Tell us about your Small Business and its core mission.
I own Mission HCM — we’re a small, boutique payroll and HR brokerage based right here in Miami. We help local business owners find the right payroll, HR, and PEO solutions to make running their companies easier and more affordable. Our mission is to take the stress out of the back office so business owners can focus on what really matters — growing their business, taking care of their people, and being part of this incredible community we have in Miami-Dade.

Why is philanthropy and giving back important to your Small Business?
Giving back is personal for us. We’re a small business ourselves, and we know how much of a difference a little support can make. Being part of the United Way small business community reminds us that success isn’t just about numbers — it’s about impact. Whether it’s helping a local entrepreneur get started or supporting programs that give families a better shot at stability, giving back keeps us connected to the heart of Miami.

What does “community” mean to your Small Business?
Community, for us, means family. It’s the café owner who greets you by name, the local nonprofit doing incredible work, the business next door cheering you on. Miami is full of energy and diversity — it’s a place where people hustle, help each other out, and celebrate together. Being part of that fabric is what keeps us motivated every day.

Which of our four pillars—Health & Wellbeing, Education, Resilient Communities, or Economic Mobility—aligns most with your company?
Economic Mobility really speaks to what we do. Every time we help a small business owner grow, hire, or stay compliant, we’re helping build economic strength right here at home. But we also know that mobility comes from education — so we love supporting programs that teach financial literacy and small business skills. That’s how we help people move forward and create their own opportunities.

How do you involve your employees in your Small Business philanthropic initiatives?
We’re a small team, just three of us, so everything we do, we do together. When we volunteer or support a cause, it’s hands-on and from the heart. We’ve joined United Way events, and many times have helped business owners understand payroll or HR compliance for free. Everyone on the team picks something they care about, and we find ways to rally around it. It’s part of our culture — giving back is just what we do.

Tell us about your Small Business and its core mission?
*We are a boutique beauty bar in the heart of all the hotspots in Miami, offering all brow services, facials, lash services, blowouts, makeup, and more. Our focus is on using clean, organic products and creating a welcoming space where everyone feels comfortable. We pride ourselves on being a friendly, non-judgmental environment where clients can relax, get pampered, and leave feeling confident and ready for whatever comes next. Our mission is to provide high-quality beauty services with genuine care, making our community look and feel their best.

Why is philanthropy and giving back important to your Small Business?
*Philanthropy matters to me because my businesses were built with purpose. Face. Brow & Beauty Bar exists to make women feel seen, cared for, and confident. Giving back is a natural extension of that mission. When you pour into your community, your community pours back into you in ways money never can.

What does “community” mean to your Small Business?
*To us, “community” means the relationships we build with our clients and the genuine care we have for their lives, not just their appointments. We’ve created a space where people feel connected, supported, and valued. Giving back is an important part of that, and we love involving our clients in the process. Whether we’re hosting a food drive, a toy drive, or another local initiative, we invite our clients to join or donate because we truly see them as part of our extended family. Community, for us, is about coming together to make a positive impact.

Which of our four pillars—Health & Wellbeing, Education, Resilient Communities, or Economic Mobility—aligns most with your company?
*The pillar that aligns most with our company is Health & Wellbeing. At FACE. brow & beauty bar, our mission centers on helping people feel confident, cared for, and supported. We believe that well-being isn’t just physical, but it’s emotional, mental, and I believe this is what our business brings. By using clean, organic products and creating a space where clients feel comfortable and uplifted, we contribute to the overall wellness of our community.

How do you involve your employees in your Small Business philanthropic initiatives?
*We make philanthropy a team effort by actively involving our staff in every initiative we take on. Our staff participates in promoting our drives and engaging with clients to encourage involvement. We make sure they feel connected to the impact we’re making, not just as employees, but as community members who truly care. Whether it’s organizing donations, helping spread awareness, or volunteering time, our team is genuinely invested in giving back. This shared purpose strengthens our internal culture and reinforces the values we want to represent through our business.

Tell us about your Small Business and its core mission.
At Protect & Prosper Group, we help families, homeowners, and business owners protect what matters most while building real financial security. Our mission is simple – give people the tools and education they need to create financial freedom, protect their loved ones, and build wealth that lasts for generations.

Why is philanthropy and giving back important to your Small Business?
Because it’s bigger than just business. Giving back lets us pour back into the same communities that support us. Whether it’s teaching financial literacy, helping families in tough times, or supporting local causes, it’s our way of keeping our mission alive outside the office.

What does “community” mean to your Small Business?
Community is about connection and responsibility. To us, it means showing up, building trust, and creating opportunities – not just serving clients, but uplifting neighbors, partners, and the next generation.

Which of our four pillars – Health & Wellbeing, Education, Resilient Communities, or Economic Mobility – aligns most with your company?
Education and Economic Mobility fit us best. Everything we do is centered around teaching people how money works and giving them options that help break the cycle of debt, plan for the future, and move their families forward.

How do you involve your employees in your Small Business philanthropic initiatives?
We encourage our team to take part in workshops, events, and volunteer efforts. It’s not just about giving back – it also builds our culture and lets our people live out the same mission we share with clients.

Tell us about your business; and what is your business philosophy?
We are a cookie and dessert shop located in the Westchester neighborhood of Miami. We specialize in decadent cookies with ice cream and milkshakes to match. Our business philosophy is lead with empathy and integrity and results will follow.

