The Business of Real Housewives: Your Guide to Experiencing the Life of Luxury and Drama in Every City

From restaurants and high-end retail stores to exotic vacations and athletic gyms, we have you covered

By Mike Vulpo Jul 01, 2016 1:00 PMTags
Kyle Richards, Bethenny Frankel, Meghan Edmonds, HousewivesGetty Images; Instagram

Business is booming for drama and Real Housewives from across the country are cashing in.

While some of Bravo's famous faces claim to join the popular franchise in hopes of "trying something new and fun" or to meet a "great group of girls," we can't help but recognize money may be a big plus too.

No, we're not talking salaries or contracts. Instead, we're looking at the business opportunities that seem to follow the wives once they appear on our screens and experience the occasional cat fight.

Whether it's Bethenny Frankel turning her Skinnygirl brand into a multimillion-dollar empire or Kim Zolciak having her musical dreams come true with the release of her single "Don't Be Tardy for the Party," credit has to be given to the Bravo franchise for helping expand potential businesses.

Since joining the Real Housewives of Orange County in season 10, Meghan King Edmonds has been able to showcase her ShopHashtagHats collection and bring awareness to her work with 3Strands. In the new season, the expectant mom will also showcase her new store K. Hall Designs located in Newport Beach, Calif.

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"The show has been an incredible outlet to share what I love—fun, fashion and lifestyle offerings, and helping others by engaging with my friends and followers through my social ventures and philanthropic efforts," she shared with E! News. "I'm an entrepreneur, and the show has helped lift my ideas around opportunities to exchange ideas."

The success has also spread to businesses who have agreed to have the Real Housewives film at their locations. Last season on Real Housewives of Atlanta, the cast enjoyed a trip to the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande resort. The vacation spanned four episodes (plus reruns) and proved beneficial to the hotel.

"One of the most high-profile opportunities which has increased Moon Palace Jamaica Grande's visibility was with the most recent season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta," Cessie Cerrato, director of public relations for Palace Resorts, tells E! News. "This was an impactful opportunity to highlight the AAA Four Diamond resort as The Real Housewives of Atlanta is the highest-rated installment of The Real Housewives franchise and is currently the most-watched series airing on Bravo. This specific opportunity also led to additional exposure and opportunities including a two-week long giveaway on the nationally syndicated Wendy Williams Show."

Perhaps the cherry on top to this money machine is the fact that viewers can experience it all for themselves. In honor of E! News' Business of Celebrity Week, we're taking a look at what ordinary fans can enjoy in some of the show's longest-running cities.

And we didn't forget about you Real Housewives of Potomac and Real Housewives of Dallas. But it's only season one for you and the best is yet to come.

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Bravo, Mara Soldinger/E! Illustration

Real Housewives of Orange County

Whether you find yourself going in or behind the gates of the O.C., there's plenty of ways to live the Real Housewives life. Start your morning by breaking a sweat with Tamra Judge at CUT Fitness. Walk across the street (literally) where Vicki Gunvalson can set you up with the best retirement plan possible.

Later on in the afternoon, put on one of Lizzie Rovsek's swimsuits from Sun Kitten Swimwear as you shop near the wives' favorite shopping centers—Fashion Island or South Coast Plaza, obviously.

End the night with one giant "woohoo" and some of Heather Dubrow's sparkling wine titled Collette.

Bravo, Mara Soldinger/E! Illustration

Real Housewives of New York City

You really won't be able to sleep in the Big Apple if you want to experience all of the wives' favorite things. Perhaps you will need a gold mask from Sonja Morgan's BFF Satoko Yamazaki to start your day.

As you travel around town by taxi or subway, stay entertained by enjoying Carole Radziwill's books (not written by ghost writers) or shop The Countess Collection by Luann de Lesseps on EVINE LIVE.

If you just want to experience the magic that is Turtle Time, we highly suggest the combination of Bethenny's Skinnygirl and Ramona Singer's Pinot Grigio. We would include Sonja's Tipsy Girl, but we're not here to cause any drama.

Bravo, Mara Soldinger/E! Illustration

Real Housewives of New Jersey

We know, Franklin Lakes is where it's at to experience the heart and soul of RHONJ. But wherever your travels take you in the Garden State, chances are you'll need Teresa Giudice and Kathy Wakile's cookbooks to fill you up all day long. Do yourself a favor and wash it down with Jacqueline Laurita and her husband's Blk water.

If you somehow manage to avoid any table flips at the Brownstone or at Posh Boutique, treat yourself to Melissa Gorga's singles including "On Display" or perhaps an item from her jewelry collection on HSN.

And please, bring your crew along for the trip. In the wise words of Caroline Manzo, families in this town are "thick as thieves."

Bravo, Mara Soldinger/E! Illustration

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Is it just us, or do the Housewives have a thing with food? When you travel to the 90210 zip code, you must experience one of Lisa Vanderpump's restaurants such as Sur or Pump. If you stop by Villa Blanca, you'll be steps away from Kyle Richards' store titled Kyle by Alene Too where she conveniently has tons of fabulous clothes (and her book) for sale.

As you battle the rough Los Angeles traffic, keep Brandi Glanville's podcast on full blast as she delivers juicy, unfiltered scoop.

But if you just want a quiet night in, turn on QVC to see items from Lisa Rinna's fashion line or cuddle up with Yolanda Hadid's upcoming book titled Believe Me.

Bravo, Mara Soldinger/E! Illustration

Real Housewives of Atlanta

If you're going to be hanging around Hotlanta in search of Chateau Sheree, you better look your best. Luckily, Kenya Moore has her haircare line perfect for wigs or natural hair.

After enjoying the Zolciak-Biermann's favorite fast-food known as Chick fil A, run to a TV where you can take off your Cynthia Bailey eyewear and catch Porsha Williams on Dish Nation and NeNe Leakes on Fashion Police.

And perhaps you'll want to get your freak on before you go to bed with items from Bedroom Kandi by Kandi Burruss.

Sweet dreams Housewives lovers and remember Bravoholics: Don't do anything bad where you'll have to call Phaedra Parks for legal advice.

(E! and Bravo are part of the NBCUniversal family)

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