Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelli Miller.
Hi Kelli, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always just loved to make things. Growing up on a farm outside a small town in Iowa, that showed up as building, inventing, drawing, and creating little worlds out of whatever I could get my hands on. As I got older, that creative instinct paired naturally with curiosity. I spent a lot of time on service trips, traveling to cities across the country and learning about communities very different from the one I came from. Seeing new places through that lens shaped not just how I viewed people and culture, but how I thought about creativity as something deeply connected to community and storytelling.
I went on to study art, graphic design, and sociology in college, and later lived in Denver and Los Angeles working for a service organization where I led volunteer groups and helped educate others about social issues. After graduating, I joined a year-long service program and landed in Miami as a full-time volunteer graphic designer at Miami Rescue Mission. That year was transformative. I experienced the city through intentional living, hands-on service, and creative problem-solving, and it reshaped both my work and my perspective. I stayed in Miami, continued working in nonprofits, taught K–8 art and music for five years, and eventually moved into nonprofit marketing. Throughout all of it, I kept making art and exploring ideas, until I realized I wanted to build something of my own that brought together creativity, design, and community. That’s how Bay Drive Creative came to be.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Let’s just say it’s been… scenic! My path has never been a straight line, and much of it has been shaped by trial, adjustment, and learning as I went. I spent years figuring out where I fit and how my skills could come together in a way that actually felt meaningful.
Leaving a small town and building a life in a city like Miami wasn’t always easy, but it stretched me in ways I didn’t expect and pushed me to grow more confident and adaptable. Miami has a rhythm all its own, and learning how to move through it took time, patience, and a lot of listening. I’m still adjusting, still asking questions, and still finding new things to love about this place.
Looking back, those twists and turns are exactly what shaped how I approach my work today. I’ve always been someone who jumps in; through art, teaching, service, or marketing—and each experience added another layer of perspective. The detours taught me how to stay curious, flexible, and open, and that mindset shows up in everything I do, from how I work with clients to how I continue to learn and show up for my community.
We’ve been impressed with Bay Drive Creative, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Bay Drive Creative is where everything comes together. It’s a creative studio focused on helping people show up thoughtfully and confidently through design, marketing and photography. We work with businesses, nonprofits, churches, real estate agents, and entrepreneurs on graphic design, websites, social media, photography, and video, all with the goal of helping our community shine a little brighter.
What really matters is helping people feel empowered, not overwhelmed. I want clients to understand and be part of shaping their brand’s identity, and feel confident putting themselves out there and making decisions. Looking ahead, a big focus for Bay Drive Creative is growing the educational side through consulting, resources, and courses that help people build skills for themselves. At the end of the day, I’m most proud that the work is rooted in honesty, creativity, and community, and that it’s truly about lifting up the people and stories around us.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I’m not sure how surprising it is, but outside of client work, I’m constantly making visual art of my own. I work across a mix of mediums, from printmaking and painting to collage and drawing, and I’ve had the chance to add my artwork to the city through a few murals along the way. I’m endlessly inspired by Miami, by the culture, the community, and the people here. This grew into Refresh Artwork, a platform where I share my art and can run a little wild with ideas, get my hands dirty, and try things without needing a perfectly polished plan. It’s where I keep practicing, experimenting, and working out that creative muscle so I can keep showing up strong in everything I do.
Teaching art really cemented my belief that creativity isn’t a talent you either have or don’t have. It’s a skill, and like any skill, it grows when you use it. That belief carries through everything I do, from my artwork to Bay Drive Creative. I care deeply about helping people reconnect with their creativity, because it builds confidence, resilience, and connection. Creativity isn’t extra. It’s how communities grow, how ideas take shape, and how people learn to see the world a little differently.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.baydrivecreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baydrivecreative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baydrivecreative
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellimiller92/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BayDriveCreative
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/refreshartwork/
