Dany Garcia is a force to be reckoned with. As the cofounder of Seven Bucks Productions, a multi-platform company she oversees with Dwayne Johnson, she’s worked with the likes of Netflix, NBC, BET, and HBO to bring a range of stories to the screen. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is one of them, as is The Statesmen, Ballers, and The Titan Games. Essentially, she’s been the reason why your loved ones have had trailers to agree upon long before they came to the rescue during the pandemic.
But besides film and television productions, Garcia also oversees an expansive business portfolio which includes, global brands, live events, and a tequila business. Oh yeah, and she makes time for her other leadership positions with The Garcia Companies and TGC Management. The truth is, if Garcia’s full list of responsibilities and interests were listed—did we mention that she’s also an accomplished bodybuilder?—there would likely be a need for a coffee break.
Her boundless energy and many spinning plates could make anyone feel tired, but it’s also just as easy to be enamored with her work ethic. She doesn’t see a need to quit, and in fact, her willingness to knock on doors often closed to Cuban women has only made her more excited to try for more. Recently, she and Dwayne Johnson purchased the XFL, making her the first woman to own a professional sports league in the United States.
Now that’s a force of fearlessness. Garcia’s ability to see the possibilities in multiple pursuits makes her the type of person who’s changing what it means to be a power player. And as she grows her success, Garcia is making sure to leave doors open for others just like her. Because if you’re going to be seen as a force to be reckoned with, soon enough, you’re going to need backup.
You are one of the hardest working women in Hollywood. In addition to running your global enterprise, The Garcia Companies, you have a number of ventures with business partner and Seven Bucks Productions co-founder Dwayne Johnson, and you are also a professional bodybuilder. What was the lightbulb moment for your business/career and what inspired you to pursue this path?
Growing up and at an early age, I developed a great passion for enterprise. While I didn’t have exposure to CEOs or corporate leadership, I had parents who instilled work values and ethics within me that have been the cornerstones of my daily life. When I studied at the University of Miami and worked at the School of Business, the female executives who ran the various programs became my mentors. They helped fan the flames of my aspirations and introduced me to the professional world, while simultaneously refining and shaping my business acumen. I recognized that enterprise is a powerful conduit that not only impacts and creates meaningful goods and services, but when run with accountability, has the ability to take care of so many. It became my intention that all of my corporate interests would advance the human experience and positively contribute to the lives of all involved.
Before Hollywood, you were an executive at Merrill Lynch breaking new ground in the finance world as a first-generation Cuban woman. But let’s go back to the beginning—How did you make your first dollar and what did that job teach you that still applies today?
When I was about 12 years old, I wanted nothing more than a horse. My grandparents bought me a retired trail horse who I immediately named Bucky Dent, after the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees. To cover his expenses, I worked at the eight-stable barn where he was boarded. From driving large tractors and mowing fields, to cleaning out stalls and feeding the horses, I did everything and anything. At 12, I suddenly had the opportunity to experience the immense satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that came from working hard and being accountable for my expenses. More importantly, it taught me that I had a great capacity to do big things and do them well. That awareness has carried me through to this day.
Entrepreneurship is all about taking calculated risks—What’s the most pivotal risk you’ve taken, and how did it change your path?
The greatest risk, and ultimately the most pivotal opportunity, I’ve experienced was when I decided to venture away from my wealth management practice and forge an uncharted path into the business of entertainment, applying enterprise principals to non-traditional intellectual property and talent. It opened up a brand-new community for me to work with, and impacted the type of companies I would create and own.
What is your biggest piece of advice to entrepreneurs early on in their careers—particularly female entrepreneurs?
Much of my career has been spent in spaces that were nearly uncharted for women, so I learned quickly that it was vital to trust my instincts and be willing to create new processes to achieve success. Trust and invest in yourself and be open to the idea that you may need to do things differently to achieve your desired results.
How are you making a difference and pushing your industry forward?
