Mary Frances is the co-founder of Girls Mentorship along with Jill Petersen. “We teach life and personal development skills and soft skills, such as communications, critical thinking, relationship building, value setting and self-awareness building to teen and tween girls to help them show up as their best, brightest & most confident selves,” says Frances.
AZF: What excites you most about being an entrepreneur?
MF: I think it’s the notion that I get to create something out of nothing that adds value to people’s lives.
AZF: What is your “life motto”?
MF: I always land on my feet.
AZF: Did you always know that you wanted to be entrepreneur? If not, when did you realize that it was the right path right for you?
MF: I don’t think I always knew but looking back, the writing was definitely always on the walls. I’ve always gone above & beyond at a job. I’ve always taken the initiative without being asked. I’ve always been stubborn & hardheaded which makes it diffucult to take instruction from others, especially when it seems inefficient to do it that way. I got my first taste of entrepreneurship in 2015 when I opened up a crossfit gym with two friends, I knew at that point that it was 100% my path.
AZF: How do you feel best supported?
MF: I am a words of affirmation person through & through. I will work until the cows come home with no problem, however, I need to hear that I am doing a good job from time to time.
AZF: What motivates you to keep going amidst of the challenges that come with being an entrepreneur?
MF: I do my best not to make it about me, which is an everyday practice. I know that this mission was placed on my heart to help others & if I give up then I’m giving up on the ones who need my help. I may never meet them, I may never know their names or see their faces but the fact that the work we are doing with Girls Mentorship is helping girls know, like & trust themselves is reason enough to keep going when the going gets tough.
AZF: Describe your perfect Saturday morning.
MF: I punched a clock that had me rolling out of bed a 4am for the better part of 10 years. A perfect Saturday morning for me is a slow one that doesn’t involve an alarm clock & allows me to take my time in getting up & getting ready for whatever the day has to offer.
AZF: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a young entrepreneur who is just starting out?
MF: You cannot quit on a bad day, instead, you have to make the decision to hang it up when you are feeling good & flying high. Since quitting on a good day is unlikely to happen, you have to remember to put the bad ones into perseptive & not let them overtake you.
Follow Mary Frances and Girls Mentorship on Instagram, @girlsmentorship, and on LinkedIn.
About The Foundress
The Foundress is a creative community of female entrepreneurs established by Coley Arnold and Lindsey Holt, owners of Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market. The women-led networking group currently has over 120 members who receive exclusive access to mentorship from experienced female entrepreneurs and industry leaders; community gatherings that feature expert speakers and the opportunity to connect with like-minded women; as well as monthly Mastermind Groups where members can brainstorm and collaborate together.
Every Friday AZF will spotlight a member of The Foundress and her business in the online series Foundress Fridays. Learn more about The Foundress and join the community at www.foundress.co.
