Being in the C-suite is a high-pressure job with long hours, board responsibilities, and intense scrutiny. But what is it like to be a top executive when you’re off the clock?
Fortune’s series, The Good Life, shows how up-and-coming leaders spend their time and money outside of work.
Today we meet someone a little different from our usual roster of C-suite executives and founders: The British TV presenter Maya Jama.
You may know the 30-year-old multimillionaire as the host of Love Island or the long-time Radio 1 DJ. But now, she wants to be known as an entrepreneur.
Jama, who is of Somali and Swedish descent, moved from Bristol to London at just 16 to pursue a career in broadcasting. Like many millennial teens at the time, she set up her own YouTube channel—and with a stroke of luck, it landed her her first presenting job.
From there, she impressively scaled the industry’s ranks. Jama went from presenting the relatively obscure JumpOff TV and football shows on Copa90, to getting regular gigs for ITV—the broadcaster behind Love Island—as well as other mainstream channels in the U.K. like Channel 4 and the BBC.
The star is living the career she dreamed of: She’s graced the cover of British Vogue, has millions of followers on social media, launched her own Pretty Little Thing collection and is the face of Rimmel London.
Now she’s dipping her toes into the world of entrepreneurship. Most recently, Jama announced a new business venture as she became an investor and co-owner in the Swedish plant milk company Sproud.
Maya Jama has graced the cover of British Vogue, has millions of followers on social media, launched her own Pretty Little Thing collection and is the face of Rimmel London.
It’s not her first experience in the start-up world: During the pandemic, she also founded the skincare range, MIJ Masks—which she says is still the business she’s most proud of.
“It means a lot to me because, as a consumer, it’s something I personally felt I needed,” she tells Fortune. “On our very first launch in 2020, it sold out immediately. We were also stocked in a major U.K. retailer, and we’re currently working on a new collection coming soon.”
Next up? Jama tells Fortune she’s become an investor in the app BlackBook, which she says is launching soon.
The finances
Fortune: What’s been the best investment you’ve ever bought?
Purchase-wise, my house in London has been an amazing financial investment. Aside from it being my first property in the city I now call home, it’s also a place that feels like me. It’s been a space I’ve decorated and made into my own little sanctuary.
And the worst?
I’ve been lucky enough *touchwood* not to make any bad financial investments. I do think longevity in investments is key, and I only invest in things I feel personally connected to and truly believe in.
How do you commute to work?
Work is different every week, and sometimes even every day. I don’t drive, so I’ll occasionally take a car, but most of the time, I’m filming internationally, so my commute looks different all the time.
“I do think longevity in investments is key, and I only invest in things I feel personally connected to and truly believe in.”
Maya Jama
Do you carry a wallet?
I’m wild and don’t carry a wallet, I just keep my bank card in a pocket or a zipped section in my bag. Plus, with ApplePay being so convenient now, I don’t really need a wallet.
Do you invest in shares?
I think a diverse portfolio is important, and I work with financial advisors to make sure I’m making the best financial decisions where possible across all my investments, whether business, property, or shares.
What personal finance advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
I’d tell her to start learning about money, investments, and financial literacy way earlier. I don’t think this is taught well enough to young people, to be honest.
What’s the one subscription you can’t live without?
I can’t live without my Netflix subscription. I love binge-watching my favourite series when I’m home and since I travel a lot, too, it’s easy to watch on my phone/iPad during flights when I need to. I pay for the premium version with no ads, and I think it is worth it.
Where’s your go-to wristwatch from?
I don’t often wear a watch. I always have my phone on hand for the time. But I do think a nice Rolex is always a good option—they last for years and is an item I can pass down, or invest in.
The necessities
How do you get your daily coffee fix?
I have a coffee machine at home, so I usually pop a Nespresso capsule in and make myself a cappuccino with plant-based milk. If I’m on set or on the move, my order is always an Americano just to give me a quick caffeine boost for the day.
What about eating on the go?
If I’m eating on the go, it’s usually an UberEats order from my favorite local takeaway. If I’m on set, it’ll be an order from Farmer J. If I’m at a restaurant with my manager or in a meeting, I’ll order a Caesar salad with a side of fries. Balance.
Where do you buy groceries?
I usually order my groceries online for delivery, or if I need something quickly, I’ll use UberEats. Since I’m always traveling and filming, it’s great to have a quick option when I’m home and realize I’ve run out of an ingredient or something I’m craving.
How often in a week do you dine out versus cook at home?
When I’m in London or back home in Bristol, I tend to cook more—about 5 or 6 times a week. But when I’m away for work, particularly in South Africa where the food is incredible, I tend to eat out a lot more.
Where do you shop for your work wardrobe?
I’m lucky to work with incredible stylists who get me dressed for work, shows, and appearances. Day to day, I’m more casual and like to style myself. I shop on Net-A-Porter a lot and love pieces from Loewe, Marni, and Bottega—I have the most amazing pair of jeans from them that I wear all the time. As my career has progressed, my style has evolved, and I’ve gained more confidence in what I wear. I don’t necessarily follow trends, but I now wear what makes me feel good, and obviously, the budgets are slightly bigger, too.
The treats
Are you the proud owner of any futuristic gadgets?
Not yet, but maybe one day. I do think the Meta glasses are genius and would make recording on the go much easier—I always try and get good TikTok videos and ‘day in the life’ style content at events and get halfway and forget to film, so this would make my life much easier.
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Spending time with my friends is definitely how I unwind and recharge. I also love going for a facial or treatment with Shane Cooper—that’s time I love for myself to relax. If I’ve had a long stretch of work, I’ll unwind at a relaxation retreat somewhere in the world where I can unplug from my phone, social media, and really be at one by myself in nature for a while.
What’s the best bonus treat you’ve bought yourself?
The best bonus treat I’ve bought for myself, and my friends was when I chartered a private jet to Ibiza last year to celebrate my 30th. That was definitely a fun and memorable one!
I wouldn’t say I often treat myself with “things”, but I do love experiences. Sometimes, I’ll book a trip for myself and my best friend to somewhere we’ve never been.
Take us on holiday with you, what’s next on your vacation list?
I attended Fashion Trust Arabia in Marrakesh last year, and I’d love to go back and spend more time there. Morocco was beautiful, but I’d love a few extra days to explore. I’d also love to visit more of Southeast Asia, like Thailand.
Here at The Good Life you don’t have to imagine what life at the top looks like anymore: Get real-life inspiration for how the most successful live life.
Fortune wants to hear from European leaders on what their “Good Life” looks like. Get in touch: orianna.royle@fortune.com
