We recently connected with Dailisha Eve Rodriguez and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dailisha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

My grandmother and I were super close. She was the person that raised me as I was growing up. She taught me how to be the woman I am today. Her guidance was able to shape and mold me. When she passed away in 2014, I saw my life flash before my eyes. As her casket was being lowering, I knew that I wanted to leave a legacy in her name. I founded the organization with 7 incredible women out of my one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. The first few years I did not have a clue as to what I was doing. I felt super lost, and I did not want any guidance because I had a big ego. After a few years, I was able to see that I had to work on myself more to really be the change I see in the world. What we do at Hey There Beautiful is support women and girl to live their dreams unapologetically. We offer powerful workshops, retreats, conferences, and summits that build confidence, trust, self-esteem to support leadership skills. We offer a range of workshops starting at grade 3 all the way to high school students. We also offer workshops to educators, mothers, fathers, guardians, and the community to raise personal awareness while cultivating community. Our unique approach is that no workshops are alike. We offer dynamic facilitators who take participants on a journey of healing, growth and self-love. What excites me about the work we do is that each day is different, I meet new people every single day and I know that my impact is different than anyone else on the market.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Dailisha Eve Rodriguez, and I am a proud Latina entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and nonprofit leader dedicated to creating transformative spaces where women, youth, and underserved communities can thrive. My journey into this industry has been deeply personal and driven by my life experiences. As someone who has overcome immense challenges—losing my parents at a young age, navigating life as a plus-size woman, and defying societal expectations—I realized early on the importance of resilience, self-belief, and community support. These values have shaped my career and life’s work.

I am the Executive Director of the Hey There Beautiful Foundation, an organization focused on empowering women and youth through social-emotional learning, leadership development, and community-building programs. From facilitating girl circles and parent workshops across New York City to organizing transformative retreats and empowerment events, my work aims to uplift and inspire individuals to dream boldly and live authentically. My services include keynote speaking, executive coaching, curriculum development, and community program consultancy, all designed to foster confidence, self-determination, and leadership.

What sets me apart is my ability to merge personal authenticity with professional expertise. Having been featured on platforms like Good Morning America, Telemundo, and TEDx, I use my platform to amplify underrepresented voices, provide actionable tools for success, and create a safe space for self-exploration and growth. I also bring a unique skill set as a facilitator and coach, blending storytelling, actionable strategies, and culturally relevant approaches to meet the diverse needs of my audience. Whether it’s working with at-risk youth, corporate leaders, or nonprofit teams, I specialize in turning visions into tangible results.

I am most proud of the tangible impact I’ve made in communities, such as increasing school attendance, reducing violence, and fostering stronger bonds within families and teams. Highlights of my work include coaching the leadership team of Restore Forward in the stewardship of 300 acres of land for social and food justice, and facilitating empowerment programs that have reached over 100,000 individuals. My ultimate goal is to inspire others to embrace their unique strengths, take control of their narratives, and achieve their aspirations with confidence.

To potential clients, followers, and collaborators, I want you to know that my work is more than a profession—it’s a calling. Whether I’m delivering a powerful keynote, guiding leaders through transformative coaching sessions, or designing programs that change lives, I am deeply committed to fostering empowerment, equity, and excellence.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

After years of no communication, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and given only four weeks to live. When he named me as his healthcare proxy, I was floored. I never imagined I would be entrusted with such an immense responsibility, especially at a time when I felt unprepared to take on something so significant.

At the time, I was juggling two full-time jobs and working tirelessly to establish my nonprofit organization. My plate was already overflowing, yet I knew I couldn’t let him down. The days that followed were some of the hardest of my life. I found myself driving two hours each way to take him to his medical appointments, ensuring he had proper meals, and shouldering the financial burden by maxing out my credit cards just to make sure we were all okay.

Despite the challenges, I held my head high. There were countless moments of exhaustion, worry, and doubt, but there was also a profound sense of purpose. Caring for my father in his final days allowed me to show him love and commitment in ways I never thought possible, especially given our estranged past.

Today, I’m proud to say that I came through that period stronger. I’ve continued to build the nonprofit organization I dreamed of, fueled by the lessons and resilience I discovered during that time. The experience taught me that even in the face of immense adversity, we can rise to the occasion with strength we didn’t know we had.

While it was undeniably a tough chapter in my life, I’m grateful for the support of my community and the growth it inspired. I’m still here, standing strong and doing the work I love, carrying forward a legacy that means the world to me.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The lesson I had to unlearn was how to ask for help. Growing up as the oldest child, I became highly independent. I was taught not to rely on others, to keep things to myself, and to figure things out on my own. Strength and self-reliance were instilled in me from a young age.

However, as my business grew, I realized that this mindset was holding me back. I had to learn to lean on others, seek out people who were smarter than me, and be vulnerable about what I was experiencing. It wasn’t easy to shift from the belief that I had to shoulder everything alone, but it was necessary.

During some of the hardest times, I came to understand that I couldn’t lead an organization effectively while operating from a place shaped by past traumas. I sought therapy and gained the support I needed to lead my organization in a positive, collaborative way—a way that prioritized growth, teamwork, and resilience over outdated notions of success.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.heytherebeautiful.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailisha/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dailisha.e.rodriguez/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/dailisha-eve-rodriguez-6a748b10a
• Youtube: https://www.ted.com/talks/dailisha_rodriguez_does_the_box_exist
• Other: https://linktr.ee/Dailisha https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/video/gma-throws-surprise-quinceaera-deserving-group-girls-103917331

Image Credits
Dailisha Eve Rodriguez