Miami’s Most Inspiring Stories

Every neighborhood in South Florida has its own vibe, style, culture and history, but what consistently amazes us is not what differentiates the various neighborhoods but rather what they all have in common.  From South Beach to Boca (and everywhere in between) we’ve been blown away by how many creative and talented people call South Florida home.  Check out some of the inspiring stories we’ve discovered throughout Miami and the surrounding areas.

Andi Perullo

I have always been a storyteller at heart. Long before I became an author, I spent years sharing stories through my award-winning travel and lifestyle blog, *My Beautiful Adventures*, where I have documented experiences from more than 70 countries. Read more>>

Zeiry Cortez Gomez

I’ve always believed this career found me long before I realized it. Before becoming a wedding planner, I spent nearly a decade working as a commercial and homeowners insurance supervisor. While it was a rewarding career, my creative heart was always drawn to celebrating life’s milestones. I found myself planning birthdays, baby showers, and intimate weddings for family and friends while raising my young children. Read more>>

Kacey Nguyen

Building Banh Mi & Tea from Passion to Reality When people ask me why I opened a restaurant, my answer is simple—it’s always been my passion. I graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Hospitality because I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to the restaurant industry. I’ve always believed that food is more than something we eat. Read more>>

Paola Mendez

I grew up doing what made sense on paper. I studied computer science and mathematics because that was the path to a stable, respected career, and I followed it. I spent over a decade as a software developer, working at banks and media companies, often the only woman in the room. It was a fine, stable career. Read more>>

Barry Wolfryd

Presently I’m in Venice working on a couple of glass sculptures. I started working in glass in 2014 at the invitation of Adriano Berengo at his atelier and Glass Stress project. Ever since that first experience I’ve dedicated time to this medium. Being a multi disciplined artist allows me to explore many aspects in order to create an art piece. Read more>>

Jan Patterson

My story started way back in 2004. The woman who I had purchased my gown from many years prior called me out of the blue and told me she had an opportunity. A friend of hers was selling a store and she thought I would be perfect for it. Read more>>

Alain Matamoros

Salt & Pepper Music was born from a passion for creating unforgettable experiences through live music. What started as a small group of talented musicians with a shared vision has grown into one of South Florida’s premier live entertainment bands for weddings, corporate events, and private celebrations. Read more>>

Jessica Hills

My journey into entrepreneurship really started in the background while my husband built his career as an electrical draftsman and I managed our home and three children. But during those years, I was constantly learning and identifying opportunities. I began by managing 64 apartments, which gave me foundational knowledge in property management and investment. That experience opened my eyes to real estate potential. Read more>>

Simon Chocron

My journey in the digital space began over a decade ago with a deep passion for web design, tech, and performance marketing. Driven by the goal of helping businesses build predictable growth systems online, I founded VIP Tech Consulting, a full-service agency focused on custom web development, technical SEO, and targeted paid acquisition across Meta and Google Ads. Read more>>

Yvenson Ervil

My journey really started with creating content. I was fascinated by the idea that a single piece of content could reach thousands of people, build trust, and create opportunities that wouldn’t have existed otherwise. The more I created, the more I realized that content isn’t just entertainment it’s one of the most powerful tools for building a business, sharing ideas, and creating influence. Read more>>

Io Rizea

My journey as a queen officially began in January 2026, when I stepped into my role as Miss Ultimate Elite Arizona 2026. From the very first moment I put on the crown, I knew I did not want to fit into the traditional mold of what society expects a titleholder to be. Read more>>

Mia Arnaud

I grew up in Carol City in a very humble home with mostly just my single mom and little brother. My dad was around but after my parents broke up I didn’t see him for a while. The only thing that kept my mind occupied was video games, music, and tv shows. It became more than just entertainment, it became an infatuation of mine. Read more>>

Anthony DeNito

I wanted to build something of my own, something built on real craftsmanship, not shortcuts. That’s how The Cuban Link Guy started. I’m the craftsman behind every piece — every Miami Cuban link chain that goes out is handcrafted by me or my hand selected artists, start to finish. Read more>>

Soleil Nation

Music has always been part of my life. I was born in the Philippines, spent part of my childhood on Boracay Island, and now call Miami home. I started performing when I was very young through singing, dancing, acting, and modeling, but songwriting became the way I found my own voice. Read more>>

Alicia Garcia Dash Ruiz

The Society Circus Players were born one Thursday evening, in Miami, after experiencing just how circus-like society can be. The Society Circus Players are made up of actors from various places, backgrounds and experiences who have been performing both long and short form games together since 2014. Members of SCP have performed at various stages across South Florida, and across the nation, too. Read more>>

Tyron Hardie

Tiny Leaf Microgreen Farm LLC was founded by husband-and-wife team Tyron Hardie and Cassie Thibeau after successful careers in the luxury yachting industry. Tyron spent over a decade as a yacht chef, where he developed a passion for using the freshest, highest-quality ingredients, while Cassie worked as a chief stewardess, managing hospitality at the highest level. Read more>>

