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.

Santiago Marino

My journey as a Miami photographer and videographer in Miami began 20 years ago right here in Miami Beach, starting behind the camera on local documentaries and TV shows. Later on I headed to NYC to study Acting for Film & Television at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, which honed my on-camera skills. Read more>>

Melissa De Varona

My father started in the HVAC industry when I was a child. I grew up watching my dad work hard and provide a great life for us. When I moved out of my parent’s house at 21 years old after graduating from FIU, I quickly realized life in Miami was very expensive. Read more>>

Lisa Sevilla

Since my early years in high school I realized I wanted to own my business. I did my Bachelor’s degree in accounting with that goal in mind and was planning to become a CPA. After a few years a as an accountant I realized I enjoyed more my part time job at the gym because I was actually helping people feel better. Read more>>

Delanta Frink

Research Xanadu evolved into a ministry of sound through a previous venture Xanadu Flow. Our endeavors in foreign affairs specifically within the Western Hemisphere has evolved this ministry into an environmental conservative organization. Our principals, mission, and vision still stand to use quantum sound as as tool to uplift humanity through various forms of rhythm, sound, cymatics, and symbols. Read more>>

FERNANDO GOMEZ

Creator of Cartinew | Pioneer in Orthoregenerative Medicine In the evolving world of regenerative science and elite orthopedic care, Dr. Fernando Gómez Aguado stands as a visionary architect of modern joint preservation. Born in Venezuela and shaped by a relentless pursuit of medical excellence, Dr. Gómez built his foundation in orthopedic surgery before advancing his expertise in shoulder and knee pathology. Read more>>

Marc Litt

I started out in Journalism, but that quickly turned into an affinity for selling print advertising for multiple South Florida publications. including a few of my own. I enjoyed helping people’s business all with the help of some (high quality) paper! As the cost of print went up and profit margins went down, I decided to get my Real Estate license back in 2016. Read more>>

Lurvin Valdez

Hello, my name is Lurvin Valdez. I come from a beautiful Central American country called Honduras. I’m a professional photographer, and I started this project over three years ago. One day, while I was at work, a photo shoot was done for the company I worked for. Read more>>

Alejandra Daguerre

I am a psychologist and have worked for 30 years in the clinical field with adolescents and adults. Through my work, which is by nature, deeply intimate and confidential, I began to feel the desire to bring psychology to a more accessible and practical place, closer to everyday life. It was at that point that I began to write my first book. Read more>>

Diva Name

I started my entrepreneurial journey at 16, running a small cake and cupcake business from home in Colombia while I was in university. After moving to the U.S., I worked in multiple restaurants and Colombian bakeries, learning something different from each place and building my experience in the industry. I never truly felt “ready” to be on my own, but I’ve always been a risk-taker. Read more>>

Brian Joseph

That shift in mindset helped shape my purpose. I love creating and directing because I want my work to inspire others the same way I was inspired. My goal is for people to feel something when they see my work—something that motivates them to chase their own goals, believe in their vision, and keep going no matter the obstacles. Read more>>

Monica Chavez

I have added a few products since I’ve started like Tallow & Magnesium Deodorant, Tallow Soap, Tallow Sugar Scrub, and more! I go to markets on the weekends in Miami and have opened up a website, shipping throughout the whole United States! During the week I spend time with my son, whether we’re at the beach, playing at the park or restocking my products at home! Read more>>

Valentín Quiroga

A few years ago, my wife Sofi and I left Argentina looking for a better place to live. We arrived in the US four years ago for the first time and started from scratch here. With a lot of effort and energy, we built a business again here in Miami. Read more>>

Anna Kalnei

I didn’t plan to become a photographer or videographer. I just always felt something when I saw light, movement, people interacting. I started by shooting simple moments: friends, small projects and very quickly realized it wasn’t just about pictures. It was about energy. Over time, I became obsessed with growth. I learned editing, storytelling, lighting, direction. I invested in equipment, in courses, in myself. Read more>>

Lauren Fontela

I am Lauren Elle Fontela- a Cuban-American, native South Floridian. I founded Heron Home as a passion project born from designing and styling my own home in South Miami; a home rooted in family, comfort and feeling at ease in a space that tells a story. Read more>>

Caroline Rincon

My father was an aircraft mechanic for Air Tran (who was inevitably bought by Southwest). Pre 9-11 I was always around airplanes, running around the airport tarmac. I knew I wanted to be a pilot in some capacity and when I went to my first Fort Lauderdale Air and Sea Show at 12 I was certain it would be my career path. Read more>>

Black Yacht Day Miami

Black Yacht Day was birthed from the question: “why isn’t there a yacht tie-up experience curated for Black professionals?” Living in Miami, we know that water sports are not hard to come by, but a curated experience where multiple boats come together in community is. Read more>>

Mila Morris

Early on, I set out to build stability. I lost my mother in a plane crash when I was young (my whole family was in)- I shattered my femur. Experiencing that kind of instability early wires you differently. I became very focused on understanding systems… how they work, how they fail, and how to build them stronger. That mindset has shaped everything I’ve done. Read more>>

Bruce Platt

I came to energy healing in an unconventional way. I didn’t grow up planning to become a healer, and I didn’t seek out a spiritual career. This path found me. About two years ago, I was at a turning point in my life. Everything I had built for decades—career, identity, stability—fell apart. Read more>>

Shanteria Adderley

My journey began when my son was labeled as ESE (Exceptional Student Education) at just four years old. At the time, I was pursuing a business degree in college, but witnessing his challenges and the need for advocacy inspired me to change my major to Special Education. Read more>>

