By Emily Bashforth

Copyright metro

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video

Up Next

Previous Page

Next Page

Reality TV star Charlotte Crosby has revealed just how much money she’s put into her business, and she’s yet to receive ‘a penny’ of it back.

The Celebrity Big Brother winner, 35, has confessed to being £300,000 in debt after launching a fashion brand, Pepper Girls Club, with her own cash.

While her company’s page boasts an impressive 265k followers on Instagram, that number has not translated into sales.

Speaking frankly about what it’s actually like owning a business, Charlotte said in a new video: ‘The hardest thing with Pepper Girls Club is I have literally put so much money into this business. And that is no word of a lie.

‘I’ve put about £300k into this business over the last eight years, and I haven’t received a penny of that back.’

As the sole owner, she added: ‘The company is only in debt to me, which is fine.

Charlotte Crosby has been running her clothing brand for eight years (Picture: Instagram)

‘I would love to get it to the point where I can start to get some of that money back, but it’s just not there yet.’

And being a public figure hasn’t worked in Charlotte’s favour either, as she’s also encountered setbacks when seeking investments.

‘A lot of people who start businesses have the opportunity to get investment from people, but honestly, I have tried so hard, and I get the door slammed in my face.

‘I remember, I went to a meeting with someone who was going to invest, and their accountant told me that Pepper Girls Club would do good the day that pigs would fly.’

Charlotte also said in the Q&A that her ‘biggest business mistake’ is ‘spending too much money on photoshoots’, such as the time she shot a summer collection in Ibiza ‘far too late’ and splashed out ‘about 20 grand’.

However, the Geordie Shore star is remaining optimistic, acknowledging that her company ‘has come a long way’.

She’s £300,000 in debt after putting her own money into Pepper Girls Club (Picture: Instagram)

‘We have so many loyal customers, we are a business that’s been able to employ more and more people, so I think a victory is that we are growing.

‘We are going in the right direction.’

In the comments, Charlotte was met with plenty of support from her fans after speaking so candidly, with fellow business owners relating to her struggles.

‘Love this Charlotte!! Definitely on its way up!! ❤️❤️❤️’, commented @diandrabryce.

‘Felt all of this 😂❤️ Beautiful brand. It’s coming with only yourself to thank. Can’t wait for this for you!’, wrote @riverandro_.

‘Love this👏🏼 the amount of women not gatekeeping and speaking about the highs and lows of business these days makes my heart happy. ITS HARD! You’re doing amazing x’, praised @littlelambschildrenswear.

The reality star was previously said to be worth £2million (Picture: Justin Goff Photos/Getty Images)

Charlotte is a proud mum to two young daughters (Picture: Instagram)

Mum-of-two Charlotte was said to be worth around £2million, if not more, last year.

Over the years, she has raked in huge sums via public appearances and endorsements.

Television-wise, while she rose to fame with her antics on Geordie Shore, she’s since appeared on some of the nation’s biggest programmes, including Ex on the Beach, Celebs Go Dating, Coach Trip, Come Dine with Me, and Celebrity MasterChef.

She won Celebrity Big Brother in 2013 and has also appeared on the Australian version of I’m A Celebrity.

What’s more, Charlotte has had her own shows, having hosted Just Tattoo of Us, fronted The Charlotte Show, and had a reality show documenting her life as a new mum.

The Geordie Shore star got engaged to boyfriend Jake Ankers in 2023 (Picture: Instagram)

Away from the screen, Charlotte made a killing with her fitness DVDs and books.

In December 2014, her first DVD, Charlotte’s 3 Minute Belly Blitz, became the UK’s fastest-selling fitness DVD, and it has remained popular over a decade later.

With regard to her personal life, influencer Charlotte has been dating businessman Jake Ankers since 2021, and they got engaged in November 2023.

Together, they have two young daughters: Alba and Pixi.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.