It is not uncommon for celebrities and influencers to expand their empires by diversifying their business portfolios. But the shift from entertainment fame to entrepreneurial excellence is not all smooth sailing.
Eric Omondi’s flopped TV comedy show
Prior to being an activist, Eric Omondi solely focused on his comedy talents, and was the main closer on the Churchill Live Show. During this period, and riding high on the viewership, his ‘advisors’ and a strategic opportunity presented itself. When Churchill Show went on a two-year hiatus, Eric Omondi was hired by KTN and hosted his signature show ‘Hawayuni.’
However, it flopped badly after just two episodes leading to his dismissal. He hasn’t been coy on this flop and has on several times publicly admitted this. “I learnt my lesson… the best thing that ever happened to me is ‘Hawayu’. I needed to make that mistake,” he reflected in a past interview.
Crazy Kennar and Chimano’s separate but failed restaurant businesses
Credence to the adage ‘if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen,’ aptly and literally describes comedian and content creator Crazy Kennar’s entrepreneurial spirit when he opened his restaurant named Instant Delicacies at Juja Square, near JKUAT in May 2021.
The grand opening was graced by friends, investors, media personalities and other comedians but in January 2023, it closed after sustaining heavy losses. It was so unsuccessful that at certain days, the eatery registered zero sales.
He admitted that opening the restaurant, which he estimated cost around Sh10m was a “big mistake” due to a lack of management skills and low customer turnout.
“My mistake was getting money from content creation and investing it in a restaurant business. It was a good idea. However, starting such a business requires you to be fully present.”
Similarly, Chimano of the Sauti Sol fame, and his friend Phidi Mwatibo, opened Kez’s Kitchen, which later shut down due to the devastating effects of the economic pandemic. “When COVID-19 hit, we had to close it. I can say I tried, I invested and I went all in. The dream is not dead,” Chimano revealed.
DJ failures on merchandises and deejay schools
The normal lifecycle of a Kenyan deejay involves starting as a resident deejay at a joint, then performing at outdoor gigs or being a winner in a deejay competition. Thereafter, start a deejay academy, offering ‘spinning classes’ and exposure, and creating an apparel line; though not necessarily in that order.
However, few have succeeded but the bulk have ultimately failed. Spincycle Ltd by deejay Kaytrixx and Mista T, CodeRed deejays by Stylez that signed Crème de la Crème who started his Esko apparel line are some key examples.
Avril’s failed earphones business
Determined to become the female ‘Dr Dre,’ singer and songwriter Avril, announced plans to launch her own brand of earphones named “Gs and Fs.”
She planned this during the 2012–2015 period to her eager fans with plans to be an audio brand tapping into the accessories market, leveraging her popularity as a prominent Kenyan urban artiste. However, this business venture did not materialise.
She has since focused on other entrepreneurial endeavors and music, stepping back from the music industry temporarily to concentrate on different business opportunities.
DNG’s marketing agency downfall
Before pursuing his political ambitions and ultimately becoming MCA for Woodley, Nairobi, DNG was a prominent Kenyan media personality, hype man, and entrepreneur who founded 254 Entertainment Ltd (sometimes referred to as 254 Digital). This was a marketing and entertainment agency established in 2008.
However, the agency went belly up due to an enormous expensive team that had a bevy of beauties and bloated editorial staff with an unclear understanding of the business strategy.
Celebrity spas’ unhappy ending
In 2022, TikToker David Moya held a grand opening for his fancy spa in Kilimani, Nairobi. However, a year later, he put the business up for sale for Sh4.5m. The energetic dancer did not explain the reasons for selling the business.
Media personality Betty Kyallo’s ‘Flair by Betty’ beauty parlour was closed and subsequently auctioned citing difficult/harsh business environment and economic slowdown.
DJ Mo and Size 8’s nail salon and spa business is also a case worth mentioning, while ‘Beauty and the Beast’ executive barber shop and spa by King Kaka is seldom active on the socials.
Nameless and Wahu’s Afro Siri Salon located (formerly) at Kenrail Towers is worth spotlighting considering dormant social media activity and website under maintenance.
Hudda’s cosmetics
A closure, however temporary, is still a closure right? That aside, Beautypreneur Huddah Monroe, announced that her cosmetic business will be closing down until 2022 for rebranding purposes. “Can’t wait to rebrand! @Huddahcosmetics will close down for a few months and only Vamp lipstick.
Make up remover wipes and a few others will be available le until we relaunch in 2022. So many products will never return. So take advantage of this 50% off sale 30-6 AUG,” she shared at that time. The business would later come back under the banner of Rich Beauty.