Sapneil Parikh

My journey actually started with a personal fascination for the ‘mechanics’ of learning. Long before I was Dr. Sapneil, I was a student at the University of Florida who realized that academic success wasn’t just about how hard you worked, but how well you understood the patterns of the hurdles in front of you—specifically standardized tests. Read more>>

Karen Guzik

I started my first ceramic studio back in California in October 2019, 5 months later was forced to close due to the lock downs. 4 months later I reopened but people weren’t ready to be back at malls in California. Fast forward one year later, not only didn’t my store take off, but I also opened a second location. Read more>>

Oriana Daly

I’ve actually spent my career working in construction project management, which is a very male-dominated industry. My day-to-day life has always been fast-paced, structured, and centered around managing large projects, solving problems, and keeping everything running smoothly. Creativity wasn’t part of my job description, but it has always been a huge part of who I am. Read more>>

Jordan Bolch

Jordan Bolch’s story sits at the intersection of entrepreneurship and artistry. Raised in an environment shaped by brand-building and leadership, he developed an early understanding of how ideas become platforms. At the same time, music was his constant—an outlet he quietly refined through songwriting, production, and DJ culture long before it entered the public eye. Read more>>

Lindsay Chase

I’ve known I wanted to be a lawyer since third grade. I watched Legally Blonde, and what stuck with me wasn’t just the pink and the humor, it was the moment Elle stood up in court and became the voice for her innocent friend. She was able to see what others missed, speak up when it mattered, and ultimately help exonerate her. Read more>>

Christian Paula

Five years ago, Button Up Media was born out of a very specific frustration, and a very specific opportunity. Before starting the company, we spent time working in the agency world, learning the business. Read more>>

Jay Batra

I began my real estate career nearly 20 years ago as an agent, driven by ambition and a strong belief in long-term growth. Through years of perseverance, grit, relentless work ethic, and unwavering self-belief—along with a bit of luck—I built a foundation that allowed me to grow beyond sales. Read more>>

Cam Rogers

My family moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1925. My great grandfather, Dwight L. Rogers Sr., founded the law firm with Mr. John E. Morris Sr. that I currently work at today. We just celebrated 100 years in business last year and we are the oldest law firm founded in Broward County that is still operating today. I went to law school at the Walter F. Read more>>

Alex Kisel

My journey into floristry has been shaped by both my professional background and my personal experiences. I spent several years working in the mental health field, where I developed a deep understanding of emotional well-being and the importance of human connection. That experience taught me how powerful beauty and environment can be in supporting people through different seasons of life. Read more>>

Maria Medina

I’ve known at a young age that interior design was what I wanted to pursue. The goal was always to build something of my own, especially through the influence of my grandfather running our family business. The question was just when the right time would come. Read more>>

Monique Tablada

Motiv8 Dance Movement began as something beautifully simple, a summer project to help six dancers who had unexpectedly lost their studio space finish out their competition season. As a veteran dance mom, they turned to me for help. I stepped in and found a space to rent so they could continue training. At the time, it was meant to be temporary. Read more>>

Dorothy Milfort

While I majored in pre-law, I have always been passionate about hospitality. My path in hospitality began in college while in New Orleans, working as a waitress and bartender. I made my way through the ranks eventually becoming a General Manager of a restaurant in the Upper East Side neighborhood of NY. Read more>>

Silvia Perrina Delombard

My most important role that God has blessed me with is being a mom. I am the mother of two incredible children who inspire me every day and have shaped who I am, both personally and professionally. I have always known that I wanted to be both a mother and a teacher. Read more>>

Jill Oscar

Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be an artist. My mom was a great artist and learned a lot from her. I decided after high school to go into doing makeup. I was so visually stimulated seeing the varieties of color and how creative I can be with all those different shades. Read more>>

Ruth Boselli

My history begins in Rosario, Argentina, where I was born and studied Fine Arts at the National University of Rosario. My artistic formation took place during Argentina’s return to democracy, a time of profound cultural awakening after years of dictatorship. In that climate of reflection and renewal, art became an essential form of expression. Read more>>

Auggie Velarde

I am a Peruvian-born artist who grew up in Miami, where I fell in love with the city’s mix of electronic energy, hip-hop, and the complete, vibrant blend of Latin culture. My journey started as a way to deal with childhood anxiety stemming from the immigrant experience. Moving to the U.S. Read more>>

Frank Ripoll

I was born and raised in Miami to immigrant parents who came to this country in search of opportunity. From a very young age, they instilled in me two core values: work hard and prioritize education. In our household, education was the backbone of success. Read more>>

Katie Vieyra

I am a family nurse practitioner and have been in the field of nursing for over 20 years working in a variety of settings from hospitals and clinics to home health. Read more>>

Jessica Zeitlin

My journey to becoming a therapist wasn’t a straight line, it was a slow unfolding. It was shaped by lived experience, curiosity, and a deep sensitivity to others from a very young age. Growing up, I never felt like the “naturally gifted” student, but I always felt deeply. Read more>>

Isabel Diez

WeAre Development LLC, also known as WeAre Dev, was born from a shared vision between my brother Daniel and I. Build a technology company rooted in a more human-centered model — one where talent is not treated simply as a resource, but as a community driven by purpose, belonging, and shared growth. Read more>>

Steve Santacruz

My name is Steve Santacruz and I own and operate the tattoo brand known as Empire Ink here in Miami with multiple locations and over 200 thousand people serviced with a 5 star brand on google. I started back in 2009 by opening the first Empire Ink after the recession with very little finances, a rebellious spirit, a dream and a passion for drawing. Read more>>