/ 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