Dr. Rocío Raña shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Rocío, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I wouldn’t say I was afraid of sales, but I was definitely reluctant. Coming from a research background, I didn’t see myself as someone who could—or should—be selling. I was focused on our mission, our impact, and building a tool that genuinely served bilingual and multilingual children. For a long time, sales felt like a separate world that I wasn’t qualified to step into.
But I’ve come to realize that if I truly want to fulfill our mission, I have to be the one leading the charge to put our tool in more classrooms and in front of more students. Sales is not just a business process. It’s how we grow our impact. It’s how we ensure the sustainability of our work and fuel future innovation. Today, I see sales as an act of advocacy, a way to open doors for the communities we care most about. That shift in mindset has been personally transformative.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Of course! I’m Dr. Rocío Raña, co-founder and CEO of BLAST, a bilingual literacy assessment platform designed to help schools better support kids who are growing up speaking more than one language, like my own children. I’m a linguist and researcher who became an entrepreneur after seeing how my Spanish-speaking kids, born and raised in the U.S., were misunderstood in our local school because the right tools just didn’t exist to measure their abilities in both English and Spanish.
That’s what makes BLAST special: it was created by and for bilingual and multilingual families and researchers, in close collaboration with educators. Our platform offers a game-based experience to children while assessing reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both languages, in one session, saving testing time and money to invest in teachers and materials. Teachers, school leaders, and districts get instant results and actionable recommendations in a secure dashboard. We help them get a full picture of what bilingual kids can really do. We’re working with schools across the country to make sure more children are seen for their strengths, not judged by what traditional tests miss to capture.
This journey has been personal from the start. It’s about giving bilingual and multilingual kids the tools and the recognition they deserve.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that’s shaped how I see myself the most is the one I have with my mom. She’s my anchor and my biggest cheerleader. She’s the one who taught me what unconditional love really looks like, and she’s always reminded me to stay focused, work hard, and never give up, even when things get tough. More than anything, she taught me that happiness should always come first. That no achievement is worth it if you lose yourself along the way. Her voice is always in the back of my mind, keeping me grounded and reminding me of what really matters.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh, definitely. I think every startup founder hits that moment where the challenges feel overwhelming, and you wonder if you can really keep going. I had one of those: an especially tough situation that completely knocked the wind out of me. It felt like everything I’d built was on shaky ground.
But deep down, I knew the mission mattered too much to walk away. I couldn’t give up on something I believed in so deeply. What got me through wasn’t just grit, it was the support of my husband, my mom, and my brother. And I kept thinking about my kids. I wanted to be an example for them, to show them what it looks like to keep going, even when it’s hard.
That moment turned out to be a turning point, not the end. I learned so many important lessons. Some that I’m still working on putting into practice. And I came out of it stronger, more focused, and more committed than ever.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my closest friends would say that what matters most to me is my people: my family and friends always come first. I’m someone who will drop everything to show up for the people I love. They’d probably also say I care deeply about my work, especially because it’s so tied to my values and the community I care about and want to serve. And honestly, I’m at my best when I get time in nature. A walk on the beach by myself or a trek in the woods with my family can fix just about anything.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Honestly, nothing at all. I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve been lucky enough to do work that fulfills me, surrounded by people who lift me up, and I’ve had the courage, and the support, to walk away from what no longer serves me. I’ve learned to listen to myself, to stay true to what makes me happy, and to be deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and the love that’s carried me through hard times. I’m exactly where I should be, ready for the challenges ahead. There’s still a lot of work to do and I’m here for it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blastbilingual.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blastbilingual/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blastbilingualplatform/
- Twitter: https://x.com/blastbilingual/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlastBilingual/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@blastbilingual
Image Credits
Mariela Murdocco (Photos), Ryan Hernandez (Graphic Design)
