Meghan Markle says investing in other women-owned businesses inspired her to launch her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
In an interview with The New York Times published on Wednesday, the Duchess of Sussex revealed that she began investing in small brands during the pandemic and now has between five and 10 brands in her portfolio.
The 43-year-old told the Times that she sees each venture as a complement to her own lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, which she announced in March.
“Investing in her helped prepare me for this chapter of investing in myself,” she told the outlet.
She jokingly referred to her small-scale investment initiatives as the “Dolphin Tank,” after the hit ABC series “Shark Tank.”
“These are pleasant waters,” she said, comparing them to the unforgiving nature of the reality series.
After her engagement to Prince Harry in 2017, Markle became aware of the influence she could have on brands simply by wearing their pieces.
At the engaged couple’s first royal event, Markle carried a then-$675 midi tote bag from Scottish brand Strathberry, which led to a 5,000 percent increase in search traffic for the small business.
The bag sold out just 11 minutes after Markle was seen with it.
Markle said the moment “changed everything about how she viewed putting together an outfit at the time.”
“At a time when I know the whole world is in the spotlight and every detail of what I wear or don’t wear is being paid attention to, I support designers I have really good friendships with and smaller, up-and-coming brands that haven’t gotten the attention they deserve,” she said.
“It’s one of the most powerful things I can do, just wearing an earring.”
The former Suits actress said she spends “a lot of time just Googling” and looking for brands that might be a good fit for her – and that’s how she came across her latest investment, Cesta Collective, a female-led brand that specializes in handwoven bags.
Markle carried a Cesta handbag to a celebrity dinner last year and, as usual, it changed the lives of founders Erin Ryder and Courtney Weinblatt Fasciano.
“We sold more in one day than we ever have before,” Ryder told the outlet, noting that she sent the Duchess a thank you card and their collaboration blossomed from there.
Although Markle has invested in everything from instant latte makers to clothing brands, she plans to sell a variety of goods under her own label, American Riviera Orchard, including tableware, home accessories, cosmetics, cookbooks, jarred foods, yoga items, pet supplies and more.
A source told Page Six last month that she had also finished filming her lifestyle show, which is set to hit Netflix in early 2025.
Although little is known about the show, including its name, one industry insider said it already looks “stunning.”
In the highly anticipated series, Markle is expected to reveal her favorite recipes and take on America’s most famous lifestyle queens – à la Martha Stewart or Ina Garten.
Although there are rumors that her husband will also make some cameo appearances, his role within the brand has not yet been announced.