Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Propes.
Hi Angela, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, but with travel, marriage, kids, rescue animals, and a part-time job, I convinced myself I was too busy to pursue running my own business; but the dream was always lingering in the back of my mind.
When my kids were in preschool, I started sewing handmade backpacks for them and the other moms were frequently complimenting and asking me about them. I had read an article about a successful mom entrepreneur who offered the advice that if you receive at least three compliments on something you’ve created, it’s a helpful sign that you might have something worth pursuing as a business. Yet, I still let doubt take up too much of my time but finally in March of 2010, I decided to take the plunge into the entrepreneurial world.
At that time, I knew my business would center around sewing, but I also had creative interests in other areas as well, so I didn’t want a business name that would pigeonhole me into just one type of craft. It was also important for the name to be available as a dot com and with the help of brainstorming with my family I came up with the name “farragio” for my business. It’s my play on the word farrago, which means “a mix of things.”
When I first started out, I mainly sold on Etsy and local fairs and the backpacks quickly turned into designing and creating custom handbags, totes, and personalized cosmetic and shaving kit bags, which were especially popular as bridal party gifts. I was even featured in publications such as ALIVE and St. Louis Bride & Groom.
Around 2015 I was able to quit my day job and work my business full time. But I found that I was getting burned out with sewing so I started to consider changing directions with my business. During that time, I had been making my own all-natural moisturizer and when I started to share it with family and friends the response was so enthusiastic my skincare line was off and running. In 2018, I turned farragio into my own line of all-natural skincare products and it has been going strong ever since.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For the most part, it’s been a smooth road and one that I enjoy immensely… Any challenges I’ve experienced mostly have to do with marketing. Marketing and networking a small handcrafted business is an ongoing process and competes with the time I need to be creating.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I continually do extensive research for my skincare products in order to create superior formulas. I am proud of the fact that every farragio skincare product has been hand-created by me from start to finish; from developing the formulas to bottling and labeling the products.
Along with that, I strive to provide a superior experience for my customers. I have two #1 priorities, and providing quality customer service is just as important to me as providing quality products.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Along with using all-natural and organic ingredients, I recently transitioned all of my skin care products to completely vegan (no beeswax). And, I’m excited to have just launched my new Ultimate Face Moisturizer and Ultimate Tinted Face Moisturizer, both made with kokum butter. This amazing ingredient is non-comedogenic, silky smooth, and full of nourishing benefits for skin.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@farragio.com
- Website: https://farragio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farragio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/farragiofun
