We recently had the chance to connect with Maria Franco and have shared our conversation below.
Maria, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately I have been trying to balance my life work better and fulfill a promise I made myself at beginning of 2025, so I signed up to a clay class and piano lessons something I longed to do since I was a kid.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Maria Padilha Franco and I am a food engineer, a business owner, mother and wine lover. I am the owner and creator of Mariapetit Food boutique, a local meal prep company and cafe bistro focused on community and healthy eating habits. We pride ourselves on creating a feel at home feeling when getting our products and services. Our latest brand addition is our line of savory and sweet cookies, including some gluten free options. Our proudest 2025 moment was being nominated by our community as Haven best hidden gem.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
The launch of the book Business in heels in which I was a coauthor with other amazing woman and had the change to tell a little about my story as an immigrant and business woman. The Book was released in 3 languages and I felt so empowered to be able to help others thru my life experiences .
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Stop trying to be perfect and praise everyone. Learn to say no earlier. Only when we learn our real value and start to love ourselves we are able to grow and improve. We have to learn to say no to others and say more yes to ourselves and our needs, that’s not being selfish it is actually a self love practice . Only when we are healed we can heal others.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Honestly is one of the core values of my life so with me what you see is as real as can get. Actually I have been judged a lot for my brutal honest and speaking my truth no matter what so yes I am who I am in public and home, in public or by myself
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I was a kind soul, always trying to help . That my family, friends and community were my most valuable possessions. That being a mom was one of my biggest accomplishments and building my own company from ground zero took me a lot of hard work and made me the proudest entrepreneur ever.
Contact Info:
- Website: Mariapetit food
- Instagram: Maria Petit Food
- Facebook: Maria apetite Foid Boutique
Image Credits
Jenni Harper photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
