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.
Joshua Daniel Hernandez
I founded Jack Labs as an Educator back in 2019 when I saw the opportunity to work with students in Stem Education. My background is in mechanical engineering and I worked for some of the best companies and ultimately left to pursue my business which was my true gift of teaching and mentoring youth and Adults. I introduced 3D design to my students. Read more>>
Krystal Lopez
Manifest + Chill has been our passion project for the past four years, and my business partner Lauren Llanes and I have loved every moment of the journey. What began as a small creative group offering intimate Miami‑based experiences—through music, candle making, and community connection—quickly grew into something much larger than we ever imagined. Read more>>
Lauretta Nkwocha
I established Lauretta’s British Ginger T in 2021 with the aim of enhancing the immunity, vitality, and energy of individuals worldwide. Growing up in London, I have always loved the British culture of tea drinking- it is a culture that goes back to the 17th century, and is still regarded as a symbol of politeness, refinement, elegance and hospitality. Read more>>
Shawna-Kae Burns
Where did I start? Hmmm… I gather I started like many Jamaican children, in a standard middle class two-parent household (despite international stereotypes against families in the ‘Global South’ and countries like Jamaica). Read more>>
Tom Nozka
My wife and I founded our boutique bakery in November of 2024 and we spent close to two years putting it on the foodie map of Cape Coral. With our local footprint firmly established and recognition earned, we now look to grow our team and scale our concept within SW Florida. Read more>>
Udenie Wickramasinghe
I grew up in Sri Lanka and never imagined I’d one day become a personal chef. My journey has taken me from teaching high school, to studying Social Work in Canada, to raising two boys as a single mother, and eventually building a life and career in Miami. Today, I’m a personal chef and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, and the founder of Mindful Eats Table. Read more>>
Marilyn Sanchez
Photography came into my life over twenty years ago, and somewhere along the way it became so much more than just a career. What started as a love for creating beautiful images turned into a passion for helping women see themselves differently. Early on, I photographed just about everything, but I always found myself coming back to boudoir. Read more>>
Katie Skiba
My journey into aerial arts started completely by accident. I was at a park when I saw a group of aerialists performing. I had never seen anything like it, and I was instantly captivated. As soon as I got home, I looked up the company that had performed and discovered they were located just a short drive from my house. Read more>>
Kelly Sheehan
My story is unique. It is one of passion, reinvention, and turning profound adversity into purpose. I’m a graduate of both the Culinary Institute of America and Florida International University who rose through the ranks of fine dining to become a corporate executive chef, working in high-pressure, high-caliber kitchens. Read more>>
Jimi Santoli
Well, I started my floral journey in 1988. Fresh out of high school I wanted a different kind of job. Unsure of what i wanted to do with my life, I popped into a flower shop here in Miami one day, asked if they were hiring for drivers and they were. Thus began my floral journey. Read more>>
Sue Klahne
I’ve been a creative for as long as I can remember. I have a bachelor of fine arts degree with a major in graphic design. I worked in the advertising industry as an art director prior to starting a family. Years later, after my children were grown, I started painting again. My design background has influenced my style of painting. Read more>>
Dave Hondel
I started writing and directed short films in my hometown of Minneapolis, MN. I first became interested in the entertainment industry when I was part of my high school’s first ever TV Production studio. Read more>>
Chef Ranader ‘Notty’ Heartfield
What I’m most proud of is how far I have came with myself from going in the streets to transitioning to the corporate world..what sets me apart from others is my focus and dedication to my craft and my charisma,cooking and communication skills I’m a ppl person everyone knows me and loves me Read more>>
Anthony Gullens
My journey as Bentley Records recording artist TSwang has been built on passion, perseverance, and believing in my dream even when the road wasn’t easy. I was born in Chicago and raised in South Bend, Indiana, where I fell in love with music at an early age. Read more>>
Ruben Parra
My journey into photography began nearly 20 years ago, driven by curiosity more than by a defined plan. What fascinated me from the beginning was not simply taking beautiful photographs, but understanding people — observing the small gestures, relationships, emotions, and moments that often happen quietly in between everything else. Read more>>
Jabrina Thompson
My journey has always been rooted in serving others. I started with a passion for helping children, families, and women discover their potential, and over the years that passion has grown into a life of leadership, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and community impact. In 2010, I founded R.O.Y.A.L.T.Y. Inc., a nonprofit mentoring organization dedicated to empowering girls through leadership, education, self-awareness, and community service. Read more>>
Sandra Encaoua
Drawing has always been my first language. Long before I could explain what I felt, I could draw it. I’ve never thought of painting simply as making images. For me, it’s a way of understanding myself, connecting with others, and reaching for something greater than myself. Art is the language I use when words are no longer enough. Read more>>
Zhaoming Wu
I moved to the United States in the early 1990s to pursue my MFA at the Academy of Art University. After earning my degree, I accepted a position as a painting faculty member at the same institution, where I taught for about 30 years. Throughout my teaching career, I remained actively engaged as a professional artist. Read more>>
