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.
Darlene Kamperveen
I’ve been a creative since I was young. I would draw on the back of tests in elementary school, “tattoo” my classmates (draw on them with Sharpies) for candy money in middle school, and carry a disposable camera on every field trip as a teenager. I was a kid who always got those RoseArt art sets for Christmas (if you know, you know). Read more>>
Ashley Senter
My career begin once I received Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Management from Culinary School. After graduating, I worked in several local restaurants before branching off on my own as a Private Chef. In the beginning, I was mostly working cooking full time for families; planning and preparing their weekly meals. Read more>>
Maria magdalena Suska
I’m originally from Poland and moved to the U.S. with a big vision for myself and my future. Growing up, I was always drawn to fashion, media, creativity, and connecting with people, but I also learned early on the importance of resilience, independence, and adapting to new environments. Read more>>
Layla Crehan
My name is Layla Crehan, I am 21 years old and I have Autism. One of the things that comes with my Autism is Severe Anxiety. When I was little my mom had me do a lot of crafting, drawing and painting to keep me busy. Read more>>
Tacha Cius
Honestly, it all started during my pregnancy. I was terrified of getting stretch marks and was really determined to take care of my skin to avoid them at all cost. I remember praying about it and asking God to help me find a solution because I wanted something natural, safe, and effective. I truly believe He answered that prayer. Read more>>
Naty Hernandez
I’m a Colombian singer-songwriter, poet, guitarist, bassists and visual artist currently based in Miami. I started writing songs and poems very young, growing up between the emotional intensity of Medellín and a deep love for storytelling, books and music. Before I fully understood the music industry, I already knew I wanted to create art that made people feel less alone. Read more>>
Jose A Garcia Montero
Music has always been part of my life, but becoming JOC HAVANA was really about starting from zero and building everything step by step. I’ve spent years developing my sound, mixing Tech House, Afro House, and Latin influences inspired by my roots, with a strong influence from African rhythms and Yoruba culture and spirituality. Read more>>
Abby Ballin
I grew up as a bar kid, the kind you see out and question the parenting choices of the adults who brought them there. This formed me into being adaptable, sociable and good at communicating with people of all ages and walks of life. It also drove me to be creative in unexpected places. Read more>>
Michelle Carter-Love
I am a U.S. Army Veteran, entrepreneur, and founder of Financial Fitness Wealth Management Group, where I have dedicated my career in this field since 2015 to help individuals and families navigate Medicare, life insurance, annuity options, retirement and financial planning. Built on faith, integrity, and service, my journey have been fueled not by luck, but by divine purpose. Read more>>
Jenna Silva-Rosas
My path to where I am today was anything but a straight line — and I think that’s what makes it real. I studied Psychology at FIU, which might seem like an unlikely starting point, but it actually shaped how I think about people, messaging, and what moves an audience to act. Read more>>
Enasha Anglade
My journey into this work has been deeply personal, purpose-driven, and shaped by both professional training and lived experience. Before founding LaughLoveLive Again, I was navigating a major transition in my own life as a new mother while also exiting an abusive relationship. Read more>>
Stephanie & Daniela Rodriguez & Lara Monteagudo
Stephanie Rodriguez and Daniela Lara Monteagudo didn’t just build a yoga community — they built a home for people searching for connection, healing, and belonging. What began as a chance partnership during yoga teacher training slowly unfolded into something much deeper: a sisterhood rooted in faith, purpose, and the belief that people deserve spaces where they can feel seen. Read more>>
Melannie Morfa
I’ve loved photographing people for as long as I can remember, long before I even realized it could be a real career. I was always drawn to human connection, emotion, and documenting moments in a way that felt honest and beautiful. Even when I was younger, I carried a camera everywhere and naturally became the person preserving memories for everyone around me. Read more>>
Sara Davis
My story is rooted in creativity, resilience, family, and a deep belief in the power of confidence. I’ve spent much of my career in marketing, communications, hospitality, customer experience, and entrepreneurship, which taught me how important it is for people to feel seen, supported, and understood. Read more>>
Olivia Lorek
