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.
Ivania Rodriguez
I’m Ivania, aka redlipsivania-a miami hispanic native artist that’s obsessed with love. Broken hearted too many times to count, I began to write love letters. Love letters that turned into Spilled Milks; the pinkest, deepest, saddest parts of me. Each Spilled Milk is a poem alongside a doodle I would make. Each one is suppose to feel unfinished. Read more>>
Jordan Strum
Jordan Strum began his career in private aviation after recognizing the industry’s growing demand during the pandemic while working in private equity. He transitioned fully from private equity into private jets with one clear goal: to become one of the best in the business through operational urgency, attention to detail, and the level of execution required to serve elite clients. Read more>>
Courtney Janssen
I’m a mom, the founder of ERA Club, and an entrepreneur. Getting here took about 32 years, a lot of wrong turns, and a stubbornness I probably can’t fully explain. I grew up in a small town in Northern Illinois. The closest store was 20 minutes away, cornfields as far as you could see. Read more>>
Serena Taylor
I was born and raised in the Seattle metropolitan area and attended Washington State University, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Communication. At the time, I had planned to stay an additional year to pursue a double major, but everything changed during a spring break trip to Miami. Read more>>
EMILY GAMBOA
My story did not begin at sea; it began in education. I earned a degree in Education in Venezuela, where I developed skills that continue to shape my work today: communication, leadership, and the ability to understand people. Those skills have proven to be just as valuable on the water as they are in the classroom. Read more>>
Gabriella Franco
As a psychologist, I’ve always believed that what we put into and around our bodies directly impacts our overall well-being. I’ve personally lived a lifestyle centered around health, wellness, eating organic, and maintaining a clean, non-toxic environment. Over time, I started becoming more aware of how many everyday beauty products contain harsh chemicals and toxins, especially within the nail industry. Read more>>
George (Tekkman) Shohat
My journey in music started at a very young age. I began DJing when I was just 13 years old, completely fascinated by the energy of music, nightlife, and the emotional connection that DJs could create with a crowd. What started as passion quickly became an obsession. Read more>>
Helen Jensen
I grew up in a low-income neighborhood, which taught me resilience and a strong work ethic from an early age. While earning my BA in Computer Information Systems, I worked full-time and raised my child as a single mom. This experience shaped who I am today and strengthened my determination to build something meaningful. Read more>>
Rebecca Hernandez-Diaz (Representing Clutch Comedy)
We’re CLUTCH Comedy — a Miami-based improv trio made up of Rebecca Hernandez-Diaz, KC Korge, and Michelle Castro. CLUTCH started pretty organically — we met through the comedy community in Miami, FL at Just The Funny, where we each spent years training, teaching classes, and performing in and directing improv comedy shows. Read more>>
Slava Oleinik
As a kid, I loved sketching and painting. My older brother Denis, knowing about my passion for art, introduced me to 3D modeling. I was so fascinated by it that I spent days learning how to model in 3D programs. Since I was also interested in renovation TV shows, my first models were furniture pieces. Read more>>
Paola Pedrazzi
I was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and I have always had big dreams. My journey really started when I moved to São Paulo to pursue modeling and create more opportunities for myself. It was not always easy, but I knew I wanted to grow, experience more, and build a life connected to fashion, beauty, and creativity. Read more>>
Amayah
I’m a 23 year-old rapper, singer, and songwriter who was raised in North Miami Beach, but is currently based in Broward County, Fl. With a unique blend of old school and gritty influence from my New York-raised parents and a futuristic sound, I grew to create music that is both captivating and boundary-pushing. Read more>>
Alexander Edwards
My practice developed through an ongoing investigation into ordinary materials and the systems attached to them. I became interested in how substances tied to domestic life, labor, consumption, and exchange could operate sculpturally while still retaining their social and historical weight. Read more>>
Bridget Bowes
When I first decided what I wanted to do with my career, I originally dreamed of becoming a plastic surgeon. I loved the idea of helping people feel more confident in themselves through transformation and artistry. However, after realizing I faint whenever I see blood, I quickly understood that path was probably not meant for me. Read more>>
amanda Morie
Hi, I am happy you are here. Let me introduce myself: my name is Amanda Morie and I am a full-time professional photographer from of Vancouver, Canada and based now in Mexico City, USA and Canada. Travelling the world totaling to 86 countries and all 7 continents and living in 13 different countries has really opened my eyes creatively. Read more>>
Giuliana Bernaola Fernandini
