Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Ontiveros.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey all started in early 2020 when I bought my first house. My boyfriend and I had an apartment, and randomly came up with the idea of buying an older outdated home to flip ourselves. I was creative and my now husband was handy and had construction experience so it didn’t sound crazy to take something like this on. But little did I know, that was just the beginning of a seriously wild ride.
Shortly after moving in, we got engaged (because why not add a wedding to the to-do list?), then I applied for grad school so I could finish getting my masters degree in social work (why not throw in a little more stress?), planned a wedding, finished grad school, and—oh yeah—got pregnant. All of this, mind you, while I was still turning this house into a home. It sounds absolutely crazy, but somehow, it worked out. Expecting a baby really did make us throw things into gear and finish the house because we wanted to be in a bigger place before having the baby and the market was hot.
Fast forward to April 2023: We sold that house while 30 weeks pregnant. We moved into our new place at 34 weeks pregnant. It was definitely a lot going on, but somehow, I survived the chaos. Oh, and I managed to document all of it along the way, thanks to my instagram account @heyibuiltthis—which, by the way, became my outlet for all things home renovation and a surprise passion for content creation.
Now, it’s 2025, and I’m renovating a second house (this one’s twice the size, because clearly I’m not done with the craziness), building connections with amazing people, partnering with brands, and learning all kinds of things about design, construction, and how to juggle a lot at once. I will say I do content creation and remodeling part time while I now have a family and the other part of my time is spent as a mental health therapist with a focus on perinatal health.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road? Not exactly! While the journey has been rewarding, the hardest part has definitely been trying to make money as a content creator. There’s a lot that goes into it—editing, finding inspiration, and the constant battle of not comparing yourself to others. Oh, and let’s not forget juggling all of this with having a family. Sometimes, I feel like I’m trying to spin plates while riding a unicycle!
Then there’s the whole learning curve. Everyone has a different opinion on how to do things the “right” way, and it can get overwhelming. I would love to have a larger following by now, be making more income, and honestly, have more time to focus on growing. But the reality is, building something from scratch takes time—and time is something I don’t always have. I’m definitely proud of where I am, but it’s hard not to wish I was a little further along.
In the end, though, I remind myself that it’s all part of the process. Success isn’t always about hitting every milestone in record time—it’s about making progress, learning, and staying true to your vision. People make it look so easy on social media but we have to remember it’s just a highlight reel.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My Instagram is called @heyibuiltthis, and I specialize in sharing step-by-step videos of my home renovation projects. I love breaking things down into bite-sized, day-by-day content—like Day 1, Day 2, Day 3—so people can see the transformation in real-time. In between that, I mix in educational content like how-to tutorials (think: how to tile) and fun DIY hacks that make those big projects feel a little less intimidating.
What I’m really passionate about is showing that you can create a beautiful home on a budget. I believe in finding ways to save where you can, but I also know that sometimes it’s worth splurging a little—because a home should be a place you love and enjoy!
What sets me apart, though, is definitely my personality. I’m always joking around and laughing (which, by the way, is my secret to enjoying life). People often think I’m much younger than I am because I’m just so bubbly and upbeat. But I really believe that laughter is key—you’ve gotta have fun every day and not sweat the things you can’t control. It’s all about making the process enjoyable, not just the end result!
What are your plans for the future?
In the future, I’m really looking forward to diving into content creation full time. I’ve absolutely loved the journey so far, but I’m ready to take a step back from my career in mental health so I can focus on just one thing. My main priority is being present for my family, and I’m incredibly grateful I get to spend as much time at home as I do. However, juggling two careers has been a challenge, and I’m excited about the idea of fully dedicating myself to creating content without that constant pull in two different directions.
I’m also really excited about the possibility of launching my own product line in the future! I’ve got some ideas brewing, and I can’t wait to bring them to life. It’s something I’m really passionate about, and I’m looking forward to seeing where that takes me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyibuiltthis/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Heyibuiltthis/100088577551436/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Heyibuiltthis