My first job was actually working for myself at 16, washing my grandmother’s coworkers’ cars. That experience was my introduction to entrepreneurship, even before I had the language for it. In 2020, just before the world shut down, I found myself unemployed for nearly a year and a half. Read more>>
Madison McIntosh
STRONGER EVERY TIME The Origin Story I started fire dancing while in college at USF St. Petersburg, FL in 2015. It all began when I attended my first rave and saw a girl hula hooping in the back of the crowd and a guy wearing LED gloves along the rail. I didn’t know anything about this but I knew it was for me! Read more>>
Rebecca J. Brock
After I attended Penn State University, I began my professional career in the fast-paced world of high fashion modeling. I’ve has been featured in various magazines, catalogs, ad campaigns and international magazine covers. In 1999 I joined the Screen Actors Guild, and I’ve been featured in numerous television commercials as well a a music video. Read more>>
Luyanda Madonia
Luyanda was born in Pennsylvania, USA, to South African parents. While growing up in South Africa, she has always had an interest in fashion, beauty, and entertainment. Being exposed to her parents’ world-renowned record label, Native Rhythms Productions, at an early age. Read more>>
Sofia Elena Politano
I think I started the way many people do: inexperienced, uncertain, and without a clear sense of where I truly belonged or what I was capable of becoming. The first story I ever wrote was in my high school Spanish Literature class during my senior year. Read more>>
Melissa Montenegro
Sweet Gainz Muffins started from a simple goal — as an athlete, I was always searching for high-protein foods that actually tasted good. I was tired of the dry, bland “healthy” snacks and wanted something that felt enjoyable to eat while still supporting performance and recovery. I started experimenting in the kitchen, creating protein muffins for myself, family, and friends. Read more>>
Daniel Atkinson
My journey into photography and cinematography started in 2019, shortly after leaving high school. At the time, I thought the traditional 9–5 path was what I was supposed to pursue, so I worked with a few businesses trying to figure out where I belonged. But deep down, I knew I wanted something more creative and meaningful — something I could truly build for myself. Read more>>
Alix West Denholm
I’ve been interested in health and wellness for as long as I can remember, long before it became the industry it is today. Growing up in Connecticut, wellness in our house wasn’t overly complicated or trendy; it was simply part of everyday life. Read more>>
KRYSTAL RAMOS
I started writing music after holding onto an ex-boyfriend’s bass because he owed me money. Life is funny like that. Through that, I met bandmates and began playing in local bands, eventually finding my home with Hijas De La Muerte. Writing songs and short stories naturally evolved into writing scripts, and over time, storytelling became just as important to me as music. Read more>>
Harold Jutajero
My story with the Infinity One Network (ION) began because I wanted a real chance to grow and build something meaningful for my future. I didn’t have all the answers when I started, but I was determined to learn. I took the opportunity seriously, putting in the work every single day and staying consistent even when things got tough. Read more>>
Shanel Staple
I am currently an engineer that is in the mid-life of my career. Engineering utilizes my logical side, which is how I normally operate. However, in 2023, I started to have a desire to explore something different of my own…different from the logical activities I have been doing all these years. Read more>>
Diana de Avila
I’m a Sarasota-based digital artist working at the intersection of geometry, perception, motion, and technology. My path into art was unconventional. I served in the U.S. Army as a Military Police officer, later worked in technology and business, and did not consider myself a professional artist until much later in life. Read more>>
Mariel Barba
Three years ago, I packed my 32kg suitcase, left everything familiar behind, and moved to Dubai with nothing but a dream, courage, and determination. No safety net. No connections. No clear roadmap. Just me, my skills, and the willingness to start over from zero. My first job in Dubai was as a receptionist. Read more>>
Byron Wright
Growing up, I was always creative and drawn to storytelling, film, and entertainment. Over time, that interest turned into a real passion for acting and creating visual content. I started by writing ideas, creating short scenes, and filming projects on my own, just trying to bring the stories in my head to life. Read more>>
Cesar De los Santos
I’d say this all started a few years back. I was traveling a lot at the time and used to make to-do lists for all of the trips, since i don’t like to miss out on anything. They would include attractions, events, restaurants, bars, etc. Soon my friends found out and started asking if i could send them my Miami list or my Chicago list. Read more>>