Why are you passionate about your commitment to United Way?
Son’s of imigrants who moved to Miami with a dollar (not much more) and dreams of freedom and prosperity we had the good fortune of growing up with both thanks to the hard work of our parents and community that embraced us. Unfortunately, Miami is not a city without faults where inequity exists when it comes to Education, Health and Financial Stability, all things that United Way works tirelessly to fight for. It’s now our duty to do what we can with our resources to give back to a city that has afforded us so much.

How did your business get started?
With two owners with polar opposite backgrounds, one a nuclear engineer for the US. Navy and the other a sports marketer, we found a common ground in something everyone loves, dessert. We purchased the store in April 2022 with hopes of expansion in the near future.

What is a lesson you have learned?
Lead by example and take care of your employees. When you take care of them they will take care of your customer.

What’s your favorite quote?
Stay the course. I have this written on my desk and it’s a daily reminder that when things get hard, you must stay the course just as you would when you have positive momentum because the tough times might be just around the corner

1. Tell us about your business; and what is your business philosophy?

DigitalEra dedicates to providing cybersecurity solutions and services to businesses, education and governmental agencies throughout the US and Latin America. DigitalEra provides expert guidance on use as well as ongoing security counsel and insights that help our clients prevent security breaches and mitigate threats.

2. Why are you passionate about your commitment to United Way?

I’ve always had a strong drive to spark economic development growth through local community contributions. United Way has been a great decision since I first joined years back; giving me great networking opportunities, while giving back to the community.

3. How did your business get started?

DigitalEra began operations in 1985 under the name of Digital Enhancements as a call center systems operations and service support company for a leading IT products distributor. A decade after, the company gained broad technology experience in the support of IT product distribution activities that expanded to 32 companies in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean. Given our success, in the year 2000, Digitalera was formally born as a cybersecurity firm to address the rapidly growing challenges of keeping your business secure.

4. What is a lesson you have learned?

Communication is a vital key to success in every business regardless its size, industry, etc. A proper business communication strategy is crucial for building a sustainable company culture; and at the same time means better customer satisfaction. We take pride in building great customer relationships and going deep within their business to understand their specific needs, budget, and security posture in order to keep their business safe while they focus on growing it.

5. What’s your favorite quote?

“Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” – Albert Einstein

1. Tell us about your business; and what is your business philosophy?

Panter, Panter & Sampedro is a personal injury law firm dedicated to protecting Florida’s family, one family at a time. We believe in the family approach in representing our client and in working with our staff. Our clients talk to the lawyers directly, and we communicate with our clients through all available lines of communications. We represent people injured due to the negligence of others. We handle Medical Malpractice, product liability, auto accidents, premise liability, construction accidents and any and all other claims where people are injured or killed due to the negligence of others.

2. Why are you passionate about your commitment to United Way?

Our goal is to be a family and provide help to other families either injured, killed or in need of assistance. Our goals are the same as the United Way and we can do our best to work together in a united matter. We are passionate about serving the community. Our firm is actively involved in the community through many organizations both legal and community based. We provide scholarships to worthy students, we support local businesses, we live here, and work here.

3. How did your business get started?

More than 30 years ago Mitchell Panter left his job at an insurance defense firm to work with his brother, Brett to build a powerhouse firm to help people. Several years later David Sampedro joined our family and then Josh Wintle became our next partner. Throughout the years we have developed a great reputation in the community, one case at a time. Brett, Mitch and David are Board Certified in Civil Law and we have tried many cases to verdict and I have argued throughout the state in local, federal, appellate and the Florida Supreme Court. As we grew in stature and reputation we continued to maintain our family values.

4. What is a lesson you have learned?

Stop, think, listen. You never truly know what others are going through or how they got to their current position. We do our best to listen to our clients and our opposition to understand all views in each situation. When you are able to see all sides of the issue you can see how to get where you want to go.

5. What’s your favorite quote?

If you don’t ask, you don’t get!

1. Tell us about your business; and what is your business philosophy?

Accounting to Scale was born out of a passion to provide small to medium-sized business a financial solution that covers their needs from A to Z. Founder and CEO Tiffany Gonzalez, CPA, has over 8 years of experience in diverse tax applications & tax laws, in addition to financial business consulting for small to medium-sized business owners Nationwide. We specialize in bookkeeping and controllership services, with a belief that having control of your finances as a business owner will allow you to scale your business.

2. Why are you passionate about your commitment to United Way?

Growing up in Miami and going to public school, the United way was always involved and stood out as an organization that was giving back to the community. Now as a business owner I wanted to give back to my community as well, and It was an easy decision to make, joining the United Way Small Business United. Since I became involved I have been able to get involved and see first hand the impact the United Way makes on a daily basis.

3. How did your business get started?

In 2014 Tiffany Gonzalez CPA, who at the time was my girlfriend was faced with the decision to look for another job or start her own firm, she bet on herself. She has been able to grow the firm just herself to now being at 10 employees. We were married in 2016 and in 2019 when we had our first child I joined the firm, my role is the business development and marketing.

4. What is a lesson you have learned?

The most important lesson I have learned in business is that relationships and network matter. If people know you and like you, they will want to help you.

5. What’s your favorite quote?

“I ain’t never been nothing but a winner.” Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant