Today we’d like to introduce you to Francesca Castoria.
Hi Francesca, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
For my 31st birthday, I decided to leave the material gifts behind and chose to gift myself a three-day weightloss trial package. Prior to making this decision, I was in such a dark place. I was depressed, overweight, and sadly not the best mother to my son. I was invited to a smoothie bar where I met my coach and now best friend Jary, who guided and supported me through my weight loss journey of losing 45 pounds.
At that same time, I started law school and I knew I wanted to leave behind the bad habits and begin to learn healthier habits. While my dream was always to become an Attorney, I began to spend more time at the smoothie bar. Every chance I was off of classes I would run to the smoothie bar to spend time with the girls and moms, we would participate in boot camp and Zumba classes together and all around just spend time with positive, uplifting and encouraging women. I’ve never experienced this before so I was hooked.
I stopped working at the law firm and quickly needed another source of income ASAP. I was never interested in being a “barrister” or a “shake maker,” but there was something powerful and impactful taking place at the smoothie bar and I wanted to be apart of changing someone else’s life. Throughout attending law school full time I began working at the smoothie bar part time, started my business on social media, and began impacting and changing the eating habits of my colleagues at school and my circle of influence. I carried my scale with me everywhere, samples, and just a big smile and reassurance for many that THEY CAN CHANGE TOO!
Second year into law school I knew I didn’t want to become an attorney and knew where my heart was meant to be but I toughed it out, finished and graduated in May 2020. I started studying for the Bar but then finally put my foot down and said this is not for me anymore. I followed my heart.
I’ve always dreamed about opening my own smoothie bar. A small location where we can bring the community together, provide them with healthy smoothies and energizing teas and all around just a safe place where we can uplift others and show them that there is so much more to life.
Fast forward to February 2021, I opened my own smoothie bar called Highlight Nutrition. It’s exactly everything I declared it to be!! I’m so EXCITED about opening up in this community, meeting new people, and just being a light to others.
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?
It surely has not been easy. The vision was always very clear to me that if I wanted to build this business and impact many, I needed to make many sacrifices and be CONSISTENT. This included spending time away from my son, not taking vacations or hanging out so I can be at the smoothie bar because the girls there needed my support. I even failed a class because I was so focused on building my business.
Most recently, two weeks before opening up Highlight Nutrition my son and I were kicked out of where we were living and I’ve been sleeping on a friend’s couch, my bank account has been negative and we are currently on government assistance. I KNEW THAT THIS IS ALL PART OF THE PROCESS. I kept my head up, a no-problem attitude and went to work. My team and the girls I am helping are depending on me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Highlight Nutrition?
It’s a smoothie bar where we offer meal replacement smoothies that help you lose weight, gain muscle, or just replace a meal. We also offer energizing teas and Iced Protein Coffee (my favorite).
More importantly, I used the smoothie bar as an opportunity to sit down and talk to everyone who visits so I can learn how I can help and serve them better. I have a team of girls that I help with meal plans, snack lists, group accountability chats and just being their friend first. I am most proud that we are offering a place where people can come and have a business meeting, study or just find someone who they can talk to and who is going to empower them when they leave here.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory is always being the first person that someone can count on. I always wanted to be someone that you can depend on.
Contact Info:
- Email: fcastoria23@yaho.com
- Instagram: highlight_nutrition and Chesca_fit
- Facebook: Highlight Nutrition
Image Credits
Gratefulsoulphotography credit for the picture of my son and I only.
