Today’s episode is for the scrappy, heart-on-fire entrepreneur who knows there’s treasure hidden in places no one else dares to look. You see, I grew up learning to spot potential where most saw “junk.” From yard sales with my dad to watching my mom transform discarded plants into a blooming garden, I learned that value isn’t about what something looks like—it’s what you make of it.

And guess what? That’s the SAME mindset I use to build my business.

In this solo episode, I take you on a trip down memory lane—back to Kmart garden centers, tiny motorhomes, and our thousand-square-foot family home—to share the unexpected ways my childhood shaped how I show up as a CEO. I talk about what it means to “sift through the dirt” and why being willing to do what others won’t is the ultimate business edge.

We cover:

• The unexpected connection between thrifting and scaling
• Why you need to embrace imperfect, slow growth
• My 3-part content plan that gets me results (and it’s NOT glamorous!)
• How to treat your “weeds” like potential blooms

This episode isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about real business strategy rooted in grit, consistency, and seeing what others overlook. So whether you’re bootstrapping or bossing up, know this: the gold is in the dirt… you just have to be willing to dig.

Click >>PLAY<< to hear all of this and:

[00:00] Why You Must See Opportunity Where Others Don’t

[02:52] The Dirt Kmart Tried to Throw Away

[05:39] The Business Lesson in Cultivating What Others Discard

[08:12] Why Posting Daily is ‘Digging in the Dirt’

[10:47] The Secret to Standing Out? Doing What Others Won’t

 Join my Newsletter for a weekly cocktail of insider business strategy, personal reflections, and the journey of being a thought leader.

Click >>PLAY<< to listen now!

The post Why Scrappy Entrepreneurs Always Win appeared first on Jasmine Star.

Have you ever walked into a room and realized… you’re the only one?

The only woman.

The only parent.

The only person of color.

The only voice of your kind.

In this episode, I share what it’s really like to be the “only”—and how I’ve learned to turn that discomfort into a source of power.

I open up about an experience where I was the only female at a high-level mastermind retreat, how I handled the uncomfortable moments (like not being allowed to check in to a hotel with my daughter ), and what it truly means to show up fully, even when others misunderstand or criticize your path.

You’ll hear:

How I reframed being “the only one” from weakness to strength

A shocking direct message I received—and how I chose to respond with grace

3 life lessons I learned from a desert cactus (yes, really)

A step-by-step framework to create your own peer-led mastermind, no $50K required

The importance of scrappy action—and how YOU can build your own room if you’re not getting invited into one

Plus, I share an incredibly practical story of how my friend Stacy pulled together a high-level group of entrepreneurs to host a mastermind with Layla Hermozi—without needing a massive budget or big brand clout.

This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider… and is ready to own it as their edge.

Let’s stop waiting to be invited. Let’s build the rooms we want to walk into.

Click >>PLAY<< to hear all of this and:

[00:00] Why being “the only” in a room can be your advantage

[01:00] Childhood lessons on standing out (and why it felt uncomfortable at first)

[04:30] The story behind being the only woman at a mastermind in the desert

[06:30] The direct message that tried to cut deep—and why it didn’t

[08:00] The hotel that rejected us and the emotional moment that followed

[11:30] Owning your difference and reclaiming your presence

[14:00] 3 powerful lessons from a desert cactus

[17:30] How to get into powerful rooms (even if you don’t have the budget)

[20:00] The 2 types of masterminds and what they require

[24:00] How YOU can start a high-value peer-to-peer mastermind today

[26:00] Final encouragement: you don’t need permission to create the room you want

Listen to Related Episodes:

• Three Ways to Remove Comparison and Become Unstoppable
• Building Confidence with Ease: How I’m Becoming the 3X Version of Myself

 Join my Newsletter for a weekly cocktail of insider business strategy, personal reflections, and the journey of being a thought leader.

Click >>PLAY<< to listen now!

The post What Happens When You’re the Only Woman in the Room appeared first on Jasmine Star.

When they win, I win. When I win, they win.

That’s how I approach networking. It’s not about “getting in the room”—it’s about expanding the room so we can all win together.

