We had the good fortune of connecting with Charlie Hernandez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charlie, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind our success is our unwavering commitment to our core values. At the heart of our practice are five guiding principles: Commitment, Honesty, Extraordinary Attitude, Passion, and Resilience. These values shape everything we do, from how we approach each project to how we support and grow as a team.

Our success also stems from our personalized, all-inclusive service that truly resonates with our clients. We are more than just a design and build firm; we are partners in bringing our clients’ dreams to life, ensuring that every detail is crafted with care and precision. This approach, combined with our reputation for creative solutions, staying under budget, and delivering on time, has built a strong foundation of trust and loyalty.

Additionally, we operate not just as a business but as a family. This sense of community and shared purpose drives us to excel, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to grow. The synergy between our team members and the deep relationships we build with our clients are, without a doubt, key to our continued growth and success.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets me apart in my field is the unique balance I strike between being an entrepreneur and a designer. From a young age, I’ve had a strong entrepreneurial spirit—whether it was painting art on surfboards for friends at age 12, running a food delivery service via text messages in college before Uber was even a concept, or venturing into event planning and restaurant businesses. Despite this entrepreneurial drive, design has always been my true passion. I firmly believe that everything I create needs to be visually appealing and well-designed to succeed. As an extremely visual person, I understand that in today’s world, where social media and constant exposure play such a crucial role, successful brands need to stand out and be attractive.
This blend of art and business is what makes Nandez Design Studio a strong and distinctive brand.

My journey to where I am today has been anything but easy. Transitioning from a corporate architecture job to launching my own office in the middle of the 2009 recession was incredibly challenging. After being laid off, I returned to Miami with nothing—no money, no projects, no contacts, and an economy in crisis. Building a business from scratch under those conditions was a daunting task. I had to hustle, network, secure small contracts just to survive, and slowly build my team. Looking back now, I often wonder how I managed to get through it all.

The answer lies in my relentless drive for improvement, hard work, and unwavering positive energy. I remember I told my wife back then: “As long as we keep working hard every day, there is absolutely no way we will not be succesful”. I was right.
I’ve always set clear goals for myself. While financial success is important, for me, true success goes beyond that. I want to be well-known and recognized for what I do, to innovate, solve problems, and help others. That is my ultimate goal, and it’s what continues to motivate me every day.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would say the beach is a most, I grew up in the beach and so it is very important to me, and also believe it makes Miami what it is, long warm beaches year-round. My favorite spots are around Surfside and Bal Harbour, Miami beach gets way too crowded for me these days. I would also take them out on the boat to a nice sandbar and around the bay islands.
Even though i love Miami, i would say I am the antithesis of it, I dont like to show off, i hate reggaetton, a dont like crowds, and i dont care about fashion or trends, or Michelin stars. I make the best out of what Miami has to offer, but usually more underground and quiet. I love small local restaurants and original speakeasy bars with good cocktails.

ITINERARY:

Friday | Wynwood
Visit Wynwood arts district, afternoon walk at Wynwood walls, grab a beer and a snack at La Tropical, dinner at Kyu, and last but not least close the night at Dante’s HiFi.

Saturday | Brickell & Downtown
Head to Brickell for brunch at American Social and enjoy the river views, walk around Brickell City Center, cross the bridge to Downtown. Pizza lunch at Miami Slice – best in Miami, visit Perez Art Museum (take advantage of free admission 2nd Saturday of the month), Bayfront Park, and Frost museum, walk around Downtown. Dinner at Jaguar Sun and drinks at Miami Sound Bar.

Sunday | Coconut Grove
Coffee at Panther’s coffee in Coconut Grove, walk around the Grove, including famous Cocowalk, drinks and oysters at Oyster bar at Eva’s corner bar while you wait for your table at the main restaurant, late lunch at Eva, and party at Regatta Grove.

Monday | Miami Beach
Take advantage of the beach at South point crowd-free, not my favorite spot but worth checking out. I would suggest lunch at Joe’s stone crab (if season), and walk around the area, plenty of bars to have a drink until late even on Mondays.

Tuesday | Coral Gables
Coffee and breakfast at Crema or Sunday, walk around Downtown Coral Gables including Miracle Mile and Giralda. Grab a cold beer at The Bar, Lunch at Hillstone, visit The Plaza on Ponce de Leon, and walk around galleries and boutiques. Diner at Luka Osteria and finally drinks at Copper 27.

Wednesday | Biscayne bay
Boat day at the Biscayne bay, Brunch at Rusty Pelican, cruise around the bay islands, Venetian and Palm islands… amazing houses, Nixon Sandbar, drinks and dinner at Seaspice on the Miami River.

Thursday | Calle Ocho
Breakfast at El Sanguich, walk around Historic Calle Ocho: Domino park, and cigar shops, Lunch at Lung Yai Thai, afternoon cafecito boost at any coffee window, and dinner and drinks at Cafe La Trova.

Send your friends back home and put them on a diet… ( ;

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I believe that no success story is written alone, and mine is no exception. My wife, Fabiana, who also serves as our CFO, has been my greatest source of support and inspiration. We often say we complement each other perfectly—I’m the dreamer, the eternal optimist with a “yes we can” attitude, always pushing for more and better. Fabiana, on the other hand, is my anchor, the one who keeps my feet firmly on the ground. She tells it like it is and ensures that our vision is both ambitious and achievable. Without her, reaching where we are today would have been impossible.

My family is my greatest motivation—they are the reason I wake up every day ready to give my best. Of course, our incredible team also deserves immense credit. They are the hands and minds that bring our dreams to life, day in and day out, and our success is a direct reflection of their dedication and hard work.

I also want to recognize our coach and mentor, Aquiles Nuñez, who has been instrumental in our growth. His guidance has been key to refining our strategies and driving our success over the past few years.

Lastly, I owe a deep gratitude to my parents. They did an exceptional job shaping who I am today, cultivating the values that guide me, and supporting me every step of the way. Each of these people has played a vital role in our journey, and they all deserve recognition in our story of success.

Website: https://www.nandezdesign.com

Instagram: @nandez_design_studio

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/charlie-nandez

Facebook: nandez design studio

Image Credits
Alexia Fodere

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