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.

Kimmarr Brown

Dr. Kimmarr Brown: Jamaica’s Young Visionary and Changemaker At just 20 years old, Dr. Kimmarr Brown is a powerhouse of talent, passion, and ambition. Hailing from Jamaica, she proudly held the title of 4th Runner-Up in the 2023 Mrs. Universe Jamaica pageant, showcasing her grace, confidence, and drive. Read more>>

Shari Alhashemi

Hard to be brief! I’m leaving a lot out here  I’m originally from New York City and Central New Jersey, and I moved to South Florida at 18 to attend Nova Southeastern University. I graduated with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Speech-Language Pathology, but even while I was pursuing that path, I knew creativity was my true foundation. Read more>>

ADRIAN PRICE

I grew up in Barbados with two passions, sports and design. Volleyball took me around the world, while architecture offered a completely different kind of excitement: imagining spaces and bringing ideas to life. Over time, design pulled ahead as the dream I couldn’t ignore. My education and early career took me from Barbados to Jamaica and eventually to Miami. Read more>>

Monique Dennis, PsyD

My story begins with the values my parents instilled in me—service, giving back, and making a difference. Those principles have guided every chapter of my life. I’ve always been passionate about public service, community building, and championing others, especially women. In 2010, I founded The Freedom Heart Foundation, dedicated to empowering domestic violence survivors. Read more>>

Derri Browne

Believe it or not my journey began far from the world of fashion. I studied Forensic Science with a minor in Psychology and English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice CUNY . I was deeply passionate about law, research, crime scene investigation, how the human mind works- skills which trained me to analyze the smallest details in precision. Read more>>

Jennifer Kryshka

I grew up in Parkland with my parents and younger brother and stayed in Florida for college and graduate school. I studied philosophy and literature at UCF and became very involved in activism, particularly women’s rights, and co-founded a chapter of a national group that I ran for 4 years along with several other remarkable women. Read more>>

idora yasin

If I look back at where my photography journey truly started, it began as a way to give myself a voice. I grew up as the quietest and youngest of four sisters—painfully shy, easily overwhelmed, and often convinced by myself I wasn’t interesting enough to belong in the conversations happening around me. Read more>>

Johnny Williams

Was raised listening to music everywhere I went. At home music was always playing, my grandparents, aunts and uncles, music was always playing. Not only would it be playing, it would be dissected, given opinions, history leasons on the song, cultural importance etc. I was obsessed and focused almost only on music most of my life. If music was playing I was very happy. Read more>>

Brent Sudeck

My journey to becoming the CEO of a cybersecurity firm began long before the term cybersecurity was mainstream — back in high school at Florida Air Academy, a military school where discipline met personal growth. One of my very first classes was computer science, and it was 1994 — the days of MS-DOS, floppy disks, and Microsoft Works, the early ancestor of Office. Read more>>

Kay-Dian Edwards

My journey as a writer began in childhood, long before I ever imagined publishing a book. I was a shy girl with a vivid imagination, happiest when I could bring my ideas to life on the page. Read more>>

Charles Macdonald

I came to South Florida as young man ready to use my talents as welder in doing more than just soldering computer parts in some factory in New England. The weather, beaches, and fishing made every weekend worth the work week. Read more>>

Jennifer Clark

Absolutely! My journey with Paws in Town actually began about 15 years ago, as just an idea born from my love for animals and my desire to create something meaningful for them. At the time, I was already working as a casting director, a career that allowed me to connect with talented creatives, artists, and famous personalities. Read more>>

Adriana Zubikarai – ZUBI –

I didn’t come from a family of artists, or grow up immersed in the art scene of Mexico City. Exposure to art was the occasional classical concert, dance classes and learning to knit with my Mom at the age of 13. My real curiosity for art awakened later, when I lived in Paris for a year after college. Read more>>

