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In New York and the DMV, where the Hispanic population continues to expand, so too does Hispanic women’s entrepreneurship.
That’s why this month and every month, we show our support for Hispanic women-owned businesses. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we are turning the spotlight onto Yenisey Rodriguez-McCloskey, a Cuban-American attorney whose professional journey is a vivid tapestry of resilience, heritage, and transformative legal work.
Yenisey's story begins in 1980 when she was just three years old. She and her family arrived in America as part of the Mariel Boatlift, a mass exodus of Cubans to the U.S. But the move was more than a change of location; it was a seismic shift that would define her future.
Her father, a trained doctor, passed all the foreign exams in record time but was denied his medical license by the Florida Medical Board. He sued the Florida Medical Board—and won. She witnessed firsthand the transformative power of the law when he fought a legal battle and won the case. This early exposure to justice would become the cornerstone of her life's work, illustrating the resilience often demanded of immigrants.
"This was the first time I saw what the work of a lawyer could do. This legal victory changed my life. My family quickly went from renting an apartment in Little Havana to moving into a middle-class neighborhood."
After gaining two decades of legal experience, Yenisey took a bold step and founded Rodriguez-McCloskey PLLC, a law practice built on the principles of teamwork, entrepreneurship, and humane treatment of both clients and team members. Today, the practice is thriving and continues to prioritize these values in all aspects of their work.
"From a personal standpoint, starting my own law practice eight years ago where I could foster teamwork and entrepreneurship in an environment where we treat people with humanity and respect... clients large and small really respond to our firm because we do not sacrifice client needs for profit."
Her commitment to ethical practice is exemplified through her work. Despite the circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Yenisey secured a one million dollar verdict for a construction client who had been unjustly terminated.
"The termination happened during COVID and if left unchallenged could have had the effect of destroying my client's business and reputation in the construction community. We fought hard and won over a million-dollar verdict amidst a chaotic and challenging backdrop."
This significant win underlines her tenacity, a quality often found in Hispanic communities, and showcases how crises can sometimes reveal the heroes among us. As the month-long celebration of Hispanic Heritage continues, Yenisey is a testament to the Hispanic women-owned businesses in our network and beyond.
She embodies the values of hard work and determination that are deeply ingrained in Hispanic culture.
"Know your worth and the value you bring. Then, understand the challenges unique to you. You are enough, and the value you bring is enough. Charge forward!"
To connect with other inspiring Latina entrepreneurs like Yenisey, explore our newly launched #WomenOwned Business Directory. Here, you'll discover a broad spectrum of certified women-owned businesses in our network, an invaluable resource for those committed to supporting diverse entrepreneurship.