Little did you know, your favorite movie stars and music artists could also be successful and established entrepreneurs. The media efficiently updates us on celebrities and their new movies or albums, or ridiculous drama, but unfortunately they don’t always share the exciting details of their business lives. Several celebrities are also supportive business men/women, even promoting startups like yours.
Ashton Kutcher
Ashton Kutcher, the first person to reach 1 million followers on Twitter, is one celebrity dedicated to many startups. After investing in larger tech brands like Skype and Foursquare, Kutcher thought it suiting to invest in tech startups.
Flipboard allows users to create their own online magazines by saving and adding stories, photos, audio, etc. to their magazines.
Airbnb is a network of neighborhood guides for cities all around the world.
MemSQL claims to be the world’s fastest database for real-time analytics. It powers Zynga, Morgan Stanley, and VeriSign Secured.
Optimizely is another startup similar to MemSQL in that it measures web optimization. It provides custom goal tracking and a wide range of measurable actions that you can define. Tell Optimizely what to measure, and they will do the rest.
Blekko is a spam-free search engine. I guess that’s nice?
Nowmov “is bringing the best video watching experience to the iPad and iPhone. Program your own channel, watch recommended videos based on your interests, and share videos with friends–all on the go!”
Kutcher also created LikeALittle, a social flirting site, that is no longer a part of the web world.
I guess you can’t be successful all the time.
“I don’t believe that old cliché that good things come to those who wait. I think good things come to those who want something so bad they can’t sit still.” -Ashton Kutcher
Justin Timberlake
On top of Bringing Sexy Back with his Suit & Tie, JT has been investing in startups such as Stipple and Miso Media.
Stipple allows companies to advertise their products directly, but discreetly, in photos that contain the actual products. It also allows photographers to easily sell photos.
Miso Media provides musical apps to revolutionize music education for the digital age.
Along with these companies, he also co-founded a clothing line called William Rast. The brand is sold through Bloomingdales outlets and pulls about $50 million dollars each year. He also created a high-end tequila called 901, named after his hometown area code. Sales tripled for his tequila in 2010. Good for you, Justin. Rocking every market group.
“If you put out 150 percent, then you can always expect 100 percent back. That’s what I was always told as a kid, and it’s worked for me so far!” -Justin Timberlake
Jay-Z & Will Smith
This duo invested in a video-sharing app called Viddy.
“I was forced to be an artist and a CEO from the beginning, so I was forced to be like a businessman because when I was trying to get a record deal, it was so hard to get a record deal on my own that it was either give up or create my own company.” -Jay-Z
“I don’t know what my calling is, but I want to be here for a bigger reason. I strive to be like the greatest people who have ever lived. “ -Will Smith
Jessica Alba
After searching for natural, organic diapers and other family products with no avail, Alba decided to invest in a startup that provided them. The Honest Company provides non-toxic and plant based diapers, wipes, bottles, and family bath and body essentials.
“My theory is that if you look confident, you can pull off anything – even if you have no clue what you’re doing.” -Jessica Alba
Lady Gaga
The crazy lady herself created Backplane, a website focused on creating authentic online communities around similar interests and movements. Pretty similar to most other social media sites, but it seems to be working well for her, as the top community revolves around her “Little Monsters.” She is certainly an exotic woman, but she seems to have several lessons to teach us about business.
“I believe that if you have revolutionary potential, you must make the world a better place and use it.” -Lady Gaga
Kim Kardashian
She runs a startup? You bet. ShoeDazzle.com provides a style quiz and a personal stylist who recommends shoes and handbags based on your style results.
“I’m the true definition of a workaholic.” -Kim Kardashian
Zooey Deschanel
Indie sweetheart, Zooey Deschanel, co-founded HelloGiggles, an adorable website claimed to be “the ultimate entertainment destination for smart, independent and creative females.” I got sidetracked browsing around. It could be almost as addictive as Pinterest.
“You have to keep reminding yourself it’s not about money, because there is a lot of money to be made in this business if you’re willing to do whatever. But that’s not what I’m thinking about. I continue only to take movies because I love the script and because I really want to do it.” -Zooey Deschanel
Jermaine Dupri
Global 14 is a social network/blog/forum where Dupri shares his lifestyle with the world and invites others to join him. The website is still running, but only with 44,016 members.
“I wanted to feel like an artist for once in my life. I wanted to use other producers for respect, to let them know that I listen to other people’s music and that I’m just not out here on my own page.” – Jermaine Dupri
Awesome celebrities like them have much more than drama for people to be talking about. Who knew?
