Hudson Valley Dreamer opens his business to help cancer patients

A local businesswoman is changing lives by starting her own business that helps cancer patients, and she does so knowing that she may have to leave the United States at any time.

Ixtlali Garcia, 25, is a dreamer who was born in Mexico but moved to the United States when she was just 3 years old.

“My family came here for a better life for us, a better opportunity for us,” Garcia said.

Garcia’s father returned to Mexico three years ago and Garcia became the primary breadwinner for her and her mother.

“Being from the Hispanic culture, you are expected to provide full capacity if a parent cannot work,” Garcia said.

Garcia’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, and as a result she began losing her hair. That’s why Garcia looked into microblading, a technique popular in South America.

“It’s kind of an illusion of fake hair as it recovers. It’s one of the newer brow treatments, but my technique looks a little different. So, my technique involves not applying any pigment until it’s all done in strokes,” Garcia said.

Through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, Garcia was able to attend classes, which eventually led her to open her own microblading business.

“I had to go to the academy and from there I took master classes and got more than eight certificates,” Garcia said.

For Garcia, the process was long and challenging, but it was Garcia’s mother who motivated her to continue her journey to help other cancer patients who lost their hair through chemotherapy.

“It’s not just about creating an eyebrow, you know. There’s a reason for every eyebrow. There’s a story behind every eyebrow,” Garcia said.

As a DACA recipient, Garcia said she faces many challenges not having legal immigration status, and she knows that at any time she may have to return to her home country if she does not get approved for the two-year renewable deferred period. an act. For her, getting a work permit means she can live the American dream.

Garcia has already built a customer base and takes pride in building their trust again.

“It’s so rewarding to see a smile on their faces, and sometimes a cry of happiness,” Garcia said.

The feedback she receives from customers means a lot to Garcia, but more importantly, the feedback she receives from her mother is the most gratifying feeling.