Meet King Nnamani | Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with King Nnamani and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi King, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

Ideally, I lay out scenarios of what my possible outcomes could be depending on the choices. In addition to possible solutions if said issues were to arise.

Risk has been a big factor in my career thus far. I am calculated on how I go about it. However, there have been many instances where I’ve bet on myself and left it up to my effort and divine faith. Do I always recommend that? Only if you wholeheartedly believe in yourself.

I graduated from CUNY Baruch College in June 2019. The very next day I started my video production internship at HAVAS, a global advertising agency. Working there was an experience of a lifetime. Ultimately, I was offered an opportunity to stay full-time. However, something told me it just wasn’t for me, I still had my sights on pursuing my acting career in Los Angeles. I denied the option to stay and booked a flight to Los Angeles.

With the little money I had, I cultivated a plan to stay in LA for a month to plant seeds in the industry and hopefully make some progress towards my dreams. I still remember ubering from agency to agency with my headshot and resume trying to get a meeting. Slammed with consistent no’s and negative attitude. One office in Beverly Hills actually kicked me out once I took the first step in. My heart sank. Ironically enough as I sat on the steps outside the building contemplating the choice I had made, I saw a sign that read “The best is yet to come.” It lifted my spirit and reminded me that this was a long game. Nothing will come magically overnight. Little did I know, I was building out my story. Every successful individual has some type of wacky journey.

Eventually before my trip back to NYC, I secured some solid connections to help me facilitate moving to LA at some point.

I went back to NYC and started hustling with my business, King Curated Productions, LLC. Shooting photos, videos, and making websites for clients to stay afloat and have flexibility for auditions or any last minute bookings for acting. This profession honestly forces you to become an entrepreneur because money surely is not consistent. Which can be very terrifying. Every single day is an absolute risk because time can’t be given back.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Let’s see! I feel like what sets me apart from others is my skill-set and tenacity. Essentially I can do multiple things. It’s a blessing to be able to step into multiple industries and make some waves. Coming from being an athlete, anything I’m involved in I want to win. I have a couple mantras I live by, one is in correlation with my podcast/fitness community “The Underdogs” which is “DO EVERYTHING BE ANYTHING” I feel like outside forces are always trying to limit us or preach to stay in your lane. I say you can swerve back and forth as long as you find a healthy balance between it all. My other mantra is, “DEFINE YOUR MOTIVE”. What makes you wake up and lace those shoes up EVERY MORNING? Best believe it has to be bigger than money.

I am the founder of King Curated Productions, LLC and Kings Hospitality, LLC in which I co-own King’s Cafe, where “You Are Royalty”. The production/creative business is essentially where I got my start in entrepreneurship.

I first started by DM’ing Arianna Huffington on Instagram trying to get a summer internship. I was shocked when she actually responded and opposed to receiving an interview for an internship, she had me looped in with their senior editor via email to have my own contributor platform on The Huffington Post, which rebranded to HuffPost following Arianna’s exit to start Thrive Global. I used that as an opportunity to reach out to some of my favorite entrepreneurs to learn more about different industries. In addition to providing free information to anyone out there just like me trying to make something of themselves. Some of my favorite interviews are of Natalie Amrossi, known as Misshattan the nyc aerial photographer and Tom Jauncy, the co-founder of Beautiful Destinations. A creative travel agency with a combined following of over 25 million.

I never had a plan of being a photographer, videographer, or producer but I always had an interest for film and tv. Growing up all I did was watch movies and tv and would quote my favorite lines to the point it would be second nature. I quickly realized I wanted to be on TV or in movies as a profession. I would idolize stars like Sylvester Stallone, Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Chadwick Boseman, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Their explosiveness in performance really made the concept of storytelling so amazing. Movies & TV are an escape from reality for the viewers and acting is our escape to a world where we can just play.

I purchased my first camera in OCT 2016 to start making shorts so I can become a better filmmaker/actor. Ironically enough, I got discouraged because what I saw in my head wasn’t appearing in real life because I didn’t know the technicality yet. I went to school for digital marketing so anything film/camera/acting related I learned from YouTube and classes outside of college. Eventually I started doing free shoots to learn how to use my camera. Then finally the question was asked. “OMG I LOVE THAT PHOTO, HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE?” I instantly had an epiphany. Never thought I’d be able to make money with my camera. I was just in it to perfect my craft to prepare me for future projects.

From there I kept on grinding. From traveling back and forth between NYC & LA working with clients in film, fitness, real estate, and tech. Gained enough notoriety to work with brands such as Nike, Amex, Ralph Lauren, Google, Adidas, hall of famer basketball player Isiah Thomas, and more! To then diving into international work in Mykonos, Bahamas, and Maldives for tourism work. I created a completely spontaneous life by accident from learning how to use a camera. Something I never planned on doing, an absolute blessing! It definitely was not easy to get here, and I’m not even close to what I can be.

On the acting side, I made my first national television debut in May 2021 on Investigation Discovery’s, Evil Lives Here co-starring as the role of Stafford. A few months later, my big screen debut arrived on Netflix’s, The Harder They Fall. I had a cameo in one of the most impactful movies of the year for the culture. It later went to be #1 in the U.S and U.K on Netflix and won a BAFTA. In addition to being named Outstanding Motion Picture during the 53rd NAACP Image Awards. To be able to be part of a project directed by Jeymes Samules, a fellow Nigerian was an absolute pleasure! Felt surreal being alongside strong black talent like Regina King, Idris Elba, Lakeith Stanfield, Delroy Linda, Woody McClain, Jonathan Majors, and many more.  My role wasn’t major but just being a puzzle piece to the big picture made my heart warm! It reminded me that I was on the right path and to never give up on myself.

