‘You had to do… every part of what a production would entail, which I actually think is incredible training for when you’re running a team because you appreciate what the sound person does and what the lighting person does,’ Meghan continued. ‘It can get messy and the best founders are not afraid to get their hands dirty,’ she added, referencing her own role now as a business manager, leading her own team. She also commented that ‘wardrobe department and sewing were part of [the training] too, so I am comfortable with a sewing machine’ – perhaps we’ll see the Duchess whip up a few handmade pieces for As Ever in the future?
And certainly, Meghan Markle is getting stuck in to the nuts and bolts of running her own business. She recently appointed her first chief of staff, Sarah Fosmo, who will be her most senior advisor as she continues her career shift to become a lifestyle entrepreneur. According to The Telegraph, the Duchess has hired Bill Gates’ former assistant to ‘oversee this dynamic period of growth’ – adding that Fosmo has described herself as ‘an accomplished professional with an extensive, long-tenured career managing complex, high-stakes operations for ultra-high net worth individuals’. Previously, she worked for motivational speaker Tony Robbins as a senior executive assistant, before moving on to a position in executive administration at Gates Ventures, which she held for six years.
It was, perhaps, Fosmo’s idea to tease a launch of Meghan’s most popular As Ever product – her raspberry spread – across the pond. At the end of last month, it was announced by the British-based creative gifting service, Colford, that Meghan would be distributing her wares in the UK. Colford, which describes itself online as ‘delivering brand expressions through the language of gift giving’, posted an Instagram carousel showing As Ever’s distinctively packaged jam being delivered by white-gloved butlers in suits. ‘A pleasure to assist @Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in spreading jam and joy amongst friends in the UK,’ read the caption. ‘Our white glove chauffeur service facilitated a seamless handover at every doorstep.’
One lucky recipient was TV presenter Alex Beresford, who famously defended the Duchess of Sussex live on air in a fight with Piers Morgan. It’s unclear exactly who else will have received a white-gloved knock on their front door, but it’s reasonable to assume that Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, might have been sent a jar or two. Others on Meghan’s select list might include Tiggy Pettifer (Princes Harry and William’s former nanny, who is godmother to Archie) and Charlie van Straubenzee, one of Harry’s few friends in the UK with whom he has maintained a relationship since upping sticks to California. Others on the roster could include Violet von Westenholz, who first introduced Harry and Meghan, as well as George Northwood, the Duchess’ longtime pal who styled her hair for her wedding reception, and Sarah Chapman, the high-end facialist who has worked with Meghan since 2017.