I grew up in Lima, Peru, but a huge part of my childhood was also shaped by Miami. My family would spend about a month there every single year, so I’ve always felt connected to that mix of beach culture, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle culture long before social media became my career. I think growing up between different places naturally made me creative and curious. Read more>>
Mariana Velez
I’ve always been entrepreneurial, even as a little girl I was constantly creating things, starting little businesses just for fun. Fashion was always the thread running through everything. It’s what I studied, what I understood instinctively, and where I felt most creatively alive. In 2018, I launched my fashion brand, Gaia. But very quickly I realized I wasn’t just selling clothes. Read more>>
Ornella Saada
I’ve always been deeply connected to art, emotion, and storytelling, but my journey truly evolved through transformation. Originally from France, I built my artistic vision through personal experiences, motherhood, resilience, and a desire to create beauty from complexity. My work is highly intuitive and textured — exploring silence, memory, femininity, spirituality, and rebirth through minimal yet emotionally powerful compositions. Read more>>
Debbi James
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Debbi James. I’m a singer, songwriter, dancer, and performer, and I’ve been in the music industry for over 15 years. Music isn’t just what I do — it’s who I am. I’ve dedicated my life to this craft, constantly growing, learning, and evolving as both an artist and a person. Read more>>
nicole white
Sunny Side Up Market started in 2019 with a simple idea — to create a space where local vendors, creatives, and small businesses could come together and feel supported, seen, and celebrated. Before starting Sunny Side Up Market, I was a kindergarten teacher for 10 years. Read more>>
Hilary Russell
I always knew I wanted to be in the beauty industry. I’ve always had a passion for beauty, skincare, makeup, and self-care — I was definitely a beauty junkie growing up. That passion led me to attend professional makeup artistry school and cosmetology school, where I continued growing creatively and professionally. Read more>>
Maria Evangelista
My name is María Evangelista, and I’m the founder of Global Desk. I immigrated from Venezuela to Miami with big dreams and a strong desire to build something of my own. I studied International Business and spent several years working as an Operations Manager for a transportation company, where I developed extensive experience in operations, administration, and remote team management. Read more>>
Misty Fairbanks
WildMoon was born from a lifelong love of creativity, beautiful details, and creating moments people never forget. While I spent years building my career in the corporate world, creativity was always the part of me that naturally stood out. From styling gatherings to designing florals for friends and family, I found so much joy in turning everyday moments into something beautiful and memorable. Read more>>
Hillary and Jacquie Gil and Mathai
Our story began with two women confirming their passion for the community one night after a women’s church gathering. These two women dedicated their time during the pandemic to be present in the community and help coordinate food drives for the city of Hollywood. Their vision is to employ mobilized health education to reach a vulnerable population that cannot access necessary healthcare or resources. Read more>>
Anthony Quintana
Hey, my name is Anthony Quintana, but most people know me as Tony,Tonydidit and even the Pastelito Pacer ya a lot of alias. Funny enough, my journey didn’t start with running it actually started in the art world. Read more>>
Jeanette Gordon
My story starts at the soup kitchen door — and I was about six years old. My parents ran a soup kitchen out of our church, and they gave me a job. I was the greeter. I handed out utensils and napkins. Read more>>
Myah Johnson
Music has been ingrained into my life since I was born. My parents immigrated to the US in the Early 90s from Jamaica. They made sure to instill as much of their culture as they could into their kids, showing us popular dancehall movies and old reggae music. Read more>>
Aaron Marcus Payne
I grew up in church. Started my musical journey playing the drums in my parents church. By the time I got to high school, I was very skilled on the drums. When I got to college at Florida Memorial University I started playing guitar. Being in that environment of musicians really grew me at a rapid rate. Read more>>
Djenane Gourgue
My name is Djénane Gourgue, and I have been working as a community advocate since 1997. Over the years, I developed a strong background in financial literacy, tax education, and financial compliance, particularly within underserved and minority communities. Read more>>
Andre Johnson
I’m originally from Rochester, New York, where I spent 10 years serving as a police officer with the Rochester Police Department. During that time, I saw life at its worst on a regular basis—homicides, serious assaults, domestic violence, and countless difficult situations. Read more>>
Diana Cliff
I was born in Venezuela and moved to the United States in 2000 with hope, fear, and a deep desire to create a better future, a search for new opportunities and a fresh beginning. Starting over from zero in a new country came with many challenges: a new culture, a new language, and a completely new life. Read more>>
