We recently had the chance to connect with Yuval Ofir and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Yuval, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
Living in the most authentic version of themselves.
Too many of us (myself included, for a long time) get pushed in various directions that takes us away from our truest form of self-expression.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Yuval Ofir, the founder of Yo Miami, a creative ecosystem that connects artists, brands, and communities through storytelling, public art, and cultural programming. What started over a decade ago as a small effort to spotlight local talent has evolved into a multifaceted platform spanning a creative agency, a nonprofit, a studio space, and a product line, all grounded in one idea: creativity should bring people together.
What makes our work special is that it’s deeply human. Whether it’s a mural, a pin, a story, or an event, it’s always about building bridges between self-expression and shared experience. I’m currently focused on expanding our storytelling projects, from photography and writing to collaborations that highlight the people shaping Miami’s creative landscape.
At its core, everything I do comes back to helping others live and create more authentically, the same journey I’ve been on myself.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a kid who loved making things. I’d lose myself in art class, shaping clay or piecing together collages, and I took pride in performing; whether it was in school plays or piano recitals. I think I had a talent for the musical theater, the piano less so, though I wasn’t worse than any other kid my age who only practiced so much. I don’t think it was about being particularly talented; it was about how alive I felt being seen.
When my dad passed away suddenly when I was 13, everything shifted. I had just moved to a much bigger school, and between the loss and the feeling of being swallowed up in a new environment, I retreated inward. I built a wall to protect myself, not just from others, but from my own emotions. It took years to start dismantling that wall, and a lot of the work I do now, creatively and personally, comes from reconnecting with that kid who simply loved to make things and feel seen.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell him to hold on tightly to the parts of himself he was afraid made him different; the ones he worried might push others away. Those are the parts that make him whole. Nurture them, protect them, and learn to love them before the world tries to convince you otherwise.
And I’d tell him to write. To write everything down: the thoughts, the fears, the questions. I wish I had given my younger self that gift, so I could look back now and trace the line more clearly between who I was and who I’ve become.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Authenticity.
It’s at the root of everything I do, in art, in business, in relationships. I think we live in a time where performative culture is rewarded more than genuine expression, and it’s easy to lose yourself trying to fit into whatever version of “success” or “cool” seems to work for others.
For me, authenticity isn’t just about being honest; it’s about alignment; making sure my actions, words, and creative work reflect who I really am and what I believe in. It’s not always the easiest path, but it’s the one that feels like home.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
Curiosity, empathy, and a deep need to connect. Those things have always been there, even when I didn’t know how to express or identify them.
If you strip away the titles, the work, the identity I’ve built around being “the guy who brings people together,” what’s left is someone who’s still just trying to understand the world and help others feel seen in it.
The rest is just form. Those are the things underneath that give it meaning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yo-miami.com
- Instagram: @itsyomiami
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuvalofir/
- Twitter: @itsyomiami
- Facebook: @itsyomiami
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/yo-space-miami
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPS2-oBZ_OKvew8_WFB6BbA
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/user/yo-miami
