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Meghan Markle Reflects on Fame and Entrepreneurial Aspirations
Meghan Markle recently expressed her concerns over launching her lifestyle brand, As Ever, during the May 6 episode of her podcast, “Confessions of a Female Founder.” The Duchess of Sussex shared her struggles with self-doubt, feeling the immense pressure of public scrutiny as she embarked on this new venture.
Markle, age 43, conveyed her apprehension during the podcast discussion with Hanna Mendoza, founder of Clevr Blends. She recounts the moment when she called someone for reassurance about her brand’s viability, admitting, “I made a phone call, I said, ‘Is this gonna work? Like, is this actually gonna work?’ But I had self-doubt.”
The Weight of Expectations
“You can’t bring self-doubt to your team that’s junior to you,” Markle acknowledged. She emphasized the importance of instilling confidence amongst her team, noting that they needed to believe in her vision and leadership. However, she also highlighted the necessity of having someone to confide in, someone who could affirm her ideas. “I don’t know. Can you just tell me that this makes sense?” she asked.
Gratefully, Markle shared a moment of fortitude when her partner encouraged her amid her doubts. “Thankfully, my partner said, ‘Are you joking? We’re so energized, this is amazing!’” She reflected on how the overwhelming exposure associated with her brand could amplify her vulnerabilities.
“Whatever I put out in the world will attract considerable attention,” she remarked. “And there’s a flip side to that coin, which we know. It’s a microscope that a lot of people don’t have to experience.”
The Journey from Royalty to Entrepreneurship
Once an American actress, Markle became the Duchess of Sussex upon marrying Prince Harry in 2018. The couple stepped back from royal responsibilities in 2020, relocating to California to pursue financial independence. Markle’s entrepreneurial journey began with her earlier lifestyle blog, “The Tig,” and she aimed to build a successful brand that resonated with her personal values.
Markle explained how her friendships provided much-needed support in the process of building As Ever. “The safety of stream of consciousness with someone who understands it… That is part of that sisterhood,” she stated, highlighting the varying challenges that arise in any entrepreneurial effort.
Partnership with Netflix
Markle underscored the significance of partnering with Netflix, describing this collaboration as a pivotal moment in her entrepreneurial narrative. “Netflix coming on as my business partner is huge,” she affirmed. “Just having a global powerhouse that believed in me… Everything we worked on was validated when the site sold out in the first 45 minutes of launch.”
She expressed gratitude for the support and encouragement she received from the community. “That told me that customers believed in me and this vision,” she remarked. “That becomes your proof point that those late nights and the midnight musings are worth it.”
Overcoming Setbacks
Markle encountered various challenges during her entrepreneurial journey. Last September, her excitement turned to disappointment when the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rejected her application for the original brand name, American Riviera Orchard. The trademark office argued that businesses cannot trademark geographical locations and noted that the name was a common nickname for Santa Barbara, where Markle resides.
Despite the pushback, Markle’s team considered the situation a routine part of the process, although she would face more hurdles. In October, food and gift retailer Harry & David registered a protest against American Riviera Orchard, asserting that the name closely resembled their
