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After Louis Vuitton, EMLYON Graduate Is Poised To Launch Luxury Events Start-Up

Nyachia Knight sees gap in Swiss-French market for luxury events planning

Mon Dec 14 2015

BusinessBecause
After graduating with an MBA from EMLYON Business School earlier this year, Nyachia Knight is set to launch her own luxury events company, NKT Events.

Nyachia started out her career in New York’s luxury and fashion industries, working as a freelance fashion events coordinator alongside sales jobs at Louis Vuitton and Swiss watchmakers Chopard.

After following her heart to Geneva in Switzerland, she joined the accessions division of the World Trade Organization and was part of the team that concluded the decade-long negotiations over Russia’s membership.

Frustrated by politics, Nyachia took an MBA to help her move back into the world of fashion and luxury, this time as an entrepreneur. She has benefited from EMLYON’s “heavy focus” on entrepreneurship — and luxury brand management.

What are your career plans?

I’m currently in the process of starting up a luxury events company that will design, plan and produce events in France and Switzerland.

This has been a passion project of mine for almost five years now, and to see it come to life is amazing! I will be launching soon, so definitely keep an eye out.

How did the idea come about and what plans do you have for your business?

It was during the planning of my own wedding that I realized how much I missed organizing events.

Event design for weddings and socials events is big in the US and there is never a shortage of designers to choose from. I found that it was a challenge to find such a designer in Geneva, and I said to myself, I can do that!

I definitely would like to develop my business into a full event production company with my own in-house team of graphic artists, floral designers and production personnel.

What advice do you have for MBAs looking to start their own business?

Don’t be afraid of failure; don’t be intimidated; just do it!

You always learn from your mistakes and if your first idea doesn’t work out, you will know how to execute the next one better.

What excites you about working in the luxury industry?

You have to admire the creativity and beauty of it all.

The luxury industry is about heritage, storytelling and emotion. Luxury brands are always thinking of new ways to reinvent themselves to remain relevant while staying true to their core values.

I am a truly visual person and when there’s a new advertising clip from Cartier or Chanel, I always feel a wave of emotion.

What was your experience like working for the WTO, and what advice do you have for MBA graduates looking to work there?

Working at the WTO was the most challenging job I’ve ever had.

You have to be mentally prepared for the “politics” that come with working for such an organization. There is a very high sense of elitism amongst individuals and it’s hard to feel that you are appreciated for the work that you do.

In all honesty, to get into these international organizations at MBA level, it’s really beneficial to know someone on the inside. If you don’t know someone, start networking!

Why did you decide to pursue an MBA?

I was at a place in my career where I could either continue in the administrative field or finally make the move to return to the luxury industry.

Having been out of the luxury industry for so long, it was hard for me to get back into it at an executive position. I made the decision to invest in myself and return to graduate school so that I could differentiate myself from the competition.

Why did you choose to study at EMLYON in particular?

I was looking at schools which offered a specialization in luxury brand management as well as study abroad opportunities. EMLYON offered both, and the program was completely in English.

I also wanted to explore entrepreneurship and EMLYON is heavily focused in that area.

How have you profited from your experience of studying for an MBA?

An MBA teaches you how to think differently. It completely changed my mind-set on how to approach and solve problems.

In the entrepreneurship elective my team competed in the Global Venture Labs Investment Competition at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, where we presented our plan for a project designed to control the amount of energy consumption by buildings

I benefited from the experience immensely and it really gave me insight into the process of starting up your own business.

Student Reviews

emlyon business school

Student

Verified

4/12/2023

On Campus

Intense courses, helpful professors

I am an international student in my 3rd year and I love going to this school and do not regret chosing it for my BBA. The classes are helpful, professors are always there to help as well and we have a very understanding administration.

Student

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18/03/2023

On Campus

Leadership in an amazing city

I decided to do my exchange in Emlyon because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, and I found a space with very capable People.. participatory, empathetic and full of leadership. I will never forget Lyon, apart from giving me an unforgettable experience, he gave me great friends

Student

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23/11/2021

On Campus

A lot of opportunities professionally and socially. A unique program in France.

You can choose your courses and do your internship, exchange whenever you want. It's flexible and adapted to the needs of each student. A great program and a great city! Professionally, it opens a lot of doors for you to find internships or jobs in France or abroad thanks to the network and career events.

Fabian

Verified

7/06/2020

MSc in Digital Marketing

Combining both worlds into one, this course gave me all the on-demand technical skills in data science while maintaining a business-oriented approach. Thanks to the strong academic profile of this university I was able to secure an internship and full-time job at Amazon.

Student

Verified

14/10/2018

Top Business School fostering innovative entrepreneurs

EMLyon is one of the best business schools. The campuses, associations and courses offered provide the students with the best options to build the future they have chosen. The various opportunities to study and work abroad also offer a deeper understanding of the world, not only economy-wise but social, which helps the student become as well a better individual and not only a pre-formated business school student.

Student

Verified

9/06/2020

Emlyon campus in Paris

It has a great international community and you have access to many international tools, courses and professors. I had many networking events and workshops for students. Campus and some details of the program could have been improved or need to be bigger in order to have a better student life.

Student

Verified

21/11/2022

On Campus

Entrepreneurship

Overall good content and good activities. Lack of administration but still ok. Good flexibility and liberty offered to the students. Finally, the amount of internship is also a good way to improve qualifications.

Student

Verified

25/05/2020

Good Reputation and International Business School

The course was not well adapted but it was up to the mark. The professors are very well experienced and their experience comes in handy while working on assignments. The facilities on the campus are top class. Truly professional. I really like spending time in the learning hub and using all the available resources. Lyon is an amazing city. You will never get bored.

Edel

Verified

11/07/2024

On Campus

MSc International Hospitality Management

The best educational experience of my life so far! It’s been full of exposure and great connections. From Lyon to London, Paris, Los Angeles and Las Vegas! Truly an exceptional way to discover the world of hospitality.

Student

Verified

11/07/2024

On Campus

Real networking opportunities

- meeting new people, specially professionals during seminars or evening meeting at school. - going abroad to study luxury - being involved as an ambassador to promote the school and the program I was into (MSc LMM) - having such a great professional core

Daphné

Verified

14/07/2024

On Campus

white baccalaureate in the world of work

I really appreciated the MS SDAI as a whole. The teaching staff, the different subjects, the university exchange, TEM... I started my internship in a consulting firm having acquired a solid foundation. Downside for CentraleSupélec, which I found far too academic for a program such as this.

Student

Verified

11/09/2024

On Campus

Great

Pretty great ! Emlyon business school is a top educational institution known for its outstanding academic programs, nurturing environment, and state-of-the-art facilities. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and leadership in students.

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