Read time: 4.8 minutes
Welcome back to Spotlight Hustle, where we share the stories of Black women redefining leadership, legacy, and self-worth.
Today’s feature highlights Francheska “Fancy” Felder, founder and editor-in-chief of SwagHer Magazine. Her journey from a small Mississippi town to media powerhouse is proof that purpose can rise from pain — and that faith, grit, and creativity can build an empire from almost nothing.
Feature Story: Small Town Roots, Big Dreams
Fancy’s story begins in a small Mississippi town, where she was bright, popular, and quietly battling depression.
“I was afraid of everything and everyone,” she recalls. “By 14, I was a teenage mother. I graduated near the top of my class, but I had no plans — no vision for my future.”
Yet inside her, a spark was forming — the same spark that would one day light up SwagHer Magazine.
Her mother and aunts gave her strength. Women like Dr. Maya Angelou and Laura Ingalls Wilder gave her imagination. And by her early 20s, a group of affluent Black businesswomen in Baton Rouge gave her a new vision of what was possible.
“They taught me what hustle was all about,” she says.
Becoming the Storyteller
When Fancy moved to Baton Rouge as a marketing major, she was struck by the stories of the women around her. She began recording their journeys — first on video, then in writing.
That decision changed everything.
Soon after launching her business, life took a hard turn.
“The first month after I got my business license, my children and I were evicted. It took seven years before we found another place to call home.”
Those years built her character — and her calling. She learned to create without permission, to work without certainty, and to dream without limits.
Her first “hustle”? Selling candy and adding Dum-Dums to every sale. Even then, she understood customer service, loyalty, and creativity.
Challenges & Resilience
Two years ago, Fancy’s company lost a major contract — a blow that nearly ended everything.
“It forced me to rebuild from scratch,” she says. “I took a middle-school teaching job to keep us afloat. It was humbling, but it reminded me how strong I really am.”
Each setback has taught her something about patience, strategy, and surrender.
“I used to think the world owed me something. Now I know you get what you earn — or what you’re destined for.”
Her faith and belief in purpose carried her through the hardest nights. “Sometimes I’m afraid, but I know one day I’ll tell the story of that season. And I want to tell it with courage.”
Mindset & Motivation
Fancy’s biggest “why” has always been her children.
“They didn’t ask to be here. I want to make sure all the sacrifices were worth it — not just for me, but in their eyes too.”
Her mornings start at 4 AM, filled with affirmations, gratitude, and SwagHer tasks before teaching English Language Arts to middle-schoolers. By evening, she’s back in CEO mode — managing her team, conducting interviews, and creating content that celebrates Black women.
Balance, for her, means harmony. “I check in with myself often. My therapist and my circle remind me to rest, laugh, and live.”
Identity & Representation
Fancy speaks openly about living with bipolar disorder, and how representation has shaped her purpose.
“For me, representation means seeing Black women from poverty — women with mental-health challenges — rise and succeed. When I see Jenifer Lewis share her truth, I feel seen.”
She embodies that same transparency for others. “I tell my story so women can see themselves in me and know there’s more beyond their pain.”
Her guiding rule is simple:
“Do no harm. Be the light.”
Routines & Practical Hustle
Fancy’s productivity toolkit is as soulful as it is strategic:
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Work in blocks: One task at a time — no multitasking.
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Create vibes: Candles, vanilla scent, music, and natural light set the tone.
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Check yourself: Regular mental-health check-ins keep her grounded.
Her partner even sets a nightly alarm to remind her to unwind. “That small act of care keeps me accountable for rest.”
Wisdom & Advice
To her younger self:
“Believe them when they say it won’t happen overnight. Enjoy the journey. The road is long, but it leads somewhere beautiful.”
Myth to bust:
Success doesn’t always mean quitting your day job.
“I used to judge entrepreneurs with 9-to-5s. Now I know — that was strategy, not fear.”
Her biggest wish for women in business:
“More genuine collaboration. More women reaching back. More of us rooting for each other — for real.”
Looking Ahead
Fancy is building something new — SwagHer Society, a lifestyle and business membership for Black women seeking connection, growth, and global opportunity.
“It’s everything I’ve dreamed of for SwagHer — a space for us to uplift one another and expand our reach, from the U.S. to the U.K.”
Her legacy?
“I want people to say Francheska ‘Fancy’ Felder was here.
She stirred up good trouble and challenged women to shine.”
Rapid-Fire Round
- Coffee or tea? → Coffee.
- Morning person or night owl? → Morning person.
- One word for this season? → Sunny.
- Book/podcast you love? → Anything by Octavia E. Butler.
- Mantra? → “So I stick to the energy I want to create more of.” — Toni Jones
- Favorite physical activity? → Dancing alone in the mirror.
- Discipline hack? → Do the most complex things first.
Why We’re Excited
At this year’s Top 100 Most Powerful Black Women Summit, Francheska “Fancy” Felder will share how she built SwagHer from scratch — and how storytelling can heal, connect, and empower generations.
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