TALIE V
I’ve always been an artist at heart. Growing up in a strict Latin Pentecostal household, creativity looked a little different for me than it did for a lot of other kids. There was very little worldly music allowed in the home, and things like makeup, beauty culture, and even cutting hair were heavily restricted. Read more>>
Talhia Rangel
My story is deeply personal and rooted in lived experience. Long before I opened my practice, I was first a sister to someone with Down syndrome, and she shaped the way I saw advocacy, inclusion, and the challenges families face when trying to protect and support their loved ones with disabilities. Read more>>
Laura / Adrian De la Vega / Aranda
estudioLAAVA is a Miami-based Architecture and Design studio founded in 2020 by Cuban designers Laura de la Vega and Adrian Aranda. Driven by a shared passion for design, collaboration, and the richness of their cultural heritage, the duo brings a distinctive perspective to every project they undertake. Both founders hold bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Architecture from Florida International University and the University of Florida. Read more>>
Adrian Mata
My love for photography started right after high school. I got a film camera for my birthday and never looked back. My family didn’t have much, so when I saved up for a digital camera, it meant everything to me. I practiced for years and started sharing my work online. That led to my first real photography job at local night clubs. Read more>>
Mileydi Martinez Mesa
My journey started during the COVID-19 pandemic. While staying at home, I began creating handmade crafts and foam flowers, which eventually inspired me to decorate my own wedding using roses made by my own hands, balloons, and natural flowers. Read more>>
Raymond Rosales
My professional journey has been anything but traditional, and honestly, that’s what makes it so meaningful. I started my career over 25 years ago in graphic design, branding, and marketing, working with businesses of all sizes and helping brands connect with people through strong visual communication. Read more>>
Jordan Ecker
Brittany and I met while attending dental school at Columbia University in New York City, where our shared passion for treating patients first brought us together. After dental school, we each continued our training in oral and maxillofacial surgery, gaining experience in the full scope of surgical care and developing a deep appreciation for the trust patients place in their providers. Read more>>
Dwayne Henderson
Raised in Kingston by a single mother as an only child, music wasn’t always the plan for this independent artist. Early on, basketball was the main passion while music entered his life through family talent shows and karaoke performances with cousins. Read more>>
Ann Mayo-Smith
The idea for Maison Matcha came from a period in my life where I needed to slow down. I was going through a difficult time with my mental health and making my matcha in the morning became something I genuinely looked forward to. Read more>>
Saidy Burch
My name is Saidy Burch, and I’m a neuroscience lab manager, artist, and writer. As far as I can remember, I’ve always been someone who is fundamentally interested in everything. Especially beginning in high school, I was told repeatedly I’d have to either let my love for STEM or my love for the arts go. Of course, I would never do that! Read more>>
Johanna Piard
I have always said that my first love was storytelling. Long before I ever considered becoming a writer professionally, I was the child constantly buried in books, films, journals, and anything that could transport me into another world. Read more>>
Keenan Pinkney
Being a part of the musical business for many years, I believe I have become a well known and accomplished saxophonist. I have emphatically made an impression in the South Florida area as well as many other states throughout the country. Read more>>
Monique Thurton
I started the business while working full time in finance in New York City and balancing life as a mom. Like a lot of people, I was dealing with stress, burnout, and trying to find ways to slow down and take care of myself more intentionally. Read more>>
Mackenzie McLean
I was born and raised in St Petersburg Florida. I started dancing at the age of 4 and stuck with it since. I grew up dancing a studios such as Academy of Ballet Arts, FYI Dance Company, and Arts Conservatory for Teens. I high school I attended Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School where I graduated with a major in dance. Read more>>
Carlos Mena
Me and my brother, Gerardo Mena, started out about 3 years ago to DJ in SWFL. At first it was a passion hobby but we started to play afterparties and friend gatherings. Suddenly we started to get a lot of recognition and we started to DJ professionally, everything going great. Read more>>
Graciela Noemi Paredes Vigo
I started my journey becoming interested in health and wellness, but it truly began through my own personal experiences. For many years, I struggled with an unhealthy relationship with food and with my body, while also dealing with hormonal imbalances that affected me both physically and emotionally. Read more>>
Haena Bitton
