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.
Cristina Blanco
I began my journey in the arts as a young student of ballet, later expanding into other dance forms and musical theatre and production. Those early years shaped my foundation as an artist and instilled the curiosity and discipline that would guide my path. Read more>>
Andrew Escudero
I’ve always felt a deep connection to nature and the universe, but my artistic journey truly started 18 years ago after a transformative experience blending meditation and sensory deprivation. It shifted everything for me. I realized art could translate the clarity, insight, and awareness I felt into something visual that people could experience for themselves. Read more>>
Tiffany Hamilton CHHP
My journey into holistic wellness and plant-based healing actually started long before I had the language for it. My personal struggle with debilitating migraines and watching people I love struggle with chronic health issues, stress, and food habits that weren’t supporting their bodies. Read more>>
Ivan Cárdenas
I began my career as a massage therapist in 2016 at Massage Envy, where I developed a strong professional discipline and learned to manage my time effectively, providing high-quality care. In 2019, I joined the Metabiolic Anti-Aging Wellness Center, expanding my expertise in therapeutic techniques and holistic wellness practices. Read more>>
Carina White
I grew up in London to Jamaican parents who both came to the UK from Jamaica, and from as early as I can remember, I wanted to be a presenter or actress. Life, however, had different plans and a chance meeting in a nightclub with a football (soccer) agent changed everything. Read more>>
Vernita Buie
I’m Vernita “Tia” Buie, born and raised in Liberty City in Miami. I completed my early education through homeschooling and went on to earn multiple degrees in healthcare and leadership. Read more>>
Andrea Hidalgo Martí
I was born in Venezuela, and in 2014, I moved to Panama to work at Articruz, the studio of Carlos Cruz-Diez. Being there was transformative; I learned about production, materials, installations, and logistics, but even more, I learned the values that guide an artist’s practice: discipline, curiosity, and the importance of collaboration. Read more>>
Isaac Drouin
I didn’t start off in construction or firefighting. I actually went to school for recording arts and ran an audio production company for a while. It was fun, but by the time I hit 30, I just wasn’t where I wanted to be. So I sold all my gear, closed that chapter, and ended up getting into the fire service. Read more>>
Diego Gomez de Cordova
I’m fortunate to have been born and raised in Miami, and entrepreneurship has been part of my DNA from the beginning. Today, my focus is fully in the music industry, where I own and operate a fast-growing music and entertainment collective that works across record labels, artists, venues, and creative strategy. Read more>>
Devin Marsh
My path has always lived at the intersection of creativity, education, and community. I began in music, studying vibraphone at Berklee College of Music, performing, producing, and exploring the foundations of sound and storytelling. I continued my journey at the University of Miami, where I earned my education degree while performing, producing, and composing with my band Nori Nori. Read more>>
Gaby Fadhel
I began performing and training at the age of 6 years old. I trained through elementary school and that led me to the magnet theatre programs at South Miami Middle School and Coral Reef Senior High School. Throughout my time in school, I worked for Telemundo and Univision is some commercials and shows. Read more>>
Elena Mendez
lena Designs started in February of last year, at a moment in my life when I felt this deep need to create something meaningful with my hands. Read more>>
Lindsays Reveron
I was not born into opportunity. I was born in a country where you’re not allowed to dream (Cuba). From a young age, I understood that limitations were the norm and that opportunity was something you had to go out into the world to find. When I came to this country, I started from zero. Read more>>
Nikki Benoit
Growing up in a small town in Maryland, I realized the conventional life didn’t feel right for me – I needed to spread my wings and explore! Not just explore the world, but explore who I am as well. At 23 I moved solo with whatever fit in my car to a place I had never been, Clearwater, Florida. Read more>>
Cloe Galasso
My journey began in Buenos Aires with a foundation in design, but I quickly realized my true interest lay in exploring materials and energy holistically. Read more>>
Alejandro J. Certain
Based in Miami, Florida the companies roots go back to Colombia where our companies founder was born and built his first residential house over 60+ years ago The father-and-son team guides the firm in fulfilling its aim of addressing each and every need of the client when it comes to building their perfect custom home. Read more>>
