We recently had the chance to connect with Angela Propes and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Angela, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I used to love sleeping in, but now my day feels off if I don’t start early and I spend the morning feeling behind the eight ball. I’ve become an early riser and am up at 5 a.m. to work out, read some Bible verses, and spend time in prayer. Then I savor my first cup of coffee of the day and usually an interior decorating video on YouTube—lately I’m loving vintage Design Inc. episodes. You gotta love interior designer Sarah Richardson!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Angela, founder of farragio—named after the word “farrago,” meaning a mix of things—because my life and work have always blended creativity, family, travel, and a soft spot for rescue pugs and cats. In March 2010, I finally acted on a long-held dream and launched my own business, starting with custom totes and personalized embroidered toiletry bags that became popular bridal gifts and even landed in St. Louis publications.
By 2017, I felt the pull to create something more personal. I’d been quietly formulating an all-natural face moisturizer for my daughter and me. On a whim, I gifted it to family and friends that Christmas—and their enthusiastic response made the next step obvious. I pivoted farragio into clean, nut-free skincare made with superior, ethically-sourced ingredients.
What keeps me inspired isn’t just the products; it’s the people. Listening to customers’ needs, researching thoughtfully, and crafting formulas that help women feel comfortable in their own skin—that’s the heart of farragio. My mantra is simple: embrace your natural beauty, every day.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
I come from a family that learned resilience the hard way. Both of my parents grew up in poverty with limited means, and my dad put himself through college before serving as a commanding officer in the Air Force—while he and my mom raised six children. Their relentless work ethic and quiet perseverance became the rhythm of our home and the standard I carry into everything I do today. It’s the backbone of how I build farragio: show up, do the work, and keep going.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
In 2020, I lost both of my parents to cancer just six weeks apart. Six months later, my sister-in-law died. In between, a close friend passed from cancer, and on Valentine’s Day we unexpectedly said goodbye to our pug due to heart failure. For a while I moved through life numb, not realizing how deeply the grief had settled. When the numbness started to lift, the sorrow arrived in full. I wouldn’t say that I’m “healed” but the perseverance my parents taught me keeps me moving forward. Those losses clarified what matters—and what doesn’t—and that clarity has been both empowering and freeing.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
My husband and I have been married 38 years, and he’s my bedrock. He’s the sounding board I turn to for everything—personal and business. I joke that his rational take on things can drive me a little nuts, but time and again it’s just the wisdom I’ve needed.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
It’s hard to say if I’m doing exactly what I was born to do, because I have a lot of different interests—entrepreneurship, crafting, tennis. One version of me would love to be the #1 tennis player in the world. Another version of me would be living on a mountain and creating pottery. But when I was a little girl I was already daydreaming about running my own company. So, then again, I just might be doing exactly what I was born to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://farragio.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/farragio
- Twitter: https://x.com/farragio
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/xofarragio
- Other: https://pinterest.com/farragio
