Name: Tricia Garzon
Birthdate: April 14, 1975
Where were you born? Gainesville, FL (Alachua General Hospital)
What are your community activities? (church or faith-based involvement, local, regional and national professional organizations, non-profits, etc)
– Member, University of Florida alumni association
– Board Member and Volunteer for Kids Count of Alachua County, a non-profit offering free afterschool enrichment program for children K-3 in low performing elementary schools
– Editorial Board, HOME and BUSINESS Magazine
– Sponsorship and Silent auction Committee, Taste of Gainesville
– Team Leader and Participant, American Heart Association Heart Walk of Gainesville
– Past Publicity Chair and Participant, American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Gainesville
– Member, Advertising Federation of Gainesville, Chapter of the 4th District of the American Advertising Federation
List any awards you have won for community service: None, but that doesn’t bother me, I volunteer because I enjoy making a difference in people’s lives and our community.
What is your definition of success? Accomplishing goals, be it personally or professionally, with 100 percent effort, integrity and commitment. At the end of the day it’s about being proud of what you did that day or preparing to do better tomorrow.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment? Launching my own company, now celebrating over two years; and winning a Telly Award for a television commercial we produced.
How do you exemplify the spirit of a Forty Under 40 professional? I don’t know that I do but I do know that I always try to be my best, do my best and give my best in hopes that it makes a positive impact in people’s lives. Personally, that’s being the best wife, mother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, cousin and friend I can be. Professionally, I think it’s giving my best to my clients and hoping that through what I do, I am positively impacting their businesses, which in turn impacts other business, non-profits and people throughout our community. Helping local businesses to thrive and grow affects so many facets of our community and I am humbled that I play a part in that.
Businessperson who has most inspired you: There are really too many too list. I have been fortunate enough to have worked with many inspiring people and tried to learn as much as I could from each and every one of them. If I had to choose the most inspirational though, I would have to say my Grandfather, Herb Ennis Sr. From the time I was a little girl he would to take me on sales call and to business meetings. He taught me so many valuable lessons that I feel very certain have contributed to my success today. Right up until his passing, he was a trusted advisor on my professional growth and plans. When faced with important decisions, I still find myself imagining what he would say.
Best advice ever received: It’s ok to say no (told to me by my husband and not in the way you might think). I’m known for trying to do all things for all people and the problem is, I really want too, it’s not out of obligation. It’s a challenge for me NOT to volunteer for something or help when I see it’s needed. Sometimes there’s just not enough time to do all the things you want to do so you have to prioritize, remember what’s most important and try choosing the things that will make the greatest difference.
Greatest professional challenge: That’s easy, balancing the time needed to maintain a successful business and doing the very best I can for my valued clients, with the most important thing in my life – spending time with my husband, my children, my family and close friends.
First job: Cashier at a grocery store
What color crayon would you be? Why? White, for me it evokes a feeling of peace, goodness and serenity.
Favorite after-work drink: If I had my choice right now, it would be a Ying and Yang Martini from KC Crave; but most days, its water!
If I had a magic wand, I’d: take away any and all hurt or pain from every single child in the world. To me, there’s nothing worse than a suffering child no matter how big or small the suffering.
What is your favorite Gadget? My electric wine bottle opener J
How long have you been in Gainesville? My whole life, 38 years.
What do you love most about Gainesville/Alachua County? That many people tend to stay here. I still run into people I went to grade school with. I want that for my children.
Three things people would be surprised to know about you:
– I am NOT a morning person.
– I was a Santa Fe College Saints Cheerleader in College
– I am a two decade General Hospital soap opera fun. However, I don’t have much time to watch it these days and I think currently there are about 40 episodes on my DVR!
Advice you would give a younger you: Soak it in, it all goes so fast. Don’t be in a hurry to get to the next stage in life. Each one has its rewards and its challenges and you should revel in all of them. Also, while I was fortunate enough to spend a lot of valuable time with my grandparents, I would tell myself to spend even more! There is so much to learn from them and they are such special people.