We recently had the chance to connect with Sophia Rodriquez and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Sophia, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me right now is waking up early for a run, taking my grandfather to dialysis, heading to work at my grandfathers metal manufacturing company (Haig Precision Mfg. Corp.), going to my grandparents house to cook them dinner & spend time with them, then head home to repeat. I am really lucky to be in a position where I can help take care of my grandparents and also help my grandfathers company.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi readers, I am Sophia Rodriquez. You may know me from my poetry, or maybe you’ve heard my name thrown around as a case manager, or a therapist, perhaps you’ve met me at church or at a community event, and now – maybe you have met me while working at Haig Precision Manufacturing Company. There are plenty of places and industries in which our paths could have or will eventually cross.
These jobs however are not necessarily who I am, so I’d like to reintroduce myself. I am Sophia Rodriquez: daughter of Tiffany Sarkisian & Mark Rodriquez; granddaughter of Dan & Dawn Sarkisian, and Alfredo & Inez Rodriquez; Sister of Derrick, Taylor, Mia, and Sam… I could go on but the point im trying to make is, everything I am revolves around my family. Every choice I’ve made over the years, every goal I’ve had, has come from the realization that I am who I am because of my family and because of God – who has placed me in this family.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I was blessed from a young age to have such a close connection with my grandfather Daniel Sarkisian. He is my best friend, my number one cheerleader, the first person to see me before I could see myself.
Like many young girls, I struggled to see myself: my power, my grace, my beauty, my abilities. My grandfather on the other hand, NEVER doubted me. He was always someone who would make me feel seen, cared for, and respected. It’s a blessing now that as an adult I get to enter the world of metal manufacturing and bond with my grandfather in an industry he has been so close to from birth. As Haig Precision was started by his father, Haig Sarkisian.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of, “not being good enough” or “not being the person who should do it”. There are two times in my life that have greatly defined me, and they stem from this fear. The first time was when I was a case manager, I was surrounded by a group of therapist that were stuck on a case, ready to give up, or ready to run away. I sat there feeling defeated, asking myself, “who is going to solve this problem?”. I realized in that moment that the answer was, “me”. of course then the doubt came. “you’re not good enough”, “you wont be able to do it”, “what if you fail”. I decided to start anyways – because If I didn’t then who would?
The second time I was in Armenia, volunteering with organizations that were amazing but unorganized. I showed up needing someone to tell me what to do – “who is going to solve this problem?” “whos going to direct me to solve this problem” – the answer – “me” , again. I quickly decided not to listen to the “you’re not good enough” or “what if you fail” , because WHO is going to do it if not me.
Everyday we are faced with the question, “who will solve this problem” – I still decide daily which problems need to be solved by me and which ones need to be solved by others. More times than not, the answer is me. If the answer to solving a problem is simply not you (because at times it is someone else problem to solve) I urge you to get curious, am I just not solving this problem because its for someone else or because I am scared about what will happen if I do solve it. If you let fear keep you from solving a problem, then who will solve it?
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire my grandfather Dan Sarkisian greatly. Over the years I have watched him run Haig Precision with such class, mercy, integrity, love and transparency that it has truly defined him not only as a business owner but as a human. My Grandfather is not just the type of CEO that donates materials and labor to help build up churches and communities but also the type of CEO to withhold taking a paycheck before he has layoffs. He’s the type of CEO to exhaust every option before firing an employee, he gives loans out to employees, pays of debts when he can, sets up employees with learning opportunities. I am beyond proud of him for his character. It is an inspiration to me. in times I am not sure I would have been as giving or compassionate, my grandfather exceeds all reasonable expectations.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I had ten years left to live I would stop caring completely about what others thought and only care about what I thought. Often times we let outside voices dictate how we manage our lives, never to realize that we’re the people who have to run our lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://haigprecision.com/contact-us/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sr_poetry_/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/haig-precision-mfg.-corp./?originalSubdomain=ec
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/haig_precision_mfg_corp/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
