Meet Nick Meneses | Entrepreneur

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

Hi Nick, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Honestly, it all started with my background in commercial and private aviation — an industry that taught me a lot about precision, high standards, and how to deliver exceptional service. But at my core, I’ve always been an entrepreneur. I’ve had a passion for bringing brands to life and building something meaningful from scratch.

Over the years, I developed a mix of creative and technical skills — from website development and graphic design to digital marketing — and realized I could bring all of that together to launch something unique. That’s how Bela Foto Studio was born. We started as a corporate event photography company in Miami, and today we’ve grown to serve over 100 cities across the U.S. It’s been an exciting journey, and I’m incredibly grateful for the momentum we’ve built.

Most recently, I’ve been working on a new venture called Pikfoto, a Polaroid photo subscription club that allows people to turn their digital memories into something tangible — monthly prints delivered straight to their door. It’s a project that goes hand-in-hand with my work in photography and taps into the nostalgia and joy of printed photos. With Pikfoto, I’m hoping to inspire people to reconnect with their memories in a more personal and lasting way.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Bela Foto Studio was built on the idea that photography — especially in the corporate world — should be more than just showing up, snapping a few photos, and calling it a day. We treat every client and event as a relationship, not a transaction. Our thought process is very intentional. These companies are trusting us to capture meaningful moments — milestones, conferences, team achievements — and we take that responsibility seriously. We want our clients to not just see the photos, but to feel the energy of those moments when they look back on them.

Coming from a corporate and private aviation background, where precision and professionalism are non-negotiable, I’ve carried that same mindset into Bela Foto. In aviation, there’s no room for error, and that discipline helped shape the way I built our client experience — especially our onboarding process, which is thorough, structured, and thoughtful. It’s part of what sets us apart.

Looking back, I’m incredibly proud that we’ve been trusted by major Fortune 100 to Fortune 1,000 companies. That didn’t happen overnight — it’s taken years of consistent hard work, learning, refining, and staying committed to delivering not just great photos, but a great experience from start to finish.

It definitely wasn’t easy. There were plenty of long nights, mistakes, and growing pains — but each challenge was a lesson. The biggest one? Find your niche and be really great at it. Focus on one thing at a time, perfect it, master it, and then build from there. That’s been our approach, and it’s what continues to push us forward as we expand to new markets across the U.S.

At the end of the day, Bela Foto is about connection. We’re not just capturing events — we’re helping brands tell their stories, celebrate their people, and preserve meaningful moments with intention and care.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my friends were visiting, I’d make sure they got the full South Florida experience — vibrant, scenic, flavorful, and just a little bit spontaneous.

We’d start the trip off exploring Wynwood — you can’t go wrong with the murals, local galleries, and chill bars. At night, we’d grab dinner at Pollos y Jarras or CVI.CHE 105 — both are staples for amazing Peruvian food and an unbeatable vibe.

We’d make a beach day out of Hollywood Beach, walk the boardwalk, and then hit Viva Brazil for some incredible Brazilian barbecue. Another day we’d head to Coconut Grove for something more laid-back — walk around, enjoy the waterfront, maybe hop on a sailboat, and catch the sunset.

A trip wouldn’t be complete without visiting The Boca Raton for a more upscale, relaxing day by the water, or the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for some evening fun and nightlife. And of course, I always take people through the Miami Design District — it’s full of art, culture, and design that sparks creativity everywhere you look.

Midweek, we’d plan a mini road trip to the Florida Keys — just to indulge in fresh seafood and grab a slice (or two) of their famous Key Lime Pie. It’s a must. I love finding cool, off-the-beaten-path spots on TikTok, so we’d definitely be using that as our tour guide along the way.

By the end of the week, they’d leave sun-kissed, well-fed, and totally in love with South Florida — just like I am.

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?
For most of my life, I’ve been self-driven — constantly learning, experimenting, and pushing myself forward without a traditional mentor. A lot of my growth has come from being curious, staying disciplined, and trusting the process. That said, the biggest shift in my life happened when I started a family. My partner and I have built something really special together — not just in business, but in life — and having our daughter has brought a whole new level of purpose and motivation to everything I do.

They’re my reason, my grounding force, and my greatest source of encouragement. So while I’ve always been inspired from within, it’s the love and support of my family that keeps me going — even on the tough days. I’m incredibly grateful for them, and this journey wouldn’t be the same without that kind of love behind me.

Website: https://www.belafotostudio.com

Instagram: belafotostudio

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bela-foto-studio/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belafotostudiollc/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bela-foto-studio-aventura

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@belafotostudio2172

Image Credits
Bela Foto Studio