Nigerian Author and Producer, ARESE UGWU GOES From Adversity to Creative Triumph
Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records” – William Arthur Ward.
Meet Arese Ugwu, a Nigerian author, entrepreneur, and personal finance expert best known for her book The Smart Money Woman: An African Girl’s Journey to Financial Freedom. She is one of the people who never let adversity get them down, but instead used that journey to come out on the other side, triumphant.
Being a single mother, the writer & producer transformed her love for reading into impactful storytelling. She has always had a love for reading but didn’t know that she could be the one on the other side – writing. Encouraged by a friend, she penned The Smart Money Woman: An African Girl’s Journey to Financial Freedom, a book that educates women about financial stability while touching on financial woes that African people go through, such as the financial pressures of “black tax.” The book became a cultural touchstone, resonating with women across the African continent by presenting relatable characters navigating financial struggles and successes.
The Birth of The Smart Money Woman
The book is a blend of storytelling and practical financial advice, particularly targeted at African women. It covers themes such as debt management, investment, and personal financial planning while addressing societal and cultural issues that affect women’s financial decisions. It doesn’t end there, Arese is also the founder of Smart Money Africa, a platform that provides financial literacy content and resources for individuals and businesses. When she wrote The Smart Money Woman, she didn’t know that it will not only help others make better financial decisions, but it was to also open many doors for her as well. Following the success of the book, The Smart Money Woman was adapted into a TV series, which further cemented the author’s influence as a thought leader in financial education across Africa.
From Page to Screen: The Birth of a Groundbreaking Series
The book’s success inspired its adaptation into a television series, which was first streamed on Netflix. The first season gained widespread recognition for bringing financial literacy to life in a relatable and engaging way. Following its positive reception, Netflix initially showed interest in a second season. However, after production wrapped up, the streaming giant decided the series no longer aligned with their content strategy.
Despite the disappointing answer, the author refused to be deterred. Again, Arese did not let tough times get her down, instead she decided to rise above it all. Determined to share her work, she pivoted to YouTube. Even though YouTube wasn’t her first choice of broadcasting the series, the platform allowed her to directly connect with viewers. Having previously pitched the series to Africa Magic, where she bought airtime and partnered with brands, she was no stranger to creative distribution strategies. The switch to YouTube not only brought unexpected benefits, such as vibrant audience engagement, but it also brought warmth to the writer & producer – showing how people are loving the series and even find relatable moments within the series. She’s even considering creating a dedicated Instagram page to continue these conversations because of the interactions.
Netflix vs YouTube Pros & Cons
Some Pros and Cons for each platform (Netflix and YouTube):
Netflix Pros:
• Massive global reach and audience exposure
• High production budgets
• Prestige associated with the platform
Netflix Cons:
• Content decisions are beyond creators’ control
• Tough competition to maintain viewership interest
• Rejection can be emotionally challenging
YouTube Pros:
• Direct interaction with viewers through comments
• Creative freedom and flexibility in production
• Monetization options through ads and brand partnerships
• Easy accessibility for a global audience
YouTube Cons:
• Lower production budgets
• Fierce competition for visibility
• Revenue largely dependent on ad views
What’s the Future Looking Like for The Smart Money Woman?
Even through the challenges faced in her journey of creating The Smart Money Woman: An African Girl’s Journey to Financial Freedom, the author remains optimistic and forward-thinking. She further emphasises that platforms do not define her creative process. Her only focus is on telling beautiful, relatable stories that resonate with audiences, regardless of whether they are on Netflix, Amazon, Showmax, or YouTube. With plans to create a third season of The Smart Money Woman, the author looks forward to featuring more brand partnerships as she continues to inspire women and Africans to take control of their financial futures while redefining African storytelling on a global scale.
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