It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around Miami.
Marco Vallina
I officially stepped into being an artist at 21, in 2024. I grew up in a very musically inclined household and have been singing for as long as I can remember, but for most of my life I never saw myself becoming an artist. Writing was my biggest roadblock. Read more>>
Jessie Johnson
I didn’t start out as a photographer. I was a nurse for years, and after we sold a family business, my husband and I found ourselves in a season where we both decided to build something of our own. As a mom of four, I’ve always been drawn to the in-between moments. Read more>>
Mirna Barake
I started my career in interior design and opened my studio in 2009, focusing on high-end renovations and remodeling. Early on, I developed a strong understanding of how spaces function, not just aesthetically, but technically. Around 2017, I was searching for a home for my own family and couldn’t find anything that met my standards in terms of design, layout, and overall vision. Read more>>
Stacy Davis
When I was 14, my grandmother told me you could lose weight by eating pasta. So I did exactly that—I went on a pasta and Crystal Light iced tea diet for about two years. My mom kept encouraging me to eat fruits, vegetables, and protein, but like most teenagers… I didn’t listen. By the time I was 16, I started losing my hair. Read more>>
Kim Houston
Kim Houston – Casting Director & Acting Coach Kim Houston began her journey in the entertainment industry studying recording engineering, driven by a deep love for music and a natural connection to creative talent. What started behind the soundboard quickly evolved when she found herself working inside a talent agency, where she was introduced to the fast-paced world of TV commercials, film, and production. Read more>>
Mikala Bars
Since we last spoke, my journey has expanded in so many ways. What began as self-competition has now taken me from nationwide to global modeling. I’ve walked runways, partnered with bigger brands, and intensified both my fitness and dance training. Read more>>
Kasey Riley
We founded The Fat Plant Society ten years ago out of a sincere love of plants and all things green. The Fat Plant Society grew out of a return to our roots in Copenhagen in 2015. Read more>>
Anis musa Santana
I am Spanish, and in Europe, lime-based organic finishes are very popular. When I was 18, during my first job as a painter, I watched my boss create these finishes—and that is where my love for this highly artistic craft began. Read more>>
Alyssa Maharaj
Tings was born during COVID, a moment of stillness that pushed me deeper into my creativity and purpose. What started as a personal outlet quickly became something more intentional. Read more>>
Laura Pequignot
My career has been rooted in building large-scale, high-impact events and experiences—from Grand Prix and NASCAR racing to internationally recognized art fairs. A few years ago, I decided to step away from that fast-paced world to focus on personal priorities and give back to my community. Read more>>
Darly Valcin
My journey has always been guided by a single, driving mission: helping people feel seen, supported, and empowered to live intentionally. It began in the field of social work. Earning my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) was my first formal step into understanding human behavior, systemic challenges, and the deep need we all have for genuine connection. Read more>>
Carolina Fonseca
My story didn’t start with the intention of building something big — it started with a simple desire to do something that truly fulfilled me. At the beginning, all I wanted was to teach my classes. Cycling gave me purpose, energy, and a sense of connection I hadn’t experienced before. Read more>>
Isai Oviedo
I’ve been making art, comics, and designing games since I was a kid. As a teen, we got our first family computer and I started learning pixel art during the summer and really enjoyed it. An art teacher saw my interests and encouraged me to apply for art schools and I was able to attend art schools up until high school. Read more>>
Dr Jonathan Moukhtafi
My name is Jonathan Moukhtafi. I found that my purpose is to help families thrive at any stage of life through chiropractic care. My goal is to make sure that they have a better quality of life. When I got into chiropractic school and the beginning of practice, I was concerned about getting people to feel better. Read more>>
Mazii Mone’t
Today I own a modeling agency that has booked with the biggest artist in the world . J Cole , lil baby , NBA Youngboy , the migos and many other major artist . It started with me wanting to be a music artist and my only way of meeting artist was being a video vixen for their music videos . Read more>>
Sara Atkins
