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

Hi Natalie, where are you from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I grew up between Miami, Florida and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. My family is Cuban, and my parents also spent some time growing up in Puerto Rico, so needless to say the Caribbean influence is strong.

Growing up in Santo Domingo, in particular, had a profound effect on me. While there, I attended international schools with kids from all over Latin America and the world: different races, ethnicities, backgrounds, creeds. We were encouraged to have curiosity about each other, ask questions, and respect our differences. At the same time, we were very united, bonding over mutual obsessions like kids do. American pop culture was very pervasive while I was growing up: young life revolved around MTV and Disney. Today, I guess you can say my influences and inspirations really run the gamut, from Dominican merengue to classic American musical theatre to British sci-fi.

From an early age, I’ve understood that being someone of Latin origin isn’t a monolithic experience, and that being a person, period, is full of multidimensionality. I celebrate all of the dimensions of myself and others. No person is solely their job, their occupation, their family, their interests, their background. Life is so much more interesting when you know that people can surprise and delight you at every turn.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My background is in communications and public relations. I’ve been fortunate to do a lot of interesting things within that realm, from luxury travel to public affairs to music media to my current role in content partnerships. I’ve been fascinated with storytelling my whole life, and while there is that perception of a publicist being some sort of party-hopping, phone-wielding glamour puss, effective communications and messaging are nothing but good storytelling in my eyes.

Building a career takes a village. You really have to take a moment to appreciate anyone who has given you their time and mentorship along the way. It’s my belief that many work tasks, even if they’re something daunting or otherwise agitating in the moment, have the opportunity to be capacity-building experiences. Everything shapes you into a Swiss army knife of a professional.

My biggest pieces of advice for those cultivating their own professional paths:

1. Don’t be afraid of sending (thoughtful, sincere, concise) cold emails to people you admire.
2. Bring others up with you: Respond to those LinkedIn messages and try to give people the advice and intel you wish you received when you were in their spot.
3. You’re never big enough to discredit somebody else and act like a snob. People will always remember how you treated them, so be kind.
4. It’s tough, but learn how to draw respectful boundaries so you can channel your energies most effectively (this goes for life, too!). If you don’t claim your time, someone else will. You’re the only person’s whose job it is to make your day what you want it to be.

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.
Flour & Weirdoughs (Key Biscayne): My local go-to for coffee, delicious South American empanadas, and good-as-hell pastries with funny, inspired names (e.g. the It’s Brisket, B*tch croissant). I love bringing a book and hanging out in their patio on a lazy Sunday.

Books & Books (Coral Gables, Coconut Grove): Where I purchase said books! One of the best independent bookstores in the world. Their staff really cares, and they always program amazing events and author talks.

Mano (Midtown): The best nail art in Miami—fresh designs, fun decals (including dried flowers and seashells!), and non-toxic options. I have to use my hands a lot, and I love looking down at something delightful every once in a while.

Thatch (Midtown): Where I go after a fresh manicure at Mano! One of my favorite places to eat lunch in the Magic City. It’s plant-based, but as an omnivore myself, I’ve taken some serious meat-eaters here and they leave feeling more than satisfied. Everything is delicious and thoughtfully prepared. The staff is the sweetest. I also love picking up Palo Santo, kombucha, and other wellness wares from their takeaway market next door.

The Rubell Museum (Allapattah): Incredible access to art exists year-round in Miami, not just during Art Basel. The Rubell houses a jaw-dropping collection, plus it has one of the best gift shops in town.

Azúcar Ice Cream Company (Little Havana): Delicious Cuban-inspired flavors. One scoop each of the Abuela María and platano maduro, please.

SIMONETT (Miami Design District): The most thoughtful place to shop for womenswear in Miami. It’s essentially a discovery platform and has turned me on to local brands like éliou.

Motek Café (Downtown Miami): A hidden gem located in the historic Seybold Jewelry Building and serving incredible Israeli and Mediterranean food. Everything here is delicious (don’t sleep on the crispy avocado!). The best delivery option in Miami, as far as I’m concerned.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shout out the late Broadway great, Michael Bennett. He was the co-creator of “A Chorus Line,” the Pulitizer prize-winning musical, and a prolific director, choreographer, and producer who collaborated with the likes of Stephen Sondheim, Hal Prince, and David Geffen.

Tragically, he passed away from AIDS-related complications in 1987 at only 44. I often think about Michael and stories like his—what else could he have created, I wonder? My heart breaks thinking of the lost generation of geniuses we lost to AIDS, particularly in the arts.

I’ve long been fascinated by Michael Bennett’s work. It was just so vital and original. Many of the techniques he pioneered when creating a show live on in theatre today. My hope is to be able to celebrate his legacy and cultural contributions in a cool way someday.

Website: www.natalieguevara.com

Instagram: @natisagee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natguevara/

Image Credits
1st Photo by Fredy Padovan 2nd Photo by @becauseilikedit

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.