Jen Rubio was born in the Philippines and moved to New Jersey at seven years old. She arrived in a classroom where she didn't look like anyone around her, got placed in ESL classes, and spent years hiding her accent, her food, her whole self — just trying to belong. In this episode of Fifteenish, I'm not talking about the suitcase or the billion dollar valuation. I'm talking about that classroom. And what it costs a person to flatten themselves to fit a room that wasn't built for them — and what gets built when they finally stop. Jen went on to co-found Away, grow it to a $1.4 billion valuation, and step in as CEO for the first time ever — eight months pregnant — when the company needed someone who actually believed in what it was supposed to be. This one is about visibility, belonging, and what becomes possible when someone finally goes first.

Sources & Disclaimer

• Wikipedia — Jen Rubio entry
• CNN Money — The Founders of Away Changed the Luggage Industry After a Travel Mishap (October 2017)
• Asian Journal News — Meet the Filipina Who Turned a Suitcase Filled With Dreams Into a Billion-Dollar Reality (October 2025)
• Grokipedia — Jen Rubio entry
• Forbes — Jen Rubio interviews and features
• Blank Brand — Women to Watch Vol 1: Jen Rubio's Community-First Brand Strategy (September 2025)
• Medium / The Founder Stories — Meet Jen Rubio, Who Created the Perfect Suitcase at Away



All facts shared in this episode are based on information available at the time of recording. Any personal reflections, interpretations, or opinions are my own. If anything is found to be inaccurate, I'm happy to issue a correction.