In this episode of The Jasmine Star Show, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I’ve intentionally used Instagram to build real relationships with 8-figure founders—relationships that started with zero connections and zero expectations.

Here’s the deal: people are always asking me, “Jasmine, how did you get into that room? How did you build a network of powerful founders?” And today, I’m breaking it ALL down.

But I’m not giving you theory. I’m giving you the actual steps I used. Plus, I’m sharing two real-life examples of women I met on Instagram who are now part of my mastermind and personal network.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• The exact 4-step framework I use to build authentic relationships online (Follow. Study. Engage. Invite.)
• How I built a connection with Shay Makani, a powerhouse in the beauty and wellness funding space
• Why story-driven engagement and real connection is more powerful than cold DMs
• How to shift from being a fan to being a peer (this part is gold)

Whether you’re scaling to eight figures, seeking strategic partnerships, or just trying to connect with like-minded founders—you’ll walk away from this episode with a clear, simple roadmap to start building your dream network… one DM at a time.

And yes, I even read my actual DMs to Shay. (Spoiler alert: there’s nothing fancy—just intentional connection.)

It’s time to build a network that matches your ambition.

Let’s get to work.

Click >>PLAY<< to hear all of this and:

[00:01] Why abundance and connection matter more than “getting in the room”

[00:56] Why stories—not just strategies—connect us the most

[01:20] A sneak peek into Jasmine’s current focus: business acquisition and advisory work

[02:58] How Instagram’s algorithm helped Jasmine find her people (shoutout to IG!)

[03:52] Real-life example: How Jasmine discovered and connected with Shay Makani

[04:46] How Jasmine used Story replies, thoughtful engagement, and DMs to build trust

[05:40] The exact DMs Jasmine used to move from follower to Zoom call with an 8-figure founder

Listen to Related Episodes:

• How to Create More Meaningful Relationships in Business

 Join my Newsletter for a weekly cocktail of insider business strategy, personal reflections, and the journey of being a thought leader.

Click >>PLAY<< to listen now!

The post How I Built 8-Figure Relationships on Instagram appeared first on Jasmine Star.

I would’ve trimmed, polished, and edited it so it was less broken, more pretty-fied.

But when I shared with a group of men from my executive leadership mastermind, I felt so exposed, raw from the ugly truth.

They said they saw me in a different way, unfiltered and open.

I didn’t know I had closed myself off.

I was asked to write a letter to my younger self and read it aloud to the group.

With their permission, they said I should leak the video recording, even if it made me uncomfortable.

They said should I should leak it BECAUSE it made me uncomfortable.

So I did.

I’m doing it because I want to be me, all of me.

I want to stop closing myself off because by doing so, people like you come in.

And that’s what I want: Real connection and conversations.

I’d love for us to go deeper, so let’s meet >>HERE<< on the video letter.

Unfiltered and open,

j*

The post My Private Video Got Leaked appeared first on Jasmine Star.

Dear Younger Me…

This episode is unlike any other I’ve recorded. It’s raw. It’s vulnerable. And it’s a truth I never thought I’d share publicly.

It started with a prompt during a leadership mastermind call I’ve been part of for three years. Casey, our facilitator, asked us to do something different: write a letter to our younger selves.

Now, this group isn’t the sentimental, kumbaya type. We’re all high-growth founders, often strategizing our next big move or dissecting our KPIs. But that day? That day was different. We showed up fully human—no metrics, no decks, no masks.

One of the members shared his letter. Another asked, “What gives you your chip?” You know, that fire… the pain that fuels the purpose. That question cracked something open in all of us.

So today, I’m doing something I never planned on: I’m sharing the letter I wrote to my younger self with you.

Why? Because this podcast is a chronicle of the journey—not just the wins, but the wounds too. This letter is me saying, “Here’s how I made it. Here’s what I wish I had known.” It’s about Solomon’s Paradox—how we give better advice to others than we do to ourselves—and how writing to your past self can be one of the wisest things you’ll ever do.

You’ll hear about the “basket of chips” I carry (yes, guac not included ). You’ll learn why sometimes, we have to be thankful for the very things that almost broke us. And maybe—just maybe—you’ll be inspired to write your own letter, too.

