How did a former corporate executive build a Miami personal chef business that specializes in organic meals, food allergies, personalized nutrition, and luxury catering?

In this episode of Miami's Podcast, host Brian Driggs interviews Elizabeth Willard, Founder and CEO of The Pickled Beet, a Miami-based personal chef and customized meal preparation company serving South Florida.

Elizabeth shares how her Italian great-grandmother inspired her love for cooking with fresh, whole-food ingredients and how she transformed that passion into a business.

After approximately 20 years in corporate marketing, Elizabeth launched Lucia's Personal Chef Service in 2006. Just two weeks after opening, she landed her first client, a Major League Baseball player.

Years later, a diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis changed her perspective on food and health.

After experiencing improvements in her own symptoms following dietary changes recommended by her healthcare providers, Elizabeth rebranded her company as The Pickled Beet, expanding its focus to personalized organic meals, specialized diets, and nutrition-conscious culinary services.

Today, The Pickled Beet provides weekly personal chef meals, private dining experiences, luxury event catering, and private aviation catering throughout Miami and South Florida.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• How Elizabeth started her personal chef business in Miami.
• Leaving corporate marketing to pursue entrepreneurship.
• The family traditions that inspired The Pickled Beet.
• How Hashimoto's thyroiditis influenced her business.
• Preparing customized meals for food allergies and dietary restrictions.
• Working with healthcare professionals on specialized meal plans.
• Building a commercial kitchen in Miami in 2022.
• Expanding into private chef experiences and luxury catering.
• Providing customized catering for private jets.
• Supporting families during illness, injury, and recovery.
• Why work-life balance matters for entrepreneurs.
• Lessons from more than two decades of business ownership.

ABOUT ELIZABETH WILLARD

Elizabeth Willard is the Founder and CEO of The Pickled Beet in Miami, Florida.

With a background in marketing and communications from Boston University, Elizabeth transitioned from corporate leadership into the personal chef industry.

Her company specializes in preparing personalized meals using premium ingredients, including organic produce, grass-fed meats, and wild-caught seafood.

THE PICKLED BEET SERVICES:

• Weekly personalized meal preparation and delivery.
• Organic meals and customized menus.
• Gluten-free and specialized dietary meals.
• Private chef dining experiences.
• Luxury event and dinner party catering.
• Private aviation catering.
• Nutrition-focused meal planning consultations.

CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH WILLARD & THE PICKLED BEET

Official Website:
https://thepickledbeet.com/

Personal Chef Services:
https://thepickledbeet.com/services/

Private Chef & Event Catering:
https://thepickledbeet.com/catering/catering-form/

Private Aviation Catering:
https://thepickledbeet.com/in-flight-catering/

Elizabeth Willard on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-willard-2b6991125

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thepickledbeetchef/

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is Elizabeth Willard?
Elizabeth Willard is a Miami entrepreneur and Founder and CEO of The Pickled Beet, a personal chef and specialized meal preparation company.

What is The Pickled Beet?
The Pickled Beet provides personalized organic meals, specialized dietary meal preparation, private chef services, and luxury catering throughout South Florida.

ABOUT MIAMI'S PODCAST

Miami's Podcast, hosted by Brian Driggs, features original interviews with entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, and community leaders connected to Miami and South Florida.

Discover more interviews and Miami business stories:
https://miamispodcast.com/

What does it take to arrive in a new country with just $1,000, build successful businesses, survive a life-changing accident, and start over in Miami?

In this episode of Miami's Podcast, host Brian Driggs interviews Esther Nahmani Isman (Esther Isman), a Miami real estate entrepreneur, founder of YOLO Realty Group, business coach, and real estate professional affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty in Aventura, Florida.

Esther shares her journey from arriving in Canada with limited English and $1,000 to building businesses in fashion, shoe design, and real estate.

After founding YOLO Realty Group in Canada, Esther expanded her career into Miami and South Florida real estate. She also became involved in NewCon, a technology platform focused on international pre-construction real estate opportunities.

But one of the biggest turning points in her life came on November 14, 2019, when she survived a serious car accident.

Esther explains how that experience changed her perspective on faith, family, business, and the importance of living in the present.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Arriving in Canada with $1,000 and learning English.
• Building a shoe design business before entering real estate.
• Founding YOLO Realty Group (You Only List Once).
• Surviving a serious accident in November 2019.
• Why Esther moved from Canada to Miami.
• Building relationships in Miami and Aventura real estate.
• The importance of customer service and communication.
• NewCon and international pre-construction real estate.
• Business coaching, mentorship, and University of Life.
• Advice for entrepreneurs and aspiring real estate agents.

ABOUT ESTHER NAHMANI ISMAN

Esther Isman is a real estate entrepreneur and business coach with professional experience in Canada and South Florida.

She founded YOLO Realty Group in Canada and is affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty in Aventura, Florida.

