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.
Claudia Villalta
When I was little, around 5 years old, I remember my parents saying, “La Florida, en los Estados Unidos. Ayi, está Miami.” There was a war going on in Nicaragua at the time. I heard them talk about moving to Florida a lot. Read more>>
Annishka
Born in Miami, Florida, Annishka discovered her passion for music at an early age. Growing up surrounded by the rich sounds and diverse cultures of South Florida, she was inspired by artists who weren’t afraid to be original, authentic, and fearless. Read more>>
Sandrine Alkhal
My journey into interior design has always been driven by a passion for creating beautiful, functional spaces that truly improve the way people live. Design has never felt like just a career to me. It has always been something that comes naturally and brings me genuine joy. Read more>>
eva leung
I’ve worked in events/entertainment for many years. I started out after college with a production company working where MTV Latin taped out of. Many unique artistic sets were part of our daily shoots, and it was interesting to have many artists coming in and out of the studio every day. Read more>>
Andriy Stefanyshyn
My journey started about 17 years ago when I picked up my first digital camera. At first, I was simply fascinated by digital photography and wanted to learn everything I could about it. What began as curiosity quickly became a passion—and the rest is history. Read more>>
Mia Cozier
My journey started at home with a juicer and a passion for healthy living. I’ve always loved eating clean, wellness, and staying active. One day, my daughter’s dad suggested that I should start my own juice business, and that simple idea stayed with me. Not long after, I was driving through Lake Worth Beach when I noticed a “For Rent” sign on a small building. Read more>>
ANASTASiiA
Music has never been just a passion for me—it has always been my purpose. I was born in a small city in Ukraine, where my dreams were always much bigger than my surroundings. At 17, I moved to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, to study acting. While pursuing my artistic ambitions, I also earned a Master’s degree in Criminal Law. Read more>>
Elena Ille
I originally came from engineering, environmental design, and interior design, so my first way of thinking was shaped by structure, space, and the way visual form affects human experience. For many years, I worked as a designer in Moscow, creating interiors and learning how atmosphere can shape the way people feel and live. Over time, that work became more personal. Read more>>
Victoria Morozov
If you had asked me as a little girl what I wanted to do when I grew up, my answer would have been very simple: I wanted to help children growing up in poverty, because I knew what that felt like. Read more>>
SAMARA ASH
I was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and creativity was part of my life from a very young age. I was always drawing, building things, and paying attention to details other people might overlook. After moving to South Florida, art became a way for me to understand where I came from, where I was, and how different places shape us. Read more>>
Ethan Luna
Originally, I’m from New York City, Born and raised in The Bronx, and at 18 moved down to Miami with my family in 2016. The move was hard; though it shaped me into who I am today. Read more>>
Mario Lopez
My journey into the Destination Wedding travel niche was non-conventional, to say the least. 17 years ago, my husband Will Medina, created the first version of Destination Weddings Expert (then named Larimar Travels in honor of the Dominican Republic’s national stone, Larimar, and for his daughter, Ashley). Travel was a passion of his as he started his career in the hospitality industry. Read more>>
Ethan Sardinas
Cars have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My dad started the original dealership over 20 years ago, so I grew up around cars, auctions, customers, and everything that comes with running a family business. Being around that environment naturally sparked my interest in the automotive industry. Read more>>
Paola Pietri
ROOTS & RESILIENCE My story starts with a bit of a unique background: I was actually born in Montreal, Canada, but moved to Venezuela when I was just three and a half years old. My family is Venezuelan with Italian descent, so Spanish was my native tongue growing up. Read more>>
Natalie Greene
Stage Five started with a simple frustration I couldn’t ignore: every time I wore heels with tights, I found myself slipping around inside my shoes. I realized there had to be a better solution, and that idea became Clingers—premium hosiery featuring our signature grip sole. Read more>>
Lala Almaguer
