Interview: Andrea Garcia - Marketer. Yogi. KC Hype Girl.
We like to take time to highlight women we see out in the world doing their part to make the world a little nicer. In this Real Nice Lady Spotlight, we’re talking to Andrea Garcia, a self-titled KC Hype Girl, about connections and Claire Saffitz.
Job Title/Profession
Marketer. Yogi. KC Hype Girl.
Favorite Drink?
Usually the one in my hand
Favorite Food?
Pad See Ew
Karaoke Song?
“Simply the Best” by Tina Turner
What song are you listening to on repeat right now?
“Wild Heart” by Bleachers
Female icon you would be for Halloween?
Dora the Explorer, always.
What has been your favorite connection you've made or put together recently?
My recent favorite is getting connected to the KC Sports Commission. After seeing KC was part of a multi-city bid for a 2026 World Cup game I tweeted "what do I have to do to get a game in KC? I'll do anything." Carly slid into my DMs explaining the Sports Commission and their role in bringing events to KC, they were looking for new Board members and I applied. I'm now the Social Chair for the Emerging Leaders Board covering everything from Happy Hours to actual social media and doing everything in my power to get KC a group stage game in 2026.
What is your favorite thing about your industry? Your least favorite?
The creativity is a beautiful thing. The hustle and grind and monetization of it is something I consistently struggle with.
How would you describe your creative process?
I would liken it to Claire Saffitz during a Gourmet Makes.
What do you want for the future of your industry?
More judicious use of budgets. Just because we can, doesn't mean we should.
What advice would you give other women trying to succeed in your industry?
Find something that you love to do and do it. But you don't have to turn everything you love into a job. Find a thing that's just yours.
What was a formative moment in your life that made you who you are?
I was raised by a single mom. She worked so hard to provide opportunities for me, more so than I realized at the time. I was also able to spend a lot of time learning from her and her job because when daycare closed or it was the weekend, there wasn't anywhere else for me to go. Her office is where I learned to sell (thanks, Girl Scouts), how to craft an experience, how to respond to emails, how to use Excel, and how to make the best of where I was at any given time.
Is there a specific memory or incident from watching your mom work that stands out for you?
Setting up conference rooms. When I was old enough (and eventually as an intern), I would set up conference rooms which included facing pop cans labels out, drawing shades to the same height, setting out pens/paper and name tags in alignment and getting all chairs to the same height. It seems mundane but that instills a great amount of respect for attention to detail. One of the best things I can do is set up a relationship, a campaign, a class, or an experience so that every detail supports the person in it completely, without them even knowing it.
When do you feel the strongest in your life? When do you feel the most vulnerable in your life?
I feel strongest when I step away from something my ego is pushing me to do in favor of my gut telling me not to. I feel most vulnerable when I'm teaching yoga, people trust me with their physical safety and their time, it's a lot to deliver on.
You work in two industries where people trust you with your expertise and skill, leaving a lot of pressure on you, how do you separate yourself from the high pressure situations and take care of yourself?
LOL. Can I just say not well? In terms of work, I have 'off hours' my phone goes on Do Not Disturb from 10pm - 7 am. I also set app limits so I'm not mindlessly scrolling social. At yoga, I make it a point to practice at studios where I don't teach as often and limit the number of times per week I teach. Once I get into the double digits, my energy drops and I can't provide as good of an experience for students as I would like so I avoid that. Having good friends I can vent to helps a ton.
Who are five women that inspire you?
Renee Young, Claire Saffitz, Kelly Cirone, Julie Wilson, my mom.