Step Into The Sandbox

Kiki Valdés is a painter and the co-founder of Abuela Mami, the Cuban American gift box subscription company that has become a premium coffee brand. In this episode of Step Into The Sandbox, Kiki joins David Verjano to discuss the intersection of art and business and some of the lessons that Kiki Has learned over the course of his career. Support Step Into The Sandbox and the rest of DADE's work on Patreon: www.patreon.com/dademag Visit Kiki Valdés and Abuela Mami: https://www.abuelamamicoffee.com/ https://www.instagram.com/abuelamamicoffee/ https://www.instagram.com/kikivaldes/ For the full show notes, including links to things referenced in this conversation: https://www.dademag.com/ Follow Step Into The Sandbox: www.instagram.com/stepintothesandbox/ www.facebook.com/stepintothesandbox/ www.twitter.com/TweetTheSandbox/ Follow David Verjano: www.instagram.com/davidjverjano/ Send any feedback to sandbox@dademag.com.

Gaby Arauz and Valentina Pardi, the creative design duo behind Freaks Design, co., join us as guests in this episode of Step Into The Sandbox. Their work ranges from creating brand identities to design projects for restaurants, hotels, technology companies, musicians and other clients. They’re also collectors of vintage pieces — like a 1970s pinball machine and a variety of packaging signage and other memorabilia — that serve as reflection of and inspiration for much of their work. Support Step Into The Sandbox and the rest of DADE's work on Patreon: www.patreon.com/dademag Visit Freaks Design Co.'s website: https://www.freaksdesignco.com/ For the full show notes, including links to things referenced in this conversation: http://www.dademag.com/features/2021/4/14/step-into-the-sandbox-freaks-design-co-valentina-pardi-gaby-arauz Follow Step Into The Sandbox: www.instagram.com/stepintothesandbox/ www.facebook.com/stepintothesandbox/ www.twitter.com/TweetTheSandbox/ Follow David Verjano: www.instagram.com/davidjverjano/ Send any feedback to sandbox@dademag.com.

Marco Leyte-Vidal is the owner of Unseen Creatures, a Miami brewery that opened in early 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit the food and beverage business. He joined David Verjano on this episode of Step Into The Sandbox to talk about beer, entrepreneurship, branding, and the creative inspiration he draws from music — especially Miles Davis — when he’s creating new products. Support Step Into The Sandbox and the rest of DADE's work on Patreon: www.patreon.com/dademag For the full show notes, including links to things referenced in this conversation: http://www.dademag.com/features/2021/1/30/step-into-the-sandbox-marco-leyte-vidal-unseen-creatures-brewing Follow Step Into The Sandbox: www.instagram.com/stepintothesandbox/ www.facebook.com/stepintothesandbox/ www.twitter.com/TweetTheSandbox/ Follow David Verjano: www.instagram.com/davidjverjano/ Send any feedback to sandbox@dademag.com.

John Falco is the owner and operator of three South Florida brewpubs — Lincoln’s Beard, Strange Beast, and Maxwell Bros. Clothing Company — and a client-turned-friend of David Verjano’s, who invited him on to this episode of Step Into The Sandbox to talk about the creative aspects of running his small businesses, his outlook on what the hospitality industry might look like after COVID-19, and how he went from a career in military intelligence to building a business from a home brewing hobby. John has also been a guest on Pan Con Podcast and Step Into The Sandbox. Support Step Into The Sandbox and the rest of DADE's work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dademag Follow Step Into The Sandbox: https://www.instagram.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.facebook.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.twitter.com/TweetTheSandbox/ Follow David Verjano: https://www.instagram.com/davidjverjano/ Send any feedback to sandbox@dademag.com. Step Into The Sandbox is part of the DADE family of podcasts.

David Martin is a website strategist focused on UX design and web development. He joined David Verjano on Step Into The Sandbox to discuss his career path from web development to UX design as well as the process of building a website from concept to execution. Support Step Into The Sandbox and the rest of DADE's work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dademag Follow Step Into The Sandbox: https://www.instagram.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.facebook.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.twitter.com/TweetTheSandbox/ Follow David Verjano: https://www.instagram.com/davidjverjano/ Send any feedback to sandbox@dademag.com. Step Into The Sandbox is part of the DADE family of podcasts.

For this special joint episode of Step Into The Sandbox and Pan Con Podcast, David is joined by the latter podcast's host Michael Beltran. Mike is the chef-partner behind Ariete Hospitality Group, which is the umbrella company that owns The Taurus, Chug's Diner, The Scapegoat, Nave, and the flagship Ariete. Mike was a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation's 2020 award for Best Chef: South. Support Step Into The Sandbox and the rest of DADE's work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dademag Follow Mike Beltran: Instagram: www.instagram.com/piginc Twitter: www.twitter.com/piginc Follow Step Into The Sandbox: https://www.instagram.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.facebook.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.twitter.com/TweetTheSandbox/ Follow David Verjano: https://www.instagram.com/davidjverjano/ Follow DADE: Support DADE on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DADEmag Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DADEMAG Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dadeig Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/dadetweets Send any feedback to sandbox@dademag.com. Step Into The Sandbox is part of the DADE family of podcasts.

