We reached out to some of our favorite entrepreneurs and asked them to think back and tell us about how they decided to start a business. Check out their responses below.

Maria Lopera | Interior Design and Real Estate

I had been working since 2002 as a sub-contractor for custom made carpentry companies. My job was in home design. My responsibility was to visit the customers in their homes and design the carpentry for them based on their necessities. During all these years, I noticed a void between what I was doing, and the customer’s needs. They were looking for something else than to just have custom-made cabinets for them. I felt that they wanted help regarding how to make their spaces functional. So, a light turned on in my head telling me that this is what I love to do. Read more>>

Lynn Bautista | Content Creator & Fashion Blogger

At a very young age, I had an interest in fashion and style overall. Loved how you were able to express yourself and your own unique style through clothing, shoes and accessories. When you look good you feel good and that really lifts up everything in your life. FabMomLynn started out as being a page in sharing my inspiration for fashion and styling ideas with the hope of helping other women, especially moms who might not have the time to think about what to wear. FabMomLynn shares beauty tips and products, fashion trends and how to dress on a fixed budget and look fabulous. Read more>>

Marsha Weaver | Professional & Handmade Crafter

I have been a creator for as long as I can remember – I’ve been baking since I was 10 and was always involved in art classes or clubs. I also worked at a local invitation/party favor shop in middle school. The best part of that job was using ribbons to assemble the personalized favors for events such as weddings and bar mitzvahs. I fondly remember the owner of that shop and still think about her to this day. I really looked up to her since she was one of the first female business owners I ever met and knew personally. Fast forward a few years; I went to college, studied engineering, and began my career, which led me to product development as project manager in the packaging and beauty industry. Read more>>

Yelany de Varona | Co-Founder and COO

When I travelled to Europe, I would always see these cool vintage vehicles with an amazing aesthetic, but I could never find them here in Miami. Whenever I reached out to companies here I couldn’t find what I was looking for and I think Miami is the perfect place for this aesthetic, the cars capabilities and the experience you get from driving them. I have always wanted to build a great product like we have at Shoreline when I have worked for other companies, but I have always been challenged with companies being obsessed with making money over customer experience, or the specific design of the product being a lower priority than scaling to a massive level of profitability. Read more>>

1AMTR1N1TY (I Am Trinity) | Music Artist, Producer, Event Planner

I was looking for a new direction in my career due to the pandemic. Before then I was an event planner and had experience with nightlife. When 2020 happened my schedule and expectations for running that company completely changed. And due to a life altering event; I was in a major car wreck; I decided I needed to change my direction in life completely. When I was recovering from a concussion, I found listening to music comforting. To the point where it would actually help in the healing process with minimizing pain. My boyfriend signed me up for DJ classes here in Miami and the rest was history! Read more>>

Colleen Shibley | South Florida Lifestyle Blogger

I started my blog in July 2010 after urging from a high-school friend. I created it mainly for the creative outlet. As an amateur artist, I loved designing and re-designing my site. It also was an easy way to share and log what was going on with my family from my daughter’s first day of school to my son’s graduation and first car. However, within a year my blog took on a life of its own and started to become not only income-producing but it opened up opportunities for me to attend events I would have otherwise not have had the chance to and meet celebrities and amazing people. Read more>>

Maria-Ines Fernandez | Management Consultant & Certified Coach

I always knew, deep inside that starting my own business was for me. The thought of aligning my true self and my purpose with my work and passions had been a constant nudge throughout my life. It made sense, yet the moment never seemed to be right, until it was. At various times during my career, I asked myself, “Now?” “Am I ready?” Fear, doubt are so powerful; on the other hand, life is amazing and if you are like me, introspective, curious, analytical and intuitive, keep moving, the day comes when even if not everything is completely aligned, you’re there, you are doing it. Read more>>

Luca Skyline” Bandinelli | Mixing & Mastering Engineer”

First, we have to point out that starting a new business will get us through a not-safe income, rather than working in a company, where you get a paycheck every month/week. Second, it’s a “starting from scratch” process. Nobody knows the business you’re building and this will lead you to the market where multiple persons do the same things that I do, with a client portfolio established throughout the years. This is why all doubts came through. What do I offer to be different from my competitors? Do i have enough budget to cover all the opening costs? These have been my main thoughts before opening my own studio (which I share with a partner). Read more>>

Cindy Nene | Songwriter and author of poetry and music publicist

My thoughts were about helping Artist Internationally I love working for the indie Artist to reach thier goals in thier career. I started Shabba Top Artist International Promotions 2019 Being that my husband is dancehall performing and recording artist. Many artists in Ivory Coast needed an open door to promote thier music. In Africa it’s not easy . The government is limited and there isn’t much funding here in Ivory CoastThere is no record labels even my husband has to go through a label in Paris France .. Read more>>

Jeff JB Cool” Brazzle | Filmmaker | Actor | Editor | Entrepreneur”

Creating my own production company was driven by two fundamental ideals: culture and freedom. It boiled down to the liberty to craft the projects that truly resonated with me, particularly those narratives rooted in my community and culture. These were the stories that might not fit neatly into traditional molds, but they were just as authentic and deserving of accolades. Moreover, it was about shedding the shackles of a boss or studio constantly questioning every decision I made. With this newfound artistic freedom, I aimed to not only create but also share the knowledge I’d accumulated. Read more>>

Maritza AKA Ritz Blanco | Childhood Lifestyle Photographer

As a self-taught lifestyle childhood photographer, I can honestly say I love what I do! I’ve always gravitated towards the arts. I knew I had a deep desire and passion to create. And not only create but to create something beautiful that would evoke emotion. Not once did it cross my mind that I would become a professional photographer especially since I didn’t have a formal education in photography. I purchased my first digital camera in 2005. It was a little Nikon D50, and boy did I put it to work. At first, I just photographed my own children. It was the beginning of digital photography, I had so much to learn. Read more>>

Deborah McGarry | President/Esthetician of Dermal-Care Esthetics & Wellness Centre

The drive behind my intention to start my own business was due to the fact that there were very few professionals in my field who were offering clinical-grade, non-invasive skin care treatments to address premature aging of the skin. Most individuals would begrudgingly resort to injectables and dermal fillers, which can ultimately result in side effects, some of which could be semi-permanent or even permanent. I wanted to formulate a process by which an individual could achieve viable and cumulative ant-aging results for the face, neck, chest and hands. Read more>>