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Beauty, Business, Cover Stories, Fashion, Interviews, LIFESTYLE, MSM Online, The Issue

Adrienne Bosh: The Ultimate Cheerleader for Women – Cover Shoot

Interviewed by KATIE JACKSON, Photographed by IMANI OGDEN, Wardrobe Styling by BRIANNA AGOSTO, Hair & Makeup by TAMIA EVERETT FOR TAMIASTYLES, Location: MSM STUDIOS, EDGEWATER DISTRICT Excited for her cover photo shoot, Adrienne Bosh stepped into MSM studios and posed as photographer Imani Ogden snapped her picture. Music from Bosh’s personal iTunes library played over the speakers, and after a series of photos, she began to dance and laugh, lighting up both the camera and the room with her genuine warmth and positivity. This happy and positive attitude is what helped make Bosh the phenomenon she is today. As the wife of Miami Heat center and power forward Chris Bosh, mother of three, business owner, blogger, party planner, and active philanthropist, Bosh is so much more than meets the eye. Born in Indiana, Bosh says her Midwestern upbringing provided her with a solid ground of morals that make her the person she is today. Raised by a single mother, she learned at a young age the importance of independence, a quality she hopes to now instill in her own children. “I love encouraging my children to be self-sufficient, and to become whatever it is they want to be,” says Bosh. As a mother to Dylan Skye and Jackson, and stepmother to Trinity, Bosh feels that motherhood has enriched her life in every sense. “My kids have taught me amazing patience, and they have taught me the importance of living in the moment.” With her family as her number one priority, Bosh has also managed to create a movement so powerful that she has deeply impacted other families’ lives. In addition to holding the position of Vice President of Team Tomorrow Inc., a charitable organization founded by her husband, Bosh has made it her mission to encourage and empower women everywhere. She hosts an annual Mother’s Day brunch called Today I Can, which treats new and expectant mothers to a day of pampering and baby supplies. She has also chaired the Dress for Success Gala, an event that provides professional clothing and career development strategies to unemployed women in South Florida.  Apart from her philanthropic spirit, Bosh strives to provide multiple outlets for women to seek out when they are in need of fashion and health advice, laughter, or overall inspiration. Starting a blog on her website, AdrienneBosh.com, Bosh shares her own personal struggles and triumphs with her readers. “I feel like as a young woman, I didn’t have a lot of women share their secrets with me, their heartbreaks, their sad times, or their struggles,” says Bosh. “I just had to learn the hard way. I feel like we can do better as women to help equip the next woman sooner, faster, better. Those five minutes you take to talk to a young girl could change her life, and I just want to be able to do that.” But perhaps her biggest venture yet will be the opening of her retail boutique and event venue, Sparkle and Shine Darling. Opening in May, Bosh has put her heart and soul into creating a space where women can gather to celebrate each other. After her husband and closest girlfriends threw her a beautiful Parisian themed party in Paris for her 29th birthday, Bosh felt inspired to create a similar experience for Miami women. “My girlfriends spent months shopping to find these items from vintage stores and different themed stores. But they never found one store that sold all of these items,” says Bosh. “So when I came back from Paris, I really wanted to create a place where women could not only shop for items to celebrate these women, but also provide a place where they can have a beautiful occasion and party like the one my friends had given me.” In providing multiple themes for any occasion, including Breakfast at Tiffany’s, garden tea party, Gatsby champagne, and a Parisian rendezvous, Bosh wants to provide a space for customers to celebrate birthdays, graduations, baby and bridal showers, bachelorette parties and so much more. As far as the boutique’s name, Bosh wanted to incorporate her love of “sparkling and shining,” while also receiving a little help from her husband. “My whole theory behind sparkling and shining is that if you are totally confident, and totally okay with how you are shining and sparkling in life, then you will succeed. But I added darling because that’s my husband’s nickname for me. He’s from Texas and he’s very southern. So he always says ‘whatever you want to eat, darling,’ or ‘whatever you want, darling.’ So the darling came from him,” says Bosh. “At the end of the day, I want my darlings to feel the same way when my husband calls me darling. I want my darlings to feel loved, supported, encouraged, and confident. Because when my husband calls me darling, I feel all of those things.” Bosh also envisions her boutique as not only a place to host and celebrate occasions, but to throw events to bring communities of women together. “My goal is to have this as a space for any event meant to encourage women,” says Bosh. “Whether it’s a women’s entrepreneur night, a book club night, or new moms’ night, I want to provide a space where women can come together and support each other,” says Bosh. “It’s much more than a store, it’s a movement.” As Bosh’s interview comes to a close, she makes sure to thank every person in the room before leaving, showing that she truly lives and breathes everything she encourages. An example for women not only living in Miami, but women everywhere, Bosh is the epitome of a darling whose sparkle and shine will never go out. To follow Adrienne Bosh’s blog, visit http://adriennebosh.com For more information on Sparkle and Shine Darling, visit http://sparkleandshinedarling.com. Follow the boutique on Instagram @sparkleandshinedarling & on Twitter @SparkleDecorMia View May/June Issue Here View Online Issue Here

