Brickell Magazine - May June 2010 by SkyPalace at Mary Brickell Village

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Contents

BRICKELL MAGAZINE MAY-JUNE 2010

“People with goals succeed because they know where they’re going.” — Earl Nightingale

DEPARTMENTS

FE ATURES

18 Editor’s Memo

36 Downtown Turnaround

20 President’s Brief

42 Need For Speed

22 Success 34 Entrepreneur 66 Legalwise

82 Spaces

Get ready to indulge in hearty and healthy cuisine at Canyon Ranch Grill in Miami Beach.

100 Encounters On the Cover

Professionals Under Forty

49 Top 20 Under 40 60 Fair Flair

90 Diversions

Top

Take a spin in an exotic ride with Miami Drive Club and ﬁnd out why you need to sign up stat.

Meet the men and women we believe are poised to become the future of business in Brickell.

98 Successory

Discover how Downtown Miami and Brickell have transformed into a 24/7 metropolis for all ages.

76 Goal Getters

Find out what it takes to set yourself apart from the competition today, tomorrow and forever.

P H O T O G R A P H Y : K I KO R I CO T E H A I R & M A K E U P TO U C H - U P S : TR I N I , A S S I S T E D B Y C H R I S T I A N VA R A S U S I N G C O U L E U R C A R A M E L F O R TR I N I I N P R I VAT E B R I C K E L L & D A N I E L A V I E I R A W I T H ENDLESS GL AMOUR L O C AT I O N : K I KO R S T U D I O ; F O R B O O K I N G S , V I S I T K I KO R . CO M

Cityscape

DOWNTOWN TURNAROUND Urbanites, rejoice! After decades of dark, desolate nights, Downtown Miami is finally turning into the 24/7 business, residential and entertainment hub locals who work, live and play in the heart of The Magic City have been awaiting. TEX T BY LUISIANA SUEGART 36

hen the City of Miami unveiled its new logo sans the “O’s” for Dowtown, editors, proofreaders and English teachers around the nation were up in arms. Blogs had a ﬁeld day and the headlines practically wrote themselves. In a city often criticized for putting brawn and beauty over brains, it was an ironic choice, to say the least. But a few short years later, something seems to have worked. Today, “DWNTWN” and Brickell have transformed into a safe, pedestrian-friendly epicenter for residences, shops, restaurants and nightlife establishments. Under the direction of Executive Director Alyce Robertson, the Miami Downtown Development Authority is making sure that the environment meets the needs of the residents of the newly occupied condos, and of the professionals commuting to the area on a daily basis, especially as both crowds increasingly come together. Earlier this year, a study by Goodkin Consulting/Focus Real Estate Advisors found that Downtown Miami’s residential occupancy rate swelled to 74%, reﬂecting a 20% increase over the rate reported in Summer 2009. The news comes after the economic downpour created a skyline of seemingly abandoned hi-rises that are now boasting lit windows and bustling interiors. That’s because the recession’s aftermath has resulted in affordable living spaces, therefore creating a “newfound sense of community” in Downtown Miami, according to Robertson. “That vibrancy is paying huge

A surge of young professionals has transformed Downtown Miami and Brickell into one of the most vibrant and entertaining city centres in South Florida complete with daytime and nighttime activities. dividends for our residential and retail markets,” she says, particularly as more young professionals are drawn to the area. The numbers speak for themselves: To date, 68% of the 22,079 condo units completed since 2003 have been sold. “It was natural that with the lowering of prices, youngsters would be the ones to bring vibrancy and life to Downtown in an unforeseen manner, and it’s exciting to have people ages 25-45 revitalize the city,” says City Commissioner and Chair of the Miami DDA, Marc Sarnoff. “They are the pioneers behind this.” With these rates on the rise, the Miami DDA is working alongside the city’s public and private sectors to fill in the much-needed missing pieces. For example, the Brickell Biscayne Trolley System is scheduled to start running in August of this year. To create a more efficient and convenient transportation system, the trolley will head north and south along Biscayne Boulevard every 15 minutes, so one could park their car at the south end and reach the northern sector in minutes. In addition, the Miami DDA has worked with the police department to bring in more services, while a downtown enhancement team recruits the formerly homeless to pick up litter and take care of graffiti.

