This is drawn from her belief that a service or product cannot be excellent if elements within it are not.
“Rightly defined, excellence plays a part in infusing and upholding my integrity as a businesswoman and I always ensure that excellence is the essence of how my business operates,” said Nyakudya, now based in the UK where she has been Director of Cayenne Occasions, a multifaceted events management company for three years.
Catering for corporate, social and cultural events, her company specialises in creating bespoke luxurious cakes that demonstrate her inspiration and extraordinary home-baking expertise.
“These cakes are only for those who truly appreciate excellent quality and design,” added Nyakudya, who also advocates genuine and sustainable marketing strategies.
“Many business people have become skilled in pushing public relations and marketing far beyond what the customer receives at the end of the line, but these two ought to reflect exactly what the customer receives”.
“Personally, I would rather see more business people working on quality improvement far beyond their focus on enticing customers,” she said.
Besides her business excellence, she is also deeply involved in the fight for women’s empowerment, especially because she has been at the receiving end of abuse by a man.
Before she migrated to the UK in 1998, she was a victim of domestic violence and abuse for many years, perpetrated by her husband of the time.
“My survival alongside my two children is testimony of the amazing reality of God and His redemptive power. At an unexpected time, He made a way for me and the children to be free from that ordeal,” said the former hair dresser and secretary for a Harare-based company, who also managed events and assisted her mother run her cake-making business while still in Zimbabwe.
“It is because of that life experience that I have dedicated my time to assisting women and children of diverse backgrounds to pursue the fullness of abundant life after being affected by this grave pandemic. Cayenne Occasions was also birthed out of my defiant determination to be a high achiever despite the destruction this episode had presented.”
To Nyakudya, a true Zimbabwean woman is one who firstly recognises and lives out the invaluable role of the woman in the family, society, culture and government.
“The importance of women has been marred for centuries, hence they are degraded in the circles of life,” she said.
“The dignity of womanhood needs to be resurrected, esteemed and protected. A Zimbabwean woman is a strategic leader in whatever sphere. She is courageous, hardworking and very strong, while recognising the true virtues of life, be it justice, morality, wisdom or humility.
“A Zimbabwean woman has a big motherly heart, filled with a love for people, and rejoices when she sees them excel to their full potential. Without missing out the importance of fearing God, a Zimbabwean woman is a great mentor, as she imparts integrity and purposefulness.
“I long to see more and more Zimbabweans commit to noble initiatives, internationally and back home. The potential is great and only needs to be nurtured and protected,” she said.
“There is unmatchable pride in being Zimbabwean that we may not fully realise. We are a nation of great pioneers. In the Diaspora, the struggle for excellence can be won through dedication to self- improvement and empowerment, initially. A group of successful individuals builds a successful and empowered society – despite the many diverse challenges we all face.”
In 2012, Nyakudya was recognised among the 50 most amazing personalities by International and Inspirational People, an initiative of former beauty queen, Rosemary Chileshe, which profiles and celebrates amazing personalities.
“There is always another step to climb or an avenue to explore and because of that, I will soldier on in the business world. Cayenne Occasions is set to expand in competitiveness and accomplishments. Plans are in motion for a number of international conferences, concerts and even sports matches. It is rare to find a Zimbabwean led Event Management Company that draws such large numbers of indigenous people,” she said. – for more see: www.cayenneoccasions.com
Post published in: Lifestyle