Meet Araceli Amador

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Araceli Amador a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Araceli, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I get my resilience from my journey as an immigrant, as a person, and as an entrepreneur. It started with my father — he was also an immigrant in Mexico. From him, I learned how to adapt, observe, and appreciate things differently. While others took things for granted, I learned to value the culture, the people, and the opportunities Mexico offered.

When I migrated to the U.S., everything changed. I faced barrier after barrier — I didn’t know the language, the culture, or the people. It was incredibly isolating. Emotionally, I hit rock bottom. I fell into a deep depression and struggled with anxiety for years, not even realizing how serious it was until I nearly attempted suicide.

That was the turning point — when I began to rebuild myself. That’s when resilience began to grow in me. But it wasn’t quick or easy. First, I had to ask for help and truly help myself. I spent four long years healing with the support of medication and counseling. Physically, I faced challenges too — two injuries and, in 2020, a diagnosis of a degenerative illness.

At the time, I had been a beauty consultant for over 10 years. I started to see that many people in my community were silently suffering the same way I had. That’s when I realized I had to do something. I created Las Aventuras de Araceli, a platform to bridge people to culture, to new places, and to happiness — no matter where they are. I also wanted to invite other cultures to explore and appreciate the richness of the Hispanic community.

I get my resilience from my story — from the pain, the healing, and the purpose I found in using my experience to lift others. Resilience, for me, is not just about surviving. It’s about transforming that survival into strength, connection, and service.

Together, we are stronger and richer.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m currently leading a series of workshops designed for entrepreneurs, as well as a separate community-focused series that helps individuals reflect on their personal growth and explore what they’d like to improve or pursue in their lives. Alongside that, I support local businesses—especially those created within the community—by helping them gain visibility through both direct and indirect strategic marketing campaigns.

What excites me the most about this work is that I truly understand the entrepreneurial journey—its risks, the loneliness that can come with it, and the internal fears that often hold us back. Having walked that path myself, I’m deeply passionate about helping others navigate it with more clarity and support. I love seeing people succeed, grow, and connect more meaningfully within their communities.

Ultimately, my mission is to create spaces—whether through workshops, consulting, or strategic marketing—where individuals and businesses feel seen, empowered, and capable of thriving. I believe that when local entrepreneurs succeed, the entire community benefits.

We’re currently expanding our offerings with new events and collaborations, and I’m especially excited about upcoming community sessions that blend personal development with business strategy. It’s not just about building a business—it’s about building people. That’s what drives everything I do.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three qualities have really stood out as being the most impactful in my journey: resilience, empathy, and strategic thinking.

Resilience has been essential. As an entrepreneur, there are so many ups and downs, and it’s easy to feel discouraged when things don’t go as planned. Learning how to adapt, keep going, and not take setbacks personally has made all the difference. For anyone starting out, I’d say: expect challenges, but don’t let them define you. Build your emotional endurance like a muscle—it grows stronger every time you keep going, even when it’s hard.

Empathy has also played a huge role—not just in how I connect with clients and community members, but in how I listen and understand what people really need. Whether you’re building a business or trying to make an impact, people want to feel seen and heard. Practicing empathy will help you build trust, better relationships, and more meaningful solutions.

Lastly, strategic thinking has helped me turn ideas into action. It’s not enough to just be passionate—you have to learn how to plan, prioritize, and position your work in a way that makes sense long-term. For those early in their journey, I suggest learning how to zoom out and see the bigger picture. Ask yourself not just “What do I want to do?” but “Why does it matter, and how can I do it smarter?”

In the end, the journey is a mix of heart and strategy. Stay curious, stay kind, and keep building the skills that support both.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

There have been several people and organizations that have played a crucial role in helping me overcome challenges and develop the skills I needed to move forward—but first and foremost, I have to give credit to God, who opened the doors and opportunities that brought me to where I am today.

Next is my husband, who has been by my side through the highs, the lows, and everything in between. His constant support has helped me stay grounded and keep going, even when things got tough.

One of the most pivotal moments in my journey came through Christina Long, who has been a true inspiration and role model for me. She believed in me before I fully believed in myself and offered me an incredible opportunity through her organization, Create Campaign. She invited me to be part of Spark Academy, where I learned the fundamentals of business and officially launched my LLC. That was the real beginning of my entrepreneurial path.

Later, I had the chance to meet Gene Camarena, a highly successful Hispanic entrepreneur whose story really inspired me. I asked for a meeting with him, and he generously took the time to review my business plan. His advice was simple but powerful: “Follow it, and grow it.” That gave me the motivation to keep pushing forward with clarity and confidence.

Now, three years into my business journey, I’m still learning every day—but I know I’m not doing it alone. I’m incredibly grateful for the people who have poured into me and continue to inspire me, especially my children, who give me purpose and remind me why I’m doing this.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Family picture is credit to Baldomero Platas Jr

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