Meet Yashica Topalovic

We recently connected with Yashica Topalovic and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Yashica, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

Naturally, I’m an observer & so from a very young age I remember being intrigued by women’s behavior especially those who seemed to do it all! I was surrounded by these women daily. With their manicured nails, dazzling jewelry, beautiful families & successful businesses.! They all had 1 thing in common, CONFIDENCE!! At times their self esteem would drop & there was a slight change in their demeanor but the determination & confidence remained. These magnificent women being the women in my family never let their self esteem get the best of them! What I started doing was mimicking all of their positive traits along with implementing my own. For example, I always make sure to be well groomed even when I’m in my own home, I don’t compare myself to others & if I’m having 1 of those days where I just feel “UGH” then that’s okay but as long as its only for one day & I move on!

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Regardless of where I was living, working or my life’s circumstances my passion was always in art & fashion. I’d find ways to make sure that I was always surrounded by it in someway. One of the low points in my life (many many years ago), I was working 2-3 jobs & the thing that kept me sane was going home to design jewelry, garments or paint! It was the simplicity of grabbing a pencil & paper & letting my creativity take me away! When my mind, body & soul returned to reality everything seemed more than okay. I felt free!

FRANCES TAYLOR started as a hobby. I was designing for myself, for my sisters & for collaborations. Just doing what I loved seemed as though I was being highly compensated. In a sense I absolutely was! I made mistakes & learned from them, I made connections, I created & it all opened my eyes to realize this was more than just a hobby. This was going to be my career as a fashion designer & wardrobe stylist!

I was working in real estate at 35 weeks pregnant & at that moment my husband & I decided that it was time for me to permanently stay home with our babies. A few months later the pandemic struck the world! We were now a family of 4 stuck at home with our thoughts & our creativity. So I pulled out my sketch book, fabrics & worked at my own pace. Two years later I had inventory, a portfolio & social media connections I made while in lock down.

My brand represents confidence, poise, & resilience. I make sure that all of that is put into every garment I create, into every woman I style & into every lens behind all photo shoots!

Since then I have been blessed with accomplishments such as:
FASHION WEEK SAN DIEGO 2023
Styled Miss Greater San Diego Melissa Weiler
CBS NEWS
NYC Avant Garde-SOTHEBYS ART GALLERY Fashion Show
Featured at Solana Beach local BOUTIQUE 2022
VANGUARD CULTURE SAN DIEGO
SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL VIP RUNWAY SHOW
TEDDY BALL 2023
Stylist/Dresser at CarlyCreative for Nina Cicalo Runway Show 2024
San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce EMERGING LEADER EVENT COORDINATOR
San Diego Mesa College fashion guest speaker
FRANCES TAYLOR Studio/Boutique Owner-by appointment only
Featured in Katana Magazine
Featured in Shoutout SoCal Magazine
SDBCC-EL 40 under 40 Emerging Leadership Business Award
46th Annual Haute with Heart Fashion Show alongside Bloomingdales
Nominated for PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD “RISING STAR” through SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE
Wardrobe dresser for THE COUNTRY FRIENDS Art of Fashion Show
SDBCC MOVEMENT MAKER AWARD 2024

Being a mother, wife, business owner, community volunteer & a council member event coordinator for SDBCC EMERGING LEADERS there is absolutely more to come! I can now proudly say that I have become 1 of those women that I highly admired as a child!

If you’re seeking assistance with your wardrobe, or need a custom design or a you have an upcoming photoshoot/event FRANCES TAYLOR is the brand for you! If you’re a young entrepreneur looking to connect with likeminded business owners or simply wanting guidance please reach out to the SAN DIEGO BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE-EMERGING LEADERS.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I heard a lot of negative advice or comments along the way that nearly put me to a halt. Well, a school teacher once told me that I had to move to L.A. to become a fashion designer & so I did but that didn’t make me who I am today. I also heard that I should focus on selling electronics and not my designs because that’s how I was going to make money! If I was in it for the money, I probably would’ve taken it into consideration. Luckily, at that point in my life I stopped listening to others & I started listening to my heart. I sat back & analyzed my life & I realized it’s all I ever wanted so why should I let anyone else dictate my future!

Another key component is self reflection. Pin point all of your strong qualities and use those daily especially on the days that your self esteem feels as if it’s giving up on you. For me it’s my smile & style, I know that I can use that to my advantage, to either inspire others or to get me by the day! You also have to acknowledge your weak qualities, confront & work on them. Im an introvert but my company, my career & my dream requires that I socialize, attend events & represent my brand FRANCES TAYLOR. This is where I put on my best self along with my rose gold boots, custom design & I show off my confidence!

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

I have a tribe of angels, guardians & positive energy. Each & everyone plays a part either in my personal life, career etc. My grandmother Sacramento Lopez Beltran owned multiple businesses in Mexico & so I know that the business side of it all came through her, her daughters, my aunts & my mother. My sister Yavaughn gives me strength, laughter & so much more. My sister Patty taught me how to be a mother before I had children of my own. My husband still till this day shows me what true love is as well as self reflection. Ismet & Frances, my children have taught me the meaning of unconditional love. My dear best friends, Mairah, Lillian & Sarah have showed me what being bold is when you have soul sisters by your side. The woman who taught me how to sew, my aunt Eva Lopez Beltran also opened my eyes & heart to acts of kindness. My stunning cousin Monalisa Vitela paved the way for us all with having brains & beauty. My nieces, nephews & cousins who are always there for my family & I. The Topalovic family who taught me how to make my house a home! The Taylor family for their love & support. This is the family & friends I dreamt of my whole life. Thank you for being a part of it!

My business wouldn’t be where it is today without local events, networks, clients & collaborations. Cheers to us, all of our hard work & to our bright future that lies ahead!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Francestaylor.shop
• Instagram: @francestaylor.yt
• Linkedin: Yashica Topalovic
• Other: FRANCES TAYLOR STUDIO/BOUTIQUE
  2151 Logan Ave Suite I
  San Diego, Ca 92113
  OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Image Credits

B. Towner Photography
Fashion Week San Diego
Jordan Woodley
Cal.Bec events/visuals