I was a server at a restaurant for many years & worked during covid. During those times I knew I wanted to get out the industry & decided to sign up for nail school. In november of 2021 I suffered a knee injury & was out of work & not working for a total of 1 year & 2 months. Read more>>
Derek Lushbaugh
My professional path has never followed just one lane, and I think that is part of what has made me effective in marketing and technology. I am a U.S. Army veteran, former field construction engineer, business graduate, and digital marketer. Read more>>
GY2MX
Born from the creative vision of Guyanese producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Anil Singh, and fueled by the international career of Billboard-charting recording artiste Soulfiya, GY2MX has grown into far more than a production house. It is a borderless collective of musicians, producers, engineers, filmmakers, and creatives united by one mission: making authentic music with global reach. Read more>>
Kristine Kilty
I grew up in a small village in west Dublin, Ireland, a million miles away from the world of luxury fashion. Read more>>
Clare Celeste
I’m Clare Celeste, a Berlin-based artist and founder of Clare Celeste Studio, where I create immersive, large-scale installations inspired by the abundance of the natural world. Born in Bangkok and raised across Brazil, Italy, Honduras, Argentina, and the US, I grew up as the perpetual new kid — constantly adapting to new cultures, languages, and landscapes. Read more>>
Elle Williams
I am a fitness model & actress originally from the Bay Area, CA but I’ve lived in Utah now for 9 years. As a little girl I loved performing, acting, and singing, but I let practicality and logic overpower my creativity and after college, I became a CPA and realtor instead of an actress. Read more>>
Zoe Babb
Independent Beauty Suites was created from a love of beauty, independence, and community. What began as a traditional salon has grown into a space where beauty and wellness professionals can build businesses of their own while still feeling supported and connected. Every suite is independently owned, but together we share one welcoming space built to inspire confidence, creativity, and growth. Read more>>
Jose Parra
Jose Leonardo Parra, Principal and founder along with my wife Blanca Daw of DAW Builders, Inc., in 2004. Read more>>
Designer Santia Mckoy
My journey into fashion started long before I ever launched my brand. I was born and raised in Haiti, where I developed a deep appreciation for culture, creativity, and craftsmanship. Fashion became more than just making clothes—it became my way of telling stories, preserving history, and celebrating my heritage. Read more>>
Theodore Swett, PhD
I am Theodore Swett, co-founder and CEO of ANSANBL, LLC and its nonprofit arm, ANSANBL Global. Together, we help business owners, nonprofit leaders, and emerging professionals turn ambition into systems that can actually support it. I also hold a PhD in Global Leadership and Change. That is who I am today. Here is where I started. Read more>>
kevin polanco
So a year ago today, I was a cashier at Kenny’s Meals, a fast-rising meal prep company in New Jersey with stores in PA. But the road there wasn’t a straight line. Read more>>
Harsh Arora
I grew up across Asia and Europe before immigrating to the United States, an experience that shaped my perspective and taught me the value of adaptability, hard work, and resilience. My educational and professional journey has spanned three continents, exposing me to different cultures, industries, and ways of thinking. Read more>>
Debye Johnson
My journey began long before I ever thought about writing a book. Over the years, I experienced love, marriage, betrayal, domestic violence, sexual assault, loss, disappointment, and several painful relationships. At the same time, I was building businesses, raising a family, pursuing my dreams, and presenting myself to the world as a strong and successful woman. Read more>>
Brenda Breathnach
My first job was making sandwiches in a pub when I was 18. I grew up in Dingle County Kerry, Ireland and it wasn’t until I was 30 that I moved to the US. I came directly to the Bronx in New York because that’s where everyone I knew in the states lived. I got a job Beal Bocht Cafe doing a bit of everything. Read more>>
Sarah Vargas
I think Studio Threads really started long before I realized I was building a business. As a Pilates instructor, I was spending so much of my time inside the studio and had a front-row seat to the way people connect through movement. I watched clients walk into class carrying completely different stories, responsibilities, and seasons of life, but for that hour, they were choosing themselves. Read more>>
Jorge J. Pérez
My name is Jorge J. Pérez, and I’m a Cuban-born photographer, videographer, and visual storyteller based in Miami. Through long-term documentary projects, I explore the intersection of memory, identity, and place, using photography as a way to preserve the stories, emotions, and cultural landscapes that shape who we are. I was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1987 and moved to the United States in 2011. Read more>>