Samuel Bemoan
First of all, thank you for having me Miami. Very awesome to be here. Kiitos. My story professionally has never moved in a straight line. It’s been more like one long crooked road movie. Although in my youth I was busy between stealing cars and breaking into stores, I always had three books by the bedside waiting for me to come home to. Read more>>
Jay Snaggz
I’m Jay, the founder of Ninety 6ix Freestyles and Ninety 6ix. The main reason I started this platform is because I know the struggles of being an artist and not getting the exposure you deserve. I used to be an artist myself, and it always felt like you could only make it if you knew the right people. I wanted to change that. Read more>>
Polina & Konstantin Golden Live Duo
Hello everyone — we are Polina and Konstantin, a married couple, artists, and the creators behind Golden Live Duo. What began as two musicians performing together eventually became a refined live music brand built through years of experience, reinvention, and shared vision across different countries and cultures. Read more>>
Angelee Powell
My name is Angelee Powell Certified phlebotomist, beauty therapist, mesotherapist and certified human resources executive (hons) and also owner of essentialsbyangel. My business started from frustration with clothing that could not fit my body type. I came to the realization that alot of other woman had similar problems with clothing like I did. I then started a clothing line called Angelee Powell fashion . Read more>>
Khadijah Muhammad
I started Designs By Dij as a handmade greeting card business, creating detailed 3D cards by hand during long nights as a new entrepreneur trying to build something meaningful. What began with stationery eventually grew into an art-driven lifestyle brand after I realized my work deeply connected to themes of natural hair, identity, and Black beauty. Read more>>
Ema Bejenaru
My name is Ema Bejenaru, and when people see what I do today, many assume I was always an entrepreneur or that I always had clarity about my purpose. But the truth is very different. I was born in Romania, and around 25 years ago I moved to Spain with almost nothing. Read more>>
Paola Estefania
I am a Venezuelan- born, highly sought-after haute couture designer. I create one of a kind, custom garments for VIP clients and A-list celebrities such as Will Smith, Avril Lavigne, Winnie Harlow and much more. With a background in both textiles and interior and architectural design, my eye for fashion and emerging trends is truly unique. Read more>>
KidCrayola
If I’m being honest, my story really starts with my voice and with always wanting to speak up for my community. I’ve been in the public eye from a very young age. At four years old, I was already on stage with my brother, Don Karnage. Music was always around me. Read more>>
Katie Lewis
I grew up in Cutler Bay — back when it was still called Cutler Ridge — and attended the Ridge schools. I’m a local. My parents divorced when I was young, and I spent most of my time with my mother. Neither parent had much financially, so I started working in high school and was living on my own by 18. Read more>>
Mari Amman
Since I was a child, I have always wanted to add to the beauty of the world. Not knowing precisely how to do that, I took up every creative outlet that resonated with that wish and that was permitted. For example, I trained in classical piano because it was a prerequisite to becoming a percussionist during intermediate and high school. Read more>>
Marlene Forand
I started out in the film, television and print industry as a wardrobe stylist and then quickly became an art director. I have been behind the camera for thirty years. 15 years ago I began shooting because getting samples from national and international clients were impossible. Read more>>
Rhennel Joseph
Black Island Lifestyle is a Grenadian-based brand creating handcrafted, Caribbean-inspired home décor that blends bold artistry with everyday function. From sculptural lighting and hand-painted trays to island-shaped pieces like the Map and Divided Parish trays, each design is rooted in culture, storytelling, and a deep sense of place. Read more>>
Charlotte Lowery
Growing up, I was always drawn to creativity. Art, colour, and self-expression were things I naturally gravitated towards, although I never imagined they would eventually become part of my career path. Read more>>
LayToya Carter
I’m the founder and creator of Escents of Hue, a home fragrance and self-care brand rooted in creativity, community, and intentional living. My journey started in Tallahassee, Florida, during a season where I was searching for both peace and purpose outside of my demanding career in public service. What began as making candles at home quickly became something much bigger than I imagined. Read more>>
Casey Cargill
