For more than a decade, Alejandra Castro dreamed of being her own boss. Earlier this year, that dream came true when she opened Miami Beauty Lovers salon and teaching studio. “I have the liberty of growing my business and giving others jobs,” said Castro. “For 15 years I was an employee. But now I feel free as my own boss.” The salon is at 8140 NW 155th St., just north of Miami Lakes Drive and east of...

The Miami Lakes Bar Association met at Anacapri Italian Restaurant in Miami Lakes on July 21 for its first in-person happy hour in 2021. The delay in face-to-face meetings was due to the coronavirus pandemic. The gathering was co-hosted by the Dominican American Bar Association. Among the guests who filled the bar at the restaurant at 6743 Main St. were several judges from the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida; Fla. Rep. Tom Fabricio,...

Gardenia Saumell became a Realtor in South Florida in 1975 and founded her own brokerage firm, GES Realty, in 1985. Saumell, 87, said her business, at 2550 W. 84th St. in Hialeah, has served generations of home buyers and sellers. “Most of our clients are repeat customers,” Saumell said. “We see a lot of younger clients as well. “We work with a lot of referrals, and family members that refer us to their other...

The Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce welcomed guest speaker Patrick Eloi to its July 21 luncheon. Eloi, chief executive officer of Complete Care IT who has invested in retail businesses, real estate and other ventures, spoke during gathering held at Trattoria Pampered Chef Restaurant. He discussed the power of networking and using it to grow a business. Shown at the meeting, left to right, are Matthew Casamayor of AC Graphics Digital,...

In an effort to win support from Miami Lakes residents, Mount Sinai Medical Center is modifying its proposal for a six-story hospital with helicopter deck that was planned for the west side of town. Instead, it is working on a design to use four of the 10 acres of cattle pasture at the northwest corner of Miami Lakes Drive and Northwest 87th Avenue, next to the gated Satori luxury residential community. “When you buy a $700,000...