Hi Andrea! What keeps you busy around town?
I’m the founder & CEO of School of Whales.
The School of Whales? Tell us more.
School of Whales is a real estate development crowdfunding platform. In other words, we pool people’s money together and deploy them in cool real estate projects that contribute to Miami continuing to become the city we all envision.
The two properties we currently have in our portfolio are Julia & Henry’s (soon to open!) and the Old Post Office building, both in Downtown Miami. With just $500, anyone can own a piece of both of these iconic developments. You will have access to invest in real estate development while also being able to say you are contributing to preserving historic properties and having some amazing concepts as tenants!
How does Miami help you do what you do or influence your work?
The constant access to nature is it for me. Being able to go outside for a walk or run every single day allows me to stay grounded, focused, and happy.
What brings you most alive about the 305?
I love that Miami has something for everyone. We don’t fit into a tidy box. You can find people with all kinds of backgrounds and interests co-existing. Everyone has an origin story and brings a little piece of that origin along with them. That common feeling of making Miami home is something I really connect with.
What’s an unpopular opinion you have about Miami?
Until recently I would say it was that Downtown Miami was the place to be! I think people have finally started to buy into that though.
What’s your favorite Miami memory?
I ran the Miami Half Marathon a few years ago and seeing people cheering on the street, getting to run from Downtown to the Beach and back is something I still think about when I am around certain parts of Downtown or crossing the Venetian.
If you could eat only one meal from a local restaurant for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Definitely the miso black cod and baby zucchini from Pubbelly Sushi!
Outside of the obvious stop above, share your other top three destinations for where you’d go on your perfect Miami day.
Peacock Park with my kids, followed by a trip to Books & Books, and discovering everything that is constantly popping up in Downtown Miami! Needless to say that Julia & Henry’s in Downtown Miami will soon be my absolute favorite!
What’s your favorite local social media account and why?
Aside from @whalesfund, I absolutely love Caro the Tour Guide (@carothetourguide).
If you could give any one piece of advice to locals, what would it be?
Get involved. Change and action starts small and locally. Support businesses who are putting money behind the things that you believe in and are passionate about.
What are you looking forward to in 2023?
Eating and having a drink at Julia & Henry’s!
That’s a wrap on this week’s Locals to Know, sponsored by School of Whales. 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.