As the year comes to a close, we are celebrating those near and dear to us at City Lifestyle Naples. With so many individuals who have supported our journey, we wanted our readership to share in getting to know these wonderful people who are paving the way right here in Naples through “question and answer” style interviews. Join us as we uncover their stories, passions, and contributions, shedding light on the rich, diverse tapestry of Naples, Florida.
HEATHER SCHWARZ
What are the main reasons you chose Naples?
Naples truly is paradise. It’s the perfect combination of beautiful weather, lots of fun things to do and friendly people who are focused on living an abundant life.
What is your passion?
I love mysticism, spirituality and psychology. There’s magic in the everyday life that makes living so much fun.
What is your occupation?
Commercial real estate development and investment and helping non-profits with their fundraising through our platform TixForGood.org.
Looking back on your life, what advice would you give your younger self?
My mindset is the only thing getting in the way.
When and where are you the happiest?
Here and now. I love my life and I know it’s getting better and better as I go.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My three girls, Samantha, Nicole and Kiki. I couldn’t ask for better children. They bring such amazing light, wisdom and character — it makes every day exciting.
What is your most treasured possession?
I wear my grandparent's 25th-anniversary ring on my right hand. Every time I look at my hand, I think of them.
What is your motto?
Be the spark, share the light.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
That’s easy — Tim Chew.
What is the trait you most admire in yourself?
My patience and kindness.
VIRGINIA BROWN
When did you move to Naples?
I moved to Naples April 2023, returned to Boston for the summer, and now am back in Naples full-time.
What are the main reasons you chose Naples?
I chose Naples because when my oldest went to Charleston, SC for college and my youngest went to an independent boarding school in Northern MA, I became an “empty nester”. The New England winters are too cold for me, and moving to Florida had always been a dream of mine! fell in love with the beaches, sunsets and restaurants of Naples. Also, a driving force was that I expanded my early childhood schools and care centers, The Global Child, LLC to Florida and I opened our 5th location in Estero, September 2022.
Which talent would you most like to have?
To be able to sing
What is your greatest extravagance?
I don’t consider myself very extravagant. Probably lashes, eating out, clothes. I am just as happy doing low-cost activities as well as expensive ones. I, of course, like nice things sometimes, but I feel balance and being down to earth is an important characteristic.
What do you most admire about your appearance? I am often complimented on my smile. I like my smile! I don’t typically wear any makeup. I am not comfortable in it and prefer to be as natural as possible. I work out because it makes me feel good and eat well, because I just prefer and choose to eat healthier foods.
Which living person do you most admire? Probably my children, they are the most resilient, hard-working, loyal, usually kind, people I know. The characteristics I admire most in people.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Founding, creating, and building The Global Child, LLC, An Early Childhood School and Care Center with my late husband, while at the same time, serving as an Elementary Principal and Director of Special Education of a 4000+ school district.
MERI SETYAN
Where did you grow up?
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
What is your passion?
Sailing, gardening, anything under the creativity umbrella, building new relationships, meeting the world, adventures without an agenda.
What is your occupation?
Co-Owner of PINK SHARK MEDIA - full service social media/marketing company.
What is your greatest fear?
Settling for a mediocre, unchallenged life. Gives me heart palpitations.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My family and my partner in crime, Mason! Every single one of them are my greatest and most fulfilling loves of my life.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Nothing, I love me. It took me years to get rid of all my former answers to this question. And I am glad I did it!
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Spending YEARS to become whole inside. I told myself I have until 30 years old to release the insecurities and fill the gaps of who I truly am. And I did that.
What is your most treasured possession?
A Rolex I received as a gift from a long time friend. It was their way of showing how much they appreciated the friendship and the years of standing by their side when they had nothing, no family or friends.
JAMIE CARUSO
What are the main reasons you chose Naples?
We’ll need a few more pages for this. Why NOT live here? My husband and I chose Naples for its beauty, pleasant climate, and the warmth of its people, all wrapped in the old-world charm of the city. The combination of pristine beaches, diverse opportunities, and a city that maintains a small-town feel made it an ideal place to call home.
What is your passion?
My passion is helping other people feel great, in life, and in the salon. Hair is my first true passion. I am an avid continuing education, girl. I am driven to be the best in the most knowledgeable stylist. I spent my time educating myself at the best academies in the world. I study precision haircutting at the prestigious Vidal Sassoon Academy, and recently acquired a master color expert certificate through the Wella studio in LA. I want to educate myself and my clients to achieve and maintain their best self and hair at home.
Looking back on your life, what advice would you give your younger self?
Remember to believe in yourself and not letting fear of criticism hold you back. It’s a powerful mindset for achieving your goals and finding happiness in life. Your potential is limitless, and focusing on your own growth and happiness is more important than worrying about others’ opinions.
When and where are you the happiest?
My happiest time of the day is the morning. I cherish my morning rituals which consist of meditating, reading, writing down my goals, and then getting to work on achieving them. My happiest place is the beach.
Which words and phrases do you overuse?
This is a good one. When I teach my clients how to set their own hair at home and they want volume I say, “Setting your hair is like molding chocolate. You melt it, pour it in the mold, and put it in the refrigerator to harden. Your hair is the same. Start by blow-drying it, while the hair is 100% dry set it into the desired shape, and then let it cool.”
