/ 202 INSPIRATIONAL moms / for her
by Yasmin Rochette
SETTING THE STANDARD
A Single Mom Making it Work
Mai-Lin Garcia is one Gilbert mom who has come a long way. From a childhood spent helping out her family on a cattle ranch in California to earning an MBA, raising three children as a single mom and becoming the President of Synergy HR Solutions, Garcia has much to be proud of.
“ I am passionate about my work, I’ m very goal-driven,” Garcia says.
And, it shows.
Her company, Synergy HR Solutions, provides human resources consulting in policy compliance, risk management, employee relations and recruitment among other services. This year, Garcia was a nominee for Gilbert Chamber of Commerce’ s Business Woman of the Year and her company, Synergy HR Solutions, is currently nominated for their 2013 Rookie of the Year Award.
As a mom of three, her children range in age from 13 to 22, she sees clearly what a difference being a good role model for her own children has been in their lives and their straight-A success in school.
“ I want to send a message to other single moms out there to say:‘ You can do it. It isn’ t easy, but there’ s no reason why your children cannot be successful in school and out, whether it be academics, sports or music,’” Garcia says.
The root of her positive attitude began at home, with a father who counseled her never to be afraid of what life might bring, the ups and the downs. Comparable to many successful entrepreneurs, Garcia has seen her share of both but it never made her sway from what she knew she could achieve. Additionally, her parents encouraged Garcia, a first generation American, to understand and honor her roots and culture, something she has been able to pass along to her own children.
With a wonderful bubbly personality and such enthusiasm, one might almost think Garcia is self-inspired. What is certain is that she knows to her very core what is important in raising her children.“ I want to be someone they want to emulate” she says.
Garcia’ s children have seen how their mom can be at one of their games or concerts, as well as a polished, articulate businesswoman who attends board meetings. She has been complimented on how well-spoken, well-behaved and well-mannered her children are, a tribute to how she has raised them despite the very real challenges of single parenthood for the past ten years.
“ I’ m very grounded, and I have always had one vision: How can I be a good example? How can I feel confident as a woman, working in corporate life?” This in turn has inspired her children to be the best they can be, and others who have had the privilege of having Garcia as a mentor, such as those in Gilbert’ s Ambassador program of which she is a past Chairwoman.
“ I want to set a standard for single women with children that you can be a good parent,” she says.“ There’ s been times when things have not always worked out the way I thought they would. You fall down, you get up. My children depend on me, I’ m their bread, their butter, their guiding light, they rely on me. I am the person they look up to and I’ m determined to be the best I can be as their mother.”
You can be absolutely confident that Mai-Lin Garcia is going to do all that and a whole lot more.
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202 MAGAZINE \ JULY 2013 \ 202magazine. com