Fort Lauderdale’s Rising Stars

Shawnda Stovall

I came into therapeutic massage in 2009-2010 because my oldest daughter had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and I wanted to learn massage to continue to help her. She was already receiving it, and our then insurance stopped covering it. I saw what it did for her and how it helped us manage her pain, and I wanted to learn it. I enrolled in Virginia College in Augusta and received an Associate of Applied Science in Therapeutic Massage. Read More>>

Gina-Marie Bethel

At a young age, as technology was emerging at a vast rate, I found myself drawn to Graphic Design and the inner workings of how things work with computers and different software; I immersed myself in learning as much as I could about it. This passion led me to pursue Graphic Design, Web Development, and streaming, where I gained valuable knowledge and skills that laid the foundation for my career. Read More>>

Cinnamon White

One day, I was at home brainstorming ideas of things I could do and I came up with me doing rose bouquets. I used to always buy my mom, grandmother, and myself flowers every other week. I always loved flowers. I truly believe in giving people their flowers while they can smell them. Read More>>

Lakeisha Brice

Hi, my name is Lakeisha but officially called (Keisha) I started doing hair from I was 15 years old and always had a passion for everything beauty. The name Perfectimage242 was birthed in Nassau Bahamas in 2016. And I moved my business to Fort Lauderdale in 2020 After 20-plus years I now gain a love in catering to women with hair loss. I find great joy in seeing women with zero confidence to a woman who believes in herself again. Read More>>

Kate Ferrer

Sacred Form was created for our Plantation community when we felt the strong need for more studios offering traditional practices in yoga, pilates and qigong in our local area. Selecting the location was quite easy as we knew we wanted to be centrally located to both downtown Fort Lauderdale and the suburbs located out West. With our background in the field of interior design we knew we could easily turn any space into our vision for the studio. Read More>>

Mattia Casarotto

The global pandemic presented significant obstacles but also opened doors for growth and adaptation. We successfully navigated these times, which led to substantial growth for our company. This growth enabled us to relocate to a newer, larger facility in Fort Lauderdale, a move that marks a significant milestone in our history. Read More>>

Patricia Chin

Six years ago, I found some amazing products that can help us create a healthy and thriving home environment. With my background in operations and technology, I translated both into my calling for clean living in establishing The Healthy Home. By creating a process to educate and evaluate what people have in their homes, I show them alternatives that are available to help them achieve the same. Read More>>

Narshlie C. Mertilus

By the time I turned 21, I knew I had a real passion for event designing and coordination which was solidified when I put together my own 21st birthday bash. But it was when I designed, coordinated, and planned my own wedding that’s when my family and closest friends encouraged me to turn my talents into a business. Read More>>

Zander Brant

My first real photography introduction was in the 7th-grade elective class. We would go out and shoot a roll of film of mostly nature photos. Then return to the darkroom to develop the film. It was an adventurous discovery. I loved it. In my early twenties, my kids became my muses and I started photographing kids for talent agencies. Then adults. Read More>>

Arianna Lint

Our clients are predominantly transgender women of color, those released from incarceration, and those navigating the immigration system. As a trans Latina openly living with HIV it hasn’t always been an easy path, we’re often taken advantage of, and we aren’t always given a seat at the table. I personally experienced discrimination that led to homelessness. Read More>>

Yaneilys (Yanee) Amador

My journey illustrates the transformative power of dedication as a first-generation Cuban-American struggling with self-esteem and evolving into a confident yoga instructor and wellness entrepreneur. My name is Yaneilys (Yanee) Amador, and after confronting early challenges with body image, I found my calling through yoga and meditation at the age of twenty. Read More>>

Victoria Ortiz Bayuelo

My story is a journey marked by multiple passions, challenges, and perseverance. I was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, with an innate curiosity and a constant thirst for creation. From a young age, I knew that my destiny was linked to entrepreneurship, communication, and creativity. Read More>>

Ron Shuali

I started as a preschool karate teacher, spent 20 years developing my Behavior Mastery System, and now present keynotes and trainings across the country. Read More>>

Tyler Graeff

Both myself and my wife Lauren struggled with drug and alcohol addiction in the past. Up until our early twenties, we lived a life that was reckless and caused us many issues in life including arrests, broken family relationships, and missed opportunities. We did not meet each other until we found lasting sobriety and were serving with the program that was used to help transform our lives at different locations. Read More>>

Shalonna Battle

My career as a health care professional started as a labor and delivery nurse. I was a young, vibrant, and new nurse who loved being part of the birthing experience. It was a privilege and honor to be with a woman and her family as they brought new life into the world. I enjoyed every moment of it. Read More>>

Summer Keeney

My journey to where I am today with Buzz Bee Social Media has been quite the ride, filled with lots of learning and hard work. The idea of starting a business began back in college at Marshall University where I studied Business Management and Marketing. I’ve always enjoyed being creative, so marketing, specifically content creation, felt like a good fit. Read More>>

Nafeesah “Fosh” Terry

I went to STEM Academy High School in NJ and was the Cheer Captain and the Softball Captain in my Senior year of high school. I furthered my education at Centenary University, earning a Bachelor of Science specializing in Finance and Marketing. Read More>>

Rich Williams

My career in sales started off as an Insurance agent working in the “debit” business in Miami. This is where agents, along with selling life insurance policies would also come to your home and collect the monthly premiums from their clients. At the time, the life insurance industry was already making a shift going into “bank drafts” but my company was one of a few that was still in existence collecting premiums. I was able to meet many people from all stages of life and became an extended family member. Read More>>

Orla Ananda

Today I work with a variety of clients nationally and continue to grow and pivot finding that deeper purpose behind my work while supporting my team and my vision. The deeper purpose of my business is to enhance people’s lives and stimulate businesses by transforming and beautifying the spaces we inhabit. It genuinely makes a difference. Read More>>

Robnitia Weekley

Identifying a Need: It all began with recognizing a gap in the market for reliable and convenient notary services. As I interacted with various individuals and businesses, I noticed that many struggled to find trustworthy notaries who could accommodate their busy schedules or provide services promptly. This sparked the idea of establishing a business that could address these pain points Read More>>

Jol Monteiro

I studied music in college and would dream of releasing music as an artist. It wasn’t until the loss of my grandma that I realized I needed to make the most of my time here on this earth, as she did. I released my first song in April of 2021 and have been producing and recording my music ever since; being a part of each aspect of the art I share with the world. Read More>>

Ali Robins

After taking an elective in Film Photography, I went out and bought a $200 Vivitar Film Camera, and that’s when I fell in love with photography. I transitioned into Digital shortly after and took my work to the street. Doing photography for Seniors in high school, family portraits, and even one small wedding. I enjoyed it for a short time until the film bug hit more years later. Read More>>

Oralee Bras

I am from a small town called Bushy Park in St Catherine, Jamaica. I grew up always outdoors and around my family. Hailing from a small community and of humble beginnings you learn to appreciate Life differently. I moved around a lot during my early childhood, and I believe that allowed me to adapt easily to any environment. This prepared me to be able to adjust to my circumstances and so I know what is to have and not to have. Read More>>

Dina Gosselin

Since 2018, Be The Light Malas has inspired thousands to attract what they’re seeking through the power of semi-precious gemstones. Each piece is handcrafted with natural healing crystals from Mother Earth, such as Rose Quartz, Amethyst, Smokey Quartz, and more. In addition to being beautiful pieces of jewelry that suit many modern styles, our clients have benefited from these truly unique pieces that help balance the mind, body, and spirit. Read More>>