Business, News & Entertainment, The Issue

Words of Wisdom with Mike Fernandez

By Ernesto Poblacion Mike Fernandez is best known for his entrepreneurial ventures around Miami. However, most of us forget to acknowledge where he came from and how he became one of the most successful men in the Magic City. Inspiring, tearjerking, and motivating are just a few words to describe the journey that humbled him. In Humbled by the Journey: Life Lessons For My Family…And Yours, Fernandez allows outsiders to take a sneak peek of his life growing up and the moments which changed his life. The book launched in January 2015, but had already pre-sold 20,000 copies. Ironically enough, it was actually an idea planted by his wife, Constance, who encouraged him to write a book about his success and tribulations for his children, grandchildren, and those who follow to read and learn his life lessons. While his business ventures have developed him into a high profile figure in our city, his philanthropic work is what sets him apart from all the others. Humbled by the Journey: Life Lessons For My Family…And Yours shares his intimate life challenges and triumphs through a 508- mile pilgrimage from France to Spain for which he will be partaking in for the third time this May. The walk raises money for Miami Children’s Hospital. Fernandez moved to Miami in 1975, and having not known anyone here, was forced to pave his own path to success. Thankfully, he is grateful to those who showed him encouragement, “Miami is full of people who have gone through what every new arrival is going through and if you ask for help or advice, you may be surprised as to how many people will go out of their way to help you.” Humbled by the Journey: Life Lessons For My Family… And Yours proves to be a lesson handbook for those inter- ested in the entrepreneurial field. “Failure is a necessary companion on the road to success,” says Fernandez when asked to give advice to those who fail time and time again. “I encourage all entrepreneurs to push themselves to the point of failure, and to always learn from it. The road to success is not linear and we must be ready to constantly adjust to market forces and customer demands.” One of those roadblocks may be racial or ethnic discrimination in a world where some find them- selves constantly having to prove their validity in the business world while pursuing their dreams. Fernandez was born in Cuba and moved to the United States when he was twelve years old. He offered his best ad- vice to those still facing this social issue, “You have a choice, you have the option of allowing someone the power over you to put you down or you can take the high road and use their words as a vehicle to motivate you to do better.” In January, The Related Group celebrated Fernandez’s condominium purchases in The Residences at Park Grove. He was excited to share his new neighbors will consist of close friends while his views will include the spectacular skyline and city lights Miami is made of. While he and his family will be living in Coconut Grove, which he described as one of Miami’s most sophisticated and interesting locations, you can find him enjoying Biscayne Bay or hiking somewhere in Spain with his loved ones. When asked what are the most important lessons readers can take away from his book, Fernandez simply replied: “Life and business are not as complicated as books and theory would lead you to believe. Life is about listening to your instincts and core values and business is about the smallest details because by focusing on the micro, the macro is almost guaranteed.” Well said, Fernandez, well said. Click here to view post on the 2015 March/April issue. 

