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.

Jennifer Mues

No — starting an online boutique from scratch with no outside funding and while living in different cities was challenging (Florida & Puerto Rico). We learned fast, wore many hats, and figured out remote teamwork and lean operations. It was hard work, but those struggles shaped the business and made every milestone feel worth it. Read more>>

Michael Hepburn

I’m the youngest of two siblings, and I am a proud product of Miami Dade County Public Schools. I graduated from Miami Central High School where I played football, baseball, and ran track before earning the prestigious Miami Herald Silver Knight Award and multiple academic scholarships to attend college. Read more>>

Brenton Leslie

I ended up working at a bank, and what started as just a job turned into the beginning of a new journey. Being in that environment exposed me to the heart of the community. I found myself volunteering often and supporting local organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club. Through that work, I saw firsthand how much these groups needed, from resources to simple things like T-shirts for the kids and events. Read more>>

Yvethe Blackmore

I’ve spent the last 15 years working for Fortune 100 companies, based out of Miami, FL. At a young age, I was given the opportunity to attend a local magnet school (Coral Reef High School) with a specialized program in Marketing and continued my Education in MDC and FIU in this area. I was able to learn from so many inspiring mentors based in this community – all growing their careers and passionate about their craft. Over a year ago, I took the leap and started a marketing consultancy, mostly serving as a Fractional Marketing Strategist and providing businesses with a personalized and a collaborative approach to marketing, especially with tech gaining so much momentum. Read more>>

Ashleigh Sean Rolle

As a writer, I’ve had the privilege of being published in outlets such as HuffPost, CNN, SheMedia, Fodor’s Travel, The Infatuation, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, and the Bahamian platform 10th Year Seniors. My writing is often rooted in cultural memory, identity, and the everyday stories that shape how we see ourselves. Read more>>

Alan Araujo

The truth is, my journey has never been a smooth road—it’s been challenge after challenge. But I’ve never treated obstacles as walls; I treat them as teachers. Each setback pushed me to ask a better question: What’s the lesson here that can make me stronger and serve clients better? Early on, I built Lux MedSpa Brickell around what I call the Inversion Mechanism: instead of chasing scale first, I invested obsessively in client experience—hyper-personalization, real results, and hospitality that feels remembered, not scripted. Read more>>

Job Brunat

Raised in Florida by Haitian immigrants—a mother who was a nurse and a father who was a social worker—I learned early that care is a calling and service is a promise. Their quiet courage and compassion became my compass, pointing me toward mental health at a time when conversations about emotions—especially for men—were too often kept quiet. Read more>>

Leonardo Barros

How Web Design Miami Company Started Leonardo Barros had been leading Solved Puzzle Agency for years, one of the top marketing firms in South Florida, helping businesses grow through data-driven advertising and strategy. But over time, he realized something fundamental: it was nearly impossible to deliver consistent marketing results without first providing the right website experience. Read more>>

giovany8a@hotmail.com Rendon

For years, I struggled with joint pain that made even the simplest movements a challenge. My elbow pain started small, but over time, it grew into something that affected my workouts, my daily tasks, and even my mood. Like many people, I tried countless remedies — painkillers, over-the-counter supplements, and stretching routines — but nothing truly worked. Read more>>

Daria Batok

My journey in the beauty industry began more than 17 years ago in Ukraine, where I started as a young hairstylist passionate about transformation and attention to detail. Over the years, I trained with some of the best international colorists and mastered advanced techniques such as AirTouch Original, Fire Cut, Total Blonde, and various methods of deep hair restoration. Read more>>

Tricia Youngs

Before being a therapist, I had a career in Hotel Sales and Marketing and was literally called into the field during a meditation in church one day. I was ten years sober and had already been in therapy for years to address my own trauma and alcoholism. The minister led us in a meditation to find what God’s purpose was for our lives. Read more>>

