Born and raised on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Heather I. Rodriguez was destined for fashion. Her grandmother, a Puerto Rican seamstress who crafted every garment her parents wore, instilled an early appreciation for fabric, craftsmanship, and the transformative power of style. Her mother, meanwhile, showed her the New York hustle firsthand, working at an advertising agency near Bryant Park and often bringing her along, where she absorbed the energy of the office and the rhythm of city business life. Trips together to the boutiques of the Village sparked a love of discovery, including the first pair of leather boots that would anchor a lifelong fascination with style. Together, those experiences made fashion not just an interest, but an inheritance and a calling.

Over the past decade, Rodriguez has built a career at the intersection of fashion, culture, and commerce. She led global licensing and partnerships for Live Nation and Iconix Brand Group, shaping collaborations for heritage labels like Umbro and Pony. In the agency world, she connected fashion houses with leading digital voices, and at Spin Master, managed high-profile entertainment approvals. Her time at Dylan’s Candy Bar brought creative partnerships to life, from intimate collaborations with Hanky Panky to a Mean Girls capsule with Paramount , all while working closely with retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Saks.

Armed with a Master’s degree in Strategic Marketing from Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business, she brings both creative vision and commercial savvy to everything she touches.

Her latest venture, SeekChic, blends heritage with expertise. Inspired by years of navigating last-minute events in New York City, she created a platform that allows consumers to discover what’s in stock locally and access it instantly, making last-minute fashion as seamless as ordering dinner. For Rodriguez, it’s more than convenience; it’s about elevating everyday style, empowering boutiques, and carrying forward the legacy of her grandmother’s needle and thread and her mother’s lessons in creativity and drive.