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.

Fuje Ara

I’m a first-generation Bangladeshi-American woman, born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. My parents came to the United States as immigrants, working tirelessly to build a better life for me and my 5 siblings. They showed my siblings and me what hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance can achieve in America , lessons that continue to guide every aspect of my personal and professional life. Read more>>

Marielsie Morales

My passion for becoming a licensed clinical social worker (psychotherapist) truly began in my early twenties, but looking back, the spark was there since I was a little girl. I’ve always been drawn to understanding people — their emotions, their behaviors, and what drives them. Mental health fascinated me long before I even had the words to describe it. Read more>>

Breanna Clarke

My love for baking began growing up in the heart of rural Jamaica. As a little girl, I’d look for any excuse to bake cakes for anyone who stopped by our home. Birthdays were my favorite, they gave me the perfect reason to experiment with new recipes and express my creativity. Read more>>

Lui Vizcaya

I was born and raised in Valencia, Venezuela, to two passionate educators who instilled in me a love for learning, curiosity, and the courage to pursue my dreams. From a young age, I was drawn to connecting with people and making them laugh, a spark that would later shape my path. Read more>>

Maria Alcala

Photography found me when I was not looking. I had just graduated from high school and was not interested in any subjects offered in my natal city, Barranquilla, Colombia. All I cared about was literature and art, and so I wanted to go to school initially for a Literature degree and become a teacher, but my family did not support that. Read more>>

Melissa Kiguwa

My story has always been about transformation. Not just in what we do, but in who we become. At nineteen, I left the United States for Uganda to join a human rights movement. I spent my days doing research on sexual empowerment in refugee camps and my nights hosting one of the country’s top radio shows. Read more>>

Mike Sill

I’ve been in e-commerce for a decade, and currently run two brands: sundayscaries.com and drinkvibras.com. Sunday Scaries sells legal, hemp-derived CBD & THC gummies online and Vibras sells hydration + energy stick packs. Sunday Scaries started in 2017, and has been a wild ride. Read more>>

Jed-Lee Metayer

Painting began as an act of survival, a way to process the loss of my father, Rev. Marcel Metayer during the pandemic and rediscover my sense of self. He was the founder and head pastor of the church I grew up in Renaissance Evangelical Baptist Tabernacle After my dad died when I was just 19. I felt like I lost a part of me. Read more>>

GEMMA MAXIME

I’m from New York and my family is from Haiti. I have been modeling since I was 9 years old doing my first print ad for Sears. My big opportunity was to walking the runway for Guess and that when I knew I wanted to be a model full time. I love the catwalk, I would walk around my house and practice my walk daily. Read more>>

Marlene Marquina

Desde muy joven sentí una conexión profunda con el arte, pero fue a los 40 años cuando descubrí la orfebrería, un momento que marcó un antes y un después en mi vida. Ese encuentro tardío con el oficio no solo reorientó mi camino profesional, sino que se convirtió en mi propósito: transformar el metal en significado y a las personas a través del proceso. Read more>>

Rylin Rossano

I’ve always been someone who feels everything deeply — the good, the hard, the in-between. My story really began at fifteen, when my body suddenly stopped cooperating the way it used to. What doctors first called “ just anxiety” turned out to be autonomic dysfunction. Read more>>

Jose Rivera

Ice Cream Trucks of South Florida (ICTOSF) was established in 2021. It is a traditional Novelty Ice Cream Mobil Business offering Ice Cream, Soft Drinks, Juices, Hydration drinks, Sodas, all chips. Currently, ICTOSF is a Certified Vendor with the Miami Dade Public School System as well as Miami Dade Community College. Read more>>

Sebastian Pineda

My name is V12 and I am artist from Miami! I started making R&B music in 2020 because I sound like Drake and in 2021 I made my first reggaeton track and I haven’t looked back since. Read more>>

Donald Harrell

Kava and kratom honestly just popped up in my life there was no plan or intention behind it. I stumbled into that world and ended up finding a whole community built around connection, calm, and good energy. From there, everything started falling into place. Read more>>

Sabina Storberg

My story starts in the mountains of China. More than a decade ago I moved there to live and train with Shaolin and Wudang monks, and over two years the straight sword became an extension of my body. That time taught me discipline, resilience, and what consistent practice can unlock. Read more>>

Design Bodega

We are Design Bodega, an all-female art dream team brought together by a shared love of creativity, design, and getting our hands a little dirty. We originally met through work, long days, late nights, and plenty of laughs along the way, and over the years, we realized that our best projects always seemed to happen when we were together. Read more>>

Robert Vasquez

My entrepreneurship journey really started in college when I was elected President of Beta Theta Pi. Before that, I always had an idea that I wanted to own a business, but nothing ever clicked. Leading my fraternity changed that. I loved every part of it. The stress, the responsibility, the creative energy. Read more>>

Shyann Anderson

My journey has been one of faith, resilience, and purpose. I started my career in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotech industries, where I’ve spent over 15+ years leading high-performing teams, driving growth, and developing strategies that impact lives. While I’ve been blessed with a successful corporate career, my deeper calling has always been to empower and elevate others, especially women. Read more>>

Michele O’Gorman

With over 25 years of experience in the beauty and skincare industry, Michele brings world-class training, refined expertise, and an unwavering passion for helping clients feel radiant from the outside in. As the owner and operator of Evolutionary Aesthetics, Michele has curated a luxurious, results-driven space where elegance and wellness meet. Read more>>

Edward Lynch

My story has always been about seeing opportunities where others see roadblocks. I started my career in the legal profession in 2002, working for private law firms as well as the judiciary which gave me the structure and discipline to understand how businesses really operate — the rules, the risks, and the details that matter. But I also knew I wasn’t built to sit still in a narrow lane. I wanted to create solutions, not just identify problems. Read more>>

Whitney Ash

Thank you! I’m honored to be part of this feature. My journey with the Miami Cancer Institute Boutique has been one of purpose and compassion. I come from a background in beauty and wellness, but I found my true calling when I began working with patients who are going through some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Read more>>

Melissa Maura

My journey really started with a love for people and creating experiences that make them feel good. I spent nearly 10 years in hospitality, where I learned the importance of detail, care, and connection—how the little things can completely change how someone feels. Over time, that passion for making others feel seen and cared for evolved into a deeper interest in skincare. Read more>>

Steven Lassalle

My journey started with curiosity and passion long before I ever called it a career. I was born in Brooklyn, NYC, and I remember taking the train into the city at an early age. Each stop had its own energy and style getting to Manhattan meant passing through different boroughs, where every train ride felt like a fashion experience. Read more>>

Valeria Evdemon

I’m Valeria Evdemon—a mom of two, creative director, UI/UX designer, certified Scrum Master, and the founder of a boutique brand design & strategy studio. I was born in San Nicolás, Argentina, and I’ve been obsessed with color, form, and creativity for as long as I can remember. Read more>>

Jaydon Rodriguez

I’ve played soccer my whole life. It’s always been more than just a sport to me; it’s been the center of everything I’ve done. Along the way, I had both professional and Division 1 college opportunities. I accepted a D1 offer at one point but eventually made the decision to step away. Read more>>

Tova Teitelbaum

When I look back, I can see how a few key experiences led me to where I am today. As a teenager, I saved up to buy my first digital camera and spent a summer photographing my cousins on the front porch, experimenting with poses and light. Read more>>

Nick Murray

I got the writing bug early. Not exactly sure when, I think I was 9 or something like that. I’m not sure if it was all the animated shows I was watching but at some point I took up drawing too. Read more>>

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>>