Balancing Hustle and Health: From College Dropout to Purpose-Driven Founder – Francesco Hayes

In this episode of BizBlend, host Sana sits down with Francesco Hayes, a web design and branding strategist whose entrepreneurial journey began without early exposure to business role models. From growing up on the south side of DC, to discovering a passion for robotics in high school, to running a full-time business while in college, Francesco’s story is a candid look at resilience, strategic thinking, and learning the value of boundaries. He shares how coding opened unexpected doors, why he negotiated his tuition through building a college website, and how burnout forced him to reassess his work-life balance. This conversation is packed with lessons for entrepreneurs, students, and anyone striving to merge ambition with a life well-lived.

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About the Guest:
Francesco Hayes is into branding and web development, specializing in strategic design systems for organizations ready to make an impact. With a career shaped by self-taught coding skills, global travel, and leadership roles in tech startups, Francesco blends creativity, technology, and business strategy. He’s currently also a founder of a UK-based healthcare platform connecting patients worldwide to medical clinics, driven by a mission to create meaningful, life-improving solutions.

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Key Takeaways:

• Discovering passion often starts with small pivots—Francesco’s shift from wrestling to robotics set the stage for his tech career.

• Self-taught skills can be just as valuable as formal education, especially when paired with hands-on projects.

• Negotiating value—Francesco covered his college tuition by building the school’s website.

• Burnout is a sign to reframe priorities, not just a hurdle to push through.

• Boundaries and respect for personal time are critical to long-term creativity and performance.

• Living fully outside work fuels better professional output—travel, human connection, and experiences matter.

• Choosing projects that align with your values creates deeper fulfillment and impact.

• Balancing client demands with personal well-being requires intentional scheduling and delegation.

• Being selective about work ensures you stay aligned with your mission, not just market demands.

• Clarity in purpose comes from both wins and setbacks—pivoting is part of growth.

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Connect with Francesco Hayes:

• X (Twitter): https://x.com/FrancescoHayes

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescohayes/

• Website: https://francescohayes.dev/

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