TheBridge profile: Steven Rodriguez
Name: Steven Rodriguez
Current city: Washington, DC
Current job: Startup Programs Regional Manager, US and Canada, Techstars
Past job: Director of Community, 1863 Ventures
Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? Colada Shop
Q. Describe how a skill you learned in a previous job helped you in your current job. I learned how to triage tasks effectively by prioritizing. A decent worker tries to do the work they are given in order, but exceptional professionals learn how to prioritize the fires that get thrown at them to get the work done and meet deadlines.
Q. Job advice in three words? Make Life Easy
Q. How are you (or your company, org, nonprofit) currently bridging the gap between innovation and regulation? We are constantly inspiring tech-enabled and innovation led business ideas, analyzing the challenges that entrepreneurs face with a focus on the New Majority (traditionally underrepresented groups) and working to make sure their voices are heard.
Q. What can innovators learn from policymakers? Laws and regulations are usually there for a reason, and cannot be changed by simply getting mad and shouting. It requires a coalition of enough interested people to make change happen. In order to make informed decisions, policy makers need your voice at the seat of the table. Try to find a way to make your voice heard, preferably from the start and/or with enough people to communicate authoritatively.
Q. What can policymakers learn from innovators? The key economic drivers are entrepreneurs and businesses that create jobs for people. We should keep a pulse on their needs and challenges to better serve them, and that’s only possible by having their voice at the policy table from the start.
Q. Favorite book/podcast/long-form article you recommend? Art of the Start 2.0 by Guy Kawasaki
Q. Living person you admire? A living person I admire is Melissa L. Bradley, serial entrepreneur and investor. She’s been a critical component for me learning how to be more data-driven and be more inclusive and thoughtful of the New Majority (traditionally underrepresented groups) in my ESHIP (entrepreneurship) ecosystem building efforts.
Q. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself in the beginning of your career? I would say don’t worry if and how you reach success, things will change and there is no correct path, just adapt and keep striving forward through the good, the bad, the ugly, and the wonderful.
Q. Most underrated virtue in an employee? Most underrated virtue in an employee is follow-through paired with speedy turn-around.
Q. How often do you work from home? I work from home (wherever I am really) all the time. Even now in 2019 while I am geoflexible, I am working remote since mid 2018.
Q. If you had to live in another city, which would it be? If I had to live in a different city, it would be a third tier startup city that needs support to accelerate their nascent ESHIP ecosystem.
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