Fast forward to the hospitality side, we’re just getting started! March 8th, was the official launch of our restaurant/cafe/lounge King’s Cafe. We are located in the heart of the lower east side at 79 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002. Our slogan is, “You Are Royalty”. We want everyone who comes through our door to know they are worthy and deserving of whatever they are passionate about in this life. King’s Cafe is more than just a name or location. It is a landmark made by those of us that believe in a higher vision, and dream beyond our wildest imagination. We pride ourselves on creating an unforgettable experience tailored for a King and Queen. While manifesting the mission with like-minded professionals that emulate opulence and class.

We as humans are met with constant hate, doubt, and envy. However, it’s up to us to look on the inside and see how bright our own light shines and put that energy out to ignite the flames of others to pursue their passions. We have one life to live, make it count and don’t leave any regrets. My team and I are super excited for what’s to come. Especially with spring and summer around the corner. What’s my favorite item on the menu you ask? Steak Frites and Frenched Chicken. Trust me, it’s all mouth watering! Let’s not forget about our amazing cocktails made by the best bartender in NYC, Benny Guzman. My favorite is the Mango Dragon.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Well I’m definitely recommending them to come to NYC when it’s warm out. I’m big on fitness, so I’d probably take them to a couple of my favorite group fitness classes all over the city like Grit Boxing, The Strength Club, or BQE fitness for some pick up basketball at the indoor gym. Or a nice long run along the west side pier/highway starting down in my favorite neighborhood, Tribeca. That’s for sure. Like I said before, I love steak and pasta! One of my favorite restaurants in the city is this cute Peruvian spot in Greenwich called Panca. Lomo Saltado for the entree of course with the chicken empanadas & fried calamari. You’ll be in an instant food coma!

Can’t forget about my own restaurant, King’s Cafe or the Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão. There are so many activities in the city that the possibilities are endless! Central Park and Prospect Park in Brooklyn would definitely be on the itinerary. I bring my camera with me wherever I go. Usually my friends who are visiting NYC don’t come here often so I always make sure to take a lot of pictures of them and make a folder to share all the memories. I’m a movie fanatic so we’d also hit the theater in LES at REGAL ESSEX for peak comfort and experience.

Can’t come to NYC and not go shopping in Soho or eating authentic chinese food in Chinatown! Let’s not forget about the ideal finds in various thrift shops!

One of my favorite observatories to see the city is, “The Edge” sitting 100 floors above Manhattan, the view is impeccable. Definitely end the trip with some quality ice cream at sundaes and cones on East 10th Street.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

Honestly, I’d love to shoutout my mother & father Ngozi “Patricia” Nnamani, Johnny “Spute” Nnamani and my multiple mentors. Without their influence I would not be here.

My Mother: I never fully understood the magnitude of my mother taking all of us from Nigeria to America for our own personal success until I got older. At the age of 4 everything seemed like a big vacation. Until I realized I wasn’t going back home anytime soon. Watching my mother work absolute graveyard shifts just to help support my 5 siblings and I made me tear up at times. If only there was something I could do to help, you know?

I thought playing Football would be my way out of this new life I found myself in. I tried hard but not hard enough. I didn’t leave it all out on the field. I got consumed by the flooding of college letters and being “that guy” on scout teams radar. Shall I say, I was humbled. I didn’t live up to the high expectations I had set for myself. That pain definitely made me who I am today.

I didn’t come from a poor upbringing but at times it felt like it because of all the pressure on my mother’s back. I hated asking my family for money. I always wanted to figure a way to get it on my own whether it was landscaping, selling candy, Pokemon cards, etc. Seeing my mother work those late shifts destroyed me on the inside. One less stress on her back is all I could ask for. Raising 6 kids in a new country is definitely not an easy task!!

My father: The man, the myth, the legend. A local celebrity in Enugu, Nigeria for how he came from NOTHING to SOMETHING. His self-made success earned him an honorary pHD from Commonwealth University. I didn’t grow up watching my father so I couldn’t learn from him as well as my older siblings. Everything I knew of was from him calling me on the phone or telling me stories. I took notes at a young age on how he carried himself. Always well put together and he made sure to take care of us as much as he could. I can’t imagine the stress he went through to earn enough to convert our Naira currency to the U.S. dollar to put 6 kids through undergraduate & graduate school.  Success in a foreign country compared to America is a different ball game. Watching what my father was able to accomplish in Nigeria got me thinking, “Can I do that here in the states?” All it takes is passion and a dedicated plan! It won’t always be a straight line, but the goal helps to keep course.

I have had multiple mentors over the past few years! Shoutout to my first acting coach Mel Williams who really saw something in me that I didn’t in myself.  In addition to my current business partner, Matthew Shendell. We actually just launched a new restaurant/lounge/cafe in NYC called King’s Cafe with one of my best friends Evan Betts.

I’ve crossed paths with so many beautiful souls who have helped me understand myself more. Whether it is a win or a “lesson” it all contributed to the overall mission of where I need to be mentally and spiritually for where I want to be.

A special family who I see as my second kin are the Sakacs. Without their support in my younger years I would not be here. From the rides to practice, home, camp, feeding me, etc!! They really took me in as a son. Forever grateful to them! Especially my lifelong brother Andrew Sakac. Thank you for everything!

Website: www.imfrancisking.com

Instagram: @kingmotive @kingcurated. @kingscafenyc

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francis-king-nnamani-8836b9b7/

Twitter: kingmotive7

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kings-cafe-new-york-3

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=oXB9urfHXkghttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DoXB9urfHXkg

Image Credits
@kingcurated