Lymairy Checo

From a very young age, I knew my purpose was to help others, especially children. This passion shaped every step of my journey. When I began studying Psychology at the University of Miami, I was immediately drawn to understanding human behavior. Graduating Magna Cum Laude was a proud moment, but it was only the beginning. Read more>>

Rosie Perez

Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve had an undeniable passion for travel. Right after graduating high school, I pursued that passion by studying Travel and Tourism in college. Life took me on an unexpected journey when I married a military man and moved away from South Florida. Read more>>

Karla Gonzalez

Hi there! I’m Karla Gonzalez, and let me tell you, the world of nails isn’t just a job for me—it’s been my life for over 20 years. I’m the Founder and Owner of both my salon, KG Nails PR, and my passion project, the KG Nails Academy. Read more>>

Kennedy Guerra

How curious it is to be asked one’s story… so I’ll begin with today. I’m 26 years old—the CEO of Royal y Ritmo Events & Entertainment, the manager of Fred Astaire Dance Studio Imperial Point, a professional dancer, an avid learner, and a globe-trotter who has lived in Thailand, Uruguay, Germany, Costa Rica, and the United States. Read more>>

Jondeisha ‘JD’ Hall

Well, I’m South Florida born (S/o Hollywood), Bahamian raised. I’ve always gravitated toward the arts, and according to my mom, I’ve been noisy and expressive since I could project my voice. During my school years, childhood habits manifested in me being a singer and debater, with an insatiable desire and charisma to tell a story. Read more>>

Silvia Harris

Born in Italy, after studying and working in Milano and Paris, Silvia moved to Miami 11 years ago and founded Miami Pole Dance Studio . A small dream became quickly a big success, and this year Miami Pole Dance Studio not only celebrates 11 years anniversary, with 10 resident instructors and many passionate students, but it’s a reference for fitness, dance and empowering community. Read more>>

Georgina Bachour

My name is Georgina Bachour. I’m a professional model, an acting and voice-over student, and a journalist. I was born in Santa Cruz, Venezuela, and my journey in the world of modeling began in 2012 when I received a scholarship to train at a modeling academy. Read more>>

Francisco Leon

I have been in the world of communications for as long as I can remember. It started in college, with a Global Business and Marketing degree. Thanks to that, I gained great experience in different industries (Entertainment, Hospitality, Spa and Wellness, Ads). At every industry my goal was the same, to help and to achieve the best results. Every skill, every learning. Read more>>

Nicholas Brantley

Viking Defense, Inc., a security agency, was founded in 2008 by my parents, Ricky and Annette Brantley, following their retirements from two distinct but complementary careers, my father from law enforcement and my mother from education. With a shared vision to make a lasting impact on the community, they combined their skills and experience to create a company rooted in safety, integrity, and service. Read more>>

Bonnie Cornelius

My journey started at my home church in Coral Springs, Florida Heart of Compassion Ministries Inc. where the doors were always open for me to explore my creativity. From organizing the church’s prayer breakfasts to planning the end-of-year gala, I found myself naturally gravitating toward event planning and creative direction. Read more>>

Daniel Finneran

My story begins in the cramped, unfinished basement of my childhood home. Against the wall nearest the stairs wheezed an old computer–an overworked, yellowing Dell on which I illegally downloaded lectures. (I still miss LimeWire.) Opposite it stood my father’s Jack Lalanne weight set. Old enough to be the virus-laden PC’s grandfather, its plates were rusted, its leather was frayed, but I loved it! Read more>>

Gabriela Boaventura

I’ve always loved food, culture, and storytelling, even before I realized I could turn that passion into content creation. I grew up in Boca Raton, Florida, and food was always how I connected with people and places. When I moved to Gainesville for university, I found myself always recommending spots and sharing my favorite food finds with friends. Read more>>

Amanda Bonvecchio

I was born and raised in Miami, and my love for architecture began earlier than I even realized. I grew up going to school in a beautiful Spanish Mediterranean historic building, and walking those breezeways every day sparked my appreciation for craftsmanship, proportion, and the quiet presence of history. Read more>>