Dan Baird

I’m Dan Baird, from Wilton, Connecticut, and a graduate of the University of Connecticut. My path into business was shaped by a love for digital design, direct-response marketing, and building brands centered on well-being. I got my entrepreneurial start in 2018 co-building a print and promotional business in West Palm Beach called Purple Frog Graphics, where I sharpened my business development, marketing, and branding skills. Read more>>

Bassam Askul

Morelia Gourmet Paletas was founded by a group of friends passionate about ice cream who wanted to create the ultimate frozen dessert experience. Inspired by Mexican paletas they decided to perfect their own. we embarked on journeys to Mexico, Italy, argentina, Peru, Brasil esploring diverse flavors and learning the best techniques in gourmet ice cream. Read more>>

Fred & Chelsea Marando

2007 Fred and I were in the construction industry and came to a halt during the Great Recession. We stayed busy helping neighbors and friends with landscaping and building a few gardens. Within a few months we needed a laydown yard to hold equipment and sod, plants and trees. A little piece of land downtown Fort Lauderdale looked like a promising start. Read more>>

Allie Jade Sinbine

I started my career with a passion for helping people feel confident and beautiful, and over the years that passion turned into something so much bigger than I ever imagined. In February of 2022, I opened the salon with the dream of creating more than just a place to get your hair done. Read more>>

Bryan Pardo

I’m a Miami native and a board-certified Family Medicine physician, and my path has been shaped by an unending dedication to practice medicine in a more human way. I went from Belen Jesuit to the University of Miami, then to Boston University School of Medicine, and ultimately came home to complete residency with the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial system. Read more>>

PichiAvo

We both started painting graffiti independently when we were teenagers in Valencia, Spain. We met through the local graffiti scene, painting walls on weekends with mutual friends, and in 2007 we realized that working together felt much more natural. From the beginning, our goal wasn’t to create a duo for the sake of it. Read more>>

Izzy Elizabeth

My journey in fitness began in my late teens, at a time where I struggled a lot with anxiety and dissociation/derealization. It became one of the things that changed my life, it forced me to show up in ways that made me uncomfortable. Read more>>

Omari Bernard

I graduated with my undergraduate degree more confused on what I should do with my life than before I started college. I moved back to Miami to live with my mother so I could “figure things out”. She had told the neighbors that I was moving back home and that I would train them without me knowing. I came home with different plans. Read more>>

Andres Bustillo

I launched my facial plastic surgery practice in Miami in 2005, right after completing my training in New York City. I was fortunate to train with one of the pioneering surgeons who helped introduce the deep plane facelift in New York — an experience that shaped my surgical philosophy from day one. Read more>>

Krystal Rodriguez

I was born in Miami, FL into a loving, supportive, and rambunctious Cuban family. My passion for the arts was evident at a very early age and was always encouraged. This passion followed me into adulthood and led me to study Fine Arts at Florida International University, where I earned my B.F.A. Read more>>

Nicole Garcia

I was born and raised in Miami, and sports have always been a huge part of my life. I played basketball through college while earning my degree in Athletic Training, and being around athletes every day sparked my interest in rehabilitation and performance. Read more>>

John Bowen

I graduated high school in 1959, and was hired by an advertising agency as an apprentice artist, right out of school. In December, 1961 l enlisted in the Air Force, as an Illustrator. I served eight years in the military, including one year in Vietnam, as a combat artist, graphically documenting Airlift Operations, in country, for which I was awarded a Bronze Star Medal. Read more>>

Elsy Gonzalez

My career has always been driven by one thing: making a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults. I didn’t set out with a perfectly mapped plan, but I found my passion in aging services early on and never looked back. Read more>>

Luz Marina Lopez

I was born in Mexico City and came to the U.S. as a child. My mom was a single parent who worked tirelessly to build a better life for us, and like many immigrant families, we started with very humble beginnings. Because she worked so much, I spent part of my childhood in an environment marked by addiction, verbal abuse, and dysfunction. Read more>>

Dawn Miller-Walker

I still cannot believe where I am and what I’m doing today! It started off my first semester in college – I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a doctor, a lawyer or some type of researcher. I had a partial scholarship for field events in track, so at least I knew I was playing sports! Read more>>

Maria Santolalla Sayers

Saunas by Design started about ten years ago with a simple observation: Florida had plenty of demand for wellness at home, but almost no one was building saunas with real craftsmanship and designs tailored to the space. Read more>>

JACKIE Vernon-Thompson

Growing up, I was bitter, angry, and deeply broken because of the absence of my father. He left our home when I was just three years old. I am the youngest of five children, all born to my mother and father. However, he chose to separate himself from our family, and his absence affected me profoundly, even more than it did my siblings. Read more>>

Sharon Parry

My story is rooted in resilience, faith, and a deep belief that financial stability can change the trajectory of a family. Before becoming an entrepreneur and community advocate, I spent more than 18 years as a registered nurse. I built a career caring for others, but my own life eventually took me through a series of challenges that completely reshaped my understanding of financial security. Read more>>

