Meet Jade Rodriguez

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jade Rodriguez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jade, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

I’d say I get my work ethic from my mom. Growing up, I saw how hard she worked to provide and how she never made excuses. That really stuck with me and taught me to push through challenges and take pride in what I do.

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

I’d describe myself as a prolific artist and creative who tells stories through abstract art, photography, and emotion. Everything I make comes from real feelings and experiences. I started out doing photography and marketing, but it grew into something bigger — using art as a way to heal, connect, and motivate people.

What I love most is seeing how my work impacts others. Sometimes it’s a photo, sometimes it’s a painting, or even just a message that gets people thinking differently. My brand, Montega The Collective, is all about that energy — creating space for artists and entrepreneurs to grow together. I’m working toward opening a physical space where people can rent suites, host events, and build community through art and creativity.

At the end of the day, everything I do represents authenticity, growth, and purpose. I just want people to feel something real when they come across my work.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I think the three biggest things that shaped me were resilience, creativity, and emotional awareness. Losing my mom changed me a lot. It taught me strength in a different way. I had to learn how to keep going even when things didn’t make sense, and that’s where my resilience comes from. That same experience also deepened my creativity because art became how I processed what I was feeling.

Emotional awareness has been just as important. It helps me connect with people through my art and see the bigger picture in life.

For anyone starting their journey, I’d say this.. don’t run from your emotions or hard moments. Use them. That’s where the real growth and inspiration come from. Stay consistent with your craft, keep experimenting, and trust that everything you go through is shaping the story you’re meant to tell.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I feel overwhelmed, I take a step back and just breathe. Sometimes it means taking a break from everything, even if it’s just 10 or 15 minutes, to clear my head. I also write things down, whether it’s a to-do list or just my thoughts and feelings. That helps me see what’s really urgent and what I can tackle later.

Another thing I do is lean into my art. Painting, photography, or even just sketching helps me process what I’m feeling instead of letting it build up. And I try to remind myself that it’s okay to ask for help — talking to someone I trust can make a big difference.

My advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed is to give yourself space, don’t beat yourself up, and find a way to channel that energy into something that centers you. It’s not about avoiding the stress, it’s about managing it in a way that keeps you grounded.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://montegathecollective.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/montegajade
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jade-rodriguez-7a7656bb/

Image Credits

DRIP N JAM Events, Keith Reed & Trey Way
Curtis Hopkins, Realtor