How she Transformed Struggles into Success and Guides Others to Break Barriers, Build Brands, and Bring to Life Their Dreams

Jasmine Star is a multi-passionate entrepreneur, visionary, and founder of several successful ventures, including Social Curator, a platform helping business owners create impactful social media strategies, and Jasmine Star Brands, her holding company that encompasses diverse business ventures. With a career spanning photography, digital marketing, and online education, Jasmine has transformed from a struggling photographer to a leading figure in the entrepreneurial space.

As a Latina businesswoman, Jasmine is committed to empowering other entrepreneurs, especially women and people of color, to scale their businesses and break through barriers. Her work is rooted in belief and manifestation, blending faith, purpose, and action to create lasting success.

Jasmine’s entrepreneurial journey began with bootstrapping her businesses, and she now helps other entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of scaling, raising capital, and building strong, sustainable brands. A proponent of community and collaboration, Jasmine emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who believe in the collective power of growth.

Her podcast, creative content, and upcoming projects continue to inspire a global audience of entrepreneurs to believe in their vision, take action, and manifest their dreams into reality.

What are some things that most people would not know about you?

This past week, I invested in a mentor for my podcast because I wanted to elevate my approach and find new ways to connect with people. During one conversation, my mentor said, “Well, it’s just that you’re so confident.” He continued, and I had to stop him: “I’m sorry, can we back up for a second? I wouldn’t consider myself confident.” He looked at me, surprised, and said, “Well, you come across as very confident.”

That moment was eye-opening. It had never occurred to me that I might seem 66% more confident than I feel in real life. I explained, “Every time I step in front of someone, I put on an armor of confidence. It’s still me, but amplified.” I believe we all have the capacity to be more confident than we naturally are, and while it doesn’t mean we aren’t being true to ourselves, it’s an embodiment of something larger.

I think most people wouldn’t know this about me because I don’t talk about it enough. Confidence is a choice—one that we can all make. I believe I can serve people who might feel intimidated by the idea of running a large-scale business, especially as a woman. Sometimes I feel like I’m either too “hard-edged” for women or too “much of a woman” for men, but that’s okay.

As I grow the podcast, I’m realizing that I may not have the largest audience, especially among female entrepreneurs, and that’s fine. I’m choosing to show up authentically and serve a smaller group of people who resonate with me.

Tell us a bit about raising a daughter and running a business at the same time.

Raising a child during a pandemic was a completely different experience from what most people know. I became a mom in 2020, when the world was upended. We received a 24-hour notice before being placed for adoption. One moment, I wasn’t a mom, and the next, I was. We’d been waiting for three years, and suddenly, our daughter was placed with us in January.

I had no plans for maternity leave. My year was booked with speaking events, travel, and business development. But everything changed in a matter of weeks. Because my husband and I work together from home, we were able to continue our work while adapting to this new chapter. But it wasn’t without its challenges: we couldn’t even take our daughter, who was born in Nevada, back to California for six weeks as state offices were closed due to the pandemic.

During those first weeks, we lived in a hotel in Las Vegas. It was a difficult and overwhelming time, but from a business perspective, it gave me the luxury to stay home with my daughter while running the business. I was fortunate that my husband and I were able to work together through that season. Looking back, I realize it was the best possible timing for us as a family and business. Now, with business ramping up and travel increasing, I’m not sure what it would look like to have a child today. But in 2020, we couldn’t have planned it better.

How has your personal journey with patience and setbacks shaped your understanding of divine timing?

I believe that we must learn the same lessons until we truly change. In the three years leading up to our adoption, I experienced a full spectrum of emotions—hurt, anger, embarrassment, shame. I would often ask, “Why is this happening to me? If it’s not meant to be, take the desire to start a family away.” But the desire remained.

I went through painful setbacks, getting so close to adoption multiple times, only to face rejection. But now, looking at my daughter, I see that everything worked out exactly as it should. She’s the perfect child for us. It’s hard to imagine what my life would be like without her, and I can’t help but be grateful for divine timing.

In business, I’m waiting again. But when I look at Luna, I know that if I continue to have patience and faith, something divine will manifest in its own time. This is how life and business intersect for me right now: understanding that things will happen when they’re meant to, if I’m willing to keep working for them.

Tell us a little bit about the catalyst to your growth.

