Today we’d like to introduce you to Jane Rodriguez.
Hi Jane, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m originally from Miami, FL. I was always someone who wasn’t sure of what they wanted to do with their lives so I went through a lot of trial and error trying to figure it out. I graduated from Florida International University (FIU) with my Bachelor’s in Hospitality Management with a focus in event planning because I loved to travel, the tourism industry, and I also loved planning events. But as someone who is very family-oriented and I knew I wanted a career that would be able to work well with having a family, I pivoted into Higher Education. When I was at FIU I was extremely involved in many clubs and organizations as well as the programming board. I really loved the concept of student development and helping students through such an important part of their lives and this aligned with my values of wanting a family since I would be able to have holidays and weekends off. From there I went to Florida State University (FSU) and graduated with a Master’s in Higher Education in 2018, which allowed me to work at colleges/universities and with student populations I loved. I moved to San Bernardino, California, where I worked at California State University, San Bernardino as a Student Engagement Coordinator overseeing all of the University’s Clubs and Organizations, and although I loved what I did, it’s a field that is known for being severely underpaid. I started to explore other avenues to make additional income and fell in love with entrepreneur life and the flexibility it afforded me. Since starting my business in April 2019, I changed what I did several times, from a life coach to a social media manager to a virtual assistant, and finally an Online Business Manager. I was able to go full-time in my business in June 2020 and made the move to a city that I’ve always dreamed of living in, Orlando! Now I help many other entrepreneurs start their business and build their brand, all while living a life that I love in a city I love!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not! It always ebbs and flows, and there have been moments where I doubted everything that I was doing or had to change and adapt. Those moments were never easy! I am also someone who is very multi-passionate, meaning that a lot of different areas interest me and because of that, I need to constantly be changing what I do because I get bored very easily. I’m actually at one of those crossroads right now where I’m trying to determine what my next steps will be and it has been very difficult. Entrepreneur life is not easy by any means, but it’s so incredibly worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As an Online Business Manager, I help entrepreneurs not only start businesses but also set up systems and tools that are going to help them run an efficient and organized business. I love the day-to-day administrative components, which might not be enjoyable for folks. I help them do all of those pieces that they may not enjoy so that they can stay in their zone of genius. I work primarily with Speakers/Consultants that work to provide trainings, workshop, keynotes, etc. to organizations or institutions. I leverage my knowledge of higher education institutions to support those entrepreneurs with booking engagements. I am also known for the branding work that I do! Your personal/professional brand is so important when it comes to professionalism and I help those entrepreneurs make sure that their brand is consistent throughout their website, social media, email signature, letterheads, business cards, as well as any resources, workbooks, PowerPoint, emails, etc. that they send. I am most proud of all of the different entrepreneurs that I’ve been able to work with and how all the work that I do and have done has been entirely self-taught.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
This might not be surprising, just not well known, but I integrate my values into everything that I do. When I started this business, I vowed to always be transparent, foster community, express my feelings and emotions, and allow myself to slow down and not always be in a rush. I was very adamant about the life that I wanted to create so it’s very important for me to set and uphold boundaries that protect that life.
Contact Info:
- Email: jane@thethrivingceo.com
- Website: www.thethrivingceo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thethrivingceo.co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheThrivingCEO/
Image Credits
JRodriguez
Xiaopan Xue
Jrodriguez1
Kaitlyn Clarke
