Influential Woman · Hospitality

Liza Garfias

Executive Housekeeper, --

Midland, TX 79701

Her Story

About Liza

I have been in the hospitality industry for about 15 years, and it's something I truly made a career of. I started in fast food, but hospitality was where I found my calling. I'm currently an executive housekeeper, and I've also transitioned to helping guests at the front desk, but what I really love is my housekeeping - I love to clean and give guests a clean room when they come into the hotel. I supervise about 12 employees, and I handle scheduling and inventory. My days can start at 6:30 in the morning and sometimes run until 5 o'clock, but I love what I'm doing. I always tell my employees that teamwork makes the dream work, and we're all like a family - they're my family away from home. One of my proudest moments has been moving up to executive level, coming from just doing housekeeping to managing housekeeping and working within different branches. I believe that women are just as strong as men and can do anything. What I love most about my work is the hospitality, cleaning, and being able to do for others - to have a clean place and welcome guests and make them feel like they're still at home. There are some guests I see for 6 months at a time, and I know they're away from their family, so I try to be their family too. Sometimes they just need to talk to somebody, and I'll sit down and eat with them and make them feel like they're just at home.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Liza

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to remembering the smiles on my guests' faces when they come into the environment. I love meeting new people from all around the world, and it's neat to see them. It's really about the smile on my guests' faces and getting to know them a little bit more. You know, work is usually your second family because we spend so much time with our employees and guests. There are some guests I see for 6 months at a time, and they're away from their family, so I try to let them know I'm there for their family too. Sometimes they just need to talk to somebody, and I'll sit down and eat with them and make them feel like they're just at home.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

My mother-in-law, who has also been in hospitality, told me that this is something for me, especially if you're someone that always has a smile. She said that a smile can always change somebody's day, especially if they're having a bad day. Just smile at them, and it would make their day better and change their outlook in life.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would tell young women that it can be hard work sometimes, but at the end of the day, it's actually gonna be worth it. Just keep on striving and do what you need to, and it'll pay off in the long run. Sometimes it happens faster than what you can expect, but in the long run, it does pay off. Hard work and dedication will pay off.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I guess it would be being a little bit short-handed. Sometimes hospitality's not for everybody, so you have to remember to cheer people up and let them know that if they can't focus on the people, then they need to find another career, because in hospitality, you just gotta focus on the people, basically.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Family is my number one value. The way I see it, not every day is promised, so when you get time with family, that's something I really cherish. I also value my faith and go to church. At work, I believe in teamwork - I always tell my employees that teamwork makes the dream work. We're all like a family, and they're my family away from home. I also believe in treating guests like family, making them feel at home, and being there for them when they need someone to talk to.

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