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Meghan Markle's debut product drop for her lifestyle brand As Ever sold out online in just 45 minutes. While many fans missed out, a few celebrities, including Kris Jenner, Serena Williams, and Zoe Saldaña, were lucky to receive curated boxes of the new products. Among them was entrepreneur Akilah Releford Gould — but she didn't just receive a box; she sent one back.
Gould, who runs the family-owned Bloom Ranch in Acton, California, shared that receiving Meghan's package was an unexpected but delightful moment. After the As Ever team asked for her address, she nearly forgot about it — until the surprise package showed up. "I ended my work day early just to go home and open it," she told People.
Her unboxing video on TikTok quickly gained traction, racking up over 340,000 views. What made it even more special was her decision to prepare a gift basket of her own to send to Meghan. It featured handpicked items from Bloom Ranch and wine from her Lucky Girl Rosé label, curated with the Duchess's tastes in mind. "I selected flavors and ingredients based on recipes she's shared in the past," she explained.
Though Meghan hasn't responded yet, Gould is content knowing it was a heartfelt gesture. "It was just a thank-you — one lifestyle homemaker to another," she said. As a fellow Leo from Los Angeles, Gould said she feels a kinship with the Duchess.
The unexpected connection also brought new attention to Gould's work. "People discovering me for the first time were excited to see someone who looks like them doing what they love," she shared. Her family farm is the largest Black-owned farm in Southern California, and she's now expanding her brand with a product line inspired by the ranch.
Launching April 25, her new collection includes "garden confetti," a vibrant mix of dried rose petals, marigolds, calendula, lavender, violas, and seasonal greens. It adds color and flavor to everything from desserts to cocktails. "The greens add a beautiful pop," she said.
Meanwhile, Meghan spoke at the TIME100 Summit about her now-viral flower sprinkles, describing them as "a little bit of magic" for everyday life. "They add delight to simple moments," she said. "Like flower sprinkles, it's the small touches that make things special."
