Today we’d like to introduce you to Marshall Steingold.
Hi Marshall, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in New York City and attended college at University of Miami. I love the weather and the lifestyle, so I decided to stay! After working with the Miami Tourist Bureau and representing hotels, stores and restaurants in Coconut Grove, I formed my own company: MiamiMaps. We started with one map in Coconut Grove in the mid-80’s. Now we publish City Guides for eight cities in Miami: Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Key Biscayne/Brickell, Doral, Lincoln Building Bay and Cutler Bay.
Working with local organizations in each City has been invaluable. Relationship with Chambers of Commerce, Business Improvement Districts, and the local governments, have all lead up to today’s success.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We have made it through the crisis of 2008, Zika, the current COVID pandemic and more. But, we continued to publish and distribute every year. Miami is very resilient. This city has come back stronger every time. Currently, with so many people relocating to Miami’s neighborhoods, we are experiencing unparalleled real estate prices and growth in population. The end result: more business for restaurants, entertainment, culture, and shopping.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I left New York to attend University of Miami to become a marine biologist. But, there was no undergraduate major in marine biology at the time. So, I majored in Biology and Chemistry. I quickly learned that I was not interested in all the research. I changed my major to Political Science with a minor in Education. Upon graduation, I could not find a job in either major.
That’s when I entered the hospitality, tourism and marketing business. Over the years, I’ve produced special events (Taste of the Grove and Waiter’s Race in Coconut Grove), published press kits and entertained travel writers, started magazines in the Grove, Gables, Key Biscayne and Aventura, and started the map business – today called City Guides!
I’m proud of the fact that we distribute our Guides to local hotels, restaurants, and locals. We have constantly been evolving from printed materials to website, Facebook, Instagram, and select email lists. We work directly with concierges to connect the dots between visitors with money to spend and the stores and restaurants in the area.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Without question, if you’re doing something right in your business, you will survive and prosper. Attention to detail, personal relationships, and a smile are the keys to success. Although these attributes can be applied to almost every business, they are essential.
Contact Info:
- Email: MS@MiamiMaps.com
- Website: www.MiamiMaps.com
- Instagram: miamimaps
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamimaps1
