‘I listened to Meghan Markle’s new podcast trailer – one thing couldn’t be more telling’ – Jennifer Newton

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The trailer for Meghan Markle’s new podcast Confessions of a Female Founder has dropped giving a teaser on what to expect from her new project – and the Mirror’s Jennifer Newton has listened in

First, we had the Instagram account, followed by the new lifestyle brand launch and then the Netflix show. And just hours after announcing the opening of her new online ShopMy page, Meghan Markle has dropped a trailer for her brand new podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder.

At just over a minute long, the teaser, set to an upbeat soundtrack, features the Duchess of Sussex promising that the new series will have advice on how to create “billion-dollar businesses”. She tells listeners: “We’re diving into the highs… and the lows… and the kind of advice that turns small ideas into billion-dollar businesses… and of course, we’re gonna get some girl talk.”

The podcast will also follow Meghan’s work on her As Ever brand which is soon to begin selling jam, herbal teas, flower sprinkles and ready-make crepe mix. The former Suits actress adds in her voiceover: “And through it all, I’m building a business of my own and getting all sorts of practical advice along the way that I’m very excited to share with you.”

It’s no surprise that Meghan has appeared to focus the show on women making strides in business – much like her short-lived Archetypes podcast, which explored female stereotypes. But deciding that the point of this new podcast is how to run a successful female-founded business is very telling.

It seems to signal that for Meghan, her money-making ventures are her career priority as she moves into what many would describe as the influencer industry. Just hours before the podcast trailer dropped, she announced on her Instagram stories, she had set up a ShopMy account.

Her page has seen her post a selection of neutral shirts, trousers, dresses, sunglasses and handbags as a “handpicked and curated collection of the things I love” with the disclaimer that she would receive a sales commission on some products purchased through the links.

This is not a new practice and certainly, nearly every big-time influencer uses these affiliate links to boost their income. Many have raised their eyebrows that Meghan too is now employing this tactic.

Given that some items posted on her ShopMy account are definitely aimed at the luxury market, such as the Heidi Merrick white dress and Loro Piana sweater that are both more than £1,000 – even a small percentage earned in commission could rack up the cash for Meghan if she helps brands to sell their products.

And with her time in the Royal Family well and truly behind her, despite still using her Duchess of Sussex title on her new shop, Meghan is doing what she couldn’t while in the Firm – putting her name to money-making ventures. But given it was more than five years since she and Prince Harry dramatically quit their royal roles, she is now more than free to earn cash in any way she pleases, despite what anybody might say.

And given her new podcast promises to see her pick up advice on how to create “billion-dollar businesses”, maybe we shouldn’t be surprised to hear about even more ways she plans to add to her fledging business empire very soon.