Meet Isabella Garofanelli | Miami based wellness-centric luxury travel and lifestyle content producer

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

Hi Isabella, what role has risk played in your life or career?
For me, I almost always think about risk as “What if?” Not just the obvious “what if” I take a risk and it goes bad, but what if I don’t take the risk? What do I potentially lose? Is that opportunity the one that makes the difference? I guess in a way its FOMO isn’t it? That’s “Fear of Missing Out” in case you didn’t know. Now there have been plenty of times that I’ve taken a risk only to have it bite me in the proverbial butt but I like to think about that pretty well known quote by Robin Sharma about there are no mistakes, only lessons and opportunities to grow., Let’s just say I’ve grown… On the other hand, but for the risks I’ve taken, I would have never left that comfortable job in a multi-national media company. I would have never thought that my voice was worth hearing. It was only after taking serious risks that I look back and say, what was I so afraid of? Why didn’t I use my voice earlier? I’m so glad I took the risks I did and turned those into opportunities that have literally taken me around the world. I’m nor reckless, but to be successful you can’t be risk averse either. What’s that saying? Ph yeah, “Ships in harbor are safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” I want to use my ship to go around this beautiful crazy world and I know thanks to my lessons, I am willing to take risks that help me to where I want to be.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I feel my story isn’t as different to a lot of people these days. That is, I started creating for myself and soon found that others appreciated my content. I found that through my content, people asked questions and engaged with me to find out the why and how of my content. That was especially the case with my travel content. I felt it was important that each picture or video told a story and that I had an obligation to my audience to use my real voice and speak to that niche that looked to me for that content. I think the medium has evolved a lot too. Back in the day, a simple picture with a so so mobile phone of what you were eating was enough to get attention. Now, the space is crowded and it’s important to understand that the content has to be created at a certain level and treated the way it deserves. I have professional cameras, lenses, drones, lighting, software from my side and then I engage with other professionals like photographers, video editors, and graphic designers all to take my content to the next level. I guess I want to represent my content as strong as possible and I want to give it everything it deserves. After all, I am so very blessed to travel to the places I do. The least I can do it convey those blessings the best way I can. Along the way, I have built trust through my brand, and I feel responsible to take care of it and continue to build it the best I can. My brand represents female luxury jet setters and those that aspire to be that. I want people who see my content, to see the difference I offer, and how much it means to me that they rely on it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you were my bestie and I feel like we are already, there are some absolute must dos in Miami when you come to visit. Let’s start downtown where there has been a renaissance over the last few years. The area has really changed to a vibrant destination full of must sees. Let’s stop for breakfast at Bistro Cafe. How about a coffee with a waffle or pancake built right in. It’s a meal by itself but leave room for one of the many incredible dishes that they offer. Best way to order there is to ignore their menu and look at their Instagram. From there we can hop on the Metromover that can take us from downtown to Brickell with ease and we can take pics along the way since it rides above ground above traffic and crowds. We’ll stop at the 8th street station and swing by Brickell City Center for some must do shopping but we’ll save the serious shopping for the Design District. We’ll need to block off a nice chunk of a day there to do some high-end retail therapy. Hermes and Chanel anyone? The Design District also features beautiful and creative architecture definitely “Insta” worthy so From Brickell City Center we can take a walk to Brickell Key and get our jog on. Once on the island, we’ll be walking along the outside with water views at every step. It’s rare but I’ve actually seen wild dolphins swim up to the sea wall there playing to crowds that gather. We’ve worked up a sweat and appetite so we’ll walk by the food trucks at First Miami Presbyterian Church with all kinds of delicious food from tacos and sushi to a delicious iced coffee. Next let’s head to the beach and soak up the rays. We’ll be walking to South Point Park where we can walk down the pier and see the beach coast for what seems like forever. Then to the Setai where we can lounge by the beach and have some of the best drink and food service on the beach. After a full day of lounging and luxuriating, let’s stop by Pinecrest Bakery for an authentic Cuban Pastry and “Cafecito”, later we’ll have dinner at Mila which has an adorable rooftop vibe for the ultra-chic so bring your heels. The next day we’ll take a quick drive to Little Havana on 8th Street. How about a delicious ice cream at Azucar? I’ll have a scoop of the Café Con Leche if you don’t mind… Of course, I’ll take a picture of you next to one of the many giant chickens. I mean, it’s Little Havana so you’ll want one of those. There’s more to see including Coral Gables, South Miami, Surfside, Bal Harbour, and so much that I think I could write a book. Hmmm, maybe I will…

Website: www.isabellagarofanelli.com

Instagram: @isabella@garofanelli