Every day we have a choice. We can support an up and coming podcaster, try a new family-run restaurant, join a boutique gym started by a local fitness champ or we could keep giving away our money to the handful of giants who already control so much of our commerce. Our daily decisions impact the kind world we live in; if we want a world where small businesses are growing and artists and creatives are thriving then we should support them with our time, money and attention. We’re proud to highlight inspiring creatives and entrepreneurs each week in Hidden Gems series. Check out some of our latest local gem features below.
Deborah Saada
Valerie, whose heart is shared between France and the United States, has always been captivated by French fashion and lifestyle. Surrounded by beautiful objects, she cultivated a love for fine materials, delicate details, and timeless elegance. With the dream of sharing this passion beyond borders, she created Bébé Sweeny — a brand dedicated to bringing French beauty and refinement into the magical world of childhood. Read more>>
Stefanie Benaim
I’ve been passionate about nutrition and fitness for the last 15 plus years, but in a controversial market like the one we are in, I’ve worked really hard to educate myself and not follow “trends” that could become extreme or cause more harm than healing. Read more>>
Julio Anta
I started teaching martial arts in Doral in 1998. I started teaching kids kung fu and adults fitness kickboxing. I was working as a corrections officer while doing this. I also taught kickboxing at Bally’s Fitness center and at an elementary school. Little after I started teaching adult kung fu also. We are the longest running martial arts school in Doral. Read more>>
Derek Alvarez
Smoothie Squad started in 2018 during a time when I was just trying to figure life out. I didn’t have investors, a mentor, or a business plan. What I did have was a vision, to build something positive that made people feel good, feel motivated, and feel connected. Read more>>
Aglaya Shadrina
My journey as an entrepreneur began in 2013 with the launch of Aglaya Piano. What started as a small educational business has since grown into a globally recognized platform, where I’ve had the privilege of helping students of all ages connect with their creativity through the transformative power of music. Read more>>
Suzanne Connors
Absolutely—though I’m not sure anything about my path has ever been “brief”! I’ve always been drawn to textiles, pattern, and process—the slow, intentional rhythm of handwork. What began as a personal creative pursuit eventually evolved into a lifelong journey in fiber arts, surface design, and community building. Read more>>
Jewel Lavenskii
Jewel Lavenskii (Jewel Jean) is an American singer and rapper from Miami, Florida, born on June 28th, 2002. She started off singing at 7 years old, and her mom (Juenika L. Lee) always inspired her to keep going. She always encouraged her to follow her dreams, no matter what. Once her mother passed away, she took a break from music due to heartbreak. Read more>>
Shirley Fleurimond
As many hairstylist we all have started from home playing with either a baby doll or little sisters hair or better yet being surrounded in a salon atmosphere everyone weekend with your love one’s. By the age of 15 I was hustling and making a small income on side doing classmates and neighbors hair. I stopped hair as soon as I started nursing school. Read more>>
Chanele Faulkner
My fitness journey began about seven years ago during a time when I was searching for direction and balance in my life. I wasn’t living the healthiest lifestyle: drinking, smoking, and constantly chasing quick fixes. About five years ago, I made the decision to get sober, and that’s where everything changed. Fitness became my outlet, my therapy, and eventually, my purpose. Read more>>
Mariel Lizarzabal
Although my career began as a lawyer in Venezuela, life had a much different path in store for me. After immigrating to the United States, I discovered my true passion: professional aesthetics. What started as a personal search quickly evolved into a life-changing mission. Read more>>
LUCENA DUSSIN
I am a Brazilian architect and interior designer with more than 25 years of experience designing distinctive spaces that blend functionality, elegance, and emotion. My professional path began in Brazil, where I founded my own design studio and built a reputation for my refined aesthetic and passion for detail. Read more>>
Mel Maranon
I went through a lot from a young age and didn’t know how to work through the trauma I’d experienced. So I lost my way in my twenties, and got into drugs pretty heavily. I was able to drop the substances and focus on my healing journey at the age of 30 and art played a huge part. Read more>>
Raoul Belidor (RaoulBHD)
From there, I dove all in. I spent countless hours studying online tutorials, researching gear, and experimenting with editing techniques, but more than anything, I focused on creating consistently. Every project, big or small, became a chance to learn something new. Over time, I grew from being the person capturing moments to someone capable of directing full productions and guiding creative vision from concept to completion. Read more>>
Maggie Suarez
