Meghan Markle recently expressed her concerns about launching a lifestyle brand during an episode of her podcast, “The Confession of a Female Founder,” aired on May 6. She shared feelings of “self-doubt” stemming from her exposure in the public eye. At 43, she conveyed doubts to her guest, Hanna Mendoza, the founder of Clevr Blends, asking herself, “Does this work? Will this actually work?” However, she maintained a level of confidence about her venture.
Markle remarked, “You can’t bring self-doubt to your team.” She pointed out that her team looked to her for direction and belief in the vision. Yet, she admitted there were moments she needed reassurance. Thankfully, her partner boosted her spirits by saying they were inspired by her. She reflected, “It’s a lot of exposure,” indicating the challenges that come with public scrutiny.
As she launched her brand, Markle acknowledged the pressure of public opinion, claiming, “Whatever I put out into the world…it’s a microscope that many don’t need to experience.” Since becoming the Duchess of Sussex in 2018, Markle has aimed to shift from acting into entrepreneurship, previously running a lifestyle blog called “Tig.” She admitted that she still relies on her close friends for support as she navigates this new business path.
The entrepreneur recently celebrated the successful launch of limited edition honey, which sold out just minutes after release, a testament to the hard work her team has put in. Yet, the journey hasn’t been without bumps. Last September, Markle faced a setback when the U.S. patent office rejected her brand’s original name, “American Riviera Orchard,” for trademark reasons, citing the geographic descriptor as too generic. Mark Kolsky, founder of a similarly named brand, expressed concerns over possible confusion due to trademark similarities.
Interestingly enough, the mayor of a Spanish town raised a flag regarding Markle’s brand logo, suggesting it bore similarities to a local coat of arms. While they seek respect for their historical imagery, they clarified there was no intent to take legal action.
All in all, Markle is trying to put forth a brand that embodies her passions—cooking, crafting, and gardening—while also embracing her identity as a mother and partner. As she works on her new project with Netflix, she reflects on the support she has received and aims to share her journey with a broader audience again. “It’s about connecting with the things I’ve always loved,” she noted, hoping to present a more authentic side of herself.