Art has always been more than aesthetics to me — it is an internal language seeking form, a way for what lives beneath the surface to reveal itself. As a self-taught artist and founder of BittonArt Gallery, I began my journey with a deep desire to create meaningful experiences that connect people through emotion, creativity, and human connection. Read more>>
Toni Napolitano
I was born & raised in Bloomfield, NJ. My parents were both teachers so I suppose I come by that part of my work naturally! I moved to Fl. In my senior year of college after one too many snow storms the prior year. I spent my first winter on the beach and never looked back! Read more>>
Daliany Camacho Asprilla
I was born in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia to two Colombian parents and grew up as the third of five children. After my father toured internationally with a well-known salsa band, he discovered new opportunities in Miami, which eventually led my family to immigrate there. Since then, Miami has become the place I’ve called home. Read more>>
Lee Ghilain
I’m a contemporary abstract artist whose work is rooted in movement, memory, faith, and the search for belonging. Read more>>
Natalie Greenlaw
Jarred and I are high school sweethearts and parents to 4 young children. We started growing a small garden as a way to provide organic veggies to ourselves and our kids. We quickly learned the benefits of growing flowers alongside those vegetables as a way to protect the plants, flavor them, and ward off pests. Read more>>
Yulia Strokova
I originally worked in journalism and communications, spending over a decade in newsrooms and media environments. But everything shifted when I moved from Moscow to Miami about seven years ago to continue my education and pursue an MBA at Florida International University. Miami unexpectedly reconnected me with my purpose. Read more>>
Alex P. Taylor
I’ve always been someone who loved food, storytelling, entertainment, and bringing people together, but my path to where I am today definitely wasn’t instant or traditional. I spent more than 20 years working in hospitality, which gave me a real appreciation for restaurants, small businesses, service, creativity, and the people behind the food. Read more>>
Tiffany Carvalho Da Cruz
Magical Glowing Booth started from my love of creating magical moments and being involved in my community. As a very involved parent (VIP 😊), I spent years helping schools, PTAs, dances, proms, and community events come to life. I realized I loved seeing people smile, celebrate, and create memories together. Read more>>
Tara Wells
I’m not the typical athlete story. I don’t have accolades to brag about or championships. I have more grief than most because I retired as an early teen who chose to quit sport to stay alive. My mental health was at rock bottom when I was 13 years old, an age we would all agree is delicate and fragile. I couldn’t agree more. Read more>>
Leilani Carmenate
My journey as a makeup artist began long before it became a profession. As a little girl, I was always fascinated by the artistry and transformation that makeup could create. Growing up, I found endless inspiration through beauty influencers on YouTube during the rise of the beauty industry in 2016, where I taught myself techniques, trends, and the importance of creativity and individuality. Read more>>
Fariyal Knight
During COVID, I had lost my architecture job due to cuts in construction funding in the school projects that I was managing. I needed to keep myself busy somehow, and I was cooking a lot more than I was before as I had more free time. Read more>>
charles sam
My journey has been shaped by resilience, education, leadership, and a deep desire to create impact. I grew up in Ghana and spent most of my life there before moving to the United States as an international student. That transition completely changed my perspective on life, education, and opportunity. Read more>>
Claudia Cubides
I started playing music when I was 9 years old. I started playing the guitar, then I joined the vocal chorus of my school in 3rd grade. In sixth grade, I joined the music group of my school, playing the guitar as well. In 8th grade, I started playing the bass, but when I went to university, I joined the university band playing bongoes. Read more>>
Camilo Clavijo
I grew up believing that selling was something you did to people. It took me twenty years to learn it’s actually something you do with them. I started at IBM in Colombia, then Chile, learning the craft the old-fashioned way: knocking on doors, missing quotas, and being mentored by people who cared more about my growth than my numbers. Read more>>
Mary Sanchez-Naranjo
I still remember my very first ballet class at three years old. My mom took me, and something just clicked, I fell in love right away. From that moment on, dance wasn’t just something I did, it became part of who I was. Read more>>
Sarah Goldberger
I started the brand out of a deep love for my dog Jameson (a certified volunteer therapy dog) and a desire to create the most beautiful dog treats to show him how much I loved him and reward him for all the magic and unconditional love he showed to so many humans. Read more>>
Ryan Haft
I grew up in Miami and started playing guitar at around age 8. My older cousin introduced me to Nirvana and Green Day and Metallica and I became obsessed with guitar. I started my first band in Middle School and started playing at music venues such as The Chili Pepper, Roses, Fantasy Land, Kaffe Krystal and others around 9th grade and then throughout highschool. Read more>>
Alyssa Vasquez