I founded Miami’s Heat Flea because I recognized a significant lack of a true sense of community. As a former vendor myself, I experienced firsthand the challenges that many small businesses and artists face in this environment, which often felt isolating and discouraging. After dedicating months to extensive research, countless emails, and strategic advertising efforts, I finally brought Miami’s Heat Flea to life! Read more>>
Abby Mosher
One beautiful day on a Texas highway, my life changed forever. In a split second, what had begun as a family vacation ended in tragedy. A head-on collision took my husband Paul’s life, leaving me and my 7-year-old son, Dustin, hospitalized. In an instant, Paul’s infectious smile became a memory, and Dustin and I were left devastated and alone in our grief. Read more>>
Nick Arcuri
Originally, I moved to Miami from Westchester County, NY to earn a degree in Psychology from the University of Miami. After graduating I realized the degree I earned was somewhat aimless and didn’t enjoy any of the job opportunities available. I was working as a waiter and bartender throughout my education both in NY and Miami for various catering companies and restaurants. Read more>>
Anna Henry
I as parent of 4 suffered some hardships when I was raising my children. Whereas over time I began to notice some behaviors that was troubling 2 of my sons who was diagnosed with ADHD. Therefore I was driven to research what it was that had my boys in a disarray. Read more>>
Reynier Llanes
Reynier Llanes was born in Pinar del Rio, Cuba in 1985. He attended the city’s school of art (Instructores de Arte) for four years and completed his studies in 2004. Llanes was tutored by one of the country’s most recognized realist artists, Juan Miguel Suárez. In 2005 he moved to Havana where he continued his studies and collaborated with various artists. Read more>>
Deeny Kaplan
At the age of 12, I was getting pies in the face every day, portraying a clown who thought she was Doris Day, on the local edition of a franchise series called ‘Bozo’s Big Top’, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After a few weeks, my dream of being an actress was overshadowed by the power and creativity I saw behind the scenes at ‘Bozo’. Read more>>
Ben Bakson
Born and raised in Germany, I grew up with a deep passion for music. I learned to play the piano and guitar as a child, but it wasn’t until my early 20s that I fell in love with electronic dance music. Read more>>
Reshma Mulchan
From Humble Beginnings to Educational Excellence: A Journey of Resilience and Hope By Reshma Mulchan “Education was my way out of darkness. It didn’t just change my life—it gave me the power to help others find their light.” Born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, I came from a place where survival took creativity and grit. Read more>>
AME Kids Band
My story began with a guitar and a dream. I started my musical journey as a guitarist, songwriter, and producer, performing and working with renowned artists and experiencing the power of music to connect people. Over the years, I realized that my true calling was to inspire and develop young talent — to give children a stage where their voices could be heard and celebrated. Read more>>
Charlie Hernandez
I grew up in a family of lawyers. My mother is a lawyer, my father is a lawyer and my sister is a lawyer. In fact, my sister even married a lawyer. As you can imagine, dinner in my family gets pretty interesting. Surrounded by attorneys, I was hearing stories of people’s challenges with the legal system long before I ever went to law school. Read more>>
Fatima Gonzalez
I began my career in 2007. My son was born in 2007 and it sparked a deep passion to help other breast-feeding families. I pitched the idea to my employer at the time to allow me the opportunity to dive deep into lactation education and training. Read more>>
Caralena Lehmann
My journey has been shaped by a dedication to both medicine and fashion, two passions that have evolved over time. I started modeling as a hobby, but it recently became a full-on career. I’ve had the privilege to walk in Miami Swim Week and New York Fashion Week, as well as work with various swimwear and jewelry companies. Read more>>
Dennis Foster
In the world of yachting, the road to success often begins with humble origins, and for me, it all started in a little red van. My early days were spent washing boats, getting my hands dirty, and working tirelessly for a boat manufacturer. It was honest work, but deep down, I always knew that I wanted something more. Read more>>
david foulquier
Hi my name is david foulquier I’m from New York City born and raised moved to Miami for college. I went to The U , and then hospitality school at FIU and ended up opening my first restaurant a couple years after that. I went to Cooking school in Japan and Barcelona, refined my skills and then brought them back to Miami. Read more>>
The Loc Whisperer
I started my journey back in high school in 2007. My mom was actually my first client—I started her on her loc journey, and that experience inspired me to loc my own hair as well. Growing up with six siblings—five sisters and one brother on my mom’s side—doing hair was a part of our daily lives. Read more>>
Brian Kamilar
