Our city is home to so many incredible businesses and so we asked the founders how they came up with the ideas for their businesses and have shared their responses below.

Kristine Salazar

The Idea for my business came from a simple love for baking and desire to reinvent a classic comfort food, Banana Bread. I’ve always loved the warmth and nostalgia that comes with a fresh loaf, but I noticed that most places only offer the traditional version. One day I started experimenting by adding different flavors together and that sparked a creative journey, that’s when I realized there was so many possibilities for unique and exciting Banana Bread flavors. Read More>>

Nelson De La Pava

The idea for the Ultimate Futbol League (UFL) was born out of a shared experience among four friends — Nelson De la Pava, Jose Cejudo, Juan Beltran, and Joe DaSilva. We all played together on a soccer team in a local Miami league, and while we loved the game, the overall experience left a lot to be desired. As passionate players who never made it to the professional level, we felt there was something missing — a league that truly valued its players and treated them like pros, regardless of their background or skill level. Read More>>

Rhonda Rosen Virgin

Rosé the Day Away started really naturally—friends would constantly ask me to come over, open a few bottles of wine, cook something good, and just talk them through what we were tasting. They loved wine but didn’t feel confident ordering off a menu or knowing what to buy at the store. Over time, I realized how many people wanted that same relaxed, no-pressure space to learn, taste, and ask questions without feeling judged. Read More>>

Pablo & Sebastian Lope

During every Formula 1 race weekend, we siblings upheld a personal tradition of initiating a social media blackout. This was due to our inability to watch the races live, as our time and focus were dedicated to our previous professional commitments. Our goal was to preserve the excitement of the unknown and experience the action together, uninterrupted. Read More>>

Vittoria Zaza

It all started very spontaneously. I wasn’t even thinking of starting a business at the time. One night, I brought a charcuterie board to a dinner party, and a friend asked me if I sold them. That simple question planted the seed for what eventually became Sapori. From there, I started crafting the brand, thinking about the ingredients, how to pair them, and how to tell a story through each board. Read More>>

Irina Rulkova

I came up with the idea for my business while working in a salon. I noticed that many people struggled with serious skin problems on their feet , corns, deep cracks, calluses, and infections but couldn’t find safe, effective help. That inspired me to dive deeper into this field.

I studied at several professional schools, learned from different countries, and combined the best techniques into my own method Russian Advanced Pedicure. It’s focused not just on beauty, but on real care, hygiene, and long-term results. Read More>>

Fanny Gentil

I launched my dress rental business after struggling to find stylish, affordable dresses for special occasions. While clothing rental isn’t a new idea, most services require monthly subscriptions and are hardly sustainable like Rent the Runway which has thousands of units.

I wanted to create a more flexible and sustainable solution. My business offers a curated collection of high-quality pieces from independent brands, available for rent only when needed, no long-term commitments. I personally source each item and handle all cleaning to ensure quality and sustainability. Read More>>

Lauren Koch

The roots of my work – herbalism, art, and music – go all the way back to my childhood. However, the elements of mindfulness and somatic movement did not become part of my practice until 2017. I was entering the second year of my grad studies as an interdisciplinary installation artist and meltworker when I was almost completely immobilized due to issues with scoliosis and hypermobility. I was also navigating undiagnosed neurodivergence and nervous system dysregulation in addition to histamine sensitivity. Yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness became my lifeline – not just tools for healing, but doorways back into my body. Read More>>

Leah Kosiek

I don’t have the traditional story of always farming or growing flowers. I definitely don’t have a green thumb—I’ve killed far more plants than I’ve kept alive. But like this farm, I’m a work in progress. The idea for Moo’s Bloomatorium came from my Great Dane, Millie (or Millie Moo, Moo Butt… the nicknames were endless). I became a full-time dog mom in 2016, and together, we explored the world, discovering all the wonders nature had to offer. Read More>> 

Chloe Swain

I’ve always had a deep relationship with movement. I grew up an extreme athlete, faced my fair share of injuries, and eventually earned a degree in Exercise Science. So I’ve come to know pain, both physical and emotional, but also the beauty of recovery.

When I became a flight attendant, I was introduced to a new kind of challenge. Long flights, unpredictable schedules, new cities every day, it tested me in ways I didn’t expect. I quickly realized I had to return to my roots and make my health a priority again. The challenge was figuring out how to be consistent in a lifestyle that rarely is. Read More>>