Meghan Markle has suggested that originally calling her lifestyle brand America Riviera Orchard was a mistake and admitted that founding a new company has been “a lot.”
Meghan was talking about her “entrepreneurial journey” with People magazine ahead of the launch of her new podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder.
Meghan also released the trailer for her new podcast Tuesday, saying it was “a show where I chat with female entrepreneurs and friends about the sleepless nights, the lessons learned and the laser focus that got them to where they are today.”
Meghan promised the show would also have “girl talk” and included a clip where she is heard asking one guest, “Are you saying you’re not single now? Have I missed something in the past couple weeks? What’s happening?”
In the interview with People, Meghan said: “The entrepreneurial journey, for anyone, is a lot, and I’m really, really lucky that so many of my close friends are female founders that I can glean advice from.”
Speaking about the bungled launch of American Riviera Orchard, a brand that was canned in February following a protracted trademark dispute, Meghan said: “There are tons of twists and turns—even with the name. I was figuring it out in real time. I appreciate everyone who was supporting and gave me the grace to make mistakes and figure it out—and also to be forgiving with myself through that. It’s a learning curve.”
Meghan previously presented a show called Archetypes on Spotify in 2022. It topped the charts when first released but failed to retain its popularity over the twelve weeks it was broadcast. Her contract with the streamer ended shortly after it aired.
Meghan is busily monetizing her brand: along with the launch of her much-mocked lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan, and her lifestyle brand, now renamed As Ever, Meghan yesterday launched an affiliate-linked collection of products she likes on ShopMy.
Markle also posted a new photo of herself with her two children, Archie and Lilibet. The rare glimpse of the Sussex kids seemed timed to boost interest in the affiliate shop launch.
Netflix boss Ted Sarandos said in an interview with Variety this week, “When we dropped the trailer for the Harry & Meghan doc series [in 2022], everything on-screen was dissected in the press for days. The shoes she was wearing sold out all over the world. The Hermès blanket that was on the chair behind her sold out everywhere in the world. People are fascinated with Meghan Markle.”