Harryson & Sheena Prophete
Our story follows the boy meets girl, girl and boy fall in love and they live happily ever after storyline, but like in every successful love story, there’s more to it than that. Read more>>
Victor Antunez
I’m a lifelong Miamian, a dad to an autistic daughter, and someone who refuses to sit back and hope things get better on their own. Real estate is my profession, but becoming an autism parent shifted everything. I saw how hard it is for families like mine to find real answers, real support, and housing that actually works for their kids. Read more>>
Ilan Presman
I’ve loved movies ever since I can remember. As a child, they were my source of exploration, and as an adolescent, they became my escape. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be in Hollywood. I remember in 4th grade taping a picture on top of my bed that said ‘DAWPS,’ standing for director, actor, writer, producer, and singer. Read more>>
Mariana Romero
I’m Venezuelan, 44 years old, and a Certified Public Accountant. I arrived in the country 12 years ago with my husband and four daughters. We had to work hard, like all immigrants. Read more>>
ADAM SHEETZ
It was my first introduction to the wild marriage of original art and visual communication. Filtered through a very esoteric lens, it was a unique visual language that seemed to speak to a specific audience and culture, and whether you were a part of it or not, you knew who it was for, and if you were a part of it, you knew what it said. I was hooked on exploring communicating to an audience through art (I didn’t yet know it fell under the category of graphic design). Read more>>
Carmen Castillo
I grew up in Peru as the oldest daughter, and caring for others has been a part of my identity since childhood. One of my earliest memories of this is taking my first cooking class at nine years old — I was the youngest cooking in a room full of older Peruvian women. Read more>>
Luis Ortiz
My name is Luis Ortiz, and my journey has been anything but traditional. I was born in Venezuela and later made my way to Miami, a city that ultimately became the place where I rebuilt my life and discovered my purpose. Read more>>
Max Bratter
I started my engineering career in the second grade, joining my elementary school robotics team. I competed with my school through elementary, middle, and now high school where I compete on my High School VEX VRC Robotics Team (4154S). I have always been interested in everything STEM related, whether that is robotics, technology, or otherwise. Read more>>
William Gomez
My journey started with a simple goal — to build something real, something that would outlive me. I started with MoneyBack Guaranteed Income Taxes, built from pure hustle, integrity, and consistency. What began as one small office grew into a trusted financial brand serving clients in all 50 states. Read more>>
Candice Odom
Nearly 20 years ago, I started my career in sales and marketing for a major railroad company. After completing a nine-month rotational program, the recession hit and I was reassigned to oversee accounts payable for a subsidiary. At the time it felt like a setback, but it turned out to be the setup I needed. Read more>>
Andres Rodriguez
Shortly after moving from Colombia as a teenager I knew I wanted to help people for a living but didn’t know how. My options were being a police officer but I was really never into guns. Other option was to be a comedian because I LOVE to make people laugh and bring smiles to their faces but there’s a problem, I’m extremely shy…. Read more>>
Antonio Recinos
I was born in Saigon, Vietnam near the end of the Vietnam War. My dad was with the United States Air Force so my mom, dad and I were lucky enough to be airlifted out of Saigon on a military transport shortly before the fall of Saigon in 1975. Read more>>
Samar Nashash
Today, Shades & Design Studio specializes in luxury window treatments, commercial & hospitality wallcoverings, hurricane-rated exterior shading systems, impact windows & doors, and Italian kitchen & closet solutions from Lube. We serve high-end residential, commercial, hospitality, and retail clients across Florida and the Caribbean. Read more>>
Ricky Aiken
Despite her addiction, my mother was the kind of woman who’d give the shirt off her back. I can’t remember a time she didn’t have someone down on their luck living with us—prostitutes, addicts, family members—it didn’t matter. Between her and my grandmother, I learned that love doesn’t require perfection and that community means sharing what little you have. They were the first models of the heart I have for my people today. Read more>>
Leolen Newsome
I was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida, in a home where music was woven into my life. My mom and siblings sang constantly, and that atmosphere planted the first seeds of my passion. Read more>>
