Andrea Garcia Fry is a Peruvian-American mom of two toddlers and the co-founder of Arquia, a baby and kids clothing brand that creates elevated essentials crafted from 100% Peruvian Pima cotton (known for its softness, breathability, and durability). After more than 15 years in corporate marketing, Andrea launched Arquia just two months after her second baby was born, blending her professional experience with her personal passion for quality, color, and comfort. A firm believer that the best fabrics come from her home country of Peru, Andrea is on a mission to bring joy and intentional design to modern parenting, one outfit at a time.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Most mornings start with the beautiful chaos of getting my two toddlers ready for school: breakfast, pack lunch boxes, backpacks, carpool. Once they’re off, I make time to move my body, whether it’s a workout, yoga or a run, before diving into work. My workday runs until about 3 or 4 p.m., when my kids come home and the focus shifts to family: playtime, dinner, bath, story, and snuggles.
To stay productive, I rely on a Notion document where I map out my weekly priorities. It keeps me grounded and helps me make smart choices with my time. I’ve learned I can’t do everything, but I can do what matters most, intentionally.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I start by brainstorming. Sometimes alone, sometimes in calls with my business partner, Shireen and sometimes in the communities I’m a part of. We bounce ideas back and forth until something clicks. From there, I write everything down, sketch it out, or build a mini plan to see how it could actually work. I’m big on testing, I love trying things, seeing how they perform, and tweaking along the way. Most of my best ideas evolve through experimentation and iteration, not perfection.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m really excited about the growing shift toward intentional entrepreneurship: people building businesses that reflect their values, not just their ambitions. I see so many parents, especially moms, creating brands that prioritize purpose, community, and well-being alongside profit. It feels like a cultural reset where success isn’t about doing more, but doing what matters. I love being part of that movement with Arquia as we create a business that is thoughtful, sustainable, and joyful.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Every Friday, I take 30-40 minutes to plan my week in Notion and my Google Calendar. I map out my top three priorities for work and home, so when Monday hits, I already know what matters most. During the day, I block focused time for deep work and I silence notifications. It’s not about doing more; it’s about being intentional with the energy I have. That small planning ritual keeps me grounded and productive all week.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d tell her that slowing down isn’t falling behind. For so long, I thought success meant constantly moving: chasing the next goal, the next title, the next milestone. But life has a way of teaching you that growth doesn’t always happen in motion. Some of the most important things: clarity, creativity, and joy, show up when you give yourself space to breathe. I’d tell her to trust her timing, not rush her story, and remember that balance isn’t something you find, it’s something you build, one choice at a time.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.
I don’t believe in “having it all”. At least, not all at once. Somewhere along the way, we turned that idea into a benchmark for success, especially for women and moms. But I’ve learned that every season has its own focus, and trying to do everything perfectly just leaves you exhausted and disconnected. I believe fulfillment comes from doing less, but doing it with intention. Sometimes that means letting something drop and being proud of yourself for that.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Make at least 30 minutes of “me time” every day. Even when it feels impossible. For me, that usually means a workout or a quiet coffee before diving into work or family life. It’s amazing how something so small can change your whole mindset. That time to breathe, move, or just be with yourself makes you more present, patient, and productive in everything else you do.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed, I don’t force focus, I switch gears. I’ll do something that doesn’t require as much brainpower, like organizing my workspace or answering quick emails. Sometimes stepping away from the hard thing gives me the mental space to come back with clarity. I’ve learned that productivity isn’t about pushing harde, it’s about knowing when to pause and reset.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Hands down, networking and community. Being part of groups like Dreamers & Doers and Money Moves Membership has been game-changing for me. Entrepreneurship can feel lonely, especially as a mom, but these communities have connected me with women who get it: who share ideas, resources, and support without competition. Through those connections, I’ve found collaborators, mentors, and even clients. It’s a reminder that growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum, it happens in community.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
It felt like a failure when I was laid off from my corporate job during a restructuring. For someone who had spent over 15 years climbing the corporate ladder, it was a shock and honestly, it hurt my confidence at first. But with time, I realized it was the push I needed to build something of my own. That moment led to the creation of Arquia, my baby and kids clothing brand, and completely changed how I define success. The biggest lesson? Sometimes what feels like an ending is actually the beginning of something far more aligned with who you’re becoming.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A platform that connects moms with small, purpose-driven brands through curated “life stage” boxes. It could be a discovery hub: from newborn essentials to toddlerhood and beyond. Each box could feature products made by mom-founded or ethical brands, helping parents find quality items they can trust while supporting small businesses. It’s convenience with a conscience and a built-in community story behind every product.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Shopify. I use it to manage everything from product launches and inventory to customer insights. It keeps me connected to every part of Arquia, whether I’m uploading new styles, tracking sales, or understanding what’s resonating with parents. Having one platform that brings creativity and operations together helps me move fast and stay focused on what really matters: serving our community and growing with intention.
What is the best $100 you recently spent?
My Money Moves Membership. It’s been such a powerful investment not just financially, but emotionally. Being surrounded by women who are building, learning, and sharing transparently their business has completely shifted how I think about growth. It’s given me the confidence to make smarter decisions for Arquia and myself.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?
The Metabolic Miracle completely changed the way I understand energy. It taught me how much our metabolism impacts focus, productivity, and overall well-being. Learning to fuel my body properly has made me sharper as a founder, more patient as a mom, and simply more present in my day-to-day life. It’s a reminder that taking care of your body is one of the best business strategies there is.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I’ve been watching the last season of The Morning Show and I’m hooked. Beyond the drama, I love how it explores power dynamics, leadership, and the gray areas of modern work culture. The characters are flawed but real: navigating ambition, integrity, and the constant pressure to perform. As someone who’s worked in corporate and now runs my own business, it hits close to home. It’s a reminder of how much courage it takes to speak up, evolve, and lead with empathy.
Key learnings:
- You can’t do everything: but you can do what matters most, intentionally. Clarity is more powerful than hustle.
- When life feels overwhelming, purpose can be an anchor. Building Arquia gave me focus and healing through one of the hardest seasons of my life.
- Community is a growth strategy. Surrounding yourself with like-minded women changes how you build, lead, and dream.
- Taking care of your body and mind isn’t optional — it’s foundational. Even 30 minutes of “me time” can reset your entire day.
- What feels like failure can be redirection. Being laid off pushed me to build something that aligns deeply with who I am today.