We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sikhumbuzo Moyo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sikhumbuzo, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?

Back in 2019 I had to relocate to Atlanta from Indiana, with 3 months notice because my college was suddenly shut down and my only option to further my education was to relocate to their closest branch.

I had planned my move pretty well I had saved up a little bit of money and my business then, Sweetest Taco was doing pretty well.

Sweetest Taco was a holistic health business that specialized in women’s intimate products. Which I only spent $300 I had saved up from working at the airport to launch.

Before my move I took a trip to South Africa to go see my then boyfriend. My plan was to secure my accommodation while I was away and then move in when I come back. Not very wise, I know lol.

The first day I arrived he beat me up to a pulp and broke two bones. A week later he dragged me on the road while the car was moving. He threatened me to drop the charges against him because he claimed it would cost him $2 to get me killed. One night when I was out with a friend some girls randomly attacked me and stabbed me in the arm.

I was so devastated. I felt my life scrumbling before my eyes. On the other hand I had to pause my business because my mother didn’t want my sister working for me anymore. My savings were exhausted on medical expenses and my upkeep. I had no income whatsoever.

The time came for me to move to Atlanta and I only had $40 in my account one functioning arm, and heavy heart from all the traumatic experiences from abuse I had endured all my life. The $40 didn’t even make it to the house because I had to stop and pour gas to drive all the way to Lawrenceville.

I blamed myself for everything. I wish I knew better then. But I was still stuck in my 14 year old self that was sent to school with blue eyes, bald patches and scars all over and still blamed myself for the evil others inflicted on me.

A friend of mine introduced me to a lady who was looking for a house mate and she agreed accommodate me for a month, while I looked for a job so I could help with the bills.

She was a lovely lady, never made me feel out of place. Although she had some concerning tendencies. It was nothing I couldn’t handle.

I got a job that didn’t pay much and it didn’t help that they only gave me 3 days of work a week. My business was extremely slow as I had lost a lot customers.

Ramadan came although I am Christian I joined the fast for the first seven days. I had never been dedicated to praying and fasting. The comfort I had been longing for all my life had finally manifested. I felt a void being filled. My daily bread was the word of God and still is. The Bible was speaking to me. Every random verse I opened spoke about my situation and how it will change for the better.

A couple of days after my fast I was sleeping and I started hearing beeps from Shopify store from people ordering. It was one beep after another I had no choice but to wake up. Upon checking my phone I had plus or minus a hundred orders. I fell on my knees and weeped like a baby. It wasn’t by my power or wisdom but by Gods favor and grace. In less than a month I had made twenty five thousand dollars. It felt like a dream.

Orders kept pouring in. I grew an amazing bond with some of my customers. Strangers I had never met before and still haven’t met became my family. I was supplying beauty spas and wholesaling to resellers. I met a lovely lady by the name Charity Nicole through my business who is a doula in Florida, amongst other amazing things she does. She might not know it but she was my pillar of strength. The kindness she showed me and my business was out of this world. Angels live amongst us and trust me she is one.

No matter what you go through in life never give up. God strips you out of your comfort to align you to your destiny.

Unfortunately had to dissolve Sweetest Taco during the COVID pandemic but God has blessed me with two other businesses Crowns of Sheba and Sk Luxury Auto.

I would like to encourage other professionals and entrepreneurs never to give up. Sometimes it may feel like you are carrying the Wall of Jericho on your back but trust me resilience and dedication will lead you to your greater purpose.

Sikhumbuzo, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Currently I own two businesses. Crowns of Sheba which is a luxury hair extension company, and Sk Luxury Auto which is an auto broking business. I have other side hustles here and there.

Although I have faced so many challenges in my life with little or no support whatsoever, I always knew I was destined for greatness and I will stop at nothing to get there.

One thing people will do is down play your achievements to make you feel small in hopes that you give up. Believe me when I tell you. Their opinion doesn’t matter one bit.

The most support I have received is from total strangers. I can count my friends on one hand who have bought or shared my businesses.

The name Crowns of Sheba was inspired by the boss lady in the Bible, Queen Sheba who came bearing gifts. Me on the other hand I come bearing the gift of hair extensions that exude luxury from every angle, carefully manufactured by skilled craftsmen using only the finest strands from human donors.

Most hair companies use mixed blend hair usually sourced from China hence their prices are as low as their quality.

In the future I would like to expand my brand to cater for all races and women from all walks of life. I have been touched by so many wonderful women’s stories some are battling with breast cancer and some alopecia, but one thing for sure is we are all beautiful in our unique way.

Sk Luxury Auto on the other hand, flips preowned cars from the auction. Saving customers thousands of dollars by knocking out the need for a car note. When people think auction cars they think salvage vehicles that are severely damaged.
Which is not the case. Some of the cars are repossessed cars which are in mint condition. That is where most dealerships source their cars.

I am very proud of how far I have come literally from dust and have worked hard to get here. I have never for one day felt like giving up and I will not because the sky is not even close to the limit.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson I have had to unlearn is that family and friends will always have your back through thick and thin.

What you wish for others might be not what they wish for you. I am very big on supporting my friends and family in whatever endeavors they choose to embark on. Whether small or big.

When my turn came I realized a lot of people around me fell back. Which was totally okey with me because with or without their support, the ball keeps rolling.

In my highs they are always in need of me or want something from me. When they can’t simply share or like my business content, or even give me words of encouragement.

It was after my near death experience that I realized that I was alone because when the hospital called my next of kin she said she was sleeping and never called back.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

To be very honest I have never spent a lump some of money to launch any of my businesses.

With Crowns of Sheba I started off drop shipping from my suppliers until I made enough money for storage, staff and inventory.

Sk Luxury Auto on the other hand I only spent money for the licensing requirements and I was good to go.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.crownsofsheba.com
• Instagram: @crownsofsheba
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sikhumbuzo-moyo-aab074139?trk=contact-info