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.

Gisella Ponti Tacunau

However, adults are also pleasantly surprised when they try it – it’s truly delicious! My bubble tea shop has been open for just over a month, but it was already an established business with loyal customers. I work daily (Monday to Sunday) to discover new flavors our customers will love. Read More>>

Tchesny Marcelin

In September 2021, I finally surrendered and decided to follow God’s call. In October 2021, I hosted the very first She Bloom women’s conference, marking the beginning of something extraordinary. What started as a single event quickly evolved into something much bigger—a thriving community. Fast forward two years, and I’ve already hosted two women’s conferences and one women’s gathering event. Read More>>

Kemvr

It’s been pretty rough. I enjoy what I have learned along the way though. I really didn’t have an expert on pursuing music or business in my early life, so it really was a shot in the dark. Finding my footing was difficult because it was just tons of trial and error, but eventually I started t get around a community of people who have seen some success and I was able to take their experiences mixed with a little youtube university and make things happen. Read More>>

Kristen Hernandez

I was diagnosed with bone cancer, and given 6 months to live. I fought hard, and after 9 spine surgeries, and 18 rods plus 22 screws and three cages placed where the tumor was, I came back home to my house in foreclosure and unable to walk or work again. I was paralyzed from the waist down and told I’d never walk again. I said watch me. After several years of recovery, I had to learn to use my hands since my legs wouldn’t work. And with no formal education, I was lost. My mom bought me a cookbook and a stand mixer and told me to learn to bake. So I did. I studied everything I could about the science behind baking and suddenly, I was baking my own bread, making my own pasta, and tons of pastries, all from scratch, and from a wheelchair! So, I started a bakery as I learned to use my legs again. I moved to Florida and once I was walking, I started a business, That’s From Scratch. Read More>>

Emanuel Cuestas

Moved from Honduras in 2022 pursuing my dream job and career of becoming a Pilot. I was an artist and full time student in Tegucigalpa. After Covid hit, I decided to move to the US and follow my life long dream of becoming an airline pilot. Now with multiple ratings and 500 hours, I am an embry riddle full time student and jetblue cadet in their program, Im currently working in finding a Job. Read More>>

Bbs Bakehouse

BBs Bakehouse is a family business located in the heart of Miami Lakes, FL. Read More>>

Cara Neff

My life partner and I, Scott Sorochak, moved to Miami Beach in 2022. We fell in love with Miami, the people, the food, the cultures, the beach. We knew that Miami was the perfect place to start our next chapter together, as empty nesters. Scott spent 30 years in California working in Venture Capital and I spent my whole life in Pennsylvania, primarily working in the insurance industry. We both were both ready to make career changes and had never really considered starting a business together. Read More>>

Michel Thomann

I was born in France and raised by my grandparents. It was my grandmother who ignited my passion for cooking at a really young age. I went to culinary school at the age of 14 and it was then that I began my Culinary journey. I was an apprentice with Chef Paul Bocuse at the age of 21. I spent many memorable years learning and perfecting techniques working under him. I am very grateful to have had this opportunity and this experience helped me become the chef I am today.  Read More>>

Jane Moran

Transitioning from the world of high-caliber catering to the intricate craft of jewelry making might seem like a leap, but both worlds share a common thread: meticulous attention to detail and a passion for creativity. Just as I curated unique culinary experiences, I now channel that creativity into designing one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. Read More>>

Caro Mejia

When we returned to Miami in 2019, my Instagram account had grown to 5,000 followers, so I decided to keep creating content and promoting my children’s book. My initial goal was to build a following of 10,000 to help spread the word about my book. But then the pandemic hit, and I turned to humor as a way to cope with everything that was happening. My following quickly grew to 100,000. Read More>>

Eva Ibert Roca

As I mentioned before, my main struggle was to study a new career while I was taking care of my family and working. Living in a different country is a challenge too because you have to adapt and learn things in a new culture. But here I have met beautiful people who have helped me along the way, and especially I appreciate the support I have received from my husband all the time Read More>>

Russell 2.0

I’m a musical artist who composes and produces my own original songs. I’m probably best know for writing songs and I’m proud of helping others. What sets me apart? I prefer to stay humble on this question. The entertainment business has questionable ethics and practices however, I’m very proud to have accomplished my success without comprising my moral compass. Read More>>

Lia Mccabe

I started my journey into advocacy and support for the autism community as a mother to two wonderful autistic children. When my family and I were first navigating the world of autism, we faced so many challenges that I felt others might also be struggling with, so I began sharing our experiences through our Embracing Autism podcast. My goal was to help other parents feel less alone and more empowered to understand their children, especially when there’s so much information – and misinformation – out there. Read More>>

Lance O

My story started as I was going off to college. Mom said to do something you love because if you live in this country you are going to have to work so might as well do something you like. So I went into music and more specifically radio and it opened alot of doors for me. I started while in college by opening up a college radio station. So then I became a Dj. That gave me basis to build a foundation in the music business. Radio helped me alot. In 1996 I opened my own business and we are still doing it under the same name What helped us along the way was being keen on what the demands of our audience & clients. Adapting to the landscape has helped us maintain a presence in our field. Read More>>

Marisa Colón

At FBM Studios, I specialize in wedding and event photography, and I pour my heart into every project. I aim to capture moments that aren’t just beautiful but genuinely meaningful – those little glances, laughs, and heartfelt expressions that make each wedding unique. I’m known for my ability to blend artistry with a personal touch, working closely with couples to understand their vision and make it a reality. Read More>>

