Miami’s Most Inspiring Stories

Every neighborhood in South Florida has its own vibe, style, culture and history, but what consistently amazes us is not what differentiates the various neighborhoods but rather what they all have in common.  From South Beach to Boca (and everywhere in between) we’ve been blown away by how many creative and talented people call South Florida home.  Check out some of the inspiring stories we’ve discovered throughout Miami and the surrounding areas.

Richard Anderson

My journey as a content creator began around 2019 or 2020, inspired by seeing others on social media share their foodie experiences. Like many, I have always had a passion for exploring new restaurants and trying dishes I had never had before, so it felt natural to step into this world. At first, it was a challenge because I had never engaged much on Instagram, and putting myself out there for the world to see was not easy. I am naturally more reserved, so this experience became an opportunity for personal growth as well. Read More>>

Greg Clark

After surviving the 9/11 attacks (2 WTC, 62nd Floor), I relocated to Miami and restarted my photography practice. Initially, I focused on architecture, design, hospitality, and food photography, working with Ocean Drive Magazine, Florida Design Magazine, the original Webster, and Mr. Chow. In 2012, I was honored with the AIA Miami Photographer of the Year award for my work with DEN Architecture. Read More>>

Abel Pirela

The most difficult thing for me was to leave my country, my family, my friends, all those places where I grew up, but today I carry them in my heart and I am the reflection of everything I experienced and if there is one thing I can say, it is that I am grateful for each one. of those moments because they gave me the strength that even though I am alone in this country I can fight to be an example for all those I have in my heart Read More>>

Kierra Haywood

I spent most of my 20s working a government job. While I was grateful for what many would consider a solid career, I could never quite find my place. In 2020, I got COVID and surprisingly, it became a major turning point in my life. Because I contracted it during the height of the pandemic, testing centers were backed up and I couldn’t return to work without a negative test. I was home for over a month, and after I recovered, I had a lot more time on my hands than I ever had before. I started exploring my creative side and quickly realized that I was meant to work for myself. I knew I wouldn’t be able to fully pursue my passion while maintaining a 9-5 job. I needed mental clarity and time to figure out what truly energized me. Read More>>

Mike Hogan

We pride ourselves on offering top-tier, long-lasting concrete floor refinishing solutions that not only enhance the look of your space but also stand the test of time. Founded in 2014 and proudly headquartered in Port Saint Lucie, Florida, we’ve dedicated ourselves to revolutionizing the way people think about flooring. We believe that floors are more than just surfaces we walk on; they are the foundation of our homes, our businesses, and our industries. They should be durable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. With this belief, we’ve carved a niche for ourselves in the flooring industry, providing solutions that give your floors the superior treatment they deserve. Read More>>

Briana Jorge

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, I quickly realized my true passion was hair. This lead me to pursue my career in this field of curly hair. My goal as I entered a new career was to make sure I educated my clients on how to care for and embrace their unique texture, helping them appreciate the beauty of their natural hair. Read More>>

Melissa Sanchez

Like in all struggles in life, they lead to the results we want. This has been no different. The balance between having your own business and maintaining your bills/other job goes with balancing your time and energy. As long as you’re moving towards your goals efficiently and the vision of your business you’re moving in the right direction. Read More>>

Fiona Liang

Haha, ‘smooth road’ feels like a myth in the world of self-discovery and healing! If anything, I’d say there’s been no road—just a series of steps forward with a lot of trust that I’ll find solid ground along the way. My biggest struggle has been creating a sense of safety and self-trust, especially in moments when I felt uncertain or vulnerable. The journey required me to break down old beliefs, question societal expectations, and continuously work through my own blocks. Read More>>

Stephany Vargas

The journey to entrepreneurship has not been an easy one for me. As a mother, wife and full time employee, it has been hard work to be able to start this small business and keep pushing myself to create and follow my dreams. The majority of the events we work on happen during the weekends which means that we are usually missing out on family events, functions and other things. Thankfully, I have and extra ordinary family who supports me and encouraged me to follow my dreams. It truly takes a village and I am so grateful for mine. I could not do this with out the support of my husband, my children, my in laws, my parents and my friends. Read More>>

Cesar Izaguirre

I am Venezuelan, and I migrated due to the depression caused by my mother leaving my time and my country, after that I went through several countries where I went through different circumstances, I went through the Darien jungle from a different perspective and today I live in Miami the life I always dreamed of although I continue to build it day by day Read More>>

Tatiana Preobrazhenskaia

Running a sexual wellness business is anything but ordinary. Each day brings new opportunities to connect with inspiring individuals, explore innovative approaches to well-being, and witness the positive impact our products have on people’s lives. The vibrant wellness community fosters a collaborative environment where we share knowledge and insights, ultimately benefiting everyone seeking a healthier and happier life. Read More>>

Pheanie Brown

Not at all! My first business shut down in 2012, and I lost everything. I returned to my true passion, but as time went on, the landscape changed dramatically. New technologies, marketing strategies, and the rise of social media made navigating the business much more challenging. This industry is not for the faint of heart. While I value community, the competition is fierce, and there are countless talented designers to contend with. The influx of new designers in 2020 presented yet another hurdle I had to adapt to. Each challenge has shaped my journey and strengthened my resolve. Read More>>

