Today we’d like to introduce you to Yaris Lemus-Pedroso.
Hi Yaris, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born in a small rural town in Cuba called Aguacate, a place surrounded by simplicity, nature, and the kind of quiet that stays with you long after you leave. Some of my earliest memories are tied to books, words, and the feeling that stories could take me somewhere beyond what I could see. Writing was never a profession in my mind back then—it was simply something I loved. I participated in local literary contests and cultural events, but mostly I wrote because it felt natural and relaxing to me.
As I grew older, I found myself deeply inspired by Latin American literature, while also developing a fascination with European culture, lifestyles, and languages. I have always loved the sound of words, the way different languages carry emotion, history, and identity. Poetry, short stories, and romance became some of my favorite genres, not only because of the stories themselves but because of the way they capture beauty in everyday moments. For many years, I kept most of my writing private, sharing it only with a small circle of people close to me.
Social media eventually became a gentle bridge between my private world and the outside world. From time to time, I would share a poem, a reflection, or a piece of my writing. Around the same time, I became involved with a globally recognized network marketing company. Beyond the products, what impacted me most was the community of entrepreneurs, leaders, and women supporting one another. That experience helped me build connections, develop confidence, and create financial stability during my first years in Miami. It also allowed me to meet incredible people and become more comfortable sharing my own story publicly while growing my personal brand.
My academic background is actually in International Relations. I graduated in Cuba with the intention of building a career connected to diplomacy and international affairs. God, however, had different plans. My disagreement with the political realities of the country eventually led me to leave and begin a new chapter abroad. After spending time in Europe, my journey brought me to Miami—a city that welcomed me with kindness, diversity, and the possibility of starting over to the point I can call it Home.
While I have always appreciated and admire entrepreneurship, I have also always been drawn to a slower way of living. I find inspiration in simple routines, nature, meaningful conversations, faith, books, and creativity. That balance between building a life and slowing down enough to truly experience it has become the foundation of both my writing and the content I share.
One of my biggest dreams was to publish a book, and Miami became the place where that dream finally took shape. I independently published my first book on Amazon, Zoe, a collection of Spanish-language poems inspired by slow living, romance, nature, and the beauty found in ordinary moments. The poems are brief and reflective, influenced in some ways by the simplicity of haiku while maintaining a voice that feels authentically my own. The title was inspired by a very special person who changed the meaning of the word Zoe for me, but everyone is entitled to give it their own meaning. And that is the magic!
Today, thanks God, I am working on my second book, Whispering Trails of Winter Haven, a faith-centered novel about love, healing, grace, and trusting God’s timing. It is a story very close to my heart and one that reflects many of the values I have come to embrace throughout my journey.
When I look back, I see a girl from a small town who never stopped carrying a notebook full of dreams. Writing has followed me through every season of life, quietly waiting for the moment when I would finally have the courage to share it. In many ways, that is still what I am doing today—simply sharing stories and poetry one page at a time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road, although I have learned to see every chapter as part of a larger story.
My life has been marked by movement, migration, and learning how to begin again. I grew up in a small rural town, later moved to Cuba’s capital city, and eventually found myself adapting to entirely different cultures and ways of life in Europe before settling in Miami. Each transition brought opportunities, but also challenges. Every move required me to leave behind familiar places, routines, friendships, and versions of myself.
One of the most difficult parts of my journey has been the distance from my family, my mother and father specially. Because of political circumstances and my decision to remain faithful to my beliefs and convictions, I am currently unable to return to my homeland for a long period of time. That reality carries a particular kind of grief. There are moments, celebrations, and ordinary family gatherings that can only be experienced from afar. In many ways, this season of my life has been defined by goodbyes, long-distance phone calls, and learning how to love people across oceans.
Professionally, starting over was another challenge. Like many immigrants, I arrived with education, experience, and dreams, but had to rebuild my career from the ground up. There were seasons of uncertainty, learning, and adapting to a completely different environment. Looking back, those experiences taught me resilience and humility.
Through it all, my faith has been my greatest source of strength. One of the verses that has stayed with me is Philippians 4:7, which speaks about “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.” That peace has carried me through moments when I could not see the next step clearly. It became an anchor during times of change, loneliness, and uncertainty.
I have also been blessed by the people God placed along my path. My sister, Yanelis, has been a constant source of love and guidance through faith and encouragement. My best friend, Jeff, has been a loyal and calming presence through different seasons of life. And despite the distance, Lemus -Pedroso family continues to be an important part of who I am and the values I carry with me every day.
The road has not always been easy, but I believe every challenge has shaped me into the person and writer I am becoming. Looking back, I can see that even in the most uncertain moments, there was always grace guiding me forward.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Currently, I work at CareerSource South Florida, where I have been serving the community for the past three years. My role allows me to help families access opportunities, and supportive services, particularly within the Homestead area. It has been a meaningful way to integrate into South Florida while applying the people-centered perspective I gained through my background in International Relations.
At the same time, writing remains my greatest passion. I am the author of Zoe, a collection of Spanish-language poems inspired by slow living, nature, romance, and finding beauty in everyday life. Right now, I am working on my second book, Whispering Trails of Winter Haven, a faith-based novel centered on love, healing, redemption, and trusting God’s perfect timing. Writing this second book has been a deeply personal journey, allowing me to explore themes that have shaped my own life and faith.
What I am most proud of is having the courage to share my work after keeping my writing private for so many years. Publishing Zoe was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, and seeing Whispering Trails of Winter Haven come to life feels like the next chapter of that dream.
I believe what sets me apart is the combination of my experiences as an immigrant, my faith, and my commitment to a slower, more intentional way of living. Whether I am serving people through my work, sharing my writing, or creating content online, my goal is always the same: to encourage others to find hope, beauty, and purpose in the middle of ordinary life and mostly in the little things.
My long-term dream is simple: to continue serving God wherever He takes me, publishing books all over the world to be the reason why someone slows down while reading and one day dedicate myself to writing full-time to enjoy my family.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that networking becomes much more meaningful when you focus on building genuine relationships rather than simply looking for opportunities. The people who have helped me the most throughout my journey were not necessarily formal mentors. They were people who believed in me, encouraged me, challenged me to grow, and shared their experiences generously.
For me, being curious, asking thoughtful questions, and staying open to learning even in areas apart from my field have been crucial. Some of the most meaningful connections in my life came through community involvement, professional organizations, entrepreneurship, social media, and simply being willing to show up consistently. And I will always support and be curious which other sharing their work.
I would also encourage people not to overlook the value of friendships. Sometimes a mentor is not someone with a title or a large platform. Sometimes it is a friend, a colleague, or a family member whose wisdom and support help guide you through different seasons of life.
Most importantly, stay authentic. People connect with honesty far more than perfection.
As a person of faith, I also believe that God places certain people in our lives at the right time. Looking back, many of the connections that shaped my journey arrived when I needed them most, often in ways I could never have planned myself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yarii_lemus/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaris-lemus-69b653363/
- Other: https://www.amazon.ca/Zoe-Yaris-Lemus-Pedroso/dp/B0FL1757XP
