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Tania Rodriguez is a member of the class of 2011. Tania, why did you decide to pursue an MBA and why did you choose the Texas Executive MBA at Mexico City program? Mexico City is an amazing place to invest as well as a recognized business center. I was born there, and when I found out about the Texas Executive MBA at Mexico City program, I realized that I could combine one of the best business schools in America with a start-up opportunity – what a deal! I found it extremely important to attain a first world graduate education in English since my first language is Spanish and my current business has a global approach. The MBA at Mexico City is exactly the same as the Executive MBA in Austin – same professors, same classes, same agenda, etc. It was a secure way to raise my education standards and skills in a very competitive professional world. By the age of 30 you had already founded three different businesses, all in different industries. Can you tell me a little bit about each? Ilove start-ups because there is a unique energy to create something from scratch and to see the progress after years of operation. My undergraduate degree is in architecture and that plays an important role in my desire to innovate and think “outside of the box”. At the age of 27 I opened an architecture firm in Florida, designing more than 50 executive projects for new high-end residences and renovation projects; when I was 29 I opened a “trade company” between Mexico and Taiwan in the automobile industry; and at the age of 30 I opened a “boutique gym” in Mexico City, which now has more than 250 members. The trade business soon evolved into an international business, and in less than 2 years we managed to go from a local distribution to a global franchise with more than 10 countries importing the brand to different countries. The MBA at McCombs, through my professors and great education, has helped me drive through the transition. What is your motivation as an entrepreneur? In thepast years I learned so much about myself and about my professional career. The MBA encouraged my natural curiosity and willingness to explore the world and all the many options in life. The corporate world scared me because I’m afraid that I’ll get bored or lose my ideas to a political game.Being an entrepreneur makes me believe that there are no limits for what you want to create today! Looking to start anything new in the near future? Yes! This is the land of opportunities! Even if I just arrived to Austin last year I feel I belong in this place that I now call home. I travel quite a lot around Asia and Europe to explore new lands and new friends, and I feel I can do the same in Austin since there is a lot to explore and to learn. Most importantly, I’m surrounded by amazing friends and a supportive community. All I need right now is time to learn about this amazing town full of start-up opportunities and creative energy. Besides your work, what else have you been up to since youcompleted the program? I have a deep desire to advocate for human rights, equal gender opportunities and animal protection. I’m on the track to create endowments to support education for women entrepreneurs around the globe to learn better solutions to balance personal needs and professional challenges. I recently was invited to join the Chapters Committee of the , which is making a big effort to bring the alumni and the school closer together. Also, I’m taking a leadership roll in the new McCombs Mexican Alumni Association, and I hope to create more networking opportunities for Mexicans, as well as scholarship endowments and credit lines for education. I love to travel, especially to south Asia. I have also picked up a new hobby – rock climbing – and so far Thailand is one of my favorite spots on Earth to climb. I want to keep exploring the world, visiting a different country every year to taste the food and learn about the culture. It is so much fun! My personal goal this coming yearis to get to know Austin as much as possible to prepare myself for a new start-up venture. When I’m not traveling I like to attend all of the MBA networking events and some other events in my affinity groups in this community, and of course the SXSW and ACL music festivals. So far it is going great! About Marketing Specialist, Texas MBA Programs.

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