Meghan Markle is monetizing herself now! Duchess is investing money into small brands and then plans her outfits knowing the labels will get a sales boost

Meghan Markle recently shared with the New York Times how she has been carefully curating her investment portfolio, with her latest addition being the luxury bag brand Cesta Collective. The Duchess of Sussex was seen carrying a purse from Cesta Collective, which is known for selling bags handwoven by women in Rwanda and finished in Italy. She showcased the $750 (£568) accessory during her trip to Colombia with her husband, Prince Harry.

Meghan Markle is pictured with Prince Harry during their recent trip to Colombia. She is seen sporting a handbag from Cesta Collective, a brand she has invested in 

Meghan's investments and endorsements have a history of significantly boosting the brands she chooses to support, reflecting her keen eye for style and social impact.

Meghan has worn a number of bags from Scottish brand Strathberry, which has caused a spike in sales for the company

Meghan Markle's influence on fashion and brand visibility has been significant. A prime example of this is her impact on the Scottish brand Strathberry in 2017. When Meghan was seen carrying one of their bags during an engagement with then-fiancé Prince Harry, the bag sold out online in just 11 minutes. This rapid sales boost made Meghan realize the power of her endorsements, prompting her to approach her wardrobe choices with more intention.

Meghan was first spotted carrying a bag from Cesta Collective in 2023, while out for dinner with Prince Harry in Santa Barbara

Recognizing the potential impact of her fashion choices, Meghan began to prioritize supporting designers she had personal connections with and up-and-coming brands that hadn’t yet received the attention they deserved. This approach not only highlighted her fashion sense but also her commitment to uplifting smaller, ethically-driven brands, further solidifying her influence in the fashion world.

Meghan's first investment came in 2020, when she injected an undisclosed amount into powdered latte brand Clevr

Meghan Markle revealed to the New York Times that she strategically chooses what to wear when she knows there will be a "global spotlight" on her. Her intention is to support designers she has close relationships with, as well as smaller, emerging brands that deserve more recognition. Meghan emphasized the power of her influence, noting that something as simple as wearing an earring can have a significant impact.

In 2019, Meghan was snapped wearing a pair of £630 earrings from then-new business Kimaï, which says her buying and wearing the accessories helped them raise over $1,000,0000 in investment, including £250,000 from Dragon's Den star Steven Bartlett

Her influence on brands like Strathberry is a testament to this. The spike in sales following her endorsement was so substantial that it reportedly enabled the brand to expand its workforce. Meghan's fashion choices, therefore, not only highlight her style but also bring considerable financial benefits to the brands she chooses to support.

Sidney Neuhaus (left) and Jessica Warch (right), who founded jewelry brand Kimaï, secured a $329,000 (£250,000) investment from Steven Bartlett on BBC's Dragon's Den after revealing the support received from Meghan

Another brand that benefited significantly from the "Meghan effect" is the London-based lab-grown diamond company Kimaï. In 2019, Meghan was photographed wearing their £630 Felicity earrings, which she had purchased herself. This public appearance led to a dramatic increase in sales for Kimaï, with co-founders Jessica Warch and Sidney Neuhau revealing that Meghan's endorsement sparked sales of $1.2 million (£945,000).

The Duchess of Sussex - who ran lifestyle brand, The Tig, before meeting Prince Harry - first discovered Cesta Collective when she was online shopping. She is seen toting one of its bags during her recent trip to Colombia

The co-founders credited Meghan with playing a crucial role in boosting their profits over the years, showcasing the substantial impact her support can have on the success of emerging brands. Meghan's influence not only brought financial gains to Kimaï but also helped raise awareness about sustainable and ethical jewelry options.

Meghan wore the £568 ($750) purse from Cesta Collective in the color 'Panna' (pictured). She has invested an undisclosed amount in the company

Jessica Warch, co-founder of Kimaï, shared that the brand initially launched without any external investment. However, just two months after their launch, Meghan Markle was spotted wearing their pieces, which significantly boosted their revenue. This surge in sales allowed Kimaï to raise $1.2 million in additional funding.

Kimaï's commitment to sustainability, using only lab-grown diamonds and recycled gold, further attracted investors. The brand went on to secure a record-breaking investment from Dragon's Den star Steven Bartlett, who invested £250,000 in exchange for a three percent equity stake—his largest investment on the show to date. Meghan's early endorsement played a pivotal role in helping Kimaï gain the traction needed to attract such significant backing.

According to Kimaï co-founders Jessica Warch and Sidney Neuhau, when they pitched their company on Dragon's Den, they highlighted that Meghan Markle had worn their earrings, which played a crucial role in their presentation. They revealed that they initially reached out to Meghan through cold emails, a tactic they also used to attract investors, as they had no connections in the industry.

This strategy paid off significantly, as Meghan's endorsement brought substantial visibility to the brand. After enduring four years of losses, Kimaï is projected to make a profit of £500,000 in 2024.

