We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eliza Garza. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eliza below.

Eliza, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

As a children’s book author, my mission is to empower young minds by helping them connect to their heritage through the power of story. Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley, I experienced firsthand the deep-rooted traditions of South Texas—family, culture, and community. Through my stories, I aim to remind children of the beauty in their own heritage, the importance of keeping family bonds strong, and how honoring those roots keeps us grounded. Authenticity is at the heart of this mission, because I believe that children, especially those from underrepresented communities, need to see themselves in the books they read.

Every story I write serves as a bridge between generations, preserving traditions like making tamales on Noche Buena or sharing a raspa with a loved one. It’s about showing children that their culture and family stories are valuable and worth celebrating.

At the same time, I am deeply committed to teaching financial literacy and entrepreneurship through my books, giving children the tools they need to thrive in today’s world. These lessons are not just about money, but about responsibility, independence, and empowering the next generation to think big. When children see characters like Carlitos getting a city permit for his raspa stand or working alongside his grandpa, they learn that anything is possible with the right mindset, support, and preparation.

This mission is meaningful to me because I see it as a way to uplift and equip children with the skills to embrace who they are, stay connected to their roots, and dream of a brighter, more empowered future.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Eliza M. Garza, an Amazon best-selling and international award-winning author, resilience speaker, and entrepreneur from South Texas. My journey into becoming a children’s book author and advocate for financial literacy and cultural empowerment stems from my deep love for my Hispanic heritage and the values it instilled in me. Growing up, I was surrounded by strong family bonds, cultural traditions, and the entrepreneurial spirit of my community. These experiences ignited my passion for helping children see the power in their own stories, heritage, and dreams.

What sets my work apart is my focus on connecting children with their roots while simultaneously equipping them with practical tools for the future. My books, such as Raspas Con Mi Grandpa and its sequel Vendiendo Con Mi Grandpa, aim to do more than entertain—they empower young readers by showing them the beauty of their culture and the value of financial literacy and entrepreneurship. Through these stories, children not only learn about running a raspa stand or getting a city permit, but they also see the importance of responsibility, goal-setting, and understanding money management. These skills are crucial for building a strong foundation for their future success.

I’m incredibly proud of the impact my work has had on the children and families who engage with my books. I’ve seen grandparents and grandchildren come together over snow cones, reliving memories and creating new ones. I’ve watched kids light up with the realization that their cultural traditions and entrepreneurial aspirations are something to celebrate. The moment I witnessed a young girl ask if I wanted her to “be love” during one of my school visits was a defining moment—it helped me understand that my mission isn’t just about financial education or cultural pride, but about embodying love and community.

What I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know is that my work is a celebration of who we are as a people. My mission is deeply rooted in promoting connection, family, and empowerment through stories that reflect our lives. And with projects like Adventure in a Cup, I’m committed to teaching entrepreneurship and financial literacy through fun, hands-on experiences, ensuring that the next generation has the tools they need to thrive.

When a child sees an author who looks like them, speaks their language, and shares their background, it becomes a powerful affirmation that their dreams are not only valid but limitless. It inspires them to believe that greatness is not just a distant possibility—it is within their reach, rooted in their own identity and heritage. At the heart of everything I do is my belief that when children understand, identify, and embrace their culture, family, connectedness, and gifts, they walk a path toward authenticity and empowerment with an understanding of who they truly are.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the most defining moments in my journey came from a time of immense pain and loss. I had poured everything into a franchise of raspa stores, and we were on the verge of launching nationwide. But then, due to a failed business partnership, it all crumbled. I lost everything. It was one of the scariest and most traumatic experiences of my life. I remember feeling like a deer caught in headlights—completely blindsided by what was happening to me. Looking back, I realize that if I had more knowledge about business and financial literacy, I could have navigated that storm more confidently, but I didn’t.

Instead of letting that moment define me in defeat, I made a choice to turn my pain into purpose. I decided to take the lessons from my own mistakes and use them to empower the next generation. My mission became clear: to equip children with self-belief, confidence, authenticity, and the financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills I lacked in my own journey, so they wouldn’t be blindsided by life’s challenges the way I was. I want them to know that even in the face of failure, there is always a way forward. The setbacks we endure can be the very foundation of our future success if we choose to rise from them.

I believe resilience is not just about overcoming hardship, but about transforming that hardship into something meaningful in order to help others. My mistakes are now someone else’s survival guide. And that’s what I’ve dedicated my life to—making sure others can learn from my story, so their paths might be smoother and their futures brighter.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

If there’s one thing I wish I had known earlier in my creative journey, it’s the importance of having a strong foundation in financial literacy and entrepreneurship. These aren’t just tools for business—they’re tools for life. The reality is, many of us aren’t taught these critical skills, either in school or at home. Our parents, God bless them, do the best they can with what they know. But often, they didn’t have access to that kind of education either. So, we navigate life without understanding the full picture of how to manage money, how to grow a business, or how to protect ourselves from the financial pitfalls that can come with any venture.

I look back at the hardships I’ve faced and realize that had I been taught these things earlier, I might have avoided some of the pain I went through. But here’s the thing—I’m not bitter about it. In fact, I’m grateful for the journey that led me to where I am today. Because that gap in knowledge became my fuel. It lit a fire in me to not only learn for myself but to turn around and teach the next generation. That’s why I’m so passionate about embedding financial literacy and entrepreneurship into everything I do, from my books to my programs like Adventure in a Cup. I want to make sure our kids don’t grow up with the same gaps in their education that so many of us had.

Imagine a world where children grow up not just with dreams, but with the tools to make those dreams a reality—where they understand how money works, how to build something from the ground up, and how to make informed decisions that will set them up for success. That’s the world I want to help create, and that’s why I do what I do. It’s about empowerment, about ensuring that the next generation doesn’t have to learn these lessons the hard way.

So yes, I wish I had known those things earlier, but I’m grateful for where I am now. Because every challenge I faced has shaped my purpose—to fill those knowledge gaps for others, to make sure that no child is left without the education they need to navigate the world confidently and powerfully.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elizamgarza.com
• Instagram: @authorelizamgarza
• Facebook: @authorelizamgarza
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliza-garza-4ab857112/
• Twitter: @authorelizamg
• Other: X: @authorelizamg