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

Hi Sydney, how do you think about risk?
Taking Risk has been a focal decision in my life and my career. I came from very loving parents, who had me in their early twenties.. we grew up in the lower to middle class. I was the first to graduate college. I took all the risk and fears of failing and put them to the test. Without risk there is no reward. It is cliché, but it’s true. We only live once.. and I want to use it as an opportunity to create the best life for myself and my family, and our generations to come.

From pushing to graduate high school a year early with a six-month-old on my hip, my husband and family by my side.. I knew the risk would always be worth it. At 18 years old, I was accepted to RN program. What a blessing it is to have that license and experience under my belt. The labor of my fruits were those two letters “RN”.  I added “BSN” to that in May 2019.

After five years of nursing, in 2021 I took the biggest risk thus far and retired from my nursing career. I was fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom briefly, and also passed my Florida Real Estate License exam. I hit the pavement and closed over 11 deals in my first 12 months! This would have never happened if I didn’t take the risk. When it seems scary.. that’s when you leap!

All of these risks I took throughout my life led me to strive even further and start an entrepreneurship business called Bimini Isle Watersports LLC. Starting this business was a no brainer! We get to meet great people in the community & explore new places while seeing wildlife and nature in a beautiful location. We can’t wait to see where this journey leads us next!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Connection! Connection is what drives me. I love to connect with others and learn about what drives them and their passions.

Whether it be in real estate, nursing, paddle boarding rentals, making friends, or supporting others in their business, my goal is to always connect with others & make them feel like they matter. For them to feel as though they aren’t alone in this world & they have someone who cares.

The paddle boarding business isn’t just about renting a paddle board, it is about connecting with yourself and nature out on the water. Being vulnerable and taking the risk to be out of your comfort zone in some way. Most are faces struggles we know nothing about and just an hour or two out on the paddle boards can make that all seem irrelevant. That’s the sole purpose of our small business Bimini Isle Watersports, to bring the community together & allow others to explore nature who might not otherwise do without the opportunity. We want to make the experience different than any other rental business!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

There are so many great places to have fun and enjoy delicious foods and beverages in town!

We love the new ‘Thai & I’ Thai restaurant in Bunnell, especially their fried duck! It is so crispy and tasty and the service is always great! The fried dumplings appetizers are amazing as well!

We also love the Bronx Pizza in Hammock Beach so we would have to make a pit-stop there on our way to the explore the A1A route of town!

Depending on the time of year, we would make a trip to Saint Augustine Night of Lights or just to explore downtown restaurants and shoppes.

During the stay we would definitively have to visit the European village and the Sunday’s Farmers Market would be a must! 😊

If my friend visiting happen to rent a boat during the visit, we would cruise up to Bings Landings and stop at Captain BBQs for some tasty BBQ on the water! No boat, no problem. They also have SUP and kayak launch for our convenience.

We would definitely attend a local yoga session, maybe with Kari Craig on the beach!

I would love book a two-day yoga camping retreat with local business owners Whitney Andrews & Maggie Merkiel at Yoga Elements Retreat LLC.

To document the occasion, we would have to finish the trip with a mini photo shoot session with the very talented photographer, Felicia Demers, Felicia April Photography to truly have a keepsake of the memories we created this special week!

I better stop talking and get to work to afford this lovely week with my friend from out of town! Haha.

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?

There is no way I would be where I am today without my husband, children & my family.

A special tribute and thank you is owed to my husband, Siegh Mariano, for sticking by my side as we navigate through this crazy unpredictable thing that we call “life”. You’ve been my rock, my solidarity, my peace and mind of reasoning when I’ve been misguided. You’ve always believed in my abilities and pushed me to be my greatest version of myself. You’ve never doubted me. And you’ve always trusted me. You’ve seen potential in me that I would have never otherwise seen within myself. Without you & our children, I don’t think I would have taken any of the risks I have thus far.

I truly owe all my efforts and success to you guys; I look at my children’s sweet faces as my motivation to strive for greatness. Our children and our mission give me the passion to strive for a great future and opportunity to change our generation struggles and overcome challenges together. My Skyler, Silas, and Summer – it’s all for you!

There is no amount of money or love I could repay to my family – my parents, grandparents, and my sister to say how much your help gave us a head start in life when we otherwise would have been 5 steps behind.

It’s truly taken a village, and there are so many people I would like to thank for their impact on my life throughout the years, you know who you are.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/biminislewatersports?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083140306452

Image Credits
Felicia Demers – Felicia April 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.