We’re looking forward to introducing you to Yvonne Madueke Akunyili. Check out our conversation below.
Yvonne, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Have you stood up for someone when it cost you something?
Yes, I’ve stood up for people even when it cost me something. For me, integrity and loyalty outweigh convenience. I’ve defended family members and friends when it would’ve been easier to step back, and I’ve chosen fairness for employees or vendors even when it meant losing money. Those moments remind me that leadership is about protecting people, not just profits.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Yvonne Madueke Akunyili and I am the CEO of Avalon Event Rentals in Houston, Texas. Over the past seven years I have grown a rental company that provides tents, furniture, and event essentials for weddings, corporate gatherings, and social celebrations.
Right now, I am working on expanding Avalon into something even bigger with Avalon The Venue, a multi-function event space that is currently in development. The vision is to create a 5000 square foot venue that blends elegance, flexibility, and innovation. What makes it unique is that it will connect seamlessly with Avalon Event Rentals and Avalon Sips, my mobile bartending company, so clients can find everything they need for an unforgettable event experience under one umbrella.
My background is in engineering, which taught me discipline, precision, and problem-solving. I bring that into the event industry by designing processes and systems that ensure our clients have a stress-free, polished experience. At the same time, I love aesthetics and storytelling, which means Avalon is not just about logistics – it is about creating spaces that feel elevated, personal, and memorable.
My story is still being written. I am building something that will serve Houston’s community for years to come, and I am excited to see Avalon grow into both a trusted resource and an inspiring space for people to gather and celebrate.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I believe bonds between people break when trust is betrayed, when pride gets in the way, or when we stop showing up for one another. Sometimes it is not even a big betrayal but the quiet neglect, the hurt that is never spoken, or the unwillingness to see things through another person’s eyes that creates distance.
What restores bonds is honesty, forgiveness, and empathy. When both sides are willing to speak truthfully, admit mistakes, and show consistent care, healing begins. For me, I have seen that humility and love are the strongest forces in bringing people back together.
At the heart of it, bonds break when we stop valuing each other, and they are restored when we choose to honor each other again.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, I almost gave up when COVID struck. Avalon Event Rentals was deemed non essential and overnight the business stopped. Events were canceled, income disappeared, and everything I had built was suddenly put on hold. I remember standing in my warehouse surrounded by inventory, questioning if this was the end of the road for everything I had poured myself into.
It was one of the hardest points in my journey because the shutdown stripped away any sense of control. It felt like years of sacrifice and investment were being erased in an instant.
What kept me from walking away was the conviction that Avalon was bigger than a season of loss. I refused to let a moment in history define the future of my business. Instead of giving up, I shifted my focus to endurance and rebuilding so that when people could gather again, Avalon would still be standing ready to serve them.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire people who carry quiet strength in their character, not just those who hold influence or power. Beyoncé is someone I deeply admire for this reason. Beyond her global success, what stands out to me is her discipline, her work ethic, and the way she stays grounded in her values and family. She has endured immense pressure and scrutiny but continues to move with integrity and consistency.
That kind of character inspires me more than titles or positions ever could. It reminds me that true leadership is not measured by power but by how you treat people, how you carry yourself when no one is watching, and how you use your platform to uplift others.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope the story people tell about me is that I lived with faith, courage, and purpose. That I never gave up, even when life tested me, and that I used my gifts to build something lasting.
I want people to say I was a woman who loved God, loved her family, and poured into her community. That I created spaces where people could gather, celebrate, and feel seen. That I treated people with fairness and respect, and that excellence was not just my standard for business, but for how I carried myself.
Most of all, I hope they say I left a legacy that outlived me, through Avalon, through my children, through the lives I touched. That I made things better because I was here.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.AvalonEventRentals.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avaloneventrentals/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/avalon-event-rentals/?viewAsMember=true
- Twitter: https://x.com/avalonevent
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvalonEventRentals/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@avaloneventrentals
Image Credits
ANALY PHOTOS
SHAIMAA PHOTOGRAPHY
DREAM PHOTO STUDIOS
TINY MOM PHOTOGRAPHY
BBL PHOTOGRAPHY