Zara5d

Los Angeles was a potent place for us to begin building our Martian community. In 2020, Martian Circus could be seen throughout LA popping up 5d portals at desert raves, downtown streets and Santa Monica pier and Venice Beach parking lots – beaming channeled live music from the roof of the Mothership art car. In lightspeed time, we evolved into creating our own intimate live music stage environments, a hand painted fashion line (5dCouture), where people could be immersed and embody the super high frequency of 5d consciousness. Read More>>

Blake Stanley

Determined to catch up, I threw myself into training, and by 16, I’d moved away from my childhood home to access better opportunities. From there, I took every chance to grow—traveling alone across the country, learning from renowned mentors, and ultimately landing in New York City at 19. In NYC, I juggled work and teaching while building a network and reputation in the industry. Over time, I developed a virtual teaching platform, grew exponentially during the pandemic and has since evolved into a global program. Today, my business continues to expand, helping dancers across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, helping them reach elite levels. Read More>>

Mandy Beltran

At the time I wanted to be a magazine editor. I recruited some friends and people around school to be models, styled them, did their makeup, and went around town taking photos of them. The idea was to create “magazine worthy” images and place in a portfolio but I ended up falling in love with the photography aspect of it all. Which I already knew was a hobby of mine because I was always taking photos at family parties and events. I also was in our yearbook class and took photos of kids throughout the campus. But it wasn’t until the culminating project that I realized this is what I want to do. Read More>>

Haya Gilinski

My journey really took off when I was sent home from college due to COVID-19. Like many, I found myself stuck at home with limited options and a lot of time on my hands. With the same meals being served day in and day out, I felt the need to shake things up and make our dining experiences more enjoyable and unique. Read More>>

Emma Claire Stephens

Dressage is a sport I will always be extremely passionate about. My horse, Vivi, and I have been partners for 8+ years competing from Children’s to Juniors to Young Riders. We have twice competed at the Festival of Champions and the North American Youth Championships! In 2025, Vivi and I plan to compete at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in the Young Rider division! Read More>>

Malau Quintero

My professional path took shape as I started working with local media outlets, where I gained experience in writing, editing, and content creation. These roles were both challenging and rewarding, providing me with invaluable lessons about the power of communication and the impact of genuine storytelling. Over time, I began to specialize in entertainment and music journalism, realizing that there was a special kind of magic in connecting audiences to the creative journeys of artists. Read More>>

Melanie Bardet

I’m a designer by trade with a background in art, architecture, and a master’s degree in interior architecture—skills I honed through creating highly custom interiors, notably at Knoll. Born and raised in Miami’s Coconut Grove, I eventually felt drawn to shift my design practice from a macro to micro scale, embracing a more intimate approach. In 2023, I began training as a jeweler in Washington, DC, under a local goldsmith. Read More>>

Annemiek Mackie

It all began in Barbados when my sister-in-law introduced me to matcha while I was studying nutrition. I fell in love instantly. Matcha’s unique flavor and impressive health benefits struck a chord, and I knew it would be a part of my life. However, sourcing quality matcha in Barbados was nearly impossible. With every trip abroad, I’d search for high-quality matcha, but nothing quite met the standard I envisioned. That’s when it hit me: why not bring my own matcha brand to life? Read More>>

Matea Michelangeli

What started with family portraits and personal stories soon expanded. I found myself exploring new aspects of photography, drawn to the narratives that could be told through each image. Today, I’m passionate about working with business owners, helping them connect with their audiences by capturing the essence of their brand and their vision. Each session is a chance to tell a new story, bridging the gap between people and the moments that define them. Read More>>

Em Glasser

I am a musician, I sing ,write and produce my music, which I’ve described as a blend of indie pop, Neo soul, and lofi house. I’m most proud of being able to do what I love and to grow through it. And im not sure what sets me apart from others. The first thing that comes to mind is that I’m naturally quite persistently optimistic, even though ive had my lows in life, I try to come out of the uncontrollable by creating. and I think generally just being me and having the experiences I’ve had and being able to write about them creatively. I’ve had the opportunity to live in 4 different countries in 21 years and it’s brought me a lot of perspective which I am eternally grateful for. Read More>>

Sarah Lewis

At the start of my career, I focused on runway and e-commerce work, with dreams of gracing the Victoria’s Secret runway like many young models. I knew I had to learn the technical aspects of the job, like understanding my angles on set and how to sell a product, but also how important it was to bring my authentic self into my work. I realized that being true to who I am and embracing my individuality made all the difference in booking jobs. Read More>>

Gordana Zgonjanin

A pivotal moment came when I decided to immerse myself in diverse cultures, fundamentally reshaping my approach to art and design. This journey led me to establish ZEEL Studio, a creative studio where the practical meets the impractical. Here, I create transformative projects that harmoniously blend art, design, and culture. Through ZEEL Studio, my zeal for innovation and ability to decode cultural trends have empowered me to bring powerful, cross-functional teams together, elevating brands with unique, thoughtfully curated experiences. Read More>>

David Tancredi

In this country it is very important to have a specialty in something. As a journalist, I couldn’t get anything that left me financially enough to live. That’s why I decided to go back to the world of cocktails by setting up my own business. Which has been gradually enlarged, starting with only Bartender service, now we have much larger events and we offer different alternatives to clients for their events. Read More>>

Ashley-nicole

In high school, I expanded my interests further by joining the TV production program. I not only hosted a show, but also worked behind the scenes, learning valuable skills like editing, camera operation, and man-on-the-street interviews. As an athlete, I played basketball for the school team, helping lead them to a 13-1 record in my freshman year. By senior year, I was proud to be named team captain. During the off-season, I also excelled in badminton, finishing as one of the top two female singles players. These experiences helped shape me into a well-rounded individual and prepared me for my future career in entertainment. Read More>>