title: “Small Business Success Stories: Fort Lauderdale Entrepreneurs” meta_description: “Meet four inspiring Fort Lauderdale entrepreneurs who turned their dreams into thriving local businesses. Their journeys, challenges, and advice for aspiring business owners.” category: Local Business date: 2026-02-06 author: SoFlo Times Staff

Small Business Success Stories: Fort Lauderdale Entrepreneurs

Fort Lauderdale has long been a haven for dreamers and doers—entrepreneurs who see opportunity in our sunshine-soaked streets and diverse, growing community. From family-owned restaurants to innovative tech startups, the Venice of America is home to thousands of small businesses that form the backbone of our local economy.

We sat down with four local business owners who have built successful enterprises right here in Fort Lauderdale. Their stories offer inspiration, practical wisdom, and a glimpse into what it takes to thrive in South Florida’s competitive marketplace.

Maria Elena Cordero: From Kitchen Table to Celebrated Bakery

When Maria Elena Cordero arrived in Fort Lauderdale from Colombia in 2008, she brought little more than her grandmother’s recipes and an unwavering determination. Today, her bakery, Dulce Sueños, occupies a charming corner shop in Victoria Park and serves over 300 customers daily.

“I started selling tres leches cakes from my apartment kitchen,” Cordero recalls. “I would wake up at 3 a.m. to bake, then deliver orders before picking up my children from school.”

Her breakthrough came when a local event planner discovered her work at a church fundraiser. Word spread quickly through Fort Lauderdale’s tight-knit Latin community, and by 2015, Cordero had saved enough to open her first storefront.

Today, Dulce Sueños employs 12 people and has expanded to include a small café. Cordero credits her success to quality and consistency. “Never compromise on ingredients,” she advises. “Your customers can taste the difference between real butter and margarine. They remember quality.”

James “Jimmy” Patterson: Building Community One Cup at a Time

Jimmy Patterson’s coffee shop, Sunrise Brew, has become a beloved institution in the Flagler Village arts district. But when he opened in 2018, many thought he was making a terrible mistake.

“Everyone said I was crazy to open an independent coffee shop when there’s a Starbucks on every corner,” Patterson laughs. “But I knew this neighborhood was hungry for something different—a real gathering place.”

Patterson, a former corporate accountant, designed Sunrise Brew as more than a café. The space hosts weekly open mic nights, displays work from local artists, and offers free meeting space for community organizations. His gamble paid off: the shop broke even within eight months and has grown steadily ever since.

His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs? “Know your neighborhood. I spent six months just hanging out in Flagler Village before I opened—talking to residents, understanding what they needed. A business plan means nothing if you don’t understand your community.”

Dr. Aisha Thompson: Bringing Wellness to Underserved Communities

When Dr. Aisha Thompson opened Sistrunk Wellness Center in 2020—right in the middle of the pandemic—many questioned her timing. But Thompson saw urgent need in Fort Lauderdale’s historically underserved Sistrunk corridor.

“Access to quality healthcare shouldn’t depend on your zip code,” says Thompson, who grew up in the neighborhood. “I went to medical school specifically to come back and serve this community.”

Her practice combines traditional medicine with holistic wellness services, including nutrition counseling and mental health support. Despite opening during COVID-19, the clinic now serves over 2,000 patients and employs a team of five healthcare providers.

Thompson’s path wasn’t easy. Securing financing proved challenging, and she faced skepticism from banks unfamiliar with the neighborhood’s potential. She ultimately secured a small business loan through a community development financial institution and supplemented it with personal savings.

“Don’t let rejection stop you,” Thompson advises. “I was turned down by four banks before finding the right partner. Every ‘no’ taught me something about strengthening my business plan.”

Carlos and Elena Reyes: A Family Restaurant Reinvented

The Reyes family has operated restaurants in Fort Lauderdale for three generations. But when Carlos and Elena took over the family’s Wilton Manors location in 2019, they knew the traditional model needed updating.

“My grandparents built this business on consistency—the same menu for 40 years,” Carlos explains. “We had to honor that legacy while adapting to how people eat today.”

The couple introduced online ordering, expanded vegetarian options, and created a social media presence that attracts customers from across Broward County. They also launched a popular “Sunday Supper” tradition featuring rotating guest chefs from the community.

“Respecting tradition doesn’t mean being stuck in the past,” Elena notes. “We kept my grandmother-in-law’s famous ropa vieja on the menu, but we also added a cauliflower version. Both sell out every weekend.”

Their advice centers on family communication. “Working with family is wonderful and challenging,” Carlos admits. “We schedule regular business meetings separate from family time. Clear boundaries keep both the business and our marriage healthy.”

Lessons from Fort Lauderdale’s Entrepreneurial Spirit

These four business owners represent thousands of entrepreneurs across Fort Lauderdale who wake up every day to pursue their dreams. While their industries differ, common themes emerge from their stories:

Know your community. Success comes from understanding and serving local needs, not imposing outside ideas.

Quality matters. In a competitive market, cutting corners catches up with you. Invest in doing things right.

Persistence pays. Every successful business owner faced rejection and setbacks. The difference is they kept going.

Adapt thoughtfully. Honor what works while remaining open to change. The businesses that thrive are those that evolve with their customers.

Fort Lauderdale’s small business community continues to grow, driven by entrepreneurs who see possibility in every challenge. Their success stories remind us that with vision, hard work, and deep community roots, the American dream is alive and well in South Florida.

Have a small business success story to share? Contact us at stories@soflotimes.com.