Barbara García’s life and career have been a journey of hard work, discipline, and a living testament to believing in herself.

This interview took place via video call between Florida and New York. It shows that when you truly desire something, you can achieve it. Amidst Barbara’s busy schedule and numerous activities, it becomes evident in these lines that believing in yourself will always help you maintain the balance between doing what you love and accomplishing things you never thought possible.

Camaleónicas: Tell us a little about your life. Your journey began when you were just four years old. How did you get to your first casting? How did you enter this world?

Barbara: It was through family. I had my uncle, Titio (Roberto), may he rest in peace, who was a fashion designer. He used to make clothes for my sister and me, swimsuits, etc. He was an excellent designer. Along with the support of my mom, my dad, my grandparents, and my uncle Hernan, Titio took us to competitions in Pueblo Nuevo, La Laguna, near Puerto Cortés, Honduras. Those were my first steps. Then, you know, school contests, high school beauty pageants. He was the one who primarily supported me with the dresses I wore. I was crowned Miss Omoa and participated in Miss Honduras World. He made beautiful dresses for me. It was well known that if he made my outfits, we were sure to win. So, we did very well in all the national competitions in Honduras.

C: Those were your foundations.

B: Exactly. Later, Juan Carlos, a modeling coach from Lima, trained me for beauty pageants in school. After that, he encouraged me to do a casting for Batalladora de Sula, a company that works with Pepsi in Honduras, to become one of their Pepsi models. That’s when I started to gain recognition as a model, earn money, and get more active in the modeling world. I had the chance to represent different teams in Honduras’ First Division National League. You start appearing on television, and people begin to recognize you. I also worked as a guest model at Televicentro, Channel 5 in Honduras. Then I participated in Miss Honduras World, where I became a finalist and won titles like “Best Silhouette,” “Best Legs,” and “Best National Costume.” After that, I moved to the United States and continued my career here.

C:That’s also interesting because, as you know, most Latinos who arrive in the U.S. unfortunately can’t practice what they studied or their profession. It’s a reality. Based on that, what do you think were the tools that helped you continue doing what you loved and develop your career?

B: Being prepared. When I arrived here, the first thing I did was finish studying English. I had already taken some private lessons in Honduras, so I was at level four. Coming to a country where people don’t even speak your language makes everything more difficult. I think the most important thing, Danny, is the self-confidence you bring from childhood. I had a strong foundation, my grandmother took me to church a lot, and I believe in God. That also helps you stay grounded and good. But my mom also gave me great foundations. My dad, may he rest in peace, was a well-known bodybuilder in Honduras and trained me since I was 15. We had a gym in Honduras, and I worked out with him. While he trained me, he’d tell me, “A healthy body is a healthy mind. Get prepared, work, exercise, take care of yourself.”

“Not stopping my studies also helped me a lot, because it supports your professional life.” Barbara García

B: I remember they told me that if I got good grades in high school, my dream of becoming a model would have to be put aside. But I was a straight-A student since I was little, so it wasn’t hard for me, and I graduated as an accountant in Honduras.

“The opportunity to come here and have such a strong family foundation helped me believe in myself and continue pursuing my dream.” Barbara García

C: Here we can see how your foundations allowed you to develop in the U.S., which is much more competitive.

B: I think the key is believing in yourself. No matter where you go, you need to know that you can achieve your dreams. If you really want something, you can get it. I did. Even in a world that is very tough and different. Back then, wide hips weren’t as accepted as they are now. It’s more diverse now. The United States, although it’s a bigger market with supposedly more opportunities, is also more competitive, like you said.

C: If we talk about all the states, New York is probably the most competitive of them all. And the modeling world is known for being fierce. What values do you think have helped you stay in such a competitive market?

B: I think what has helped me the most is consistency, dedication, perseverance, being true to yourself, and not trying to be someone else. I’m a perfectionist. I also believe you must have professional ethics. I like to earn things and feel like I deserve them. I consider myself a good person. When you do good, God blesses you. Never stop dreaming. I think the most important thing is to be positive. Sometimes doors close, but if you stay positive, when one door closes, a bigger one opens. God is always with me.

“Never lie or deceive myself, be honest. It’s good for everything.” Barbara García

C: How have you managed to balance being an accountant with being a model? Modeling is about beauty, and sometimes beauty is underestimated without considering other things that women can develop, like intelligence, leadership, and communication skills.

B: I’ve done both careers simultaneously. Since I was young, people have always told me that I’m a “complete woman.” I think it’s very important for the people you love to remind you of that because it builds your self-esteem. I thank God for the family I have and for the support they gave me. When your parents tell you you’re a complete woman, you start to believe it. Beautiful and intelligent—that’s the whole package. Sometimes the first impression might be, “She must have had it easy because everyone helped her,” but on the contrary, every job I’ve gotten in the financial world has been because I applied and went to interviews with managers and other corporate people. You have to prove why they’re seeking you. I’ve had a lot of success in the financial world because I like helping people. Every time I worked in corporations, I felt like I was helping others.