Her background includes more than 25 years in sales, experience in fashion and shoe design, and approximately 12 years in real estate, according to her interview.

She is also involved with NewCon, a platform designed to help buyers and investors discover international pre-construction properties.

CONNECT WITH ESTHER ISMAN

Official Real Estate Website:
https://estherisman.com/

NewCon:
https://www.newcon.app/

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/esther-nahmani-isman-4986a315

Business Phone: 786-423-1961

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is Esther Nahmani Isman?
Esther Isman is the founder of YOLO Realty Group, a business coach, and a South Florida real estate professional affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty in Aventura.

What is YOLO Realty Group?
YOLO Realty Group stands for "You Only List Once." It is Esther's Canadian real estate business, which she continues to maintain while working in South Florida.

What is NewCon?
NewCon is a real estate technology platform focused on international pre-construction properties. Visit https://www.newcon.app/ for more information.

What happened to Esther Isman in 2019?
Esther survived a serious car accident in November 2019. She shares how the experience strengthened her faith and changed her priorities.

Does Esther Isman work in Miami real estate?
Yes. Esther is affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty in Aventura and works in the South Florida real estate market.

ABOUT MIAMI'S PODCAST

Miami's Podcast, hosted by Brian Driggs, features firsthand interviews with entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, and community leaders connected to Miami and South Florida.

We explore entrepreneurship, real estate, leadership, business growth, technology, and the experiences behind building businesses.

Discover more interviews and original Miami business stories:
https://miamispodcast.com/

Subscribe to Miami's Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and other podcast platforms.

#MiamisPodcast #EstherIsman #MiamiRealEstate #YOLORealtyGroup #NewCon

From international aviation executive to luxury travel entrepreneur, Cynthia Karnik has built a career around solving complex problems and delivering exceptional customer experiences.

In this episode of Miami's Podcast, host Brian Driggs interviews Cynthia Karnik, Founder and Chief Experience Officer of Boujee Bahamas, a luxury travel, concierge, and destination management company specializing in customized Bahamas vacations.

Cynthia shares her journey from airline reservations to executive leadership, managing international aviation operations and government contracts with companies including World Airways, Gemini Air Cargo, and FlightWorks.

In 2009, she launched Gov Partners, a government contracting consulting business. Years later, family responsibilities and time spent in Nassau inspired her next venture: Boujee Bahamas.

Recognizing how difficult it could be to coordinate luxury vacations across multiple providers, Cynthia created a company focused on personalized travel planning, private aviation, luxury accommodations, yacht charters, and ongoing concierge support.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Cynthia's journey into international aviation.
• Negotiating government contracts and building trust.
• Leaving corporate aviation to become an entrepreneur.
• How Boujee Bahamas was founded.
• Private jets, luxury villas, yacht charters, and VIP services.
• Exploring Nassau, the Exumas, Eleuthera, and Harbour Island.
• Building a luxury travel business around customer experience.
• Why persistence and patience matter in entrepreneurship.

ABOUT BOUJEE BAHAMAS

Founded by Cynthia Karnik, Boujee Bahamas specializes in personalized luxury travel throughout the Bahamas.

Services include private aviation arrangements, luxury resorts, exclusive villas, yacht charters, VIP transportation, island excursions, and concierge services.

The company coordinates travel experiences from arrival through departure, helping guests enjoy the Bahamas without managing multiple providers.

CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA KARNIK

Official Website:
https://www.boujeebahamas.com/

Travel Inquiries:
https://www.boujeebahamas.com/contact

Cynthia's LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiakarnik

Boujee Bahamas LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/boujee-bahamas/

Phone: 571-252-3868
Email: contact@boujeebahamas.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is Cynthia Karnik?
Cynthia Karnik is the Founder and Chief Experience Officer of Boujee Bahamas, with decades of experience in aviation, government contracting, and entrepreneurship.

What is Boujee Bahamas?
A luxury travel and destination management company specializing in personalized Bahamas vacations, private aviation, exclusive accommodations, and concierge services.

Does Boujee Bahamas arrange private jets and yacht charters?
Yes. The company can coordinate private aviation, yacht charters, and luxury travel experiences based on availability and client preferences.

Which Bahamas destinations does it serve?
Nassau, Paradise Island, the Exumas, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, and other Bahamas destinations.

How can I book a vacation?
Visit https://www.boujeebahamas.com/ to request a personalized travel consultation.

ABOUT MIAMI'S PODCAST

Miami's Podcast, hosted by Brian Driggs, features conversations with entrepreneurs, executives, business owners, and community leaders connected to Miami and South Florida.

Discover original interviews, business stories, and entrepreneurial insights:

https://miamispodcast.com/

Subscribe to Miami's Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and other podcast platforms.

#MiamisPodcast #CynthiaKarnik #BoujeeBahamas