So far, so good. Once lined with old, tired shrubbery, Brickell and South Miami Avenues now feature more trees and vibrant landscaping, and as a result, improved walkability. Simultaneously, a dog park is in the works, with the Miami DDA looking into the Loft Downtown condos to bring it to fruition. “All of downtown is very much alive and you see it when you’re out on the street in the early evening,” says Neisen Kasdin, Vice Chair of Miami DDA and former mayor of Miami Beach in the ‘90s. He is recognized as a driving force behind South Beach and Lincoln Road’s renaissance. “People are jogging and walking their dogs,” he says. “It’s a very vibrant urban scene.” Kasdin has gone as far as dubbing Flagler the “new Lincoln Road” for the promising revival of its economic activity. “We will see hip, independent boutiques open their doors here, along with a growing nightlife scene,” he says. “As they succeed, Flagler will redeﬁne itself.” The population boom is unquestionably contributing to the growth of businesses in the area. In fact, a recent Integra Realty Resources survey of the 50-largest central business districts in the U.S. showed that Downtown Miami’s retail vacancy rate is among the ﬁve lowest in the nation at 5.06%. “Traditionally, retail follows rooftops. We have more balconies than rooftops, but we also had 42 net businesses open and stay open in 2009,” says Robertson. “There are a lot of new and interesting places that people are exploring as they work toward a true 24/7 city.” Business owner and Board Member of the Miami DDA Jose Goyanes is among the pioneers bringing new dimensions to Downtown Miami. As the founder of Metro Beauty Center 40

No longer a strictly 9 to 5 area, Downtown Miami and Brickell have become one of the preferred destinations for locals and tourists alike everyday of the week, morning, noon and night. stores, Churchill’s Barber Shop, and co-owner of Tre Italian Bistro, Goyanes says he liked the vibe in Downtown even way back when it ran on a 9 to 5 schedule. “The area has completely evolved. There are restaurants and businesses catering to the U.S. consumer, not so much to the tourist,” he says, using his own businesses as an example. “Over the last 8 months, our advertisements are directed toward locals who come in on weekends. As for the restaurant, we really can’t complain. During the rough economy, we’ve been able to not only survive, but also move forward and grow our business.” While the Miami DDA offers support to business owners wanting to set up shop in the area, Goyanes’ success and that of the other booming businesses in the area is due largely in part to the residents taking full advantage of the diverse amenities the area has to offer, such as the Concert Series and Film Festival, both of which were created to celebrate the urban lifestyle preferred by its residents. Perhaps resident Andres del Corral sums it up best. As a successful young real estate professional, he was the ﬁrst tenant ever to move into the Met 1 two years ago. Since then, he’s witnessed the livelihood that has permeated the area, welcoming new neighbors and kicking back in the city. “It’s the only area I recommend to my clients,” he says. “Safety isn’t even a concern anymore, as there’s a lot of activity out on the street. North or south, once I step out of my building, I’m happy walking either way.”

Shareese Logan, 31 Licensed Esthetician The Miami Institute for Age Management & Intervention Miami-Institute.com At age 13, while most other girls were worried about school and boys, Shareese Logan was giving herself facials. “When I was a teenager I struggled with acne and became determined to learn about skincare,” she says “Eventually, my passion turned into a gift that I feel blessed to be able to share with the world.” Today, she is the reigning “Best Facial” titleholder for Allure. She’s held the title for two consecutive years. “I also have a large following in the Brickell area for eyebrow shaping and make-application,” she says.

Isos Stamelos-Monroe, 30 VP of Sales, SkyPalace at Mary Brickell Village & Managing Broker, Skyline Realty International, LLC; SkyPalace.com; SkylineRealtyInternational.com Isos Stamelos-Monroe has a passion for sales, communications, networking and learning. “Knowledge is power,” he says. “I’m constantly studying the market and analyzing our industry so I can properly equip my sales agents and clients with the tools and knowledge they need to make informed decisions. This is one of the main elements that drives our success in sales in our current luxury residential development: SkyPalace at Mary Brickell Village.” 50

Hernan E. Quintero D.D.S., 32 Doctor in Dental Surgery HQ Dontics Dental Centre HQdontics.com If you need to put a smile on your face, you may want to visit Dr. Hernan E. Quintero. “My practice focuses in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of severely worn or damaged dentition — from the simplest cases to the most complex ones,” he says. “We specialize in dental implants, esthetic, reconstructive dentistry. Hygiene and maintenance are also a part of our daily practice.” As a child, he always wanted to be a plastic surgeon. “I ended up being a prosthodontist, a plastic surgeon of teeth and smiles.”