I have always had a passion for building and creating. I grew up watching the home remodeling shows on TLC, redesigning my SIMS homes every other day, and eventually rearranging my room to create a mini makeover like I saw on TV. Read more>>
Anna Bennett
In response to the growing amount of fishing gear on our reefs and the direct impact they have on sea turtles, The National Save The Sea Turtle Foundation created the ‘Reel It In for the Reefs’ event, an annual diver-led reef cleanup spanning South Florida. Read more>>
Kev Cohen & Michael Bismuth
cuz. is a creative studio based in Miami, founded by two cousins, Kev and Michael. We work across creative direction, photography, motion, and AI to build high-end visual worlds for brands and artists. Read more>>
Brian Pujala
For most of my career, I built my professional life in Corporate America while nurturing a deep passion for interior design on the side. Design was always my creative outlet; something I turned to instinctively, not because I had to, but because I loved the way thoughtful spaces could transform how people live and feel. Read more>>
Brad Butzberger
I was born and raised in West Palm Beach with a passion for music from a young age. I started by writing short verses in middle school, and by my freshman year of high school in 2018, I was performing and writing full songs, even getting the chance to perform at my school’s Christmas chapel. Read more>>
Sandra Artiles
I started my business from real-life experience. After nearly 30 years working as a flight attendant, I constantly saw travelers struggling to identify their luggage—at baggage claim and even onboard. That frustration inspired me to create a solution. About 14 years ago, I began designing bold, colorful, easy-to-spot luggage tags that were also fun and durable. Read more>>
Alyona Shubina
I started my journey as a single mom with a very personal idea — to create a space I felt was missing in the city. I wanted a place where both children and parents could truly enjoy their time together, not just coexist, but connect, relax, and feel inspired. That’s how Loulou House was born. Read more>>
Grace Ramirez
I never set out to become an investor. That wasn’t part of the vision I had for myself — not even close. And yet here I am, and I think that’s actually the most honest thing I can say about where I am today: the path kept revealing itself, and I kept saying yes to things I hadn’t planned for. Read more>>
Diana Garibaldi
In 2023, my life changed completely when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time, I was working as a medical assistant while also helping care for my mother, who is still battling dementia today. I was so focused on caring for others that I never imagined I would suddenly become a patient myself. Read more>>
Cherise Watson
In July 2020 I launched my telebehavioral health business, Cornerstone Center for Counseling, LLC. At the time the world was forced to shelter in place due to the COVID pandemic. I felt led to provide a safe virtual space for people to seek counseling and process emotions whether it be fear, anxiety, grief/loss, loneliness/depression ect. Read more>>
Annel Mendez
I’m a Miami-based DJ and producer performing as TechMendzz. My journey into electronic music started really young growing up in Miami, where dance music culture was everywhere. A lot of my early inspiration came from local legends like Oscar G, David Padilla, Edgar V, Ralph Falcon, and many of the DJs who helped shape Miami’s underground sound. Read more>>
Luz Nazario
My journey is rooted in the belief that our heritage and our health are deeply intertwined. While I have spent thirty years as an educator, my path as an entrepreneur began in December 2016. Read more>>
Kevin Thompson
Oldest of 4 , started doing music at around 13-14 years old but my man obsession was sports . Had an extremely rough and challenging household and upbringing, but managed to graduate high school and started going harder with the music. Read more>>
Tammy Iban
I started Clandestinemood from a very simple idea: creating the kind of experiences I felt were missing (curated, elevated, and genuinely meaningful for women). What began as small, intimate gatherings quickly grew into a platform. We saw strong demand from both our community and brands looking to connect in a more authentic way. Today, Clandestinemood sits at the intersection of wellness, lifestyle, and brand partnerships. Read more>>
Lydia Richards
From a very young age growing up in Panama, I learned that wine is more than a beverage, it is a bridge. I watched my mother and aunts gather around the table for hours, sharing bottles and stories about life, love, and resilience. Wine, in their hands, was community. That early memory planted a seed that would shape my life’s work. Read more>>
Edly Herrera