Jeanne Canto is a multidisciplinary creative with professional roots in architecture. She is the founder of JNNS, a studio in Miami where she focuses on photography and design. This conversation with Jeanne covers the childhood experiences that led her to architecture, her serendipitous journey into design her creative career, and career advice — good and bad — that she’s gotten along the way. Follow Jeanne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeannnes/ Support Step Into The Sandbox and the rest of DADE's work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dademag Follow Step Into The Sandbox: https://www.instagram.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.facebook.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.twitter.com/TweetTheSandbox/ Follow David Verjano: https://www.instagram.com/davidjverjano/ Send any feedback to sandbox@dademag.com. Step Into The Sandbox is part of the DADE family of podcasts.

Andy Tamayo is a creative from the advertising industry. He was one of the most awarded creatives of 2019, winning over 25 international awards, including 10 Cannes Lions. He made Forbes' 30 Under 30 list and has produced stellar work for brands like Burger King, Budweiser and Kraft Heinz. We talked about his agency, his role as an art director, the collaborative side of his work, and his next chapter at Wieden+Kennedy. Follow Step Into The Sandbox: https://www.instagram.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.facebook.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.twitter.com/TweetTheSandbox/ Follow David Verjano: https://www.instagram.com/davidjverjano/ Send any feedback to sandbox@dademag.com. Step Into The Sandbox is part of the DADE family of podcasts.

Peter Santa-Maria is a printmaking artist known for his company, Attack Peter. He's been commissioned to work with brands like Marvel and even inspired some of our host David Verjano's own branding work. In this conversation, you'll learn about Peter's approach to art, how he ended up connected to top comic book brands, and his fascination with monsters. Follow Peter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/attackpeter/ Follow Step Into The Sandbox: https://www.instagram.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.facebook.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.twitter.com/TweetTheSandbox/ Follow David Verjano: https://www.instagram.com/davidjverjano/ Send any feedback to sandbox@dademag.com. Step Into The Sandbox is part of the DADE family of podcasts.

Azeez Bakare is a visualization artist specializing in 3D renderings, photography, and videography. Azeez has worked with the likeds of AirBnB, Nike and Redbull, as well as high profile architecture firms like Bjarke Ingels Group and Arquitectonica. David Verjano sat with Azeez to discuss his craft, his journey from New York to Ohio to D.C., and now Miami, as well as a bit about architecture and his work in the field. http://www.azeezbakare.com/ https://www.instagram.com/azeez.bakare/ Follow Step Into The Sandbox: https://www.instagram.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.facebook.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.twitter.com/TweetTheSandbox/ Follow David Verjano: https://www.instagram.com/davidjverjano/ Send any feedback to sandbox@dademag.com. Step Into The Sandbox is part of the DADE family of podcasts.

This episode's guests are Vanessa García and Victoria Collado, the duo behind Abre Camino Collective. This director write team is best known for their work on Amparo, an immersive theater experience that tells the story of the real Havana Club. They joined David Verjano to discuss how they forged their creative partnership, their personal experiences in the theater and performing arts space, and how they're applying unconventional practices in in the field. Abre Camino Collective: www.abrecaminocollective.com/ www.instagram.com/abrecaminocollective/ Vanessa García: www.vanessagarcia.org/ www.twitter.com/vanessathekrane www.instagram.com/vgarcia43/ Victoria Collado: www.victoriacollado.com/ www.instagram.com/itsvickylin/ Follow Step Into The Sandbox: https://www.instagram.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.facebook.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.twitter.com/TweetTheSandbox/ Follow David Verjano: https://www.instagram.com/davidjverjano/ Send any feedback to sandbox@dademag.com. Step Into The Sandbox is part of the DADE family of podcasts.

Christina Hernández is the founder of Art Cortex, a mixed media art and science program for children to explore and exercise their creativity. Christina is a Miami native who's been moonlighting as a DJ for over a decade, sharing her taste in music at live events and on the airwaves. Visit and follow Art Cortex: https://www.artcortex.co/ https://www.instagram.com/theartcortex/ https://www.facebook.com/theartcortex/ Follow Step Into The Sandbox: https://www.instagram.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.facebook.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.twitter.com/TweetTheSandbox/ Follow David Verjano: https://www.instagram.com/davidjverjano/ Send any feedback to sandbox@dademag.com. Step Into The Sandbox is part of the DADE family of podcasts.

Photographer and designer Cyn Lagos joined David Verjano to talk about how a desire to express herself led her to street photography, how technology and social media has affected the art form, and her experiences as an Adobe Creative Resident and Google Pixel Ambassador. Follow Cyn Lagos: https://www.instagram.com/cynlagos/ Follow Step Into The Sandbox: https://www.instagram.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.facebook.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.twitter.com/TweetTheSandbox/ Follow David Verjano: https://www.instagram.com/davidjverjano/ Send any feedback to sandbox@dademag.com. Step Into The Sandbox is part of the DADE family of podcasts.

In an introductory episode of this new podcast, DADE founder Nick Jiménez welcomes the podcast's host, David Verjano, to the DADE family of podcasts. The two give you a brief rundown of what you can expect from this podcast moving forward, including some previews of our first few episodes. Follow Step Into The Sandbox on social: https://www.instagram.com/stepintothesandbox/ https://www.twitter.com/TweetTheSandbox Follow David Verjano: https://www.instagram.com/davidjverjano/ Send us your feedback at sandbox@dademag.com.