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.

Carlee Pizzolato

7 years ago, I was in a toxic relationship, worked a corporate job I hated, under management that made my miserable…I used Mondays as my “start” day, my own personal crash & elimination diet so I could deprive myself with food. I regularly “checked the box” with group fitness workouts & would go ALL OUT on the weekend with binge eating & drinking, ya know, since I “earned it” with starving myself all week lol Read more>>

Johanna Castillo

The World of Johanna Castillo In the heart of Miami, where the palm trees meet the ocean breeze, Johanna Castillo is writing her own legacy, one that fuses elegance, resilience, and vision. Born in Honduras, Johanna grew up with a dream that seemed impossible: to skate the world, even though her hometown had no ice rinks. Read more>>https://voyagemia.com/interview/life-work-with-johanna-castillo-of-miami

Alicia Ziarko

In October of 2020 I relocated to south florida from detroit michigan. Leaving behind a corporate position in the automotive manufacturing world. Once I was settled into hollywood, i began searching for a new career path. Picking up odd jobs /gigs along the way. I have always had a compassion for animals,both in childhood and my adult life. Read more>>

Adam Deres

I’m Adam Deres. Some people know me as the dancer, others as the acrobatics coach, many from Exatlon, and yes, there’s the 115 Method that got a whole community moving. Read more>>

Siranush Ambartsumian

My name is Siranush Ambartsumyan, the owner of Nailspiracy and NailArt Department Nail Studio — one of the first salons in Hallandale and South Florida to introduce Russian Manicure techniques back in 2018. Read more>>

Kevin Krag

I started 4418 GC with one clear intention: to build with purpose, precision, and respect for every detail. What began as small residential projects quickly evolved into large-scale luxury remodels across Miami’s most exclusive communities — from Fisher Island to Acqualina Estates, and other oceanfront residences that define South Florida’s skyline. Read more>>

DJ Mike Calderon

Growing up, I was always surrounded by music through my family get togethers, school and friends, my own personal music library and collection, and through music sharing with other friends. I started taking piano lessons in high school for two years to increase my musical aptitude and knowledge. That is when I started understanding more in depth musical structure and theory. Read more>>

Elizabeth Laduzinski

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in private practice. I graduated school in Argentina with a degree in Psychology. I worked in hospitals and schools as well as private practice in Argentina. In 2002, my family and I relocated to Aventura. Read more>>

Gene Evans

In 2013, after living and working in London for many years, my business partner, Dr. Marta Garrido, and I returned to the US and settled in Boca Raton. Boca, a thriving, attractive and welcoming town, seemed to be the perfect location for establishing our language school, Merit International School of Languages – not too far from Broward, Miami and West Palm Beach. Read more>>

Fran LaVoix

I started my musical and educational journey at home, coming from a family of musicians, scientists, and professionals. I always enjoyed music class in school and I was involved in the children’s ministry musicals at my church. Music was something that always provided me confidence and safety in how I express myself, so as a timid girl, I clung to that. Read more>>

Lily Lindquist

I’m the founder of LINQ Project, a marketing agency dedicated to the motorsport and luxury sectors, with a strong emphasis on automotive. My story is a long one with many twists and turns. You could say my career began in modeling, while at the same time I was developing marketing skills in areas like graphic design, social media, event planning, and web development. Read more>>

Alejandra Abusada

I started my career path as a clinical psychologist in Peru, I was always fascinated by how humans felt and behaved. While studying psychology I realized that there were so many people in need of psychological services, specially women in underserved communities. Read more>>

Zohara Bokobza

From her early days in Haifa, Israel, cooking has always been a profound passion of Chef Zohara. Growing up in a household filled with tantalizing aromas, her connection to food was nurtured by her mother and grandmother, who taught her the beauty of traditional recipes and the joy of sharing meals. Read more>>

Ana Felice

I grew up in Lima during one of its most challenging periods—marked by terrorism and widespread uncertainty. That environment, combined with how my family navigated those circumstances, created constant fears that shaped my teenage years and affected my confidence. My parents had huge hearts and strong values, and I’m deeply grateful for them—though like any family, we had our challenges. Read more>>

Oscar Goya

My wife and I once ran a small organic market in our home country. Although we both had professional careers (she worked as a physician and I as an engineer), we were passionate about offering outstanding customer service and helping people with their needs. When we were forced to leave our country due to political circumstances, we had to start from zero. Read more>>

