I love Miami. I believe that in order to thrive as an entrepreneur you need to reside in an area that motivates you around the clock. For me, this place is Miami. In an article published last October, the Miami Herald reported that while Miami is booming with new startups, they aren’t growing. The article stated:
Good news, bad news: Miami is exploding with startups, but they are not scaling up. That was again the conclusion of an annual Kauffman Foundation study released Thursday that showed that the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro area ranked near the bottom of the pack for the entrepreneurial growth of so-called scale-ups, or fast-growing companies.
Still, ranking 36th out of 40 metropolitan areas nationwide for entrepreneurial growth is an improvement over 2016, when the metro area ranked 39th.
Miami was a once-secondary player on the global technology scene, but it has become increasingly popular over the past several years due to several unique factors. I truly believe it will continue to grow as a tech-hub and more successful companies will scale successfully in Miami. Honestly, there isn’t any other place I would rather live while I attack all of my goals as an entrepreneur. Here are five reasons why.
1. The weather is always perfect.
I got to experience all four seasons growing up as a kid, and while they are all beautiful, the snow just isn’t for me. Miami winters are very hard to beat. I’d much rather visit up north for a few days to get my winter fix for the year, rather than reside in it.
The warm weather and sunshine creates a constant positive and healthy vibe that I love and feed off of. Dark and gloomy days just suck the life out of me, personally, so being in a climate that I love really helps to keep me motivated. Some might think this is silly, but I truly believe weather plays a major role in your happiness.
Somewhere that is always cold or receives a lot of rain would just ruin my mood. I start every day in the sun — it’s my morning kick-start, along with my Starbucks, of course!
I think a lot of entrepreneurs feel trapped or tied to a location, but there is absolutely no reason to feel stuck. If your business is run online, then you can literally manage it from any location. If you have a physical location, simply travel more and learn how to operate it remotely. Once you find the right environment your overall attitude and productivity will shoot through the roof.
2. Success can be seen (and felt) everywhere.
All I have to do is step foot outside and I am instantly motivated. Miami is full of successful entrepreneurs, and while every city has its fair share, this city is on another level. While material possessions aren’t my main motivator, there is something about driving past Star Island and seeing $40 million-dollar homes on the water or pulling up to Bal Harbour Shops and seeing a few dozen exotic cars in valet.
Miami is a very visual city. From the amazing buildings and architecture to views filled with aqua blue water — there is visual motivation around every corner.
For me, visual material motivation serves as proof that anything is possible if you are willing to put in the work. I look at a $40 million-dollar house on the water and get inspired. I see Lamborghini’s racing down the street and get fired up. The entire ecosystem here serves as motivation.
3. It’s a global melting pot filled with creative minds.
Miami is such a global melting pot. You will meet entrepreneurs from every corner of the world, all involved in different businesses. Importers. Exporters. Investors. Real estate developers. I love the fact that I can go out networking and meet people that are involved in an industry I know nothing about. Learning about their businesses and the challenges they have faced and overcome is priceless education.
I’ve made several connections that I would never have made unless I was living in Miami. Networking is very easy here and happens around every corner. The Brickell area is thriving with entrepreneurs — and after work spots like KOMODO are great places to grab a bite and network. There is opportunity around every corner here. You just have to be willing to put yourself out there — being shy in Miami will not get you anywhere.
4. Traveling in and out of Miami is a breeze.
As an entrepreneur, travel is part of the game, and Miami International Airport is one of my favorite airports. Domestic or international flights are a breeze and maybe it’s pure luck, but I’ve never had major delays flying out or into Miami. The weather definitely plays a factor here, but in general it’s an easy process, from fast TSA Pre-Check lanes to friendly staff.
Being an American Airlines hub also contributes to why my travel in and out is easy. As an AAdvantage member, I try to stay loyal to AA, and they fly almost every route imaginable out of Miami. I can go almost anywhere, both domestically or internationally and earn (or use) my AAdvantage miles. Miami International is also home to an American Express Centurion Lounge. It’s home of the best food in the airport and it’s perks like this that keep me loyal to AMEX.
5. Its energy can be felt 24/7.
There is never a shortage of energy in Miami. It doesn’t matter what day of the week it is or what time of the day. There is always something going on, and that type of energy is contagious, and it fuels me.
I feel more alive in Miami than in any other city.
Does your location motivate you and/or fuel your fire? If so, I would love to hear where you are from in the comments section below.
Image: PEXELS