After studying business and marketing in college, I came back to Miami immediately to start working for Condo.com, an emerging property listings and research platform based in Coconut Grove. A few years in, the company started a brokerage. I got my license and began my realtor career under the Condo.com flag. Along the way, I took an interest to the ownership/management side of real estate. Read more>>
Eglante Noel
My journey began as a Haitian immigrant with a deep passion for healthcare and a dream of creating something of my own. After spending decades working as a nurse and nurse practitioner, I was ready to take a leap of faith and bring my vision to life. It was 2020, the height of the pandemic, and the hospital environment had become overwhelming. Read more>>
Ana Bikic
My story begins with my grandmother, an artist from the 1920s who became the greatest influence on my artistic life. She taught me to observe, to imagine, and to understand beauty as a discipline of the soul. My father was a scientist and doctor, deeply philosophical, and from him I inherited a profound curiosity for knowledge and truth. Read more>>
Karla Gutiérrez y Francesca Navarro Karla Gutiérrez y Francesca Navarro
We started For the Future You from a place of love, love for storytelling, for connection, and for those little moments that slip away too fast. What began as two photographers with a shared vision turned into something much deeper, a space where families, couples, and individuals can see themselves honestly, beautifully, and without pretense. Read more>>
Rachel Ford
Our story began in NYC in 2016 when my husband Kyle Ford and I founded Ford Media Lab with a simple belief: premium and luxury brands deserve visual content that refuses to blend in. Read more>>
Zeynep A. Talu-Balci
Can you tell us a bit about how you got started? I often say that my career began long before I ever sold a property. My journey started in Istanbul, where I spent nearly two decades helping Turkish exporters enter international markets. Read more>>
Jose Graterol
Jose Graterol walked into Flowers &. Flowers in 1994 on Lincoln Road. He landed a job there for 1 month, but the owner was so impressed with his talent that the job lasted 3 years. After a few other floral design and interior design jobs, Jose eventually opened his own business, Jose Graterol Designs, in 2005. Read more>>
Carlos Marin
Global Traxxx Entertainment started in NYC as a party movement in a basement in Queens, NY by Ecuadorians Carlos G. Marin and Gabriel Toscano. This movement was mainly focused on friendship and many talents put together such as; music, photography, filming and backyard parties. Read more>>
Claudia Gonzalez
My journey began as a filmmaker, drawn to stories that capture the emotional depth within everyday life — the pauses, silences, and subtle details that reveal our shared humanity. When my grandmother began living with dementia, it changed how I understood storytelling. Read more>>
Janie Reisler
I am born and raised in Montreal, Quebec and moved to South Florida in 2021. I have several university degrees in the Visual Arts from Canada. I chose to pursue a new career challenge in Art Education once I was settled in my new life. Read more>>
Gianna McNealy
I started creating jewelry during a time when I was searching for deeper meaning… a way to reconnect with myself, my ancestry, and the divine feminine within me. What began as a form of healing through my hands slowly transformed into SOLSVN, a wearable art brand that fuses storytelling, spirituality, and design. Each piece I make is an exploration of memory, energy, and identity. Read more>>
Dr. Liana & Katrina
For me (Katrina), there are going to be bumps in the road, it is more how we navigate them. Of course, there are things that come up, whether it is building our practice clientele, building Create A Change: Private Vision Board Workshop from the ground up, being sisters and business partners, something is bound to arise. What I admire about ourselves, is that we communicate effectively and are able to overcome obstacles we come to face! Read more>>
Andrew Hanson
I was also happy to re-found the Vivian Laramore Rader Poetry Group, a poetry group that my great aunt, Vivian Laramore Rader, pioneered in Miami decades ago. She was the first woman poet laureate of Florida and had a colossal influence on the poetry scene of South Florida and Florida generally. It was thus an honor to revive this group alongside a handful of plucky poets from around the country. Read more>>
Tropical Skyn
I’ve always believed that beautiful, glowing skin starts with nature. Growing up in the Caribbean, I was surrounded by the richness of tropical botanicals, our very own island treasures that our elders swore by for radiant skin. However, it wasn’t until I left the islands that I truly understood how powerful those natural ingredients were. Read more>>
Jenell Harris
I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and started my career in sales for a software reseller after college. That role gave me the opportunity to learn about various business functions and how they come together to drive success. I worked in Chicago and handled accounts in Canada, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Read more>>
SHIVVA
