Cyndy Alvarado | Managing Member

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cyndy Alvarado and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cyndy, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk, I think in all honesty is absolute crazy and I say crazy because immediately sometimes when someone hears the word risk its alarming. Most will think if you take a risk, it might not work out or it might get rough. Taking a risk for my business and career today has changed my life. I feel as if I did not take the risk in starting my family business, I wouldn’t be experiencing all the ups & downs a business has to offer. It hasn’t always been easy either it has gotten rough, and it is still a work in progress every day. I’m still learning along the way. I am extremely glad that I took the risk and started something my family can hopefully continue to carry forward.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Garco Patios & More started off as a sprinkler & lawn/maintenance company in 2015 to now known for patios, outdoor kitchens & more. My husband and I started Garco as just a side hustle, to it eventually going full time. My husband worked in oil and gas previously & when people in his field were getting laid off, we began to work in gaining more customers for lawn service and landscaping which was very competitive at the time making it difficult for us to get clientele. Usually, homeowners already had their preferred lawn crew. We had some very tough times that led us to having to rent out our home & needing to move in with my in-laws for some time to lower our bills to make ends meet. I eventually was able to get a job in the apartment industry as a leasing agent. While my husband worked in doing other trades working for others such as doing flooring installations and handyman services. Childcare was pricy for us at the time since we had 2 little ones not in school yet. We made the best of what we could afford and definitely made adjustments, making our way through. We then were able to move back into our home a little over a year later. I worked for the apartment industry for almost 6 years. Throughout those years I explored being an assistant manager and community manager. Which only opened my mind to learning how to manage, budget, problem solve and provide great customer service. I quit the apartment industry and dedicated my entire time to Garco in 2020. Not giving up on Garco was the most challenging part. I came to realize that we didn’t come this far just to give up and giving up was no option it being now our mainstream of income. Hard times and difficult moments only pushed us to go harder. I’m now managing social media platforms, marketing, scheduling, project coordinating & overseeing all financials of the business. We eventually got a GREAT team put together and expanded our services to patios, outdoor kitchens, interior home remodeling and more in the Houston and surrounding areas. I believe what sets us aside from others is that Garco patios & more provides excellent customer service, communication being key, beautiful projects for residential and commercial along with customer satisfaction. We strive for great results and service. I’ve also learned a lot of great lessons and life changing experiences along the way. I have learned that standing firm behind your work is much greater than undervaluing what your business deserves just to satisfy people and taking the losses. I have also had very exciting and super proud moments such as when we are mentioned in neighborhood groups on social media and gain new customers through referrals, which keeps our name going. Garco is not a one-person business it’s a team so hearing about how great our team does its truly a proud moment for us and it keeps us motivated. I feel like positivity brings a positive outcome in any situation you face in life. Si se puede (it is possible). We stand with pride behind our work as a team!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some of my favorite places to visit with My family & Friends: Post Houston is one of the many places they have a variety of different spots for food, retail, and also host events. There is also rooftop access and its kid friendly. Saint Arnold brewing company, which is also kid friendly. My kids love their root beer floats. it’s also such a nice place to hang out. You can enjoy the outdoors with your children & pets! Exciting places we enjoy attending is definitely the Houston Astros games at minute maid. It’s such a fun and exciting experience. GO ASTROS! We love crawfish at BBs Tex-Orleans, Jenivis’s Seafood Shoppe and Restaurant, and Crawfish & beignets. Some other great places for great food we go to Cuchara, TJ birria Y Mas, Cajun Delights Food truck, and so many more the list can go on and on!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would definitely like to dedicate and give credit to my dearest husband Hector who’s my lifeline, my biggest supporter, my rock. Garco Patios & More wouldn’t be what it is today if it wasn’t for him. Starting this business has been a whirlwind in our lives, which I wouldn’t trade for anything in this world. I would also like to thank our team. The ones who show up to our projects. Providing their expertise and services with such great results each and every time. Friends & family who share, like, and recommend our business to others. Lastly our customers, we thank you for your business. Without your business we wouldn’t be in business. We thank you for the recommendations from one to another, from the bottom of our hearts we are grateful and blessed to still be rocking it since 2015!

Website: www.garcopatios.com

Instagram: Garco_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garzacompanygarco

Other: info@garcopatios.com