Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andrea Garcia Fry. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Andrea, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Two months after Shireen had her first baby and three months after I had my second, we were catching up—in the thick of postpartum life—venting about how hard it was to find baby clothes that actually felt like us.

We were craving something different. Clothes that were soft and high quality for our babies, yes—but also elevated, playful, and thoughtfully designed.

That’s when Shireen said it: “What if we made it ourselves?”

It sounded wild. But also… not. I had years of experience in digital marketing and brand strategy. She had a sharp eye for design and deep product experience. We knew how to build things. So, we started asking questions. We talked to parents, explored materials, and researched production.

The moment it became real was when we found our factory and placed our first order. Suddenly, Arquia wasn’t just a concept. It was a brand—and it had a purpose.

We set out to create elevated essentials for babies and toddlers, crafted from 100% Peruvian Pima cotton. Our mission is simple but powerful: to help parents feel confident in their choices while giving babies the comfort they deserve.

What excited us most was filling a real gap—offering a mix of style, softness, and quality that felt surprisingly hard to find. But even more than that, it felt like something we had to build, because we weren’t alone in wanting it.

Andrea, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Andrea Garcia Fry—digital marketer, mom of two, and co-founder of Arquia, a brand I created with my dear friend Shireen to bring elevated, thoughtfully designed essentials to babies and toddlers.

Before becoming an entrepreneur, I spent over a decade leading digital strategy for global brands across Latin America. I loved the challenge, but after having my kids, I felt a strong pull toward building something of my own. Something that felt more personal, more purposeful—and more aligned with this new version of myself.

That’s where Arquia came in. We saw a gap in the market for baby clothes that were not only incredibly soft and made with high-quality, hypoallergenic materials, but also playful, vibrant, and well-made. Clothes that didn’t feel disposable. Clothes that reflected our own sense of style and values as modern parents.

At Arquia, we create elevated essentials made from 100% Peruvian Pima cotton—designed for mixing, matching, and making everyday moments feel joyful. We’re intentional about everything: from our sourcing and color choices to the way we build community and connect with parents.

What sets us apart is a blend of craftsmanship, emotion, and brand clarity. We’re not just selling clothes—we’re building a brand that parents trust and love, with values rooted in design, quality, and care.

Beyond Arquia, I also work as a brand strategist and mentor, helping other women—especially moms—build brands and digital strategies with clarity and soul. I know how overwhelming the digital world can feel when you’re trying to build something from scratch, and I love helping people find focus, confidence, and momentum.

I’m proud of a lot of things: that we launched Arquia while raising young children, that we’ve already shipped to customers in cities we’ve never been to, and that so many parents tell us our clothes are their baby’s favorites. But I’m especially proud of doing this all in a way that feels human.

If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s that you can build something meaningful on your own terms. Whether it’s a brand, a business, or a life—you don’t have to follow someone else’s playbook. You just have to define what matters, and move with purpose.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building Arquia’s social media presence has been about more than just posting pretty pictures—it’s been about building connection. From day one, we knew we didn’t want to sound like every other baby brand. We wanted to feel like that stylish, down-to-earth friend who brings color, ease, and a little spark of joy to your scroll.

Our brand personality and voice played a huge role in shaping our strategy. We were clear on who we are—warm but never cheesy, elevated but never stuffy, playful but always intentional. That clarity helped us create content that didn’t just look good—it felt like Arquia.

We post to inspire, sure—but more importantly, we post to engage. From commenting on every tagged photo to chatting in the DMs, we treat social media like a two-way street. Some of our best moments have come from real conversations with real parents who are figuring it all out, just like us.

One thing we’ve prioritized? Showing up consistently without sounding like a robot. Whether it’s outfit ideas, real-life parenting moments, or behind-the-scenes snapshots, we aim to keep it light, cool, and full of heart. And every caption, every image, every emoji—we’ve thought it through. It’s all aligned with our brand’s voice and values.

If you’re just starting to build your presence, here’s what I’d say:
1. Know who you are and how you want people to feel when they land on your page
2. Prioritize conversation over perfection
3. Be consistent, but stay human
4. And don’t be afraid to show personality—your people will find you faster when you show up as you

At Arquia, every piece tells a story—and we treat our social media the same way. It’s not just about selling clothes. It’s about creating a brand that families want to be part of.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

For us at Arquia, the best source of new customers has been a mix of word-of-mouth, recommendations, and creating awareness through PR efforts.

We’re building a brand that parents trust—and trust spreads. When someone falls in love with our clothes, they tell their friends, tag us in their stories, or add us to their baby registry. That kind of organic buzz has been one of our most powerful growth engines.

Once parents actually feel our Pima cotton or see the color and quality up close, it makes all the difference. That’s why we’ve been intentional about showing up beyond digital. We’ve attended tradeshows like Playtime NY, where buyers, parents, and editors can experience the brand in person. We’ve also sent samples to creators and partners who align with our values. Those physical touch points—when someone can hold a garment and say “oh wow”—are valuable to us.

Another big piece of the puzzle has been PR. We got featured in the Glamour magazine article “42 Best Baby Clothes Brands and Retailers, Approved by Parents” that gave us a major trust boost. It’s the kind of third-party validation that reassures new parents: this brand is not only beautiful, it’s real.

So while we love social media and storytelling, our biggest wins have come from building connection, earning trust, and letting the quality speak for itself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shoparquia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoparquia/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shoparquia/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@shoparquia