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.
Christian Romero
The idea for Wynwood Buggies was born years before it officially became a company. When I moved from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Miami in 2007, I immediately felt drawn to Wynwood. Back then, the neighborhood was raw, quiet, and full of potential — a place where only a handful of businesses operated, and where the artistic energy was beginning to take shape. Read more>>
Fabian Peña
I was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1976 and raised in the Cerro neighborhood by a humble, loving family. My early fascination with drawing, encouraged by my parents, led me to begin formal art studies at the age of eleven. It was 1988; shortly after, the Soviet Union and the socialist bloc in Eastern Europe would fall. Read more>>
Samantha Ortiz
My journey into wellness began from my own need to heal. After experiencing a PCOS diagnosis, I realized how disconnected I had become from my body. As I explored and discovered holistic care, I felt my relationship with myself start to rebuild. Going through that process is when I knew more people needed to be exposed to intentional wellness services. Read more>>
Vanessa Martinez
My name is Vanessa R. Martinez, and I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, proudly rooted in my Cuban heritage. My journey into early childhood education began unexpectedly at the age of 18, when I was given the opportunity to work at a daycare while pursuing my bachelor’s degree in nursing. It didn’t take long for my path to change. Read more>>
Loye Hawkins
I’ve been sponsoring an open jam jam session for six years. During covid we jamed in a beautiful outdoor area that allowed for safe distance and still gave everyone a chance to let loose. I run the sessions a little different from most in that the musicians are allowed to play more than just two songs. Read more>>
yari@preferredexotics.com Cruz
My journey started in 2013 when I was working valet parking as a runner. Over time, I worked my way up through the ranks—from runner to supervisor, to assistant manager, and eventually valet manager. During those early years, I also began brokering exotic cars through hotel concierges, which is when I really started to understand how the exotic car rental industry worked. Read more>>
Hayley Campbell
My path has always lived at the intersection of creativity, community, and purpose. I currently work in marketing and social media for a pet CPG brand, where I focus on storytelling, community engagement, and building authentic connections between brands and pet parents. Read more>>
Tom Blanchester
I decided to make the best bottle ever in 2008 because I couldn’t find a reusable, eco-friendly, practical bottle that suited my daily needs. My eureka moment was in Paris when I saw aluminum bottles that sprayed misted water but did nothing else. I loved it, but the bottles were expensive and not eco-friendly. Read more>>
Courtney Burch, LMFT
Growing up in a dysfunctional family, I struggled to navigate the dynamics I had no control over. As a young adult, I grew estranged from my family. Disconnecting, at that point, felt like self-preservation. Independent and largely alone, I ultimately found myself in therapy. Therapy completely changed my life. The cycles of co-dependency, dysfunction, and anxiety healed. Read more>>
Aaron Wolke
My story is not a straight line, and it certainly did not start from a place of privilege. I grew up in the Chicago area and had a very tough childhood. I did not come from much, and from an early age I learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and self reliance. Read more>>
Caroline Davila Torres
My career began with a strong interest in storytelling, hospitality, and creating experiences that bring people together. I started working in marketing with a hands-on approach, learning everything from content creation and social media to event planning and brand positioning. Early on, I realized I thrived in fast-paced environments where creativity and strategy had to work together. Read more>>
Fernanda Ringleb
I’ve been an entrepreneur since I was a kid, even before I realized that’s what I was doing. I grew up in Brazil and was always the one organizing events, leading projects, and bringing people together. At university, I studied sports and marketing while working three jobs, organizing charity events, and learning early how to manage people, pressure, and responsibility. Read more>>
Kaylei Ibarra Blackmoon
I didn’t start Rhythm & Release with a big business plan or investors behind me. I started it because I believed fitness should feel like something you want to show up for, not something you force yourself through. Read more>>
Eduardo Machado