I’ve gone through six iterations in my career—six times I’ve been in the chrysalis. In 2023, my word of the year was “Rebirth,” and while I’d love to say my transformation happened smoothly in a 12-month cycle, life and business never work that way.

Looking back, I realize that every time I’ve had a major career shift, there was a period of darkness and discomfort. I was determined to go to law school, but that phase ended with me realizing I wasn’t meant to be there. Then, I decided I wanted to become a professional photographer—despite not owning a camera.  Each of my six iterations began with a difficult transformation, but the business eventually took off after each dark period.

Right now, I’m in another “dark and pressing” time. But when I look back at all the other times I’ve been in this space, I realize that this is where growth happens. These “dark times” are actually the good days—if you choose to see them that way.

My word of the year for 2025 is “Flow.”  Just like a butterfly expanding from its chrysalis, this is my chance to evolve into something new.  I’m ready to build bigger, and show others how to do the same. 

This is a chance to develop deep empathy for people going through similar situations. And when things feel tough, I remind myself: this is where true entrepreneurs are made. It’s easier to quit than to keep going, but those who persevere are the ones who succeed.

Can you share what you’re working through right now?

Yes, it’s a new iteration. A new version of who I want to serve. I’ve spent six years giving my best to a specific demographic, really diving deep into that space. Now, I am feeling called to shift. I’m choosing to focus on a much smaller audience, which, on the surface, may seem counterintuitive but I know it is the right move.

Tell us about this specific demographic you’d like to target?

Eight-figure entrepreneurs. Every time someone says, “Girl, you’re crazy,” I remember the times when I declared big dreams—like wanting to be a photographer, a consultant, launch digital courses, build a membership, and even a tech start-up company. Nobody looked at me and thought, “She can do that.” But I did it anyway. So why break the norm now?

As you know, we call in and manifest BIG dreams in this issue. What are you calling in for 2025?

Back in March 2022, during a team retreat, we did a visualization exercise led by a facilitator. My husband and I are co-founders and partners, but when we attend retreats, we intentionally sit apart from each other to have space to connect with the team. 

After our meditation, the facilitator asked each of us to share a word that came to mind about the future. Later, when my husband and I were at home, cooking dinner, we discussed our visions. He shared that his word was “constellation,” inspired by a memory of being at the beach, seeing the reflections of light on the water. I told him, “You’re lying—my word was ‘constellation’ too!” That was the moment I started believing in something greater. I believed that we were building something bigger, a constellation of different businesses.

Then, in January 2023, I discovered the term holding company, something I’d never heard of before. As I learned more, I realized that was exactly what I wanted to create: a holding company. This would allow us to structure our businesses—Technology LLC, Social Curator LLC, Jasmine Star Productions LLC, and any future ventures—separately, yet under one umbrella: Jasmine Star Brands.

I feel guided by what will come next, and it feels really big. I am ready to step into this next level. For 2025, I’m focused on building the vision. The vision is still taking shape, but my role is clear: I need to keep the vision alive and focused. I’m also focused on building a high-functioning, elite team that can help bring that vision to life. 

I’m great at ideation, and I’m looking to surround myself with people who can execute and believe in the vision. This is where the magic happens: a community of believers, all aligned and working together to make something massive come to life.

Tell us more about your intuition and guidance, were you always this aligned?

I was raised in a Christian home, but my parents were never forceful about religion. They encouraged us to find our own path, which was key to how I grew up. We didn’t have much—my father is an immigrant from Mexico, and my mother is Puerto Rican. We survived on government assistance and donations from the church. And yet, I witnessed real miracles. I vividly remember days when we had no food, and then, out of nowhere, a stranger would leave bags of groceries on our doorstep. Or a neighbor would drop off extra food—like bread and yogurt—just when we needed it most. These moments felt like divine intervention.

We dreamed of a Toyota Previa minivan, and my mom had us pray for it. A few weeks later, my dad won a bid for a used Toyota Previa at a repo auction. That car meant so much to us. These experiences solidified my belief in divine guidance. I also believe that manifestation is backed by divine purpose and action. It’s not about wishing or hoping—it’s about taking action aligned with a higher calling.

My daughter, Luna, is raised with this same faith. We tell her every day, “Eres fuerte, eres poderosa, eres inteligente”—You are strong, you are powerful, you are intelligent. Recently, she reminded me of that when she said, “Mommy, can you open this for me? Because God made you strong.” It was one of those moments where I realized, yes, this faith and intuition are deeply embedded in everything I do.

