Every day we have a choice. We can support an up and coming podcaster, try a new family-run restaurant, join a boutique gym started by a local fitness champ or we could keep giving away our money to the handful of giants who already control so much of our commerce. Our daily decisions impact the kind world we live in; if we want a world where small businesses are growing and artists and creatives are thriving then we should support them with our time, money and attention. We’re proud to highlight inspiring creatives and entrepreneurs each week in Hidden Gems series. Check out some of our latest local gem features below.
Emma Hulburd
Our story began when we met while working as servers at a restaurant during college in 2012. Even then, we both knew we wanted to help people in a meaningful way. Connor watched the life changing impact that his chiropractor parents had improving the health and quality of life of their community, one patient at a time. I had personal experience with chiropractic care from a young age and was drawn to the idea of pursuing a career that would allow me to help others heal naturally and holistically. Read More>>
Nicholas Cicio
Nicholas, a 26-year-old content creator and model, embodies a life of adventure, resilience, and creativity. Originally from a small town in the mountains of Pennsylvania, Nicholas pursued his passion for architecture at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art & Architecture in Philadelphia. His twenties were marked by transformative experiences, including backpacking through Europe, studying in Italy, and living out of his car while traveling across the U.S. These adventures expanded his horizons and tested his limits, particularly during a challenging period of gambling and drug addiction that strained his personal relationships and financial stability. Read More>>
Stefanie Blustein
So I must’ve had the photography bug early on. In high school I started posting scenic photos on Facebook and out of the blue the Alexander Hotel in Miami Beach offered me a job to curate its July 4th promotional material. Until then, photography was a passion not a profession. But I enjoyed helping the hotel turn its vision into reality. And when I saw the eye-popping prices of the cameras that I wanted, I began accepting local requests for family sessions. Word of mouth soon led to a growing portfolio of clients, invaluable experience, and a developing style that was all my own. These early shoots refined and defined my style. Read More>>
Josephine Cancel
I started my first full-time job at 17 and continue working while pursuing a six-year university career, which was extended due to financial constraints, demanding work hours, and the birth of my three daughters. My pregnancies were complicated by severe health issues, including extreme fatigue, anemia, joint pain, and blackouts, which significantly impacted my ability to work and attend university. Despite these challenges, I remained committed to my family and sought medical treatment to improve my health. Read More>>
Elisabet Fountain
I was a flamenco dancer living in Denmark when I felt the call to a drastic change of life. Rather than gathering attention towards myself, I yearned to place my attention on others in genuine need of help. Friends of mine were working among the street kids in Colombia and they required I take a six month course to prepare me for that work. Read More>>
Claudia Vidal
11 years ago I met canoeing, I was very stressed with so much work and my super busy routine. It was when walking along the beach in Niterói /Rio de Janeiro I was invited to get into a canoe I was 46 years old, I fell in love every day with the beautiful sport and with contact with nature that at the moment was what I needed. Read More>>
Andreana Diaz
As I transitioned into my teenage years, the world around me seemed both vast and limiting. I was driven by a desire to break free from the constraints of my environment and explore new horizons. This period was marked by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and new experiences. I sought out opportunities to expand my understanding of the world, driven by a belief that there was more to life than the confines of my immediate surroundings. Read More>>
Olympus Turf
A business that can provide stability long term, takes time to build and walking that road will not be easy, being a entrepreneur exposes you to good and bad seasons and market/economy fluctuations you’ll need to be prepared for, especially in a city like Miami where we can find a wide and varied clientele with different needs and budgets, Adaptation has been the skill we’ve sharpened through the years and it’s what makes possible that we continue being competitive in the industry, we can say that being resilient as a company and team is the key to success not just business wise but in all aspects of life. Read More>>
Anthony Johnson
First generation American born to Jamaican parents. The early years started off being raised in Brown’s Town, St. Ann, Jamaica. Later migrated back to the U.S. to attend school and explore other opportunities. Education was a priority for me and was always instilled that would be my only way to success. Read More>>
Florie Tanquerel
Very young, I got an attraction for smelling and wanted to transform this passion into my job! Sometimes with a little bit of luck, important encounters, work and perseverance, some doors opened and I could join very early a famous fragrance house , specialized in perfumes creation and natural raw materials, as a trainee perfumer in partnership with the unique French school of “nez” in Versailles and this amazing adventure could start for me ! During the years, I developed my expertise and become a perfumer working all across Europe, America, and the Middle East, in Paris, Barcelona, Miami, and Dubai for many brands. Read More>>
Michelle Carmona
I’m a first-generation Dominican who graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. My journey began well before my college graduation. While I was still in school, I developed an online presence through my nail page and pursued my passion for cosmetology, ultimately becoming a licensed nail technician. My efforts on TikTok paid off, and I grew my following to over 30k in a relatively short time. Read More>>
