Wendy Osefo Is Planning to Open a Nigerian Lounge… with Help from Peter Thomas
The Real Housewives of Potomac cast member turned to the former RHOA husband for advice on her latest venture.
As Dr. Wendy Osefo described on the Season 7 premiere of The Real Housewives of Potomac, her “daily life is super chaotic.”
“I wake up at six to get the kids ready for school, I focus on all of my lessons for my professorship, I look over orders for Onyi Home Essentials, I also have speaking engagements, and I have my upcoming book,” she explained in an episode interview. “But I lack the ability to say no to opportunities.”
With that in mind, the multi-hyphenate was ready to add restaurateur to her long list of accomplishments, and she turned to a familiar face for guidance. “For someone like me that knows I have no knowledge of the hospitality industry, I just have a vision of what I want,” Wendy told Peter Thomas, noting in an episode interview, “Peter has been successful in his past endeavors.”
While Wendy thought Peter, who was once married to The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Cynthia Bailey, could be a good partner for her business, she wanted to make one thing very clear. “I did not approach Mr. Peter for the restaurant,” she said in an interview. “Mr. Peter overheard my conversation and said he wants to be a part of the restaurant. Let the history books note that.”
As Wendy and Peter discussed the venture, it became apparent that they weren’t totally aligned with the concept. “If I do this in Baltimore city, I want to use some of my expertise and education in the lounge. Why can’t it become like a library with books of all-Black authors, and we open it up to kids from 2 to 4?” Wendy asked, to which Peter replied, “It doesn’t work like that.”
After Peter declared, “I think it’s definitely gonna work if it’s done the right way,” he told Wendy, “I’m gonna put up my money” and suggested she invest in 20 percent of the business. After calculating that the amount would be $300,000 of the restaurant’s estimated initial $1.5 million cost, Wendy knew she needed to run the numbers by her husband, Eddie Osefo, before proceeding.
“Eddie and I share our finances,” she said. “That amount of money, I need Eddie to sign off on the check.”
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