Marco A. Rodriguez: Entrepreneurship Rooted in Culture and Community

Title: Senior Vice-President

Organization: Dulcelandia Candy Store/San Jose Imports 

Age: 32

Standing almost seven feet tall, Marco A. Rodríguez is impossible to miss — and his ambitions match his stature. As the driving force behind one of Chicago’s most recognizable Hispanic-owned local brands, Marco has transformed a family candy shop into a multi-faceted enterprise that brings the flavors, traditions, and spirit of Mexico to communities across Illinois. 

His story is rooted in legacy. More than 30 years ago, his parents, Eduardo and Evelia founded Dulcelandia as a neighborhood store specializing in Mexican candy and piñatas. Today, Marco serves as its operational and strategic driver — expanding the brand’s retail footprint into several neighborhoods, scaling its e-commerce platform to over 1,000 products available nationwide, and building bilingual marketing campaigns that have introduced Mexican culture and celebration to audiences well beyond the Hispanic community. Signature programs like the Dulcelandia Birthday Club and School Visit Program keep the brand woven into the fabric of everyday life, while marquee celebrations like Día de los Muertos and Mexican Independence Day amplify its cultural reach.

Marco simultaneously leads San Jose Imports, Inc. as Senior Vice President, where he has overhauled the company’s cross-border supply chain and restructured its sales division — driving operational efficiency and sustained growth in the distribution of confectionery products from Mexico into the U.S. market.

Building things runs in the family — and Marco isn’t done. In 2025, Marco launched XOL Chicago, a live entertainment venue designed to deliver elevated cultural experiences, celebrate music and community — proof that his entrepreneurial vision extends far beyond candy. 

A Loyola University Chicago graduate in Political Science, Marco serves on the boards of ACERO Charter School Network and Loyola GOLD, and was recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as a rising star. He is building something rare: a business empire that is also a love letter to his culture, his city, and his family.