Florencia Rotemberg, 39 General Manager JW Marriott Hotel Miami Marriott.com When she’d travel with her parents as a little girl, Florencia Rotemberg dreamed of one day working in a hotel. Today, she’s one of the most recognized GMs in The Magic City. “My favorite part of the job is surpassing each guest’s expectations,” she says. “In Miami you get so many visitors from all over the world that it’s always a welcomed challenge to make sure their every wish is met,” she says. “I love interacting with all different types of people throughout the day and making sure their stay is unforgettable!”

Tony Vu, 37 University Treasurer Florida International University FIU.edu When he was in 7th Grade, Tony Vu wrote a paper on the stock market. He’s been hooked ever since! Today, he manages all of FIU’s banking and investment relationships. “The premise of making money with money is a fundamentally non-intuitive concept,” he says. “Add to this the overarching lesson of ﬁ nance — that a dollar today is worth more than a dollar tomorrow — and how could I not want to know and understand the world of ﬁ nance? Or maybe I’m just a geek!”

Jennifer Taylor, 28 Account Manager Esprit Miami, Inc. EspritMiami.com Roses are red, violets are blue. Right? Not quite. At least not when Jennifer Taylor is concerned. She sells flowers for a living to giant companies. “Most people don’t realize how many different types of flowers and rose varieties that actually exist” she says. “Needless to say, there’s never a dull moment in the floral industry!” Today, she applies her experience to help spaces in Brickell and beyond come to life — and smell flowerfresh all year long!

Karine Melissa, 31

CEO Fashion Designers Expo & Kimaje’ Kreations, Inc. FashionDesignersExpo.com KimajeKreationsInc.com As a child, Karine Melissa used to blast her father’s Pointer Sisters albums while jumping up and down to “I’m So Excited” and singing at the top of her lungs. “I wanted to be the best singer in the world so that I could make people feel good,” she says. “Today, I take all that energy and put it into another passion of mine: fashion!” And she welcomes any obstacles that come her way. “My secret to success is to always remain determined and dedicated while dreaming big, no matter what the challenges,” she says.

Marcelo Borrelli, 35 Financial Advisor, 2nd VP of Investments & Financial Planning Specialist Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC MorganStanleySmithBarney.com Dedication is something that Marcelo Borrelli takes very seriously, and with clients like his, it’s a prerequisite. “Throughout my career, I’ve met a lot of very smart individuals with really interesting stories of success,” he says. “I thrive on advising them on ways to put their ﬁ nancial assets to good use.” When he’s not crunching numbers, he’s munching at Segafredo, Novecento, Perricone’s or anywhere else that lures him in when he’s off the clock. “I like to try different places to keep it interesting,” he says. 53

Amy E. Adorno, 36 Partner & Attorney at Adorno, Damas & Associates AdornoDamasLaw.com Whether she’s working on a professional athlete’s divorce case or handling a trafﬁc citation, Amy E. Adorno gives the same amount of attention to each case she takes on. “I always try to put myself in the shoes of my clients,” she says. “Every client expects their case to be top priority.” But her favorite role is as peacemaker. “I started out majoring in psychology in college before obtaining my law degree,” she says. “Today, I rely on my experience with psychology to help mediate problems that may arise.”

Mike Butler, 35 Architectural Photographer Mike-Butler.com When it comes to capturing the essence of a space, Mike Butler does it like no one else. “My career sort of lifted up around me like a mirage,” he says. “I thrive on continually evolving my craft and techniques so I can keep on effectively showcasing spaces and selling ideas — no matter where in the world my clients require me to go!” 54

Sebastian Acosta, 34 Short Sale Investor National Housing Help, a subsidiary of Venture Realty NFL NationalHousingHelp.org “The biggest pride I get comes when I help a homeowner avoid a deﬁciency judgment from the bank and a foreclosure mark on their credit report,” says Sebastian Acosta. When it comes to short sales, National Housing Help is the best. “We have automated all our processes with very powerful software systems that bring our response times down to 3 weeks instead of the usual 6-9 months”. He’s so good at what he does, in fact, that he authored a best-selling book entitled Make Millions with Foreclosures & Short Sales and is a nationwide speaker on the subject of preforeclosure investing and real estate funds.