Tiffany Byars
My name is Tiffany Byars. I started Kultivating Power Corporation in 2025 of last year. I started this business Kultivating Power. I have had some experience with hurt. people. I always say hurt people hurt people. I started life coaching in 2020. I am a ICF Certified Life Coach. I felt it was a need to see if I can help them find healing. Read more>>
andrey rossin
I was born in USSR, Minsk, Belarus, moved to the USA 1995! Worked all types of sales jobs and some schooling in Boston, Mass! Then moved Miami 2001.305 is my home!! Got my RE license in 2003 , went thru the Great Depression of 2008-2010 when I had created CashFlowInMiami working with the investors from all over the world! Read more>>
Andrea Lindsey
I’ve wanted to act and model ever since I was four, my mom claims she knew something was special with me when I was as young as two. SpongeBob specifically Tom Kenny the voice of SpongeBob was my first realization of…I want to do what he does. Read more>>
Michael Smerda
Food has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in my family’s restaurant in Königsbrunn, Germany, where I spent my childhood watching my father work as a chef and learning that great food is about much more than recipes—it is about bringing people together. Read more>>
George Pagan III
I am a personal trainer based in Miami, focusing on beginners and busy professionals seeking to overcome fitness plateaus. Since 2012, I have been working independently as a trainer. Initially, I offered in-home sessions, traveling to clients’ homes and condos. Read more>>
CARMEN HEVIA
HD Vision Center was born from a shared dream between two friends. Carolina Duarte and I worked together for 10 years. During that time, we learned so much about eye care and often talked about one day owning our own optical practice. When Carolina moved away, that dream seemed to be put on hold. Read more>>
Ieisha Sheely
I fell in love with music since I could talk but really used it as an escape and therapy for the things I experienced as a child. At the age four-five years old my parents put me in a youth choir at our local church. Later at nine years old I started to write r&b love songs then discovered rapping at the age of 10. Read more>>
Anaelle Nahra
My story actually starts with nursing. I got my degree in Health Sciences originally thinking that was the path, but somewhere along the way I fell in love with the aesthetic field instead. That love pushed me to go back to school to become a medical esthetician, where I earned my facialist and electrology/laser tech licenses. Read more>>
Tyler Gaskins
My creative journey has never really been about choosing one medium—it has always been about finding the best way to tell a story. I originally began as a musical artist, creating music under the name King Of The Vibezz. Music gave me a way to connect with people and express experiences that were difficult to put into words. Read more>>
Willie Noveck
In 2010 I got laid off from the law firm I was working at and looking for money I took the first job I got — LSAT tutor for one of the major test prep companies. Read more>>
Brooke Olivares
My journey as an artist began when I was a kid. My parents noticed my love for drawing and started me in art classes in the 3rd grade. Both of my parents were very encouraging and provided endless paper, canvas, and sometimes even walls to paint on. Read more>>
Daniel Compagnucci
We are an Argentine immigrant family. We first started traveling to the United States in 2010. Over time, we began evaluating the possibility of immigrating to the United States because I am an attorney specializing in tax law, and our goal was to expand our firm into the U.S. Read more>>
Yolexis Viera
Every great story has a beginning. Ours started with a single photograph. Four years ago, while vacationing together, Angel captured an image that would unknowingly change the course of our lives. When we returned to our hotel room and looked at the photograph displayed on the screen, I remember stopping in my tracks. It wasn’t just a beautiful picture, it was art. Read more>>
Andrew Blitman
I grew up in Cooper City, Florida, and blogged on WordPress. In 2011, my blog posts were compiled into a book, which later led to the creation of more books on Amazon. You can purchase my paintings at FineArtAmerica.com. You can listen to my spoken word poems on SoundCloud, too. Read more>>
Luis Hurtado
Interview bio Chef Luis Rafael “Chef Raffie” Hurtado Some people climb the corporate ladder. I climbed the gangway. Born in Valencia, Venezuela, I grew up in a family where the kitchen wasn’t just another room in the house—it was sacred ground. Read more>>
Ivan yanez
i stared painting in my room then my backyard and then i painted everywhere in Miami and some parts of the world. i worked very hard to be where I’m now also with time a lot of people stared to envy and hate because i was doing good and some money so it was very complicated. Read more>>
Niah Theagene
Hello everyone! My name is Niah (Nee-ahh), though many of you may know me as Niah Shea. My journey with hair began when I was 8 years old. As the only child of my mother who was a cosmetologist in Jamaica, taught me the fundamentals of hairstyling from a young age. Read more>>
Alex Eble
Our story is a little crazy, so we opened April 25th, 2020. Exactly 4ish weeks after the pandemic of Covid shut down most businesses. We were blessed to have a drive thru and still be able to serve people but due to circumstances when we opened it was just me and my brother handing drinks out our little 500 sq ft drive thru. Read more>>
Peri Conner
I’ve always had a passion for branding, fashion and beautiful aesthetics. Even as a child, I was fascinated by how brands could make people feel something and leave a lasting impression. I’m originally from Switzerland, where I earned my degree in Communications and Publicity from the University of Zurich. Read more>>
Niran Di blasio
My name is Niranjan (Niran) Di blasio, I was born in India and raised in Italy with my Italian family, yes I was adopted, where my passion for cooking began at an early age. I always believed that food could tell stories and bring people together, so I decided to pursue a career in the kitchen. Read more>>
