We were lucky to catch up with JC Torres recently and have shared our conversation below.

JC, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

How did you learn to do what you do?

I didn’t take the traditional path and honestly, that’s been one of my biggest advantages. Everything I know about marketing came from real-world experience. I’ve spent over 14 years diving deep into different industries such as entertainment, tech, finance, satellite communications—and every step of the way, I picked up tools, insights, and lessons that helped me grow. I learned by saying “yes” to things that scared me, by observing brilliant people around me, and by getting my hands dirty in every part of the process from content creation to big-picture strategy.

There’s no better teacher than being in the room, figuring it out in real time, and learning what actually resonates with people.

Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?

If I could go back, I’d tell myself to stop trying to do it all alone. I would’ve sought out mentors sooner and opened up to more collaboration earlier on. For a while, I thought I had to prove myself by doing everything myself, but real growth happened when I started listening more, sharing ideas freely, and trusting others. I also would’ve leaned into storytelling faster. At its core, marketing is about human connection, and learning how to tell a brand’s story in a way that actually moves people; that’s where the magic is.

What skills do you think were most essential?

Empathy and creativity, without a doubt. Great marketing isn’t just about selling something; it’s about understanding what people care about and creating something that speaks to them. Also, being bilingual has been huge, it’s helped me build strategies that reach people across cultures and markets. And of course, being hands-on: knowing how to write, design, lead, and execute gives me the ability to turn ideas into action without losing momentum.

What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

One word: doubt. There were times I second-guessed myself, or held back because I wasn’t sure if I was “ready.” That’s the trap a lot of creatives fall into; waiting for permission or perfection. But once I embraced the fact that I’ll always be learning, everything shifted. Marketing is always evolving, and the moment you stop growing is the moment you fall behind. So now, I treat every project as a chance to learn something new and that keeps me inspired.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi! I’m JC Torres; Chief Marketing Officer, Visual Artist, and big believer in the power of connection.

I’ve spent the last 14+ years helping brands find their voice, tell their story, and grow with intention. My journey into marketing wasn’t born from textbooks or a step-by-step plan; it came from curiosity, real-world experience, and a deep love for understanding what makes people tick. I’ve worked across industries like entertainment, finance, satellite communications, and tech, which gave me a unique perspective on how to adapt and communicate in ways that actually matter.

At my core, I build brands that feel human. I specialize in brand development, social media strategy, content creation, digital campaigns, and communications. Whether I’m designing a full-funnel marketing strategy or crafting a single message, my goal is always the same: connect with the audience in a meaningful way.

On the services side, I help companies:

– Develop brand identities and messaging that reflect who they really are
– Create and execute marketing strategies that drive growth
– Manage communications across multiple channels (social, web, events, etc.)
– Turn complex ideas into engaging content people actually want to interact with
– Keep their finger on the pulse of what’s actually working

The Problems I Solve:

Most of my clients come to me overwhelmed. They’re struggling to grow, not sure how to differentiate themselves, or stuck in outdated marketing tactics that no longer deliver. What I bring to the table is clarity, strategy, and execution so they can focus on what they do best while I handle how it’s presented to the world.

I also help early-stage businesses who know they have something special, but don’t know how to tell their story yet. That’s where I come in—with a mix of creative vision and structured planning to bring their brand to life.

What Sets Me Apart:

I’m not just a marketer; I’m also a creator. I design, I write, I build systems, and I lead teams. I understand how the creative and operational sides work together, which means I don’t just pitch ideas; I bring them to life, from concept to execution. Being bilingual in English and Spanish also allows me to create campaigns that resonate across markets, especially in culturally diverse communities.

But beyond the skills, I genuinely care. Every project I take on is personal. I’m not interested in surface-level marketing; I want the work to mean something, to move people, and to drive real impact.

What I’m Most Proud Of:

I’m proud of the people and companies I’ve helped along the way. Watching clients find confidence in their brand, seeing teams light up when a strategy clicks, and hearing that something I created helped someone or a company grow; that’s the good stuff. That’s why I do this.

What I Want You to Know:

If you’re looking for someone who will just check the boxes and run generic campaigns, I’m probably not your guy. But if you want someone who will dive deep, get to know your brand like it’s their own, and create bold, thoughtful marketing that actually works I’m here for it.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, as someone who lives at the intersection of creativity and strategy, is that moment when an idea clicks. Not just in my head, but in someone else’s heart. When a concept, a piece of content, or a campaign connects emotionally with an audience… that’s magic. That’s when you know you’ve moved beyond just selling something; you’ve created meaning.

What I love about marketing is that it’s not just about data or branding—it’s about human psychology, emotion, and storytelling. The strategy part gets me excited because it gives structure to the creativity. I get to take a powerful idea, wrap it in strategy, and launch it in a way that gets real results. When creativity and strategy work together, that’s when brands grow and audiences genuinely care.

There’s something incredibly fulfilling about helping a client go from “We don’t know how to stand out” to “Wow, this feels like us and people are responding.” I don’t just create visuals or copy; I build bridges between a brand and its people.

At the end of the day, what drives me is impact. Whether it’s a well-timed campaign that drives engagement, a brand voice that finally feels authentic, or a visual identity that people remember, it’s about making things that matter, and making sure they work.

That’s the sweet spot for me: creative that connects, and strategy that delivers.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Without a doubt, referrals have been the best source of new clients for me. There’s something incredibly powerful about someone experiencing your work, seeing the results, and feeling so confident in what you bring to the table that they’re excited to recommend you to others. That kind of trust can’t be bought; it’s earned.

Most of the clients I’ve worked with have come through word of mouth, and I take a lot of pride in that. Whether it’s a brand I helped bring to life, a campaign that hit the mark, or a strategy session that brought clarity, those moments stick with people. And when they tell a friend or colleague, “You’ve got to talk to JC”, that’s the highest compliment I could ask for.

Referrals also mean that the relationship starts from a place of trust. Clients already come in with a sense of who I am, how I work, and what I deliver. It creates a deeper, more collaborative process right from the beginning and that leads to better work, every time.

At the end of the day, it’s about showing up, doing the work with heart, and letting the results speak for themselves. That’s what keeps the referrals (and the momentum) going.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whoisjctorres
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whoisjctorres