Chloe Cahill

My story starts in Miami Beach, where I grew up and sang my first solo at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, the same school I attended as a child. My late mother, Deborah J. Cahill, was born and raised there, and her strength, compassion, and resilience continue to guide my work. My grandfather served as head lifeguard for Miami’s beaches, and my brother led the U.S. Read more>>

Maria Martinez-Cañas

My parents were collectors of Latin American and Cuban art, so I grew up surrounded by art. Many times I have said that the best art education I had was at our home in Puerto Rico. This had a direct impact into the way that I looked at things and related to them. Read more>>

Diego Bonilla

My dedication to visual storytelling began organically, driven by the energy of action sports. Equipped with my first handycam, I honed early skills in videography and post-production by filming and editing dynamic skateboarding content. This passion seamlessly extended into photography. Read more>>

Luna Zanna

Being born in Rome, Italy, my musical journey began as early as I can remember. Surrounded by melody and rhythm from the start, music quickly became a natural part of my life. After moving to the United States, my passion for the arts only continued to grow during elementary school. Read more>>

Michelle Schaffner

The Story of Rayshell Ranch Rayshell Ranch began as a family dream — one that grew from our love for the outdoors and our daughter’s lifelong passion for horses. Ray and I raised our three children camping, riding four-wheelers, and spending every possible moment outside together. Our daughter, Alexandra, fell in love with horses before she could even walk. Read more>>

Adam Rodriguez

At age 12, for Christmas, my mom bought me Guitar Hero and I loved it so much a real guitar was a logical next step. A friend of my mom’s had gifted me a beater with 2 strings and I played it for hours every day, even bringing it with me to school. I played it until the cows came home. Read more>>

Hannah Oré

I grew in Miami, Florida where I stared to do art quite young with my sister. We would spend endless hours painting in the recreational room with my grandfather in the VA nursing home. Read more>>

Cira & Daniel Starke

We actually started right after the pandemic, when life unexpectedly pushed us into a moment where we had no choice but to develop ourselves and tap into what we truly loved. Dani is a producer and DJ, and we’ve always shared a passion for the entertainment industry. Read more>>

Guirlande Joseph

My journey with Island Massage Miami started 14 years ago, with a simple passion for helping people feel better. From the beginning, my goal has always been to create a space where clients can step away from the outside world and fully relax, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Read more>>

Susan Finazzo

My work began with my own birth experience — a traumatic one. I went into labor unprepared, unheard, and unaware of my options. No one explained what was happening to my body or why. I didn’t have support, advocacy, or education. I walked out of that experience a parent… but also a survivor of something I didn’t yet know to call trauma. Read more>>

Rachel Hutchison

After experiencing the benefits of Halotherapy with my children years ago at a Salt Therapy Center in North Miami that did not re-open after COVID, I knew it was something special that we needed here in the Miami area. The salt therapy alleviates skin irritations such as eczema, congestion from colds, sinus and allergy issues. Read more>>

Claire Pate

I’m a current upcoming creative director and stylist that goes by the name “TopFlight”. TopFlight started out as a nickname around 2022 the name is primarily connected to my unique style and creative expression. Read more>>

Ignacio Marino Larrique

I am a Uruguayan artist, and my story begins in 1982 in Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo, where I was—quite literally—raised in an art gallery that my father and grandfather used to run. But this wasn’t just any gallery; it also served as an art incubator and frame shop, offering resources and support to both clients and fellow artists. Read more>>

Carol Foley

I started in this business 20 years ago when I began to help with the care for several chronic conditions my parents suffered with. Trying to navigate their medicare plans, and understand how the system worked, was like learning a second language. We had to constantly fight for them to get the care that they needed. Read more>>

Jonathan Rowson Adrian Alvarez

Our friendship started in a way that most people would agree only happens in movies or TV. Read more>>

Kacey Anais Holbrooke

I grew up helping my mom with her late-night cake and dessert orders back in Jamaica, so being in the kitchen always felt familiar to me. During COVID, I wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to take, so I decided to start Cookies and Crumbs as a creative outlet while I was home. I began by offering only custom sugar cookies. Read more>>

