What happens when life strips away everything — your mother, your identity, and the father you thought you knew — all before the age of 12? For Kora Franco, it became the foundation for something extraordinary.
In this episode of The Teaching Journeys Podcast, host Dave Roberts sits down with Kora Franco, founder and CEO of Aesthetic Wines, a modern luxury wine brand rooted in resilience, bold self-expression, and intentional living. Kora shares her remarkable journey — from navigating Grief and identity loss as a child, to a 15-year search for her biological father using AncestryDNA, to building a thriving wine brand and women’s empowerment platform as a single mother.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How childhood loss and identity struggles forged unshakeable resilience
• What it’s really like to break into the wine industry as a Black female founder
• Why women drive the wine industry but rarely lead it — and how Kora is changing that
• How Aesthetic For Her is creating a first-of-its-kind wine social club for women entrepreneurs
• Why “shoot your shot” is the one mindset shift that can change your life
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a wine lover, or someone navigating your own defining moment, Kora’s story will remind you that luxury truly begins within.
Kora’s Bio and Contact Information
Kora Franco is the Founder and CEO of Aesthetic Wines, a modern luxury wine brand rooted in resilience, ambition, and bold self-expression. Guided by a deeply personal journey shaped by both triumph and personal loss, Kora believes that luxury is a mindset — one defined by intention, confidence, and the ability to appreciate the journey as much as the destination.
Before founding Aesthetic Wines, Kora built her career in banking and consulting, working with top financial institutions and one of the Big Four consulting firms in New York City. Her experience navigating high-performance, male-dominated environments sharpened her strategic mindset, discipline, and leadership style, while reinforcing her passion for empowering women to move boldly, claim their space, confidence, and define success on their own terms.
Wine became a natural extension of that philosophy. Through moments of reflection and celebration shared over thoughtfully curated tastings with friends and Family, Kora recognized wine as more than a beverage — it is a symbol of mindset, milestones, and the perseverance behind every achievement.
This realization became the foundation of Aesthetic Wines — a brand created for those who live intentionally, rise resiliently, and understand that true luxury begins within. Under Kora’s leadership, Aesthetic Wines continues to inspire a community that values confidence, connection, and empowerment — honoring not just where they are, but everything it took to get there.
🔗 Connect with Kora Franco:
Website: aestheticwines.com
Instagram & TikTok: @AestheticWines
App: Aesthetic For Her (Apple & Google)
To connect with Dave go to davidrobertsmsw.com