Annie Santulli
My passion for design began over two decades ago, fueled by a simple belief: every space should tell a story that is both beautiful and truly personal. My route to interior design was anything but conventional. As a former model, I was immersed in a world of creative minds and sumptuous textiles, where I learned to cherish beauty, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance. Read more>>
Lisset Galeyev
Our story really starts with Lisset, and with a career she walked away from. She was born in Cuba, grew up in Portugal, and studied law at the University of Lisbon. For a while she did exactly what that path asks of you: she practiced law, and photography was the thing she did on the side because she loved it. Read more>>
Kiensha Sands
I moved to America at 12 years old, I left behind the only home I had ever known in the Bahamas and stepped into an unfamiliar life in the United States, carrying uncertainty, fear, and a quiet determination to survive. What followed was a journey marked by profound challenges and life altering experiences that would ultimately shape my identity, resilience, and purpose. Read more>>
Lex Fine
I’m Lex Fine, an independent recording artist and content creator originally from Miami. I started making music as a way to express the things I could not always say out loud, turning real experiences, relationships, setbacks, and personal growth into songs people could connect with. Read more>>
Karl Wiegandt
I married into a farming family with deep roots in South Florida. My father-in-law learned farming from his own father-in-law. When I joined the family business nearly two decades ago, I quickly recognized agriculture was changing. Rising costs, continued development, and evolving consumer habits made it clear traditional farming needed a new path forward. Read more>>
Jamie Diaz
I started my career with a bachelors degree in elementary education, which gave me a strong foundation in teaching and working with others. When I moved down to South Florida, I discovered my true passion was working with dogs. I enrolled in Animal Behavior College, graduated, and immediately launched Dynamite Dog Training, which was 17 years ago. Read more>>
Waldys Foubelo
Well, I first started in High School by making sketches with pencil. I was always creative since I was little, drawing was always one of my favorite things to do when I was a little kid. After high school I started using charcoal and chalk and began introducing more color in my sketches. Read more>>
Gregg Alleyne
Art has always been a part of my day to day. It started as young as going to church with the parents for long services. I remember taking the pamphlets and picking someone in the service to draw with just a pen. Then nothing for a life time. At 29, I started spending a lot of time in tattoo shops with different artists. Read more>>
Liyah Jana
I started creating content by simply sharing things I genuinely enjoy fitness, beauty, and fashion. What began as posting my workouts and progress in the gym eventually grew into creating fitness videos, makeup tutorials, and lifestyle content. I also love sharing swimwear and bikini content that reflects my confidence and the results of the work I’ve put into myself. Read more>>
Regina Claudia Galletti
I was born and raised in Brazil, and I also have Italian citizenship, which has always given me a special appreciation for different cultures, architecture, and design. My passion for architecture began in childhood. I was fascinated by the way spaces could transform not only the way people lived, but also how they felt. Over the years, that curiosity became a career driven by purpose. Read more>>
Riz Salazar
Hi everyone! I’m Riz Salazar! Thank you for VoyageMIA for reaching out to hear my story. I am a professional petite model who has been in the game for almost 8 years now. My career blossomed in my hometown Atlanta, Georgia. Read more>>
Missy Gueits
Photography has been a part of my life for over 24 years, but what has kept me passionate all these years isn’t just creating beautiful images—it’s preserving the moments that matter most. What started as a love for photography slowly grew into a business built on connection, trust, and the privilege of documenting some of life’s most meaningful milestones. Read more>>
Maicol Osorio
I’m from New York City, and I relocated to West Palm Beach. But NYC still shapes the way I see everything. People. Art. Culture. Music. Style. Growing up there exposed me to different worlds, different perspectives, and different ways of expressing who you are. I carry all of that with me. Read more>>
Veronica Alvarado
Hello, I am a licensed esthetician specializing in skincare, as well as a makeup artist. I am originally from Mexico and arrived in the United States in 2010; my husband, a U.S. citizen, passed away from cancer that same year. I decided to stay in the U.S. Read more>>
Esther Pazos
My dance journey began in an unexpected way. I actually started as a gymnast, but grace wasn’t exactly my strongest quality. Recognizing that I needed ballet training to better develop my skills, my gymnastics coach handed my mom an audition form for the dance magnet program at South Miami Elementary School. On audition day, I stood out for all the wrong reasons. Read more>>
Tomas Iribarren
I’m originally from Venezuela, and I grew up in a family where food was one of the main ways we connected. My father and I watched cooking shows together and tried to recreate recipes at home. Read more>>
William Quiceno
My name is William Quiceno, and I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. For the last 20 years, I’ve worked professionally as a tattoo artist, helping people tell their stories through art. I was born in Cali, Colombia, and came to the United States as a young boy. Read more>>
Ali Gilbert
Everyone asks how a woman ended up running the premier men’s health brand. The honest answer is geography. I grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, which meant I grew up surrounded by a very specific kind of man. Golf on the weekends, private equity during the week, founders and executives at every dinner table. These were the guys who ran things. Read more>>
