Meghan Markle has opened up about the early fears she faced while launching her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard, and the pivotal advice she received from Oprah Winfrey that helped her define its direction.
Speaking on the fourth episode of her Confessions of a Female Founder podcast, the Duchess of Sussex reflected on her entrepreneurial journey in a candid conversation with her close friend Jamie Kern Lima, co-founder of IT Cosmetics.
Earlier this month, Meghan debuted the first products from her long-anticipated brand, which includes artisanal jams, honeys, herbal teas, and baking mixes. But before launching, she admitted she was held back by fear and self-doubt.
“At first, I just liked making jam,” she shared. “I was giving it to friends and family, and they loved it—it brought me so much joy. But even then, I was afraid of failing or what people might think. I wasn’t thinking big enough because I was scared.”
Initially, Meghan even considered applying for a cottage license to sell homemade goods at a local farmer’s market. But she began to question whether she was limiting herself out of fear.
That’s when advice from media icon and longtime friend Oprah Winfrey made a lasting impact.
“Oprah, who is a mentor and friend to both of us, told me: ‘There are so many things you could put your name on, but the key is finding what encapsulates your essence,’” Meghan recalled. “That really stuck with me. Once you figure that out, everything becomes clear.”
She added: “Listening to your story, Jamie, I could see how your essence—about being seen, being enough, being beautiful—translated into what you created. And I wanted the same clarity for myself.”
The Duchess’s remarks offer a rare, personal glimpse into her mindset during the early days of building her brand—revealing not only the influence of trusted advisors, but her desire to lead with purpose and authenticity.
