Create a memorable summer with the help of these ’Cane-owned businesses. With plenty of products and services to explore, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Vacation Essentials
Discover new vistas, exciting adventures, and thrilling beach reads.
- Journey Aviation is an aircraft charter and on-demand air taxi operator headquartered in South Florida, with offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Dubai. Founded by Fabian Bello, B.B.A. ’99, Journey Aviation operates a fleet comprised primarily of Gulfstream IV jets, with access to every on-demand charter aircraft in the world. Alumni are welcome to a five percent discount.
📍 Boca Raton, FL - South Florida Fishing Adventures, founded by Michael Jawitz, B.B.A. ’62, offers fishing charters from Sunny Isles to Key Biscayne, as well as large, air-conditioned charter boats. Alumni are welcome to a 15-25 percent discount.
📍 Sunny Isles Beach, FL - “Mute” and “Famous After Death.” Brian Bandell, B.S.C. ’02, senior reporter at the South Florida Business Journalist and novelist, is the author of the science fiction murder mystery “Mute” and the thriller “Famous After Death.” “Mute” follows a detective whose love for an orphaned witness has her turning a blind eye to evidence that could stop a wave of unnatural murders. “Famous After Death” follows three Miami teenagers seeking internet fame who get caught up in the murder investigation of a police officer.
📍 Available online.
Food
Discover ’Cane-owned specialty food retailers and bars in your neighborhood.
- Joanna’s Marketplace, owned by John Lederman, M.B.A. ’08, offers artisanal breads, pastries, and desserts baked fresh daily. Alumni are welcome to a five percent discount in-store with a ’Cane Card or Alumni Card.
📍 Miami, FL - Union Jack Pub-Broad Ripple is a soccer-centric pub owned by Jonathan Purdy Wetzel, B.S.C. ’04, which has been a staple in the Broad Ripple community for its good food and drink. Alumni are welcome to a five percent discount.
📍 Broad Ripple, Indianapolis, IN - The Cookie Bandit, founded by Lisa Dominguez, B.S.N. ’86, is a cookie company that provides custom sugar cookies for all special events with hundreds of specialty molds to choose from, including specialty ’Cane-decorated cookies. Alumni are welcome to a ten percent discount.
📍 Available online.
Home
Freshen up your home or office with the help of these ’Cane-owned businesses.
- MaidThis Cleaning of Miami, founded by Christopher Rodriguez, M.S. ’18, provides first-class residential and vacation rental cleaning services. Alumni are welcome to a ten percent discount.
📍 Miami, FL - Butterscotch Blankees offers custom designed, handcrafted, personalized blankets, hats, scarves, sweaters, pillows, and ponchos. Items are delivered directly to customers in butterscotch candy- style wrapping. Founded by Jodie Roth, B.S.C. ’94, Butterscotch Blankees has been featured on “Good Morning America,” People Magazine, Miami Herald, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Refinery 29, E! Online, and Yahoo!
📍 Available online. - College Hunks Hauling Junk provides junk removal and recycling solutions for your home and office. Founded by Ronald J. Rick III, B.B.A. ’12, and Christopher D. Poore, B.B.A. ’12, M.S.Acc. ’21, College Hunks Hauling Junk helps you prepare for an upcoming move, declutter your home, or clean out your office. Alumni are welcome to a ten percent discount.
📍 Miami Beach, FL
Pet Care
Take care of the furry and feathered creatures in your life with the help of these ’Cane-owned businesses.
- The Dog from Ipanema is a premier hair salon for pets created by Jarbas Godoy, B.A. ’91. Founded 37 years ago when Godoy cut the hair of his first client, Scandal, a Chow Chow-Lhasa Apso mix, the Dog from Ipanema offers a clean and warm facility for dogs and cats to look and feel their best—and a ten percent alumni discount.
📍 Miami, FL - Applause Your Paws, Inc. is a dog training company that focuses on education for dog owners and building stronger relationships between humans and their canines. Founded by Dee Hoult, B.S. ’05, M.B.A. ’10, Applause Your Paws teaches dog owners how to better communicate with their dogs to build mutual trust and respect. Alumni are welcome to a ten percent discount on dog-training services.
📍 Miami, FL - Brome Bird Care is the maker of the patented, award-winning Squirrel Buster wild bird feeder. Created by Denis Malaket, M.B.A. ’83, Brome Bird Care designs squirrel-proof bird feeders that foil and frustrate squirrels to no end.
📍 Available online.
Leisure
Whether you’re looking to develop a new skill or hobby, these ’Cane-owned businesses are here to help.
- Broadway Kids Studio is a full-service performing arts studio offering private and group lessons in singing, acting, dancing, and musical instruments (piano, drums, and guitar). Michelle Ameerally, B.M. ’01, M.M. ’20, has turned talented pupils into successful singers, actors, and dancers featured both on and off Broadway. Alumni are welcome to a ten percent service discount upon presentation of a ’Cane Card.
📍 Davie, FL - Miriam Angela Porter Music Studio, founded by Miriam Angela Porter, M.M. ’90, offers professional instruction in voice, beginning piano and guitar, performance coaching for individuals and bands, and music theory. Alumni are welcome to a ten percent discount on services.
📍 Houston, TX - American Ju-Jitsu Center is an international martial arts competition school founded by Livan Concepcion, B.S. ’98, that offers classes in karate, cheerleading, and adult self-defense fitness. Alumni are welcome to a 20 percent discount on services.
📍 Homestead, FL
There's more to ’Cane Biz
More than 800 businesses around the country are owned and operated by University of Miami alumni. Check out the ’Cane Biz directory to find ’Cane-owned businesses and alumni discounts near you. If you want to list your business in the directory, click here to tell us all about it.
