We recently had the chance to connect with Jahlil Rojas and have shared our conversation below.
Jahlil, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Have you stood up for someone when it cost you something?
Yes, I have. Recently, I made the difficult decision to leave a job that I truly loved. I was passionate about my work and always gave my best, often taking on more responsibilities than others. However, I began to notice that I wasn’t being compensated fairly for the effort and dedication I was putting in, especially compared to my peers.
I repeatedly brought this concern to my director, but instead of addressing it, she continued to add more to my plate—because she knew I was dependable. Eventually, I realized that standing up for myself meant walking away, even though it was one of the hardest choices I’ve had to make.
While it was difficult, I’m proud that I chose to value myself and my worth. The experience taught me the importance of setting boundaries, advocating for fairness, and believing in my own potential. It’s opened new opportunities for me, and I’m genuinely grateful for the growth that came from standing up for myself
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, my name is Arbishua Rojas — I’m 27 years old, a landlord, creative, and the founder of Nerd Square, an up-and-coming clothing brand that celebrates individuality and creativity. I also serve in the U.S. Army Reserves as a photographer and videographer, and I recently stepped away from my full-time job to focus on my next chapter.
Right now, I’m in a growing and transitional period of my life. When Voyage reached out to me last week for an update on the article they wrote about me a few years ago, the timing honestly made me laugh. If they had reached out just a month earlier, I would’ve had nothing but great news to share. But maybe it’s better this way — because this is real life. Things can change fast, and I think it’s important to show that side too.
One of the biggest challenges I’m facing right now is the rising property taxes on one of my rentals, which has forced me to put it on the market. Around the same time, I made the tough decision to leave my job of three years after realizing I was being overworked and underappreciated — something I know a lot of people can relate to. I was doing a lot of creative work, especially in graphic design, that went beyond my official role, but the recognition and pay never matched the effort.
Even though that chapter closed, I’ve been using this time to refocus — on my brand, my properties, the military, and applying for new opportunities in the communications field, which is what I truly love. It’s definitely a season of transition, but also one of rediscovery. I’m proud of the risks I’ve taken and the lessons I’ve learned, and I’m excited for what’s next.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was when I created my clothing brand, Nerd Square. Growing up, I was called a “nerd” a lot — and for a long time, people used it as an insult. The funny thing is, they weren’t wrong. I was nerdy, awkward, and definitely a little cringy — honestly, I still am. But instead of hiding that part of myself, I decided to embrace it.
That decision changed everything for me. I took a word that was once used to make me feel small and turned it into something that represents confidence, creativity, and individuality. It became the foundation for my brand and the inspiration behind many of my designs. Seeing people from all over the world connect with something that came from my personal story — that’s when I truly felt powerful. I realized that owning who you are is the strongest thing you can do.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me things that success never could. It taught me hustle, resilience, and creativity. As unfortunate as it sounds, some of my toughest moments have been my most productive. When I’m going through hard times, I don’t stay stagnant — I dive into those emotions and use them as fuel to grow.
Right now, I’m in a challenging financial period, and it’s forced me to embrace extreme budgeting and discipline. But it’s also given me the time and freedom to focus more on my businesses. I’ve been checking on my properties, exploring new vending opportunities, creating videos and marketing materials, and attending networking events and conventions to expand my reach.
This season has pushed me to see my own value more clearly. I used to underestimate my potential, but I’m growing out of that. I’m applying for roles that challenge me — the kind that expect more but also reward fairly. After seeing how much I was capable of compared to my peers in higher positions at my last job, I realized I’ve been underselling myself for far too long.
At the same time, I’m navigating a difficult period in my personal life, trying to figure out whether staying in or leaving a relationship is the right decision. It’s another challenge that’s forcing me to reflect deeply on my values, boundaries, and what I truly want for my future. Even though these experiences are hard, they’re teaching me resilience, self-awareness, and clarity — and I know they’ll make me stronger in every aspect of life.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A belief I’m committed to is doing what I truly believe is right, no matter how long it takes. That means standing up for myself with integrity and never resorting to passive-aggressiveness, sabotage, or doing things just to get back at someone. I refuse to compromise my character or be cruel to get ahead — if a situation requires me to act that way, I’d rather walk away.
I believe my presence is a blessing, and I won’t allow anyone or anything to make me act out of character or jeopardize my integrity. Sometimes it’s hard, especially when staying quiet or turning a blind eye could be easier or immediately rewarding. But living with honesty and self-respect allows me to truly love myself and sleep peacefully at night. I want to be the reason people believe in good people.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand deeply that the foundation you set is more important than what you build on top of it. Whether it’s a business, a career, or a relationship, small cracks in the foundation that are ignored early on can grow over time and eventually threaten everything you’ve built.
Because of this, I focus on creating strong, solid foundations in everything I do. I want to make sure that what I’m building today is something I can be proud of decades from now — something that won’t crumble under pressure and that I’ll never have to question or regret. It’s a mindset that keeps me intentional, patient, and committed to quality from the very start.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nerdsq.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nerd.sq/#
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arbishua-rojas-966b27172/
