Today we’d like to introduce you to Becky Rodriguez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I first began my business when the need arose with my son. My husband and I attended many college presentations but none of them seemed to offer what our son needed to prepare him for college. So, my husband tasked me with researching all aspects of what we would need to help our son. After I completed my research, my son invited two of his friends to listen in as well, and then the next time we met we had 6 students around my dining room table. As time went on, I learned new things, found different ways of doing the process and for the next 8 years I had a new hobby. I provided my services voluntarily, never asking for payment merely doing it for the pure joy it brought me seeing Latinos go to college. After some time, I realized that this was more than a hobby – it was my calling, what I was destined to do in this world. I didn’t need the money I just needed to receive the calls from my students getting into the best universities in the U.S. (Harvard, Stanford, Northwestern, Rice, Duke, Grinnell, Georgetown, and of course UT and A&M etc.) .When my daughter was starting her college career I decided to turn this hobby into a business. To improve upon my now 20+ years of experience, I am always researching and trying to find new ways to get more out of our students. I have added summer programs, SAT, ACT, PSAT Prep classes, and leadership programs (for them to feel and know what it takes to be a leader) to make my students that much more attractive to colleges and to ultimately discover their passion. Additionally. I monitor their report cards, what classes they are taking, always ensuring they remain in the most challenging courses – pre-AP and AP. Further, I make sure they have at least 250 hours of community service before they graduate high school because giving back is how we remember to push forward. And when my students get bombarded with all the work and want to give up- I then become their mentor. As their mentor, we have long talks make a plan A and Plan B. In my heart, I cannot let them fail. To be honest, when I started this I wanted to do it just for LATINO/A’s for I felt they were the ones least likely to go a university even though many of them were in the top of their class and could go anywhere they didn’t. However, my group of students is very diverse and I love this diversity because we get to share our different cultures with one another, because when they go to college it will be that way.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I wish I could say YES but sometimes making young people see the light of their future is the hardest thing…or trying to convince parents on how smart of a child they have…and then dealing with the football students, band students, drill team students, etc. who feel these activities are more important than their scholastic efforts, challenges me. To limit the amount of challenges I face, I am now getting my alumni to come and talk to these students – so that they can learn from their mistakes and see the value of college.
College Help 4 You – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Company: The college application process is frustrating, challenging and at times overwhelming for the student and their parent(s), so we aim to resolve this frustration and we do this through our various services. Ultimately our goal is to ensure these students reach their intellectual and human potential so they can get accepted into college and succeed once there.
Business: We are a small family owned business, with 2 full time employees, 3 part time employees, 2 consultants and a great deal of volunteers who are our backbone. Due to our size we keep the number of students we assist small to ensure they receive the dedicated attention they and their parents need. Most of our clients come to us through word of mouth referrals or through local community events.
What do you do, what do you specialize in:
We help young men and women with the college application process – from assisting with the completion of their college applications, reviewing their essays for college and scholarships, researching schools that are the best fit for them, ensuring they are giving back to the community through various community service opportunities that we find for them if they need the help, to our SAT/PSAT training. We aim to be their one-stop shop for all things related to making them more attractive to colleges when they apply.
What are you known for, etc.:
- Our determination
- Success record
- A no-nonsense approach
- Tough love
- Unparalleled dedication to our students and their families
What are you most proud of as a company?
- Helping students see that college is possible and it is not out of their reach
- Seeing 99% of our students graduate with a college degree in 4 years
- Many of our students receiving full rides to college
- Making our students believe in themselves and that anything is possible – college is merely the first step in an amazing journey for them
- That our Company is seen as part of their family for we always make them feel like they are part of our family and that we care
What sets you apart from others?
We make sure our students know they are part of our family, that we want them to succeed and that we go beyond the call of a normal business. We cry when they get accepted and when they don’t get accepted. For many of our students, coming to our business, they get to see other students like themselves – first generation, lack of role models, top in their class – and for the first time they know they are not alone.
What were you like growing up? Personality wise, interest wise, etc.
Growing up I was what you would call a “Wall Flower” I was a very quiet person, I didn’t have many friends just stayed to myself. My biggest interest was working with computers – I loved them.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
This is hard question for me. I personally feel if you try for anything whether you succeed or not …you already are ahead. If you don’t try you will always wonder what if??
Contact Info:
- Address: 14900 FM 529 RD
Suite 101
Houston, Texas 77095 - Website: www.collegehelp4you.com
- Phone: 2819123939
- Email: contact@collegehelp4you.com
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
