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

Hi Love, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?

It was a calling, It was a gift, a talent that I took for granted until I stopped working in the creative field. Let me give you a quick back story, I had to take an administrative job at a museum to make ends meet as I wasn’t getting any styling jobs, clients, assistant jobs. NOTHING. My co-workers were all great, they were all in their chosen field except for myself. After I left that job, I sank into a deep, deep, depression where I had to confront my self loathing tendencies, self esteem issues based on the constant rejection in my career and all the stuff that my parent’s did and didn’t do that I blamed them for.  As I got better I came to realize that I had to find something creative to pursue.  I started practicing Buddhism and silversmithing within a day of one another.  For the first time in forever I felt hopeful!  That was due to Buddhism awakening in my life and another expression of my creativity.  My silversmithing teacher, Gordon urged me to become a Gemologist so I applied to GIA won a scholarship and off I went. I flourished emotionally and spiritually as I came to see my well being and happiness is strengthened through my Buddhist practice and my gift of creativity. It is as essential to me as breathing.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Conversation Starters is the hybrid creation of my creative life coaching business, my love of fashion and conversation. A stylish unisex collection that is based on inspiring and embodying confidence in the wearer. It showcases my sense of humor and coaching style in bold catchy slogans that are witty, confident and funny.

One day I sat down with myself and really asked myself, “Why Not Me! Why couldn’t I become a Billionaire, Mogul, Icon Millionaire Me just by being myself?” From those two slogans I started the Conversation Starters Collection.

I’m very ambitious and driven , I’ve always have been. My life had to dismantle and get extremely uncomfortable in order for me to be where I’m at now emotionally, mentally, spiritually and professionally. It took a really long time for me to get here; that’s why these two sayings mean so much to me. They are so much more than words, they are a doorway to OUR destiny. I know that there are many other people out there who feel the same way or could use some inspiration. Allow me to give that to you.

For example:

“Working On Myself, Just Not Today” was born out of me giving myself permission to just be. As a person taking herself out of self employment into entrepreneurship you wear so many hats! It’s exhausting, time consuming, let alone maintaining a spiritual practice (I have practiced Nichiren Buddhism for 22 years) and a social/personal life. It’s important to give yourself a REST, without guilt from all the have to’s and responsibilities. Learning to prioritize the rest of the mind and body is a process and practice.

Boss Up$ It’s about taking FULL responsibility, accountability for all areas of your life, not being afraid to be ambitious. Doing the necessary work to have your reality supersede your dreams.

My goal for Conversation Starters is to bring together communities of people that can converse on basically any topic! They are well versed in the art of conversation and self expression in a way that is respectful and all inclusive. Each collection I will give my customers and the public the power to vote for their favorite slogans. The top favorite slogans make it into the Conversation Starters Collection.

Stay tuned for details for our official launch that will kick off with a pop up Conversation Starters event.

In 2018 I wrote down this goal “ To merge and monetize my creative talents by helping to inspire and encourage others.” I have chanted, prayed and taken action based on this goal and a lot of times it looked fragmented, disjointed and stagnant. I realize now, I had to have a bigger, more cohesive vision of who and what I could create and become.

I had to OWN my ambition. Once I let go of any inhibitions, distractions that kept me thinking small including friends and family; a floodgate of possibilities opened up. I started learning to recognize my self sabotaging tendencies of impatience and inner complaint through my daily Buddhist practice. Developing patience in the process without losing hope and faith in what you are doing can be a challenge. That’s why it’s important that you develop a spiritual practice that allows you to feel revived spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Our inner success as a human being determines our outward success. Don’t sleep on self affirmations, surrounding yourself only with people that want to celebrate and elevate you (for some of you it will be a lonely time, however it will be worth it) and Read! Read about others journeys and how they are living proof of their dreams.

