Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Franco.
Amanda, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m originally from a small town an hour south of Fort Worth and always knew I was destined for more. I moved to California to live the L.A dream and moved into a beautiful house with my three roommates. I went to cosmetology school for nine months and received my license. Living in L.A for four years and working three jobs to pay rent, bills, and maybe a cocktail every now, I was tired of just working on getting by. I always knew I wanted my boutique that I can call my own. While on a camping trip with my family in northern California, I was sitting on top of a mountain and I felt like something big was coming for me and I knew I was going to work hard for it.
I made the hard decision and I packed up my stuff and decided to move back to Dallas and go to college to get a degree in fashion merchandising. I started school immediately at Wade College in Downtown Dallas. I worked full time while doing full time school and was given amazing opportunities by participating in fashion shows and Market Week. I received my bachelor’s degree in 3 years and started my dream job working for a merchandising company. After four years of working for a great company, I got let go due to COVID- 19 and that’s what drove me to think that this is the time to start my own boutique.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’ve always had a goal and have tried hard to keep my goal and not to lose sight of it. Its been a rough road to get to where I am now since I’ve started my boutique COVID started at the same time. I’ve learned how to use the skills that I learned from school and had to market myself and get my boutique online. It’s worked out perfect since everyone is online shopping. I know I still have a huge advantage and can make the best of it. I mange an online boutique and when the virus is over, I have a little shop at Traders Village (large flee market) in Grand Prairie on the weekends. A goal of mine is travel to different thrift conventions and trade shows.
RAQ91 – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My Business is called RAQ91. I made a business plan while I was in college and it was called RAQ91. What does it mean? The first three letters of my middle name and the year I was born. Ironically, it references my passion for “racking” early 90’s fashion. I specialize in finding women thrift clothing and customizing it to make it one of a kind. I also sell jewelry, shoes and purses. What sets me apart from others is that I can see the beauty in worn and tattered items and turning them into one of a kind pieces but still affordable. I like my choice in clothes to stay up to date with the current trends and still keep the vintage of the piece. I am proud of this because it has taken me a long time to get where I am now. I’ve been told that I have a creative eye and an eye for clothes and I can now portray that into my boutique.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Everyone defines their success differently, but how I see success is seeing your business grow and waking up every day excited to work and building on something that you can call your own and you want to build more on every day.
If you don’t have sleepless nights because you’re excited about the next day and what you need to do to get your goals and dreams accomplished than you don’t have the right vision.
Contact Info:
- Address: Traders Village- 2602 Mayfield Rd, Grand Prairie, TX 75052
- Phone: 469-233-0002
- Email: amanda.raquel.franco@gmail.com
- Instagram: amanda.in.texas
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