Martha of Miami

Why We Love It: Cuban Bred. Novelas and Chill. Hialeah AF. Chancleta Survivor. Raised on Croquetas. And who wouldn’t want to wear a stylish enameled caja china pin? Martha Valdes, 28, wanted to represent Hispanic Miami “in a good way” through clever slogans on t-shirts, phone cases, pins, stickers, mugs and caps. Born and raised here after her parents and sister came to Miami via Mariel in 1980, Valdes left her job at Valsan, the family’s retail stores, to start her own business. She comes up with most of the slogans herself and sells her products online and at pop-ups in Wynwood and the Leah Arts District. “I would love to have a small store on SW 8th St. one day,” she says, but for now she’s fine with her growing business.