We are so thrilled to be able to connect with some of the brightest and most inspiring entrepreneurs and creatives from across the city and beyond and this series in particular gives us the honor of introducing these folks to you in a unique way – we go beyond the story of how they got to where they are today by asking them to reflect on a variety of deeper questions that we hope will help you better connect with them, their stories and their brands. Ultimately, our hope is that more of us will spend more of our money with independent artists, creatives and small businesses and we think getting to know one another at a deeper level is step one.
Andrea Huffman
This is such a good question- I actually think about walking and wandering quite a bit. I guess I’ve always been more of a wanderer… rather than being strictly goal driven… I am always looking and discovering along the way…. even if it takes me off course, or I don’t reach my intended “destination”. Read more>>
Heather Graves
This past year at my annual ‘Pulp Paradise 2025: A Tropical Surf Music Event’ which is an event that I host in Ft.Myers, FL at Redbones Bar & Grill, had a ton of super funny and memorable moments. One of the funniest moments of the day, by far, has to be the wardrobe malfunction that I experienced during DJ Sean’s ‘Marilyn Monroe Posing Contest’. Read more>>
Michel Thomann
Yes I am my self Read more>>
Goddess Phresh
Suffering taught me the meaning of passion in its truest form. The root of the word passion is passio, which means to suffer. Success can reward you, but suffering reveals what you’re actually willing to endure for. Through hardship, I discovered what I love enough to keep choosing even when it’s uncomfortable, uncertain, or unseen. Read more>>
Esperanza Solar
That I wasn’t creative. I believed that being creative meant being a painter or sculptor or something grand but it wasn’t until I began making jewelry with my hands that I realized I had a creative spirit all along—from loving to dance to being an avid journal writer most of my life. Read more>>
Ilver Villasmil
When I’m gone, I hope people don’t just tell the story of a man who overcame an accident, but the story of someone who reminded them that they also have the power to rewrite their own destiny. Read more>>
Nicole Leon
I hope they say I spoke my truth, even when it was hard. That I stood in the gap for others and led with genuine kindness. That I was bold, honest, and made people feel seen, heard, and understood. Read more>>
Lola Olivero
I stopped hiding my pain when I truly learned that it’s okay to fail — that failure isn’t a weakness, but part of the process of becoming who you’re meant to be. For a long time, I thought I had to have everything figured out, to always be strong, always in control. Read more>>
Talisa Durso
For me, I’d say my peace is found in two places: the kitchen, where flavors and warmth come together, and the beach, where waves and wind chill you out. Read more>>
Marian Paternina
A few people saw me clearly before I did. The most important: My Fiance and partner, saw me clearly before I could see myself. Not by directing me, but by trusting my process. His belief in movement, music, and living creatively helped me reconnect with parts of myself I had put on pause. Through that reflection, I learned to trust my own voice. Read more>>
Silvia Caceres
As Silvia’s daughter, I grew up watching my parents build and run successful businesses. From a young age, I saw firsthand what hard work, resilience, and dedication could create. Entrepreneurship was not just something they talked about, it was the way they lived. From my perspective as a mother, the foundation of this company goes back even further. Read more>>
Tatiana Preobrazhenskaia
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a very shy kid. I was scared to spend time with others and often stayed in my own world, observing more than participating. Everything started to shift when I began professional swimming. It pushed me into competition and taught me resilience, focus, and how to show up consistently. Read more>>
Andrea Caprio
Yes! And I think that’s where the most meaningful work happens. When your effort is rooted in integrity rather than validation, it becomes deeply freeing. Praise is wonderful, but purpose is sustaining. I give my best because it aligns with who I want to be, not because I need to be seen doing it. And ironically, that’s often when the impact becomes the greatest. Read more>>
Katherine Evander
We remember it not as a single moment, but as a pattern that kept repeating. When we began talking about Evander, about what luxury meant to us, about slowness, intention, and resisting the pull of mass-market sameness, we expected to explain ourselves. Instead, people listened. And more than that, they recognized themselves in what we were saying. Read more>>
Lucy Beato
I love this question because it brings intention into how I live and how I lead. What would remain is someone who never gave up on her dreams, no matter the obstacles. Someone who refused to let setbacks, detours, or hard seasons become the end of the story. I’ve learned that moving forward doesn’t always mean moving fast—it simply means choosing not to stop. Read more>>
Patricia Vila
It wasn’t just the work or the diplomacy of covering Cuba it was the feeling of being part of a community, of living alongside people whose resilience and warmth left a lasting mark on me. I was able to meet and spend time with my family that stayed behind. I was able to really understand the entire Cuban – American dynamic. Read more>>
Clara Salvai
Communication. I believe it has the power to break bonds—and to restore them. Read more>>
Kristi Kandel
I think a lot of people are quietly struggling with the gap between how their life looks on the outside and how disconnected they feel on the inside. From the outside, things look successful. But underneath, there’s a craving for work that matters, for real community, and for permission to want more without feeling ungrateful. I see this constantly through Local Real Estate Developers (LRED). Read more>>
Julia Speedy
That it was easy, and that I was always happy. I try to keep a positive attitude most of the time but there have been lots of struggles and pain that I’ve endured that most people don’t know about. Read more>>
Shana and Dan Benchetrit
We both come from North Africa through our grandparents, and our Jewish heritage is deeply intertwined with this culture. Together, they have shaped values of sharing, warmth, respect for others, and generosity that are central to who we are. These values guide our creative vision and inspire us to spread light, positive energy, and meaning through our sculptures. Read more>>
Alexandra Silva Labarr
You are not broken, and you are not behind. Everything you are walking through is shaping the woman you are becoming. Trust yourself, you are stronger than you realize, and one day, your story will help others find their own strength. Read more>>
Kerri Paizzi
I learn from my peers, my friends, and my son everyday. I strongly believe that everyone can bring value and insight into others’ lives. It’s very important to be open to it and actually listen when others are speaking. You may not always agree, but I guarantee you’ll learn something. Read more>>
Doug Mithun
Right now, I’m learning a lot about growth, surrender, and purpose — and how each season of life continues to shape us. I’ve been reminded that real growth doesn’t always come through comfort. Sometimes it comes through disruption, reflection, and the willingness to let go of things that no longer align with who God is calling you to become. Read more>>
Klara Lima
I am learning that the answers we need to hear are found in complete silence. When you turn off the noise around you would be surprised how much clarity You would get. Read more>>
Joana Donovan
Interesting question. Yes, I would hire me because I understand both sides of the hiring table. I know how organizations make decisions, where candidates struggle to articulate value, and how small missteps derail strong careers. I bring clarity, strategy, and calm to moments that are often overwhelming, and I consistently turn complexity into momentum. Read more>>
