A contestant on The Apprentice who boasts that she is a beauty entrepreneur once had a stage production company which went bust owing nearly £1million.
Amy Anzel, 48, will be hoping to impress Lord Alan Sugar with her business skills as the oldest out of 16 contestants in the hit show’s new series, which starts on Thursday on BBC One after an absence of two years.
The former actress currently sells her own beauty products and accessories which she claims are ‘loved by makeup artists, consumers and celebrities alike’.
Uh oh! A contestant on The Apprentice who boasts that she is a beauty entrepreneur once had a stage production company which went bust owing nearly £1million
But Amy left a trail of debts when she produced the touring show Happy Days The Musical based on the popular 1970s TV comedy.
Amy was the sole shareholder of the company called Sunday Monday Ltd which put on the show across the UK, before it went into liquidation in December 2016.
Companies House records reveal the company which traded under the name Happy Days owed £960,568 to investors and suppliers.
Amy claimed in 2013 that the show had become one of the biggest ever successes in theatrical crowdfunding after it raised £250,000 from 345 investors through the online platform Seedrs.
She even engaged actor Henry Winkler who played the character The Fonz in the original TV series of Happy Days, to be a creative consultant.
Not a good start? Amy Anzel, 48, will be hoping to impress Lord Sugar with her business skills as the oldest out of 16 contestants in the hit show’s new series which starts on Thursday on BBC One after an absence of two years
Hollwood Browzer: The former actress currently sells her own beauty products and accessories which she claims are ‘loved by makeup artists, consumers and celebrities alike’
Theatre fans ploughed in cash to support the musical, based on life in small town America in the 1950s, hoping for an eventual share of 25% of the profits.
But a statement of affairs, detailing amounts owed to creditors after the liquidation, showed the company still owed £127,500 to those who invested through Seedrs.
It also owed more than £400,000 to other individuals and investment firms, in addition to £177,387 owed to Amy herself, according to documents.
Other sums were owed to companies who supplied equipment and expertise to put on the show at a string of venues.
American-born Amy will be hoping that Lord Sugar overlooks her previous failure by crowning her the winner of this year’s show, and investing £250,000 in her current business.
Disaster! But Amy left a trail of debts when she produced the touring show Happy Days The Musical based on the popular 1970s TV comedy (pictured with Happy Days actor Henry Winkler, who she recruited to consult on the project in 2014)
Her battle to put on the Happy Days production was highlighted in 2013 in Channel 4’s reality show about theatre world struggles, called The Sound of Musicals.
But one creditor who asked not to be named, said: ‘Personally, I think she was a bit out of her depth.
‘There was a production manager who gave me the job, as I had worked for him before.
‘I phoned him after a while to say she ain’t paying her bills and he said she owed him some money as well.
‘I did end up with some of the money I was owed, but I didn’t get the majority of it and I was left as one of the creditors.
‘It left a nasty taste at the time because it was a reasonable amount of money
‘It is not the first time it has happened to me. I have lost money on other projects. You just take it on the chin.
‘But I would never do anything for her again unless she paid up the entire amount up front. And I don’t think I will be watching her on The Apprentice.’
A retired investment manager, 70, from London who lost all the £10,000 that he invested in the show, said: ‘I had high hopes for it.
‘I didn’t think I was going to make tons of money, but I was surprised to lose it all. I thought I would just wash my face.
Business venture: Amy was the sole shareholder of the company called Sunday Monday Ltd which put on the show across the UK, before it went into liquidation in December 2016 (pictured with the cast of Happy Days)
‘I saw the opening show and thought everything was fine. They seemed to have a professional approach to touring the country and a good business plan. I thought that there would be enough nostalgia around to fill theatres.
‘I was put in touch with it by another backer and I never met Amy, although I got her gushing emails. I know she put her heart and soul into it.
‘To this day, I don’t know what went wrong. I don’t think there was any maleficence or anything dodgy about it. I just don’t think it hit the right chord. I have got no animosity or anger towards her.’
Amy took on the production after earlier appearing in workshops held by Gary Marshall, the creator of the TV show, when he was working on turning it into a musical in Los Angeles in 2004 and 2005.
Moving on! Amy, who is now based in London, launched her beauty brand, Hollywood Browzer Beauty in 2017
She stated in an interview that she had hoped it would follow on from the success of other 1950s Americana shows, such as Jersey Boys, Hairspray, and Grease.
Amy added at the time: ‘Audiences absolutely love the show! Even if they are not fans of the TV show, they fall in love with the characters and are entertained for two hours with amazing dancing and singing.’
Amy escribed her company Sunday Monday Ltd as ‘a single purpose production company established solely for the UK/Ireland tour of Happy Days the Musical’.
It was placed into Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation in August 2014 after the tour was completed and was formally dissolved in December 2016.
