Keke Palmer: It would be a "dream" to start a business in Chicago
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Keke Palmer. Photo: Chad Salvador/WWD via Getty Images
Keke Palmer wants to reinvest in the city that taught her how to "hustle."
Driving the news: In an interview with Axios, the actress and host said it would be a "dream" to start a Chicago-based incubator for rising content creators.
The big picture: The star's acting career began in Chicago with a small role in "Barbershop 2: Back in Business."
- The Harvey native says she's helped fund 20-30 scripted and unscripted projects, showcased on her YouTube channel, KeyTV.
What she's saying: Palmer says her Chi-town upbringing has helped her navigate Hollywood.
- "Chicago is like a hustler type of place. Everybody is trying to make it happen, like entrepreneurialism was something that I saw very early on with my mom, from her being a teacher to doing music on the side, to having her own album, to her writing for other people, to getting paid for her performances during church services."
- "I think it just naturally showed me that you can be a business person. You can have a bunch of different ways to make money, to feed your goals, chase your dreams."
Behind the scenes: The "One Of Them Days" star tells Axios she learned to be a savvy businessperson at a young age and got her first credit card at 12 years old.
- "I understood early on that the card company that I'm working with is not just supposed to be taking from me, but they're supposed to give me something in return that helps my business become easier."
Dig in: Palmer says when she's not eating her father's cooking, she likes to dine at Alinea.
- "It's a very different kind of food. I think that's why I like to go because it's not something that you can get everywhere else."
What we're watching: Palmer is set to star in an upcoming comedy alongside Seth Rogen, Keanu Reeves and comedian Aziz Ansari.