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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 Included
Jump to your favorite part of the conversation using the chapters below ⏬

#africa AreseUgwu #SmartMoneyWoman #AfropolitanPodcast #Nollywood #WomenInMedia #AfricanStorytelling #CreativeEntrepreneurship

00:00 – Introduction & Favorite Filming Location**
Aríse opens up about loving to shoot in her own home.

00:39 – Building a Cultural Movement with Smart Money Woman**
The vision behind the book, TV series, and redefining financial power for African women.

01:37 – Life at 21 vs. Now: Unexpected Career Turns**
How Aríse went from banking dreams to becoming a filmmaker.

02:41 – Motherhood & Self-Belief**
The bond with her daughter and what she’d tell her younger self.

04:11 – Turning the Book into a TV Series**
The behind-the-scenes chaos of adapting Smart Money Woman.

07:05 – The Netflix Rejection That Almost Broke Her**
Raising money, global filming, and the unexpected “no” from Netflix.

09:27 – Pivoting to YouTube & Building an Audience**
How YouTube became a powerful alternative to streaming platforms.

11:42 – Collaborating with Samsung & New Projects**
A spin-off filmed on a phone and the momentum of new productions.

13:06 – Using YouTube for Leverage in the Industry**
How YouTube builds audience ownership and monetization options.

16:27 – Why Women Need More Money Conversations**
Changing the way women talk about money, investments, and risk.

20:10 – Risk Aversion & Investing Culture in Nigeria**
Cultural attitudes toward money, losses, and risk-taking.

22:50 – Transactional Friendships vs. Strategy Sharing**
Why discernment matters in money and business conversations.

23:33 – Money Mistakes & Resilience**
The truth about messing up and bouncing back stronger.

24:48 – Learning from Everyday Entrepreneurs**
Inspiration from women at every level—from housekeepers to CEOs.

26:41 – Balancing Financial Independence with Love & Friendship**
How money decisions affect every area of life.

28:28 – The Pressure to “Keep Up” in Lagos**
The social pressure of luxury lifestyles and how to cope.

31:55 – Long-Term Friendships & Relationship Advice**
Why authentic, lasting friendships matter in this journey.

35:44 – The Unpopular Truth About Female Friendships**
Not every woman will be your friend—and that’s okay.

36:48 – Nollywood vs. Hollywood: Industry Challenges**
Professionalism, funding gaps, and Nollywood’s resilience.

40:42 – How Films Make Money in Nigeria**
Revenue streams and what VCs should understand about media.

42:14 – The Madness of Filmmaking**
Late nights, big dreams, and why filmmakers are “a little crazy.”

43:05 – Rapid Fire: Bad Advice, Guilty Splurges, & More**
Ponzi schemes, expensive food, and favorite directors.

46:15 – Fixing Africa’s Financial Logistics**
Why cross-border payments are still too hard.

47:50 – What’s Next: Becoming a Recognized Filmmaker**
Claiming her identity as a filmmaker and what’s coming next.

48:32 – Who’s Next: Arese's Guest Recommendation**
Highlighting Ryan Alabi and his inspiring creative journey.

50:31 – Final Words & Thank You**
Arese’s gratitude and closing reflections.