Three years ago, we started as mutual friends and connected more through social media. We discovered that we were all running in similar social circles in South Florida’s alternative music scene (it’s very small). It didn’t take long for us to meet up and begin making music together. Read more>>
Elizaveta Terletskaia
10 years ago, I discovered my passion for pastry art. It all started as a hobby. I loved experimenting with flavors, textures, and designs in my small kitchen back home. Baking quickly became my creative outlet and a source of joy. Read more>>
Jacqueline Gonzalez Touzet
Jacqueline Gonzalez Touzet, AIA, LEED AP, is the co-founder of Touzet Studio, an award-winning, architecture firm based in Little Havana, Miami. Known for its innovative, sustainable, and culturally inspired designs, the studio works with global leaders like Apple and Nike, alongside visionary private clients and leading developers who value excellence in design and innovation, with a respect for climate, culture and history. Read more>>
Jessica & Phil Williamson
Phil and Jessica Williamson’s journey into the fitness world is a story of passion, family, and dedication. It all began with their first family-owned gym in Pembroke Pines in 2019. This decision was made only weeks after the couple celebrated their wedding. The Pembroke Pines studio opened and challenged the family to endure the challenges of COVID-19 in the fitness industry. Read more>>
Alejandra Copeland
Alejandra Copeland is a Miami-based storyteller and entrepreneur helping founders transform ideas into powerful narratives that win funding and visibility. “I’ve been telling stories my whole life! First through video, and now through strategy,” says Copeland. Alejandra started her career in New York as an editor at Viacom, working on promos for MTV and Nickelodeon. Read more>>
The Marsh Family – Elana Marsh
We’ve always been drawn to the act of making, of bringing something new into the world. Whether going through museums, discovering emerging artists in local galleries, or simply being moved by the raw creativity we encountered, we found ourselves constantly inspired by those who create. Read more>>
Rachelle Jean-Louis, LMHC-QS
If you had told me years ago that I’d one day be running my own counseling practice, mentoring other clinicians, and creating wellness tools for women, I probably would’ve smiled politely — but deep down, I wouldn’t have believed it. My path into mental health was about following a calling to help people heal. Read more>>
Rasheeal Dixon
Well, I kind of started accidentally, but I believe nothing happens by accident or by a “coincidence.” I was teaching a meditation class, and one of my students from the class brought the idea to me. Read more>>
Lucia Fernandez Silveira
My father is a psychiatrist, and I was always deeply enamored with both my parents even before I met them. My father was a political prisoner in Cuba, and my mother stayed behind, helping him survive while continuing the underground fight against the Castro regime. Read more>>
Katrina Fraga
Every since I was a little girl, I wanted to be an entrepreneur. My mom would laugh because I would sell my old hair ties for .25 cents to my friends in elementary school! As I got older, I went on a traditional career path and became a teacher. Read more>>
Jacob Doucette
My passion for photography started right after high school in 2012. I’d grab my camera and go shoot local car shows just for fun — I had no grand plan, I just loved documenting stuff and being around that energy. That slowly led me into shooting landscapes, portraits, friends, anyone who would let me, honestly. Read more>>
Melissa Manning
I have been a serial entrepreneur and real estate investor for about 14 years, buying my first real estate investment at 23 and opening my first brick and mortar store at 24. By the time covid came around I had opened 13 companies in 10 years and was running 5 of them while being a single mom. Read more>>
Skyler Nador
As I continued I expanded into larger projects and more commercial clientele and now it is a full time career. I am so proud of all that I have accomplished in creating my own company and being a self starter in my line of work and I hope to continue my career and expand to a wider audience throughout the US and maybe even the world. Read more>>
JoAnne McDaniel
I’m a Highlands County beekeeper with offering at anytime 3 to 5 different honey’s. The honey portion of the business goes by CBbees and will be operating for 2 years in November. We offer FREE home delivery in Highlands County. Besides our honey and we make beeswax candles in small batches. There’s currently about 20 small businesses that sell or use our honey. Read more>>
Marina Talamini
Hey there! I’m Marina, one of the two sisters behind Platinum Sun. My sister Olena and I started this wild ride back in 2014. Picture us, two Miami kiteboarders (well, I was the kiteboarder, and Olena was just learning), frustrated by the lack of durable, stylish, and affordable water sports gear. Read more>>
Rabbi Julie Jacobs
When I was a child, I loved to sing. I also loved speaking with people and my parents told me I would often go up to strangers and start talking to them or singing to them. I always had a deep desire to help people, and it really didn’t matter how. Synagogue life became a refuge for me in my teen years. Read more>>
