EMPRENDIENDO MÁS ALLÁ DEL HORIZONTE
EMPRENDIENDO MÁS ALLÁ DEL HORIZONTE
By Omar Rodriguez
As EASTSIDE Magazine enters its fifth year, I reflect on the inaugural article where I reveal what I wasn't ready to share then—my personal story. Recently, I realized the importance of sharing this narrative, and what better platform than the one Rosanna Alvarez and I are so passionate about. So, here it goes:
I am the son of immigrants with a rich cultural background; my roots extend from Mexico City to San José, California. My family heritage is deeply rooted in the coasts of Guerrero and Oaxaca, Mexico—spaces that hold a special place in my heart, places that I've called home, and where I have created enduring cherished memories.
“I am the son of immigrants with a rich cultural background; my roots extend from Mexico City to San José, California. My family heritage is deeply rooted in the coasts of Guerrero and Oaxaca, Mexico.”
My parents' journey to the United States in pursuit of a better life for me and my siblings has profoundly shaped the person I am. I have a deep appreciation for the emotional weight of my parents’ journey and the resilience they demonstrated in creating a new path for our family. I constantly reflect on the significance it must have held for them to depart from their parents and siblings. It remains the driving force behind my entrepreneurial and personal efforts and aspirations.
I was 11 years old when I started school in the United States. After only a few years, I became accustomed to the culture and traditions of our new home and community. However, for over two decades, I had to overcome living as an "undocumented immigrant"—a significant part of the journey to discover my own identity. Consequently, I lived "under the radar," refraining from publicly discussing my immigration status for many years due to the fear of judgment and misperceptions. In recent years, I have openly shared this significant part of my journey, shifting the emphasis towards a message centered on resilience, grit, and perseverance. I believe that by recounting my story, I can inspire, empower, and motivate others to pursue their personal and professional aspirations and dreams regardless of their immigration status.
““It remains the driving force behind my entrepreneurial and personal efforts and aspirations.””
The beginning of my career journey is marked by memories of uncertainty. Flashing back to my time as a high school student at Lincoln High School, an arts magnet school here in San José, I found myself well on my way to achieving a significant milestone—graduating high school and making my parents proud. My thoughts were consumed by the uncertainty surrounding the possibility of pursuing higher education. Then, the passing of Assembly Bill 540 became a game-changer. This legislation granted "undocumented immigrants" California resident status, eliminating barriers and making the once seemingly unattainable idea of higher education possible, accessible, and affordable for students with limited resources.
My entrepreneurial journey began to take shape through a deep love and appreciation for the arts as I completed the digital arts track at Lincoln. Those four high school years served as the foundation for everything I needed to pursue a Graphic Design major in college. Soon after, I found myself taking classes at West Valley College. Insecurities resurfaced after seeing the talent around the classroom, leading me away from my desired major. So, when I transferred to San José State University, I declared a broader Business Management field as my major. My passion for the arts resurfaced during my last year in college, allowing me to obtain my B.S. degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Marketing and Advertising. This reconnection with visual design through advertising, held together by the marketing field of study, was a pivotal moment.
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““My thoughts were consumed by the uncertainty surrounding the possibility of pursuing higher education. Then, the passing of Assembly Bill 540 became a game-changer.””