C: Did you feel that you had fully developed in the financial sector?

B: Yes. Everything I’ve achieved in finance here has been thanks to my previous years of experience. Nothing was handed to me, and I say that with pride. I didn’t have to date any executives to get where I am, and that makes me proud. It’s possible. As a woman with a family, I was able to grow professionally in finance, landing positions where, proudly, there were only men. I even became a Business Development Officer, which is a high position.

“Sometimes people think that if you’re married and a mom, you’ll have less time. Well, we organize ourselves and make it work.” Barbara García

B: In addition to that, in the world of fashion, entertainment, and modeling, I also did my own calendars. I worked at Telemundo and as a guest model at Univision. I was able to balance both. Doors don’t close unless you close them yourself. Limitations are all in our minds.

C: When did you start thinking about creating a non-profit organization? Why did you decide to do it, knowing it would involve taking on another responsibility?

B: Sadly, my brother died in Honduras due to the violence in 2011, and that’s when I created my non-profit organization, with a purpose even greater and deeper than before. We’re doing good in his name, may he rest in peace. I told you about Justin, my first son. He’s the one who taught me how to be a mom. With Ivanni, I waited seven years to have her because, of course, I was in the peak of my modeling career and also working in finance in 2007. Even when I was invited to Univision, one of the producers asked me if I wanted to stay and work with them. But I said, if I stay here, I won’t have time for my second child. So, at 27, I decided to have my daughter. I knew if I didn’t have her then, I wouldn’t. I had already worked in television in the U.S., done beauty pageants, represented my country, and won. I won a contest here in New York… I achieved a lot. But I chose my daughter and I don’t regret it. I took a break from both careers and dedicated myself to the most beautiful job in my heart—being a mom. We bought a house, and that’s where the American dream truly began, right? (laughs) My daughter turned two, and I organized a beauty pageant for girls, inviting many people. I asked the guests to bring donations of clothes or toys because it was November and December. If I don’t have a goal, I don’t like doing things. When I started creating pageants here in the U.S., I began asking guests to bring donations, whether food, blankets, or whatever, to distribute in Latino neighborhoods. That’s how it all began.

C: How did you decide to return to modeling?

B: I had done the Latin Angels calendar in 2004. We were on the cover, the back cover, and I had two solo shots inside. Then, when I had my daughter, they wanted to do new photos. Imagine, with more years and two kids, how would you feel? They asked me to do it solo. And I’m telling you, there were beautiful women in that calendar. So, I became the face of the second edition of the Latin Angels 2010 calendar. I returned to modeling and opened my own academy. Unfortunately, after my brother passed, I lost my academy.

C: Sometimes life has its ups and downs…

B: Yes, though there have been more highs than lows. I think what marked me the most was the death of my brother Hanzy. It affected me so much that I didn’t want to know anything about work or modeling. I became depressed. But then you realize you either let that break you or you rise, shake it off, and keep going. So, I began with new goals, a new purpose. That’s when my organization had a clearer, stronger purpose.

C: How did you reconnect with the academy world to join a company like the one you’re at now (Runway7fashion)?

B: I believe that if you’re sharp, if you have the drive to keep going, and it’s something you love, that’s what will call you. Depressed and all, I reopened my academy. Things started going well with the events. We did several CG Models contests, my modeling agency, which started in 2007, the same year as my daughter. We’ve been in the market for 17 years. I wanted to become a director and manage models, organize events. Eventually, I closed the academy and kept the agency. Then I moved online, and in the financial world, I kept moving up. I didn’t do modeling full-time because I always prioritized raising my children, thinking if it’s meant for me, no one can take it away. And I believe it’s all thanks to God. My 17 years of experience running and producing events with CG Models opened doors for me to join Runway7fashion. I had previously produced events in places like New Orleans, Florida, Puerto Rico, and even internationally in Honduras. I organized events for designers at Miami Swim Week, Miami Fashion Week, New Jersey Fashion Fest, and more. For Runway7fashion, I had the honor of directing runway shows, photoshoots, and selecting styles for models for our Runway7merch, Chic, Crown, and other brands. You always have to deliver because designers come from all over the world. And as we started collaborating, I went from casting director to representing Runway7fashion in Latin America. I’m deeply committed to ensuring everything goes well because these are live events.

C: Finally, what would you say to girls who think they can only follow one path, who might be afraid to try more, or simply have doubts?

B: You have to believe in yourself. Everyone has fears. What helped me a lot was believing in God and entrusting everything to Him. Remember, we’re all equal. Do things with love, and God will always protect you. He opens the doors that need to be opened, and sometimes closes the ones that aren’t meant for you. Look at how many times I stopped, but everything still came through. If it’s for you, it will come, but you also have to go out and seek opportunities. You have to put effort into your work. Don’t compare yourself—you’re a unique and special being. Trust in yourself. There’s more time than life.

“My greatest reward is being proud of my two children because I feel like I’ve raised two wonderful, good human beings. That fills me and makes me feel complete.” Barbara García