This week on The Way to College Podcast, I’m joined by Jeannie Salinas, founder of Book-E Bus, the Rio Grande Valley’s first mobile bookstore.

Jeannie’s story is a masterclass in pivoting with purpose: from earning her business degree at The University of Texas-Pan American, working in retail, helping run her family’s insurance business, and eventually turning a lifelong love of books into a full-on community experience on wheels.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How she turned a side hustle into a real business

• The mindset shift from “I’m stuck” to “I’m building”

• Why experience + community matter

• Mentorship, budgeting, and learning the “hidden rules” of college and careers

• What it takes to bet on yourself without losing yourself

If you’re a student, parent, educator, or entrepreneur—this one will light a fire.

The Book-E bus will be in Weslaco on February 28th. Follow the Book-E bus on Instagram: @thebookebus