Current location:world >>
Meghan Markle purchased pair of £1990 diamond earrings from Dragons' Den hopefuls
world4People have gathered around
IntroductionMeghan Markle purchased £1990 worth of diamond earrings from a female-founded jewellery business, th ...
Meghan Markle purchased £1990 worth of diamond earrings from a female-founded jewellery business, the owners have revealed.
The Duchess of Sussex, 42, was sent the jewellery by artificial diamond brand Kimai when she was still a working member of the Royal Family in 2019.
The mother-of-two wore the brand's Felicity earrings, which are sold separately for £995, when she visited the charity Smart Works' headquarters in London.
Earlier this month, Kimai's founders Sidney Neuhaus and Jessica Warch appeared on Dragons' Den where they boasted about the Duchess of Sussex wearing their designs.
The founders - who were looking for a £250,000 investment for a three per cent equity stake in their business - revealed how the royal endorsement boosted their business, just a two months after they first launched.
Pictured: Meghan Markle seen wearing the £1990 pair of diamond earrings to visit the Smart Works headquarters in January 2019
They explained: 'We've launched without investment, and then two months after our launch we got Meghan Markle to wear our pieces, which enabled us to grow the revenue significantly, and from there we raised $1.2 million.'
Steven Bartlett - who ended up investing in the business - questioned the duo on how they managed to get the Duchess of Sussex sporting their jewellery.
Sidney said: 'Cold emails.' Jessica then added: 'We're big believers in cold emails!'
Despite also peaking the interest of dragons Deborah Meade, Sara Davies and Peter Jones, the pair ended up choosing Steven.
The entrepreneur said he was convinced to make an offer after seeing that Meghan Markle had worn their designs.
'The moment you told be about hounding down Meghan Markle, you had me,' he said.
The deal is the biggest investment made by The Diary Of A CEO podcast host since he first joined the programme in 2022.
Kimaï's founders, Antwerp-born friends Sidney Neuhaus and Jessica Warch, were frustrated with the lack of supply chain transparency across the industry, so pioneered the use of 100 per cent traceable lab-grown diamonds.
Kimai's Felicity Earring features 26 lab-grown diamonds, totalling 0.24 carat, and retails at £995 each.
Dragons' Den's Steven Bartlett with Kimai's Co-founders Jessica Warch and Sidney Neuhaus after investing £250,000 in their business
In 2019, the pair made £350,000 in revenue and a net loss of minus £350,000. The second year of trading saw a revenue of £890,00 and a net loss of minus £350,000 again.
Last year, sales spiralled, and they made £3 million, with a net loss of £100,000. 'And this year, we're on track to do £5 million, and a profit of £500,000,' Jessica told the judges.
Steven offered the duo their asking price in exchange for a five per cent equity stake of the company, which they rejected. Jessica's negotiating skills successfully haggled Steven down to the original three per cent Kimaï offered.
Kimaï's global e-commerce is growing at a rapid rate of 120 per cent year-over-year, as the online market for sustainable fine jewellery is on the rise.
The Antwerp-born duo were chuffed after receiving three offers, but it was Steven they went for
After the negotiating was over, Steven embraced both Jessica and Sidney with a warm hug
After the negotiating was over, Steven embraced both Jessica and Sidney with a warm hug
'They are two of the most impressive entrepreneurs I have ever seen in the Den', said Steven. 'Rock solid on their numbers, vision and convictions. Kind, humble, smart, tenacious and passionate.
'Annoyingly, really incredible negotiators - which is annoying as an investor but perfect as business partners, so I'm happy to be in business with them.
'They are the absolute full house. I'm going to support them in any and every way I can - I'll bring a wealth of knowledge to the business as it relates to marketing, innovation, community growth, scaling and I'm planning to use my vast network of contacts to open doors that will help to accelerate their incredible business even more'.
Crafted without environmentally harmful mining practices, the firm's sustainable stones are said to be physically, optically and chemically identical to mined counterparts.
Using cutting-edge technology, labs are able to replicate the heat and pressure that create natural diamonds found in the earth. These sustainable gems can also provide 100 per cent supply chain traceability.
Catering to an eco-conscious clientele, the brand offers a range of lab-grown diamond and recycled 18k gold earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings and is proud to be one of the few fine jewellery labels to be certified B-corp.
Kimaï will be working with Steven and his team to amplify their digital presence, and the investment will be used to elevate the customer experience at the brand's flagship store in Marylebone, London.
This article has been amended since initial publication to correct a suggestion that Kimai had gifted a pair of earrings to the Duchess of Sussex. We are happy to clarify that the Duchess purchased the earrings.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Planet Pages news portal”。http://nepal.intifocus.com/news-73e199925.html
Related articles
Dua Lipa is all about 'Radical Optimism,' in her music and other pursuits
worldNEW YORK (AP) — Dua Lipa is floating in the ocean, the sun just beginning to set behind her. She loo ...
【world】
Read more8 shot, 2 men killed at a party in Memphis park
worldMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Eight people were shot including two men who were killed at an unsanctioned pu ...
【world】
Read more1 killed, 9 inured when car collides with county bus in Milwaukee
worldMILWAUKEE (AP) — A vehicle crashed into a Milwaukee County bus Saturday evening, killing one person ...
【world】
Read more
Popular articles
- Refugee agency chief warns that the number of Syrians leaving Lebanon is likely to rise
- United escapes with shootout win after blowing three
- Villa boosts push for Champions League qualification with 3
- Oklahoma bus driver crashes into a building after a passenger punches him, police say
- Royal Troon to feature the longest hole in British Open history
- An explosion razes a home in Maryland, sending 1 person to the hospital
Latest articles
2 men are charged with cutting down famous 150
Owen Miller's two
Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan stuns in glittering black gown as she holds hands with co
Reds' bullpen picks up after injured starter leaves, beats the Angels 3
Audit finds Wisconsin Capitol Police emergency response times up, calls for better tracking
Casey Mize throws 6 shutout innings for 1st win since 2021 as Tigers beat Twins 6
LINKS
- Prince Harry settles phone
- Parliament repeals Fair Pay Agreements
- Rātana celebrations begin, discussions from Hui aa Motu expected to continue
- Cyclone Gabrielle: Helicopter pilot recalls emotions, panic during rescue operation
- Tim Macindoe confirmed as Hamilton's East ward councillor
- Rātana celebrations begin, discussions from Hui aa Motu expected to continue
- Bayer faces Australian test with judge to decide whether weedkiller caused cancer
- US intends further strikes on Iran
- How the New Zealand Falcons are tackling stigma against LGBT people in sports
- Auckland rail crossings to be removed ahead of City Rail Link opening