Connect
To Top

An Inspired Chat with Francesca Marcos of Miami

Francesca Marcos shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Francesca, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
That they absolutely LOVE free shipping, it’s like the ultimate green light for them to complete their purchase. But what really surprises me (in a good way) is how much they also seem to love my collections once they’re sold out. When I launch a new collection, they’re excited, of course, but many seem to save it for later. Then, as soon as it’s out of stock, the messages start pouring in with people asking for a restock and saying how much they need it. It’s almost like the scarcity makes them appreciate it even more. Does anyone else notice this kind of behavior with their customers? It’s such an interesting pattern.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure thing! I’ll share a little BTS of how FRSA started, for those who are intrigued or don’t know where to begin with starting their own business. It all began as a side project and creative outlet while I was in college. I started by designing t-shirts, building a simple website, and just experimenting. Later, I partnered with my mom, who had a lot of experience in clothing production, and together we created the first couple of pieces. Back then, I had no idea about design, e-commerce, or even running an Instagram store. I had to learn everything, how to set up an online shop, sell on social media, take product photos, launch campaigns, all of it. These days, I find myself leaning more and more into the design and production side too, which feels like a whole new world to explore. I’m still learning, still evolving, and still growing every day. It’s been such an incredible journey of self-growth and development.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
One of the most powerful and proud moments for me was making my very first online sale. I remember sitting at my desk thinking, Wait… what? Did someone really just buy something I made? Can I actually make money like this? It honestly felt like a dream. I was so nervous packing up that first order, making sure everything was perfect, and wondering if they’d like it when they saw it in person. That mix of excitement and nerves was unforgettable, and to be honest, I still get those same goosebumps every time an online order comes through. It’s such a special feeling, and it really does just keep getting better.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Of course! I’ve stopped many times along the way, but I never truly quit. Sometimes it was because of financial reasons, other times because I just wasn’t feeling inspired. I’ve learned that it all comes in waves, there are seasons when you’re creating, giving, and providing, and others when you need to slow down and go inward for some self-reflection and growth. The biggest lesson for me has been to take breaks, not quit. Every time I come back, I feel like I’ve learned something new, gained a fresh perspective, and grown into a stronger version of myself. I’m no longer the same person I was when I felt like giving up, I’m more resilient, more grounded, and more determined than ever.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
This is such a funny question because I’ve always wondered the same thing, how people actually perceive me on social media. Not because it really affects me, honestly, but just because I’ve heard some wild assumptions people make, like where I live, what I do, and all these little stories they create about you without really knowing anything at all. One thing I can say for sure is that I never post anything that isn’t me. I share my everyday moments, little glimpses of my personal life, behind-the-scenes of my work and my days, and of course the business side too. I also feel like the photos I post always reflect the vibe I’m in at that moment in my life. So no matter what, I’m always showing a piece of who I really am.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
People-pleasing and comparing myself to others, those two habits took me nowhere but into a deep, dark hole. I’ve learned that when I show up as my most authentic self and pour my energy into what I truly enjoy, the outcome is always so much more fulfilling. It’s such a different feeling than when you’re just trying to make others happy, or constantly measuring yourself against someone else’s life and looking at “their grass.” Honestly, it’s such a waste of time and energy. Water your own grass, focus on your own journey, and BE YOU to the fullest, that’s where the real magic happens.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in Local Stories

  • Community Highlights:

    The community highlights series is one that our team is very excited about.  We’ve always wanted to foster certain habits within...

    Local StoriesSeptember 8, 2021
  • Heart to Heart with Whitley: Episode 4

    You are going to love our next episode where Whitley interviews the incredibly successful, articulate and inspiring Monica Stockhausen. If you...

    Whitley PorterSeptember 1, 2021
  • Introverted Entrepreneur Success Stories: Episode 3

    We are thrilled to present Introverted Entrepreneur Success Stories, a show we’ve launched with sales and marketing expert Aleasha Bahr. Aleasha...

    Local StoriesAugust 25, 2021