Kevin Krissen

Kevin Krissen is a DJ and music producer who began his journey driven by a deep passion for electronic music and live performance energy. Starting out in a small home studio, he spent years honing his craft, experimenting with sounds, and building his identity around high-energy Mainstage, Big Room, and Techno influences. Read more>>

Kourtney Figueroa

I was born and raised in the 305, Miami Gardens, FL, to two Jamaican parents, and honestly, I just graduated with my M.B.A. in HR this year, too, and lastly, I am a U.S Army Veteran as well, but honestly, I’ve loved nature for as long as I can remember. Read more>>

Ana Roque

I started working for AFLAC after I was fired from a health insurance company called Health Plans of America. Read more>>

Ella Adams

⸻ Freedom Has a Face: My Journey from Fear to Empowerment There was a time in my life when I lived in silence — not because I didn’t have a voice, but because fear spoke louder. I was in an abusive relationship, and for a long time, I couldn’t see the way out. I kept asking myself: How do I become free again? Read more>>

Luciana Leo

I was born and raised in Argentina and moved to Miami in 2002 to finish my last year of high school at Coral Gables Senior High. At the time, I didn’t know a single word of English. Growing up, I always dreamed of becoming a marine biologist, but after high school, life took a different turn. Without residency or citizenship, college wasn’t financially possible. Read more>>

Jeffrey Morgan

My parents are originally from Corn Island, a small island located off the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua. They eventually relocated to the United States, where I was born in Los Angeles, California. My father was a merchant marine captain and accepted a position in Brazil, where I spent the majority of the following 14 years. Read more>>

Jed Shlackman

I began my career as I developed an interest in psychology as an undergraduate at the University of Miami and completed a B.A. in psychology and a Master’s degree in counseling. As I entered the psychotherapy field gaining experience with clients I was on my own deeper personal journey of healing and spiritual exploration. Read more>>

Mario Negueruela

Our journey started from a shared belief that local businesses deserve the same digital opportunities as big brands. I’ve always been passionate about people: Connecting with business owners, understanding their goals, and helping them grow. But I quickly realized that most were struggling with disconnected marketing efforts that didn’t deliver real results. That’s when Ailen and I decided to build something different. Read more>>

FRANKLYN SINANAN

“Witch doctor painted what . . ?” That’s how they referred to me in my time at the South Florida Art Center in Miami Beach. I was born in Trinidad, raised in Canada, and at the moment am living and working as an artist in Florida. When I was born, I didn’t have a choice as to what path or direction lay ahead of me. Read more>>

Severine Meimoun

My career began in France, where I spent almost twenty years in the Banking industry, holding different positions over the years, including sourcing and negotiating travel and event contracts for a big Group. It’s where I really learned the corporate world — how large organizations operate, how to manage expectations, and the importance of details and trust. Read more>>

Claudia J Cabrera

Hello, my name is Claudia J Cabrera, I’m from Dominican Republic and live in Miami for the past 25 years. My story is the following, I started to travel and do cruises for me and my family. Read more>>

Barry Haimo

I’m a business school, computer science techy that went to law school and earned a masters in taxation. I am passionate about business and took every business class and estate planning class possible in law school. After school, I started off in private practice with a boutique firm, but went on to start my own firm in 2010. Read more>>

edlin hernandez

The vision of my career started when I was 17 years old. I had met a trained social worker who shared with me his journey helping young teen moms in a hospital program by providing them with resources to help them be successful. Learning more about this career, the “helping profession,” sounded perfect for my personality. Read more>>

Lovester J. Montgomery III

What truly makes someone an asset? With training, anyone can learn a skill—but every now and then you come across a rare gem who naturally embodies excellence. Read more>>

Carlos Rangel

The arts have always been an essential part of who we are as a family. They’ve shaped our identity, our friendships, and even our way of seeing the world. Growing up between Caracas and New York, I was fortunate to experience two vibrant cultural environments that deepened my appreciation for artistic expression. Read more>>

Adam Irvin

Chef Hector Lopez and Adam Irvin met in a local restaurant where Chef hector was the executive chef and Adam was the general manager They started Sidecar Kitchen 11 years ago with a food truck concept. Read more>>

