Against the backdrop of uncertainty, Prince Mukanyawu has woven a narrative of hope, determination, and the unyielding pursuit of excellence. Born in Bulawayo and raised in the suburban neighborhoods of Chitungwiza and Chinhoyi, Prince’s early life wasn’t wrapped in privilege or ease.
He was the firstborn in a family of six, where responsibility and hard work were embedded into his daily existence. It was these formative years, where he learned the value of hard work, sacrifice, and responsibility, that laid the foundation for the remarkable entrepreneur he is today.
Growing up in a family where finances were tight, Prince’s path to success wasn’t a smooth one. “Having come from a disadvantaged background, I had to work as a temporary teacher to raise fees for university in 2010,” he recalls. That tenacity was key in shaping his journey, as he later pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Consumer Science and Retail Management from Chinhoyi University of Technology, graduating in 2015. But his journey wasn’t just confined to the classroom. He was already navigating the corporate world, gathering experience in roles that would eventually pave the way for his entrepreneurial spirit to soar.
Turning a Side Hustle into a Full-Time Venture
His career began at Kingdom Bank as a Community Banker, followed by a role at First Mutual Life as a commissioned insurance sales agent. It was during this time that the wheels for his entrepreneurial endeavors began to turn. He later took on his first managerial position as Branch Manager at Nhaka Life in 2015, and in 2017, he moved to Zimnat Life as Manager for Agribusiness. These experiences offered invaluable insights into business operations, client relations, and the essential qualities needed to build something from the ground up. But Prince’s true passion began to emerge in an entirely different arena—vehicle sales.
In 2016, he launched his first venture into the world of automobiles as a side hustle. “We would buy cars at ZIMRA auctions for less, fix them, then sell them at a small markup,” he explains. This modest start would later evolve into his full-time business, where his instincts for what people wanted in a vehicle and his experience in business management converged.
His company, currently headquartered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with operations in Zimbabwe, specializes in a comprehensive array of services, including vehicle sales, importation, fleet consultancy, vehicle clearance, and service broking. His passion for creating a legacy for his family and simplifying the vehicle purchasing process was the driving force behind his decision to specialize in pre-owned vehicles. “I vowed to be the trusted car dealer of pre-owned vehicles, ensuring we source clean vehicles on behalf of our clients,” Prince says.
Innovation and Adaptation in a Volatile Market
The journey, however, was far from easy. In a country like Zimbabwe, where the business landscape can be volatile and unpredictable, Prince had to remain agile to survive. “Zimbabwe’s business environment is always evolving, and the VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) conditions make it difficult to plan long-term,” he says. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he adapted quickly, pivoting to online sales and introducing creative strategies like the “SALE IT WHILST DRIVING FEATURE” to encourage customers to sell their vehicles through his platform. Despite these challenges, his business remained resilient, and his strategic vision for growth began to take shape.
One of the biggest hurdles he had to overcome was access to affordable funding. With Zimbabwe’s currency distortion and rising inflation, borrowing from local banks wasn’t a feasible option. Prince and his team had to think outside the box. “To mitigate access to cheap funding, we implemented owner financing, structuring flexible payment terms with vehicle owners,” he explains. By registering his operations in the UAE, where capital is more accessible, Prince was able to secure expansion funds at far more favorable rates. This innovation enabled his business to grow while minimizing the financial risks associated with borrowing.
Sustainability and Growth Beyond Borders
His success, though still in the making, is already inspiring. While he is working toward a major success story that will stand as a testament to his efforts, Prince continues to make waves in the industry. Apart from his work with his company, he’s also deeply passionate about the future of electric vehicles (EVs) in Zimbabwe. As an advocate for sustainability, he’s invested in efforts to promote the adoption of EVs in his home country. “The government’s decision to reduce import duty for electric vehicles in the 2025 National Budget is a huge win,” he says, noting that the initiatives will provide the needed infrastructure to accelerate the transition to greener cars.
But what is perhaps most remarkable about Prince is his understanding of leadership and entrepreneurship. Through it all—the struggles, the successes, and the challenges—he’s come to realize that constant evolution and persistence are key. “Starting a business is not easy, running it and keeping it afloat is not easy, growing it is not easy,” he reflects. “But if I really want to leave an impact and live life without limits, I have to constantly show up and do the tough work which most people are not willing to do.”
Prince’s words of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs are straightforward yet profound. “Start with what you have and implement a small profit quick return method,” he advises. He believes that the compounding effect of small gains can eventually lead to significant success. But above all, trust and ethics are paramount in this business. “What makes or breaks you in this industry is TRUST. Stand for something, and don’t betray the trust you’ve earned,” he says, emphasizing the importance of maintaining integrity.
His entrepreneurial journey has not just been about financial gain but about leaving a legacy—a testament to the power of vision, hard work, and unwavering belief in oneself. As Prince Mukanyawu continues to carve his path, his story will undoubtedly inspire others to rise above their circumstances and follow their own entrepreneurial dreams. In the words of Prince himself, “You need to be prayerful to remain sane”—a reminder that no matter how tough the journey, resilience and faith will carry you through.
