Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Santi.
Maria, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Mexico as a member of a traditional family, my father was a Surgeon and my mom a housewife, I am the third of four children. I married when I was 18 and suffered from domestic violence during this marriage for about 16 years in its many manifestations, such as physical, verbal and emotional. I ended living a life that was not what I expected because of the influence of it, my mindset and my real personality never showed up to avoid mistreatment.
Finally, I got out of that scheme and got divorced, I started my own path and I became an attorney with two children when I was 27, I worked as a District Attorney assistant for about three years and then I took an opportunity to partner in a law firm to take care of civil and criminal cases, that was my new life, a happy professional woman in a “men’s world”.
After a few years, the well-known Mexican war against drug trafficking ended opportunities for litigation cases which came to less, the economy changed drastically and I had to take a decision about it.
When I was 34, I immigrated to the US, arriving in 2010 in Pflugerville, TX where I lived for two years, I arrived to my brother’s house without any work visa or whatsoever, but I needed to keep going and provide for my little family.
I worked on anything! I worked as baby sitter, zumba instructor, housemaid, radio announcer, among many other jobs.
My English was not good, but my perseverance was huge enough to made me walk through it.
In Georgetown Texas, I met my husband Peter Santi and I happily married him in 2011, he helped me so much to learn about the American culture, and finally I got my immigrant status adjusted into a permanent residency, now with authorization to work, I was able to apply to any job that I think of, finally I worked as Teacher Assistant for three years in a kindergarten, this led me at the same time as the kiddos, to learn the English language, the sounds of the vowels and the correct pronunciation. This was a blessing without a doubt.
In 2014 we moved to Arlington, TX and I started to work in a law office, I was in charge of the criminal department and my job was to take care of any criminal case and its procedures during a client’s representation, including translations in court during hearings due to the high knowledge of legal terms and also because my native language was Spanish.
After a few years, decided to start an incredible journey; the pursue of my legal license in the USA to go back to the legal field. After revalidating my Mexican law degree, I studied for three years in Washington University in St Louis, School of Law a master’s degree in US Law.
At the same time, I was hired by the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce where I am currently employed, my role is the bilingual Minority Outreach Director of Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce, where I plan and promote the development of business skills in professionals and entrepreneurs, all in a framework of respect for diversity through programs, workshops and special events. I believe that in this job, my passion is building bridges between different business communities. I have developed new strategies for projects on behalf of the Hispanic community, which I assist in the DFW area. As a presenter, I have developed programs “Negotiation and Communication”, “Business Associations in Texas” “ABC to register your business” and “Commercial Culture in the USA” among others, which I present at different workshops and networking events.
One of my highest blessings was to become an American Citizen in 2019! And for that, I am truly PROUD! I love my country and the new life that has given me in all these years.
I currently manage CEA – Community Entrepreneurship Academy www.ceagptx.org, a Community Business school that is an initiative of the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a 501 c3 organization, that prepares the Hispanic community to improve their job skills. , personal and business development sessions to increase your job skills and quality of life in the United States.
I am a board member of Grand Prairie United Charities, Grand Prairie Chamber Foundation, a member of the Rotary Club and I have worked along with many non-profit organizations to achieve their goals on behalf of the community.
Today, I am still pursuing the dream of becoming an Attorney, I have applied to the Texas Bar Association to be able to take the bar exam which I did in July 2021 and as of today, I am waiting for results! I am confident God has the final decision in His hands.
My real motive in life is to inspire, to help people in need, to show immigrants that we can do more than we think and that with effort and faith, everything is possible.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a bumpy road! But enjoyable in a wise manner. My main struggles was to learn to overcome my own fears, to learn to love myself and to embrace determination on every single thing I did, to face a new country, a new culture and a language that was not my native. What would be life without struggles like? I had to go through the rough paths to find myself able to work for success.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce?
Working for the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce has been one of the most unique jobs that I ever had, it represents my goal to become a resource for businesses and the community, at the Chamber, we help businesses grow by supporting all entrepreneurs, offering programs, networking and opportunities, ideas and experiences across cultures.
I hold the title of Director of Minority Outreach, which has allowed me to Increase new chamber minority-owned business membership, resulting in programs, partnerships, and sponsorships for Latino business owners in last five years for multiple diverse groups, this I would say is what I am known for.
I specialize in business mentoring, helping business owners on future growth and development plans is my thrive, training and mentoring on implementation of business organizations such as General Partnerships, LLC and DBA registration, patents, copyrights, non-profits, among others in a very specific cultural path is what set me apart from others.
I am proud of anything I have done in my role, however, as a Grand Prairie Chamber Foundation liaison, I managed and supervised CEA – Academia Empresarial Comunitaria (Community Entrepreneurship Academy) an initiative of the Grand Prairie Chamber Foundation to provide classes to improve skills to Hispanic immigrants, to help them to gain skills to obtain work for a sustainable living, this is brand-wise what have brought the real significate to my efforts and hard work.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Failure is not as bad as we think, it is a chance to be prepared for what you have to face. I don’t think I wish I knew anything that has happened in my life because all that has prepared me to be the woman I am now.
Contact Info:
- Email: maria@grandprairiechamber.org
- Website: www.grandprairiechamber.org
- Instagram: @gptxcharmber
- Facebook: @grandprariechamber
