Today’s NEXT BIG THING comes from Puerto Rico! Cocó Rodríguez very proudly brings us the “C” chair. At only 21, Cocó is still a student, but with her dreams, faith and family at her side, she is confident that one day her work will be famous. Read on to learn more about this one-to-watch!

Explain to us the concept behind the “C” Chair.
I love to watch movies sitting on the floor. But as all of you know, sometimes this can be uncomfortable. The “C” Chair is just like sitting on the floor but with the comfort of the couch. It rocks so you can find the perfect angle. Why call it the “C” Chair? “C” stands for “comfort,” “chilling” on the floor, “cute,” “cheap,” “cuddle,” “couch,” “chips,” and “Cocó!” My real name is Coralys, but Cocó is the name my grandfather gave me when I was born, and on his death bed I promised him I was going to be famous.

Can you pls tell me more about your schooling right now and what you hope to do when you graduate?
This is my third year in University. I’ll be graduating next year with a Bachelor Degree in Industrial Design. I’m planning on working with a local designer first and then I’d like to start my own company here, since this is not a very popular thing in Puerto Rico. I’m also planning on getting my Master’s Degree in the near future.

You sent us a snap of a crazy awesome floating chair. What is that?
The Floating Chair was a project for one of my classes. The assignment was to make an original chair that could float in the water. I went big on this one and instead of making a chair, I made a couch-like floating chair for more than one person, so you could have more fun in the beach with your friends. It also has a small fridge in front for some drinks and cup holders on the side. In the back it has a space for keeping the sunblock, your sunglasses and other stuff. It was hard to do, but I had fun trying it out on the water!

Any advice for our lady readers who want to make furniture?
Many people think that some professions are for men and others for women. Well, this is not a gender thing! It’s about what you are passionate about, no matter if you are a boy or a girl. You just have to like it and GO for your goals! If you have a dream, BIG or small, just follow it ’cause you are going to make it. You are what moves you. You inspire yourself and there is always a good God that has a star with your name written on it.

What inspires you?
God inspires me! My mom inspires me! My dad inspires me! My dreams inspire me! God and my mom are my two heroes. My mom doesn’t draw. Not even a smiley face! But she is hardworking. She never gives up and has done so many things for my grandma and I all by herself that I look up to her and say to myself that I can be like her. She is always humble and that is a virtue God has given us. God also gave me this talent and I’m going to work it so it can bear fruit. There is a Chinese proverb that says that if you love your work, you’ll never work a day in your life. This is because if you love what you are doing, it’s not going to be work for you. It’s going to be fun and entertaining, and that is how I feel about my work.