At Elevate Your Style, we believe expression is about fashion and how you show up in the world, how you create impact, and how you leave your mark. In this edition of our community spotlight, we sat down with Kurtis Mpundu, founder and director behind Labour Tech Recruitment and Ark Empire. His journey shows resilience, vision, and community, offering lessons for anyone daring to turn passion into purpose.
Here’s our conversation.
Q: What first inspired you to step into the world of start-ups and talent building, and how has that journey shaped you?
A: “I’ve always been fascinated by people and potential. Talent is at the heart of every successful business, and early on I saw how the right person in the right place could transform outcomes. Taking over Labour Tech Recruitment at 27 was a huge leap. It gave me the chance to build something with my own stamp while respecting its 20+ year legacy. Since then, stepping into start-ups, tech, and even side projects has shown me that building talent and building businesses are two sides of the same coin. It’s shaped me into someone who thrives on creating opportunities and connecting people to futures bigger than they imagined.”
Q: Entrepreneurship often comes with a lot of uncertainty. What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced while running your ventures, and how did you overcome it?
A: “One of the toughest challenges was dealing with setbacks that were out of my control like when a bank error delayed payments to staff, which created knock-on costs and stress. Moments like that test your resilience. I overcame it by staying transparent, taking accountability, and focusing on solutions instead of blame. Over time, I’ve learned to build systems, diversify revenue, and keep calm in chaos. That mindset has been key to survival and growth.”
Q: Many young people admire founders but don’t always see the behind-the-scenes grind. What does an ‘average day’ look like for you as a founder and director?
A: “There’s no such thing as ‘average’ as a founder but most days are a mix of strategy, people, and firefighting. Mornings might start with checking in on candidates or clients, afternoons could be business development calls, and evenings often mean catching up on planning or networking events. Somewhere in there you have to try and keep fit, spend quality time with loved ones, and squeeze in football. It’s a constant juggle, but the variety keeps me alive.”
Q: At Elevate Your Style, we’re all about expression and community. Even though you’re not primarily in fashion, how has being part of this community influenced you personally or professionally?
A: “Being around Elevate Your Style has reminded me that business isn’t just about transactions, it’s about identity and belonging. I may not be in fashion, but I connect deeply with the idea of using your work, your brand, or even your presence to express who you are. Personally, it’s pushed me to embrace my own style more openly. I previously would wear things to fit in with the crowd, but since being part of the EYS community and seeing people embrace who they are, it really let me express myself without thought, a new sense of confidence, if you like! Professionally, it reinforces that community is the real currency, as a young Black director or an entrepreneur building across different industries.”
Q: A lot of people in our community are creatives, dreamers, or aspiring entrepreneurs. What advice would you give someone trying to turn their passion into a sustainable business?
A: “Start small but make sure you do start, that’s half of the journey! Passion is the fuel, but structure is the engine. Test your idea, get feedback, and don’t be afraid of failure, it’s just data. Surround yourself with people who know more than you, and learn to balance vision with execution. And remember, sustainability isn’t just money in the bank, it’s building something that can run without you one day.”
Q: Looking ahead, what’s your vision for Ark Empire, for Labour Tech Recruitment, and for yourself personally? And how do you hope to inspire or give back to communities like ours?
A: “For Labour Tech, the vision is to keep scaling, expanding across the UK and into EMEA, and blending traditional recruitment with tech-driven solutions. Ark Empire, for me, is the bigger picture. This is my holding company, which is an ecosystem where cashflow, AI, sport, and community projects all connect. Personally, I want to keep building platforms, whether that’s helping young footballers in Zambia, supporting charities, or mentoring entrepreneurs, to show that you can come from humble beginnings and still create a global impact. My hope is to inspire by action: by showing that persistence, integrity, and community-first thinking really can change lives.”
In his words, success isn’t about titles or quick wins but it’s about resilience, community, and the courage to start. At Elevate Your Style, we’re proud to highlight voices like Kurtis', which remind us that personal expression and business vision go hand-in-hand. His story is proof that with persistence and purpose, anyone can build something bigger than themselves.
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