đź“· Photo courtesy of Janice Greenspan
Hi Nelson! Who are you? What do you do?
I’m the CEO of Loud And Live, an entrepreneur at heart, a family man, and an avid boater.
What neighborhood(s) are you reppin’?
Coral Gables now, Miami Beach back then, and always Latino neighborhoods.
What brings you most alive about the 305?
Our spicy culture. 🌶
What’s your favorite Miami memory?
Going to my first concert to see one of my favorite artists, Willy Chirino. It was a pivotal life moment, both personally and professionally. I was a teenager when I went and now, years later, we are friends and have worked together for years.
If you could eat only one meal from a local restaurant for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Croquetas from Versailles — I have simple tastes.
Outside of the obvious stop above, how else would you spend your perfect Miami day?
Out on the water, boating and fishing, before ending the day with dinner at Boater’s Grill in No Name Harbor at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.
What’s your favorite local social media account and why?
Only in Dade – because it captures our locals.
If you could give any one piece of advice to locals, what would it be?
Take the time to visit and get to know the various communities and neighborhoods. They are the secret that makes Miami the magic city. Each one has something different and special about it.
How does Miami help you do what you do or influence your work?
Miami is my muse. It’s a hub of so many cultures, languages, cuisines, and people. Miami is at the forefront of trends and has an energy like no other place. This is even more apparent to me since I travel often and there is no comparison. All of this serves as a source of inspiration, and I embrace it as someone in the entertainment business.
If there was one thing you could change, address, etc. about Miami, what would it be?
The stigma that Miami does not have any culture. We do, it’s a Miami thing, but we do.
What are you looking forward to in 2023?
November 11 and 12, when we bring Miami-Dade its first country music festival, the Country Bay Music Festival, at the iconic Miami Marine Stadium. We have a stellar line-up of megastars like Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett, and Lainey Wilson, plus a diverse roster of artists like Breland and Blanco Brown, and artists with Miami roots such as Neon Union, Alexandra Rodriguez, and Cuban Cowboy. There’s the option to watch it from your boat, there is a full-on carnival and saloon — it will be the way Miami goes Country.
That’s a wrap on this week’s Locals to Know. Know someone who ought to be featured or would like to be featured yourself? Reach out by sending an email to [email protected] with the subject line “TNT Locals to Know 2023.” If chosen, you might just see yourself or a friend in a future newsletter.