Maria Rodriguez-Estrada, a first-generation student at Catawba College, has been making waves in both academics and entrepreneurship.
She was recently featured by her school for her dedication, hard work, and success inside and outside the classroom. From running her own small business to catering for major events, she is already putting her studies in business administration into real-world practice.
Leadership Skills to Foster Growth
Rodriguez-Estrada has already built an impressive resume. She currently interns for her city's HR department, is a notary public, has catered food for both Hispanic Heritage Month and her business school faculty, and even ran a pop-up kitchen in her school’s cafeteria, serving approximately 500 people with tacos, Mexican beverages, and desserts.
Additionally, she has completed the X-Culture program, gaining hands-on experience by collaborating with international students and companies. In the classroom, she’s already earned an associate degree in business administration and will graduate this May with her bachelor’s degree.
Her drive stems from her belief in constant learning and risk-taking. “Being able to adapt to changes and take risks was huge because in my small business, that’s something I’m constantly doing,” she says.
With all these activities, she also runs an online business specializing in spicy candy and chamoy rim dips — a traditional Mexican sauce perfect for the rim of a drink — all of which she makes herself. To tackle everything, she credits time management, strong communication, organization, and teamwork. And keeping a calendar also helps. “If I don’t plan ahead of time, it will ruin my operations.”
Being Your Own Biggest Supporter
Rodriguez-Estrada also knows how much of her success is due to the mentorship and guidance she has received.
One leader she looks up to is Dr. Christine Lynn, the associate dean of her college’s business school. “She is the first person who heard me out when I arrived there and since then has become my second mom. She gives me that example of being a go-getter and not letting anyone or anything stop you.”
RELATED: UNLOCKING YOUR POTENTIAL
The budding entrepreneur also leans on some valuable advice that she’s soaked up throughout her education, and that has shaped her outlook. “The sky is the limit, but reach for the stars,” is a saying she lives by, and, she adds, “Be your biggest supporter, don’t wait on it from others.”
With that determined mindset, she continues to push forward to reach her goals, however lofty they may seem on the surface.
Big Goals, Small Steps
Rodriguez-Estrada’s long-term ambitions are an extension of her current passions, with the goal of eventually finding financial freedom and expanding her horizons. She dreams of opening a Mexican restaurant, getting into real estate, traveling the world, and ultimately helping her parents retire.
But, like all great leaders, she knows success comes one step at a time. Her immediate focus is to land a job utilizing her business degree while simultaneously working in a restaurant. “I will learn [about HR] at my nine-to-five and learn the movement of a restaurant on the other,” she says.
To balance multiple jobs and a range of tasks, she’ll be leaning on all she’s learned. The NSLS has played a role in her leadership development as well. “The videos we watch just help me to put into perspective that everyone has a different way of teaching others. I shouldn’t let the way I was brought up interfere because people are still learning from me and look up to me.”
Maria’s Advice for Future Leaders
To her, leadership is rooted in authenticity and service. “Leadership is being authentic and the raw me so that I can influence others and motivate them to reach their full potential. I describe myself as a servant leader, putting my team’s needs before anything so that they feel valued and know that I care about their end goals.”
For those looking to grow as leaders, she offers this advice: “You learn from your past mistakes. Take them to grow and become a better person. Don’t let them define your current status. And always put God first.”
With her dedication, entrepreneurial spirit, faith, and leadership mindset, Maria Rodriguez-Estrada is well on her way to making a lasting impact — both in business and beyond.
Entrepreneurship is a great way to leverage your leadership skills to drive your success while making a positive impact on others. To read about another entrepreneur and NSLS member who is doing just that, meet Anna Almaraz from the University of Texas at San Antonio chapter.
