Today we’d like to introduce you to Elle Rodriguez.
Elle Rodriguez
Hi Elle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My dream had always been E! News working in entertainment as a reporter or producer. I always knew that I’d be in media but I never dreamed of working in Public Relations. It kind of all fell into my lap. My first “big girl” job out of college had nothing to do with journalism. I moved to Columbus, Ohio in 2018 working as a freight broker downtown. But God has His way of putting the pieces together.
Through a friend I had made at that job, another door opened. She was into modeling and was invited to strut her stuff at New York’s Queer Fashion Week, rocking a custom suit from an Australian designer. I couldn’t resist sharing her story, crafting a press release that went viral. Reposts from the designer, Fashion Week NY, and even J. Cole’s producer? I knew something special was brewing.
This friend also happened to work with a small music management company, USIC Brands. Their CEO, Von, called me with a wild idea: join him in transforming his 500-square-foot storage unit into a thriving 3,200-square-foot hub for indie artists – that part was an accident. We’d help them find their voices, build their brands, and get their music heard. It was exhilarating, messy, and deeply fulfilling.
We started small, hustling publicity for independent artists like Tripp Fontane, who rocked his radio interview thanks to a little nudge. It wasn’t long before the storage unit morphed into a thriving creative hub, buzzing with studios, stages, and artists finding their voices. I mentored interns who landed dream jobs in big cities, clients secured major label deals, and the impact, from addiction prevention to empowering minorities, went far beyond music.
Today, with artists like YelloPain and Torrian Ball by my side, I still hold dear the words “Create. Encourage. Lead. Love. Inspire.” Every beat, every story, every life touched – that’s my purpose, and it all started with a leap of faith in a dusty old storage unit.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Easy? Absolutely NOT! Pursuing your biggest dream has got to be the craziest, hardest, scariest and most fulfilling journey of all. When I started this PR thing in Columbus, I was in over my head. Journalism was all that I knew, so I was flying blind. Not many people in Ohio do PR for independent artists and creators, and building those connections felt/feels like climbing Mount Everest in stilettos. I commuted 3 hours from Defiance, Ohio each weekend for a while, living on fumes with a terrible credit score. I’ve experienced being homeless, carless, and hungry.
Just when things started to settle, USIC Brands got hit. Closing the doors crushed us all. Leaving the team, bouncing ideas, and creating together – gone. I was solo, all over again, figuring out my own path, my own values, and going back to work.
You want to know the secret to overcoming those challenges? Fall in love with the process. Every struggle, every doubt, every breakthrough – it all became fuel.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about PRESSD?
We’re a magazine spotlighting hidden gems, and a PR agency amplifying the rise of visionary artists and fearless entrepreneurs. We craft narratives that drive lasting impact and expand your influence. I am a Publicist and a Brand Manager. I brainstorm and strategize new campaigns and rollouts with my clients, I genuinely support them, and I get their story out there! We do interviews, photoshoots, write ups and press releases, build campaigns, launch parties and events, and so much more.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
After years of failing and trying again, this is what I’ve learned so far. Hustle, follow up, and believe in your worth. Embrace the creative freedom of others and learn from your failures. Plan, invest, and build a rockstar team that inspires and challenges you. Be humble and hungry for knowledge, knowing it’s okay to say no and let go. Success is a marathon, not a sprint, so savor the journey, adapt, and trust the process. Remember, even grandma knows a little stumble can lead to a giant leap forward!
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Nick Banton
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