- The Hollywood Reporter released its second annual list of the top 40 celebrity entrepreneurs.
- THR asked some of the biggest stars about their thoughts on running a business.
- J.Lo, Ryan Reynolds, and Seth Rogen discuss advice, scale versus quality, and success versus learning.
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It’s become commonplace for celebrities to start their own brands and businesses alongside their singing or acting careers, and many have gone well beyond just putting their name and face on a product — like Jennifer Lopez’s skincare brand J.Lo Beauty or the houseplant of Seth Rogen.
The Hollywood Reporter released its second annual list of top celebrity entrepreneurs last week, in which they polled top celebrity entrepreneurs for their best business advice, inspiration and products they wish they had created themselves. Several A-list stars pitched in, and Insider has compiled some of the most interesting responses.
1.Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds said that resisting the urge to win is one of the greatest lessons he learned as an entrepreneur.
Zhang Jingtao/Visual China Group via Getty Images
Some of Ryan Reynolds’ successful ventures include Mint Mobile and Avian Gin, which he sold to leading alcohol company Diageo for $610 million in 2020.
The ‘Deadpool’ star said the biggest lesson he’s learned as an entrepreneur is never to miss a learning opportunity. “Resist the urge to win in favor of learning. Wanting to learn from someone you disagree with is often more valuable than ‘winning’.”
Other celebrity reviewers such as Gal Gadot and Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul named Reynolds as one of the entrepreneurs who inspire them.
2.Jennifer Lopez
The best business advice Jennifer Lopez has ever received came from Warren Buffet.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Jennifer Lopez’s skincare brand J.Lo Beauty and shoe and handbag line JLO Jennifer Lopez Collection at DSW have cemented the movie star and two-time Grammy winner as a successful entrepreneur in beauty and fashion.
Lopez said the best business advice she’s ever received came from Warren Buffet: “A brand is a promise.” Her overarching mission with her businesses, which include film and television production company Nuyorican Productions, and her expansion into personal care with their Targeted Booty Balm this year is seeing how their companies are making an impact on the next generation of entrepreneurs that we inspire and help inspire to open doors.”
Lopez also mentioned that she wants to increase inclusion in business overall, not just entertainment, saying that “creating more seats at the tables of opportunity in a sector other than entertainment” is an opportunity she likes Entrepreneurs explore a new side of themselves.
3. Seth Rogen
Rogen said the iPhone was the product he wished he had invented himself.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Rogen’s Houseplant marijuana brand had so much website traffic when it launched in March 2021 that the site crashed due to demand.
After founding the company with his co-founder Evan Goldberg, Rogen said he learned how to scale without compromising on product quality. “There is a direct link between size and quality – learning how to maintain the level of quality that is essential to us while continuing to grow our business has been very beneficial.”
When asked which product he would have liked to have developed himself, Rogen said, “You’ve seen those damn iPhones?” but also added that the best business advice he’s ever received was to “be focused.”
If you work in Hollywood and would like to share your story, email Eboni Boykin-Patterson at [email protected]
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