Luisana (Luisa) Rodriguez is multifaceted, endlessly curious, and bilingual, and though some might call her shy and quiet, her work and her life tell a very different story. Her journey from her home country to Burlington is remarkable, and we’re grateful it took her from Champlain College and ultimately led her here.
Born on the plains of Venezuela, she left home at 17 to study Psychology in a new city, navigating big transitions, migration, and loss along the way. These experiences shaped her resilience, openness, and deep empathy. Outside of work, Luisa is exploring Burlington’s hidden gems (her latest favorite: Everest Restaurant), reading, and resetting. Big shoutout to Luisa for brilliantly reminding us that learning remains our greatest tool– we’re lucky to have you here!
Q: What do you do?
A: I’m a Bilingual Review Response Specialist at Widewail, right here at Hula. I help businesses build trust with their customers by responding to online reviews in English, Spanish, and sometimes Portuguese too. My background is in psychology, but over time I’ve also moved into communications and consulting, and I’m currently finishing a marketing certificate at Champlain College. I love learning! Whether it’s about communications, communities, or futures studies, being part of Hula feels like a good fit.
Q: Do you own your own business? If so, what is it?
A: Not quite a traditional business per se, but I co-founded Hermanas VT, an affinity group for Latina women in Vermont. It began as a way to connect, share resources, and create a sense of belonging in a place where we’re often underrepresented. A year later, we’ve grown to over 100 members, and it’s become a meaningful part of my Vermont story.
Q: What’s a piece of advice you give to other people?
A: Some of the best opportunities I’ve had came from raising my hand before I felt completely ready. Early on, I often waited until I thought I had all the answers, but I realized that there are times when you just have to jump in and figure things out as you go. My advice is: don’t wait to feel 100% prepared before you step up or speak up! That shift helped me trust my instincts and find my voice, especially as someone who’s both an immigrant and a young professional.
Q: What’s something a mentor or important person has shared that made an impact on your business or career?
A: One of my grandparents, Lao, once told me, “The years will pass anyway, so it’s up to you whether you use that time to build something.” That really shaped how I think about consistency and lifelong learning. We live in a time when everything feels like it has to happen fast, but I’ve learned that real growth often takes time to flourish, and that’s okay.
Q: What role does community play in your career or business?
A: Community is at the heart of everything I do. Vermont may be small, but that makes connections here feel personal and exciting. Hula has been a space where I can learn from and collaborate with people across industries. I co-founded Hermanas VT, an affinity group for Latinas in Vermont, and that experience has shown me how powerful it is when people create spaces to support each other, share knowledge, and make room for new voices to grow together.
Q: What was a pivotal moment while you were building your business or during your career that made you realize you were on the right track? Are there signs people should look out for?
A: I think the moment I knew I was on the right track was when opportunities started coming to me instead of me always having to chase them. It was a sign that the work I had been doing was resonating, and I am so grateful for the professional ecosystem here in Vermont. Some people truly made space for me, who literally saved a seat at the table, and that made all the difference. As for the signs, I would say it is when your career starts to feel like something you are investing in and excited about, a place full of possibilities, instead of feeling like a cage you have to sit in.
Q: How do you handle setbacks or failures without losing motivation?
A: Right now, I think the key is knowing yourself and what you stand for. That makes it easier to handle setbacks without taking them too personally or letting them stop you. We all have rough patches, but I try to focus on what I can control.
Q: What’s a personal habit or mindset shift that significantly improved your business or work life?
A: One thing that’s really helped me is learning to protect my free time and explore new interests instead of putting all my energy into work (I keep trying to remind myself that everything is not THAT serious!) Finding that balance keeps my mind focused and makes me more motivated when I return.
Q: Is there a transformative book, speech, or presentation that you’d recommend to other aspiring business professionals?
A: This week, a clip of a recent Harvard graduate popped up on my feed and really stuck with me. It was Yurong “Luanna” Jiang’s “Our Humanity” speech, where she talks about imagining a shared future despite our differences. While it’s not strictly a business speech, I found it really inspiring as a reminder that any business or organization should strive to be multicultural, accessible, and equitable. It reminded me that the way we build and lead a business reflects the kind of future we want to create.
Q: Anything else you'd like to add?
A: I’m really grateful to be part of this community and to have opportunities to learn from others while sharing what I’ve learned along the way. Vermont has given me so much, including a sense of belonging, inspiring people, and spaces like Hula or Hermanas VT that make collaboration and growth feel natural. I hope to keep building, connecting, and contributing, and I’m excited to see what comes next!
