Meet Alexa Cruz & Skyler Anderson, Founders and Directors

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexa Cruz & Skyler Anderson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexa & Skyler, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
It’s definitely evolved for both of us. For me (Alexa), life and work have really become intertwined, especially as a mother. There’s this constant pull between two powerful forces, wanting to be the most present, loving, intentional mom I can be, and also wanting to pour into my passions and build something meaningful. It’s not always easy, and the truth is, it rarely feels perfectly balanced for us. But I’ve learned that instead of choosing one over the other, ny sister and I try to blend them. My son is a part of this journey with us and he comes along to the studio, he’s with us when we are working on content or setting up for an event.

For Skyler, it’s been about juggling Muse while also working a full time job and managing her own personal life. We’re still at the beginning stages of our goal of building something bigger, and that often means long days, late nights, and not a lot of “balance” in the traditional sense.

Sometimes, balance looks like being unbalanced for us but always with purpose. It’s about knowing what season you’re in and giving yourself grace to show up how you need to in that moment.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Our art is rooted in the spaces we design and the way we empower others to bring their visions to life through creativity, styling, and photography. We created Muse Studio to be a blank canvas for creatives, entrepreneurs, and storytellers to express themselves authentically in a safe space.
We truly believe that what sets us apart is our intention. Every detail in our space is curated to inspire from the professional lighting and modular setups to the energy we bring as a sister team. It’s not just about having a trendy backdrop for photos for us it’s about creating an experience that feels elevated and supportive for others. We’re here to hold space for people at every stage of their creative journey.
Getting to this point has definitely not been easy. We built Muse while juggling our families, full-time jobs, and other businesses. We’ve worked late nights and learned how to do a lot of diy’s on our own. But we always knew there was something special about what we were creating. What helped us push through the hard moments was knowing why we were doing it and that is to build a community in Kendall , inspire others, and create something of our own that felt different.
One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned along the way is that you don’t need to wait for permission to start your business or passion project. You just need a strong vision, a support system, and the willingness to show up and try. We’ve learned to embrace imperfection (sometimes), to evolve quickly, and to keep our purpose at the center of everything. It definitely helps to have each other through the process.
What we want the world to know about Muse is that it was born from passion and family. It’s a space where people are seen, where ideas are celebrated, and where creativity is limitless. Our story is just getting started , but Muse already feels like home to so many and that’s what we’re most proud of.

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.
Since we live in Kendall, we’d kick things off with dinner and live music at Tacos and Tattoos it’s a local favorite that’s full of good energy and amazing food. One of our go to coffee spots is a cozy shop with a mission that we absolutely love to support. They create meaningful job opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and it is always welcoming and warm and the coffee never disappoints. We’d definitely spend a day in the Grove, starting with El Bagel, (because it’s worth the hype), followed by a Navi matcha run and then stroll through the farmers market and walk on the pier. It’s one of our favorite areas for sure. For a fun night out, Over and Under in Downtown is always a good time. Their karaoke night is too fun. We also love Margot which is a wine bar with a crazy selection or organic and natural wines. If we are in search of the perfect cocktail we’d take our best friend to Sweet Liberty. They make a pina colada with coffee that is to die for! Another great new spot is Shiso in Wynwood. They have one of the most unique menus we’ve ever tried. Throughout the week, we’d probably sprinkle in some beach days, a stop at PAM for some beautiful art and inspiration and maybe a night at Muse for a little content creation or a girls night in our own space. To us, a great visit is about good energy and time well spent. Miami has a lot to offer, but it’s even better when you get to explore it with your people in the right places.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely, we believe it takes a village! Our biggest shoutout without a doubt goes to our grandmother. Before her passing, she was our biggest cheerleader, always encouraging us to chase our dreams unapologetically. She saw something in us long before we fully saw it in ourselves, and her belief in our potential was a huge driving force that pushed us to get started. We truly wouldn’t be here without her love, wisdom, and that final nudge she gave us to go for it.

We also have to recognize our mom. Her love and support have been unwavering through every chapter, every idea, every risk. She’s been the backbone behind so much of what we’ve created and is always there to help, to listen, to show up for us. Her strength and dedication to our family and our dreams continue to inspire us every day. This journey is ours, but it’s also deeply theirs too.

Website: https://www.musestudiomia.com

Instagram: @musestudiomia

Facebook: Muse Studio MIA

Image Credits
Muse Studio