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.

Maggie Gunther

My parents retired from the real estate business, moving from New Jersey to Florida when I was a year old. I’m the youngest of six children on my Mom’s side and three on my Dad’s. My parents had a significant age gap and had me late in life, so sometimes I feel like I feel like I’m living in the wrong era. Read more>>

Letitia Newbold

Thank you for the opportunity to share my journey. My story begins in Broward County, where I grew up watching my parents build and run our family-owned business, the Castle Restaurant, for over 25 years. It was there that I first learned the values of hard work, service, integrity, and community. Read more>>

Tyler Murray

My story is one that flows through daily life. I grew up watching cartoons, playing games, and dreaming of careers I could live out. The flow of daily life from a child to the man I am today, taught me many things. My story consist of many failures where i learned how to actually succeed. Read more>>

Nicole Votano

I’ve always believed that food is one of the most powerful ways to connect—with people, with culture, and with yourself. My story began long before culinary school. I grew up all over the world—Hawaii, San Francisco, London, and New York—each place leaving its own flavor on me. Read more>>

Gabriel Soomar

When I changed my major to architecture, I realised pretty early on that I wasn’t really into buildings. I was more interested in what happens between them and how their edges provide the backdrop against which culture unfolds. Read more>>

Jeff Seward

I started my career as a sales engineer for one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of commercial kitchen ventilation systems, CaptiveAire. In the early days, I was literally pounding the pavement—sometimes visiting the same client ten times before finally earning their business. That persistence paid off. Read more>>

Craig Ridley

It all started when my wife created her YouTube channel. I would usually hold the camera for her and take her pictures but I was bad at it. With her being so consistent, eventually I had to get better. That’s when I had the thought, I could do this professionally for others as well. Read more>>

Alejandro Escuela

Two decades ago in 2005, I began working with aluminum and glass, fascinated by how design could transform everyday spaces into something truly elegant. Over time, that passion evolved into a full-scale operation focused on creating doors that blend luxury, functionality, and timeless style. Based in Hialeah, Miami, we’ve built our reputation by prioritizing quality, precision, and personalized service. Read more>>

Maikel Dominguez

My Story I was born and raised in Cuba, where art became central to my life from a very young age. I studied at the University of Arts (ISA) in Havana, which gave me a solid technical foundation and introduced me to a deeper understanding of visual expression. Read more>>

Daneica Crowley

I moved to South Florida in 2000 to work with a SE Asian Import Company, Sejati ETC. I loved the creative business of Importing handicrafts, art and furniture, the traveling and working with international artists…but when Hurricane Wilma took the roof off of our warehouse in Ft. Lauderdale my life pivoted. Read more>>

Aniola Pierre

I always say that healing begins the moment you feel heard. My story started long before You Are Heard was ever created; it began in the silence. There was a time in my life when I lost my voice because of past traumas and experiences that made me believe I had to shrink myself to fit into spaces. Read more>>

Kelly Doyle

The concept of Thermae Retreat was born in 2012 and came from an experience that shifted my perception of how I walked through this world and I felt everyone needed to have the opportunity to find their shift within this type of experience. It was simply to be still. Read more>>

Anayansy Hernandez

I was born in Havana, Cuba, and always showed early signs of being a communicator. I started talking at just ten months old and was memorizing poetry by the age of three. At the age of seven, my family immigrated to the United States, an experience that taught me early how language builds bridges and opens doors. Read more>>

Dana Goldberg

My name is Ryan D. Goldberg. Dana M. Goldberg M.D. is the name of one of my businesses. lol I’ve been a multimillionaire three times, bankrupt once, and flat broke once. It’s hard to decide where to start with things, so I suppose I’ll begin with moving to Florida in 2009. Read more>>

Luis Mayer

I was born in Caracas in 1996, and I think my story truly began long before I ever imagined dedicating my life to transformation, creativity, and the human voice. I grew up fascinated by why people become who they are—by the patterns, emotions, and invisible dynamics that shape our lives. That curiosity eventually became the foundation of everything I do today. Read more>>

Owen Acosta

My story began as ambition without an outlet. I was a junior at Ransom Everglades High School with a passion for business and a desire to grow. My club proposal for a Career Development Club had just been rejected, I didn’t win any positions in the clubs I was already in, and I lacked a way to work toward my future. Read more>>

Julio Figueroa Beltrán

My name is Julio Figueroa Beltran and I am an artist I’ve been surrounded by art for as long as I can remember. I grew up watching my father, Julio Figueroa Sr., who is a botanical illustrator, and his work has a huge influence on me. Read more>>

Vilena Poterba

From an early age, I’ve been surrounded by beauty — through music and the world of fashion. I graduated from music school and soon after was invited to join Aurora Model Management in Saint Petersburg, Russia. I’m still signed with them to this day – that agency has become like family to me. Read more>>

PJ Fetscher

The beginnings of most woodworker/maker types are all similar. Simply put, it’s a passion born of necessity. Renovating a foreclosed starter home, I’d budgeted for the actual reno.. but not the furniture. I made my first dining table, got a few compliments on it from friends, and was encouraged to try selling it on Craigslist. Read more>>

