How many actresses do you know with good sense of business and marketing? How many do you know with the wonderful story of creating and running a successful business venture alongside acting? Let’s save you the stress. Entrepreneur Reporters in this report brings you a list of beautiful and braining actresses who are successful entrepreneurs. Enjoy!
8. Fathia Balogun Williams
Despite being separated from her husband, popular actress Fathia Balogun has not allowed her circumstances to limit her. Apart from being a movie star, she’s also an entrepreneur with investment in beauty parlor, hair saloon and now food restaurant. It may interest you to know that Fathia, whose ex-husband, Saheed Balogun, is also an actor, runs a beauty parlour called ‘House of Fateer’ in Abeokuta, Ogun, where she sells varieties of human hair, wines and many other things. And now, Entrepreneur Reporters‘ investigation reveals that she’s about to launch her new restaurant called “Unusual F’s Kitchen.”
On what to expect from the kitchen, the hardworking entrepreneur in a post on her Instagram said the new enterprise will be a home to all African dishes and will be open for breakfast, launch and dinner.
7. Iyabo Ojo
Iyabo Ojo is a Nigerian movie thespian and movie producer. She is a household name in the Nigerian movie industry with strong presence in the Yoruba language movies. In 2018, the astute actress ventured into hospitality business as she opened her Amala joint, and according to her, she had to sell some of her properties including gold to make it happen.
Just like every other entrepreneur, the Amala spot lounge and bar also had its rough beginning, but with perseverance and sheer determination she has been able to pull through.
6. Bukky Wright
Bukky Wright needs little or no introduction in the movie industry having dominated the Yoruba entertainment scene for years. While we can say she makes a living from acting, the mother of two boys also supports her career with a thriving business.
The ‘Kani’ movie producer owns a boutique and beauty parlour called ‘B Collections’ and ‘B Wright’, respectively, located in Ikeja, Lagos with about 3 to 4 staffs on her payroll. She has been successfully running the business for over a decade now and she’s said to be making good profit from the business.
5. Chika Ike
Chika Ike is a celebrity actor, producer and business woman. A former model, Chika is one of the successful actresses and most educated in the movie industry. She recently graduated from Harvard Business School, which simply shows her knack for business.
Apart from her rich education background, we can boldly say she is an entrepreneur. In 2011, Chika Ike founded her fashion line Fancy Nancy and launched it in Abuja, Nigeria. And since then, the store has become the go-to for fashion lovers in the society, most especially her contemporaries. We also gathered she has a bit of investment in real-estate business.
4. Liz Anjorin
Liz Anjorin’s story is a story of grass to grace. From the doldrums of nothing, the star Yoruba actress, rose to an enviable height, becoming one of the successful and notable entrepreneurs in the movie industry. Lizzy is entrepreneurship spirited, Unknown to many, Lizzy had once sold Ewa Agoin, a local beans delicacy, before luck smiled on her. This was in the days she hasn’t come in contact with entertainment, and when little fortunes smiled on her in her acting career, having not forgotten where she’s coming from, her humble background, Lizzy opened her boutique and wine shop at Abule-Egba named ‘Peak Me’.
Over time, the shop became bigger and she had to move to Ogba, and now Lekki. As you read, Lizzy’s ‘Peak Me’is a home to every fashion freak on the Lagos Island with the star actress shopping for her fabrics, gold and other fashion accessories from Dubai, America, Italy and other parts of the world. She is a success story of an entrepreneur with passion and determination. She once said her motivation is drawn from her fear of being broke.
3. Mercy Aigbe
Mercy Aigbe is a Nigerian actress, director and businesswoman. She is best known for her role in Yoruba movies and one of the most- sought-after actresses in Nollywood. As an entrepreneur, She owns Mag Divas Boutique which was launched in 2014 with branches in Lagos and Ibadan.
Mercy Aigbe recently acquired a new mansion worth N200m, a property we learnt she acquired from the monies she accrued from her various endorsement deals and business profits.
2. Genevieve Nnaji
Genevieve Nnaji is one of the top actresses in Nigeria, she’s also a producer and director. With over 20years in the acting business, Genny as many prefer to call her has registered her name in the hearts of many Nigerians. And having made her name in the show business, the delectable actress and mother of one is trying to make a statement in business and we can tell you for free she is doing well.
Few years ago, precisely in 2014, Genevieve relaunched her clothing line, St. Genevieve, which has been so trendy on Jumia. And according to sources, The CEO of The Entertainment Network (TEN) currently rakes in millions from that venture. And more so, she also makes it big from real estate investment in Abuja, and her movie productions.
1. Mary Remmy Njoku
Mary Remmy Njoku is the leading entrepreneur in Nollywood as far as we are concerned. Married to Jason Njoku, Mary sits atop her husband’s investment as she is currently the CEO of Rok Studios, a film production company in Nigeria. The Nigerian actress and producer under her leadership launched the famous ROK TV channels on DSTV, and Sky. The company’s staff strength is in hundreds and the company has continued to rise in bounds both in finance and capacity. Though not that famous, Mary has produced and starred in movies like; Thy will be done, Husband of Lagos; starred and directed Single Ladies and Festac Town. According to a business analyst, she is said to be sitting on a business worth $1.2m.