I came to the U.S. from Venezuela as an international student with a very clear and traditional plan: study abroad, gain experience, and return home to help run my family’s business. That was always the goal. But while I was studying, Venezuela’s political and economic situation worsened with every passing year. What was meant to be temporary slowly turned into a series of difficult decisions. Read more>>
Marku Leone
Ive been an entrepreneur for as long as I can remember. whether it was selling hats in my high school hallways, recording songs for artists, or building a digital empire I’ve always opt in to be my own boss. the dozens of jobs I did have never satisfied my ambitions and quickly became a drag. Read more>>
Alexa Lavernia
Paving Ways Therapy began as a mobile practice with one therapist—myself—serving families across South Florida one child, one home, and one school at a time. What started as a deeply personal journey rooted in purpose and passion has grown into a multidisciplinary team of speech therapists, occupational therapists, and tutors, all united by the same heart and mission. Read more>>
Roger Jung
I worked as a Software Sales Rep for Oracle for over 4 years (2000-2004). In 2004 I start to suffer from panic attacks. I left a high paying corporate job and my doctor suggested that I work in something a little stressful. So I got a job with paving company in Delray Beach. I worked there from 2004 – 2006. Read more>>
Dr. Makeda Johnson
I am originally from Buffalo, New York and just moved to Miami from Charlotte, North Carolina. I started working with the Urban League Movement in Buffalo and since I have had the honor of working at Urban League of Central Carolinas and Winston-Salem Urban League. Currently, I am the newly appointed and first woman President & CEO of the Urban League of Greater Miami. Read more>>
Maryna Yudina
My story isn’t a straight line. It’s shaped by pauses, questions, and moments that asked me to slow down and listen. I began in medicine because it felt grounded and meaningful. I learned structure, discipline, and how to recognize when something is wrong. Read more>>
Benjamin Fogel
Ben B Coco began with a simple idea: that chocolate could be treated with the same respect, creativity, and craftsmanship as fine art or wine. Read more>>
BRUNA ROSSA
We are Nathaly ” Bruna’ Acosta and Nathalia “Rossa” Acosta, two sisters who share much more than a last name we share a deep passion for bringing the authentic flavors of Italy to every event. Our story began when we lived in Europe, where we were surrounded by Italian culture and culinary traditions. Read more>>
Julio Nieto
Going back to the 8th grade, I remember watching Patch Adams, from then on, I always knew I wanted to be a doctor. Now it is a long journey from middle school to practicing medicine. Read more>>
Zuly Marfil de Barreat
I am Venezuelan and a dentist by profession. Due to the political situation in my country, we were forced to migrate to Miami thirteen years ago. Together with my husband, I decided to create a restaurant where we could welcome people in a warm, family-oriented way. Read more>>
anya freeman
I was born in Ukraine and grew up between Israel, South Africa, and China before landing in Miami to attend law school. Coming to the United States as a teenager without speaking English, settling first in Kennebunkport, Maine, my family and I felt incredibly blessed to receive the opportunity to become American citizens. I had a very typical soviet family. My father is. Read more>>
John Martinez
My grandfather started the business 50 years ago He passed away when I was 15 I started my first Christmas lot at the age of 20. After that I never held another job again I blew up the Company to 29 locations and we are the first ever Xmas tree in Fireworks Franchise business. Now anyone can be a part of it. Read more>>
Miah Taseen / k&m smoke break
My husband and I have been in the smoke shop industry since we were teens. We both love visiting different and various small businesses because every smoke shop we believe is catered to the community it is around! We began our store with a dream and hope to be there for our community even in hard times Read more>>
Christina Weill
Hi, I’m Christina—though most people call me Kiki! I was born and raised in Miami in a Venezuelan and Cuban household. Growing up, I’ve always gravitated to working with children. Teaching them, playing with them, and creating meaningful experiences has felt natural to me for as long as I can remember. Read more>>
Norma Ezquerra
services we offer. Our goal is to provide accessible financing solutions to individuals and businesses alike. We understand the unique challenges that many face, especially in the Latin American community, and we strive to bridge the gap by offering tailored financial products that meet their specific needs. Read more>>
Meivys & David Suarez
