Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariana McFadden
Hi Mariana, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hello, I’m Mariana McFadden. I’m Mexican and grew up between Mexico and Spain and now I call Austin, Texas our home. I’m a mom of two girls and a wife to an amazing man. I’m dedicated to e-commerce, managing online stores on Etsy (The Mommy Store US) and eBay (ShirtTrendz). As a mom, I’ve always sought the flexibility to be with my girls, which led me to thrive in e-commerce. Recently, I launched an Etsy mentorship program to help beginners start their own online shops. I love serving my community and want to give other moms like me the chance to create their own businesses. I’m also passionate about fitness and have an online group where my friends and I work out together. Additionally, I love art, culture, and music, and I’m part of a group in Austin that promotes cultural events in collaboration with local consulates, important companies, galleries, museums, important art and culture organizations and entrepreneurs. My goal is always to help and serve my community in any way I can.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely, it hasn’t been a smooth road. Like any entrepreneur, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges. One of the biggest struggles has been balancing my business with my personal life. As a mom of two young girls and an immigrant without local family support, I’ve had to build my own village from scratch. There were times when I felt overwhelmed, trying to manage my growing e-commerce business while being present for my daughters.
Another challenge was navigating the learning curve of e-commerce. When I started selling on Etsy and eBay, I had no prior experience. I had to figure out everything on my own—how to optimize listings, understand Etsy’s algorithm, deal with suppliers, and manage customer service. There were moments of frustration when things didn’t go as planned, but I kept pushing forward, learning from every mistake.
One of the hardest parts was overcoming self-doubt. I often questioned if I was making the right decisions or if I was capable of teaching others. But I realized that my experiences—both the successes and the failures—were valuable and could help others avoid the same mistakes I made. That’s what led me to create my Etsy mentorship program.
Despite these struggles, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every challenge has taught me resilience and has helped me grow not just as an entrepreneur, but as a person. Now, I use my journey to inspire and guide others, especially moms like me, who want to create an online business while still prioritizing their families.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I specialize in helping beginners launch and grow successful Etsy stores, particularly through the Print on Demand (POD) business model. My journey started with my own e-commerce stores on Etsy and eBay, where I learned the ins and outs of selling online. Over time, I realized how many people—especially moms like me—wanted to start an online business but felt overwhelmed by the process. That’s why I created a mentorship program and an upcoming online course to simplify the journey for them.
What sets me apart?
What makes my approach unique is that I don’t just teach theory—I share real-life experience. I’ve been in the trenches, testing strategies, making mistakes, and figuring out what truly works. I also understand the challenges of balancing business with motherhood and life responsibilities, so I focus on flexibility and efficiency, ensuring that my students can build a sustainable business without burnout.
What am I most proud of?
I’m incredibly proud of the impact I’ve made on other women, especially moms, by showing them that it’s possible to create a profitable online business without sacrificing time with their families. Seeing my students successfully launch their Etsy shops, gain confidence, is the most rewarding part of what I do.
What should readers know about my brand?
My brand is all about empowerment, flexibility, and community. Whether through my Etsy mentorship program, my online course, or my content on social media (marianamcfadden) and , my goal is to provide clear, actionable guidance that helps people turn their e-commerce dreams into reality.
If you’ve ever thought about selling on Etsy but didn’t know where to start, I’m here to help every step of the way!
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Absolutely! I wouldn’t be where I am today without the incredible support of so many people who have played a role in my journey.
My Family
First and foremost, my husband and daughters have been my biggest supporters. My husband has always believed in me, encouraging me to chase my dreams even when I doubted myself. He’s been my sounding board, my tech support, and the one reminding me to take breaks when I get too caught up in work. My daughters are my daily inspiration—watching them see their mom build something from the ground up motivates me to keep pushing forward.
My Community
I’ve also been incredibly lucky to have an amazing community of like-minded women. Whether it’s my fitness group, my fellow entrepreneurs, or the women in my mentorship program, they’ve all played a role in shaping my journey. There’s something powerful about surrounding yourself with people who uplift and support you, and I’m grateful to have found that.
My Mentors & Fellow Entrepreneurs
I wouldn’t be where I am without other successful entrepreneurs who paved the way. Over the years, I’ve learned from people who generously shared their knowledge about e-commerce, marketing, mindset and leadership. Some were direct mentors, others were people I followed and learned from through their content. Their insights helped me shorten my learning curve and grow my business with confidence.
My Students & Clients
Lastly, I have to give credit to my students and clients. They inspire me every day. Seeing them take action, push past fear; They remind me why I started this journey—to help others create a business and lifestyle they love.
Success is never a solo journey, and I’m beyond grateful for the people who have been a part of mine. Their support, encouragement, and belief in me have made all the difference, and I carry that gratitude with me every step of the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://marianamcfadden.mykajabi.com/etsy
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marianamcfadden
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marianamcfadden91
- Yelp: https://www.ebay.com/str/mcfaddendesignstx
- Other: https://themommystoreus.etsy.com
