We recently connected with Rudy Allison Rodriguez and have shared our conversation below.

Rudy Allison, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s go back in time a bit – can you share a story of a time when you learned an important lesson during your education?

One of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned happened during college. My professor handed me a signed copy of his book at the end of the semester. Inside, he’d written: “Rudy, keep writing. You’re good at it.”

That simple sentence hit me harder than any lecture ever did. I was just figuring things out and mostly hoping no one would notice I was winging it. But in that moment, someone saw something in me that I hadn’t yet seen in myself.

The lesson that stuck with me is this: sometimes, even when you don’t believe in yourself, there are people out there quietly rooting for you. Their encouragement can make all the difference. That one small note reminded me that I had something worth sharing—and it’s a big part of why I’m so passionate about hyping other women up today.

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?

I’m Rudy Allison Rodriguez, and am the content creator behind RudywiththeBeauty, where I share my passion for all things San Antonio. I’ve made it my mission to help other San Antonio girls fall in love with it too. What started as a personal journey of discovery has grown into a platform where I share content designed to make women feel excited about living here. From hidden gems on the River Walk to must-visit small businesses, the best beauty spots, and even community meet-ups, my goal is to celebrate the incredible lifestyle this city offers.

What sets me apart is my focus on empowering women. I’m a bit of a hot mess, but as San Antonio’s self-proclaimed #1 girl’s girl—unofficial title, very official vibe—and I’m here to empower the women of this city to connect, thrive, and live their best lives. Whether I’m sharing a guide to the best girls’ night out spots or posting opportunities for local meet-ups, I aim to help women not only explore the city but also build their friend group and feel a deeper sense of belonging.

If you’re looking for a place to feel connected, inspired, laugh at life’s imperfections, and maybe figure out your next brunch spot, Rudywiththebeauty is for you. Let’s fall in love with San Antonio together!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The biggest lesson I had to unlearn is that perfection isn’t everything. For the longest time, I thought that if it wasn’t flawless, it wasn’t worth sharing. But there’s this quote by Ira Glass that completely changed how I approach my work. He talks about how when you start out as a creative, you have good taste, and that’s what pulls you into the game. But in the beginning, your work doesn’t live up to your taste, and that gap can be brutal. The only way to close it is to keep creating—a lot—until one day, your work starts to match your ambition.

That hit me like a ton of bricks because it gave me permission to just be a learner. To create without overthinking. To share things that are trying to be great, even if they’re not quite there yet. And honestly? That’s where the magic happens.

Once I unlearned perfectionism, I realized that what people really connect with is authenticity. It’s not about perfect captions or perfectly edited photos—it’s about the heart behind it. Now, I embrace the messy, awkward, and “still figuring it out” stages, because that’s where growth happens.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building my audience on social media wasn’t some perfectly executed strategy—it was about showing up, staying consistent, and connecting with my community. I got involved with local networking groups like Tejanas in Media, Tally Media, Full of Grace Marketing, and Bloom and Brew Social. These events weren’t just about exchanging business cards—they were about finding people who get it. People who were as excited about building something meaningful as I was. I also made it a point to stay active in my community. I showed up at the places and events I was genuinely passionate about.

My advice for anyone just starting out? Just start. You don’t need the perfect camera or a perfectly curated aesthetic. What you do need is to find your people—the ones who will cheer you on, share your posts, and show up for you. They’re out there, but you have to put yourself out there too.

Contact Info:

• Website: Rudywiththebeauty@gmail.com
• Instagram: Rudywiththebeauty

Image Credits

Tejanas in Media