Meghan Markle is still trying to find her footing since she and husband Prince Harry moved to California. The Suits actress has tried to establish a career as a businesswoman. However, her business ventures, including the lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard, have faced setbacks. And one PR expert believes they know what went wrong.
Markle announced the creation of American Riviera Orchard in March 2024 via Instagram. The company would sell products such as jams, dog treats, and homeware items. Interest immediately began buzzing about her new venture. According to The Mirror, British PR expert Nick Ede says Meghan did everything right with the announcement.
When you build a brand, you build people’s anticipation about a brand. Meghan built an Instagram site. She then sent jams to celebrities who all have a huge following. All of this is basically brand 101. This is exactly what you should do.
The launch was reportedly set for the spring, but has been pushed back. With the Duchess of Sussex rumored to still be working on behind-the-scenes details, an official launch date has yet to be announced.
Ede says this is where Markle made a huge mistake by not maintaining her momentum.
“Then suddenly Meghan halts, and you have no, there’s no through line, there’s no story, and you can’t get it back,” he explained. “There’s no, ‘Oh, my God, I can buy jam, or I can get a t-shirt, or I can go on the site and register my name, and it gives me a newsletter with all the information.’ There’s literally nothing.”
Meghan Markle Using Hollywood to Revive American Riviera Orchard
Although her company is off to a bad start, but Markle isn’t giving up. According to Closer, the Duchess of Sussex has come up with a new plan for American Riviera Orchard’s launch. That plan involves using a few Hollywood acquaintances.
During the company’s first launch, celebrities such as Kris Jenner, Chrissy Teigen, and Mindy Kaling promoted the brand. Now the Duchess is hoping a few more of Tinseltown’s elite will join in.
”Meghan has been meticulously curating gift packages filled with a selection of all her favorite things – and of course, plenty of her jam – to send to the who’s who of Hollywood,” a source tells the outlet.
Although the packages are for promoting her brand, Markle is also hoping the gesture will help “remind people of her softer side.”
Markle’s rumored divalike behavior has driven away some of her A-list pals and hurt her reputation. But this move could help restore her image and her lifestyle brand.
She’s sending them out to all her friends and acquaintances, and is willing to spend a fortune and a whole lot of time because she sees it as an investment in her relationships.
Hopefully, Meghan Markle will have better luck this time around.