Ernesto M. Diaz

I didn’t plan on becoming a filmmaker at first, I actually thought I’d be a doctor. But when my brother brought me onto a Telemundo set at 21 to work in the art and props department, everything changed. Seeing a story come to life right in front of me was eye-opening. Read more>>

Diane Hoyle-Moran

Absolutely! My story starts right after I graduated from UMass with a BA in Psychology. I loved understanding people—how they think, what drives them—but I quickly realized I wanted to take that insight and channel it into something more creative. So, I made a pivot and headed to Emerson College in Boston, where I earned my master’s degree in marketing. Read more>>

Marcos Concepcion

We met Marcos at the gym where he used to work. My husband has back injuries, and Marcos began teaching him how to work out safely without aggravating them. He explained which exercises my husband could do and which ones to avoid based on his condition. Read more>>

Daniela Dohnert

My art business grew out of a lifelong passion for working with my hands. Ever since I was a child, I loved creating things. In my early teens, I imagined I might become a fashion designer. I even made a few skirts and dresses using my grandmother’s old sewing machine, which my friends and I proudly wore. Read more>>

Naz Sarabi

My journey began in McLean, Virginia, where I started as a Marketing Director in a medspa. I quickly fell in love with the industry and decided to get hands-on training in advanced technologies like lasers, RF microneedling, body contouring, DiamondGlow, and skincare product formulation. Read more>>

Oleg Zasorin

I started my career as a hairstylist more than 15 years ago. Together with my wife, Irina, we built two successful salons in Warsaw, Poland, and worked with clients from many different cultures and backgrounds. My passion has always been about more than just cutting or coloring hair — it’s about helping people feel confident, comfortable, and proud of how they look. Read more>>

Penina Flug

Since I was in high school I always wanted to be a social worker specializing in couples therapy. Read more>>

Orestes Romero

I came to the United States in 2017 after spending three years in Spain, where I earned my master’s in Sales and Marketing, and started a new career as a fitness coach. When I got here, I continued working as a coach, but my background in business and my curiosity kept pulling me toward something bigger. Read more>>

Jessica Rodriguez

Graduated from Miami Southridge in 2006 Went to the miltiary, US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman Served over 6 years, came back and went to Nursing school Worked as a nurse for from 2014 until 2019, until I because a nurse practitioner. Read more>>

Nicolas Godoy

I started training in martial arts when I was 4 years old and I have never look back since. I had the opportunity to travel and train under different styles and even eventually work for different academies throughout my teen years. When I was 21 years old I was working three jobs. Read more>>

Patricia Laine Romero

I was born in Caracas, Venezuela to a family of musicians, dancers and actors. My first steps, according to my grandfather, the great Venezuelan composer Aldemaro Romero, were on a stage while he was conducting one of his wonderful pieces in tempo ‘andante,’ which means ‘walking’. My love for music and arts started at the age of 2.5 when I first stepped on stage. Read more>>

Patrick Cabrera

I was born and raised in Miami, FL. I attended Columbus High School and Florida International University. Then, I pursued a doctorate in chiropractic at Palmer College, in Port Orange. Upon graduating I moved across the country – and an ocean – to Oahu, Hawaii. There I began my career as a Gonstead chiropractor, focused on holistic wellness. Read more>>

Patricia Machin

I’ve had to step into areas of business that weren’t my strengths, like website building and marketing, but I’ve learned to adapt, grow, and keep moving forward. I’m proud of myself for not giving up and for embracing every mistake or detour as part of the process. Most of all, I’m grateful for the support of my partner, family, and friends who believe in me and remind me to stay true to my calling to create and inspire. Read more >>

Krystal Zimbaldi

I was diagnosed in May 24th, 2023 at 33 years old with Stage 2 ER+ invasive ductal carcinoma. I did not have any typical symptoms of cancer such as fatigue, pain, weight gain or loss. I was very healthy, with no family history of cancer. Read more >>