Erick Aguila

My love for makeup and beauty began in high school. Like many adolescents, I struggled with my skin, so I took matters into my own hands and began teaching myself how to camouflage my blemishes in a natural, undetectable way. What started as a way to protect myself from being bullied quickly grew into a true passion. Read more>>

Robert Bruny

Working as a Physician Associate in Emergency Medicine, I was used to working several 12 hr shifts. Although I enjoy helping people in my career, I felt that I wasn’t getting the most out of life. I enjoyed leisurely activities such as sporting events, movies, concerts, the occasional night club and other events. Read more>>

Morgan deAmezola

I am originally from a small town in Illinois. Life was very normal until the summer after I graduated from college with a degree in Art History from Illinois Wesleyan. I went home to figure out what to do next, as I had been rejected from two graduate programs in Art History and I had no idea what was in store. Read more>>

Siomara Rojas-Vallejo Lourdes Aguilar

Sparked Momentum was created from both expertise and heart. We both spent many years working in the ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) field, supporting children with autism and other developmental or behavioral needs. Over time, we noticed something that really stayed with us: while ABA is a science, it also deeply involves the heart. Read more>>

Ferdinand Senior

Growing up I was always interested in art and being able to express my ideas. I grew up in a small town in the hills of Jamaica and education was extremely important to my parent. I discovered really early that I had a knack for telling stories and developed that skill during my early schooling and right on through college. Read more>>

Nelson Jalil

I was born in a colonial city called Camagüey, in the central part of the island of Cuba. I started studying art when I was pretty young, and later I moved to Havana to complete my studies at the University of the Arts. Read more>>

Nilza Oyola

I like to say my journey has had a lot of twists—some hard, some beautiful, all of them shaping who I am today. I was born in Puerto Rico, lived most of my life in New York City, and only five years ago Miami became home. NYC is where I grew up, raised my children, built my career, and learned what resilience really looks like. Read more>>

Desiree Brown

I became a Medical Aesthetician and a cosmetologist over 20 years ago. I’ve always been drawn to beauty and what we now refer to as wellness. Not long after I completed my AS in Natural Health Sciences and then my cosmetology license, I had a baby girl. Born weighing 1lb at 25 weeks. Read more>>

Charles Bryant

Complex as it is, I was destined to be in a medium which fosters creativity. Born in rural Virginia, I had parents who recognized that I was an aggressive learner, fostering in me a desire to expand horizons at every point in my life. My education was liberal and family oriented. Read more>>

Maria Elena Collazo, Psy.D.

From Curiosity to Compassion: A Psychologist’s Path and the Practice of Balance By Maria Elena Collazo, Psy.D. I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and from the start I was that child who watched closely. My father used to share with me how I would observe a situation and then share what I noticed not with judgment, but with curiosity. Read more>>

Jennessy Espinosa

I’ve always been drawn to objects with history. The fingerprints of past lives on silver, the quiet poetry of old glass, the charm in a hand-stitched edge. For years I collected pieces for my home and for friends, and I realized the best rooms felt like stories you could sit inside. Read more>>

Casandra Alvarez

My journey has been anything but traditional. I’m a Florida native and the daughter of a Haitian immigrant, so resilience, discipline, and hard work have been part of my life from the beginning. I earned my degree in Business Management and Supervision from Broward College, along with certifications in business and accounting. Read more>>

Masha Menshikova

I don’t really remember a time when I wasn’t drawing or making things. As a kid, I was always rearranging objects, cutting paper, inventing little worlds. But for a long time, I didn’t call myself an “artist”—I just thought of it as something I had to do. Over time, I started taking it more seriously: studying, experimenting, and showing my work. Read more>>

jorge trebbiani

I started my journey in motorsports at a very young age, like many professional drivers — behind the wheel of a kart. Growing up in Argentina, karting was not just a hobby for me; it became the foundation of everything that would come later. Read more>>