I didn’t grow up an athlete. Actually quite the opposite – I was very into the arts (choir, plays, dance). Dancing is very athletic but I didn’t stick to it as long as I wanted. I didn’t even start exercising until high school, where I fell in love with group fitness. Read more>>
Zoe Peart-Johnson
Both my husband, Alex, and I grew up in working-class households where money was tight and when we found the arts and reading it really helped us escape some of the harder parts of growing up. For us, the local theater group and the libraries weren’t just hobbies – they were our way out. Read more>>
Ramaj Young
I’m Chef Ramaj Young. I’m originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and currently based in Las Vegas. I’m a sports performance chef, educator, and founder of The Nourishment Network and Essence Athletics. A lot of my work centers around food literacy, performance, and food sovereignty. I’ve wanted to be a chef for as long as I can remember. Read more>>
Vanessa Guerrero
I’ve always been passionate about fashion, creativity, and helping people feel confident in who they are. Since a very young age, I have been into fashion and remember wearing my mother’s clothes and pretending I was modeling or selling the clothes. Read more>>
Don Mistrezz
I’m Don Mistrezz, one of the rising female rappers coming out of Lynn, and everything I built came from the bottom. Nothing about my journey was easy. I’ve been through pain, loss, struggle, survival, and moments where life could’ve completely broken me, but I never allowed it to. Read more>>
Valentina Hernandez Espitia
Our store was founded two years ago, inspired by our twin nieces, who have always filled our lives with endless joy. We realized that the clothing we found for them did not truly reflect their special bond or their unique personalities. Read more>>
Donald Delahunt
When I was a kid I started drawing animals, cartoon characters, and superheroes. In my teenage years, I started to focus on comic book style artwork, I also started to create my own cartoon characters and eventually I began working on my own comic strip. Read more>>
Kristina Pastukhova
My story has been going on for more than ten years already. I remember being in my final years of school and knowing that I wanted a public-facing profession, so I chose journalism. And now I understand that it was the right choice. There have been many different periods in my life. Read more>>
Olga and Maria Medina
We started Casa Medina Design Studio from a very natural place—growing up around construction, development, and design, we were always exposed to how spaces come together, not just visually, but structurally and operationally. Over time, that evolved into a deeper curiosity: not just how things are built, but how they feel, how they function, and how people experience them. Read more>>
Michelle Egues
I started my journey in wellness and beauty through a passion for helping others feel confident from the inside out. Before entering the industry, I spent many years as a dance instructor from my teenage years into my late 20s, where I loved empowering young girls to be fearless, confident, and go after their goals unapologetically. Read more>>
Jacqueline Howe
The Leavened Box started very personally. Years ago, I began paying closer attention to the food my family was eating and became especially interested in gut health, fermentation, and the way traditional foods can support how we feel. Sourdough stood out to me because it is such a simple food on the surface, but the process behind it is incredibly thoughtful. Read more>>
SONY BABIKIAN
I began my journey in Maracaibo, Venezuela, where I discovered my passion for communication at a very young age. I built my career in radio, eventually becoming a producer and host of a daily morning show that connected with thousands of listeners through news, culture, and human stories. Those years shaped not only my voice, but my purpose: to inform, inspire, and connect. Read more>>
Sergio Troconis
I started my journey in 2018 when I left my first and last corporate job and went headfirst into entrepreneurship. That same year, I got into the marketing space through building my personal brand, and once I started seeing results, I began helping other people do the same. Read more>>
fabiana martin
I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. I finished high school there, but because of the political and economic situation in the country, I made the difficult decision to leave when I was only 17 years old. Leaving Venezuela was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Read more>>
Stacy Dalberiste
I started my career in education with a strong passion for working with students who need additional support, especially those in self-contained and intensive support settings. Early on, I quickly realized that my purpose wasn’t just about teaching academics—it was about helping students build confidence, communication skills, and independence that would carry over into every part of their lives. Read more>>
Catalina Patino
I was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and moved to the U.S. when I was young, which is where I studied interior design and really started building my path. But honestly, I think my connection to design started much earlier—I’ve always been very sensitive to spaces, to how they feel, the energy, the light… all those little things that make a place special. Read more>>