I have always loved fashion and I knew I had a great sense of style that I wanted to explore through fashion styling. I loved the idea of creating characters and stories based solely on wardrobe. I moved to NY in my 20’s and I was determined to work on Seventh Avenue for a designer, learn as much as I can about fashion whilst assisting stylists and building my own portfolio. I started assisting on jobs for Vanity Fair, Vogue, InStyle, Vibe magazine to name a few. In addition to working NY Fashion Week for DKNY, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Vera Wang and Betsy Johnson etc. The highlight was the Yohji Yammamoto show at the NY Armory! Purrrfetion

Freelancing is up and down. So as much as I wanted to only work in Fashion, I have worked as a hostess, waitress, coat check, handbag buyer, spa manager, PA to name a few. A big break came when I got to work with Mariah Carey as one of her stylists for her Butterfly album. Press, videos, personal appearances, world tour you name it. She took me around the world! I have been at the Nobel Peace Prize Awards with her! Like WOW Soon after I moved to London and then to Los Angeles.

My styling career came to an abrupt halt…end. I shopped my portfolio, met with agents and nothing! No one wanted to take a chance on me, this is when the fashion industry was moving more towards celebrities instead of models. Yes, I had Mariah however they wanted more and they wanted me to work for free!!! My confidence, self esteem plummeted, once again I had to take various jobs to survive and when the occasional fashion job showed up I pounced on it. I stopped pursuing styling, I had a major attitude with fashion. I sank into the deepest depression of my life! I fought through it and it led me to Buddhism and Silversmithing. Two things that changed my life majorly. Buddhism gave me the tools to work on my confidence and value as a person amidst life’s obstacles, that no matter what my happiness is built on my inner life condition. Silversmithing gave me jewelry design and I thought I could replace it with fashion. I started the Melissa Molinar Collection, a small collection of rings, bangles and necklaces that sold at an LA boutique and Warren Tricomi. I became a Graduate Gemologist and started selling diamonds for an e-commerce company. Fashion still nagged at me! Is this my life now??? No!!! I had to get out of this job, arena and back into fashion I told myself. So I started styling and getting published editorial work yet still I wanted more, more creative control as I had the vision. I was art and creative directing the shoots I was styling. I decided to try my hand at photography and the doors opened!!! I absolutely loved combining my photography style with my creative/art direction. “Keep following your passions, you never know which doors of possibilities you could unlock.” Every skill you learn compliments all your other skills and talents.


Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Nothing says Miami Morning than cafe’ con leche! My favorite spots are Fresca y Mas and select Chevron stations that have a cafe. Along with tostada and bacaloa (cod fish) croquettas.

Vizcaya as a child my mother would take us there to swim. The grounds are spectacular and definitely a must see.

The Beach!! I am a beach babe all day long… South Beach cause it’s fun and a vibe, Hollywood Beach and a hidden spot that I’m keeping mum on.

Youmake Miami Library. Every freelancer, entrepreneur and creative should utilize their resources. They can assist in teaching you graphic design, sewing, podcasting, 3D model making, photography and local resources for small business owners to name a few. They have special days that they cater to adults only.

Your mindset is your currency so I recommend reading the following books

Think And Grow Rich
The Alchemist
Buddha In Your Mirror
Unlocking The Mysteries Of Birth And Death


The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

When I think of giving thanks and what helped to shape who I am, I look no further than the women in my family.

My drive, determination, intelligence, heart and loyalty come from my mother; Melba. Her work ethic and her ability to always provide for us as a single parent, in addition to being there for other people in need. My philanthropist heart is all Melba! My Tias, Violet, Juliethe and Delores and my cousins Patricia and Sa’Diyya the food, the conversations, the laughs, the wisdom, the friendship; I am deeply appreciative and grateful for the lessons and experiences with them.


Website: lovemolinar.com

Instagram: lovemolinartarot

Linkedin: Melissa Molinar (Molinar+Creative)

Youtube: love molinar tarot

Other: TikTok @lovemolinartarot

Image Credits
Melissa Molinar Photography

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.