It’s not uncommon for celebrities and influencers to expand their empires by diversifying their business portfolios. But the transition from entertainment fame to entrepreneurial prominence wasn’t all smooth sailing.
Eric Omondi’s failed TV comedy show
Before becoming an activist, Eric Omondi focused solely on his comedy talent and was the main closer for the Churchill Live Show. During this period, his “advisors” and strategic opportunities appeared, riding on the high ratings. When The Churchill Show went on hiatus for two years, Eric Omondi was hired by KTN to host his signature show, “Hawayuni.”
However, after just two episodes, he was a huge failure and was fired. He hasn’t held back on this flop either, and has acknowledged this publicly several times. “I learned my lesson…The best thing that ever happened to me was ‘haha’. I had to make that mistake,” he reflected in a past interview.
Crazy Kenner and Chimano’s separate but unsuccessful restaurant ventures
The authenticity of the adage “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen” aptly and literally describes the entrepreneurial spirit of comedian and content creator Crazy Kenner, who opened a restaurant called Instant Delicacies at Juja Square near JKUAT in May 2021.
The grand opening was celebrated by friends, investors, media personalities, and other comedians, but it closed in January 2023 after suffering heavy losses. It was so unsuccessful that on some days the restaurant’s sales dropped to zero.
He admitted that opening the restaurant, which he estimated at around 10 million lice, was a “big mistake” due to a lack of management ability and low footfall.
“My mistake was taking money from content creation and investing it in a restaurant business. It was a good idea. But to start a business like that, you have to be fully present.”
Similarly, Chimano and his friend Fidi Mwatibbo of Sauti Sol fame opened Kezu’s Kitchen, which was later closed due to the devastating effects of the economic pandemic. “When COVID-19 hit, we had to close down. I can say that I worked hard, invested and gave it my all. The dream is not dead,” Chimano revealed.
DJ failure with merchandise and deejay school
The normal life cycle of a Kenyan deejay includes starting out as a resident deejay in a joint and then performing at outdoor gigs or winning deejay competitions. He then starts a deejay academy, offering “spinning classes” and exposure, and creates an apparel line. However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be in that order.
However, while few were successful, most ultimately failed. Deejays Kaytrixx and Mista T’s Spincycle Ltd, and Stylez’s CodeRed deejay signed to Crème de la Crème, which launched a clothing line for Esko, are some key examples.
Avril’s earphone business failure
Determined to become the female Dr. Dre, singer-songwriter Avril has announced plans to launch her own brand, Gs and Fs.
Leveraging her popularity as a prominent Kenyan urban artist, she planned to enter the accessories market as an audio brand to her loyal fans between 2012 and 2015. However, this project did not materialize.
Since then, she has focused on her other entrepreneurial endeavors and music, taking a temporary break from the music industry to focus on various business opportunities.
DNG marketing agency goes bankrupt
Before pursuing his political ambitions and eventually becoming Woodley’s MCA in Nairobi, DNG was a prominent Kenyan media personality, hype man and entrepreneur who founded 254 Entertainment Ltd (also known as 254 Digital). Marketing and entertainment company founded in 2008.
But a huge and expensive team of beautiful women and a bloated editorial staff that didn’t really understand business strategy caused the agency to fail.
The unfortunate ending of a celebrity spa
In 2022, TikToker David Moya grandly opened a luxury spa in Kilimani, Nairobi. However, a year later he put the business up for sale for 4.5 million lice. The energetic dancer did not explain why he sold the business.
Media personality Betty Caro’s ‘Flare by Betty’ beauty salon was closed due to difficult or difficult business conditions and the economic downturn, and was subsequently put up for auction.
DJ Mo and Size 8’s nail salon and spa business is another notable case, but King Kaka’s “Beauty and the Beast” executive barbershop and spa is hardly active on social media.
Nameless and Wahu’s Afro Siri Salon, located (formerly) in Kenrail Towers, is notable given its dormant social media activity and website under maintenance.
hada cosmetics
A closure is still a closure, even if it’s temporary, right? That aside, beautypreneur Hadar Monroe has announced that she will be closing her cosmetics business until 2022 due to a rebrand. “Can’t wait for the rebrand! @Huddahcosmetics will be closed for a few months and only sell Vamp lipsticks.
The makeup remover wipes and a few other products will be available until they re-launch in 2022. So many products will never go back. Take advantage of our 50% off sale from August 30th to 6th,” she shared at the time. The business was later revived under the Rich Beauty banner.
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