While Meghan has mentioned having around five to ten brands in her investment portfolio, the only confirmed ones are Cesta Collective and Clevr Blends, a vegan powdered latte brand. Clevr Blends is available in the UK for £23 per bag, containing 14 drinks. These brands have clearly benefited from Meghan’s influence and strategic endorsements, which have provided them with both financial gains and increased market presence.

The Duchess of Sussex, who previously ran the lifestyle brand The Tig before meeting Prince Harry, shared that she first discovered Cesta Collective while online shopping. Meghan told the New York Times, "I spend a lot of time just Googling, looking for brands. When people are online looking for things or reading things, I'm trying to find great new designers, especially in different territories."

Cesta Collective aligns with Meghan's values, as the brand's Instagram profile describes it as a "mission-based, responsibly-made handbag brand," focused on celebrating the work of talented female artisans. This commitment to ethical production and supporting women-led initiatives likely resonated with Meghan, influencing her decision to both endorse and invest in the brand.

Cesta Collective, a brand known for its ethically-made handbags, has an annual revenue of $1 million (£756,990), with each purse taking about four to seven days to complete. In 2023, Meghan Markle was photographed carrying an $800 white purse from Cesta Collective during a dinner with Prince Harry, which led to an increase in sales for the brand.

Following this boost, Meghan decided to invest in Cesta Collective to support its growth. While she did not disclose the exact amount of her investment, the brand's founders, Erin Ryder and Courtney Weinblatt Fasciano, confirmed that Meghan's stake in the company is a minority one. This investment reflects Meghan's ongoing commitment to supporting brands that align with her values and contribute positively to communities.

Erin Ryder and Courtney Weinblatt Fasciano of Cesta Collective are looking to expand their business with Meghan Markle’s involvement. Their plans include diversifying into other categories and working with women in more countries, leveraging Meghan's investment and support to grow their brand further.

Meghan began building her investment portfolio during the pandemic, a period marked by fewer opportunities to leverage public appearances due to lockdowns. In December 2020, she confirmed investing an undisclosed amount in Clevr Blends, a wellness coffee company known for its range of organic, gluten-free "SuperLattes" in powder form. Meghan's investments reflect her interest in supporting innovative and ethical businesses while navigating the challenges of the pandemic.

Around the time Meghan Markle confirmed her investment in Clevr Blends, she leveraged her connections to promote the company. She sent a basket of Clevr Blends products to her neighbor, Oprah Winfrey, who then shared the products online. This endorsement significantly boosted the brand's visibility.

Clevr Blends, founded in January 2019 and run by CEO Hannah Mendoza, is based in Santa Barbara, California—conveniently near Montecito, where Meghan and Prince Harry live. Meghan discovered Clevr Blends in 2017 when the founder was selling the superfood coffee at a pop-up store before it evolved into the at-home blend now offered.

In a statement to Fortune confirming her investment, Meghan highlighted her support for Hannah Mendoza and her commitment to building a community-focused business. Meghan's investment reflects her dedication to supporting passionate female entrepreneurs and innovative products.

In her statement about the investment in Clevr Blends, Meghan Markle expressed her pride in supporting CEO Hannah Mendoza's commitment to ethical sourcing and holistic wellness. She highlighted her personal enjoyment of Clevr's products and her belief in both Mendoza and the company.

Hannah Mendoza confirmed Meghan's investment, noting that entrepreneurs need both financial support and advisors who are deeply invested in their vision. Mendoza praised Meghan for her palpable passion and alignment with the company’s values, emphasizing their strong partnership and excitement for future growth.

Although Meghan has not disclosed all the brands in her investment portfolio, she has shared that her investments are meant to complement her own emerging lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. This brand, despite some recent setbacks, aligns with Meghan's broader vision of supporting ethical and innovative businesses.

American Riviera Orchard, Meghan Markle's lifestyle brand, has encountered several challenges. The brand’s planned lineup, which includes products like edible oils, jellies, jams, spreads, and nut butters, faced a significant setback due to trademark issues.

Recent reports revealed that there were "irregularities" in the trademark application process, including incorrect classifications for items such as yoga blankets, picnic baskets, and recipe books. The US Patents and Trademarks Office notified the Sussexes' lawyers of these issues, and fees totaling £8,617 ($11,382) are due for international trademark registration. It is believed that Netflix, which recently finished filming a cookery show with Meghan, will cover these fees as part of their commercial agreement.

A source close to Meghan confirmed that the brand received several Notices of Irregularity requesting clarifications and reclassification of certain items. They noted that such requests are typical when dealing with international applications due to differing standards and classifications. According to the source, all associated fees have already been paid.

Despite these challenges, Meghan continues to focus on her investments and brand development, stating that investing in her portfolio has helped her prepare for this new chapter of investing in herself.