Life and Work with Francesca Heyer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Francesca Heyer.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My journey of independence started very young when I was sent to the boarding school in England at the age of 8. At 13, I was asked to leave only to be thrown into a public school with boys causing me to further act out!
My parents were non-supportive growing up & it seemed that they always enjoyed belittling me, reminding me of my lack of adhering to the rules!

At the time, this never did well for my attitude but it is this experience that has laid the path for my life coping skills.

Quickly left home at 16 to the big city of London, worked two jobs, bought a flat, had too many boyfriends and didn’t take life seriously at all.

At 27, I came to California with my sister, she hated it & I loved the attention so I stayed.

I returned home for a few months to take care of some financial obligations at that time, I had my cards read, Indeed everything this lady told me came true, I returned to California, met my children’s father & fell pregnant with my first child.

Four years later, I decided I wanted to have a baby, I wanted an Aries child, I wanted to not know what sex the baby would be, I wanted it to be natural.

It was not until I was fully dilated until we decided on the name “MAX.” Max came into this world the natural way, the first time I looked into his eyes, I knew we were destined to be together! I knew this soul!

I had one more child Halle, my perfect blue-eyed girl!

I did not have the best marriage but never wanted to get divorced and become a statistic yet the writing was on the wall and universe knew we had to part! My husband decided to have an affair with a friend of ours, the same story that so many divorced couples tell.

It was way harder than I ever imagined, seeing the kids father turn into a stranger, watching their young faces so sad and confused.

Funny at this time, this was the hardest thing I had ever gone through, then my dog got run over and died, then my finances fell apart but still, I woke up knowing this would not kill me, life was still full of hope.

I had been divorced for eight years, was raising my kids as a single mother and still managing to put a roof over our heads despite been self-employed and a huge financial tab to pay every month.

Again, despite the continual three steps forward and then getting slapped in the face again only to fall back five steps, I always remained positive waiting for my financial miracle.

In 2016, my oldest son Cheyne got married in Montana, this was a very difficult time for me as my father in the UK was very poorly, I was talking with him every day, dad was a retired doctor and I believe he knew it was bad but remained hopeful. After the wedding, I told my son and that I had to leave to fly back to England.

I never expected my dad to die but he did. Dad gave me a gift, he died in my arms in August 2016.

On May 27th, 2017, I took the dog and hiked up to my special place to have a word with God as it was my dads birthday, I said a prayer to protect my family and told my dad I missed talking to him.

As I was walking back down the hill, I heard my dad’s voice saying “hello darling, father here.” Somehow I had activated an old voice mail from my father.

I smiled and thanked God.

The next day my son, my life died.

Memorial day 2017, my son was killed by a train at 10:30 pm, he and a friend were taking a short cut, the fined who survived said they never heard it. Max died immediately.

I was in bed, no idea that this had such happened. I woke up in the morning with no idea, how the hell could I have not felt Max leave me/we were soul mates.

Social media alerted my daughter and then, me that my son was dead.

I wanted to die, I wanted to die for quite a few months afterwards.

How do women move on from this? You have to!

Max was an amazing artist & left us his legacy of artwork. I am an artist and a Realtor so the kids were always lucky to have me around & to create with. Max had just designed a logo for his business “SmallTalk.”
Max and I painted together up until he moved out two months prior to his death.

What I find amazing is all the art he had done in the past six months, this may sound strange but I feel that between the songs he would send me to listen too and the last doodle painting he left on his desk, that he somehow subconsciously knew he was leaving this realm.

Halle and I continue his legacy by representing Small Talk and the clothing/prints that we sell online and at local venues.

We are still small biz, I recently finished a children’s short story that Max and I had started literally before he left us called “the adventures of Archie & Arlo” (our dog Archie & the cat Arlo).

I am hoping to find the right person to help me mimic Max’s doodle style to do the illustrating and get it published.

My dreams are to see Small Talks like an official apparel business and a live working Art studio encouraging the freestyle of art to children.

Max always supported the underdog, always did the right thing, was so sweet & sensitive and so incredibly talented I cannot bear to just see his art fade away.

As for me every day, I shed a tear, I hate that he is not with me, but I respect the bigger picture of life. I keep hope in my heart for a brighter future for myself and my two remaining children Cheyne and Halle.

You have to

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Obstacles are wonderful opportunities to overcome although in the face of a storm you may be blinded. Always sleep on it as the answer will come.

Life has been a constant struggle for me and may continue to be so, yet I would not be the person I have become without the challenges.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
In my real life (making money), I work in real estate and specialize with firsts time buyers & past clients.
What I believe puts me aside from others is my intuitive nature, understanding and listening skills!!
I was once told by a fellow realtor that I was “the peacock in a pen full of chickens!”

I also paint large bold paintings filled with color & passion, always intuitively painting meaning I start out throwing colors and wait to see what inspires me! Usually elephants, flowers, butterflies.

I also hold private parties & events for intuitive painting, I love to have a group of women open up over a glass of wine, some well-needed adult chit chat, to inspire to create!

I also promote Small Talk, my son’s artwork.

We both exhibited work at local restaurants and coffee houses.

Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
I think women, in general, are capable of any opportunity, I feel now more than ever with trust & empathy been such an important role in any career, that we actually own those roles!!!

Contact Info:

• Website: smalltalkbymax.com
• Phone: 760-310-9893
• Email: intuitivepaintingbyfrancesca.com
• Instagram: smalltalkbymax
• Facebook: intuitivepaintingbyfrancesca

                Image Credit:
Francesca Heyer, Halle Heyer

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