Irina Kvasha
I was 25 years old when I became sick with what everyone was sure was the flu. But it wasn’t, and little did I know then that my journey was just beginning. My family and I assumed it was the flu. So I drank plenty of fluids and stayed in bed for a few days. Read more>>
Yean Mirabal
We are Venezuelan immigrants, both my wife and I are lawyers, but years ago when we arrived here we realized that exercising our career would not be possible. So I was given the opportunity to work in the construction area, as an helper and shortly after I learned the stucco job.. Read more>>
Pedja Kovačević
Growing up in a picturesque spa town in central Serbia, surrounded by mineral springs, clean air, and marble quarries, provided the perfect backdrop to nurture my creativity. My love affair with music began at the age of six when my cousin gifted me a humble two-octave Startone accordion. Read more>>
Enrique Galarza
Started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu back in Ecuador when i was 15 because my dad forced me to, it was very hard at first because I was the youngest, smallest and weakest person doing the adult classes, and back then the training culture was that only the tough survive; i guess i was tough enough haha Read more>>
Appollonia ‘Appy’ Smith
My story began under the stars, really. At nine years old, I discovered an old astrology book on my grandmother’s bookshelf, and I was instantly captivated. I devoured every page and was stunned by how it could so accurately describe the personalities of my family members—from my siblings to my mother and grandmother. That book ignited a lifelong passion. Read more>>
LHONETTE CHARLES
grew up in France, where I developed a passion for beauty and fashion. From a young age, I knew that cosmetology and creative hairstyling were my true callings. At 16, after finishing high school, I told my parents I didn’t want to follow the traditional college path,I wanted to attend cosmetology school. Read more>>
Yorkys Rodriguez
My name is Yorkys, Yorx to those dearest to me. I am a Cuban born, 49 year old queer and bipoc woman, mother of 5 amazing humans, raised in Hialeah. My journey has evolved from the world of hair and makeup to finding my passions of gardening, herbalism and cooking, in my early 30’s. Read more>>
Lara Klart
Lara Klart’s musical journey, currently based in Miami, Florida, began under the influence of the rich musical heritage instilled by her mother and sister, tracing back to her maternal grandfather — a foundational figure in her family’s artistic legacy. Read more>>
Kelli Shakur
Frogang started from a vision that God gave me to create a a safe space for Black girls to learn to love being black and seeing the blessings in their features and their natural hair . Read more>>
Amaranta Martinez
My journey began in Venezuela, where I studied illustration and animation. My professional career took off in Miami as an Art Director at Nickelodeon, a playground that taught me how to transform wild ideas into joyful, tangible worlds. In 2010, when my twins arrived, I chose reinvention and merged every passion I had: painting murals, illustration, digital art, and experimenting with augmented reality. Read more>>
Leticia Pollock
I grew up in Brazil, near one of the best coffee-producing regions in the world, and I come from a large family of talented home cooks, we love tasting and exploring flavors! As a teenager, when I started considering what to do for school and work, I decided I wanted to spend my days doing fun, upbeat work. Read more>>
Izabela Bos
I’ve always believed that every brand and every digital presence starts with connection—connection to self, to community, and to purpose. My journey began in the world of philanthropy, communications, and digital strategy within corporate and academic spheres — where I helped build brand voices, manage stakeholder relationships, amplify human stories, and lead transformation initiatives. Read more>>
David Holding
I launched Serenity Talent during COVID—honestly, we got bored sitting still and decided to build the mainstream talent agency we wished existed. My background on the creator side taught me how much talent need proactive, transparent representation and how much brands value speed and professionalism. Read more>>
Yara Lamp
I’m a model and fashion designer, born and raised in Lebanon during the war. Eighteen years ago, I moved to the United States to start a new chapter and pursue my passion for fashion and creativity. Read more>>
Courtney Hatfield
My journey in hospitality began in the early 2000s while I was attending the University of Central Florida where my college job quickly became a career calling. I was drawn to the energy of hotels: the constant movement, the diversity of people and the chance to make someone’s day better. Read more>>
Rene Hernandez
I started posting my photography on Instagram just for fun — sharing creative shots . A few of my posts unexpectedly went viral, reaching thousands of people overnight. That moment completely changed everything, turning what began as a simple hobby into a full-time photography business and launching my journey as a professional creative. Read more>>
