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.

Anna Cristina Galavis Guinand

Some careers begin with a carefully designed plan. Others begin with the courage to leave everything behind. For Anna Cristina Galavis Guinand, coming to the United States was not simply a professional decision or the pursuit of a new opportunity. It was an act of protection, sacrifice, and profound faith in the possibility of beginning again. Read more>>

Stefania Zavala

My path to textile art has not been linear, and I believe that is one of the things that has shaped my work most deeply. I am Stefania Zavala, an Ecuadorian contemporary textile artist and the founder and creative director of LUAH, a textile art practice based in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Art has been part of my life for many years. Read more>>

Nyarko

I’m originally from South Florida, and I come from a Ghanaian-American family. I graduated from Spelman College in 2018 with a degree in Chemistry, so my professional background is rooted in science. Writing and poetry, though, have always been a different kind of outlet for me. Writing became healing for me. Read more>>

Sandra Baas

I was born in the Netherlands, but I have spent most of my adult life living and working in different countries. Spain was home for more than 25 years, and later I moved to the United States. My career has never been one straight road. I have always followed what interested me, what I wanted to learn, and sometimes simply where life took me. Read more>>

Anna Jones

My wellness journey really began long before I ever considered it a business. I’ve been vegan for 16 years, and over time, what started as a personal lifestyle choice grew into a genuine passion for holistic living, plant-based wellness, and being more intentional about what we put in and around our bodies. Read more>>

Seoul

I started out as a 17-year-old girl from South Florida, fresh out of high school with an undeniable passion for the arts and fashion and a strong desire to leave my mark as an artist and creator. Growing up, I was always conscious of my height because I was the tallest girl in almost every room. Read more>>

Tina van der Ven

My path here was anything but traditional. Becoming a pediatrician was always the vision I had since childhood. I took all the required pre-med classes as an undergrad at the University of Miami, and then took time off after graduating to do clinical research at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and prepare for the MCAT. It was during those research years that everything shifted. Read more>>

Matthew & Dana Harvey

We like to think of ourselves as the modern American family! We both left our full time corporate jobs to be full time parents and content creators. Our content is filled with our love for God, marriage, and parenting. Read more>>

Betesha Bloise Ponciano

From weekend drawing classes at a small fine arts children’s school in my neighborhood in the Dominican Republic, to delving into the world of Illustration with an AAS at Chavón the School of Design, to a Parsons BFA in Illustration and Communication in New York City, and beyond, my story begins like many other creatives’–a childhood passion for art. Read more>>

Slevin Kaaine

I’m Slevin Kaaine, an independent artist, producer, and creative from South Florida. My journey in music started as a teenager, coming up around Florida’s underground music scene and learning early that building something meaningful takes more than talent — it takes consistency, vision, resilience, and the ability to evolve. Read more>>

Cleo Vo-Dai

I’ve been in Miami for 14 years. I wss working in PR for Cirque du Soleil at the time and I decided to land here. In 2016 I decided to open a yoga studio as a way of contributing to the community. We opened our doors in 2017 under the Modo Yiga umbrella and created our own brand Ima Yoga 7 years later. Read more>>

Barbara Myrthil

My story really began when I realized I wanted to build a career that was about more than simply working a traditional 9-to-5. While working professionally at FIU, I was also raising my son, who was diagnosed with autism and other unique abilities. That experience changed my perspective on what I wanted for my family and my future. Read more>>

Haddasa Manela

Bonei Olam Worldwide was founded in 1999 by Rabbi Shlomo and Chani Bochner. After hearing the story of a couple who could not afford fertility treatment, Chani turned to her husband and said, “We don’t know what our chances are. Our fate is still up in the air. Read more>>

Ethan Shapiro

For more than 40 years, my mother made a salad dressing using fresh ingredients she grew in her backyard. She just couldn’t stand all the junk in the dressings sold at the supermarket. She would make it for our family and friends, and for years people would tell her, “This is excellent. Read more>>

Alyssa Beetlestone

Growing up, I was always drawn to crafting with my aunt. We would create together year-round, especially when there was a party or holiday to celebrate. During COVID, I had the opportunity to dive deeper into crafting when I purchased my first Cricut, a vinyl and paper cutting machine. Read more>>

Rolando Monterrosa

Drawing has been part of my life for many years, but over time it became much more than a technical practice. It became a way of processing emotions, questioning what surrounds me, and exploring the human figure from a psychological and emotional perspective. I am a Salvadoran visual artist based in San Salvador. Read more>>

Marques Scholten

I jokingly tell people that the hair business chose me not the other way around. When I was younger & in high school the thought of becoming a professional hair colorist never entered my mind. I was lucky enough to be invited to a high end salon in Grand Rapids Mi, by some friends. Read more>>