Alejandro Barriga

Books for You Miami started completely by accident. One day I was doing chores around my neighborhood when I noticed a neighbor throwing away a stack of what looked like brand-new books. I couldn’t understand why they were being thrown away, so I pulled them out and took them home. Read more>>

Dr. Andrena Phillips

To be honest, it all started on a whim. Everywhere I went, people would ask me, ‘Are you a motivational speaker?’ or ‘Are you a life coach?’ At the time, I was a nurse, so serving people was already a part of who I was. Read more>>

Glayson LeRoy

My story really started with soccer. I grew up around the game and spent my early career coaching in South Florida, working with young athletes and helping many of them earn opportunities to play at the college level. That experience taught me a lot about leadership, building trust, managing different personalities, and creating opportunities for people with talent. Read more>>

Fabiola Velez

I didn’t take a traditional path into interior design. I first studied Psychology and Art History, which gave me a deep appreciation for how people think, feel, and connect with the spaces around them. That eventually led me to pursue a Master’s in Interior Architecture at Florida International University, where I found the perfect intersection between creativity, technical problem-solving, and human behavior. Read more>>

Edward Mena

My journey has always been driven by a passion for music, culture, and serving my community. I was born with a love for singing, and over the years that passion grew into a career as a recording artist and performer. Along the way, I realized that my voice could be used not only to entertain but also to bring people together and support meaningful causes. Read more>>

Isaac Wesonga

Weskan Events is a full-service event planning, décor, and management company dedicated to creating memorable experiences for events of all sizes. We specialize in transforming ideas into beautifully curated events from intimate celebrations to large-scale functions handling everything from concept development and design to flawless execution. Read more>>

Isabel Oliva

I’m a Cuban-Honduran American artist born and raised in Miami, Florida. I’ve always been interested in the feeling of wonder that comes from observing the natural world. There is something familiar about the sound of galloping horses. The way a swan glides through a lake. The shine in a spider’s web. Read more>>

Kiyo The Don

I came up as an artist, but kept getting incarcerated so I figured out a way to help other artists learn the things that I did not by doing media. Read more>>

Sadé Stewart

I’m Sadé, a hair artist, storyteller, and creator. I started my beauty career 12 years ago, in the amazing New York City where I built my career as a colorist and curated my own studio where people of all walks felt at home. Read more>>

Luis Vallin

My journey into photography started in 2014 while I was working as a Promotional Coordinator for Y100 Miami. Part of my job involved covering brand activations and creating event recap content. At the time, I was using a simple point-and-shoot camera, and my coworkers noticed that I naturally gravitated toward photography. Read more>>

Shaynna “Esther” Cooper

Ever since I was little I’ve always been given the space and resources to express myself creatively. My mother is a creative and she encouraged me to be creative whether I was dancing, singing, making clothes or even just styling my own outfits day to day. Read more>>

Erikson Herz

I have always been fascinated by playing cards and magic. Even as a kid, before I was 10 years old, I would collect playing cards and was naturally drawn to anything related to magic. My journey really started when I moved from Mexico to the Cayman Islands in 2011 at 12 years old. Read more>>

Kiki Sylvain

Founded in 2012 SK Butterflies Inc. is a family-owned butterfly breeding business based in Miami, Florida. Kiki, an artist with a love for nature, discovered a naturally deceased butterfly on the floor of her greenhouse. Seeing its delicate beauty, her husband, Sedrick, suggested that she preserve and frame it instead of letting it return to the earth. Read more>>

Manuela Proano

There is something you probably don’t know about me, I come from a Fashion background. I always felt passionate about fashion and I was determined to make it my way of life since day one. Second thing you might not know about me is that I struggled with eating disorders for most of my life. Read more>>

emely de jesus mena

I was born in the Dominican Republic, where my journey began long before social media. As a teenager, I was a competitive athlete specializing in race walking, long-distance running, and marathons. I won three national championships and qualified for a World Youth Championship at only 14 years old. Read more>>

PLYBCK LLC

PLYBCK is a Miami-based music production company built by producers, engineers, songwriters, and entrepreneurs who have spent more than a decade working across multiple areas of the music industry. Officially formed in 2019, the members of PLYBCK began working together in 2013 while pursuing their own individual paths through music. Read more>>

Janellys Feliciano

My candle business began during a challenging time in my life when I was looking for a creative outlet and a sense of peace. What started as a hobby quickly became a passion as I discovered how much I loved creating candles and the emotions they could inspire. Read more>>

Javier Farias

I was born in Cabimas, Venezuela, in 1980. I grew up in a family where music and creativity were part of everyday life. Cabimas itself has a strong musical heritage, and in my home there was always music playing—from traditional Venezuelan gaita to Brazilian rhythms, which my family deeply enjoyed. Read more>>

Jennifer Homan

I became the Executive Director of the Hollywood Art and Culture Center in January 2024. The arts have always been a big part of my life, and how I choose to spend my personal time. I love it all – musical theater, plays, concerts, exhibitions, film festivals, dance, comedy, poetry and play readings, artist and author talks, film Q&As, and any other live performance. Read more>>