Meet Gina Rodriguez | Founder, CEO & Executive Produce

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gina Rodriguez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gina, how does your business help the community?
Social impact has always been at the center of my work. Whether it’s through Gitoni Inc., Buzzlinq, or the individual lives I’ve touched, my mission has always been to lift people up and give them opportunities they may not have otherwise had.

With Gitoni Inc., I’ve spent years helping talent rebuild their careers, tell meaningful stories, and use their platforms for good. Projects like Odom Recovery Group weren’t just business ventures they opened conversations about addiction, mental health, and healing, and connected countless people with hope and resources when they needed it most.

One of the moments that most represents who I am and why I do what I do happened during the pandemic. I ran a makeover giveaway on my YouTube channel, and the winner was a woman named Melissa Granier a three time cancer survivor who had undergone a double mastectomy and had lost her teeth from treatment. She was struggling emotionally and physically, and she didn’t have the means to rebuild her life.

I flew Melissa to Los Angeles for three months, brought her into my home, and used my connections to assemble an incredible team of doctors and a dentist who generously donated their services pro bono. Together, we helped rebuild not just her appearance, but her confidence and her sense of self. Her journey and the extraordinary work of the medical team were later featured on Inside Edition, inspiring countless people who saw it.

That experience reminded me that social impact isn’t always a program sometimes it’s one person whose life completely changes because someone decided to show up for them.

With Buzzlinq, my newest venture, I’m scaling that philosophy. Buzzlinq makes PR and visibility accessible and affordable something traditionally gatekept. Small businesses, creators, nonprofits, and rising entrepreneurs can now get press, influencer support, content, and credibility without needing a massive budget. And through Buzzlinq Beat, we spotlight stories and voices that deserve to be seen, not just the ones with the biggest followings.

Across everything I do media, talent management, philanthropy, brand building, or personal acts of service my goal is the same, create opportunities, restore hope, and use storytelling to change lives. Because whether you’re helping someone rebuild their career or rebuild their smile, the impact echoes far beyond that moment.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
At my core, I’m a creative builder.

Everything I do from founding Gitoni Inc. to creating Buzzlinq to producing national TV shows comes from the same place: taking real people, real stories, and real businesses, and shaping them into something powerful, visible, and meaningful.

What sets me apart is that I don’t create from theory I create from lived experience. I built my career from scratch as a single mother who had no blueprint, no roadmap, and no one opening doors for me. I had to break down the doors myself. And because of that, I’ve always had a deep understanding of the underdog, the overlooked, and the people who just need someone to believe in them.

Through Gitoni Inc., I built a reputation for developing talent in unconventional ways helping people rebuild their lives, their careers, and their brands from the ground up. I’m proud that my work has led to hit TV franchises, viral campaigns, national press, and the kind of transformations that can’t be faked. My creativity shows up in the way I craft narratives, shape public perception, and turn personal stories into global conversations.

With Buzzlinq, I’m bringing that creativity into the digital world in a way that democratizes PR. I wanted to build a platform where visibility isn’t just for the elite where small businesses, creators, and entrepreneurs can elevate their brands with the same power and strategy traditionally reserved for celebrity clients. It’s PR reimagined, modernized, and made accessible.

Was it easy? Absolutely not. I’ve faced rejection, doubt, and moments where I had to rebuild everything from the ground up. But every challenge taught me something how to pivot, how to reinvent, how to lead, and most importantly, how to trust my instincts even when the world couldn’t see the vision yet.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is this; You don’t wait for the industry to validate you. You build, you innovate, you serve, and eventually the industry has no choice but to pay attention.

What I want the world to know about my story and my brands is simple:
I create with purpose. I build things that help people rise. I turn real stories into platforms. I use media, branding, and creativity not just to entertain, but to transform lives. And as long as there are people who need their voice amplified, I’ll keep creating.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting for a week, I’d want them to experience the real Los Angeles the food, the scenery, the lifestyle, and all the places that make this city feel like home to me.

First stop: Nobu.

I’m a sushi lover, and Nobu is my absolute favorite restaurant. The food is unmatched and the oceanfront setting makes it the perfect place to kick off the trip.

Another must for me is Mr Chow in Beverly Hills. I eat there at least once a week it’s one of my comfort spots. The service, the energy, the food… it’s classic Beverly Hills in the best way.

We’d definitely spend a day at Little Beach House Malibu. I’m a member, and it’s one of the most relaxing, beautiful places in LA. The atmosphere is calm, coastal, and effortlessly chic the perfect reset.

For nature and movement, we’d hike the Santa Monica Mountains. The views are incredible, and it’s my go-to for clearing my mind and staying grounded.

Throughout the week, I’d add in some great shopping moments. Calabasas, which has amazing boutiques and a totally different, more relaxed vibe. Rodeo Drive, because no first timer can leave LA without walking down one of the most iconic luxury shopping streets in the world.

We’d also mix in beach time, a few more great meals, and visits to some of my favorite pockets around the city Malibu, Beverly Hills, the Palisades all the places that show off everything I love about living here.

To me, Los Angeles is a mix of luxury, nature, great food, and beautiful scenery. And that’s exactly the version of LA I’d want my best friend to experience.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout goes to one person: my daughter, Brandilyn Sambrano.

She’s the CEO of BMB Talent, a talent agent, and my partner in Buzzlinq but she’s also the person who has inspired me the most throughout my entire career.

She built a business in an unpredictable industry, she grew up watching the grind, the late nights, and the constant reinvention. Instead of being intimidated by it, she absorbed it. Today, she leads her own agency with strength, integrity, and a fearless work ethic that even veteran executives admire. She raised her son alone while building her business and today is married to an amazing man, Joshua Sambrano, who is graciously serving our country in the Navy.

Working beside her as a partner in Buzzlinq has been one of the most meaningful full circle experiences of my life. She brings a next generation perspective, sharp instincts, and a deep understanding of talent development that elevates everything we build. And personally, she’s the person who keeps me grounded, focused, and reminded of our bigger purpose.

So my shoutout goes to Brandilyn Sambrano, my daughter, my partner, my constant source of motivation, and the future of this industry.

Website: https://www.gitoni.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginarodriguez

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginamarierodriguez

Twitter: https://x.com/MzGinaRodriguez

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MzGinaRodriguez

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/buzzlinq-los-angeles

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@buzzlinq

Other: Buzzlinq https://www.buzzlinq.com