They are the celebrities we’ve come to appreciate for being giants in their respective industries. Whether it’s sports, music, or the movies, they are masters of their craft and some of the world’s most recognized faces. Now we are revealing a secret side to these celebs. They’ve turned out to be closet entrepreneurs. They’ve been cashing in with their side hustles while their stars are still shining and setting themselves up for a potential future, if the fame suddenly fades.
We’ve gone beyond the celebs who simply add their names to a fashion line or fragrance and tried to find celebrities whose side hustles are on the more obscure side.
Lenny Kravitz
Besides being a popular musician and actor, Kravitz is founder and CEO of Kravitz Design. The New York-based commercial and residential interior design company also dabbles in product development. His company also designed the set for Queen Latifah‘s talk show. Many of his firm’s projects have been featured in top interior design magazines like ELLE Decor and Vogue Living.
Jessica Alba
Alba took some time off the acting circuit, but hasn’t been idle. She unleashed her entrepreneurial spirit when she launched the Honest Company two years ago. Since then the company has been a huge success. Focusing on sustainable products for both baby and home, her lifestyle company is recognized for its products that range from baby care to bath and body, and health and wellness and will launch in Target stores nationwide next week.
Her company has taken some heat recently with customers complaining about some of its business practices.
Pharrell Williams
It’s no wonder Pharrell is “Happy” and feels like a “room without a roof.” The rapper, singer, record producer and composer and yes, closet entrepreneur, owns two companies. Return Textiles and BBC/Ice Cream apparel.
He launched the high-end sportswear lines in 2005, and uses organic fabric in his BBC/Ice Cream apparel line.
Williams also joined entrepreneurs Tyson Toussant and Tim Coombs to become part-owner of Return Textiles, a New York-based textile manufacturer that produces a technologically advanced yarn they call “bionic.” The premium yarns and fabrics are derived from recycled plastic beverage bottles.
According to CNNMoney, “In 2010, Return Textiles reportedly generated $1.3 million in sales and churned through 1.7 million plastic bottles. Williams ultimately hopes to see Bionic Yarn clothing sold at stores across the country.”
Patti LaBelle
Patti LaBelle has tried her hand at several businesses, but she may have found another calling in life. She’s opened her kitchen to the public. Launching a line of sauces and marinades called, Lady Marmalade.
Her website also lays out detailed instructions on how to use her sauces and marmalade on dishes ranging from baby back ribs, lemon Turkey, mesquite turkey burgers, and Baja fish tacos.
Venus Williams
Besides being one of the best to ever play Tennis, Venus Williams, has taken her talents off the courts and into homes and offices. Based in Florida, her company, V*Starr, is a full-service interior design company that caters to both commercial and residential spaces.
Queen Latifah
Sure, we know Queen Latifah, can rap, sing, act and model, but she’s also a closet entrepreneur and a very successful one at that.
According to CNN, Latifah is co-owner of Flavor Unit Entertainment, a firm that includes television and film production units, a recordand an artist management company.
In March, the company signed a deal to co-produce a web series in which Latifah will star. She also produces the scripted series “Single Ladies.”
The Cable News Network also reports, “In 2010, Latifah’s company became part-owner of New York Spring Water.”
She’s also still appearing in lots of movies. Where does she get the energy?
Ludacris
Hip-hop artist, rapper and actor are just a few notches on the belt of Christopher “Ludacris” Bridges. His entrepreneurial spirit is also in full effect.
He launched his Conjure line of Cognac with famed cognac house Birkedal Hartmann in 2009. He also “personally blends the Cognac with master blender Philippe B Tiffon.” Conjure is now sold in more than 30 markets.
Cognac isn’t Ludacris’s only venture. He also invests in real estate, co-owns Atlanta restaurant Straits and has partnered with Signeo USA to launch a ‘Soul by Ludacris‘ headphone series.
He reportedly pulled in more than $10 million in earnings over the past two years, netting cash from Soul headphones, Conjure, voice overs for RadioShack, music sales, roles in films and other ventures.
Big Boi
Antwan André Patton A.K.A Big Boi is half of the popular group OutKast, but he’s also a certified dog breeder. His company Pitfall Kennels is “a prestigious kennel tucked away on 25 acres down in the south west parts of Atlanta, Georgia.” They have been breeding and raising pitbulls/bullies since the early ’90s.
Erykah Badu
Besides being a multi platinum artist and four-time grammy winning singer recognized as the first singer of “neo soul,” Erykah Badu has been a doula since 2001. She is also an international spokesperson for child bearing.