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

Hi Valeria, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Since I was little, I’ve always loved fashion. I started by asking my mom to take pictures of me on the street, even when people looked at me strangely. But I kept going because I loved expressing myself through style. Over time, brands started reaching out, and I realized I could turn my passion into something bigger.

That’s how I built my personal brand, which today has grown to 10.8k followers on Instagram with a reach of 1.2M, and over 26k followers on TikTok. Creating lifestyle, fashion, and beauty content is not just about aesthetics—it requires consistency, strategy, and truly understanding my audience, young women aged 18 to 25. Connecting with them isn’t easy, as there’s so much work behind the scenes, but the key is showing up every day, being real, and sharing content that resonates with them. My business is my personal brand, and I treat it as such—constantly evolving, staying authentic, and always looking for new ways to inspire and connect.

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?
My business is my personal brand, and it’s built around my passion for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. What sets me apart is my authenticity—I’ve always been true to myself, and I think that’s what connects me with my audience. I focus on creating content that feels real, relatable, and inspiring for young women aged 18 to 25. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about storytelling, sharing experiences, and building a genuine community.

I’m incredibly proud of how much my brand has grown. Today, I have 10.8k followers on Instagram with a reach of 1.2M and over 26k followers on TikTok. But this didn’t happen overnight. It took years of consistency, creativity, and a lot of behind-the-scenes work that people don’t always see. It wasn’t easy—there were moments of doubt, algorithm changes, and times when I felt stuck. The biggest challenge was staying motivated when things weren’t moving as fast as I wanted. I overcame it by focusing on my passion and reminding myself why I started.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that success in content creation is all about consistency and adaptability. You have to keep showing up, evolving, and staying true to your voice. Another important lesson is that engagement matters more than numbers—having a loyal, engaged audience is way more valuable than just chasing followers.

What I want the world to know about my brand is that it’s more than just pretty pictures—it’s about self-expression, confidence, and creating a space where women feel inspired and seen. My journey started with a simple love for fashion, and now it’s grown into something that allows me to connect with thousands of people. And this is just the beginning!

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?
If my best friend were visiting Miami for a week, I’d make sure they experience the best mix of beach, nature, and fun spots for content! We’d start with brunch at Pura Vida or Big Pink, then explore Wynwood Walls for street art and cute photo ops. A day at South Beach is a must, with lunch at Joia Beach and a sunset picnic at South Pointe Park. For shopping, we’d visit Bal Harbour Shops or the Design District, followed by a delicious dinner at Carbone or Gekko. A boat day around Biscayne Bay would be perfect for relaxing and spotting dolphins. We’d also take a day trip to the Florida Keys for snorkeling and beach time. To unwind, we’d visit The Setai Spa, and for the final night, we’d have rooftop drinks at Sugar, enjoying the stunning skyline views. Miami is all about sunshine, ocean breezes, and picture-perfect moments!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely! My journey wouldn’t be the same without the incredible support of my mom. She was the first person who believed in me, patiently taking my photos when I was just starting out—even when people looked at me funny. Her encouragement gave me the confidence to keep going and turn my passion into something bigger.

I also want to recognize my audience—my followers are a huge part of my story. Their support, engagement, and trust mean everything to me. Creating content is not just about sharing my world, but also about building a community where we can all connect, inspire, and uplift each other. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Lastly, a shoutout to the brands that believed in me early on. Those first collaborations gave me the push I needed to take my personal brand seriously and grow it into what it is today.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vlizaraso/profilecard/?igsh=aDd1N29kYWNmeWhu

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@vlizaraso?_t=ZM-8v7dw6rUk7j&_r=1

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.