We didn’t start out with a business plan or a vision for an agency. I, Meivys, started with a camera. When I was seventeen, my mom bought me my first “nice” DSLR, not professional, but not a toy either. The kind you had to ask someone at Best Buy to unlock. I loved photography immediately, but I stayed in automatic mode. Read more>>
Camille De Armas
I didn’t start photography with a big business plan in mind. I started because I was obsessed with memories. I always found myself scrolling through photos of my past, wanting to remember the good times, or family members who were not here anymore. Read more>>
Lina Restrepo
My journey into entrepreneurship began long before I opened my agency. I spent almost nine years working in private wealth management at Merrill Lynch, Safra, and EFG Capital. During that time, I worked with recruiters whenever I considered switching roles, and the recruitment world always intrigued me — I loved the idea of connecting people to opportunities that could change their lives. Read more>>
Austin Carter
Of course! Growing up in South Florida, it’s honestly pretty surreal to now be anchoring the news in Miami. After spending several years as a news reporter in Las Vegas, I took a leap of faith and moved to Miami for a temporary reporter job at CBS4 News. At the time it was just short-term work, but I was determined to stay. Read more>>
Joanna Jimenez
Is it crazy that I always knew I would end up in real estate? Growing up, my parents were involved in construction and new development, so real estate was simply the world I was surrounded by. It felt familiar long before it felt intentional. As I got older and entered college, I became curious about all the different paths within the industry. Read more>>
Sergio Reyes, MBA
My story began in one of the most unexpected and challenging moments of my life. During the pandemic, my father was in the ICU battling COVID, and with him being the head of household, we had no sense of what would come next. In the middle of all that uncertainty, he surprised me with a small heat press for my birthday. Read more>>
Dillan Foss
I grew up as the youngest of five, which meant learning quickly, competing constantly, and keeping up or getting left behind. Sports became my language early, and by my senior year of high school I was voted *Most Athletic* in my yearbook, playing varsity football, basketball and baseball. But the path wasn’t just about performance—it was shaped by injury and exposure. Read more>>
Adriana Puppin
In Front of Club Pilares Fort Lauderdale East At 49 years old, Adriana Puppin is living a phase marked by resilience, purpose, and reinvention. A mother of two, an entrepreneur, and passionate about people, she leads Club Pilares Fort Lauderdale East with care, dedication, and professionalism. Read more>>
Ana Maria Valderrama
I started my carrer with a strong foundation in mathematics and data analytics, driven by a deep curiosity about how data can be transformed into better decisions. Early on, I worked closely with companies at the executive level, where I saw firsthand how much time leaders spent trying to access reliable information and how often decisions were made without it. Read more>>
Teresa Grandal Cusse
My journey has been an interesting one with several paths. My original path was going to be in psychology and not only did I get my Bachelor’s in Psychology but I have a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling as well. My intent was to have a private practice and work with young adults. Life had other plans. Read more>>
Krista Larson
My path to where I am today really began by seeing what I didn’t want for children and families. Early in my career, I worked in practices that felt like revolving doors…back-to-back 30-minute sessions, no time to talk to parents, and very little room for relationships. Families were expected to somehow “carry over” strategies at home without ever being included in the process. Read more>>
Christian Restrepo
We’re a vacation rental company, we specialize in vacation rental homes and apartments, what makes us different from everyone is that everything is personal for us, our company doesn’t stop or finish a day until a guest is 100% happy, our guests are our family Read more>>
Nina Minervini
I grew up in South Florida, where I spent many years studying ballet and attended the School of the Arts in West Palm Beach. Performing on stage played a large role in my early life and helped shape my appreciation for communication, expression, and discipline. After graduating, I attended college and worked at my father’s restaurant before deciding to travel abroad. Read more>>
Maxwell Seefeld
So we’re starting office as a dev shop & AI automation agency and then we expanded from there into MSP offerings and more advanced AI solutions like self hosted models being QLora trained Read more>>
Joe Bermingham