Business, MSM Online, Real Estate, The Issue

Miami Real Estyle – The Real Deal with Bravo TV’s Chris Leavitt

By Gisel Habibnejad When Bravo TV’s Million Dollar Listing Miami star, Chris Leavitt, is not busy breaking real estate records – he can be found relaxing in many of Miami’s luxurious spas. By perfecting the balancing act of work and play, he has become the essence of all that is Miami. His smart work ethic not only derives from drive and ambition, but it stems from his 20+ years of experience dating back to when his parents first invested in real estate which peaked his interest. Chris inspires many current and future real estate brokers who idolize him. MSM catches up with Chris Leavitt for a one-on-one interview: MSM: What about Miami do you love the most? CL: I love the fact that I am watching it turn into a world-class city right before my eyes. The finest hotels, spas, and restaurants are opening up and also culture is moving into Miami like never before with new museums and parks. MSM: In your opinion, what is the state of the Miami real estate economy? CL: Booming with no sign of slowing down. MSM: Tell us about the characteristics of your typical client. CL: I tend to have clients who demand the finest things in life. My clients also require the absolute best customer service, and fortunately, that is my speciality. MSM: Where do you find your clients or how do your clients find you? CL: My client base is almost 100 percent word of mouth referrals. MSM: In what Miami developments can we find some of your biggest listings? CL: THE BATH CLUB ESTATES. MSM: Share with us what has been your most successful deal to date. CL: My most successful deal to date is not necessarily the most expensive but one where I was able to sell a house in Palm Beach on a bet. The seller and I bet that I could sell it in 10 days and I did it. The seller told me it would take me at least 30 days and I did it in 10 days as I promised. MSM: What is the approximate aggregate dollar value of all your listings today? CL: Well over $200 million. MSM: In 2013, it is said you sold over $120 million in real estate transactions. That’s a number that instills a lot of envy in the eyes of many agents on the street. What is it about your business approach that differs from the agent selling less than $5 million a year in transactions? CL: I work smart. I know how to navigate away from people that will never buy or are unrealistic sellers, and focus on collaborating with clients that are focused on making a deal. MSM: Do you feel your fashionable style plays a significant role in attracting the high net worth clients that surround you? CL: It doesn’t hurt, but what attracts clients to me is my honesty, trustworthiness, and hustle. MSM: In Bravo Tv’s Million Dollar Listing Miami, you carry yourself with great style. Do you shop with a personal wardrobe stylist or do you style yourself? CL: Thank you. I do all of my own shopping and have a very discriminating taste when it comes to my personal style. I feel that my personal style reflects the high-end, luxury brand image of my clients and the fine homes I sell. MSM: How do you celebrate on the day of closing of a multi-million dollar deal? CL: Spa, spa and more spa! Photographed by JUAN FERNANDO Renderings Courtesy of BATH CLUB ESTATES    Click here to view post on the November/December 2014 issue.

Business, News & Entertainment, The Issue

Is Miami The New Capital of Entertainment?