Alejandro Solanilla

I’m originally from Venezuela, and I started my journey in filmmaking when I was around 19. I studied Social Communication with a focus on Audiovisual Media, along with courses in film, television, and photography. But a big part of my education was also self-taught, spending countless hours learning through YouTube, experimenting, and developing my own visual style. Read more>>

Brandon Richardson

I started my career in 2005 as a freelance artist and then a part-time makeup artist at the MAC counter in Atlanta. That era of artistry was electric, walking into work felt like stepping into the most elite, exclusive space and it was completely inclusive. I soaked up everything I could from the artists around me, honing my craft in real time. Read more>>

Brittany Stephens

I have always been someone who is passionate about communication, connection, creativity, and bringing people together. I studied Communications and Public Relations at Oral Roberts University, and throughout my career I have had the opportunity to work across marketing, communications, operations, training, and strategy. Read more>>

Medjine Joseph

My story really started during a time when the world slowed down. During COVID, I began learning how to do my own makeup. At first, it was simply something I enjoyed doing for myself, but the more I practiced, the more I fell in love with the artistry behind it. I realized I was actually good at it, too. Read more>>

Yejidé Major

Hi! I’m Yejidé Major. I am a fashion model from South Florida, and I’ve been modeling professionally for the past two years. Growing up in a Rastafarian household with two Caribbean parents from two different islands has added even more culture to my background. My family has always been artistically inclined, so the arts have always been a part of my life. Read more>>

Danielly De Andrade

My story is truly an American Dream story. I was born in Minas Gerais, Brazil, and immigrated to the United States with my family when I was two years old. Although I was raised in Florida, I have always remained deeply connected to my Brazilian heritage. I have a large extended family in Brazil, and despite the distance, we remain very close and communicate regularly. Read more>>

Becca Mikesell

I actually started out in the industry as a wardrobe stylist. I went to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, which gave me the opportunity to connect with a lot of other creatives. I started working with some of my photographer friends on portfolio shoots, styling the models and helping bring their concepts to life. Read more>>

Valentino Mikalef

I came up through graffiti. I’ve been painting for over 30 years and that culture is really the foundation of everything I do today. Graffiti taught me a lot beyond painting. It taught me how to be resourceful, develop your own voice, build community and make something happen with very little. You learn from the people around you and earn respect through the work. Read more>>

Leidy Bogotá

When I look back, I realize that Full Services BM was built one step at a time with hard work, uncertainty, and a lot of faith. I came to Miami from Venezuela with more than ten years of experience in Human Resources, but starting over in a new country meant being willing to learn, adapt, and sometimes step completely outside my comfort zone. Read more>>

Alissa Guindi

I was born in Guatemala, but my family was always traveling which instilled a chip in me to know more of the world. Something that stuck out to me was how I remembered the places we went to based on what we ate there, and not the groundbreaking famous monuments. So I started thinking this is it, this is my calling. Read more>>

heidilynnsnyder@gmail.com Snyder

My journey has been a little unconventional, but I think that’s what has made it so meaningful. I’ve always been someone who loves people, creativity, and experiences, so my career has naturally evolved around those things. I started in hospitality and spent about six years working in the restaurant industry. Read more>>

Ginger KING

I’ve always believed that beauty is where science, creativity, and business meet. I was born in Taiwan and came to the United States at 16. I eventually earned a master’s degree in chemistry and built a career as a cosmetic chemist, developing thousands of beauty products across skincare, haircare, color cosmetics, and personal care. Read more>>

Lesley Goldwasser

Growing up in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, art and music were my first languages, establishing my lifelong belief that creativity is foundational to how we connect and express ourselves. Read more>>

Alayin REY

My journey as a creator and entrepreneur began with a deep passion for visual arts, typography, and meaningful design. Years ago, I conceptualized and designed a unique visual identity centered around the word ‘Frog’—transforming typography into a living character resting on a lily pad. ​Actually, my design of these English word-forms was created to enhance the quality of education and learning. Read more>>

Benine Mbuyamba

While getting my Masters in Social Work, I still wasn’t very sure what I wanted to do once I obtained my degree. It wasn’t until I started my own personal therapy that I realized my passion was to help people find healing and that’s when I decided I wanted to become a therapist. Read more>>

María Fernanda Lairet

My story has always been guided by two great purposes: art and the desire to help others. For more than thirty years, I have worked as a visual artist and photographer, using images as a form of expression, connection, and transformation. After experiencing significant changes in my own life, I realized that art could also become a powerful path toward healing. Read more>>