friend of mine I hadn’t seen in a while and he said, “My goodness you look so old. You need a break.” I was constantly tense and waiting for the phone to ring even on weekends. I was not ok. So I requested a 3 month sabbatical. This meant no income. I pivoted. I went to another branch of community nursing which allowed autonomy, freedom and actually helped patients and inexplicably earned twice what I had been earning! I would never have done this move had it not been for this major setback. I was happier for it, but for a while I felt like a failure. I also realised I wanted more and something different; and the entrepreneurial spirit was re-awakened.
What places have you travelled to?
I have been to a lot of places and not enough. The older I have grown, the more concern and love I have for the environment and climate change so I may have to be more cautious in the future. For example, Venice canals, have for the first time in years, fish swimming as the pollution levels reduced. I cried when I saw the footage. When I went there, as magical as Venice was, the water was murky and you have to wonder, what am I doing to the earth?
I’ve been to New York, LA, Rhodes (Greek Island,) Turkey, Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti (Tanzania,) Cancun (Mexico,) Sharm el-Sheik (Egypt,) Scotland, Cyprus, Amsterdam & The Hague (Netherlands,) Brussels & Bruges (Belgium,) Berlin and Munich (Germany,) San Pedro del Pinatar (Spain,) Vic Falls, Matopo, Inyanga (Zimbabwe,) Livingstone (Zambia,) Botswana, Drakensburg & Ballito (South Africa,) Venice (Italy,) and Hong Kong.
What did you love about the places you’ve travelled to?
I love everything about travel. From the anticipation when you check in your luggage at the airport to using Google translate to order food and even the disasters of being stuck in a Spanish town at sunset and realising there is no Uber service or on one occasion needing a speedboat ambulance to rescue your friend from a cruise boat. It is all learning, experiencing new things and testing your own limits and pushing you out of your comfort zone. I rarely regret any travel.
What have you learned from your travel experiences?
I learnt we definitely have more in common than what separates us. And that most people are friendly and curious. I’ve rarely had any bad experiences when travelling, even on my own. The worst was Egypt and Haartesbeerspoort in South Africa but they were distinct outliers. Hong Kong was a revelation. I went to a friend’s wedding. Although I was there for the groom, I was invited to join the bride and her bridesmaids for the pre-wedding customs. The maid of honour was Chinese English so she helped to translate and explain the traditions and I still feel so honoured to have been privy to such a special moment. Their rituals are very similar to the lobola proceedings.
On my first night, my friend’s mum prepared a very expensive dish called Poon choi which was a mix of various meats and sea food and we all sat around this massive bowl and ate in little bowls. I made a decision there and then not to ask what was in the dish until I had eaten. Some of the ingredients looked disconcerting but it was so delicious and I discovered I really like Abalone (sea snail.) If I’d known what is was prior to eating I’d have probably refused and offended my friend’s mum. I tried loads of food. The wedding banquet itself was 10 courses! It truly was an honour to be so immersed in non-touristy activity. I spent time with my friend and her family as well as on my own exploring Hong Kong. I learnt to use chop sticks on this trip because I got so tired of asking for a fork. To top it off, I met my fiancé a week after I got back from Hong Kong.
What has been the best place you’ve visited and why?
I went on a holiday to Victoria Falls with my mum just the two of us. It was by far one of the best holidays of my entire life. We experienced superb service, mum was treated like a queen. Just to have that bonding time with her and spoil her rotten was special. I was proud of the Zimbabwean owned Lodge that organised all our shuttles, tours and activities.
But special mention goes to Kilimanjaro, just spectacular breath-taking wondrous nature.
The Drakensburg as well. My first holiday with my fiancé, we hired a car from Centurion and drove from Johannesburg to Drakensburg, then to Ballito. The long walks, walking on the beach in Ballito at night, staying in very basic surfers’ accommodation with lizards and all sorts and no locks on the doors. One of the best trips. And yes, we felt safe in South Africa, which apparently is not a thing.
Do you have any people you consider role models? (Living or passed on) If yes please name 3.
These are people I admire, who inspire me:
Florence Mangena Nyathi – for her resilience, faith, patience and overflowing love.
Jacinda Ardern, the New Zealand Prime Minister – she is compassionate, strong, confident, a clear thinker, unafraid and humane.
Serena Williams – she is unapologetic, powerful and a winner.
What 3 books have played a role in your personal development and growth?
May sound off beat but bear with me:
- He’s just not that into you by Greg Behrendt & Liz Tuccillo. This book completely changed my relationships with men and what I accepted and did not accept in relationships. It resulted in me having better quality relationships and it also meant I was able to wait for the right person as opposed to suffer in aimless situations. As a result it took me until 33 to meet my fiancé. It freed me from toxic situations and I avoided red flags. We’re getting married this year.
- Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds by Charles Mackay, published in 1841. It explores crowd psychology, economic bubbles, financial scams, dodgy bankers, the crusades, politics, witch persecutions and a vast array of topics chronicling the behaviour of mankind. I could not put it down. If felt so contemporary and familiar. For every “madness” I could find a modern day equivalent hundreds of years later. It made me more circumspect and calmer regarding politics and financial crises etc. Humans always have a way of see sense eventually. Until it all starts again. It feels painful when we’re living in it but in terms of history, a hundred years is just a tiny dot in time. No point in fretting. Make the most of life, change what you can, be careful not to be swept up in the madness of crowds and don’t fret about that which you cannot change.
- The NIV Bible.
For someone at the beginning of pursuing their dreams, what book would you recommend?
Remember that the people who write books are people too. Not everything will resonate with you, so exploration is vital. I personally would start with the book that helps your spiritual growth and self-awareness before you pursue any of the others. In 2009 I read Unlimited Power by Tony Robbins and it still resonates today.
Are you in any way or form taking care of or feeding your spirit, body and soul? If yes, how are you doing that?
I have always enjoyed baking, I find the process and the smells very therapeutic. However, in 2020 I fully committed to gardening and got my hands and knees dirty and planted, nurtured, watered plants and it is one of the best feelings ever to use herbs from your own garden as opposed to buying from the supermarket. I take walks, listen to sermons on YouTube, read books, spend time with my fiancé and my cats and invariably these are the things that keep me grounded and happy.
How do you show yourself love, if you do that?
I’m working on this. Trying to eat well. Move more.
If you were to be well known for something, what would you want it to be? Or how would you want to be remembered at the end of your life?
Kind, generous, loving business woman, running an ethical progressive and socially responsible business and making the people I love feel loved.
What life lessons or thoughts would you like to leave the reader with?
- Success means different things to different people and it’s ok if your idea of success is different from others. You need to define what success looks like for you. Harriet Tubman, Chinua Achebe, Oprah, Mary Seacole and Einstein, although different, are/were all very successful people.
- Never stop learning.
- Choose your support network wisely. The people you expend your energy and emotions on are very important, so choose wisely. If you frequently have to diminish or minimise important aspects of yourself, like your faith, if you have to hide, or reduce your dreams and ambitions around them just to get along, those people are probably not really your friends. They are just people you know.
To access Lyuba Nyathi’s work and products, you can go to: lyutopia.co.uk.
