Meet Fabrizia M. Rodriguez, Esq., a local lawyer that aim's to keep as many families together as she can. Focusing on Immigration laws and the Child Welfare System she strives to help people in such a complicated environment. Being bi-lingual she adds a tremendous asset to our local area, and with a direct quote from her "No Recession, Election, or Pandemic is going to stop me!" She is a force to be reckoned with!
Q. 1 When did the entrepreneur bug bite you?
I have been a businesswoman since diapers haha. My father was a school bus driver. So on his summers off, he decided to run an ice cream truck. I was his sidekick and his main interpreter by default. I did everything from stocking merchandise, to working on the ads, washing the truck and equipment, being the cashier and server. I did this till I was about 14 years old when my dad decided to end the business. In college, without me realizing it, I was already looking for business wherever I could. I cleaned a home for a professor of mine, and I refereed basketball in addition to my part-time job on campus. I was always looking for ways to use whatever skill I knew I had to make an income for myself. I knew after I was done with school I would at some point either invest in a business or start my own. What I didn't know is that I would dive right into it fresh from school!
Q. 2 What is your passion?
Helping others, but especially women and Minorities, achieve their goals. I never have taken No for an answer. Whatever I want I create a plan and execute. if it doesn't work, back to planning, and executing. I see so many disappointed people every day and it bothers me to see them discouraged, give up, or sell themselves short of being great. We all have a purpose and I am passionate about helping others figure that out.
Q.3 Who were the women mentors that encouraged you or inspired you?
In high school I worked for a church part time. I spent many hours with a Sister of the church. She took me under her wing and really encouraged me to be exactly who I am today, to find purpose and beauty in life, and to Trust in God My Nona(grandma), spent her last 7years of life with me. I was her caretaker. I was infatuated with her life in Italy during World War 1 and 2, and then her courage to resettle in Argentina. She told me over and over again that I have opportunities every Italian woman would dream of, and she encouraged me to pursue the highest education the United States offered and to never give up.
Q.4 Why did you pick your business niche? Was this something you went to school for etc?
I did go to school to be a lawyer. I was introduced to Law by my dad. He would always point to the courthouse when we drove by it and tell me I belong there because I argue too much! LOL. I originally wanted to be a family lawyer, yet the immigrant community gravitated to me instantly because of my language skills, and because at the time I was the only Spanish-speaking lawyer in the area! By now I have met a few others but there still aren't enough. I still very much crave family law but have decided to narrow my focus to child welfare law. Here I directly work with parents at risk of losing their children, or directly with children in the foster care system. I am enjoying my experience so far and I think the right place for me to have an impact on society. Back to my passion for helping others!
Q.5 What do you do for encouragement or to be motivated?
When you love what you do for a living, you wake up every day really motivated. It is so hard to explain, but I do not need too much to motivate me nowadays. What I do need is self-care. Sometimes I want to do so much for others I forget to do for myself. Covid has been a big reality check for me. There is a saying " give others the best of you, not the last of you". Listening to your body is important. Give it the fuel, exercise, and therapy it needs. (easier said than done I know!). I found some great people at Max Level Fitness that have given me the education and resources I needed to figure it out. Lastly, Mental health is huge! What you read, watch, scroll on Instagram, who you text and people you are around are important. I use social media selectively to feed myself something that will either make me laugh or emphasize health. Lastly(no really this time!), my boys motivate me! Cliche I know, but if you really know me, you know how much I take my BoyMom job seriously. I am trying to be a great example for them while still being silly and fun. Their generation is going to read about my generation in high school history class. The same way I read about my Nona in my high school history class.
Q. 6 How do you balance your entrepreneur life with friends/family that don’t understand the challenges we experience?
Great question! I have realized other people's reactions are a reflection of where they are at in the time. We all have our own unique experiences that mold us into who we are. It is very hard to find 2 people who completely understand each other all the time. When I feel offended by someone's words or lack of understanding, I remind myself that, but I also take note, that this may not be the person I want too much of right now(back to the mental health point in the question above!). Just this week, a college friend called me, and it was our first in-depth conversation we have had in years. She had a legal question, but we connected on how much our entrepreneur life/challenges are similar. It was a surprising fresh breath of air for me. It is important to build your network with others who are as passionate as yourself. Fill yourself with more people who "get it" and weed out the conversations that have you feeling down or frustrated. I belong to a few attorney groups that meet frequently to discuss legal issues but also are a bunch of fun passionate attorneys. The comradery is very refreshing in the lonely world of Law.
Q.7 What Is the mission of your business/job?
I aim to keep as many families together as I can. Through honest and direct counseling, we discuss the barriers to your goals, options for overcoming those barriers, and my commitment to advocate for you along the way.
Q.8 What do you want readers to know about your business?
Immigration laws and the Child Welfare System are complicated and inconsistently implemented. Each case and outcome is unique. With my business, each person is treated with respect no matter what protest or media coverage is headlined that week, or what their rap sheet says. My clients become family and always welcomed back to navigate their next goal. In my office, the focus will always be on achieving the American Dream, because I am forever grateful for the opportunities that exist in the USA(just like my Nona said).
Q.9 With many challenges with being a woman in business, what about being a badass woman has benefited you and your business?
No Recession, Election, or Pandemic is going to stop me! Haha. The challenges I have experienced(and still experience) have all made me into a more confident person. I am at a great place mentally right now about my skills, my work ethic, my industry, and my purpose. Perseverance is a tough word to describe and an even tougher word to model. If there is anything you can learn from a Woman and a Minority it is Perseverance.
Q.10 Finally - What is a quote that inspires you !
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Michael Jordan.
( I love writing these blogs and featuring these amazing ladies, I do ask if you could give them a follow or like on their social media as support, Women supporting Women )
Social Media: Fabrizia M. Rodriguez, Esq. | Facebook
Email:Fabrizia@fabriziarodriguezlaw.com
Phone: 518-866-5622