Today we’d like to introduce you to Huguette Sarah Kenda-Misenga.
Hi Huguette Sarah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was much younger, I wanted to be an air hostess. But it wasn’t an accessible dream for most people who came from where I was born – the Democratic Republic of Congo. My parents did not even want to hear me talk about that dream. However, an opportunity came in 2007 for me to go to South Africa (SA), where my mom lived. While in SA, I moved from Johannesburg to Cape Town, where my childhood desires resurfaced. Though I could not afford to study the profession itself, my first job as a receptionist at a hotel exposed me to much knowledge about travel. Though I lost the job, it prompted me to keep applying for more similar positions.
In 2011, I found my second hotel job. Meeting guests who walked in and out of the hotel, and hearing about the travel stories they shared, made me fall in love with the tourism industry. This newly found passion landed me in a different job in 2015, where I worked as a travel agent at Expat Explore. It was a challenging time for me; I was pregnant, going through a divorce, and did not think for a second that such a company would take me in. But when I felt the least hopeful and worthwhile, everything worked out in my favour.
I not only got my shot at traveling Europe for the first time, but I learnt a lot about flights, destinations, and so much more through the educational tours that were hosted by the agency – you were only eligible to take part in these tours after covering at least two years of employment. I used to tell myself that I would travel to Paris and celebrate my 30th birthday in front of the Eiffel tower; and through these tours, my dream came true. From then onwards, every year, I would pick a new city and explore it. I wanted to see the world. Moreover, the more I worked for Expat Explore, the more I realized that these were the kind of services I wanted to offer my own clients someday. That is how (also thanks to the support of my best friend) I decided to open my own company on my birthday (yet again), in 2019.
The objectives of my company are based on the memories of my own experiences. While traveling, I noticed that there was a profound struggle for me and my fellow African brothers and sisters to explore countries because of visa-related setbacks that have to do with the issue of nationality. This struggle helped me realize the kind of tour operator I wanted to be – one who would assist travelers to get out of their comfort zones with no limitations or obstacles in the way of their adventure.
I also wanted my kids to represent my company because they are the reason why I am who I am today. From the very name itself (Ruedesley), I wanted to show my daughters Miley, Ashley and Haley that no matter what you go through in life, you need to travel the right route to get to your destination.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The entrepreneurial journey has been 50/50 – sometimes rosy and sometimes challenging. I say challenging because I started my business from nothing; the very bottom. Furthermore, I wasn’t good with managing money or anything related to accounting. I could multitask, but from a financial point of view, I struggled to organize myself, to balance my work life with motherhood, all while juggling multiple side hustles at the same time. Let’s not forget the intense traveling that would often mean leaving my young children behind.
Learning the market was a rollercoaster ride. For example, It was difficult to build trust with clients who were not based in SA. But I am grateful to my friends who recommended me blindly despite the little bumps on the road.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Ruedesley Global is a travel and event organization for both the local and international markets. Our services are not limited to the type of country or event in need of our assistance. We offer travel and event ( corporate and private events) services ranging from flights to excursion activities.
What sets this company apart is the originality of the business – I take my time to study the needs and wants of my clients; and I add a personal touch to it (for example, I travel with my classified/VIP clients to their long trips). I build a relationship with each person I work with and each person I work for. What makes me proud about my company is the fact that every experience with a client is personal to me; from visas to trips – I make sure that everything is running smoothly for them. I want people to know that my company is not here just to make a profit. We make a valuable effort to exceed expectations and achieve a reciprocal relationship with our clients. I also want people to know that we cater for individuals from unique walks of life – women, students, wives, etc.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love the least about California is the traffic. Having spent only two days there, I have noticed how the traffic makes touring the city very difficult. Nonetheless, I loved visiting tourist sites like Beverly Hills and I especially fell head over heels with their doughnuts and friendly people.
Contact Info:
- Website: ruedesleyglobal.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruedesleyglobal/
- Facebook: facebook.com/ruedesleyglobal
