Today we’d like to introduce you to Beatrice Faz Gallegos.
Hi Beatrice, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey has been deeply shaped by an organization that changed the course of my life—not just by offering opportunity, but by giving me a renewed sense of purpose.
As a Mexican-American woman raised in the 60s and 70s, I was surrounded by hard work—but education and career-building weren’t part of the picture. The focus was on getting by, not dreaming big. My parents were farmworkers, and while they instilled strong values of resilience and sacrifice, I quietly carried dreams that felt far away—like one day having my own office.
At 15, I left school and started working. By 20, I was married and expecting my first child. It was a moment of reflection for sure—realizing that the future I had once imagined was beginning to slip away. That’s when I discovered SER Jobs for Progress. They offered a GED program and even a financial incentive, but more than that, they gave me something I hadn’t felt in a long time: belief in myself.
In 1979, I earned my GED, and everything changed from there. I stayed connected to SER, completed my Bilingual Clerk Typist Certification, and stepped into the professional world I once only dreamed of. Over the years, I’ve worked in accounting, hospitality, event planning, and even owned three bridal stores. Each chapter added something new to my toolkit—resilience, adaptability, and confidence.
Today, I work in Life Insurance and Advanced Funeral Planning—a career path I never expected, but one that deeply aligns with my values. I have the privilege of helping families prepare with dignity and peace of mind, which feels like a full-circle moment after everything I’ve been through.
It’s been a journey of reinvention, resilience, and continuous learning.
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?
A smooth road? Not at all.
I wasn’t raised in an environment where dreaming was encouraged—especially not for girls like me. As a Chicana in the 1970s, the idea of pursuing education or a career felt distant. My family didn’t understand the vision I held in my heart, and that kind of isolation made the journey even harder. I always knew I wanted more—not just for myself, but for the family I would one day have. I was determined to break the cycle and plant new seeds for the future.
Becoming a young mother brought its own challenges. I had to grow up quickly and make decisions that balanced day-to-day survival with long-term dreams. There were many moments of doubt, and to be honest, I still wrestle with self-limiting beliefs. But over time, I built a support system that reminded me of how far I’d come—and of the strength I carry within.
I worked hard to teach my children the values I had to learn on my own—education, self-worth, and the courage to dream big. And now, as a grandmother, I feel incredibly blessed to see those same values taking root in my grandchildren. Watching them thrive reminds me that every struggle, every sacrifice, was worth it.
That said, I don’t take full credit for where I am today. My faith in God has been my foundation—even during the seasons when I lost touch with it. One moment in particular changed everything for me, personally and spiritually.
In 2009, my husband suffered three strokes back-to-back. Doctors told me to notify family—they didn’t believe he would survive. At that point in my life, I had buried myself in work and drifted from my faith. But in the hospital waiting room, I had a profound moment with two women I didn’t know. We talked. We prayed. And in that moment, something shifted. I knew my life—and my purpose—were about to change.
Miraculously, my husband survived, but he needed extensive rehabilitation. I left my job to become his full-time caregiver. It was one of the hardest transitions I’ve ever faced. I felt isolated, depressed, and unsure how we would make ends meet. I didn’t have a roadmap—I had prayer. And through that prayer, I found strength I didn’t know I had.
Now, more than a decade later, I look back at that season as the turning point. I’ve built not just a business, but a legacy—one I share with my daughter and granddaughter. Together, we’ve created something that will live on long after I’m gone.
No, the road hasn’t been smooth. But it’s been filled with purpose. And I wouldn’t trade my journey for anything.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Faz Group?
In my current endeavor, I’ve built a team of independent agents united by a shared mission: to educate and empower our community through advanced funeral planning and life insurance.
Our main focus is helping individuals and families understand the importance of planning ahead—not just financially, but emotionally. We specialize in serving the Latino community, where these conversations often don’t happen until it’s too late. We want to change that narrative by creating a safe space to talk about hard things, like death, with compassion and transparency.
What sets us apart is the collaborative nature of our team. Though we’re all independent agents—some of whom also specialize in areas like mortgage, and health insurance —we come together around a central passion: helping families prepare for one of life’s most difficult moments.
Advance funeral planning is truly one of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones. It removes the financial and emotional burden of making tough decisions during an already painful time. We pride ourselves on ensuring that our clients not only understand their policies but feel confident and cared for in the process. We take the time to educate, answer questions, and make sure every decision is made with clarity and intention.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the heart behind our work. We’re not just selling a service—we’re building trust, nurturing relationships, and making a real difference in people’s lives.
At the end of the day, we plan for birthdays, weddings, and retirements—yet so often, we avoid planning for the one event we all will face. We want to help change that mindset, one conversation at a time.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My biggest piece of advice is this: chase your dreams—even if the people closest to you don’t understand or support them.
Sometimes, the doubt doesn’t come from strangers—it comes from the people you love. That can be hard. But you have to remember, your vision was given to you, not them. Don’t let fear or other people’s limited beliefs hold you back from what you feel called to do.
The worst thing isn’t failure—it’s never trying and spending your life wondering, what if? Even if the road gets hard (and it will), there’s so much growth in the journey. You learn, you evolve, and you find strength you didn’t know you had.
If I could go back, I’d tell my younger self to trust her instincts more and to stop waiting for permission or validation. You are allowed to dream big, and you are worthy of the life you want—even if it looks different than what others expect.
Contact Info:
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