Because what hurt us… might be the very thing that made us.

Let’s dive into the truth of the journey.

With vulnerability and fire,

j*

Click >>PLAY<< to hear all of this and:

[00:00] Why Writing a Letter to Your Younger Self Can Be Transformative

[01:45] What’s Your Chip? The Pain That Fuels Purpose

[04:12] Vulnerability in High-Performing Rooms

[05:45] Understanding Solomon’s Paradox in Entrepreneurship

[06:50] Why This Podcast Exists: Documenting the Journey

Listen to Related Episodes:

• Growing in Life + Business: What I’m Learning in the Messy Middle

 Join my Newsletter for a weekly cocktail of insider business strategy, personal reflections, and the journey of being a thought leader.

Click >>PLAY<< to listen now!

The post The Letter I Wrote to My Younger Self (And Why It Changed Everything) appeared first on Jasmine Star.

Today’s episode is extra special, friends — I’m sitting down with my husband, best friend, co-founder, and favorite human, JD Delatorre.

After only 20 years together (and nearly that long building businesses side-by-side!), I finally convinced JD to sit behind the mic and share his perspective on what it really looks like to be married to your business partner…and still like each other.

We’re talking about:

• How I roped JD into recording this episode (spoiler: a “finger shake” contract was involved!)
• What it’s like to mix marriage and entrepreneurship for two decades
• The unglamorous but honest dynamics of decision-making, communication, and occasional eye-rolling
• How our relationship and business roles have evolved, especially after becoming parents
• The three words JD uses to describe me as a business partner AND a wife (grab tissues — this one got me right in the feels )

This conversation is totally unscripted, a little messy, full of laughter, and packed with real talk about what it takes to not just build a thriving business — but a thriving marriage along the way.

If you’ve ever wondered how we navigate it all — from finger shakes to 10x dreams — this one’s for you.

Because here’s the truth: Building a business with someone you love is hard. Loving them through it all is even harder. But it’s also the most beautiful journey you can imagine.

Click >>PLAY<< to hear all of this and:

[01:30] The story of the “finger shake” that sealed the deal

[04:00] Why working together has always been all in from the start

[06:00] Three words JD uses to describe me as a business partner

[07:20] The three (different!) words JD uses to describe me as a wife

[10:30] How we balance evolving roles at home and work

[14:45] Why communication and compromise have been our business superpowers

[19:00] A heartfelt moment about growth, patience, and building dreams together

Listen to Related Episodes:

• The Story of Jasmine + JD featuring Amy Porterfield
• Spilling the Tea About My Relationship With JD

 Join my Newsletter for a weekly cocktail of insider business strategy, personal reflections, and the journey of being a thought leader.

Click >>PLAY<< to listen now!

The post Building a Business (and Marriage) with Your Spouse: Behind the Scenes with my Husband, JD appeared first on Jasmine Star.

What if success isn’t about having all the answers—but about starting before you feel ready?

If you’ve ever hesitated to take the next step because you’re waiting to be “qualified,” this episode is for you.

In this special repurposed episode, I sat down with Alexis Teichmiller on the Circle “Making Of” podcast to talk about how I built my brand from the ground up—starting with a $19 PDF and zero business experience.

You’ll hear:

How I went from law school dropout to six figures in my first year as a photographer

The moment I realized my audience was asking for a product I hadn’t even created yet

Why generosity has been my #1 business strategy (and how it shaped my success)

The hard decision to pivot from photography to educator, strategist, and tech founder

The real reason I burned the boats on past businesses to step into something bigger

And if you’ve ever felt like ambition is a luxury you can’t afford, I share how I went from survival mode to fully embracing a growth mindset.

Listen now and DM me on Instagram @JasmineStar with your biggest takeaway!

Click >>PLAY<< to hear all of this and:

[00:00] Starting before you’re ready: why action beats perfection

[02:06] How I made six figures in my first year as a photographer (without a degree)

[04:51] Turning my audience’s questions into a $100,000 product (by accident!)