An interview with City of Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado on the future of entertainment in his jurisdiction. By Craig K. Skilling / Photographed by Imani Ogden On a sunny South Florida day, in his Coconut Grove office with a view fit for a mayor overlooking Biscayne Bay, Miami’s outspoken government official, City of Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado sits with MSM to discuss the future of entertainment in his jurisdiction. “I don’t agree that (Las) Vegas is the only place for entertainment. Miami has its own niche in terms of entertainment,” says Mayor Tomás Regalado. “Miami I think is the capitol of entertainment for the Latin community,” says the mayor. The mayor’s Film & Cultural Affairs Administrator Vicente “Vinnie” Betancourt, also present in the room, mentions that Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and the entire Rat Pack had an impact on live entertainment in Miami and South Beach before taking their talents to the Las Vegas strip. Many from around the globe are familiar with the major electronic music festival that takes place annually called Ultra. It’s been approximately fifteen year’s since the festival’s modest inception on ocean drive in south beach. This past year in downtown Miami the internationally recognized dance festival that coincides with college spring break, brought in well over a quarter of a million dollars in revenue to the City of Miami economy but was faced with controversy and several complaints by downtown Miami residents. The mayor says he has been very clear on his position and that “the Ultra music festival organizers will need to be safer moving forward or risk being moved from their downtown location.” “This will be the last test because you cannot afford the various problems in downtown, an area that boasts 13,000 residents in the Ultra area alone. These are residents of downtown who are very marketing oriented in terms of attending our local sport venues, museums, the (Adrienne) Arsht Center. These are people who are mostly professionals or retired professionals and they want a quality of life that they demand from us which is why they pay so much taxes,” says the mayor. When asked why Ultra is returning to downtown Miami for another year since he feels so strongly about moving the festival out of downtown, he responded by saying, “The mayor and commissioner do not vote.” The city commission voted to give them (Ultra) another chance and there was nothing we could do.” He then stated, “Hopefully they come back ready because some people died and when people die that is a game changer.” When asked if there was ever a formal plan put into place to spawn the rapid growth of entertainment in Miami as a whole, he responded by saying, “We never had a plan for entertainment. Everything has been market driven. The success of our professional (basketball) team the Miami Heat, the Arsht Center, Wynwood galleries, second Saturdays of the month where 30,000 people walk the same streets of Wynwood, would not have happened six years ago due to crime but is all happening and thriving today due to the people driving the market,” states the mayor. The mayor explained that the entertainment district, Parkwest, was approved for nightclubs to be open twenty four hours a day and how the city approved and facilitated the bid for the business improvement district. “Basically, property owners pay more taxes but use the tax increment as they wish not as the government wishes,” explains the mayor. The incentive has been made evident in Wynwood and Coconut Grove where entertainment and business has expanded. Again the mayor points out that everything that happens is truly market driven. The one area that some City of Miami residents still have a concern for is public safety. There have been reports that the City of Miami police department is being downsized and has several vacant positions to fill upon budget approval. The mayor admits that “what has to happen is to take public safety to a higher level and make it impossible for criminals to be downtown with this rapid growth taking place.” Some South Florida and downtown residents specifically may recall a time when the homeless would flood the downtown streets panhandling. When the mayor was asked, How did you handle this? he replied by saying, “compassion but not tolerance”. “The City of Miami went to court to change a mandate that was done by the Federal court many years ago and are getting ready to move the homeless and take them to shelters to clear out the area completely, even by force (if necessary),” the mayor explains. The mayor mentions he is very excited about the sci- ence museum downtown that will bring more people to the area especially families. This is a big initiative for Mayor Regalado and he envisions over 100,000 students and children visiting the area and museum over the next school year. “The vision is for Downtown Miami to be an educational and festive entertainment center highlighted by a museum park, the Adrienne Arsht Center, sport- ing events and concerts,” explains the mayor. The mayor stated that Miami has its very own Walk of Fame. It is located in the heart of downtown Miami, at the Bayside Market place which is the number one tourist attraction with over 20 million visitors throughout the year. They recently hosted the inaugural Brito designed Walk of Fame celebration this past spring for inductees including the Rio 2 film, along with Academy and Grammy award winning actor, singer and songwriter Jamie Foxx and actor and Miamian Andy Garcia. The official Miami Walk of Fame will continue to honor those who have contributed to the charisma, worldwide prominence and name recognition of Miami through film/television, music, sports or honorary means. The mayor says, “The film industry looks at Miami as an important place to be with our colorful sites, beautiful weather and more. It is sad that the Florida State government does not facilitate and provide more benefits. We facilitate issuing over seven hundred permits per year along with supporting the Miami Dade

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