Kenyan singer and entrepreneur Nadia Mukami has revealed that she lost millions of shillings while attempting to establish her own record label and creative hub.
Speaking during an appearance on the Iko Nini Podcast, Mukami said the venture started as an extension of a creative agency she had already launched to handle gigs and projects for various clients, including hospitals and radio stations.
Sh4 Million Investment
According to the singer, the early success of the agency motivated her to expand the business into a full creative space.
She disclosed that she invested around Sh3 million to set up a physical creative hub and spent nearly Sh1 million more on equipment such as band gear and other studio tools.
Partnership That Failed
Mukami said the project later expanded after a potential business partner proposed a collaboration.
Under the arrangement, Mukami would oversee marketing and artist development while the partner would provide funding and distribution support through her label network.
However, despite the agreement, the promised investment never came through.
Struggling With Operational Costs
The singer revealed that she continued running the operation while personally covering expenses, including Sh80,000 monthly rent, as she waited for the partner’s funding.
Without financial backing, the venture eventually became unsustainable.
Mukami said she had to end the partnership and release the artists who had signed under the label.
“A Hard Business Lesson”
The artist admitted that the failed venture drained her finances and also took attention away from her own music career.
She eventually shut down the project, describing the experience as a tough but valuable business lesson about partnerships and investment in the entertainment industry.
