Born and raised in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, Maria Fernanda Rodriguez has always embodied courage, resilience, and vision. At just 18 years old, she packed up her life and moved to San Antonio, Texas, alongside her parents—never imagining how deeply the city would shape her future.
In 2016, Maria Fernanda graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture. She went on to build a successful career in architecture and engineering, gaining valuable experience and a strong professional foundation.
In 2018, she married her husband, a seasoned restaurateur with over 15 years of industry experience. Together, they built a life of stability and promise—until unforeseen challenges tested everything they had built.
After nearly five years of marriage, her husband lost his business due to a broken partnership. At the time, Maria Fernanda was caring for their eight-month-old baby and pregnant with their second child. The family suddenly found themselves struggling to pay bills, the mortgage, and basic expenses. As her husband faced emotional and professional turmoil, Maria Fernanda knew she had to find a way forward.
That turning point came when her father stepped in, offering her part of her inheritance early—and encouraging her to take a leap of faith. With a one-year-old and a newborn in her arms, Maria Fernanda signed the lease for her first restaurant, La Siberia de Monterrey Mexican Bar & Grill, located in McCreless Market. Against all odds, the restaurant opened its doors on December 26, 2023.
Just six months later, her drive and determination led her to open a second restaurant: La Patrona Restaurant Patio Bar, a fresh new concept that officially launched in June 2024.
Maria Fernanda’s story is one that countless women can relate to—navigating the intersection of motherhood and entrepreneurship. She openly shares that the journey has been filled with sleepless nights, self-doubt, and an ongoing balancing act.
“There are moments when guilt creeps in,” she reflects. “Am I giving enough to my children, to my business, to myself?”
Society often praises women for being “superhuman,” yet rarely acknowledges the exhaustion and sacrifice behind the scenes. For Maria Fernanda, being both a mother and a business owner means constantly juggling expectations while fighting for visibility and respect in a competitive industry.
Access to funding and support remains one of the biggest hurdles for small business owners, especially women. Banks and investors often hesitate, and Maria Fernanda has faced her share of skepticism. But instead of letting rejection define her, she used every setback as motivation to push harder.
“I chose to see every ‘no’ as fuel,” she says. “Every obstacle became proof that I was building something worth fighting for.”
Her perseverance has paid off—not just in thriving restaurants, but in the vibrant community spaces she’s created. For Maria Fernanda, La Siberia and La Patrona are more than eateries; they’re places where people come together, share stories, and find connection. “Seeing families gather, hearing laughter on the patio, and watching people connect over food—that’s priceless,” she shares.
One of Maria Fernanda’s proudest achievements came in March 2024, when she launched Las Patronas: Her Story, Her Power—a women’s empowerment series hosted at La Patrona. The event brought together women from across San Antonio to share their leadership journeys, struggles, and triumphs.
“The energy in that room was unforgettable,” Maria Fernanda recalls. “It reminded me that what we’re building isn’t just about food—it’s about community, empowerment, and magic.”
At her core, Maria Fernanda Rodriguez is a woman who believes in the power of perseverance and the importance of community. She embraces each challenge as an opportunity to grow, constantly reminding herself that knowledge is power—especially when shared.
You can often find her at La Siberia de Monterrey Mexican Bar & Grill or La Patrona Restaurant Patio Bar, where she connects with customers and nurtures her dream.
Follow her journey and her restaurants on Instagram:
📸 @lasiberiademonterreytx
📸 @patronasatx
“Of course, I still wrestle with impostor syndrome every single day,” she admits. “But I’ve learned to reframe it. To me, a ‘no’ isn’t the end—it’s just a different kind of ‘yes.’ It all depends on the perspective you choose.”