Tiara Sealy
As a young girl I always dreamed of traveling the world. 2019 I learned that I could turn my passion for travel into a paycheck it was GAME-OVER! Making Travel my business was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Read more>>
Matthew Giles
I’ve had 20 years’ experience in the real estate industry managing and developing substantial projects both in London and the USA. As an entrepreneur, my interest in supporting dynamic small-businesses and working alongside ambitious individuals drew me to coworking. Read more>>
Joe Drake
I’ve been in the fitness industry for close to two decades now, but I didn’t grow up with some big master plan to run an academy for personal trainers. I was a kid who lived for sports and when that phase of my life ended realized I actually loved moving and training my body more than anything. Read more>>
Yael VanGruber
A Journey Guided by Faith Since childhood, Yael VanGruber has felt guided and chosen by God for a higher purpose. An A-student with a natural gift for creating art, she expressed emotions and intuition through beautiful projects long before understanding the spiritual energy behind them. Read more>>
Sara Gorman, LMFT
My name is Sara M. Gorman, LMFT (please, just call me Sara). I have two Master’s degrees from Nova Southeastern University and have lived in Southeast Florida for about eight years. My path to becoming a therapist (and founding my own practice) was not linear. Read more>>
Giovanna Stolte
I started my business in 2021, it started as a hobby during covid and then turned into my full time job. I always had a passion for creating unique pieces, whether it be clothes, painting, sewing, or beading. It has always been a dream to open a storefront and here I am one year into owning my dream space. Read more>>
Valerie Brunnette
I started my creative journey in the performing arts space. Eventually, photography became my visual language: a way to slow down, pay attention, and make sense of the world. I have always been drawn to the everyday beauty in ordinary moments. That curiosity eventually led me deeper into the intersection of art, design, and mindfulness. Read more>>https://voyagemia.com/interview/meet-valerie-brunnette-of-miami-coconut-grove
Brian Riemer
My story really starts long before I ever stepped into a boardroom. I grew up watching my father, Stephen Riemer, build Riemer Insurance Group from the ground up. Long before I came along, he started the firm in 1978 with nothing but a desk, a phone book, and the relentless drive to take care of people. Read more>>
Rachel Chang
I have been in professional dance all my life – since I was 3, I was in ballet, tap, jazz… and soon thereafter, I became a pointe ballerina and added other dance styles to my repertoire, from hip hop / modern to Caribbean. Dance is a way of life, and it helped me all through my years to deal with the stress of growing up. Read more>>
Dawn Liberta
My name is Dawn Liberta, and I currently serve as the Executive Director for Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Broward County. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University (FAU). During my final semester, I completed an internship with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), where I worked closely with children in the foster care system. Read more>>
Catherine Rincon
I grew up surrounded by Dominican women who could carry the world on their backs, so becoming a therapist almost felt like learning the science behind that kind of strength. My career started holding a cup of coffee throughout different community mental health settings – homes, shelters, foster homes, jail visitation booths, mobile crisis and school spaces. Read more>>
Pablo Maglio
The Indicator Store was born out of a personal necessity that turned into a passion. Like many traders, I started my journey trying to navigate the complexities of the markets, often feeling overwhelmed by the noise. I realized that to succeed, I didn’t need more information; I needed better signals. I began developing custom tools simply to improve my own trading edge. Read more>>
Alejandra Henao
I’ve been doing international trade and development work for 20+ years, working in the formulation of regional policies for sustainable development at multilateral organizations like the Organization of American States, and supporting international trade and exports working for the U.S. Read more>>
Mattia Casarotto
EVOLV began with a simple idea: that films could transform spaces and vehicles in ways the industry hadn’t fully explored yet. We started as a small operation with a big vision, developing better materials, improving installer experience, and creating a brand that people could trust globally. In the early days, we focused on automotive wraps. Read more>>
Rafael Riefkohl
