Hello Style Elevators,
Every now and then, it’s important to pause and look around, not at the clothes, not at the photos, but at the people, Movements aren’t measured by aesthetics, they’re measured by who people become within them. Today, we are spotlighting one of those stories.
Kurtis Mpundu is part of our community. Not as a fashion expert. Not as a stylist. But as a professional who found something deeper here: confidence, expression, belonging.
Last May, Kurtis brought us together at the Peterborough stadium for a novelty football match to raise funds. That moment said a lot to me, not just about leadership, but about ownership. When people feel aligned, they don’t just attend spaces. They create them.
Kurtis started in business early. At 27, he became commercial director of Labour Tech Recruitment, a company with over 20 years of history. What stood out wasn’t the title, but his perspective. He shared that talent and business are two sides of the same coin, that placing the right person in the right environment can change outcomes. It can shift futures.
Like any real journey, his path hasn’t been smooth. He’s faced delays, pressure, stress, the kind of moments that reveal who you truly are. Instead of blaming, he chose accountability. Instead of panic, he built systems. Over time, he learned to stay calm in chaos and focus on building for longevity.
In his words:
“One of the toughest challenges was dealing with setbacks beyond my control. A bank error delayed payments to staff, creating 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.”
What struck me most wasn’t his business insight, it was how he spoke about identity. Kurtis said something simple, but powerful:
“Personally, it’s pushed me to embrace my own style more openly. I used to wear things to fit in with the crowd. But being part of the EYS community, seeing people embrace who they are, has allowed me to express myself freely. A new sense of confidence, if you like. Professionally, it reinforces that community is the real currency, for a young black director or an entrepreneur building across industries.”
This is why we say this has never been about fashion, Style is the doorway, Identity is the work. When people are surrounded by others who are becoming, they begin to permit themselves to do the same. Community gives language to what you already feel. Courage to what you already know.
Kurtis also shared something important for anyone building something meaningful: start, experiment, learn in the presence of people who are ahead of you. Passion is the fuel, but structure is the engine. Sustainability isn’t just money, it’s building something that can outlive you.
For Labour Tech, the vision is to scale across the UK and EMEA, blending traditional recruitment with tech-driven solutions. Ark Empire, his holding company, is the bigger picture—an ecosystem where cashflow, AI, sport, and community projects all connect.
“Personally, I want to keep building platforms, helping young footballers in Zambia, supporting charities, mentoring entrepreneurs. To show that you can come from humble beginnings and still create a global impact. My hope is to inspire by action. To show that persistence, integrity, and community-first thinking really can change lives.”
Stories like this matter because they remind us why this space exists, not to create clones, but to create alignment. Not to fit in, but to stand fully as yourself.
This is Elevate Your Style and this is what it means to be a style elevator.
Till next Sunday,
Michael Okunloro
Founder, Twelve19styles
Convener, Elevate Your Style Movement
Michael Okunloro | Elevate Your Style 