When passion is rooted in caring for people and fostering a community where they can grow, success becomes a natural outcome. Debbie Rodriguez, owner of Competitive Edge Partners & Consulting, LLC, is a testament to this and an inspiring example of how humility and purpose can pave the way to lasting success.
Debbie’s journey in staffing began in 2008 when she co-founded Quality Labor Management (QLM), a skilled staffing company serving industries including construction, logistics and transportation, industrial, hospitality, stevedoring, and professional services. While working in staffing, Debbie noticed a troubling pattern: her workers were not being treated with the respect they deserved. This was unacceptable to her, and instead of staying quiet, she decided to speak up and take action into her own hands.
Debbie went on to launch a subcontracting company—Competitive Edge Partners & Consulting, LLC—founded on the belief that staff and client relationships should be built on respect and positivity.
This new company placed emphasis on creating a culture of growth and opportunity, especially for the Hispanic community, which makes up much of the workforce in her company. She instilled a welcoming culture that ensured employees felt included by supporting them through challenges, whether that included overcoming language barriers or learning new skills. One of the most valued traits in the company is honesty, and if someone doesn’t know how to do something, Debbie believes in guiding them step by step until they succeed.
You may ask yourself, where do all of these values come from? The simple answer lies in Debbie’s strong beliefs. She is a big believer in the importance of putting people first, and at the heart of Debbie’s organizations are clear values: Safety, Accountability, Commitment, Integrity, and Passion, values that she looks for in everyone she works with.
Her philosophy is simple but powerful: treat everyone the same—whether they’re a CEO or someone taking their very first steps in a new role. One of her most frequent sayings, “We all put on our pants the same exact way,” truly shows the humility and values she demonstrates to everyone she comes across.
From the very beginning, Debbie understood that real change comes from opening doors for others. Her people-first approach led her to create not only successful businesses, but also a nonprofit organization called iBuild Central Florida. This organization partners with school districts, construction firms, nonprofits, and workforce boards to create hands-on programs that expose students, as early as middle school, to real-world construction careers. She helped design pre-apprenticeship pathways that not only teach valuable skills but also lead directly to jobs, giving young people a future they can count on.
Beyond students, Debbie has made it her mission to build bridges for those who are often overlooked. She works tirelessly to ensure individuals who are underemployed, economically disadvantaged, justice-involved, or learning English as a second language also have a fair shot at building better futures. Debbie’s focus has always been clear: to help people by not only providing training but also by giving them hope, dignity, and the chance to transform their lives for the better.
Just like Debbie serves as a great leader and support system to others, she also needed a strong partner who believed in her before she even believed in herself. Cogent Bank has been a key partner in her financial journey, and their client-first approach truly resonated with Debbie, giving her the confidence to build lasting relationships rooted in trust.
Sharing similar values with Cogent Bank is what makes the relationship so strong. Cogent Bank’s values—Responsive, Entrepreneurial, Advisory, Committed, and Honorable—reflect Debbie’s own values, creating not just a business relationship, but a partnership dedicated to growth and to finding the best possible outcome for everyone involved.
Debbie describes her relationship with Trish Teague, SVP and Managing Director of Private Banking for Central Florida at Cogent Bank, as not just a banker, but a confidant and friend. Debbie shares that she can call Trish at any time, lay out a challenge, and trust that Trish will help her find a solution. This relationship has allowed Debbie to continue trusting and growing her success alongside Cogent Bank. Just as Debbie’s mission is to help others grow, Cogent Bank and Trish are committed to supporting her growth, too.
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