As Rafael watched these neighborhoods flourish with professionals, families, and businesses, he saw a clear need for a convenient, high-end cleaning service that would match their lifestyle. What began as a small idea quickly evolved into a full-service, premium operation dedicated to quality, reliability, and convenience. Read more>>
Deborah Shlian
All royalties from my writing are donated to medical research organizations or in the case of Silent Survivor (a military medical thriller), to veterans organizations. My fiction books are all available in print, eBook and Audio and can be found on Amazon as well as other book seller platforms: Read more>>
Cesar Cabrera
I’ve always been obsessed with ideas and how they can flip a narrative, shift culture, and genuinely move people. For over 17 years, I’ve worked in the creative industry helping brands like Pepsi, Flor de Caña, and DIAGEO stand out through disruptive thinking, bold storytelling, and strategic innovation. And it’s not just brands. Read more>>
Kevin Baker
Ignite Taekwondo began long before it had a formal name or a permanent home. It started as a simple after-school elective taught inside daycares and summer camps. Back then, the program was called Street Ninja Karate, and its purpose was to introduce children to martial arts in a fun, accessible way. Read more>>
Robertha Haddad Blatt
I moved to Miami three years ago to pursue a Master’s in Arts and Photography at Barry University, where I’m currently in my second year. I’m also part of the Red Thread Studio artist collective in Coral Gables. I’m a psychologist by training, with a specialization in couples and group therapy. Read more>>
Artem Kozhevnikov
I grew up fascinated by the idea of helping people regain their confidence through their smiles. That passion led me to pursue dentistry, where I spent over 20 years developing expertise in implantology, prosthodontics, and digital dentistry. Throughout my career, I have focused on modern, minimally invasive methods and the integration of technology in treatment – including 3D surgical guides, digital workflows, and AI-assisted planning. Read more>>
Alec Sepy
MBI has been in the business of art handling for over 20 years. I’ve worked with the company since 2010, my start was assisting with gallery installations at Art Basel in Miami Beach. Even though, I’m just an worker bee, I treat MBI as if it was my own. Read more>>
Ariel Baron-Robbins
I was born in Memphis and raised in Oxford, Mississippi, a small university town that shaped my sense of creativity and curiosity. My mother is a painter and a tenured art professor at the University of Mississippi and my father is an architect and a local musician. Read more>>
Charlie mainardi
Although I graduated as an architect very young, I started working with my father in his studio almost at the end of my studies. Read more>>
Diamond Cash
Absolutely. My journey really started with a deep belief that purpose and opportunity go hand in hand. I’ve always been passionate about creating something that motivates people to become the best version of themselves and that’s what led to the birth of Diamond Cash Incentives. Read more>>
Marcus Elestin
I’ve always been drawn to the idea of creating something of my own. As a first-generation Haitian American, I grew up with a deep awareness of what opportunity can mean, and entrepreneurship became both a responsibility and an invitation to shape my own path. Along the way, I tried different ventures from small hustles, creative ideas, and eventually an organic food brand. Read more>>
Julio Cesar Torrente
I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, where I attended Belen Jesuit Preparatory school for high school and St. Thomas University for University and law school. I grew up with a strong sense of responsibility and justice.That belief eventually led me to the law. After law school, I immediately gravitated toward criminal defense. Those early years sharpened me. Read more>>
Erin Copelan
I didn’t grow up thinking I’d be a massage therapist. Massage came to me as a second career, during a time in my life when I needed a change and a time when I really wanted to help people. I almost became a nurse; but blood and broken bones really aren’t my thing. Read more>>
Robert DelCastillo
In the early 2000s, I was working for a courier when I was introduced to an organization called Sunrise Community, which provides services for individuals with disabilities. After learning about their mission, I decided to apply, and I was hired. That opportunity marked the beginning of my passion for helping people with disabilities. In 2008, I founded Assisted Employment Services, Inc. Read more>>
Jessica White Videa
Dr. Jessica White-Videa is a Board Certified OB/GYN. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, she knew from a very young age that she wanted to pursue a career medicine and specifically in women’s health. She completed her undergraduate studies at Barnard College/Columbia University, in New York City and then graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Read more>>
