We recently connected with Cristal Delgado and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Cristal thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

This past May, just before my 24th birthday, I made a decision that felt both exciting and terrifying. I realized that the passions I had held onto for years and the path I was on didn’t quite fit me anymore. At the time, I was working as a creative entrepreneur, helping to lead a startup that was really making waves in the community. I had found my groove in things like business organization, team building, PR, marketing and social impact. But despite everything going well on the surface, I just didn’t feel that same spark I had in the beginning.

I was at a crossroads: I could either stick with what was comfortable and hope something changed, or I could take a leap of faith and dive into something completely new and unpredictable. And let me tell you, that second option felt super scary, but deep down, I knew I had to go for it.

So, I did it. I announced that I was stepping down from my role and decided to go off on my own to figure out what my next chapter would look like. It was a rollercoaster of emotions—there were definitely moments where I questioned everything. Did I make the right choice? What’s going to happen now? Am I going to find my community?

But I knew I had to trust myself. I leaned on my faith and the people around me. I talked to my friends and mentors, and they really helped me stay grounded and reminded me that I had what it takes to succeed.

I made sure to stay active—going to events, meeting new people, and facing my fears head-on. Through all of that, I realized something huge: my true passion is in entrepreneurship and helping others tell their stories. I took this risk for a reason, and it led me to start something I’m genuinely excited about.

In July 2024, I launched Embracing Your Journey Co. My goal with this business is to help other entrepreneurs and business owners share their stories authentically. I want to turn the awkwardness of being vulnerable into something that actually helps them grow. Taking this risk wasn’t easy, but it was so worth it because it led me to where I’m meant to be.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi, I’m the founder of Embracing Your Journey Co., a marketing agency that specializes in brand consulting and social media strategy. My journey into the world of Public Relations and Marketing began back in college when I was originally on the path to becoming an elementary educator. Despite that initial direction, I found myself increasingly drawn to branding and content creation. From the age of 13, I had been building an online presence—starting with tweets, blogging on Tumblr, and sharing my life updates with my community. I truly believed in the power of everyone’s voice and saw the importance of being online as technology continued to evolve.

As I grew into early adulthood, my passion for content creation deepened. I built a community centered around my self-confidence as a Latina and plus-size woman, creating budget-friendly outfit inspiration, lifestyle content as a student and entrepreneur, and speaking directly on camera to inspire and motivate others to pursue their goals. Years of consistency strengthened my skills and craft, leading me to join a community platform startup in Lawrence, MA. I quickly grew within the organization, advancing from Social Media Manager to Marketing Director, and ultimately, Chief Operating Officer. Throughout this experience, I taught my team content creation and brand-building techniques, both for the business and their personal endeavors, while continually growing my own brand.

The services I provide through Embracing Your Journey Co. include brand consulting and hosting private and public workshops focused on improving brand presence online and in person. I also host the Embracing Your Journey Podcast which interviews entrepreneurs to give them a platform to confidently share their story. What sets me apart is the authentic connection I build with my clients, helping them share their journeys in ways that truly resonate with their audience.

At Embracing Your Journey Co., our mission is to empower entrepreneurs and business owners to share their stories authentically, removing the discomfort of vulnerability and transforming it into a powerful tool for growth. We tackle common challenges such as low social media engagement, lack of online presence, and overwhelming marketing investments by offering tailored strategies that save time, money, and effort. My goal is to inspire others by showing that with creativity, persistence, and belief in oneself, anything is possible.

I’m proudest of the fact that I’ve built a thriving community and business without completing my degree. I want to show that it’s possible to make an impact regardless of your educational background, bank account, or past. I’m a self-taught content creator and consultant who has remained a student of the craft, constantly researching, attending events, seizing opportunities, and reminding myself that I AM HER.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Honestly, it might sound cliché, but I built my audience on social media by just being myself. I’m pretty private, but I knew if I wanted to really connect with people, I had to open up and share my journey in real time. People are over just seeing the highlights—I know I am. So, I started being real, not just sharing the fun stuff, but also putting out content that people could actually relate to and find helpful.

If you want to build your brand on social media, my biggest tip is to become the go-to person for something you’re passionate about. I figured out what my mission was, my brand story, and what I wanted to share on my platform. Then, I created content pillars—basically, key topics that I knew I could talk about with confidence, like resilience, personal growth, building confidence, my wellness journey, and creating community.

If you really want to grow your audience—not just rack up followers—start embracing your journey and share it. People don’t just want to see perfect product shots or super polished brand pics. They want the real story—talk about the sacrifices you made to get here, the investments you made in yourself, and how you pushed through the challenges. The brands and people I love the most are the ones that feel real and relatable.

I’ve grown an online community of over 28,000 people just by being authentic—no fancy equipment or anything. My advice? Keep it simple. Get a good tripod with a clicker, a portable phone light, and start creating. Be consistent, talk directly to your audience like you’re chatting with a friend, and make it personal. Engage with them, hype them up, and spread kindness. And don’t forget to GO OUTSIDE! Go to events, make friends, and keep in touch with them online. Before you know it, your community will start to grow!

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I really believe that my reputation in this field has come from my consistent effort and dedication. As a self-taught digital creator, I wasn’t always the best at what I did—I sometimes look back at my early videos or flyers and laugh at how they turned out. But I never let that stop me. I was constantly learning and improving, experimenting with different software, seeking feedback from clients and peers, and watching tutorials to up my game.

I refused to settle for anything less than my best and took pride in every project I worked on. There are so many free/affordable tools and resources out there, and I made sure to take full advantage of them. Over time, word spread about my work, and I’m so grateful that all of my leads have come through referrals or people who saw my work and wanted the same.

The key is to deliver high-quality work and use your platform to share your progress along the way. You never know who’s watching and who might become your next client or partner!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/cristaldelrey
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cristaldelrey
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristaldelgado24/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Cristaldelrey

Image Credits

Najee Visuals, Cecilia Jean Photography