A Tale of Passion and Purpose: Carol Nyazika

Starting a company is an absorbing roller coaster of emotions with remarkable highs and at times,

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difficult lows, but one thing that has always helped Carol Nyazika establish her business is persistence in pursuing her vision.

Carol Nyazika is the co-founder of the African Women’s Association (AWA), a project that raises profiles of women in Africa and create intra-trade within the continent, and is the founder of Ndanaka, the organic and natural beauty brand that consists of body, skin and hair care products which was launched early this year.

She has packaged herself as a complete influential brand that reaches people through all mediums of life, whether through the radio, television or print media. Her effort to reach clients through the expansion of her brand is what has made her a rising personality in the Zimbabwean community, at home and the diaspora.

As an advocate of both outer and inner beauty, she believes that financial security through entrepreneurship can be easily tackled through the confidence that is found in feeling good, both on the inside and the outside. This is what encouraged her to branch out her brand and became a Certified Consultant for Motives Cosmetics, a beauty product that motivates, empowers and encourages women to look their best while feeding their entrepreneurial spirit.

Nyazika’s influence in the beauty and branding world has been acknowledged by various print media such as The Journal in the UK, the Special Edition of Infinity Magazine, FAB magazine, Deck Magazine, Coquettes Magazine and was the cover girl for the December issue of Infinity Magazine. She also has a column on the biggest Zimbabwean lifestyle blog, Zimbo Jam, where she shares her beauty and hair advice through video tutorials.

Success, for her, is not just about winning and losing; it’s about every day hard work and about thriving on a challenge. Through her actions, she has managed to create a legacy that inspires fellow women to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, an indication of her leadership qualities.

Harare Magazine had meet with Carol Nyazika to hear more about her journey to success and the following is what she had to say:

HM: Who is Carol Nyazika?

CN: Carol Nyazika is an ambitious, forward thinking, hardworking, young woman.

HM: What did you want to be when you were growing up?

CN: I wanted to be psychiatrist at some point! Then I realized I wanted to leave a legacy with whatever I decided to do.

HM: Let’s talk about Ndanaka. How long has that been in the works?

CN: Since 2012. It’s been a long journey. It started off as a blog. I was answering people’s questions to what came naturally to me.

HM: What is your beauty secret?

CN: Good sleep!

HM: How important was the ethos of the brand—the idea of self-love, of girls and women coming together?

CN: The most important ethos for the brand is being the best version of yourself and embracing that. Once we know how to embrace and accept ourselves, the easier it is to appreciate other women.

HM: How do you feel about the role of a business-woman, running your own company?

CN: Being titled as a ‘business woman’ means you are forever trying to find the balance between accomplishing your goals and dreams with your personal life and fulfilling that side of your life too. Both areas require so much of you so finding the right balance is crucial.

HM: Can you enlighten us about your role as the UK Executive coordinator of Market United Kingdom?

CN: That was an exciting time. I coordinated the make-up brand with the influencers in the beauty industry in the UK. The brand went from unknown to a sort after brand and I was part of that growth. Watching a brand grow was motivating.

HM: What lessons did your parents teach you?

CN: I learnt a lot from my mother. The most important lesson was, “As long as you have your hands, your legs and brain, you can do anything, no matter how small. Do something, no matter how small, just don’t depend on someone for your existence.”

HM: What do you feel people don’t understand about who you really are, and about the message you have put forward with the African Woman Awards and Ndanaka?

CN: I don’t think people don’t understand per say. I believe people get it, they understand. They understand the importance of AWA and why it is important to know what other women are doing in Africa. As for Ndanaka, it is refreshing to see a local brand that can compete with international brands. So, I genuinely believe that people do understand.

HM: What do you want to accomplish within the next phase of your career?

CN: I am always evolving. I am always adding a layer on to what I am doing. It doesn’t matter how slow everything is moving, I believe that everything I want will come to pass. God perfects all that concerns me. The next phase is ensuring that both my brands are household names; that is what I am striving to accomplish in the next phase of my career.

HM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

CN: I love staying at home! I love my company. You will find me at home every day and I am OK with that!

HM: If you could go back in time, once, and change a single thing – what would it be?

CN: My degree.

What have you done that you are most proud to have achieved?

CN: Launching Ndanaka and watching how it has been well received.

How would you want to be remembered?

CN: I want to be remembered as someone who could start anything and managed to grow it to be internationally known and recognised. AWA has managed to do that. Ndanaka is next.

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