[07:16] How my childhood shaped my mindset around generosity and business

[10:53] The truth about ambition and why it felt like a “luxury” I couldn’t afford

[16:01] Pivoting from photography to digital products: the leap that changed everything

[18:46] Burning the boats: letting go of past dreams to step into something new

[25:20] Building a tech company from scratch—the hardest thing I’ve ever done

[30:25] The future of Social Curator & my vision for building a true entrepreneur community

Click >>PLAY<< to listen now!

The post How I Built a 7-Figure Brand: A Conversation About Growth, Pivoting and Scaling appeared first on Jasmine Star.

Have you ever thought you were headed in one direction, only to find yourself on a completely different path? That’s exactly what happened to me at the Modern Elder Academy (M.E.A.) as part of a leadership accelerator program. I went in expecting a DEEP dive into business, but what I found was something far more profound: a complete shift in the way I see personal growth and transformation.

This isn’t your typical “business as usual” episode—it’s my personal reflection into how we grow, transform, and evolve as entrepreneurs and individuals. I’ll be sharing personal stories (including that one time I went on a three-hour hike in high tops) and practical takeaways that you can apply to your business and life today.

This episode is my way of keeping a promise I made years ago: to share what I’ve learned so you can avoid some of the mistakes I’ve made and grow your business with clarity and purpose!

Click >>PLAY<< to hear all of this and:

(00:03:01) How a hike through New Mexico ended up not being about nature (at all) but about uncovering deeper connections and unexpected clarity

(00:06:01) Biggest takeaways from the M.E.A. experience and how they reshaped the way I approach life and business

(00:06:58) Why the questions you’re asking yourself might be the very thing holding you back—or propelling you forward

(00:08:00) The power of having a “wisdom book” as the secret weapon you didn’t know you needed

(00:10:40) Redefining disappointment and learning to use it as a tool for recalibrating expectations and reality

(00:12:33) The concept of liminality—the in-between space where growth and clarity often begin

(00:13:37) The anatomy of transformation, starting with the courageous act of letting go

(00:17:09) Navigating the messy middle—the hardest yet most transformative part of any big change

(00:20:25) The key ingredient for stepping into the next chapter of your life

(00:24:20) The difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset and why it matters in transitional moments

Listen to Related Episodes:

• How to Ask Questions that Get Results
• 7 Pivots in Business Led to THIS Moment
• How to Build Your Self Trust to Make Better Business Decisions

 Join my Newsletter for a weekly cocktail of insider business strategy, personal reflections, and the journey of being a thought leader.

Click >>PLAY<< to listen now!

The post Growing in Life + Business: What I’m Learning in the Messy Middle appeared first on Jasmine Star.

Have you ever thought about the perseverance it takes to keep going, even when the journey feels impossibly tough?

Today I’m sharing one of the most reflective episodes yet—a deep dive into the lessons that shaped my 2024 and the people who had the biggest impact on my year.

This isn’t just a highlight reel. It’s about grit, growth, and the gold we’re all searching for amidst the dirt.

This episode is personal, it’s real, and it’s for anyone who needs a little encouragement to keep digging for the gold in their own life.

Click >>PLAY<< to hear all of this and:

(00:00:50) Why I decided to reflect on the people who significantly impacted my life and business in 2024

(00:01:39) Insights from my experience with Gary Vaynerchuk, focusing on perseverance and authenticity

(00:06:01) My perspective and commitment to my goals moving forward

(00:06:58) Learnings from my mentor, Susan Sierota, who believes in me even when I doubt myself

(00:07:47) The 3 coaching styles that made a big difference for me this past year

(00:08:30) How Susan’s time audits helped optimize my productivity

(00:10:58) Meeting Alex and his help in realizing that God was trying to get my attention

(00:16:31) The power of looking for gold amidst challenges

(00:19:00) The importance of going inward for personal growth

Listen to Related Episodes:

• How to Get Attention and “Embrace the Dirt” for Long-Term Success with Gary Vaynerchuk
• Strategies that Have Transformed My Business with (My Coach) Susan Sierota

 Join my Newsletter for a weekly cocktail of insider business strategy, personal reflections, and the journey of being a thought leader.

Click >>PLAY<< to listen now!

The post The 3 People Who Radically Shaped My Year (And What They Taught Me) appeared first on Jasmine Star.