Meet Mariana Diaz

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

Hi Mariana, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
At HGAB Studios, our mission has always gone beyond just creating beautiful content. We exist to empower creators, entrepreneurs, and dreamers by giving them access to the space, tools, and support they need to bring their visions to life. We’re rooted in community, and we’ve intentionally built an environment that’s collaborative, inclusive, and accessible.
FOR CREATORS BY CREATORS. is our motto!

On a broader level, we see content as a form of cultural storytelling and activism. By supporting diverse creators and amplifying underrepresented perspectives, we’re contributing to a more inclusive media landscape, one where everyone can see themselves reflected.

At the end of the day, we’re not just building a business, we’re building a creative ecosystem that fuels both personal growth and collective impact.

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.
What sets me apart is resilience and the belief that creativity can build more than careers—it can build communities. When we founded HGAB Studios, we had no investors or safety nets, just vision and hustle. Bootstrapping forced us to be resourceful, scrappy, and intentional, and it shaped HGAB into what it is today.

At the same time, I was building a career while going through dialysis three times a week for six years. It was grueling, but in 2020 I received a kidney transplant. This was a second chance that gave me even more drive to keep creating. That journey taught me patience, gratitude, and how to turn struggle into purpose.

My creative path began in 2011 at Miami Ad School in the Art Direction program. Later, photography deepened my love for visual storytelling and led me to my true calling: creating immersive art sets. As an Art Director, nothing excites me more than bringing ideas to life whether designing sets, directing shoots, or collaborating with brands.

Looking ahead, I’m excited for HGAB’s growth and the chance to keep serving the creative community. If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s that our story proves persistence and community can turn obstacles into fuel for something bigger.

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.
If my best friend were visiting Miami for a day here’s how I’d show them the best time ever:

HGAB Studios Duhh!
We’d start at HGAB Studios, of course. I’d give them the full tour so they could feel the energy of the creative community we’ve built. We’d hang out in the studios, do a mini photoshoot, and maybe catch one of our pop-up events or installations if the timing is right.

Caracas Bakery
In the morning, we’d head to Caracas Bakery for coffee and the most delicious Venezuelan pastries—it’s my comfort food and a little piece of home. Later, we’d stop at Mary’s Coin Laundry for their iconic pan con bistec, which never misses.

North Beach
You can’t visit Miami without a beach day. I’d pack a cooler, grab a speaker, and head to North Beach for a chill but scenic day in the sun. Sunset is a must.

Gramps
Then we’d end the night at Gramps for Double Stubble, one of the best drag shows in town ,hosted by the iconic
Karla Croqueta. It’s electric, inclusive, and so much fun.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely!!! None of this has happened in a vacuum. I owe so much to the people who poured into me along the way.
First and foremost, my family, and life partner who always made creativity feel valid and supported, even when it wasn’t the “safe” route. Their love grounded me when things felt chaotic or uncertain.

I also want to shout out the creative community here in Miami, especially the ones who showed up when HGAB Studios was still just an idea. Their belief, collaboration, and energy gave the space life before the paint was even dry. We’ve grown together, and that collective spirit is what makes this work feel so meaningful.

And most importantly, I want to give immense thanks to my business partners and best friends Biscayne Boeck, Kendrick Vasquez, and Chris Vivas . We’ve been building this dream together for the last 10 years, and their vision, loyalty, and hustle have shaped everything we’ve created. I’d also like to recognize Andres Polania, our CFO, whose leadership and dedication have been instrumental in keeping our mission strong and sustainable.

Website: www.hgabstudios.com + www.maridiaz.myportfolio.com

Instagram: @h3y_maa + @HGAB_Studios

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariana-diaz-

Image Credits
HGAB STUDIOS Media Team