As I grew up I realized I had always been artistically gifted. I had a passion for dance, then I got into creative writing, after that I dabbled in sketching, then I started painting and even sold almost everything I created and after that I went to school for animation in Canada. Read more>>
Tay Marie Higgs
I’ve been a lover of art since I was very young. Any opportunity that presented itself and would allow someone to express themselves brought me so much joy because it was a snippet of that person that they allowed others to witness. Read more>>
Karissa Daniel
As a child, I was always drawn to art. I enjoyed sketching what I observed and experimenting with acrylic and watercolour paints. As I got older, I decided to pursue a different field; however, I never lost my passion for creativity and artistic expression. Over time, I developed a strong interest in decorating, which eventually inspired me to start exploring event décor and design. Read more>>
Tristen Johnson
My story really begins in college. I pursued a Bachelor of Science in Biology with aspirations of a career in healthcare, and I honored that path, gaining clinical experience through my work at ScribeAmerica. But somewhere in the middle of building that foundation, I found myself drawn to something else entirely: aesthetics. Read more>>
Quanah McBride
I’ve always been someone who believed in working hard, helping others, and continuing to grow through every season of life. My professional journey began in finance and customer service, where I spent many years learning how to work with people, solve problems, and build trust. Read more>>
Michelle Surrena
My name is Michelle, (Michelle Lelia Makeup) This is my story, I went to Palm Beach State College for skin care. Then I had went to Palm Beach Nail School for nails. Then I had went to Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry for makeup and fell in love with makeup. Read more>>
Sergio Gaitan
We opened Certified Cosmetic Dermatology & Laser in May 2023 as a husband-and-wife team: Sergio Gaitan, MD, FAAD, and Marly Gaitan, RN, BSN. We had one clear vision, to build a premier cosmetic dermatology center in our hometown of Miami. From day one, we bootstrapped the entire business ourselves. There were no outside investors, just a deep belief in what we were creating. Read more>>
Cody Bertone
I am a seasoned hospitality executive and currently serve as General Manager of W Fort Lauderdale, effective January 20, 2025. I bring 19 years of hospitality experience to my role, having worked across several major brands including Marriott International, Virgin Hotels, Loews Hotels, and Omni Hotels & Resorts. Read more>>
Dhavryn Donn
My name is Dhavryn Donn. I’m originally from New York but now live in Miami FL, and I’ve always been interested in business, finance, and building things from the ground up. A lot of what I’m focused on today comes from seeing how hard people around me worked growing up and realizing early that ownership and financial literacy change lives. Read more>>
Ty Richardson
I spent more than 14 years building my career within a Fortune 500 multinational corporation before making the decision to leave corporate America and pursue entrepreneurship full-time. That journey eventually led me to Silicon Valley, where I launched what was originally intended to be a social networking platform. Read more>>
Paula Collarte
I’ve been selling retail clothes for 20 years. I was born and raised in Miami, clothing has always been a passion of mine. My mom would take my sister and I to Bal Harbour every Sunday, it was my version of church. Read more>>
Steven Staine Fernández
A small kid with big dreams.’ From a young age I always loved creating. It was me and my imagination. From pretending to have super powers to creating entire worlds in my head. My imagination was always there with me every step of the way and no matter how much time passed, I never let that part of me die. Read more>>
Michael Cunnifff
I’m Michael Cunniff. Fort Lauderdale born and raised. Twenty years in the game. I started where most agency guys start. Hustling creative work for local brands that everyone in South Florida knew and loved. But the market here has a way of fast-tracking talent. Before long I was running full marketing strategy for the kind of names that turn heads. The New Auto Toy Store. Read more>>
Victoria Mascaro
I’ve been passionate about organizing, decorating, and creating beautiful spaces for as long as I can remember. As a child, I found joy in tidying up my closet, arranging my dolls’ accessories, and even washing their clothes. As a teen, I had a tradition of “Spring Cleaning” my bedroom – decluttering, rearranging furniture, and refreshing my space. Read more>>
Lena Noguchi
My name is Lena. I’m a Japanese-American creative based in Miami. Over the years, I have dabbled in many different creative mediums, including photography, makeup art and painting, but my heart always comes back to music and event production. The common guide through all of it has been a deep curiosity in connection. Read more>>
Montre Bennett
