It seems the mantra “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again” is one that Megan McKenna has taken to heart—perhaps a little too literally. For the Only Way Is Essex star, who once built a thriving career from reality TV fame, her venture into business has been marked by mounting failures, rising debts, and relentless controversies that have left fans and industry insiders alike questioning her acumen as an entrepreneur.
Despite a reported personal fortune of around £2 million, Megan’s business ventures seem to have been anything but successful. And now, whispers are growing louder, and a troubling pattern is emerging—her third business is reportedly headed for the same disastrous fate as her first two.
Business Failures Pile Up
Megan’s entrepreneurial journey has been far from the success story many might have expected. From her brief stint as a restaurant owner to her more recent attempts in the fashion industry, the reality TV star has faced one setback after another.
Back in 2018, Megan opened MCK Grill, an Essex-based restaurant that was meant to be the cornerstone of her business empire. With a glitzy launch and celebrity-packed opening night, the venture seemed destined for success. But just 14 months later, MCK Grill shut its doors for good, leaving behind a pile of unpaid debts. According to reports, the business owed a staggering £336,000, with a large portion of that sum reportedly owed to none other than Megan’s own mother. Not exactly the fairytale business story fans might have hoped for.
However, the drama didn’t end there. In 2021, Megan launched a fashion business, hoping to capitalize on her popularity as an influencer. Yet again, things took a turn for the worse. The business folded, owing nearly £50,000, much of it tied to a bank loan that had failed to pay off. Like her restaurant venture, this business collapse left a long list of unpaid creditors, some of whom are reportedly still waiting to be paid to this day.
Now, Megan finds herself once again in financial distress. Her latest headache? A ‘performing arts’ company, which is currently in the red, with debts totaling £75,000. The firm has not filed accounts since March 2024, and its confirmation statement—vital for keeping the company registered—has been overdue for more than a year. This has not gone unnoticed by authorities, with Companies House recently moving to strike the company off the register entirely.
A Pattern of Financial Disasters
What is most concerning about Megan’s business journey is the unmistakable pattern that has emerged. Each of her ventures has met with failure, and it seems as though the same issues keep repeating themselves. From debts, missed deadlines, and financial mismanagement, to businesses closing their doors within months of their launch, Megan’s entrepreneurial efforts are fast becoming a cautionary tale for those hoping to follow in her footsteps.
Despite a personal fortune estimated to be in the millions, Megan’s ability to turn a profit and sustain her ventures seems to be non-existent. And now, her latest business is reportedly facing the same fate. Insiders have revealed that creditors are becoming increasingly frustrated, with many now questioning whether Megan will ever be able to recover from her mounting debts.
While her personal wealth may appear substantial on paper, it is clear that much of it has been tied up in businesses that have failed to deliver. With creditors demanding payment and no sign of recovery on the horizon, Megan’s financial situation is becoming more precarious by the day.
Attempts to Keep the Truth Under Wraps
What has raised even more eyebrows is the way in which Megan appears to be handling the situation. In March 2025, her latest company quietly changed its name from the far more recognizable ‘M McKenna Ltd’ to the decidedly less distinctive ‘Number 1671 Ltd.’ While this may seem like an innocuous administrative decision, many observers believe it is a deliberate attempt to distance the company from its troubled past.
Given that Megan’s previous business failures have been highly publicized, it seems she may be trying to keep this latest venture out of the spotlight. By changing the name and keeping a low profile, it appears that Megan is hoping to prevent the same level of scrutiny that her previous failures attracted. However, the whispers surrounding her businesses have only grown louder, and it’s clear that her attempts to keep things under wraps may not be enough to stop the public from taking notice.
A Public Image That Doesn’t Match Reality
On the surface, Megan’s personal life couldn’t be more different from her business troubles. These days, she is no longer the fiery reality TV star fans once knew. Now a mother to her young son, Landon, and married to professional footballer Stuart Armstrong, Megan splits her time between London and Berlin, cultivating a more relatable, down-to-earth public image.
Her social media posts reflect this transformation, with cooking videos, family moments, and wellness content that have garnered her a loyal following of fans. Her followers admire her for the authenticity she projects online—much of it revolving around her parenting journey and her passion for cooking. With millions of followers across her platforms, Megan has cultivated a brand that resonates with many who see her as more than just a celebrity—she’s a mother, a wife, and a businesswoman.
But behind the glossy Instagram feed and the carefully curated content, questions remain about her ability to manage her finances and business ventures. While her personal image may be that of a grounded, relatable influencer, her business record tells a very different story.
Could it be that Megan’s growing influence on social media is clouding her judgment when it comes to her entrepreneurial endeavors? Many fans have expressed concern that Megan may be overestimating her business acumen, believing that her fame as a TV star and influencer would be enough to guarantee success. Unfortunately, the reality has proven to be far more complicated.
What’s Next for Megan McKenna?
So, what lies ahead for Megan McKenna and her faltering business empire? Will her latest venture follow the same path as its predecessors, or will Megan finally manage to turn things around?
At this stage, it’s unclear what the future holds. However, there are signs that Megan may be on the brink of making some serious changes. Sources close to her have hinted that she is considering pivoting to a completely new line of work—one that doesn’t involve business ownership. Perhaps, after multiple failed attempts, Megan may decide to step away from the entrepreneurial world entirely.
It’s also possible that Megan will use her platform and loyal following to shift focus away from her business ventures and toward her personal brand as an influencer. With millions of fans who admire her cooking videos and family moments, there’s no doubt that Megan has the potential to continue growing her influence in other areas of the entertainment world.
Only time will tell what path Megan will choose. But one thing is certain: the public is watching closely, and Megan McKenna’s next move will be under intense scrutiny. Will she succeed in turning her business troubles around, or is this the beginning of the end of her entrepreneurial journey? Only time will tell.
The Final Word
Megan McKenna’s business saga is far from over, and the story is anything but a fairytale. From debts and business closures to attempts to conceal the truth, Megan’s journey has become a cautionary tale of how even fame and fortune cannot always protect you from failure. Will her next venture be her final chance to turn things around, or will she become another celebrity cautionary tale? Keep an eye on the latest developments, because this drama is far from over.
