Clemy Garza
Franchise Owner
McDonald's
Santa Fe, NM USA
“You have to dare to dream. Don’t short yourself. Realize that whatever the top of that mountain is, you make it there one step at a time.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationClemy Garza
Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
As a child, education was important to my family, but my parents never pressured me to go to college because they realized there are many different ways to get an education.
In high school, I wanted to be a surgeon, but at the time, colleges wouldn’t admit high school graduates directly to medical school without some college experience.
Instead of going to college after high school, I got married—the marriage didn’t last and I ended up getting divorced while pregnant with a special needs child.
To support myself through school after my divorce, I worked for an attorney—his partner, a tax lawyer, realized I had a gift for accounting and mentored me while I pursued an accounting degree.
With my accounting skills, I was able to get jobs doing tax returns and bookkeeping remotely so I could stay home with my son—I also worked as a nursing assistant at night to support myself.
After receiving my bachelor’s degree from University of Colorado Denver, I went on to get my master’s degree in accounting.
I started my career with McDonald’s as a crew member and later assumed the role of chief financial officer for the Garza McDonald’s Organization after my father became an owner and operator.
I later became an operator in my own right and now co-own and operate 12 McDonald’s restaurants—in 2016, McDonald’s awarded me the Outstanding Operations Contributor Award.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Franchise Owner
I'm the owner and operator of 12 McDonald's stores.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Business
Numbers
Accomplishing Goals
Day to Day
My day to day tasks revolve around the total operations of my restaurants. This includes managing all employee matters, handling paperwork, payroll expenses, health code upkeep, product inventory, and walking the restaurant floor to make sure everyone is happy and productive.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
You'll be successful if you do what you love. You need to find a way to pursue a career that leverages your passions and your talents because then you'll put in the time and effort to be successful.
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"You have to go to college to be successful."
Challenges I Overcame
Divorce
Working Parent