Evelyn Diaz

I made 10 years in this business this past August — and honestly, it kind of happened by accident, like it was meant to be. I was recruited by someone from an agency called HealthMarkets, and at the time, I wasn’t even licensed. I was just at a point in my life where I was ready for something new. Read more>>

Randie Ervin

I started my Florida notary commission in 1999 and only used it as a community give back so I didn’t charge for it. Fast forward to July 2024. I was part of a major layoff at an HR payroll company that I had worked at for nearly 10 years and didn’t know what I was gonna do. Read more>>

OXANA POLZLER

I am a painter living near Zürich, Switzerland. Although i have been painting all my life since childhood, my true creative journey began in Innsbruck, Austria, in 2010 with a career in architecture. In 2015 I came to realize that I feel most fulfilled when experimenting with my artworks. I painted in the evenings – after my regular workdays in the architectural office. Read more>>

Dominique Bivens

My story started in digital marketing, where I helped brands and business owners scale through social media. Over the years, I managed thousands of clients, building their presence and showing them how to stand out in a crowded digital world. That experience gave me a deep understanding of what actually drives growth and attention online. Read more>>

Alexander Donev

I didn’t take the traditional path into design. After graduating from college, I wasn’t sure what direction to take. I always had an interest in design, but never saw a clear path towards it. While working as an administrative assistant, I decided to take the initiative and rebuild the company’s website. Read more>>

Andrew Abreu

I’ve been in marketing since my UCF days, starting on the agency side and eventually working in-house before deciding to build something of my own. Read more>>

Christina Laureano

I come from NY where failing is not an option. After working for a company that had me doing the job of six people, driving all around Florida, running their business, making them money, and never giving up, I decided to put that energy into something else. I got together with my business partner, Damian, and am happily and successfully growing Springtime Laser. Read more>>

Anika Stevens

My story is a little different. I moved to Aruba from the Netherlands to pursue my childhood dream of becoming a hairdresser. But allergies made it impossible to continue, even though I had hoped the sun and sea would help. Despite that setback, I fell in love with the island and its people and chose to stay and study marketing. Read more>>

Claudia Monasterio

Born in the vibrant city of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, my journey toward success and fulfillment began at 19 when I made the bold decision to move to the United States. After graduating high school, I packed my bags to join my best friend in Los Angeles, California. Those first three years were a whirlwind of excitement and challenges as I chased my dreams. Read more>>

Valerie Saravia

It all started by crafting with my mom, she used to buy ceramic angels and we would spend our weekends painting, (my mom had an angel obsession at one point). It became a hobby that escalated into other ceramic pieces. Read more>>

Altia Landis

As a young Black girl growing up in the inner city of Miami, I always carried a dream of helping others. Read more>>

Rochel Giter

I grew up in Leeds, England, the youngest of ten successful siblings, and from an early age I knew I wanted to do something big, something that would leave a mark on the world. By age ten, I was already finding ways to make money, but for me it was never about the money; it was about making a difference. Read more>>

jim lambert

A little over 30 years ago, I started my auto detailing business, Classic Touch. Since then, I’ve done everything from repairing bumpers to applying precision protection film, but I really excel at wheel repair. Everyone wants their wheels to look good! When I first started, big auto dealers needed their used cars to look like new, so they called me for the job. Read more>>

Joseph Abitol

I’m Joseph. I founded Gem Jewelers Co. After spending over 25 years in our family’s jewelry business, we wanted to create something meaningful that combined our expertise with a fresh approach. Based in Los Angeles’s Jewelry District with a showroom in Miami, we serve customers all across the USA and Canada. Read more>>

Melissa Palmer-Williams

Three years ago, my husband and I decided to turn our shared passion for celebrating life’s milestones into a family-owned event rentals and planning business. What started with a few rentals has blossomed into a company known for creativity, personal service, and a true family touch. From the very beginning, my husband’s excellent craftsmanship has been a cornerstone of our growth. Read more>>

Kyle Reid

I drove 22 hours straight from Toronto to Miami with nothing but my car, my faith, and a vision. No family waiting here. No friends. No safety net. Just me. I came to a city I had never lived in before because I believed I could create my dream life.. I grew up between cultures. Read more>>

