We’re looking forward to introducing you to Peggy Garner. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Peggy, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
In my opinion, integrity is the most important virtue a person can have. Integrity is the quiet strength that shapes who we are, both in the workplace and in our personal lives. In business, it means doing what’s right even when it’s difficult—keeping promises, treating others fairly, and building trust that lasts longer than any single deal. In our private lives, integrity is the compass that keeps us true to our values, guiding us to live authentically and with purpose. It’s about being the same person when no one is watching as when everyone is. When we live with integrity, we inspire confidence, deepen our relationships, and create a life that feels honest, meaningful, and whole.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the owner and publisher of Cypress Lifestyle, an upscale community magazine created for residents of the Cypress, TX area. My mission is to use the publication as a bridge—connecting neighbors, celebrating local businesses, and sharing the inspiring stories of the people, places, and events that make Cypress such a special place to call home. After leaving corporate America eight years ago, I followed my passion for community and began publishing the magazine, and it has been an incredible journey. Cypress has been my home for 23 years, where my children grew up, and I’ve watched it grow from a quiet suburb into a thriving community that still maintains its small-town warmth. Today, Cypress offers the best of both worlds: suburban living with excellent schools, dining, and shopping, all wrapped in the closeness of a community where families put down roots and neighbors truly care about one another.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
My father taught me the value of hard work and integrity. He always reminded me never to do anything halfway, but to give my very best in everything I set out to do. My mother, on the other hand, showed me the power of kindness. She was a truly lovely and generous soul who treated everyone with warmth and compassion—and she will always be my hero.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I’ve never reached a point where I felt like giving up. Whether it’s optimism or plain stubbornness, failure has simply never been an option for me. That doesn’t mean everything has always gone as planned—but in those moments, I focus on finding solutions and trust in my ability to make things happen.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I’ve never been able to put on a public front—I can only be myself. I genuinely enjoy people and try to see the good in everyone. None of us are perfect, and even when I disagree with someone’s actions or words, I remind myself that I don’t know their story—maybe they’re having a tough day or carrying past experiences that shape how they see the world. Of course, there are those who spread negativity or hide behind a screen to tear others down. I feel more pity than anger toward them, because needing to hurt others to feel better about yourself is a heavy burden to carry. Those are the kinds of people I choose not to let into my life.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope the story people tell about me is that I lived with integrity, kindness, and purpose. That I worked hard but also made time to lift others up, to connect people, and to share joy wherever I could. I’d like to be remembered as someone who was genuine, who believed in the good in others, and who used her life to make her community stronger. Most of all, I hope my story is one of love—love for my family, my friends, and the place I called home.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://citylifestyle.com/cypress/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cypresslifestyle/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-garner/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cypresslifestyle/
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/peggy.garner.92102/
Image Credits
Sunny Rajabi | Sunburst Photography, Aitor – stock.adobe.com (July issue cover)