Trevorn Mundle
Ive been doing music for about ten years now I started out as an artist. My artist name (Chip Bosss) thats how i met dre swade who was my engineer and my mentor. Read more>>
Jean Carlos Cruz
I started my journey as a barber in Puerto Rico, never imagining how far a simple passion for grooming would take me. When I moved to Miami, I built Òleo Men’s Salon from the ground up with a vision to elevate men’s grooming and create a space that felt personal, modern, and community-centered. Read more>>
Monica Davis
My path to starting Eternal Water Cremation wasn’t linear—it was personal, purposeful, and deeply rooted in my identity as a mother, daughter, and community builder. I launched it because I saw an opportunity to reimagine what compassionate after-care could look like during one of the hardest moments in someone’s life. Read more>>
Guillermo Urbina
My story isn’t just about selling wallpaper; it’s about recognizing a fundamental shift in how people view their homes and building a business to serve that new reality. The Genesis: Seeing the Economic Flaw My background is rooted in understanding the financial lifecycle of real estate—not just the aesthetic side. Read more>>
Jake DeSalle
I’ve created hundreds of paintings and sold many. Including 9 murals to date! I aim to become a full time artist so I can travel the world with my son painting murals and sharing my passion. I quit drinking alcohol 7 years ago and am enjoying a sober lifestyle. My goal is to earn a million with my art career before having another sip of alcohol. I am now 35 with a 14 y.o son. I love showing him the importance of pursuing your goals & dreams/ ambitions. Stay tuned for more, I’ve only just begun. Read more>>
Crystal Fernandez
Our mission is to bridge the gap between health and beauty by making wellness accessible, trustworthy, and aligned with real life. We’ve done the work, so our customers don’t have to guess — they can trust that when they shop with us, they’re getting products that are not only clean and effective but also help them feel beautiful and empowered in their daily routines. Read more>>
Jatin Sha
Magikbox Creations creates content for Business owners and the Real Estate world. Corporate headshots, Corporate Videos, Testimonials, Promotional ads, Q&A Videos are what every business owner with a website would need. In today’s times “Out of Sight = Out of mind” applies, especially since there is a non-stop onslaught of content from every direction. Read more>>
Jessica Shraybman
I studied philosophy and entrepreneurship at the University of Miami—a combination of my interests that turned out to be the perfect mix for being able to counsel entrepreneurs. Philosophy developed my innate tendency to question assumptions and think critically about power structures. Entrepreneurship chiseled my understanding of how ideas become businesses, and how fragile that process is without the right foundations, knowledge, and advisors. Read more>>
Lauren Wilburne
I started my career in a completely different world — I was a DJ. Music was my first love, and it brought me from New York to Miami, where I was performing six to seven nights a week. It was exclusive, exciting, and very “Miami”… but the lifestyle was intense. Carrying heavy equipment, wearing heels, late nights — over time, my body paid the price. Read more>>
Aaron Molina
My story really starts with curiosity. I’ve always been a problem-solver at heart. When I got my first computer at about 11 years old, the very first thing I did was take it apart and put it back together — with no instructions — just because I needed to understand how it worked. That curiosity never left. Read more>>
Christina Hand
I’m Christina Hand, the founder of Cilverbow Botanicals, Miami’s mobile natural nail care studio. I’ve been a licensed nail specialist for over a decade, and my journey started in traditional salons where I saw how hard it was to find truly clean, non-toxic nail care. Read more>>
liane sangollo
our Story Liane Sangollo’s path has never been straight yet every twist shaped the international coach, author, and HR strategist she is today. With 20 years in manufacturing and M&A in Canada, Liane mastered driving business results and leading people. As someone with dyslexia, she learned early to approach problems differently. “I had to think fast, move fast, and trust my gut,” she says. Read more>>
Christelle Bolden
My journey began at home, where I started braiding for family and friends. What started as a small home-based passion eventually grew into something greater, driven by my desire to help people embrace the beauty of their natural hair. Legacy Tress, established in February 2024, was built from that humble beginning. Read more>>
Susan Kolkina