Silvino Diaz
I am an Entertainment Attorney, with over 10 years of experience representing world-renowned artists, entertainers and brands in major deals, lawsuits and as a general counsel. My practice includes industries such as music, arts, tech, crypto, media, publishing, data privacy, money services, small businesses, and others. I have been blessed by recognitions such as Billboard Magazine, as one of America’s Top Music Lawyers (2022). I am an author, professor, speaker, and mentor to thousands via my platform Starving Artists, a legal service and media channel for artists, creators and entrepreneurs. Read More>>
Daniel Sokol
I started my career as a software engineer, always driven by a passion for improving how technology can work better for people. After spending years in the industry, I joined forces with my co-founder, a New York native turned Miami local, to tackle a specific challenge: making the process of finding an apartment in Miami both easy and enjoyable. This shared vision led us to launch OceanPads at the beginning of this year, 2024, and we’re excited about how it’s transforming the real estate experience in this vibrant city. Read More>>
Sandy Show
I started in Cuba 20 years ago in radio and TV, then I started in musical shows at Tropicana, due to repression by the Cuban government, I went to work in the Caribbean in hotels. When I returned to Cuba due to Covid 19, I did a radio program that became very popular and there the government repression returned and I left for Jamaica fleeing. Then I was 8 days at sea until I reached Cancun and from there 4 in Mexico until the border when I arrived in Miami. I have been on podcasts and some dramatizations as well as shows in nightclubs. Now I launched my own podcast. LO DE NOSOTROS NO TIENE NOMBRE Read More>>
Shaana Dean
In the aftermath of that loss, my focus shifted entirely to caring for our baby and nurturing our home. The job search was a struggle, filled with uncertainty and challenges. It was during this time that I rediscovered the joy of baking—a comforting escape that allowed me to channel my emotions and creativity. What began as simple meals for my son quickly evolved into baking batches of cookies for family and friends. Read More>>
Fefi Rosado
Our mission is to connect Latin American contemporary artists with both seasoned collectors and newcomers to the art world, making art more accessible and less intimidating. Through private showings and collaborations with designers, we’ve built personal relationships and helped create meaningful spaces. By sharing the stories behind each piece, we aim to deepen the connection between the public and the art, allowing people to engage emotionally with the works while supporting these talented artists. Read More>>
Kareem Amado
I’ve been actively working in all areas of entertainment including radio, television, film, podcast and fashion. In just 4 days I’m traveling to London to walk for D’bPhor in London Fashion week. Each opportunity lead me to discover a new passion or desire within myself that hadnt yet known and with that opportunity gave me the skills I needed to succeed. Through it all, I’ve learned that the key to success lies not just in pursuing one’s passions, but in being open to new opportunities, embracing challenges, and continuously learning. Each experience has taught me valuable skills, from communication and public speaking to time management and adaptability. Read More>>
Victor Lopez
I am a soccer Director/Coach and mentor in South Broward. I have been only in Florida for you years helping and teach athletes of all ages develop and get better in their soccer career. My goal has always been able to help and support players in the community to reach their maximum potential and goals to play at a higher level wether is high school, top soccer club, college and professional or semi pro. Read More>>
Roberto Dupotey
After achieving success in Mexico, I transitioned to the United States, where I re-established myself, gradually gaining recognition through radio and television appearances. Presently, I specialize in children’s shows and adult events, catering to both American and Hispanic audiences under the stage name Magic Teylor. I am grateful for the opportunities provided by God and the United States, facilitating my professional growth since relocating with my family in 2021. My services include children’s magic shows, corporate events, and performances for older adults, with ongoing refinement of my presentation and illusion techniques, including mentalism. Read More>>
Yuri Cordero
In 1998, I accepted an opportunity at Univision’s news magazine show, Primer Impacto, as an assignment editor. A year later, I explored returning to on-air work. However, my executive producer, the creator of the program, told me, “I didn’t hire you as a reporter, I hired you as a producer.” It wasn’t easy, but I decided to focus on becoming one of the top producers in the company. Sometimes, a closed door is a blessing in disguise, paving the way for greater opportunities in the future. Read More>>
Yazz Giraldo
My adventure began with a deep-rooted passion for dance and performance, honed through years of professional training. Moving to the United States was both exhilarating and daunting. Upon arriving in Miami, I quickly realized that pursuing my dreams would require more than just talent—it would take grit and resilience. I began offering dance lessons to both kids and adults, using my background to connect with my new community. Despite the challenges of establishing myself in a new country, my unwavering resolve and love for the art kept me moving forward. Read More>>
Renèe Bhagwandeen
I started modeling at 18, and let me tell you, it hasn’t always been easy. There were countless rejections, moments of doubt, and times where I felt like giving up. The glamorous industry people see from the outside isn’t the full story. It’s a grind. But that journey has also been incredible. It’s helped me grow, taught me resilience, and introduced me to some amazing people along the way. Read More>>
