Meet Francesmary Loughead

We recently connected with Francesmary Loughead and have shared our conversation below.

Hi FrancesMary, great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.

I developed my ability to take risks by realizing that without stepping out of my comfort zone, nothing would truly progress. I learned that if I wanted to make a difference, whether in my career or personal life, taking calculated risks was essential. By taking that initial step, I’ve been able to create spaces where people can connect and build meaningful friendships. It’s incredibly rewarding to see others benefit from the risks I chose to take, and this only strengthens my willingness to embrace new challenges moving forward.

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?

BFF Indy is is a vibrant community for women in Indianapolis seeking genuine friendships. Our mission is clear: to create an accessible and supportive space where women can authentically connect.

Founded with a mission to foster real friendships, we focus on creating an inclusive space for women to meet, grow, and support one another through events. What makes BFF Indy special is our commitment to fostering real connections in a world that often feels digital and disconnected—our community thrives on bringing people together in person.

We’re particularly excited about the variety of events we offer, from monthly self-care nights and wellness meet-ups to larger community gatherings. Our events are often collaborations with local businesses, and we’re always finding creative ways to introduce our members to what Indy has to offer. For example, we’ve recently partnered with local brands for charity events and have some exciting holiday happenings on the horizon. We’re also expanding our membership benefits by launching a member discount page, which gives our community access to exclusive discounts from amazing local partners.

At BFF Indy, we believe that when women support each other, powerful things happen. We’re here to be a community where every woman in Indianapolis can feel welcome and find her people. We look forward to connecting even more people through our events, collaborations, and continued support of local businesses and causes.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Reflecting on my journey with BFF Indy, the three most impactful qualities have been empathy, relationship-building, and encouragement.

Empathy is foundational for creating a welcoming space where people feel valued and understood. Making friends as an adult is challenging, and I’ve learned that truly understanding others’ experiences is crucial for fostering genuine connections. For anyone wanting to develop empathy, I’d suggest listening deeply to others and being open to perspectives that differ from your own. Joining new groups, volunteering, or networking can help expand your sense of community and deepen your understanding of others’ journeys.

Relationship-building has also been key. Authentic connections are at the heart of BFF Indy, and I believe that building relationships goes beyond networking; it’s about genuinely caring and supporting one another. My advice to anyone looking to grow in this area is to lead with authenticity and always aim to bring value to your connections. Meaningful relationships are built on mutual trust and support.

Lastly, encouragement is something I think everyone needs, especially when it comes to making friends. Building relationships takes time, and it’s normal not to connect deeply with everyone you meet. But by showing up consistently and staying open, you’re likely to find genuine friendships. If you’re on this journey, remember that a little encouragement goes a long way—not only for others but also for yourself.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

We’re always excited to partner with others who share our mission of fostering community and creating meaningful connections. At BFF Indy, we look to collaborate with local businesses and individuals passionate about supporting women and making Indianapolis a more connected place. Whether it’s through co-hosting events, offering unique experiences for our members, or providing exclusive discounts, we’re open to partnerships that bring value to our community.

If you’re interested in collaborating, we’d love to connect! You can reach out via our website or send us a direct message on Instagram at @BFF_Indy. We’re always open to new ideas and ways to work together to make Indy a friendlier, more inclusive city.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bffindianapolis.com
• Instagram: @bff.indy
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/WziWwrsMrr1q18W5/

Image Credits

BFF Indy