This year, more than ever, my commitment to social responsibility has expanded to include the type of storytelling, casting, and partnerships we engage in. I’ve also committed to investing in education and empowerment throughout all of my companies and employees. As a group enterprise, we have committed to normalizing equality, equalizing justice, and justifying leadership through accountability. We will continue to be active in reflecting these principals and be outspoken in supporting them.
2020 presented everybody around the globe with new, unprecedented challenges. How did you #FindNewRoads + switch gears towards your new version of success?
The biggest and most game-changing example of finding a new road in 2020 for me was the decision to acquire the XFL and build out a sports league in the world of football. I had followed the iterations of the XFL as a fan and businesswoman since its inception. I could see the opportunities within the organization clearly, as well as the potential for a robust deliverable to the players, fans, and partners. In essence, I found an incredible opportunity to blend my love of sports, storytelling, talent management, and enterprise brand building in one exciting property that spoke to me deeply. Additionally, the experience of becoming the first woman to own an equal- or majority-ownership stake in a major professional sports league in the United States has been life changing.
Going after what you deserve in life takes confidence and guts. Does confidence come naturally to you or did you have to learn it? What advice can you share for women on cultivating confidence and going after their dreams?
I’ve been a student of what I like to call the “University of Confidence” for years! I was a very imaginative child with massive aspirations, but I was also insecure. Luckily, my ambitions and passions placed me in situations where I needed to grow. Through that growth and a slow accumulation of accomplishments, I began to gain confidence in my abilities. I think understanding that confidence can be nurtured is important, just as it’s vital to know that confidence is a requirement to achieve great things. I would encourage all women to enroll themselves in their own “University of Confidence,” and make cultivating themselves and their mindset a priority.
What is the biggest challenge to achieving success in life?
I believe that achieving your own personal level of success comes down to having the discipline to execute mindfulness on a daily basis, and cultivating a level of support around your endeavors. No great thing is done alone. Just importantly, I also believe that you must carry great self-accountability toward what you want to achieve.
When you separate yourself from your job title and the bells and whistles of your business or career, who are you and what do you like to do?
I would say I am a philosopher and bodybuilder who is part of an incredible family. I enjoy activities that nurture all of those expressions. I love reading, researching, and exploring—or
things that inspire my creativity and provide the opportunity to think in different ways. Additionally, I’ve been enamored with the sport of bodybuilding since I was a young teenager and have been working my way into a weight room for the majority of my life. Most importantly, I have an incredible immediate family made up of the two most amazing people, my husband and daughter. Traveling through life with them and creating memorable moments is truly a passion of mine.
It’s easy to celebrate the wins, but how do you handle failure or when something hasn’t worked out for you?
First, I give myself complete permission to be human about it and experience the necessary emotions, knowing that the failure itself will have a bevy of information to unpack and learn from. I also like to have a “macro” point of view on most of my endeavors, which allows me to look at events, whether successes or failures, with greater context. By looking at the bigger picture, I can experience and learn from each lesson, and ultimately keep growing.
If you could go back to the beginning of your career journey—with the knowledge you have now— what advice would you give yourself?
The advice I would give myself would be simple: Know that your instincts are right and seek your own validation as motivation to go after your goals. You will know and see things that others have not yet recognized, and waiting for them to catch up will just slow you down.
Fill in the blanks:
When I feel fear, I…
Know it doesn’t define the outcome of what I’m trying to achieve. I look to see if there is information I’m missing, and give myself permission to accept it as part of human nature in order to move forward.
To be successful, you need to be…
Aligned with your instincts and prepared to work hard.
Three qualities that got me to where I am today are…
My instincts, an insatiable desire to improve, and the amazing individuals who surround and support me.
The change I’d like to see in my industry is…
Normalizing equality and opportunity for all.
The craziest thing I’ve done for work is…
I ran two miles in a suit to get to an important meeting for a client as their power of attorney, because the Miami Beach police had barricaded the streets in order to capture Gianni Versace’s murderer, Andrew Cunanan.