ELENA GRIFFEN
What is your occupation?
Co-Owner of PINK SHARK MEDIA - full service social media/marketing company.
What is the trait you most admire in yourself?
My intuition and being able to see the bigger picture even when things seem chaotic.
Which living person do you most admire?
My mom, for overcoming countless obstacles and still staying positive and strong through it all.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My husband Miles, and daughter, Emilia. The purest form of love.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement, I would say, is starting my own company and taking the risks to get there. It's a significant milestone in my life that I'm extremely proud of. This journey required a combination of vision, hard work, and the courage to step out of my comfort zone.
What is your most treasured possession?
A necklace my parents gave me when I turned 20 years old. It was a ruby my father gifted to my mom for their 20th anniversary.
What do you most value in your friends?
Their loyalty and love, not only for me but also for my family. Having friends who genuinely care about my well-being and the well-being of my loved ones is something I treasure deeply. It's a testament to the strength of our friendships and the bonds we've built. These friends are there to celebrate our joys and stand by our side during challenges, making them an invaluable part of my life.
KERI JOHNSON
When did you move to Naples?
I moved to Florida in 1988 and Naples full-time in 1994.
What is your passion?
My passion is helping teens and women feel beautiful and confident from the inside out using the medium of photography and empowerment coaching to create this Magic.
What is your occupation?
I am a Portrait Photographer, Social Media Video Content Creator and a Manifesting Mentor.
Looking back on your life, what advice would you give your younger self?
Always stay excited for what is to come. Know your power and how to tap into it to create whatever you desire. Do not succumb to society or family pressures if it does not resonate. Be strong enough to be an independent thinker.
What is the trait you most admire in yourself?
Being able to create businesses and money out of nothing over and over and the tenacity and determination to keep going.
What is your greatest fear?
It’s already happened. The time when my daughters are out of my house and on their own. Losing time with them.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Breaking the norm of the “single parent stigma” by creating my photography business with only a camera and a baby. No support, talent, education, money or guidance. This allowed me to create a very comfortable lifestyle for my daughters and me while being a single parent.
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ALEX SANCHEZ
When did you move to Naples?
2019
What are the main reasons you chose Naples?
The peace and at the same time the professional opportunities it offers.
Where did you grow up?:
Cuba.
Looking back on your life, what advice would you give your younger self?
You don't have to know everything, surround yourself with people who know what you don’t.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Sincerity is not required. People think that honest opinions are a great virtue and I include myself, but sometimes it's not worth wearing yourself out explaining something they're not ready to hear.
What do you most admire about your appearance?
My extravagant simplicity.
Which living person do you most admire?
My wife, behind every great man there is not always a great woman and that is my case, I have her by my side.
Which talent would you most like to have?
Play the piano very well.
Who are your favorite writers?
Jose Marti, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Alejo Carpentier.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
The family that I created and in it I include the many friends who help me every day.
What is your most treasured possession?
My wife's heart.
What do you most value in your friends?
Loyalty.
KIM STALEY
When did you move to Naples?
I am one of the rare Neapolitans that was born in Naples.
What is your passion?
Supporting my clients and friends to be the best version of themselves….
I’ve made numerous valuable connections over the years, and I try to nurture those relationships and never take them for granted.
What is the trait you most admire in yourself?
The trait I most admire is my desire to help others and to be a positive light in the world.
Which living person do you most admire?
I most admire my daughter as she has been a guiding force of love and wisdom in my life.
Which words and phrases do you overuse?
Yes, I’ll have an espresso martini. Ha!
Which talent would you most like to have?
It would be such an amazing gift to be able to sing.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
The greatest love of my life has been my children, Quincy and Kal. And my dad, who adored me like no other.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement (and hardest) was raising my two amazing children into successful young adults… While also building a successful business and being a supportive wife, as well as caregiver to my aging father.
Who are your favorite writers?
Some of my favorite historical authors are Fitzgerald and Dumas…. More recently are the historical fiction works of Amor Towles and Kristin Hannah.
ALEXANDER PEROVICH
Where did you grow up?
Toronto, Ontario Canada
What is your passion?
Inventing/creating technology.
What is your occupation?
Founder / Co-Owner of Think Simplicity Inc., a CAAS/SAAS (Communications as a service / Software as a service) provider to the hospitality industry.
What is your greatest fear?
Not being able to see my daughter grow up.
Looking back on your life, what advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t forget to enjoy the ride.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My shyness.
What is the trait you most admire in yourself?
Overcoming my shyness through bravery.
What do you most admire about your appearance?
The perfect blend of my parents is imprinted onto my face.
Which living person do you most admire?
My wife, she is a survivor with a beautiful soul.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Exercise patience to cultivate calm within.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Starting and growing a company in one of the most difficult industries during a recession and pandemic.
What is your most treasured possession?
My memories.
What do you most value in your friends?
I value uniqueness and acceptance.
Who are your favorite writers?
Josephine Hart, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Anthony Robbins.
What is your motto?
It’s always time for a good time.