Chris Vaughn
Next covid hit and my landlord, which I had an under the table lease with, got diagnosed with cancer and needed a few months of rent up front. Which I did not have. Then my cousin decided to move back to New York because of covid. So then I really couldn’t afford to stay in Miami as I was barely scraping by. My ex and I moved back to Ohio and I lost my entrepreneur life. I worked at FedEx as a package handler and Amazon as a delivery driver as I finished my degree in psychology and worked relentlessly toward my return to Miami. Eventually social distancing came to an end, the scary part of covid was over, and I saved enough money to return to Miami Read More>>
Willie Big Will Torres
Power Parties was a dream of mine for about 25 years and was always talked out of starting it as it might effect other people that did the same thing that were associates. My love for music stems from my childhood listening and jamming to English music from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s as loud as my mom could crank the radio every morning and afternoon going and coming from school or any other time riding with her. Also visiting my relatives from my fathers side there was always great salsa playing at their homes so that is where my love for salsa music came in. Read More>>
Alexis Torres
While I was originally born in Miami Beach, FL, I was mostly raised in New York City, where I obtained a degree in fashion design from The Fashion Institute of Technology and ran with a graffiti crew; truly, I am a creative and designer at heart. In 2015, I made my way back to Miami, fired up by the desire to leverage my New York experiences in jewelry, fur design, and luxury watches, blending those with the opulence of South Florida. Read More>>
Quality And Quantity
Driven by this insight, Alfredo set out to create a solution. He knew he couldn’t do it alone, so he reached out to his sister Sierra, a talented professional with a keen eye for market trends and user experience. Together, they began to bring this vision to life. Sierra joined as a co-founder early on, and her role was crucial in shaping the app’s concepts and conducting the market research needed to elevate Quality and Quantity. Read More>>
Elizabeth M Palacios
I founded Tutors Connects in September 2022 as a school club, driven by my personal experiences with learning challenges like dyslexia and ADHD. These experiences made me acutely aware of the need for personalized academic support, especially for students who face language barriers. I was inspired to create a program that provided one-on-one tutoring to help students overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential. Read More>>
Gino Santarossa
He then took over a popular Nightclub show called Graffiti that aired from 1995-2000 across the nation interviewing the likes of Beyoncé, Shaggy, Nas, Lenny Kravitz, Marc Anthony and more popular artists. From there he opened up a development in the Caribbean selling over $200 million in Real Estate and winning the International Property Awards 4x with his 2 beachside developments. In 2021 Gino became a realtor in Toronto and is now a full time Florida Real Estate agent thriving in the Sunshine state. He hosts a weekly YouTube channel called Relocating to Florida-Gino Santarossa. Read More>>
Eni Alexis
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. It was difficult in the beginning, starting with zero clients. Zero clients means zero income . Sometimes I would feel guilty not being able to chip in when it came to bills but that also was a big motivator for me . I had to really work to build clientele and build the trust of those who I cleaned for . Read More>>
Jayshawn Bull
Ive been making music since i was 9 Years Old my first artist name was “Jay9” I’ll never forget it. My cousin use to come to the house with random people and make me freestyle on the spot, overtime it became an Easy way to express myself. From there middle school and high school was all about beating on the tables rapping and rap battling others it was a full joy. Right out of high school I decided to take things seriously with a group of friends but overtime life caught up with us and we all started doing our own thing. So I went into business with a a business owner that we all knew and ended moving to Fl. 2/3 years later i ended up on my own again but One thing that has never changed about me is my love for music. Read More>>
Taylor Jay
That propelled my interest into film and I decided that’s the place I wanted to be. I would write and direct my own short films, and then i started getting opportunities to write and direct short films for my peers in the industry. My love for storytelling on stage and on screen has now transcended into my love for storytelling via social media. I am infatuated with different ways you can tell a story using no more than 60 seconds, and because of that, it has led me into the field of content creation and social media management. Read More>>
Gabriela Jaxon
In those formative years, art became my sanctuary. Whether through collaging, sculpting, or painting, I found peace and the ability to thrive, even amidst the most difficult circumstances. Each piece I created was a small victory, a way to turn adversity into something tangible and inspiring, transforming my emotions into ethereal portals that invite others to step into moments of reflection and resilience. Read More>>
Kayla Chio
My journey into the world of plants and florals began with a deep-rooted passion for wellness. As a yoga and meditation instructor, I was always attuned to the importance of mental, emotional, and physical well-being. In 2019, my exploration into the energetic and therapeutic benefits of plants and flowers began to intertwine with my wellness practice. I started incorporating florals into my wellness events, and the transformation they brought to the ambiance and energy of the space was undeniable. Read More>>