I founded Gay Vacation Travel in June 2006 after recognizing a need for LGBTQ+ travelers to have more welcoming, community-focused travel experiences. While many travel options existed, there were few designed specifically to create a space where LGBTQ+ guests could truly feel comfortable, connected, and celebrated. Read more>>
Meghan Phelan
My path into caregiving wasn’t something I planned, it was something I was called into. I was first introduced to elder care in college while pursuing a degree in health service administration. At the time, I expected my career to follow a more traditional healthcare or corporate path. But as I began working directly with older adults and their families, something shifted. Read more>>
Enrique Barros
From Federal Service to Ultra-Luxury Mobility: The Making of a Modern Hospitality Powerhouse By any conventional definition, the transition from federal service to luxury entrepreneurship is unlikely. Yet for the founder of Luxury Miami Co, it was not only intentional, it was inevitable. Read more>>
David Enriquez
I worked in the realm of luxury real estate auctions for many years, traveling around the country (and Internationally as well) meeting with wealthy individuals and helping to sell their multi-million dollar homes. At some point I had a bit of an existential crisis and realized I wasn’t happy or personally fulfilled with the work that I was doing. Read more>>
Sophia Silverstein
I didn’t grow up dreaming of entrepreneurship. In fact, when I was younger and people asked whether I’d rather have a guaranteed paycheck or one that wasn’t always certain, I always chose the guaranteed option. Stability felt safe. Entrepreneurship wasn’t something I imagined for myself. That perspective shifted in college. Read more>>
Julio Cesar Torrente
I began my legal career with a clear sense that I wanted to be in the courtroom, working directly with real people facing real consequences. I was drawn to criminal defense early on because, to me, it represents the foundation of our legal system; where liberty, accountability, and humanity intersect most clearly. Read more>>
Michael Lee
I started my business in 2017 in the backseat of my car. I have to be a fire from a Carpet Cleaning company for one string of hair. When he fired me that motivated me to start my own business, I recall the first company that I started working with was SOS Carpet my boss had a portable extractor that was broken. Read more>>
Zelalem Adefris
I grew up in suburban Minnesota, where I was one of few Black children in my hometown. Back then, I had to practice using my voice to stand up for myself and others when faced with racism and xenophobia. Over the years, these experiences fostered in me a passion for social justice. Read more>>
Dennis Coral
My story begins with a simple observation from my childhood: how differently people experienced life based on the financial decisions they made. Growing up in a family of immigrants, I saw firsthand how a well-thought-out plan could create opportunities that spanned generations. This wasn’t about just accumulating wealth, but about what that wealth could do—provide stability, education, and the freedom to pursue a meaningful life. Read more>>
Krystie Castillo
My journey began long before I ever stepped into a classroom. When I was 7 years old, my mother asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told her I wanted to have my own school and then asked if that dream was too big. She never made me feel that it was. Read more>>
Loune-Djenia Askew
I was raised by a single mother, and we immigrated to the United States from Haiti when I was eight years old. In Haiti, my mother was a practicing attorney, but she made the difficult decision to leave her career behind to protect our safety and give us a better future. Starting over in a new country was not easy. Read more>>
Ada Peschanskiy
FlowHaus began as a feeling before it became a company. I started by building websites and creating content for founders and small brands, often before I realized I was “building a business.” I was always drawn to helping people express who they truly were online not just how things looked, but how they felt. Read more>>
Maks Stepenko
My career started far from code and boardrooms — I worked in television as a stylist and makeup artist. That world trained my eye and instincts early: perception matters, details matter, and nothing exists in isolation. About a decade ago, I transitioned into digital and founded The First The Last®, a creative agency focused on design, technology, and strategy. Read more>>
Jeremy Shir
After law school, I was fortunate to begin my career as Chief of Staff to a State Senator. That experience gave me a deep, practical understanding of how policy, politics, and key decision-making intersect in real life. It also underscored the importance of relationships- working in a state as large and diverse as Florida exposed me to a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. Read more>>
