Meghan Markle Reveals How Oprah Winfrey Shaped Her Lifestyle Brand Success

In a recent episode of her podcast, "Confessions of a Female Founder," Meghan Markle sat down with Jamie Kern Lima, co-founder of IT Cosmetics. They discussed business insights, including the valuable advice Meghan received from her mentor, Oprah Winfrey.

Meghan shared how Oprah told her to “encapsulate your essence” when she was considering launching her lifestyle brand, As Ever. This advice came during a time when Meghan was unsure about expanding her passion for making jams and preserves. Initially, she thought small-scale: “I just liked making jam.” But encouragement from Oprah pushed her to think bigger.

Jamie’s journey is also inspiring. She founded IT Cosmetics in 2008, creating products for those with skin conditions like rosacea. Despite facing rejection for three years, she eventually sold her company to L’Oréal for over a billion dollars. This highlights the tenacity often needed in entrepreneurship.

Statistics show that women entrepreneurs are on the rise. According to a 2021 report by American Express, the number of women-owned businesses grew by 21% from 2014 to 2019, significantly outpacing their male counterparts. This demonstrates the increasing influence of women in various industries.

Meghan also reflected on her acting career and the challenges she faced. She recalled how casting agents discouraged her from auditioning for beauty ads due to her freckles. “That was so unheard of back then,” she noted. Today, diversity in advertising is more accepted, thanks in part to pioneers like Jamie.

In their candid conversation, Meghan discussed her evolving relationship with Prince Harry, describing a renewed sense of connection after stepping back from royal duties. She noted that the media scrutiny initially put them in the “trenches,” but now they have the breathing space to enjoy each other more.

Emotional moments arose when Meghan talked about her children, Archie and Lilibet. She revealed that she emails them updates and memories that they can read in the future—a unique way for her to share her love and pride.

This rich exchange between Meghan and Jamie offers insights into female entrepreneurship and the importance of mentorship in overcoming challenges. The conversation not only entertains but inspires listeners to redefine their aspirations and embrace their uniqueness.

For further exploration, you can check out this report on women entrepreneurs from American Express.

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Meghan Markle, Oprah Winfrey, Royal Family