She said that all creditors and Investors were invited to a formal meeting to discuss the outstanding debts after the liquidation commenced, but none attended.
The liquidator’s report – which was produced as standard procedure – found no grounds for further investigation of Amy who was the sole director.
She said in a statement to MailOnline: ‘As a young producer at the time of working on the Happy Days The Musical production, I hired a really seasoned team to support me in all aspects of the show.
‘Working in the theatre industry, only about one in ten productions are usually profitable and it is very common that unfortunately some productions finish with a loss – which was the case with Happy Days The Musical in which I myself also incurred a substantial financial loss.’
The BBC made no mention of the failure of Amy’s company when it announced on Tuesday that she was taking part in The Apprentice.
Publicity material for the show, stated: ‘Starting her beauty business a little later in life, Amy has now found what she really loves doing after previously working in sales, showbiz and jingles.
‘Amy takes business very seriously, and describes herself as determined, persistent and a ‘tough boss’.’
It also provided a quote from her, saying: ‘I can be nice when I need to be, but when I unfortunately have to be a bitch, I will…’
Amy’s personal website states that her ‘love for entertainment’ started as a child when she was in local theatre productions.
She says she sang jingles for hundreds of commercials from the age of ten including those for McDonald’s, Coca-Cola (I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing’) and Connect 4.
Her website reveals that she continued performing as an adult in dozens of musicals such as the US Tour of Annie, the European Tour of Grease, Happy Days and a Cinderella panto with Jimmy Osmond.
She also appeared in the first season of US dating show The Bachelor in 2002.
Hot mama! Her award-winning multi-functional Hollywood Browzer beauty tool is used for dermaplaning, a form of exfoliation that painlessly removes hair and a top layer of dead skin
The website also makes no reference to the failure of her company behind Happy Days The Musical which was her first theatre production,
But it mentions that the show featured on The Sound of Musicals, saying Amy ‘won the hearts of UK audiences throughout the series with her never ending ‘glass half full’ attitude as she overcame many hurdles along the way’.
It adds: ‘Despite her many setbacks, Amy got the show up and running and toured the UK and Ireland for six months entertaining audiences around the country.
‘She subsequently produced Moby Dick, the UK premieres of The Life, Sideways, Vanities, Casa Valentina, and the Olivier award winning Dreamgirls on the West End.’
Success! Amy’s tool is the award-winning multi-functional Hollywood Browzer
Amy, who is now based in London, launched her beauty brand, Hollywood Browzer Beauty in 2017 ‘as she wanted everyone to experience the same tools that Hollywood celebrities have used on them by their makeup artists’.
Her award-winning multi-functional Hollywood Browzer beauty tool is used for dermaplaning, a form of exfoliation that painlessly removes hair and a top layer of dead dull skin.
She states on her website that the use of her tools has ‘multiple benefits including better product penetration, a flawless makeup application, and radiant, glowing skin’.
The website adds: ‘Amy is adamant that dermaplaning should be an integral part of every woman’s beauty routine and believes that every woman would benefit from using Hollywood Browzer Beauty’s dermaplaning products.’
It says that Amy discovered the benefits of dermaplaning after she ‘spent hours in make-up trailers and backstage dressing rooms around the world and was constantly exposed to the tips and tricks of various makeup artists and Hollywood celebrities’.
The latest accounts for her company Pembrook Products which markets her tools shows it has current assets of £900,739. But the company had liabilities of £1.2m, meaning it was technically worth £219,821 on December 31, 2020.
Amy added: ‘Pembrook Products Ltd is my beauty products company, which is open, in good standing, and currently profitable. I also have a personal financial investment in this company.’
She has presented her products on TV shopping channels around the world including QVC UK, QVC Germany, and QVC Italy.
It’s back! The Apprentice returns on Thursday at 9pm on BBC1
THE APPRENTICE 2022: MEET THE WOMEN
AMY ANZEL, 48
Occupation: Owner, beauty brand
Lives: London
Key information: Starting her beauty business a little later in life, Amy has now found what she really loves doing after previously working in sales, showbiz and jingles.
She says: ‘I can be nice when I need to be, but when I unfortunately have to be a b***h, I will…’
BRITTANY CARTER, 25
Occupation: Hotel front of house manager
Lives: Bristol
Key information: Brittany is looking to break away from her hotel role and launch the first alcoholic protein drink, with Lord Sugar’s help.
She says: ‘My motto for life is ‘always look on the bright side’
FRANCESCA KENNEDY-WALLBANK, 26
Occupation: Owner, sustainability company
Lives: Surrey
Key information: The eco-conscious, mathematics graduate is looking for investment in her next venture, providing a product carbon footprint service for businesses with a simple equation of her own creation.
