Refugee launches high-end men’s label
LEXINGTON, Ky. — At first glance, entrepreneur Albert Lukonga’s story may seem like the American Dream.
From childhood poverty to the successful launch of his own business, one might label him as one of the few lucky refugee success stories.
But luck is just opportunity meeting months, years or even a lifetime of preparation, Lukonga said.
Lukonga, founder of Albert Couture, a high-end men’s wear store, was born in Congo. At 10 years old, his family fled to a Zimbabwe refugee camp. He said Congo’s “survival of the fittest type of environment” had made it nearly impossible for his mother to protect and feed the family of 10 children.
In Zimbabwe, Lukonga developed many of the skills and attitudes that have led to his success today. When he discovered his mother couldn’t afford his tuition, he paid his way through school by making a deal with the headmaster. Since he had a talent for drawing, he offered to create detailed African animal sketches in exchange for free tuition.
His headmaster agreed, and ever since, Lukonga has organized his life around the act of creating.
Even at a young age, Lukonga knew how to sell himself.
That’s what he’s doing today with the Albert Couture label he dreamed of opening since he was a child. To be a successful businessman, Lukonga said he has to emulate the lifestyle he is trying to sell.
“I’m selling (confidence), not selling suits or clothes,” he said. “I dress them for the person they want to become in the future.”
When he graduated high school, Lukonga didn’t want to go to college, but spent a few years studying at Eastern Kentucky University and University of Kentucky before ultimately dropping out.
“I don’t want to graduate and work for someone every day,” he said. “I wanted to create, to do what I wanted.”
Lukonga began working at JoS. A. Bank, a men’s clothing retailer. He used the experience as a trial run, talking to the clientele about his business plans, asking them what the business was doing right and wrong and going the extra mile for customers.
Lukonga worked his way to a managerial position in three months. During that time, he pored over business textbooks.
One day in January 2020, Lukonga decided not to go into work that week. He decided it was time to launch his business.
Albert Couture is completely self-funded, with no financial help from grants or business loans,
Lukonga said. While that was scary, he said the fear served as motivation.
“It kinda pushed me a little bit,” he said. “I felt like I was fed by that fear, I was more drawn to it.”
Lukonga was completely prepared for his February grand opening. But then, the coronavirus hit. Without cash flow, Lukonga was forced to temporarily close.
He reopened in mid-June and has big goals for the business. Eventually, he said, he wants to “bring
New York to Kentucky” by organizing a high-end runway show.
Lukonga said that as long as he lives, he will be pushing himself to create value for others.
“You make sure you are the best,” he said. “Until then, I’m still going to be working as hard as I can for as long as I can.”