Today we’d like to introduce you to Gisselle Rodriguez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Gisselle. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It all started when I was nine years old, and I developed an interest in acting. Then, at 11 years old, I uploaded my first YouTube video. Before uploading videos of myself, I created Club Penguin music videos, which are essential to my story because they taught me how to edit. YouTube was not big back in 2010, so my parents did not allow me to upload videos of myself until I convinced them in 2011. I started off writing my own skits, filming on my iPod, editing my own videos and uploading them to my channel: GigiActress (now called: Gisselle Rodriguez). If you can’t tell already, I was trying to get myself out there, because the talent agencies I was applying to in Dallas were not giving me a chance. I figured YouTube was a way to reach my dreams of acting. I’m skipping ahead here, but I am now with Grit Talent in Dallas and The Savage Agency in Los Angeles! I still don’t know how because I’ve never been to L.A., but I have an agent there? Honestly, my Dallas agent, acting coach, and parents are a huge part of how that happened!
Going back to YouTube, I ended up falling in love with creating content and interacting with my subscribers (for a few years, I didn’t even have that many). Eventually, I branched out to creating beauty videos, and to be honest, I was not the best beauty guru, so I wonder why people even watched me! While I enjoy uploading videos to YouTube, school does come first for me, so I did leave my channels for a couple of months at a time and come back in the summer to only leave again once school started. Still to this day, it is like that because of college, but I use other platforms like Instagram and Twitter to keep up with my subscribers. YouTube is still something I love, and I just can’t let go. In the beginning, it was rough. I was not one of those YouTubers who grew overnight. It took me years to get to where I am today, but I always like to tell myself to not give up. I did not get a sponsorship until 2016, and I had not been invited to an “influencer event” until just recently. Maintaining and working on your social media is a lot of hard work. It takes time and dedication. I don’t do it for the free stuff companies offer to send you or the events you can attend. Sure, they are some pretty awesome perks, but the most rewarding part about being an “influencer” is having a positive influence on your followers. For me, just knowing that I made one person smile through my video makes my day. I watch other YouTubers when I’m stressed or having a bad day, so to know other people watch me for the same reasons is amazing!
Great, 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?
As I mentioned before, it definitely has not been a smooth road for me. Like every other YouTuber, I too received hate in the beginning. Obviously, when you put yourself out there, there is always going to be people who have stuff to say. As a 12-year-old, the hate definitely got to me sometimes. Yes, I did cry. Yes, I did contemplate quitting YouTube. It was hard. Since I was self-taught, I was proud of all the videos I uploaded. YouTube wasn’t what it is today. People may think it’s cool that you upload videos now, but back then, people would judge you. I was in 8th grade when one of my friends told me a class played one of my videos and they all laughed at it. Someone I used to consider a friend would tell me my videos were “lame.” However, my parents were always there to tell me to not listen to the haters and encouraged me to continue doing what I love. Now, I don’t let hate get to me. I actually find it funny and just laugh it off! Other struggles along the way were the fact that I did not have the same equipment and a team to help me create videos. I bought my first camera at 13, and I used natural lighting for the longest time. I have always been grateful to have parents who supported me in my dreams and bought me lighting, makeup, and other materials to help me create content. My mom was always there to help me with any filming that I couldn’t do myself. I didn’t grow my subscribers fast. That took a while. I’ve been doing YouTube for eight years, and I’m just at a bit over 18,000 subscribers. However, I measure my success by the impact I have on other people. Like I said before, as long as I can make one person’s day, that makes my day!
In case you forgot, I started my YouTube channel because I wanted to get into acting. If you’re wondering, that also hasn’t been a smooth road. I started submitting to agencies when I was 12 years old, started acting classes at 14 years old and didn’t sign with a talent agent until I was 16 years old. Yes, it also did take years! Even after I finally signed with an agent, it wasn’t until I was 18 years old that I booked my first job. It does get discouraging after a while, but I’ve always had a supportive agent, coach and the best supportive parents anyone could have. That same year, I signed with my L.A. agent, and everyone’s support played a huge factor in that.
The advice that I would give to other women who are just starting their journey is to fully go for it! Do not hold yourself back because you’re afraid of failure. Also, take risks. As Mark Zuckerberg says, “The biggest risk is not taking any risk.” Don’t let yourself get to a point in your life where you wonder: what if I would have tried harder? In case you ever feel discouraged, keep in mind that everything takes time. Everything you want will eventually fall into place at the right time. In Spanish, there is this one quote that says, “El que persevera alcanza.” If you keep hustling, I promise you that you will reach your goals. Remember, DON’T EVER GIVE UP!
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I’m mainly what people would consider a “social media influencer.” VoyageDallas found me through Instagram, but I’m mainly known for my YouTube channel, Gisselle Rodriguez. My most popular video is called, “How to Get Your Crush to Like You Back.” To be honest, I’m not really trying to give anyone advice, I was just trying to be funny! The other videos I’m mostly known for are any of my videos relating to Build-A-Bear. Keep in mind that I’ve had my channel for a long time.
I’m most proud of just making other people laugh through my content. On the business side, I’m proud of where my perseverance has gotten me. I’ve been able to work with cool brands and have awesome opportunities thanks to my social media.
I believe the thing that sets me apart from others is that I do not try to be someone else on social media. What you see on my social media accounts is exactly what you get when you meet me in person! That is also why I don’t private any of the old videos I consider “embarrassing.” They are all a part of who I am today.
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
One of the biggest barriers today to female leadership is literally just being a female. It does not matter what industry you’re in, some people will not take you seriously just because of your gender. I haven’t heard anything, but I’m assuming female influencers get paid less than male influencers for the same type of sponsorship in some occasions. The same barriers that have existed before still exist today.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.youtube.com/GigiActress
- Email: gissellerodriguezbusiness@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gisselle_rdz
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/GigiActress
Image Credit:
Amariz Puerta (@amarizphotos) for the ones with the pink pants and the black dress.
Brianna Maciel (@brianna.e.maciel) + Rachel Smith (@ayestrawberray) for the one at the stadium.
Jessica Servin (@jessfx_photography) for all the other ones.
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