Juldaelly
Julius Makundi

Tell us your name, where you are from and what course you studied?

My Name Is Juldaelly Julius Makundi but people call me Julda. I am Tanzanian, born in Chagga Origin and raised in Dar es salaam. My time in Nottingham Trent University I was fortunate to study Business law for my undergraduate foundation, BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing and Branding for my undergraduate degree and MA Fashion Marketing and Communications for my masters.

Why did you decide to come to NTU? How did studying in the UK differ from your home country?

I wanted a place where it was convenient to move around in the UK and also a town full of exposure of different backgrounds to broaden my educational skills and knowledge. I wanted a place where I can do the studies I always desired which is my passion for fashion.

What was your first impression of NTU and Nottingham?

Beautiful cool city. It was very convenient and easy, friendly with a lot of mixed cultures of students and the nightlife was really good.

What did you enjoy most about your course? What did you think about the facilities you used for your course?

The programme leaders were very friendly, especially to the international students. We were given extra care of our learning capabilities in order to meet the curriculum studies. Also, we had enough time to do a lot of work within the years. I love the library facilities as it was very modern, clean and open for 24 hours. I spent a lot of time there to do some work, research and meet my assignment deadlines.

Were you ever involved in any live projects or work experience?

Yes I did work experiences across a few years at NTU. I worked in London Fashion Week as a Marketing PR for international brands and local UK brands. I was extremely grateful to experience that channel of work and it helped me later on in my current career.

What was your favourite memory of being a student at NTU?

When I did my masters, my friend Ekin and I used to go to the school café everyday after class which is a good memory. Also the day I graduated from my first degree and my masters, the graduation pictures were really memorable.

Can you tell us more about your current job?

I am the founder of a luxury travel hospitality company. The brand is called Luxe By Elle.

Luxe by Elle is a dynamic business that has evolved over the years to provide exceptional services to a diverse clientele. I started my entrepreneurship in 2014 when I began as a drop shipper, offering high-end clothing and hair products sourced from renowned UK stores. My international shipping services quickly gained popularity, particularly in Tanzania, where I provided personalized, luxury shopping experiences for our customers.

In 2017, I officially launched Luxe by Elle as a distinct brand, catering to the tastes of individuals seeking exclusive and top-quality personal shopping fashion items. The response was overwhelming, and I soon expanded to reach beyond Tanzania, attracting our first group of clients from Nigeria in 2017 and 2019. As the world faced the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2022, Luxe by Elle gradually diversified its offerings. It ventured into the culinary realm, providing gourmet burgers from my kitchen. I also recognized the need for medical support during these uncertain times and independently supplied medical help.

Throughout these years, I also maintained a strong presence in Tanzania through a collaboration with Trace, a huge international entertainment channel, where i represented the brand as a solo Tanzanian communication representative from 2017 to 2021. The official registration as Luxe by Elle was in 2021 and it was also featured three times in the Air Tanzania magazine in 2022 for showcasing commitment to excellence and recognition within the travel and tourism industry.

In the same year, my company had the privilege of hosting media tours and leisure experiences for renowned Nigerian artists PHEElZ and Andekundel Gold, further establishing our reputation as a trusted provider of tailored, luxury services. These experiences included personalized helicopter rides that offered our clients a breath-taking and unforgettable perspective of their surroundings, making their leisure activities truly extraordinary. Expanding upon the LUXE portfolio of services, in 2022, we officially introduced helicopter rides as a standalone service. Our helicopter services provide individuals and groups with exclusive opportunities to explore the beauty of Tanzania from above, creating cherished memories and unique experiences that will last a lifetime.

How did your NTU degree prepare you for your current role?

My degree and my masters program prepared me to know what luxury is, how to brand myself, how to position my brand, how to target and understand my clients. What I learnt studying branding and marketing helped me know how to pitch to high end services providers and allow me to know how to provide my services to my clients.

What have been the highlights and biggest challenges of your work life so far?

Starting a Luxury Business independently as a woman was a challenge, especially in a third world country. It was a lot trials, tribulations and discouragements along the way but it helped me to follow my path and build my business.

What are your plans for the future?

I want my company Luxe Bye Elle to grow several franchises internationally. Lastly I want to create a foundation for women to start their own empires and businesses and support them through this.

What is Nottingham like for international students?

That perfect institute for an international student to make their career dreams come true.

What is your advice for new international students?

• Find your right type of friends as they can offer support when you need it.
• Learn new things, take trips, cook and stick to your core family values.
• Know your self worth, live a healthy lifestyle and love yourself more.
• Be cost efficient and live within your budget and means.