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Megan Markle's offer to take on the role of CEO herself for her lifestyle brand Archewell's fruit jam company American Riviera Orchard (ARO) has been unanimously rejected by all potential candidates, further exacerbating the brand's staffing crisis. The news comes on the heels of a string of high-profile departures from Megan and Prince Harry's Archewell organization, with the latest being the resignation of their Chief of Staff Josh Kettler just 3 months into the job. This latest setback has only added to the growing perception that Megan's management style is driving away top talent, leaving her ARO brand in a precarious position.
The numbers don't lie - to have almost 20 members of staff quitting tells its own story, according to a source close to the situation speaking to Closer magazine. "It's unprecedented even for a startup," the insider said. They went on to describe Megan and Harry as "the toughest of task masters who are very demanding and difficult to work for" - a characterization that has only fueled concerns about the brand's future.
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Despite Megan's efforts to build hype around the launch of ARO with the distribution of branded strawberry jam jars to celebrity friends and the teasing of a future rosé wine range, the brand has yet to officially debut any products. This delay has only added to the speculation that The Duchess is struggling to find the right leadership and resources to bring her vision to life. "It's unclear what leadership she has in place at this point," said two branding strategist Lucy Green to the Sun in July. "It could be that the jams were the precursor in an example to show proof of concept to talent and investors."
The challenges facing ARO have not gone unnoticed by industry observers who have been closely watching Megan's foray into the world of entrepreneurship. Some have even suggested that the brand struggles could be a reflection of the duchess's own management style and interpersonal skills. "Megan is known to be quite demanding and can come across as condescending at times," said a former Archewell employee to News Nation. "It's not surprising that she's having trouble finding people who are willing to work for her."
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This sentiment echoes the closest source, who described Megan and Harry as "very demanding and difficult to work for" - a characterization that has only added to the growing perception that the duchess's management style is a significant factor in the brand's staffing crisis.
Despite the mounting challenges, Megan remains undeterred. Sources close to The Duchess insist she is still the current CEO of the ARO brand. However, the continued delays and staffing issues have only fueled speculation that The Duchess may be in over her head, struggling to balance her entrepreneurial ambitions with the demands of her high-profile public persona as a member of the British royal family.
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As the saga of American Riviera Orchard continues to unfold, the spotlight will undoubtedly remain firmly fixed on Megan Markle as the world watches to see if the duchess can overcome the obstacles and bring her vision to life. Or if the brand struggles will ultimately become a reflection of her own challenges in navigating the complex worlds of business and leadership. After facing criticism over their multi-million dollar deals with Netflix and Spotify, followed by high-profile resignations from Archewell, and now the staff rejection at ARO, doubts are growing over Megan's ability to successfully manage her professional endeavors. Only time will tell if she can turn things around or if her nightmare is only just beginning.
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