I started blogging back in 2016, and that simple beginning sparked my passion for content creation. By 2018, I was working with brands, receiving PR, and fully stepping into the world of social media. I majored in Public Relations, finished school, and continued growing my love for storytelling, community, and all things digital. Read more>>
Maria Medina
M2 Medstetics started with two nurses—Maria and Marta—who shared a passion for helping people feel confident in their own skin. We both came from strong clinical backgrounds, but aesthetics always felt like where our hearts were. After years of working in healthcare and constantly learning new techniques, we decided to create a space where clients could feel genuinely cared for, understood, and never rushed. Read more>>
OSLYN RODRIGUEZ
My education business began from a place of desperation. My then 8 year-old daughter cried every day for a month because she didn’t want to go to school. It wasn’t the school; but just the system of traditional education was no longer a good fit for our family. Read more>>
Pablo Gil
Our collaboration led to the release of our self-titled album Raíces Jazz Orchestra in 2020 — a project that received critical acclaim and became the centerpiece of a PBS television special. Since then, we’ve continued producing and reimagining iconic pieces from the Latin American repertoire, such as Caballo Viejo, featuring amazing guest artists like Richard Bona, Mariaca Semprún, Rafael “Pollo” Brito, Marc Quiñones, and many more. Read more>>
Ilona Hradinaru
My journey in the beauty industry started with a simple intention to understand color deeply and create makeup that feels balanced, long-lasting, and artistically clean. With time, this intention grew into a profession, and later into my own original method that became a signature part of my work. Read more>>
Tyler Hall
First of all, I want to thank Sarah and Mike with VoyageMIA for reaching out and giving me a chance to share my story. My name is Tyler C Hall, T Hall for short. I was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1998. Read more>>
Nefertari Rigsby
I am what some may call a ‘military brat.’ I was born in Washington, DC while my father was working at the Pentagon. At the tender age of 9 months, my family relocated to Naples, Italy where we resided for seven years. Read more>>
Fernando Kuehnel
When I reflect on my life, everything traces back to a moment in my childhood. Growing up in a Filipino orphanage in Manila, I made a quiet promise to God: if I ever found a way out of that situation and could make a difference, I would return and give back to children like me. That promise became the anchor of my life’s direction. Read more>>
Marjorie Hahn
Mrs. Marjorie Hahn is the Executive and Musical Director of the South Florida Youth Symphony (SFYS). Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she moved to Miami with her family in 1957. Read more>>
Martha Janvier
I’ve worked in healthcare for over a decade, and during that time I saw firsthand how much seniors needed safer homes, better support, and people who truly cared. That inspired me to open my first assisted living facility. I learned the entire process from the ground up; licensing, operations, regulations, and what it really takes to create a quality home. Read more>>
Liz Bonet
Winner of numerous awards including Top 100 Moms in Business, Dr. Liz has almost always worked for herself. She left the therapy field for 10 years after earning a PhD and went into the tech world in the 1990s. She then built an award winning business, Yogafairy Prenatal Yoga. She returned to being a therapist in 2009 and became a hypnosis specialist. Read more>>
Enrique Levin
Born in Mexico City, Mexico to Brazilian and Guatemalan parents, and now based in Miami, I hold a BS in Industrial Engineering and an MBA in international business and finance. Today, I am an entrepreneur, advisor, investor, producer, artist, curator and DJ. Read more>>
ALAN RIVERA
I joined Experior and partnered with more than 50 leading insurance companies — including F&G, Mutual of Omaha, and National Life — which allowed me to expand my expertise and ultimately establish VivaSure Insurance, my own agency dedicated to helping families and business owners protect and grow their wealth. Read more>>
Nicole Pignatello
After a year at Louis Vuitton, recognizing I had more of an interest in events than PR, I accepted a role on the Events team at Burberry. I was there for four years, growing from a coordinator to manager role, traveling all over – from Brazil to Canada and everywhere in between. My team contributed to opening stores, being a part of launching live-streamed 3-D fashion shows and growing the footprint of the brand in the Americas market. Read more>>
Erick Dominguez
Immigrated to Miami in 1993 from Guatemala. I was a 6 years old. From a young age I saw my parents work hard to put food on the table. They gave me the worth ethic to strive in school. As a first generation in the United States I was able to graduate at Miami Dade College with my RN degree. Read more>>
