Read on Twitter
It's hard to put a figure on how important the LAB has been for Miami's economy in less than a decade. Connections, opportunities, visibility, innovation. Maybe a quick thread on my personal experience will help put it into perspective for any newcomers: https://twitter.com/Markis/status/1352672466318069762
To me, Miami energy is fueled by a drive for more. A lot of critics (and natives) like to take easy shots and remind everyone that this is a "fake it until you make it" type of city.
To a degree, it certainly can be, but most people don't know of the stories similar to mine that @thelabmiami has helped write. 
6 years ago, while learning @rubylangorg + @rails at @wyncode, I met @carriboum. 
We've lived together ever since.
We've lived together ever since.
I met some of the most interesting and amazing people and am lucky to still consider them some of my closest friends today: @WillieAvendano + @nelsonmilian 
During that same time, I joined the young and amazing team at @bitstopofficial. They took me on as a junior developer and helped launch my career. 
After that, I spent some more time at startups ( @hiburrow, @CarBuckets) before joining the UI Architecture team at @CruiseNorwegian. I learned a lot during my time there. Unfortunately, that got cut short. (I'm restraining myself from making ship/dock puns.) 
Everyone knows how that went and has similar experiences. It was surreal sitting in the cafeteria, called "the Galley", watching COVID on the news and knowing deep in my heart that everything was about to change. 
Like everyone else in the world, I was worried. We worked remotely for a bit before the layoffs started. It was difficult but not devastating. 
In about a month, the team at @taproomagency brought me on as a developer. I've been working with them and making magic in the e-commerce space ever since. 
If it wasn't for the community and that Miami energy for more the LAB helped foster, I'm not sure if I'd be where I am today: happy. 
TL;DR I highly recommend all the new faces in Miami get a chance to spend some time at @thelabmiami. Who knows? You might meet your next investor, partner, founder, early employee, or a lifelong friend. 