Daniel Tzinker

Known for his unmatched expertise in Miami’s luxury real estate market, Daniel Tzinker has built a reputation as a trusted advisor to high-net-worth clients, investors, and families looking for the best properties in South Florida. Ranked as Miami’s #1 Agent in Sunny Isles (RealTrends) and among the Top 1% of Realtors in the U.S. Read more>>

silvana cerceau

I’ve been involved in business since 2002, when I started my journey in, MCC Maintenance cleaning company. Dealing with hash chemicals, which gave us a lot of health problems, client damage in their properties, I decided to start to study more about Eco-friendly alternative sources. I’m originally from Brazil. Read more>>

Lucas Cajucom

My career has always centered on service. From the discipline I gained in the U.S. Army to my years in health care, hospitality, fitness, and real estate, every step has been about helping people feel seen, supported, and empowered. That through-line of service is what ultimately led to the creation of Curated by Lucas. Read more>>

Sandra Coiffman

All of these experiences—and my lifelong fascination with people and their stories—ultimately became the foundation for <i>Wisdom of the Century</i>, a book born from a deep desire to listen, to preserve, and to share the life lessons of those who have lived nearly a century or more. Read more>>

Daniel Savion Gupta

Anything worth doing in one’s life is never a smooth road…and of course there were challenges. Many! At first these self-funded humanitarian projects were often single-serve efforts, primarily focused on helping children and supporting communities. My early initiatives frequently involved providing resources to schools, delivering food and supplies to villages, and offering direct aid where it was needed most. But over time, I realized that real impact wasn’t just about one-time donations—it was about sustainability. Here’s how that went: Read more>>

Ginetta Vendetta

Interestingly, through my 30 year history of leading my band, dozens of great NYC musicians have come through and ultimately moved on to fabulous opportunities with big stars! I like to say that every NYC musician of note has come through the Ginetta’s Vendetta “University”. Read more>>

Ellen Balzebre

EOC has been a women-owned business since it was founded in 1998, and I’m proud to continue that legacy. I took over ownership in 2023 and now lead a team that provides professional, multilingual staff for conventions, trade shows, marathons, and corporate events across Florida and beyond. Read more>>

Selina Savage

When I first started, I had to build everything from zero, I didn’t know anyone, and I barely had any money in my bank account. Still, I refused to let that stop me. I’ve always had a lot of faith, and I know I’m capable of enduring a lot and working hard toward my goals. Read more>>

Beki Powell

It wasn’t until 2020 when I entered into a beta trial with psychedelics that I was able to reclaim control of my mind and body. I got off the meds completely, and with ongoing talk therapy and EMDR, I was able to find happiness and peace of mind. I realized those labels never really defined me, or even fit me at all. It took years of healing and unlearning mental health narratives to reach the level of clarity I have now, and with it, the freedom for my creativity to flourish. Read more>>

Ulato Sam

My career has led to me performing at The Royal Academy for Dramatic Arts in England, collaborations on Netflix and Max, touring with Oprah Winfrey and Tony Robbins, all while hosting Caribbean Carnivals for the Central Alabama Caribbean American Association (CACAO) and the Atlanta Caribbean Bandleaders Association. I’ve been guided by culture and inspired by a dream to impact real change through the arts. Read more>>

Diana Valenzuela

Years later, after a decade-long corporate HR journey in the U.S., I experienced my own moment of transformation when I was laid off. Instead of seeing it as an ending, I viewed it as a calling. I launched DV HR Solutions, a boutique HR consulting firm based in Miramar, Florida, with one mission: to help businesses grow by putting their people first. Read more>>

Yanetsy Pena

My journey began with a passion for helping children find their voice. In 2021, I opened the clinic with a vision to create a nurturing space where families felt supported and children could thrive. I built the clinic from the ground up—licensing, certifications, long hours, and a belief that every child deserves individualized care. Read more>>

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>>