Coming from a divorce with nothing but a phone to founding Zimbabwe's premier fashion brand, Kate Muchena's journey shows how determination and vision can transform life's lemons into entrepreneurial success
Life gave Kate Muchena lemons—and plenty of them. Married at 19, a mother by 20, and divorced at 24, Kate walked away from an abusive marriage with nothing but her cell phone and national identity card. She fought fiercely for custody of her daughter while facing the harsh realities of being both uneducated and unemployed.
Today, Kate stands as the proud owner and founder of Ms. Kate Incorporated, a rising star in Zimbabwe's fashion industry. Her company operates through two distinct divisions: Ms. Kate Corporate and Ms. Kate Personalised Shopping.
The corporate arm specializes in branded corporate wear for organizations. Despite being a relative newcomer with just three years in the industry, Ms. Kate Corporate already outfits major clients like F.C. Platinum and two other teams in the Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League. Meanwhile, the personalized shopping division offers individual customers an unparalleled experience. Shopping is strictly by appointment—no walk-ins allowed—ensuring a hassle-free environment. Clients enjoy undivided attention from staff, complimentary Wi-Fi, and refreshments during their visit. Behind these impressive achievements lies a remarkable journey of resilience and determination.
In 2013, fresh from her divorce, Kate's cousin in South Africa invited her for a visit—a chance to escape her troubles and heal. As her stay drew to a close, the cousin offered to buy Kate new clothes to replace what she'd lost in the divorce. Kate, however, had a different idea: she requested items she could resell back home instead. Those few items sold profitably, opening the door to cross-border trading.
"Although I was building towards my dream, I didn't have a solid business model. I had to do what brought food to the table and what gave me quick returns," Kate explains.
After seven months of cross-border trading, Kate pivoted to selling second-hand clothes (mabhero), which seemed more lucrative. Later, responding to alcohol scarcity in Zimbabwe, she switched again to importing liquor from South Africa. These ventures helped her accumulate significant capital, which she then invested in importing clothes from Tanzania—a grueling six-day bus journey that would have deterred less committed entrepreneurs.
"I had a notebook where I would write down my vision," Kate reveals. "I would state my goals with time frames so that I could be accountable to myself. The Bible says write your vision and make it plain. At times it felt silly writing everything down because there was no money to match the dream."
Initially operating from her residence to provide clients with personalized shopping experiences, Kate simultaneously pursued acting, appearing on national television shows like Wenera, Outrage, and ZimTales. The media exposure and client referrals boosted her business, leading to the official registration of Ms. Kate Incorporated in 2016.
Kate has since restructured her business, taking the personalized shopping division online to concentrate on corporate wear. She identified a critical gap in how businesses presented themselves through uniforms. "Most businesses are good at what they do but do not have the image to support what they're trying to sell. A uniform says a lot about the organization being represented," she observes.
Drawing inspiration from American filmmaker Ava DuVernay, Kate strives for excellence regardless of gender. "Ava's films are world standard; she doesn't hold back because she's a woman. What I learn from her is that my work should be loved because I'm good at it, not because I'm a woman." Kate remains hands-on in her business—meeting clients personally and inspecting all uniforms before delivery. "I am the visionary behind my business and cannot fully delegate the vision," she asserts.
Kate also finds inspiration in local entrepreneurs like George Munengwa of Pro-Air, admiring his commitment to both family and business, and musician Jah Prayzah for his dedication to his craft.
Looking ahead, Kate envisions Ms. Kate Corporate becoming synonymous with corporate wear in Zimbabwe within five years. She aims to dress "all, not a few" and hopes to produce all designs locally. Grounded in her faith, Kate considers God her father and provider, and encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to believe in themselves despite inevitable challenges.
"You take the first steps in business by yourself; people might not believe in your idea at first. If you invest your time, effort, and have faith in something, it is never a waste," she advises.
For Kate, financial freedom has been the sweetest reward. "I came from a place where I could not afford to buy myself anything at all. Now that I have financial freedom, I do not want to go back to that situation. If I start getting weary, a thought of poverty gives me energy to get out of bed and work."
Life gave Kate Muchena lemons—and she didn't just make lemonade. She built an empire.
