GRCC Alumnus Joel Rodriguez: recognized by Marquis Who’s Who for his Entrepreneurial Achievements
Dec. 1, 2025 Joel Rodriguez attended Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) as a music major more than a decade ago. His love for heavy metal music and playing the guitar made the program feel like the right fit. But after just one semester, Rodriguez’s world changed when his mother suddenly passed away. A Series Of Challenges In the midst of navigating his profound grief, Rodriguez was kicked out of his home with no extended family living nearby. Unsure of his next steps, Rodriguez received a generous offer from his now in-laws: a place to live so he could finish school and continue working. With a stable home, a supportive partner and her family, Rodriguez found a renewed determination to succeed. Change Of Pace The difficult circumstances sparked a shift in perspective. “I truly believe every bad day is just the entry fee for every good day,” Rodriguez said. He recalled the pivotal moment that steered him away from music and toward business. While juggling a business statistics class and Aural Comprehension for music, his priorities were clear — until the day both classes held exams. “I didn't have the passion or discipline that was needed to succeed in music. I was in a business statistics class at the same time I was taking Aural Comprehension for my music degree. I didn't pay much attention in the business class because I wanted to be a musician. I had an aural comprehension test at the same time I had a business stats test,” he said. “Even though I put more time into the music exam, I didn’t perform the way I was hoping I would. This turned into a pivotal moment for me.” Without studying, Rodriguez performed among the top of his class on his statistics test. That moment changed everything. “I made the decision to switch to business,” Rodriguez said. “I wanted to propose to my girlfriend at the time and a career in music didn’t seem like the best option. I knew the passion wouldn’t be there to carry me through the hard times. From that moment on, it was study, do everything that I needed to do in order to provide for the family I wanted to have. I’m happy to say we’ve been married for 11 years.” Rodriguez graduated from GRCC with an associate degree in finance before completing his bachelor's degree at Grand Valley State University. Life Throws Another Curve Ball When his in-laws moved to Florida, Rodriguez and his wife followed. He began working at a bank and settled into a comfortable new position. “I was good at accounting and it was providing a decent living for me and my family,” he said. “But something was missing for me.” Rodriguez changed jobs over the years as he continued to seek both stability and passion. Each job felt like it was still missing something. As a child, Rodriguez loved comics, specifically Spawn #1, created by Todd McFarlane. In 2019, he launched Metal Ninja Studios as a creative side venture to reconnect with that childhood spark. He taught himself the ins and outs of comic creation and found that passion once again Two years later, just as the pandemic hit, Rodriguez and his wife learned they were expecting their first child. Rodriguez suddenly faced a difficult choice. “I could either continue my day job working at a pharmaceutical plant and spend four days a week living in Tampa, essentially leaving my wife, Chrissy, to raise our son by herself, or I could quit the day job, commit everything that I had to Metal Ninja Studios and make it work,” he said. “Leaving my wife and son was a non-negotiable for me.” He chose Metal Ninja Studios. “Why Not?” Leads To Success Rodriguez dared to think “Why Not?” instead of “No”. He dared to enter the comic world with no formal experience, only belief in a dream that he could do it. Seven years later, Metal Ninja Studios has grown into a one-stop shop for comic creation. He was nominated for a 2025 H.E.R.O.I.C. Award for Best Lettering for his comic “The Dusk County Chronicles.” His newest service, Concept to Comic TM, guides clients through the full creative process from idea to print ready in a complete done-for-you service. Rodriguez also launched the Concept to Comic TM Academy as an educational resource for aspiring creators wanting to learn about the creative and business aspects of comics. His innovation, grit and creative leadership recently earned him recognition from Marquis’ Who’s Who Top Professional Series . “I wouldn't be where I am without my faith, my family and my team,” Rodriguez said. “It’s my personal drive to do better every single day while also having the humility to understand I wouldn't be where I am without the support around me, without my father-in-law bringing me in that first night and my wife’s belief in me as I took risks, or without my team and the talents they all bring to the table. Just because you have to do hard things and learn how to persevere by yourself doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself.” Coming Full Circle Rodriguez continues carving new paths in the comic industry. Recently, his childhood dream came true when he met Todd McFarlane at San Diego Comic Con, where Metal Ninja Studios hosted an industry mixer. Rodriguez shared his journey and pitched his Concept to Comic TM model to the man who inspired it all. “Never be afraid to ask questions,” Rodriguez said when asked about what he’s learned along the journey. “I know what it's like to get into a room full of people who are way beyond you in business. There are good people out there who want to help you learn from their journey, so don’t be scared to ask questions and find the people who are willing to help.” Explore Metal Ninja Studios This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell
