Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Caroline Strauss. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Caroline, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I am committed to breaking the mold of traditional restaurant/bar models- My mission is to create bespoke brands for multiple markets that fill a niche in bigger cities. I come from a large global corporate background and my goal is to break free from that, to be able to create my own experiences for guests and foster a more locally engaged approach to business.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi! I am Caroline Strauss, originally from the northeast, 15 years in Miami. I have an extensive background in Food & Beverage. Previously with Ennismore for the better half of a decade as the global F&B Director overseeing openings and development. I specialize in brining bespoke brands to life- with heavy attention to detail on food, beverage, partnerships, and marketing. Prior to my long corporate stint I was lucky enough to be a part of some of Miami’s top independent venues such as Macchialina (James Beard Semi-Finalist), Broken Shaker/27 Restaurant (50 Best Bars), Makoto by Stephen Starr, and The Citadel. I am incredibly proud of the places I have worked and everything I have learned along the way that has afforded me the ability to expand on my own for my first standalone concept, Magie. I originally went to school for PR and Marketing and quickly learned I needed to be deeper in day to day operations and in the movement.

I am a bit know for being the friend who works too much and is maybe too passionate on their projects- and also known to not be changing that anytime soon. I am dedicated to making my ideas a reality and will always put in the hard work to get there. I start my day anywhere between 3am-5am and end close to 11pm-1am.

Magie is a curated wine & snacks bar in Little River (one of the best neighborhoods in Miami), We recently opened in June 2024 and have been rocking since! Our mission is to provide a space for everyone to enjoy- drinkers, eaters, someone looking to cozy up with some wine and book, or a loud date night with great music. We have partnered with as many local producers, suppliers, and creatives to bring Magie to life and support the community. I want guests and locals to feel genuine in what they are supporting and have consistency in our ambiance and offering. Miami is a very transient city and it’s nice to have a space that feels like home.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I come from an extremely work ethic driven family, I certainly did not have the picture perfect childhood but a staple in my upbringing – was to always stick to your word, show up and do the right thing. I live by this in my personal and professional life and I think it’s had a big impact on my reputation in the market.
I will always be there when I say I will, I lead by example, and I stick to my commitments. It’s easy to fall into a clique in the city and disconnect from things you might not feel are important to your personal success, but it all is interconnected.

Join groups, learn about things you might not think are trendy and cool, get involved in philanthropy and give back. These practices have come back to my in three-fold as I have opened my business and seen the support from those I gave my time to the past 15 years here in Miami.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media, love it or hate it, is the backbone to most communication these days. It is crucial to find a voice online and stick to it. I strongly believe the business owner should control their social media, at least until you build a strong following of your concept. No one will promote the business or get the proper messaging across better than the person who also has to make payroll for their team.

It’s really important to me to get back to every DM, to engage with our guests, and to have a clear tone of voice. There are a lot of different avenues of promotion these days and I think your followers are looking to understand more about you by your social media presence. There are so many free tutorials online to learn how to navigate and gain a following and build your own presence, highly recommend it!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @magiemiami
• Yelp: Magie