For Episode 114, I sat down with Chef Billy G, a Venezuelan-born chef who has built a catering business in Miami by focusing on his craft, his clients, and the relationships he creates along the way.

We got into a lot during this conversation, from the realities of working in a kitchen to catering for high-profile clients, the effects of the pandemic, and what makes Miami's food culture so unique. Three things really stood out to me.

1. Your reputation is built by what you do, not who you take pictures with.

Billy works with high-profile clients, but he doesn't believe in turning every professional relationship into a social media moment. He takes discretion seriously. He wants clients to know him by name because of the service he provides, not because he can post a picture with someone famous.

That hit home. Whether you're a chef, artist, DJ, designer, or entrepreneur, visibility can help, but it can't replace delivering on your promise. The work and the way you treat people are what give your reputation staying power.

2. Being good at your craft and running a business are two different skills.

We talked about the realities of the food industry: preparation, labor, food costs, payroll, rent, and the pressure of making the numbers work. A talented chef can create incredible food and still struggle to run a profitable business.

Billy found a model in catering that suits his strengths. He can plan for events, understand how much food he needs, manage costs, and know what he has earned. It doesn't make the work easy, but it gives him a different way to operate.

For anybody trying to turn a creative skill into a living, that distinction matters. Talent gets you started. Business skills help you sustain it.

3. A setback can force you to build something better.

When the pandemic shut down events, Billy's business took a serious hit. He started making meals for people to pick up, and the community supported him. Those orders introduced him to customers who later connected him with new opportunities. He also began doing more intimate dinner parties, creating another level of service.

The original business couldn't continue in exactly the same way, so he adapted. What started as a response to a crisis helped shape the business he has today.

I think there's a lesson in that for all of us. Sometimes the next opportunity doesn't look like the plan you started with. You have to stay in motion long enough to find it.

We also talked about immigrant workers who keep kitchens running, the rising cost of dining out in Miami, and how the cultures of this city come together through food.

Big respect to Chef Billy G for being open and sharing the experiences behind his work.

Watch or listen to Episode 114 of Que Bola Podcast and let me know: Which of these three lessons hits closest to home for you?

If you enjoy the conversation, share it with somebody building a business or working toward something of their own.

In Episode 113, I sit down with Miami artist Diana "Didi" Contreras for a conversation about art, identity, business and the journey behind the work.

We talk about her Peruvian roots, the colorful visual language that became part of her style, her experience in art school, discovering murals and spray paint, and finding her place in Miami's graffiti culture.

Didi also opens up about painting women, the influence of her family and culture, the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated creative world, and how one mural helped open the door to gallery representation and wider recognition.

We also get into the less romantic side of being an artist: pricing artwork, working with clients, sponsorships, commercial projects, international murals and learning the business skills that aren't necessarily taught in art school.

Toward the end, we talk about discipline, motherhood, mentorship, her children, and what she would tell the younger version of herself.

Her answer is simple: keep going.

On Episode 112 of Que Bola Podcast, I sit down with Miami-born comedian Sergio Mendez, also known as MagicCityPacino, for a conversation about comedy, creativity, Miami culture, and the journey of finding your purpose.

Sergio takes me back to growing up in Miami Beach in a working-class family, becoming the funny kid in school, and learning early how humor could help him navigate social situations. We talk about the comedians who inspired him, why he didn't start performing stand-up until later in life, and how comedy eventually gave him a new community and a place to direct his creative energy.

We also get into bombing, difficult audiences, the Miami comedy scene, creating MagicCityPacino, Miami's influence on his characters, and the challenge of pursuing entertainment while still dealing with the responsibilities of everyday life.

It's a funny, honest conversation about taking creative risks and deciding that life is too short not to go after what you really wan