What kind of money work do you offer to women going from six to seven to eight figures?

Money has always been tied to my sense of safety. Growing up, my parents struggled with debt. I remember a seminar they attended where they were encouraged to cut up their credit cards and put them in a glass jar. Watching this as a child, I didn’t understand it fully, but it left a lasting impression. Years later, I learned that my parents’ sacrifices helped them get out of debt, and I started my businesses without loans or debt—a luxury I now realize was a gift.

Through programs like the Latino Business Action Network (LBAN) at Stanford University, I began to realize how the financial landscape affects entrepreneurs, especially within the Latino community. Most Latino-owned businesses face steep challenges in securing funding, and many are over-indexed in industries that don’t scale beyond a certain point. At one point, I proudly bootstrapped my businesses without outside funding, but I soon realized that accessing capital could’ve accelerated my growth. Being around entrepreneurs who secured funding made me rethink my approach.

I also believe in understanding your roots when it comes to money. Where you come from shapes your mindset, but that doesn’t have to limit your potential. In the book The Gap and The Gain, Dr. Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan explain that focusing on the gap—the distance between where we are and where we want to be—creates frustration. Instead, we should look at the gain–how far we’ve come–celebrating the progress we’ve made.

Now, I’m embracing a different mindset, one that allows me to take bigger risks and see financial opportunities from a broader perspective.

How did you cultivate a belief in your financial success before seeing any proof or results?

I didn’t always believe I was destined for wealth. My twin sister, on the other hand, always had a strong sense of destiny—“It’s just a matter of time,” she’d say. But I had financial insecurity. I didn’t just want money; I needed it to feel safe. When I started my photography business at 25, I made over $100,000 in the first year. At that moment, I realized something shifted: I wanted growth.

It took me years to understand that money is a tool, not something to hoard or fear. Over time, I’ve developed a clearer understanding of how money flows. I’ve seen what’s possible and what lies ahead, and I’m more confident than ever in my ability to create the future I’ve envisioned.

When life feels out of sync, how do you restore harmony and find your center again?

I return to balance through intentional practices that center me. First, I start each day with 15–20 minutes of prayer and meditation, followed by journaling for 5–7 minutes. It’s a simple, quick routine but one that helps me stay grounded.

My faith is my anchor. I feel connected to God, and when I tap into that source of calm, everything else falls into place. Family is also a key part of my balance. Spending time with my husband, JD, and daughter, Luna Sol, reminds me of what truly matters. We also make sure to prioritize time with our extended family—it’s non-negotiable. When everything feels overwhelming, these connections bring me back to center.

What is the DNA of your brand?

The DNA of my brand is centered around belief. I want my audience to believe that the impossible is possible. Without that belief, nothing else matters. Second, manifestation isn’t just wishful thinking—it’s a divine plan backed by action. You have to put in the work. And third, together, we can go farther. Building a community of like-minded people who understand that we rise by lifting others is essential.

Do you see yourself coming out with a book in the future?

There’s a book in me, but I’m still in the middle of the story.  I can’t wait for the day when I write it, but only time will tell when it’s on bookshelves and best seller lists.

Tell us about The Jasmine Star Show and why people should tune in?

My podcast started as a creative outlet. For years, I’ve been creating highly visual content for social media and marketing, but I needed something more personal and introspective. For three years, we kept the podcast audio-only, but in 2023, I decided to take it to the next level by adding video, expanding to YouTube. We’ve had guests fly in from around the world, and it’s become an incredible way to connect with our audience. With over 10 million downloads, the podcast is evolving into something bigger than I ever imagined.

What are your non-negotiables for self-care?

My morning devotional time is non-negotiable. Whether it’s 15 minutes of prayer, meditation, or journaling, it’s vital. I also work out six days a week, whether it’s yoga, Pilates, weightlifting, or long walks. It’s not just physical—it’s a mental reset.

One of my newest practices is a tea ceremony. It’s a meditative experience, where I sit in silence, reflect, and let my mind rest. I’ve found it to be a game-changer in finding inner peace.

Makeup/Hair: @beautybymelina

Wardrobe Styling: @stylingbyjo

Photographer: @avenueonephotography