Montre Bennett is a visionary chef, community advocate, and mindfulness leader based in Delray Beach, Florida. He is widely recognized for combining culinary arts with social activism to promote holistic healing within his community.Key Roles & Initiatives 3 Demetrie’s Eatery: He is the founder and owner of this home-based business, which focuses on fresh ingredients and ‘food for the soul’. Read more>>
Deborah Billings
I was born in the United States to immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic, and my life has always been shaped by two worlds, two cultures, and a deep appreciation for perseverance, family, and community. Much of my formative upbringing took place in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where I attended law school and developed an early passion for justice, advocacy, and understanding the human experience. Read more>>
Bethany Cook
If you asked me in my twenties if I wanted to be a PT, I would have said no. No to working in football, no to owning a business, definitely no to opening a brick and mortar space. And yet, here I am doing it all and loving it more than I could have imagined! Read more>>
Amanda Nicol
Thank you to Voyage Miami for the conversation and opportunity to share more about <b>Jewelry One of a KIND.</b> I’ve spent more than twenty years in the jewelry industry, but my relationship with jewelry started long before it became a business. Read more>>
Natasha Agarwal
During the COVID-19 pandemic, reading became an outlet and lifeline for 13-year-old Natasha Agarwal. Yet while her own shelves brimmed with unread adventures, she was struck by news stories showing that thousands of children across the country had no books at all. The disconnect between her own literary cocoon and the severe reading gap affecting so many nearby youth was shocking. Read more>>
Lizzie Gonzalez
Oh boy, okay. Honestly, I am not great at talking about myself and when I do, especially in this capacity, I either throw way too much information or, I leave out important details. I will do the best I can. I have always been aware of energy and things around me. I have always been a lover of all things spooky, especially monsters and vampires. Read more>>
Maureen DeLorenzo
I grew up in a blended family as the middle of five children, though I often functioned more like the firstborn — responsible, dependable, and eager to do things the “right” way. Read more>>
Dr. Shenae Samuels
My story starts as a little girl growing up in Jamaica. From a very young age, my lived experiences made me aware of the importance of having access to healthcare. Of course, I didn’t know the terminology then, such as ‘healthcare access,’ ‘health equity,’ etc., but I knew the urgency of being able to see a doctor when sick. Read more>>
Cindymarie Roman
My journey as a chef honestly hasn’t been a straight line at all. It’s been a lot of growth, failure, self-reflection, and coming back to the passion that was always there. I first got introduced to the culinary world through a non-profit organization called Cathedral Kitchen. At the time, I was young, excited, and honestly just grateful for the opportunity. Read more>>
Saralee Morales
I was inspired to open Mat & Maternity when I became a mother. Four years ago, during my pregnancy with my son, I practiced prenatal yoga in the very space where the studio now exists. At the time, it was led by Debra Geymayr, a well-known doula and instructor who had created one of the only prenatal-focused spaces in our community. Read more>>
Virlaine Joseph
Cloud 9 Events & Design officially began in 2023, but the heart behind it started even before that. Planning my own wedding sparked something in me creatively. I found myself falling in love with the design process, the details, and the way intentional decor could completely transform a space and create an unforgettable experience. Read more>>
Nikky Lila
I was born in Florida during the middle of a category 5 hurricane. We lived on the coast, my mom was a manager of a dolphin and charter boat tour company. My love of the ocean probably started before I could even walk! My mom put me in dance academy from a young age and I grew up dancing ballet, jazz, contemporary. Read more>>
ANJALI & GOPIKA MOHAN
Symphonia Muse is a verbal identity branding atelier with a wide range of services including Brand Naming, Slogans and Taglines, Brand Voice, Book Titles, Art Exhibition Titles and Artists Statements, Film/Album Naming/ Taglines, Game and Characters Naming and many more. Read more>>
Annabella Paolucci
My sister and I both started playing the violin when we were 5 years old through an elementary school strings program. With so much support from our teachers, parents, and community, we both began taking music very seriously. Read more>>
Angel Willis
I began my real estate career in 2005 with a passion for helping people create stability, opportunity, and long-term wealth through homeownership. Over the years, I’ve built my business through consistency, relationships, and a genuine commitment to serving my clients and community at a high level. Read more>>
