From Book to Netflix to YouTube: The Rise of Arese Ugwu | Afropolitan Podcast

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Arese Ugwu, the bestselling author of The Smart Money Woman, to uncover the real story behind her journey—from corporate ambitions to creating a media empire that redefines how African women think about money, ambition, and identity.

Arese takes us behind the scenes of turning her book into a hit Netflix series, the shocking rejection almost breaking her, and how she reclaimed creative control through YouTube. She shares raw truths about the chaos of Nollywood filmmaking, money mistakes, friendships, and the silent battles women face while building a life of purpose.

Topics Covered

• The making of The Smart Money Woman series
• Navigating rejection from Netflix
• The power of YouTube as creative leverage
• Why women must talk more about money
• Real talk on comparison, friendships, and risk-taking
• The future of storytelling and film in Africa

Whether you're a creative, entrepreneur, or woman in transition, this episode will inspire you to trust your path—even when it doesn’t go as planned.

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Chapters
00:00 – Introduction & Favorite Filming Location

00:39 – Building a Cultural Movement with Smart Money Woman

01:37 – Life at 21 vs. Now: Unexpected Career Turns

02:41 – Motherhood & Self-Belief

04:11 – Turning the Book into a TV Series

07:05 – The Netflix Rejection That Almost Broke Her

09:27 – Pivoting to YouTube & Building an Audience

11:42 – Collaborating with Samsung & New Projects

13:06 – Using YouTube for Leverage in the Industry

16:27 – Why Women Need More Money Conversations

20:10 – Risk Aversion & Investing Culture in Nigeria

22:50 – Transactional Friendships vs. Strategy Sharing

23:33 – Money Mistakes & Resilience

24:48 – Learning from Everyday Entrepreneurs

26:41 – Balancing Financial Independence with Love & Friendship

28:28 – The Pressure to “Keep Up” in Lagos

31:55 – Long-Term Friendships & Relationship Advice

35:44 – The Unpopular Truth About Female Friendships

36:48 – Nollywood vs. Hollywood: Industry Challenges

40:42 – How Films Make Money in Nigeriai

42:14 – The Madness of Filmmaking

43:05 – Rapid Fire: Bad Advice, Guilty Splurges, & More

46:15 – Fixing Africa’s Financial Logistics

47:50 – What’s Next: Becoming a Recognized Filmmaker

48:32 – Who’s Next: Arese's Guest Recommendation

50:31 – Final Words & Thank You

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