Meghan Markle wearing a Valencia Key bracelet, leading to an 11,000% increase in sales.
Meghan Sussex

Valencia Key: 11,000% increase

According to Forbes, The Meghan Markle Effect: How One Bracelet Transformed a Small Business

On Super Bowl Sunday, while football fans were caught up in the excitement of the game, a moment across the border in Canada sparked an unexpected wave of success for a small jewelry brand. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, was spotted wearing a bracelet from Valencia Key, a brand founded by Lia Valencia Key. What followed was a sales boom that many small business owners dream of—an 11,000% increase in sales, website traffic surging by 93%, and nearly 1,000 new Instagram followers in a matter of days.

To calculate the total sales revenue generated from the 11,000% increase, let’s break it down step by step:

  1. Understanding the Percentage Increase
    • An 11,000% increase means the sales grew 111 times their original amount (since 100% is the original sales, 11,000% means 111 times).
  2. Finding the Original Sales
    • Let’s define the original number of bracelets sold before Meghan Markle wore it as X.
    • After the 11,000% increase, the number of bracelets sold would be 111X.
  3. Sales in Dollars
    • Since each bracelet costs $125, the total sales revenue after the increase would be:
      (111X) × $125

To determine an exact dollar amount, we need to know how many bracelets were sold before the spike. However, if we assume that before Meghan Markle wore it, the brand sold just 10 bracelets per day:

  • Original sales (before the effect):
    10 bracelets × $125 = $1,250
  • After an 11,000% increase (111 times the original):
    (10 × 111) × $125 = 1,110 × $125 = $138,750

So, if the brand originally sold 10 bracelets per day, their total revenue would have jumped from $1,250 to $138,750 in just a short period.

The Meghan Markle Effect: How One Bracelet Transformed a Small Business On Super Bowl Sunday, while football fans were caught up in the excitement of the game, a moment across the border in Canada sparked an unexpected wave of success for a small jewelry brand. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, was spotted wearing a bracelet from Valencia Key, a brand founded by Lia Valencia Key. What followed was a sales boom that many small business owners dream of—an 11,000% increase in sales, website traffic surging by 93%, and nearly 1,000 new Instagram followers in a matter of days. This is the power of the Meghan Markle effect, a phenomenon where any brand or designer she wears experiences an almost immediate surge in demand. But for Lia Valencia Key, the moment was more than just a business boost—it was a sign of hope and perseverance. A Life-Changing Moment Lia, who had been dealing with the frustrations that come with running a small business, wasn’t expecting what was about to happen. “My phone starts to bling, bling, bling, bling,” she recalled, overwhelmed with emotion. A fashion journalist had identified Meghan’s stainless steel gold Joy bracelet, a simple yet meaningful piece engraved with the word “Joy.” Within four hours, the bracelet was completely sold out. “I was shaking and screaming,” Lia said, still in disbelief. “I’m still floating, in awe of how blessings can truly flow in your life.” The bracelet, which retails for $125, was designed as a symbolic reminder to be present, practice gratitude, and embrace joy. It was this exact message that Markle has been embracing herself, referring to her current phase of life as her “chapter of joy.” The Power of Meghan’s Influence Meghan’s ability to drive sales and influence consumer behavior is nothing new. The moment she was introduced to the world as Prince Harry’s fiancée in 2017, her fashion choices became headlines, causing pieces she wore to sell out within minutes. Brands like Strathberry, Mackage, and Rothy’s have all seen explosive growth thanks to her endorsements. This latest moment for Valencia Key echoes similar instances from the past. When Meghan first carried a Strathberry handbag in 2017, the Scottish-based brand saw their Midi Tote sell out online in just 11 minutes. It was a moment that shifted how Meghan approached fashion. “It changed everything in terms of how I then looked at putting an outfit together,” she told The New York Times. Understanding her influence, Meghan has been intentional about supporting small, up-and-coming brands, particularly those that align with her values. “Times where I know there is a global spotlight and attention will be given to each detail of what I may or may not be wearing, then I support designers that I have really great friendships with, and smaller, up-and-coming brands that haven’t gotten the attention that they should be getting,” she said in an interview. This time, it was Valencia Key that got that moment in the spotlight. From Homelessness to Global Success For Lia Valencia Key, this moment represents more than just financial success—it symbolizes resilience. Raised in poverty by a single mother in Philadelphia, Lia and her family experienced homelessness for much of her youth. Despite the hardships, her mother instilled in her a deep belief that “your predicament doesn’t determine your destiny.” Before her passing, Lia’s mother gifted her a pair of earrings as a reminder that she carried light within her. Those earrings later became the inspiration for Valencia Key, a brand built on the idea that jewelry can be more than an accessory—it can be a symbol of hope, perseverance, and transformation. “I spend a lot of time just Googling, looking for brands,” Meghan said in an interview, explaining how she finds new designers. Whether this was how she discovered Valencia Key remains unknown, but for Lia, the impact has been undeniable. A Ripple Effect of Joy Beyond the Joy bracelet, Valencia Key also offers Peace and Love versions of the same design, meant to be worn together as a set. Meghan’s choice to wear the Joy version feels intentional, given how often she has used the word to define this new phase of her life. From her rejoining Instagram to her upcoming Netflix series With Love, Meghan, she has made it clear that she is focusing on positivity and happiness. Even when her show’s release was delayed due to the California wildfires, sources said she had no issue waiting, as it wouldn’t feel right to launch a series about joy while so many people in her home state were suffering. For Lia, this moment has opened doors she never imagined. For the first time since launching Valencia Key in 2016, she can now afford to hire a team, helping to expand her brand’s reach and mission. But more than just business growth, she hopes her journey will inspire others. “I believe that no blessing is given just for you,” she said. “Meghan didn’t just bless me. It is a pour-through so I can go and bless others.” As Valencia Key steps onto the global stage, Lia remains committed to using her success for good. She hopes to not only expand her business in the U.S. but also give back to communities in Africa, where she has seen firsthand the impact of poverty. The Future of the Meghan Markle Effect Meghan may not have spoken publicly about wearing the Joy bracelet, but the numbers speak for themselves. The bracelet is now on backorder for six weeks, with fans eager to get their hands on a piece of the Duchess’s influence. For Lia Valencia Key, what started as a simple prayer for guidance has turned into something far greater than she could have imagined. “This was more than a sign,” she said. “This was something I couldn’t even pray for, and it came through.” Meghan’s ability to turn small businesses into global sensations continues to prove just how powerful her influence remains. And for the brands lucky enough to be chosen, the ripple effect of joy continues to spread.

Meghan boosted Club Chainstitch also.

This is the power of the Meghan Markle effect, a phenomenon where any brand or designer she wears experiences an almost immediate surge in demand. But for Lia Valencia Key, the moment was more than just a business boost—it was a sign of hope and perseverance.