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.

Lindsey Margolin

That training opened my eyes not just to my own capabilities, but to a bigger issue happening in the background. The more I trained, the more I kept hearing the same thing from the people doing this work every day: they weren’t getting access to realistic, modern, pressure-driven training that matched the situations they were actually walking into. Read more>>

Nikki Drea

I began going to church at a very young age, often tagging along with my neighbor, Mrs. Brown. Nearly every day she brought me to a lively Caribbean church where the congregation sang, clapped, and danced with a joy that filled the room. I was no older than six, but even then I felt how powerful music could be—how it could lift spirits, even at funerals back home in Jamaica. Read more>>

Hussain Jamil

Sure. I started my journey in Lahore, where I studied Miniature Painting at the National College of Arts. That training gave me a strong foundation in detail, surface, and patience elements that still guide my practice today. After completing my MA in Art and Design Studies, I became more interested in how time, memory, and material transformations shape the stories we see on surfaces. Read more>>

Susan Rubio Rivera

Despite the promises I made to myself as a child, life unfolded differently. At sixteen, I left school in the ninth grade and eloped with my boyfriend, who was also a young migrant worker. We continued working in the fields, and by seventeen I had my first daughter. At nineteen, I arrived in Homestead, Florida with two small children — a six-month-old son and a two-year-old daughter — and I felt as though my future was already set. Everything I once said I would not do, I had done. Read more>>

Vaul Alexander

Some of our clients include Comedian Rickey Smiley, Remy Martin, Vlad TV, Escape The States, DJ Demp, Slip N Slide Records and countless other celebrities, brands, companies, and individual supporters that stand with us. We’ve also just come up on the 1 Year Anniversary of Platinum 360, LLC our Premier 360 Photo Booth and event photography company serving Tallahassee, FL and all surrounding areas Read more>>

Sergey Mayer

The road definitely had its challenges. Our team was motivated to improve, but not everyone was ready for the level of change the company needed. Restructuring meant redefining roles, setting clear expectations, and sometimes making difficult decisions. We had to reshape the team, and parting ways with certain employees was not easy. Read more>>

Ana Sofia Guzman

I’m originally from El Salvador, and I now live in Miami. Growing up bilingual deeply shaped how I see language, culture, and identity, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to pass on to my children. Binibi was born in 2020, shortly after I became a parent. Read more>>

Saira Marin

I’ve never truly shared my story in full, but it begins here. I was born in Colombia, a country I feel blessed to be from, rich in culture, beauty, and resilience. My story, however, began with a challenge. I was born with hip dysplasia, a developmental condition where the hip joint does not form properly and the bones sit misaligned. Read more>>

Daniel Rodriguez

I was born in Cuba and, like many Cubans, I arrived in this country 30 years ago with dreams, culinary knowledge, memories, and the flavor of my homeland carried in my heart. Read more>>

Jean Marc Durante

I was born in France, in a small town where big dreams often felt a world away — but somehow, I always knew mine would lead me to the United States. I grew up enchanted by beauty, craftsmanship, and the quiet intimacy of transformation that happens in the salon chair. Read more>>

Patty Montero

I was always the friend in the group that was considered the wise confidant. People would trust me with their drama and their secrets and would leave our interactions feeling better. This continued in high school where I took my first psychology course. I never thought about pursuing psychology. I wanted to be an actress or a teacher, but still found the subject matter fascinating. Read more>>

Terry Lewis

I’m a Disabled Veteran-turned-contractor who built Lewis Pro Finish on the belief that craftsmanship, integrity, and reliability should never go out of style — and I’m here to finish every project the way it deserves to be finished: the Pro Finish way! I’ve founded other local businesses throughout the years including another home improvement company and a car rental business. Read more>>

Samuel grynbaum

Gulf Group Weapons was built from a lifetime of real world experience and a clear vision of how this industry should feel. I served in the Israeli Armed Forces in a specialized urban anti terrorism unit where discipline responsibility and precision were not optional they were a way of life. Read more>>

Daniel Macadar

I came to the United States 22 years ago, always thinking about becoming a dentist. In college I quickly realized that dentistry was maybe not for me. While in college, I started building and maintaining websites for professors that really had issues with them. Read more>>

Simona Julieta Firpo

I’ve been an artist all my life, I grew up in Argentina surrounded by very creative people and have always resulted to improvise and problem solve the most creative ways possible. After graduating from FIU with a Bachelor in Art I worked as the Lead Artist at the Young At Art Museum. The job was very creative, but I wanted more. Read more>>

Yael VanGruber

I have always lived with a deep love for life. From a young age, I was sensitive to beauty, movement, and emotion, and I naturally expressed myself through art and dance. I was blessed with unconditional love, and that early sense of being held and supported shaped the way I move through the world. Read more>>

Alien

Since i can remember ive always had a fascination with creating art and there was always a deep pull to create and express myself. At around 19 is when i actually started to really paint. Read more>>

Alejandra Espinoza

MY BIO: Gifted with equal parts verve, vision, and an insatiable drive to create, Ecuadorian chef Alejandra Espinoza is the co-owner and creative force behind Somos, where she unapologetically brings the people, places, and palette of Ecuador to the global culinary stage. Read more>>

vincent catala

When people sit at my table today, whether it is in a villa in Miami, on a yacht in the Bahamas, or in a small family kitchen, I always hope they feel one thing first: that there is a story behind the plates. My story as a chef started far away from Michelin stars and private jets. Read more>>

Jerrime Linekin

I started this company because I saw a real gap in the cleaning industry not just in quality, but in reliability and genuine care. Before launching the business, I constantly heard people say the same thing: it was hard to find cleaners who were consistent, trustworthy, and truly invested in their work. I knew I could build something better. Read more>>

Pedro Curbelo

The Origin of Koala ABA & Learning Centers — My Story In 2020, I was in Dubai finalizing a private jet transaction for a high-profile client — the kind of deal I had spent two decades preparing for. Read more>>

Graham Patterson

My professional background is in healthcare, nonprofits, and policy, but I am also a long-time scuba diver. A turning point for me came during a very specific moment underwater. Read more>>

Virginie Benard

We start from 2 kids enrolled to 80, happy to see the kids enjoying the classes in full immersion. All our teachers are native and myself, founder and owner of the company, from France, I lived 17 years in Spain and after my first experience in USA (Chicago) few years ago, I decided to create and open an educational business based on languages & love. Read more>>

Dr. Carol Leibovich-Mankes

Professionally, for more than two decades, I’ve worked as a pediatric occupational therapist, inspired by the resilience and potential in every child. I’ve worked with children facing developmental delays, learning differences, and emotional or behavioral challenges, and I’ve seen firsthand how they thrive when the adults in their lives understand their unique needs and come together to support them. I believe deeply in every child’s potential and am committed to helping each one shine in their own way. Read more>>