We recently connected with Brooke Robinson and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Brooke, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

In 2012, my grandmother, FrancesMarie passed from Cancer. My world was completely shaken for years after her death, she was my best friend, my grandmother was a big part of my world. For a long time her death caused my world to feel incomplete, there are still moments now, I feel as though something is missing. I don’t think you really ever stop grieving someone you love, but I have learned that you can find ways to honor their memories, their life, and their love. I wanted to honor her, so in honoring her, I founded, FrancesMarie Accessories, this is the dedication to the unconditional love we shared; It is a dedication to the untouchable bond we had, it is a dedication to the love we both had for shopping.
Growing up as a little girl, my grandmother would always take me along for her shopping trips. With every outfit, we would also purchase cosmetics or shoes, jewelry, or something to simply “Accessorize” the look. One of the many things my grandmother taught me is that; Your beauty is your own, it is something that lies within but it can also be bedazzled, with something as simple as lipgloss or something significant such as jewelry or a purse. Your beauty should also be protected, in the same way a satin hair bonnet protects your hair.
As the owner of FrancesMarie Accessories, I strive to offer something very simple for my clientele by leaving them with this; What is your Beauty?
If your Beauty were jewels, how would you wear them?
If your beauty were bags, how would you style them?
If your beauty were your hair, how would you protect it?
If your beauty were lipgloss and lipstick, how would you rock it?
My beauty is mine but I love to accessorize it.

Brooke, 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?

For those who may have never heard of me; I am Brooke Robinson the owner of FrancesMarie Accessories. I got into this business by simply having the desire to share my love for accessories and honor my grandmother. I provide jewelry, lipgloss, handbags and wallets, satin hair bonnets, and more. The thing that sets me apart is also the thing I am most proud of; I have the desire to provide quality and the Best shopping experience, I could possibly offer. My lipgloss for example is not something that could be found in the stores, its a smooth and weightless feel, it offers comfort without needing anyother products to accompany it. I believe that even something as simple as a necklace could bring an outfit together. I simply ask my potiential clientele and followers to allow me to be apart of their journey in accessorizing their beauty.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for me has been word of mouth; I have advertised on social media by using Facebook and Instagram, but I have noticed that most of my clientele is from others sharing their experience of shopping with me and the merchandise that they were able to purchase.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

I have had a lot of trial and error with my business; I am an advocate for offering quality merchandise and because of this, I have had to spend a lot of money in finding what will and won’t work. As far as vendors; the merchandise that I don’t manufacture myself, I have had to deep dive and do a lot of research to obtain. I am also an advocate for women empowerment and I believe that there is room for all of us at the top, so some of my merchandise is manufactured by other women owned businesses.

I have learned that the saying, “It takes money, to make money” means that in business you should be prepared to invest heavily and also, you will have to fail to succeed; there will be some days you will won’t to throw in the towel and those are the days that you must push harder and encourage yourself as you strive to succeed.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: francesmarie_accessories
• Facebook: FrancesMarie Accessories FMA