Meghan Markle reflects on mistakes made in launching business ventures
Meghan Markle, also known as the Duchess of Sussex, is navigating challenges after launching three ambitious projects within a short period.
Despite the hurdles and admitted missteps, Markle remains optimistic about the learning experience, acknowledging the significance of allowing herself to err as she juggles her projects, as the Daily Mail reports.
Markle initiated a trio of ventures: a Netflix series called With Love, Meghan, a lifestyle company dubbed "As Ever," and a podcast titled Confessions of a Female Founder on Lemonada. However, all three have encountered significant difficulties.
Exploring Markle's ventures
Markle's Netflix show involves cooking and crafting, but it has not been overwhelmingly well-received. The wife of Prince Harry says that she aimed to create content that deviates from the standard cooking and crafting formats.
She explained, "How are we going to do a cooking show or a crafting show that doesn't feel like a typical stand and stir [show]." Nevertheless, the show has not managed to engage viewers as much as initially anticipated.
Additionally, Markle's lifestyle brand "As Ever" has experienced setbacks, such as overselling, leading to canceled orders, further compounding the challenges she faces.
Addressing the difficulties
Similarly, Markle's new podcast has struggled to attract high-profile guests. Efforts to include celebrities such as Beyoncé and Taylor Swift fell short, limiting the show's appeal and reach.
A source remarked on the situation, noting the difficulty in landing big names for a show centered around female empowerment, "No one's picking up the phone...The show is not landing."
These difficulties have fueled public scrutiny and criticism, but Markle says she remains unfazed by the noise as she continues to reflect on her experiences during a talk at the TIME100 Summit in New York City.
Personal balance at the forefront
At the summit, Markle discussed her busy schedule over the past year-and-a-half while emphasizing her conscious decision to maintain boundaries for her mental health.
"There were three projects that we were launching really at the same time," she said. "The past year-and-a-half have been incredibly busy and ambitious."
She added, "And to have a partner and husband who is so supportive and have healthy kids who are so joyful in the freeness of their life and the safety of their life we created for them."
Family perspective highlighted
Motherhood has provided Markle with perspective during these professional challenges, she explained. Markle observed that her role as a parent sometimes renders professional issues trivial when compared to concerns about her children's well-being. Markle explained, "Something that is seemingly so big somehow becomes so microscopic in importance compared to what's happening with my children."
As a mother to Archie and Lilibet, Markle says she strives to embody a positive example by quietly disregarding external criticism and staying focused on her internal growth and contentment.
Optimism despite setbacks
Despite the challenges, Markle remains upbeat about her personal and professional life, expressing satisfaction with her achievement and familial support.
She mentioned how grateful she is for Prince Harry's support in cultivating a joyful and safe environment for their children.
"Of all the things that happened I never would have imagined at this point I’d be so happy and free and I really do," she said.
Navigating criticism, embracing mistakes
Markle continues to reflect on the process of managing multiple ventures, understanding that missteps are part of the journey when embarking on new endeavors.
Her candid disclosure reveals her determination to forge her own path, despite the noise, and focus on what's most important -- her family's happiness and her own well-being.
Indeed, as Markle put it, the need to be a role model for her children encompasses not just external achievements but internal fortitude as well.