Meghan Markle Gets Real About Self-Doubt While Launching Her Lifestyle Brand As Ever
The Duchess of Sussex shares the emotional highs and lows of building a brand under global scrutiny
By Spotlight Alert | May 6, 2025
Meghan Markle Opens Up About Insecurities Behind Her New Business Venture
Launching a brand is never easy — especially when the entire world is watching. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, recently got candid about the internal struggles she faced while building her lifestyle brand, As Ever, on the latest episode of her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder.
On the May 6th episode, Meghan, 43, opened up about dealing with self-doubt as she stepped back into the business world. Despite being a global public figure, she admitted that the pressures of scrutiny and the fear of failure made her second-guess herself.
“I had a moment where I literally picked up the phone and said, ‘Is this going to work?’” Meghan recalled. “I had that self-doubt, just like anyone else would.”
Building a Brand Under a Microscope: Meghan's Honest Confession
Unlike most entrepreneurs, Meghan Markle doesn’t just have investors and customers watching — she has the world.
“Whatever I put out into the world will always have a spotlight on it. That’s the flip side of fame — you live under a microscope,” she said.
She emphasized how important it was to have someone she could speak openly with, even while leading a team. “You can’t show doubt to people junior to you. They need to believe in the vision. But you also need a safe space to just ask, ‘Does this make sense?’”
Behind the Brand: From Royal Life to Entrepreneur Life
Meghan’s transition from royal duties to business leadership hasn’t been without hurdles. Since stepping back from official royal roles alongside Prince Harry, Meghan has focused on carving out her identity in the U.S. as a media figure, mother, and now entrepreneur.
She revealed that leaning on close friends and female founders has been key to staying grounded during the process.
“Some days, it’s hard to show up as your best self,” Meghan said. “But having that sisterhood and the safety of those raw conversations helps you push through.”
A Successful Launch and Netflix Backing
Despite the doubts, Meghan’s debut collection from As Ever, which launched on April 2, sold out in under 45 minutes. That success, along with a powerful partnership with Netflix, gave her the reassurance she needed.
“When everything sold out, that was my proof point. It showed me people were truly invested in this vision,” she shared. “It meant those late nights and quiet planning sessions were worth it.”
Meghan called it a “milestone moment” and praised her team for bringing the vision to life with integrity and heart.
What’s Next for Meghan Markle and As Ever?
With a sold-out launch, a global media partner, and a growing fanbase for her podcast, Meghan Markle is poised to make a lasting impact in the lifestyle and wellness space. Her honest conversations about entrepreneurship, identity, and leadership are striking a chord with listeners — and proving she’s much more than a royal title.