She says: ‘There’s two types of people in the world- people that say they are going to do things and people that actually do them and I’m a doer’
HARPEET KAUR, 30
Occupation: Owner, dessert parlour
Lives: West Yorkshire
Key information: Describing herself as a born leader, fearless and funny, Harpreet plans to ‘level up’ her successful, six-figure coffee and cakes business to become a leading brand in the UK.
She says: ‘I’m definitely not in business to make friends. I’m here to make money, and I’m sure Lord Sugar isn’t looking for a new mate.
KATHRYN LOUISE BURN, 29
Occupation: Owner, online pyjama store
Lives: Swindon
Key information: Kathryn has worked a wide range of jobs from mortgage advisor to events manager. Describing herself as ambitious, kind, and often ‘savage’, she says she’s there to win, not to make friends.
She says: ‘My dreams in my head are absolutely huge and I believe I can achieve them.’
SOPHIE WILDING, 32
Occupation: Owner, boutique cocktail bar
Lives: Cheltenham
Key information: Describing herself as ‘magical and enchanting’ Sophie even has a witch school qualification. She previously worked in sales and has huge renovation plans for her bar.
She says: ‘Failure is not an option. Winning is part of my DNA.’
STEPHANIE AFFLECK, 28
Occupation: Owner, online children’s store
Lives: Kent
Key information: With her East-London roots, the blonde is hoping to bond with Lord Sugar and match his no nonsense attitude towards business. She’s looking for funding to develop her designer store and be part of the growing pre-loved fashion industry.
She says: ‘I’ve got grit, determination and I’m determined to be successful.’
SHAMA AMIN, 41
Occupation: Owner, children’s day nursery
Lives: Bradford
Key information: Shama already has a busy work life running her children’s day nursery as well as juggling life with five children at home. She is ready to prove she has the ‘skillset that is required to be one of the best, successful businesswomen in the early years sector.’
She says: ‘Being a lady of colour, wearing a headscarf as well and the challenges that we face on a daily basis, I just want to be a living example for the Asian women out there.’
THE APPRENTICE 2022: MEET THE MEN
AARON WILLIS, 38
Occupation: Flight Operations Instructor
Lives in: Chorley, Lancashire
Key information: Having served in the RAF for 12 years as Flight Operations Instructor, Aaron has set out to start his own security business.
He says: ‘My strongest point is that I can sell to anybody and I think that’s the reason why my business will be a success, because people will buy from me.’
AKSHAY THAKRAR, 28
Occupation: Owner, Digital Marketing Agency
Lives in: London
Key information: Referring to himself as a man who believes sleeping is a ‘waste of time’ he also claims his first word as a newborn was ‘profit’.
He says: ‘My friends call me AK 47 because I’m a killer salesperson.’
CONOR GILSENAN, 28
Occupation: Sales Executive and former Professional Rugby Player
Lives in: London
Key information: Hard working and ‘hyper motivated by money’, ex rugby player Conor describes himself as a ‘corporate panther’ with a record for getting deals done and who will win this series.
He says: ‘I’m going to be the corporate panther in the boardroom, I’m going to get it done, and I’m going to be Lord Sugar’s perfect business partner.’
NAVID SOLE, 27
Occupation: Pharmacist
Lives in: London
Key information: Qualified pharmacist and Nicki Minaj superfan Navid aspires to create a successful pharmacy business with the help and expertise of Lord Sugar.
He says: ‘Nothing intimidates me because I just feel like I’m a strong character, strong person, strong mindset.’
AKEEM BUNDU KAMARA, 29
Occupation: Strategy Manager for a Financial Firm
Lives in: London
Key information: Akeem considers himself a people’s person who loves being around others, however as a ‘numbers guy’, his analytical ability often causes him to think carefully about his every move, as he claims he will come in with a ‘calculated point of view.’
He says: ‘My growing up has made me who I am, I’m able to converse with everyone, but also able to show that financial, business side to myself.’
ALEX SHORT, 27
Occupation: Owner, Commercial Cleaning Company
Lives in: Hertford
Key information: With big goals for his commercial cleaning business, Alex is driven, focused and is ‘not going to stop’ until he gets where he wants to go.
He says: ‘I would compare myself to a Ferrari, shiny on the outside but under the bonnet, there is a lot of fire and I’m coming for you.’
HARRY MAHMOOD, 35
Occupation: Regional Operations Manager
Lives in: West Midlands
Key information: Inspired by the kindness of his grandparents, Harry wants to help and support people.
He says: ‘Everything I’ve looked into achieving, I’ve achieved I’ve literally done everything I’ve put my mind to.’
NICK SHOWERING, 31
Occupation: Finance Manager
Lives in: London
Key information: After ‘working in the shadow of his family’s business’, qualified accountant Nick hopes to make a name for himself in the drinks industry with his line of flavoured water.
He says: ‘In business I’m a bit of a force to be reckoned with I know what I’m talking about, I know how things work, and I’m extremely experienced So, I’m a bit of an animal in the boardroom’
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