Kitchen-Link Private Limited chief executive officer Richard Muchaka is passionate about family and he reckons his high regard for the marriage institution was the biggest motivator for him to venture into the home and office decor line of business.
By Takemore Mazuruse
Now employing 30 workers and servicing the whole of Zimbabwe with remarkable forays into the regional market, Muchaka’s Kitchen-Link venture has become a resounding success and the man derives value from bringing the “home” into his clients’ houses, while giving impetus to every business through creating a professional feel to their working environment.
“The love for family is life’s greatest gift and I am happy to say my desire to bring a unique aura of beauty in many people’s homes gave birth to this fledging Kitchen-Link business,” Muchaka told The Standard Style.
“I have always been blessed with a business acumen but Kitchen-Link was directly born out of a desire to bring the beauty into many homes around Zimbabwe and beyond.”
The company, which started in 2012, has become the brand of choice, specialising in fitted kitchens, wardrobes, bathroom cupboards, office partitioning and other tailor-made services that are done to perfection. Plans are already underway to make forays into the regional market.
Muchaka, who is not new to the world of business, reckons the quality of their services has given them an edge over their competitors and they continue thriving where giants falter.
“Nothing stands in the way of a man who knows where they are going and as Kitchen-Link, we are very particular about the quality of our workmanship,” he said.
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“Our finishing is rare and to the point. You would also notice that we have different colours compared to our competition because where others cut corners to minimise costs, we go the extra mile and even import our materials where need be so that we produce convincing and durable products.”
For a man who at some point had to sell some of his properties to acquire machinery for his business, Muchaka has indeed come far and he believes his Kitchen-Link brand will live for generations to come.
“This has not been easy to come. It has been a long walk with many challenges, trials and tribulations but what kept the dream alive is the desire to make a difference. Like the wise posit, having somewhere to go is home, having someone to love is family and having both is a blessing,” he said.
“Kitchen-Link products are therefore our unique contribution to the marriage institution. Where many families stutter, I believe those that have the beauty of Kitchen-Link products in their homes are kept going. The same applies for businesses that have our finishing in their offices. You just can’t go wrong with our products.”
The Kitchen-Link boss also revealed that he is inspired by his family’s support. Married to Privilege and blessed with four children and another addition on the way, Muchaka said he will continue to give his all; if not for his loving family then to the satisfaction of his valued customers.
“I am blessed to have married a woman who understands me and is very supportive of my dreams. Where others may have been unfortunate to have pessimists and queens of doubt as partners, I am happy to say God favoured me with a wife who believes in dreaming and seizing opportunities as they arise. Challenges don’t deter us, but rather they spur us,” Muchaka said.
While many businesses are struggling owing to the challenging economic environment, Muchaka revealed that at Kitchen-Link they have chosen to stay positive and remain steadfast in the face of adversity and the results have been more than encouraging.
“An old adage says ‘we may all be in the gutter but some are looking at the stars’ and that to me sums our approach to business. At Kitchen-Link, we believe in developing and outdoing our potential. Yes, it may not be all rosy but because we strive to satisfy and give our clientele the best, we keep winning. We already have an ambitious project on the way and we believe many offices and homes will be testimony to the refined touch of Kitchen-Link home and office décor,” he said.
The warm-hearted Muchaka whose Kitchen-Link business’ pay-off line is “Kitchen-Link, the home of expert kitchen decors”, also had some advice for aspiring business people, emphasising that whatever they ardently desire and enthusiastically act upon will inevitably come to pass.
“What man has done, man can do and what man conceives, he can achieve. I want to encourage all aspiring business people to be confident and have self-belief. Don’t fear taking the leap. Yes, challenges may come but where there is a will there is a way and for those of faith, remember where there is a man to pray there is a God to answer,” he said.
Muchaka is indeed a living testimony to the notion that small beginnings must never be despised. For a man who grew up in the high-density suburb of Mabvuku and started off in the transport business, running some commuter omnibus business, his Kitchen-Link empire has continued to rise and the fleet of cars, trucks and the happy clientele bears testimony to his hunger for success.