Jordan “Jordy” Daniels

I grew up knowing I wanted to be a creative individual, and my parents always instilled in me if I believed in God and myself— the sky is the limit. I started freestyling at a young age, made songs with my siblings, and eventually published my first record “Friends” that went viral on Youtube with over 125k views. Read more>>

Alexis Gadbois

It all started when I got fired from a job and decided I was going to be the best video editor ever. I jumped headfirst into Adobe Premiere and After Effects. I’d go on trips with my friends, film the chaos, and cut them into fun vlogs. By 2018 I realized I wanted to take this creative path seriously. Read more>>

Rae-Patrice Issac

I was introduced to the travel industry by a family member who asked me if I’d ever consider having my own travel business because she knew I loved traveling. She couldn’t have asked me at a more perfect time in my life. Read more>>

Dr. LaShonda Hornsby Bailey

My journey started in the classroom. As an Allied Health Professor and former High School Teacher, I was passionate about preparing students for careers in healthcare. I poured my heart into teaching, but what weighed on me was watching so many of my students, bright, motivated, and capable, struggle to find jobs after graduation. They had the passion but no clear pathway. Read more>>

Julia and Max Voloshyn

In 2016, we founded Voloshyn Gallery in the heart of Kyiv, Ukraine. Housed in a historic building from 1913, our space offers an unconventional setting for contemporary art. From the beginning, we have sought to present a broad range of works across diverse media, representing both emerging and established artists. Read more>>

Irena Steele

I was born and raised in the former USSR, where I completed medical school before moving to Israel. In Israel I continued my medical education, which opened the door to new opportunities. Eventually, I moved to the United States and began working as a scientist, spending many years developing drugs for cancer and other diseases. Read more>>

Otega Ojukwu

I am Dr. Otega “Doc O” Obi-Ojukwu, and I am a product of humble beginnings. Read more>>

Dave Crystal

Crystal Clear Tutors is the accidental brainchild of Penn-educated entrepreneur David Crystal. Mr. Crystal’s dream, at least while at Penn, was to make millions of dollars on Wall Street, first as an analyst and then as a portfolio manager. Never did Mr. Read more>>

Saady Bijani

Online Movers and Storage is a family-owned and operated company currently under the management of MBA Saady Naim Bijani originally Venezuelan-Lebanese who has an outstanding experience as a business owner and successful entrepreneur for over 17 years in South Florida. The owners are involved in the day-to-day operations of the company. Online Movers has a family-oriented culture. Read more>>

Alex Di Grigoli

I started this magical journey with a passion for helping brands grow and look impeccable, driven by the belief that marketing is more than promotion, it’s about building meaningful connections. From the very beginning, I committed myself to treating every client as unique, which is why my agency only works with one business per industry. Read more>>

Barbara Safina

Barbara Safina is a 33-year-old Venezuelan entrepreneur, community builder, and proud mom of two boys. In 2021, together with her husband Orlando, she founded GROU Coffee + Cowork, the first 100% local coffee shop in Coral Gables with private coworking spaces. What began with 20 local partners has now grown into a community supporting more than 70 small businesses—40 of them women-owned. Read more>>

Javen Campbell

Absolutely. I was born in Palm Beach County and raised right here in Hollywood, Florida. I went to Colbert Elementary, McNicol Middle School, and graduated from Hallandale High School. After high school, I left home to attend college in Tennessee, and from there, my path led me to Los Angeles, California. Read more>>

Joel Freis

I’ve been a Realtor for over 20 years. I started out at a small mom-and-pop shop in Hialeah, where I learned the importance of prospecting and building a business from the ground up. From there, I moved to Coldwell Banker and later to RE/MAX, where I gained experience in foreclosures and really sharpened my skills. Read more>>

Yosmany Rodriguez

From a young age, I was fascinated by technology, music, and the stories behind artists’ creative journeys. What started as a love for music gradually shifted into a passion for the behind-the-scenes process—learning how beats were made, how visuals were shot, and how stories came to life. Read more>>

Wadson Simon

“My name is Wadson Simon. I was born in Haiti and raised in Miami, Florida. I came to the United States in seventh grade, graduated from North Miami Senior High School, and earned my associate degree in Criminal Justice from Monroe College in New York City. Read more>>