Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has revealed that media mogul Oprah Winfrey offered her valuable advice as she embarked on launching her new lifestyle brand, As ever.
During the latest episode of her podcast, “Confessions of a Female Founder,” featuring IT Cosmetics co-founder Jamie Kern Lima, Meghan discussed the early stages of her business.
She explained that her initial idea was simply to share her homemade jam and preserves, which grew into a desire to share it more widely.
However, Meghan admitted to grappling with fear of failure and public opinion, initially thinking of keeping the operation small-scale.
It was Oprah, a friend and mentor to both Meghan and Kern Lima, who encouraged her to think bigger.
Meghan recounted Oprah’s advice, “There are tons of things you could put your name on. But for you and how you like to show up for people, once you figure out how to encapsulate your essence, then you’ll know.”
Raspberry spread was among the first products released by As ever, and it quickly sold out after its launch earlier this month.
Kern Lima also provided crucial guidance to Meghan in the early days of her business. Meghan recalled a conversation where Kern Lima advised her that her initial timeline for launch was “too soon.”
“You planted a seed that became a knowing for me, and it gave me the grace to have the space to take my time until it was right,” Meghan explained, emphasizing the importance of not being rushed by external pressures.
Kern Lima highlighted the common misconception that successful businesses have a smooth and perfect journey, noting that the reality often involves challenges and self-doubt.
Meghan agreed, pointing out that the “illusion of the finished product” often hides the imperfect and sometimes painful process of building a business.
Olekanma Favour is a resourceful, self-motivated, and result-driven writer with a passion for crafting compelling narratives and insightful content. She loves tackling complex topics and weaving engaging stories.
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