I started Owl Bookkeeping Co. with a pretty simple goal: to make financial clarity more accessible for small business owners who are great at what they do, but don’t necessarily love the numbers side of things. Read more>>
La Fuente Antojitos
La Fuente Antojitos was born from our love for Colombian flavors and our passion for sharing a piece of our culture with the community. We are a family of three .Orlando, Carol, and Mariana — originally from Bogotá, Colombia, who started this journey with the dream of bringing authentic Colombian treats to South Florida. Read more>>
Colin Ewing
Colony Construction group was built from the ground up with a focus on quality, communication, and strong client relationships. Founded in 2022 by, LEED Accredited Professional and University of Florida Alumni, Colin Ewing. Colin has over 20 years of Construction Management and General Contracting experience. Read more>>
Christie Smith
I grew up in Napa, so wine was always part of the landscape around me, but what really fascinated me was the art and science behind it. You can take the same vineyard, the same fruit, even the same vintage, and change one decision: the kind of oak used, fermentation style, aging vessel, or malolactic fermentation and suddenly the wine tells a completely different story. Read more>>
Natasha Melina Argudo
I started my journey driven by a deep love for music, storytelling, and culture. Growing up in Queens, NY, as the daughter of Ecuadorian parents, I was always surrounded by diverse sounds and perspectives that shaped how I see the world. Early on, I explored different sides of media—from radio and television to journalism—which gave me a strong foundation in communication and storytelling. Read more>>
Kristy Nardi
Four years ago, I moved from Arizona to South Florida with my three kids, ready to start over and build a new life. I began working in the serving industry, but deep down, I knew I was meant for something more meaningful, something where I could truly impact others. That’s when I discovered paramedical tattooing, and I truly believe God led me to it. Read more>>
Ricky Seaman
I’m a filmmaker and polyglot originally from Orlando, FL and have been traveling since I was 12 years old (3rd trip ever was Botswana. Zambia & South Africa). I just reached my 99th and 100th countries of Syria and Qatar and plan to be the first Orlando native to travel to every country in the world. Read more>>
Ana Curiel
I didn’t set out with a conventional roadmap, Casa AnKan really grew out of instinct, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for objects that carry meaning. My background has always been rooted in business and strategy, but I found myself consistently drawn to the intersection of art, design, and storytelling. Read more>>
Eliana Bonaguro
I’ve always been drawn to both psychology and art, though for a long time they existed as two separate parts of my life. I became a therapist and specialized in anxiety and OCD. I worked closely with clients and saw how complex and overwhelming these experiences can feel when they’re hard to put into words. Read more>>
Betty Velarde
“Mikey’s Place Doggie Daycare & Hotel” was created out of love for a unique furry boy- Michael Thomasz Velarde III. I wanted his name to sound like royalty. Michael Thomasz III was the baby of the family and my son. He was a 21lb shih-tzu/cocker spaniel mix. Read more>>
Roberto Ochoa
My story started with a desire to create a better life, not only for myself, but for the people around me. I grew up seeing the value of hard work very closely. My mother worked tirelessly, and that shaped the way I saw responsibility, sacrifice, and the importance of creating opportunities. Before becoming an entrepreneur, I served as a paramedic, firefighter, and police officer. Read more>>
Jennifer Mora
I’ve been in interior design for about 10 years now, and I truly love what I do. Creating beautiful, functional spaces has always been a passion of mine — something that actually started back in my fashion merchandising days and naturally evolved into interiors. I’ve always had an eye for creativity, styling, and how a space can completely affect the way people feel. Read more>>
Raul Rodriguez
My story really begins with a strong belief that when you give young people an opportunity, you change the entire trajectory of their lives. Growing up in Sweetwater, I saw firsthand how many kids didn’t have access to academic support, extracurricular programs, or even a safe place to spend their afternoons. Read more>>
Bre Manigat
Bre Manigat Events started with my own wedding. I’d been doing makeup for a while and I loved it at first, but the moment it became a business, the joy walked right out the door. So I pivoted with consistent encouragement from my husband, Nehemy who is also a wedding photographer. When I started planning my own wedding, something just clicked. Read more>>