Dr. David Bass

I began my first practice in 1980 in East Rockaway New York. Over several years, it grew to become one of the largest chiropractic and acupuncture clinics in the northeast United States. In 1990, I began to create multi-discipline clinics that included Medical Physicians, Chiropractors, Acupuncturists, and Physical Therapist all within the same facility. Read more>>

MARIA LOPEZ

I feel that I started my journey when I was 18 years old graduating from Miami Senior High school. I proceeded to attend Florida International University, the College of Business, to study accounting. I graduated with a bachelor’s in accounting and a masters in tax from FIU. Read more>>

Soulpax

Soulpax is a multi genre band that sprouted from a longtime friendship. We, Julian and Julia, first met at a Livingston Taylor master class when we were 17. From there, we went to Berklee College of Music together, where we started the band. In the beginning we made an overly-artsy, art rock EP with some of the original members. Read more>>

Zhandra Mattioli

Welcome to Oh Lola Swimwear Created By Zhandra Mattioli in 2019, Oh Lola Swimwear is dedicated to making premium micro bikinis and seamless swimwear that embody bold designs, elegant fits, and unique styles tailored for women who want to stand out. Oh Lola Swimwear is more than just swimwear—it’s a statement of freedom. Read more>>

Carla Collado

Collado Cosmetics started way before I even realized it. My mom instilled this love for holistic living and traditional practices in me from a young age. I still remember her gentle facial massages that would lullaby me to sleep when I was little—that’s where it all began for me, you know? That connection between touch, intention, and care. Read more>>

Chabeli Castillo

My journey began long before I ever sold my first property. I was born in Cuba and came to the U.S. at 18, chasing the same dream that brings so many to this country — the freedom to create your own future. Read more>>

Jimi Santoli

I started out in the flower business in 1988 right out of high school not knowing that thirty-seven years later I would still be vested heavily in the business. My friends would make fun of me being in the flower business and one day — playing on the Italian Brooklyn angle — I came up with the name ‘Jimi the Tulip’ LOL. Read more>>

Suhelen Solorzano

Meet Suhelen (Sue) Solorzano — A Fort Lauderdale Realtor with Heart Originally from Peru, Suhelen “Sue” Solorzano moved to the United States over two decades ago and made Fort Lauderdale her forever home. Her journey into real estate began when she started purchasing a few properties of her own — both short- and long-term investments. Read more>>

Raja Jalernpan

My love for theater began in childhood summers on the Big Island of Hawaii. Growing up in a small town with few creative outlets, I was captivated when my sister starred in a local production of Annie. I tagged along to every rehearsal, and from that moment, I was hooked! The stage became my second home. Read more>>

Simoneese Williams

My journey into self- care and wellness began after a very close call in 2017, long before The Self-Care Bar had a name or a vision. I had a frightening health scare tha year. The kind that forces you to stop! After a series of medical checks, the doctors told me something that shook me to my core. Read more>>

Isabel Custer

I grew up in Miami and loved more art anything. I studied ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, theater, and flamenco. When I wasn’t in a class, I was writing poetry, sketching dresses from every angle, choreographing dances, or convincing my brother and sister to act in whatever play I had just invented. Read more>>

Silvana Deziderio

We’re originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil – ‘Terra da garoa e do brigadeiro!’ After my husband and I got married and had our first child, we felt our small town was becoming too small for our dreams. We wanted more opportunities, a fresh start, and a new adventure. So in 1998, we came to the United States- I was only 21! Read more>>

Jackie Anderson

During COVID, like so many others, I found myself at a crossroads after losing one of my part-time jobs. It made me pause and really think about what would make me genuinely happy and fulfilled. I’ve always had a natural talent for organizing and a deep passion for helping people, so I decided to combine the two — and that’s how Chaos Controlled was born. Read more>>

Ana Augusto

My journey in family law began with a genuine desire to help people through some of the most difficult and emotional transitions in their lives. From the very start of my career, I knew that practicing law for me would be about more than just legal procedures—it would be about people, relationships, and the opportunity to guide them toward a new beginning. Read more>>

Patricia Brett

I am a full-time visual artist (sculptor and printmaker). Being an artist was all I really wanted to do as a kid. I studied architecture and had a long career as an architect. I wasn’t an artist, but it was a close second in that it allowed me to support myself, use my brain, and be very creative. Read more>>

Brenda Wilson Chin

It has not always been an easy road for me I have gone thru many struggles, trials, and storms thru my life but even my struggles have taught me how to appreciate what life has to offer and how to humble myself in times of difficulties… Coming from a background of not having much, growing up in the projects( ghetto) surviving, drug addicts in the family, etc surviving trauma & abuse mentally, emotionally, and physically was alot to endure Read more>>

Andreea Dobre

You asked me to share my story, and even now, when I think about it, I get a knot in my throat and the tears want to fall. But this story, my story, it’s important because it shows how our biggest struggles can bring us to our greatest breakthroughs. Read more>>