Lissette Gonzalez, 33 Weather Anchor CBS4.com Just like the weather she predicts every morning in South Florida, Lissette Gonzalez is full of surprises. She’s been Miss Miami, Miss Florida and to Miss was 2nd runner-up runner America. She can ca also sing, dance, act, act host and moment’s improvise at a m notice. “Not much mu has changed about my drive determination since and determinat I was a kid,” she says. now as an “Except that n adult I make mak sure to double-up double- on Cuban coffee!” coffe

Tania Paredes, 33 LCSW, DCSW Tania Paredes, Inc. TaniaParedes.com Tania Paredes is in the business of helping people realize their full potential. And she loves every minute of it! “It doesn’t get better than what I do,” she says. “There’s nothing like being a key part of helping people achieve their goals while they transform into a better, stronger and healthier version of themselves.”

Johnny Bosche, 30 Founder & CEO Alfonia & NeverRoam Alfonia.com; NeverRoam.com When Johnny Bosche’s partner called him to say Google had made an offer to purchase one of their companies, he couldn’t believe it . “After calling him back with no answer, I texted him asking if it was a post-April Fool’s joke,” he says. “It was, and I’m glad!” But it’s no wonder he took the prank seriously. When it comes to telecommunications, Alfonia and NeverRoam are breaking bad international calling habits and saving their clients lots of money. “We aim to make the world smaller one call at a time,” he says.

Andi Dyal, 27 Partner at Anje Soirees AnjeSoirees.com Drama is something that Andi Dyal thrives on. “I used to want to star on All My Children until I realized my true calling was in event planning,” she says. “My favorite part of the job is watching my vision unfold while taking advantage of the incredibly glamorous lifestyle that comes along with being out and about all the time!”

Dallas Foster, 32 CEO & President Metropolitan Lifestyle TheMetroLifestyle.com Dallas Foster’s life is ﬁ lled with parties, trends, top brands and VIP memories. And he gets paid to do it. Brickell is a perfect place for him to shine, dine, drink and network. “If you want the inside scoop, you’re going to have to catch me,” he says. “Every new experience seems to trump the last, and I guess that’s what makes me good at what I do!”

Tiana Kai Madera, 29 Realtor-Associate Fortune International Realty KariMadera.com Looking for your dream home? Look no further than Tiana Kai Madera. “I pride myself on ﬁ nding the ideal investment property that will work best for each client,” she says. “I coordinate all aspects of the deal and go above and beyond just showing property and signing contracts. It can be a very personal decision in someone’s life, so I always focus on the client, not the closing.”

Alejandro Brito, 38 Franchise Attorney Zarco Einhorn Salkowski & Brito, P.A. ZarcoLaw.com He stands a tall 6’3”, and grew up wanting to be a professional basketball player. Then he caught the entrepreneur bug and hasn’t looked back since. “I always knew I wanted to run my own business,” he says. “I use that passion for entrepreneurship in my current law practice by attempting to empower my clients to run their franchise businesses in a successful and proﬁtable way.” 58

Whitney Ditlow, 23 Financial Representative Northwestern Mutual Financial Network NMFN.com If you’re looking for ways to align your spending habits with your ﬁ nancial goals, Whitney Ditlow is happy to help. “My favorite part of the job is building genuine relationships with my clients,” she says. “You eventually get to know them and their families very well; they will send pictures and share exciting news, so it becomes not only a professional business relationship but a friendship, too!”

Esteban Kadamani, 27 President of Infinite Group, Inc.: Infinite Windows, Infinite Green reen Innovations& Infinite te Builders InfitineWindowsLLC.com C.com Esteban Kadamani never er let his age get in his way. ay. “I had to take on the rolee of a businessman at a very y early age,” he says. “I overcame came all the challenges by focusing cusing on my goals and paving ving my own path.” And his drive to be the best stemss from a competitive childhood. hood. “I grew up playing tennis,, competing in tournaments, training ining 3 hours a day to be #1,” he says. “I don’t ever settle for 2nd nd Place!”