Shawntaria Franklin
Shawntaria Franklin is the founder of Transformation In Action, Inc., a mentoring organization that equips middle and high school girls through mentorship, performing arts, public speaking, life skills, and the courage to dream boldly. As an accomplished, actress, model, speaker, and author, she uses her real-world experience to guide young women in discovering their voice, their gifts, and their purpose. Read more>>
Adriana Gonzalez
My journey has been anything but easy, but every challenge has shaped the woman and entrepreneur I am today. I’ve always believed that beauty has the power to restore confidence, but my vision for Studio Vēlle was born from wanting to do something different. I noticed that so many people were simply covering damaged nails instead of addressing the underlying problem. Read more>>
Michelle Gonzalez
Press & Print Co. really started long before it became a business. My sister and I both attended a high school film production program where we discovered our passion for the arts, photography, and videography. Creativity had always been a part of our lives growing up, so pursuing it felt like a natural path. Read more>>
Hilal Borque
Absolutely. Here’s a clean, simple version that includes your professional licenses and credentials. My Story – Hilal Borque I moved to the United States when I was 14 years old with big dreams and a determination to build a better future. After graduating from high school, I attended Broward Community College and later earned my degree in International Business and Finance from Florida Atlantic University. Read more>>
Caitlin Bendersky
My career began in luxury marketing, where I had the opportunity to help build social media programs long before they became a standard part of every company’s marketing strategy. Eventually I became the U.S. Marketing Director for a Swiss luxury watch brand, a role that taught me the importance of thoughtful branding, consistency, and creating exceptional customer experiences. Read more>>
Miłosz Warcholiński
The studio was founded several years ago in Poland and fairly quickly expanded its services to include an agency promoting design-related brands and a showroom, both of which were consolidated under the Bronson brand and expanded their reach to other European countries. Currently, the agency operates throughout Europe in conjunction with the aforementioned showroom. Read more>>
Kapital Stone
As a Jamaican born citizen, music was always around us. Whether it be through the radio in the house, a taxi man driving through the community or a sound system set up around the road. Music was a constant presence for all Jamaicans growing up. So that was the first intrigue in music. Read more>>
Roberto Torres Velez
I was brought up with movies, tv shows and video games, and as I got older, I wanted to make my own. Around the time I graduated high school, I’d take photos of my friend and family on my phone, and I’d make short films using garbage around the house for props and friends to play my characters. Sometimes, I’d even fill in every role. Read more>>
Hye Min
the furryfolks started with our rescue pup. He had trouble socializing and began showing some aggression. At the time, we were living in New York City, where limited space made it difficult for him to release his energy in a healthy way. Read more>>
Dan Buettner
I’ve always been an explorer and journalist at heart. In my twenties and thirties, I rode a bicycle across Africa, South America, and Asia, setting a few Guinness World Records along the way. I wasn’t thinking about longevity back then. I was fascinated by adventure, cultures, and understanding how people lived in different parts of the world. Read more>>
Olena Tarantseva
In Ukraine I devoted my life to education, choreography, and preserving cultural traditions. For more than three decades, I have worked as a choreographer, educator, and artistic director, helping generations of students discover the beauty of dance and the importance of cultural heritage. Read more>>
Mary Esther Louis
My journey began in high school when I didn’t always have someone available to do my hair, so I started learning how to do it myself. My friends at school loved my hairstyles and began asking me to do their hair too. That’s when I realized I had a natural talent for it. Read more>>
Audrey Keliehor
I’ve always believed that learning to swim should feel exciting, not intimidating. My journey started as a competitive swimmer when I was seven years old, but it was becoming a swim instructor that truly changed everything. I fell in love with watching children discover what they’re capable of, one tiny breakthrough at a time. Read more>>
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>>
