Meet Takeda Rodriguez

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

Takeda, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?

For many years, I was constantly pouring into everyone and everything around me — as a mother, a wife, an educator, a friend. I wore many hats, gave my time and energy freely, and rarely stopped to check in with myself. Eventually, I realized something was off. I was drained. I was showing up for everyone else, but not for me. I was neglecting not just what I wanted to do, but how I wanted to live.

That’s when everything changed.

I made a conscious decision to practice self-care — not as a luxury, but as a necessity. I started meditating, learned the power of saying no without guilt, and even began taking myself out on solo dates. These weren’t grand gestures, but they were intentional acts of self-love that helped me reconnect with myself.

The biggest lesson? I can’t give from an empty cup. I had to stop waiting until I was completely depleted to finally give myself permission to rest, recharge, and receive. Once I began taking care of myself first, I noticed a major shift. I became more present, more effective, and more grounded in all areas of my life. Self-care didn’t just restore my energy — it restored my identity.

Now, my overflow is intentional. It’s not a sacrifice — it’s a gift. But only after I’ve poured into me first.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m the founder of Crossing Borders ATL and a licensed immigration assistance provider, specializing in the preparation of immigration forms. I support individuals and families by helping them complete documents accurately and by providing general legal information related to the process. While I am not an attorney and cannot give legal advice, I strive to make sure my clients feel informed, empowered, and confident as they move forward.

What makes this work so special is the human connection. Every case I assist with represents someone’s hopes, fears, and dreams — and it’s an honor to be a small part of such meaningful journeys. Whether it’s preparing forms for a work permit, a family-based petition, or renewal documents, I approach each client with care, respect, and professionalism.

Crossing Borders ATL is currently expanding our online presence with educational content like FAQs, bilingual reels, and helpful resources to make immigration information more accessible to our community. We believe that when people have the right information, they can make the best decisions for themselves and their families — and that’s the heart of our mission.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, empathy, and clarity.

Resilience has kept me moving forward — even when things felt uncertain, overwhelming, or heavy. Whether it was balancing personal responsibilities with professional goals or navigating the legal world of immigration support, resilience helped me keep showing up.

Empathy is at the heart of everything I do. Working with people who are often stressed, scared, or confused requires more than just technical knowledge — it requires compassion. I’ve learned that listening deeply and honoring people’s stories makes all the difference in how they experience this process.

And clarity — both in communication and intention — has helped me grow professionally and personally. When you’re clear about your purpose, your boundaries, and your role (especially as a non-attorney in this field), you earn trust and avoid burnout.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice is this:

Don’t rush the process. Growth takes time — give yourself grace.
Keep learning. Whether it’s training, reading, or listening to your clients, never stop building your knowledge.
And most importantly, take care of yourself. You can’t serve your community well if you’re constantly running on empty.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

One book that has played a truly important role in my personal and professional development is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This story about following your dreams and listening to your heart deeply resonated with me, especially during times when my path felt uncertain or overwhelming.

A few of the most valuable lessons I took from the book are:

The importance of pursuing your Personal Legend, your true purpose, even when the journey is difficult or unclear.
Trusting the process and the signs life gives you along the way, which helped me learn patience and faith in my own path.
Understanding that the real treasure often lies within the journey itself, not just the destination.

The Alchemist reminded me that growth is a lifelong adventure, and that courage to follow your dreams can transform everything, both personally and professionally.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://crossingbordersatl.as.me
• Instagram: Crossing Borders ATL