Rey Santiago

Earlier this year, we attended a party that featured mobile taps, and something about it just clicked. The idea of combining our love for classic trucks and beer seemed like a perfect fit. After talking with friends and family, who encouraged us, we decided to dive into the mobile bar business. I started exploring franchise opportunities, but many were out of our budget or just didn’t feel right. That’s when we discovered Tap Truck USA. After a great conversation with their team, everything fell into place. We saw this as not just a fun side hustle but potentially something we could pass on to our children. And now, here we are, excited to see where Tap Truck Miami will take us. Read More>>

Christina Bulnes

Back in the long, forgotten about days of Tumblr, I started my personal blog, Needles and Nylon, to act nearly as a love letter to fashion, streetwear, traveling, and my other areas of interest. For over a decade, I’ve stayed dedicated, not only to that name, but to sharing that love with friends and followers alike. My husband, Izzy, and I have now a co-ed Instagram page that we rung together, as well as giving a peek into our day-to-day through Stories. Read More>>

Natalie Avni

I always say, you don’t have to be just one thing. I just enjoy sharing all of it, what I do for work, what I enjoy doing on my free time, where I go with my family, products I use and love and this entire thing truly changed our lives in every aspect and I’m so grateful for it all! I love this awesome space I have with such a large positive community of Sonographers, future Sonographers, medical professionals in general, parents, women who are in their reproductive years; before, during and after pregnancy and just people who enjoy learning more or here for laughs! Read More>>

Jandy Rodriguez

Determined to be more than just another med spa, they set a bold goal: to become the best in the industry. With relentless dedication, Glenda and Jandy dove into learning, taking numerous advanced courses and even traveling abroad to expand their expertise. Every step they take is fueled by their vision of elevating aesthetics beyond physical appearance, creating a place where people can rediscover themselves and feel empowered. Read More>>

Shiketa Days

Through our nonprofit, we aim to honor our son’s memory by working towards a safer and more compassionate community, where the devastating effects of gun violence are acknowledged and addressed as well as economic issues. The Boss Up Visual Platform assist urban businesses with an accessible platform to exposed their brand and become visible by networking with other organizations. The platform also gives them a voice in the media to be seen and heard. Acknowledging their natural skills and talents. Read More>>

Melissa Humphries

(Melissa co-founder): The Beauty Food Company was created almost 10 years ago, as an extension of my Nutrition and Wellness Coaching business. I wanted to create the purest form of natural and organic products that contained no chemicals, preservatives, synthetic fragrance, coloring or additives. I hold a strong philosophy of skin care should promote a healthy glow and not be toxic—we shouldn’t seek beauty at the cost of our health. Read More>>

Michael Martirena

Throughout my career, I’ve leveraged my experiences and knowledge to better serve my clients, specializing in Ultra High Net Worth Luxury Real Estate. I’m proud to have ranked in the top 1% of Hispanic agents and to have received recognition as a Top Luxury Industry Leader by Master Broker. Additionally, being fluent in both English and Spanish and having traveled to nearly 70 countries has enabled me to connect with clients from diverse backgrounds, fostering meaningful relationships that last a lifetime. Read More>>

Miles Levine

Started spinning my senior year of High School, promoted parties at FSU all 4 years and ended up spinning at alot of the nightclubs there. I’m grateful to be where I am today , almost full time music. Read More>>

Paulina Reitman

With that in mind, I decided to apply for a Marketing Master’s at NYU, unsure if I’d get in. On the day of my FSU graduation, I received the exciting news that I had been accepted into NYU! It was a pivotal moment for me, reaffirming my belief that everything happens for a reason. The year 2023 was a whirlwind—between graduating, preparing for my big move to NYC, losing my dog, and feeling unfulfilled in my full-time job. Read More>>

Lila /carlos Arboleya Moreno

The pandemic was very tough and challenging since we’re a very social interactive company and rely heavily on Art/ craft events.The last few years we’ve been reassessing our business model and coming with new and innovative solutions and products which reflect our values, our passion and our dream. Read More>>

Ray Lodovico

I was watching people do 1 minute pushups as my jaw dropped! I eventually ended up doing 2 minute pushups myself and much many more things that i would never have imagined myself doing. I decided i didn’t want to finish out my years in a place like a steel mill and decided to get certified as a Personal Trainer. It was the best thing I ever did for myself. I started making videos on TikTok, and Instagram, and YouTube and it became a passion and obsession of mine along with my rekindled love of basketaball. I also forgot to tell you I was an introvert. I didn’t even like to leave a message on an answering machine. Read More>>

Bella Narvaez

One day, after a difficult day at work, I was driving home and all I could think about was that I couldn’t wait to go on vacation, and that I worked to travel. I had been planning my own complex family trips for the last 6 years, from beginning to end and I absolutely loved it. Then it hit me! Read More>>