Je’Nay Byers
I have always had a passion for dancing, even before I ever stepped foot in a studio. As a child, I was full of energy— I mean you could find me in the store, at the movies or in the mall, just dancing Luckily for me, my family saw this as an opportunity to help me hone that confidence. Read more>>
Kevin King
I was introduced to music at the age of 3 years old at South Park Baptist Church on the south-side of Chicago. I began to play the piano during Sunday service sometimes for the main pianist. I became passionate about music at age 6 when Chicago legend Diane Ellis introduced me to Jazz and the tenor saxophone. Read more>>
AMYA KACEY
One of the most defining moments in my journey came after graduating from the University of Georgia, when I faced rejection from graduate school programs during my first application cycle. At the time, it felt heartbreaking because I had invested so much into becoming a future Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). Read more>>
Laurel Peterson
I’ve always loved traveling and experiencing new places. Before the pandemic, I was a traveling tech consultant, which definitely helped to satiate my wanderlust. After I started working at home full time, I began feeling like my consultant job was no longer in alignment with me and my life anymore. Read more>>
Trevor Johnson
Twenty years ago, my plan was actually to become a financial planner right out of college. The problem was, at 22 years old, I could not imagine someone trusting their life savings to a kid with very little real world experience. Read more>>
Subhajit Chatterjee
I’m Subhajit Chatterjee, and my journey started in the world of technology. I began as a coding instructor, where I trained students and professionals, and later moved into software development. This early phase gave me a strong understanding of problem-solving, systems, and building scalable solutions. My entrepreneurial journey began when I entered the healthcare marketing space. Read more>>
Femi Awesu
I was born in Cheverly, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C.—part of what’s known as the DMV. I began my journey in the fashion world as a model, learning the industry from the inside. After being laid off from my job, I made the decision to fully step into my creative path. Read more>>
Miguel Martinez
I grew up in Mexico. I moved to CHICAGO when I was 21 so I can go to cosmetology school and become a famous hairdresser. Read more>>
Raquel Rodriguez
My name is Raquel Rodriguez, and I’m a choreographer, heels instructor, performer, and the founder/director of The Raquettes based in Chicago. Dance has always been a huge part of my life, but over the years it became much more than just a passion. It became my purpose and a way to create opportunities not only for myself, but for other women as well. Read more>>
Mark Sankovic
I used to work in the casino industry (started in 2013). I got in at a locals casino that was a nice easy house to work in and the tips were decent. After the pandemic they switched the management and the two casino’s down the road closed so we got their clientele and management. Read more>>
Kayla Aniah
My story started way before I knew what to call it. I was the kid who loved music, dance, performance, visuals, all of it. I was a competitive dancer, tried to start a singing group (yes, really), and had a natural pull toward the creative world. Read more>>
Kirk Kerndl
My story is pretty simple. When I was young I liked to draw and was inspired by my grandfather who died years before I was born. I would see his drawings and wood carvings at my grandmother’s house. Drawing was always some kind of escape for me whenever I had a problem. Read more>>
Titus Jones
I started landscaping at 4 years old. Playskool lawn mower, tiny shovel, plastic scissors and a red bucket which I used for collecting dirt and beetles. After a 24yr hiatus, I found myself returning to the green scene. However, this time, the toy mower was replaced with a SCAG 48 walk behind. Read more>>
Lex Cushman
I have always had a passion for vivid hair. In middle school, I started coloring my own hair and quickly began doing all of my friends’ hair as well. When it came time to decide where I wanted to go to high school, there was no other option for me than our local vocational technical high school. Read more>>
Imani Warren
I came to Miami six years ago to work at the Historic Hampton House as Director, Curator, and Program Director, with one mission in mind: to make a meaningful difference in the art world. Read more>>
Gen Maldonado
Growing up in New York City, I always knew I was meant to perform. There was something magical about the energy of the city — the music, the lights, the culture, and especially Broadway. As a little girl, I would sit in theaters completely captivated, dreaming that one day I would be on those stages myself. That dream has stayed with me my entire life. Read more>>
