We had the good fortune of connecting with Pilar Carvajal` and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pilar, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was in New York City on September 11th, 2001. It was this event that led me to move back to my home town in Miami Beach and join forces with my mother in her senior living business. I worked with her until 2016, when I was accepted into a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program. The goal of this program was to grow your business but it was during this program that I realized that if I wanted to grow my business, I had to leave the family business. This was the scariest thing I have ever done in my life because from one day to the next, I had no business and had to start one from scratch.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am so proud of my ability to start a business and double its size every year since I started. It was not easy to leave the comfort of a family business but I did it. I learned that I can create a successful business. I took the risk of leaving my business partner and my mother. It is the best decision I have ever made and I want others to know, that are in the same situation, that success is possible.

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?
I live in one of the top ten cities in the world, Miami Beach, Florida. I live in mid-Beach so it is quiet at night but if we venture a couple of blocks South, we are in the famous South Beach. The beaches during the day are a must. Eating at my favorites restaurants up and down the beach and in Midtown and Wynwood are incredible. I recommend walking on Lincoln Road and coming to Miami when Art Basel is in town. This is the best time in Miami, not only because the weather is ideal but the art world descends on Miami for a couple of days.  It is magical!

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?
It would be my husband Eduardo Carvajal. His support never wavered as I dived into the swamp and left the family business to start my own. He told me to keep swimming. When I got to the end of the swamp, I looked back and there he was waving at me saying “I knew you could do it”.

Website: www.islcommunities.ocm
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/pilarcarvajal
Facebook: www.facebook.com/InnovationSL

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