Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Jonathan.
Dr. Jonathan , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I founded RISE 2 IT PRODUCTIONS in 2016 with a simple goal: to inspire people to recognize their potential and believe that they can overcome life’s challenges.
At the time, I was serving as an adjunct professor of communication, and I was fortunate to experience incredible success in the classroom throughout Central California. Those experiences eventually led to being recognized as the #5 Professor in the United States by NBC News, USA Today, NBC Latino, and RateMyProfessors.com—an honor that was both humbling and completely unexpected. It was a reminder that when you genuinely invest in people, the impact can reach far beyond the classroom.
Around that time, one of my mentors, Dr. Kevin Ayotte, encouraged me to consider motivational speaking. Ironically, I had never even thought of it as a career path. He smiled and said, “Jonathan, you’re already doing it. I’ve watched you.” Having someone see a future in me before I could see it myself became one of the defining moments of my journey, and I’m forever grateful for his belief in me.
As RISE 2 IT PRODUCTIONS began to take shape, I also realized I wasn’t building it alone. I was surrounded by talented friends, colleagues, and community leaders who believed in the vision and generously shared their gifts to help bring it to life. Together, we set out to recreate the energy and transformation that students experienced in my classroom. Today, our events combine powerful keynote messages with high-energy music, interactive activities, giveaways, scholarships and unforgettable experiences that leave audiences inspired long after the event ends.
What began as a dream has grown into something I never could have imagined.
As we celebrate ten years of RISE 2 IT PRODUCTIONS, I am incredibly grateful for every school, college, organization, business, and individuals who have trusted us with their audiences. Over the past decade, we have evolved into a full-service organization specializing in transformational keynote presentations, conference design, and curriculum development. Watching this vision grow beyond anything I originally imagined has been one of the greatest blessings of my life.
Our mission has never changed: if we can help one person believe they can rise to life’s challenges, then everything we’ve built has been worth it.
If you can RISE 2 IT… you can RISE THROUGH IT!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Frank Sinatra famously sang about New York, “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.” I’ve always believed that the same could be said about where I come from—Central California.
When people think of California, they often picture the glamour of Hollywood, the beaches, or the Golden Gate Bridge. Those places are iconic, and they deserve the recognition they receive. But too often, the heart of our state is overlooked.
Central California is built on grit. The Central Valley accounts for less than 1% of the nation’s agricultural land, yet it produces more than a quarter of America’s food, including roughly 40% of its table fruits, nuts, and vegetables. That’s the kind of place that raised me—a place where hard work isn’t celebrated because it’s extraordinary; it’s simply expected.
That mindset became the foundation of RISE 2 IT PRODUCTIONS.
From the beginning, my mission wasn’t just to inspire audiences. It was to shine a light on the incredible talent, resilience, and potential that already existed here. I wanted people to know that Central California has its own identity, its own voice, and its own story worth telling.
Along the way, more than a few people questioned whether a company focused on personal and professional development could truly thrive in our region. Many believed those opportunities belonged in Southern California or the Bay Area. I understood why they felt that way—but I also believed our community deserved something different.
Rather than argue with the skepticism, I chose to build.
Ten years later, I’m grateful that our community has embraced the vision in ways I never imagined. What started as a dream has grown into an organization that has served schools, colleges, businesses, and communities across the region and beyond. Looking back, I can honestly say that RISE 2 IT PRODUCTIONS has exceeded expectations—especially my own.
If our story proves anything, it’s this: greatness isn’t defined by geography. It grows wherever people are willing to work hard, believe in one another, and rise to the challenge.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
RISE 2 IT PRODUCTIONS exists for one reason: to help people realize that they are capable of more than they ever imagined.
We specialize in transformational keynote presentations, conference design, curriculum development, and leadership experiences that leave people feeling inspired long after the event is over. Whether we’re speaking to elementary school students, college campuses, educators, corporate leaders, or community organizations, our goal is always the same—to create an experience that changes the way people see themselves and the possibilities in front of them.
What makes us different is that we don’t believe inspiration should end when the applause stops. Anyone can give a speech. We strive to create an experience. Through high-energy music, audience interaction, storytelling, practical strategies, and meaningful moments of reflection, we design every event to be memorable, engaging, and immediately applicable.
As a Professor of Communication, I’ve spent my career studying how people connect, communicate, and create lasting change. That foundation has shaped everything we do at RISE 2 IT PRODUCTIONS. Every keynote, conference, and curriculum is intentionally designed to meet people where they are while giving them practical tools and renewed confidence to take the next step in their personal or professional journey.
Perhaps what I’m most proud of is that this organization was built right here in Central California. There was a time when many people believed a company centered on personal and professional development couldn’t thrive in our region. Ten years later, we’ve had the privilege of partnering with schools, colleges, businesses, nonprofits, and organizations throughout California and beyond. That growth has never been about proving people wrong—it has been about proving what’s possible when a community believes in itself.
More than anything, I hope people know that RISE 2 IT PRODUCTIONS is about people first. Every event, every partnership, and every conversation begins with the belief that every person has value, every challenge presents an opportunity to grow, and every individual has the ability to rise above circumstances that once seemed impossible.
Our motto has always been simple:
If you can RISE 2 IT… you can RISE THROUGH IT.
That isn’t just our slogan—it’s the philosophy that drives everything we do.
What does success mean to you?
Success, to me, begins with keeping God first. My faith is the foundation of everything I do, both personally and professionally. Even our logo is a subtle reminder that there is someone far greater than me guiding this journey. I certainly don’t claim to be perfect—in fact, I fall short every single day. But I strive to live with purpose, to serve others well, and to use the gifts God has entrusted to me in a way that honors Him.
My wife, Maribel, who is also a professor, has been my greatest partner on this journey. Together, we’ve had the incredible privilege of watching RISE 2 IT PRODUCTIONS grow into something that has positively impacted thousands of students, educators, and professionals. We’ve been able to award scholarships, create unforgettable experiences, and, most importantly, watch people discover confidence in themselves that they didn’t know they had.
One of the greatest joys has been seeing students graduate, begin meaningful careers, become leaders in their communities, and even return years later to share how a single conversation or experience helped shape their lives. Those moments are impossible to measure, but they mean everything.
Of course, I’m grateful that God has blessed our family and our business in ways I never imagined. But if you asked me how I define success, it isn’t measured by awards, revenue, or recognition. It’s measured by impact. If someone leaves one of our events believing in themselves a little more than when they walked in, then I consider that a successful day.
At the end of my life, I don’t hope people remember how many stages I stood on or how many people I spoke to. I hope they remember that I cared, that I served, and that I helped them believe they could rise above whatever challenge they were facing.
To me, that’s success.
Pricing:
- For detailed pricing, service options, and to request a personalized quote, please visit RISE2ITPRODUCTIONS.COM.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rise2itproductions.com/
