Erika Cramer

“To succeed, trust your story and your voice. Australia is a place of opportunity if you’re willing to be bold, show up, and share who you are. Your difference is your power”

Erika Cramer

Occupation: Founder & CEO of The Queen of Confidence, Speaker, Author, and Coach

State of Residency: Victoria

Favourite place in Australia: Daylesford, Victoria – a peaceful and grounding escape that feels like a home away from home.

Upon Arrival: I was surprised by how few Latinos lived in Australia, especially Puerto Ricans. In 16 years I’ve met only about seven.

Story edited by Lucy Coulson and digital edition by Johany Ortiz

Content warning: This story includes mention of childhood abuse, family trauma, and loss. Please take care while reading and reach out for support if you need it. 24-hour support available Lifeline (13 11 14) or Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636). Access our mental health directory of Spanish speaking professionals.

Erika Cramer, best known as The Queen of Confidence, is an international speaker, author, and coach who helps women build unshakable confidence and powerful personal brands that position them as leaders in their industries. She is the host of the award-winning podcast The Confidence Chronicles—with over three million downloads—and the author of Confidence Feels Like Sht* and Becoming Magnetic with Penguin Random House. Erika has spoken on global stages, coached thousands of women, and is widely recognised as one of Australia’s leading voices in confidence, identity, and visibility.

Her greatest contribution to Australia has been empowering women to step into confidence and visibility—to stop playing small and create businesses and lives that reflect their brilliance. From her base in Melbourne, Erika has built a global platform that has inspired countless women to own their voice, reclaim their power, and become the “go-to” in their fields. Through her programs, retreats, books, and podcast, she has supported thousands of women to transform their lives and careers.

TELL US YOUR STORY

Erika speaking at a conference

I was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to a Puerto Rican mother who lived with untreated bipolar disorder. My father left when I was only two. By that age, child services had already stepped in, and I spent my childhood in foster care. I grew up without the big Latino family gatherings most of us know—no cousins, no tías, no abuelos. I felt alone, rootless, and unwanted.

My childhood was marked by chaos, abuse, and instability. At seven years old, my biological father kidnapped me. Soon after, I survived a near-fatal car accident with my mother. At sixteen, desperate to escape the system, I joined the United States Army. By seventeen, I was training as a soldier.

At that time, I was with my high school sweetheart. He went to Iraq, returned deeply changed, and a year later, we were in a car accident that broke my back. Soon after, he died in another crash while drink-driving. His death sent me into a dark spiral of grief and toxic relationships.

Erika shared her experiences at Generation Women Australia

One of those relationships brought me to Australia. I thought I was starting fresh, but the relationship fell apart. I felt isolated, far from my family, and from the Latin community I longed for. Slowly, I began rebuilding. I met a mentor who introduced me to personal development, healing, and identity work.

With no money, no audience, and a newborn baby in my arms, I started my business from scratch. I recorded my podcast in the car, breastfeeding between episodes, crying, and still showing up. That podcast now has millions of downloads worldwide. I wrote and self-published my first book, which sold over 20,000 copies, and later signed with Penguin Random House. I’ve spoken on global stages, built a seven-figure business, and coached thousands of women to reclaim their voice and presence.

Sixteen years later, Australia has given me a home, a family, and a place to serve. It has also been difficult—being Puerto Rican here is rare, and I’ve often felt disconnected from my roots. Yet, that disconnection taught me to carry my identity with pride. Every time I speak, every client I coach, every book I write, I am raising my flag.

I would not change my story. Every hardship prepared me to lead and serve. I reclaimed the little girl who was abandoned, and she grew into a Queen.

Erika at the launch of her book, Becoming Magnetic.

CHALLENGES

Starting without community – Arriving in Australia with no family, no network, and no cultural community was a deep challenge. I had grown up already feeling isolated, and moving here reinforced that loneliness. Not having other Puerto Ricans around me meant I had to build my own identity from scratch. I overcame it by embracing my heritage with pride and making my work my way of connecting to people.

Starting my business with nothing –  It was daunting having no followers, no savings, and a newborn baby. I felt like the odds were against me. But I believed in my voice and my mission. I showed up consistently, podcasting, creating content, and building trust. Over time, my persistence paid off.

Proud to hold Confidence Feels Like Sh*t.

Navigating grief and trauma – Doing this while building a life in a new country was a heavy burden. I lost my partner, endured toxic relationships, and faced my own broken identity. Healing required therapy, deep personal work, and years of self-reflection. That healing became the foundation of my work today.

CONTRASTS AND SIMILARITIES

A more individualistic society – Puerto Rico is full of family gatherings, music, food, and community. In Australia, life feels more individualistic. At first this was painful, but it also gave me space to create my own version of family and community.

Reserved vs. expressive – Latino culture is expressive and passionate. Australians, in my experience, can be more reserved and laid-back. Learning to navigate both worlds has given me a balance of passion and groundedness.

Similarities with different cultures – I feel like other cultures like Sri Lankan’s, Italians, Greeks etc hold very similar things to us Puerto Ricans and it’s been nice to witness something I wouldn’t have noticed if I had an entire Puerto  Rican community here  it’s been beautifully to know that we all have so much in common. 

PIECE OF ADVICE

Come with an open heart and mind. It may feel lonely at first, but lean into creating connections and building your own support system.

Trust your story and your voice. Australia is a place of opportunity if you’re willing to be bold, show up, and share who you are. Your difference is your power.

If you’re struggling, remember that your story is not over. Every hardship can be fuel for transformation. Seek support, keep going, and know that resilience grows in the darkest moments.

IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS

In the next 5–10 years, Erika envisions continuing to expand her global impact—writing, speaking, and creating spaces where women can reclaim their voices and power. She aims to grow The Queen’s Table into a worldwide movement that empowers women to become leading authorities in their industries. On a personal level, Erika hopes to keep raising her children with pride in their Puerto Rican roots, showing them that anything is possible with audacity and heart.

Do you want to follow Erikas’s journey? Connect with her on Instagram , Erika's website or Linkedin

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With love and gratitude - The Latin Stories Australia team