With a history of love for the ocean, Nick Cardoza never imagined to transform the yacht industry in South Florida. Cardoza was born in Naples, FL, but was raised near the water on the south coast of Massachusetts. After graduating from culinary school, he began his career as a chef in many parts of the world including Florence and Sardinia. While working in St. Barts, the young cook had a realization about his career and decided to return to his roots; the water. He became a chef for luxury yachts, and later transcended to earning a captain’s license. And since, he has sailed the Atlantic Ocean twice. After being mesmerized by a VanDutch in Miami, Cardoza’s persistence led him to meet the founders of luxurious yacht company, and was offered a position as a sales representative and later a captain. Within his first years in the business, the “yacht guy” realized that there was an inefficiency in the day charter market and decided to create a mobile app where users could book yachts to avoid closing of bookings due to miscommunication. The entrepreneur decided to name the project YachtLife, also known as the most popular hashtag you will see tagged by users while enjoying themselves on a boat. The side project has escalated into a real business and now serves different cities and countries. Here, the entrepreneur shares his haute secrets to the Magic City:
Where were you born: Naples, Florida
How long in Miami: 5 years going on 6
Neighborhood: South Beach and Downtown/Brickell
Occupation: Co-founder at YACHTLIFE® / Luxury Yacht Sales at VanDutch yachts.
Favorite Restaurant: Milos
Best Sushi: Blue Ribbon Sushi
Best Italian: Casa Tua, outside in the garden
Best dessert: Tres Leches, anywhere.
Best place for a romantic date: The Standard Lido restaurant, then spa, then hop on a boat for
nighttime cruise Downtown Miami / Brickell to see the lights.
Best Sunday brunch: Kiki’s on The River
Best place for a power business meeting: ZUMA
If you have out of town guests, which hotel would you recommend: The Plymouth Hotel
Favorite shopping venue/boutique: Champion Porsche. I love Porsches and Champion takes care of
you.
Favorite place to buy jewelry/watches: Starvin Marvin, Aventura. They always have fresh product
and it’s a great place to build a relationship with.
Best Spa: The Standard Hotel Spa
Favorite Charity Event: Little Lighthouse Foundation – Hearts and Stars Gala
Favorite Cultural Event: As a previous chef, I really get excited for Miami Spice every year.
Favorite Cultural Institution: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
Best Steakhouse: Nusr-Et Steakhouse
Best Pizza: Lucali
Best Lunch: River Oyster Bar’s prix fix menu
Best Gym/Athletic Facility: Ferrino Sports Fitness Club
Best Massage: The Sooth APP, a masseuse arrives at your home in just 45 minutes.
Best Limousine/Driving Service: UBER Lux. It’s like having your own personal chauffeur.
Best Museum/Exhibit: Frost Science Museum / Laser Fridays – Daft Punk
Describe your city in three words: The American Monaco.
Favorite historic/legendary place to see or explore: Stiltsville. It’s rumored that’s where historical
figures such as Capone and Kennedy’s smuggled booze during prohibition. It’s what Miami was built
on. It’s in the DNA here.
All-around favorite spot in Miami: Cruising around on a VanDutch between the Venetian Islands,
McArthur, Downtown and up the river and visiting any of the waterfront restaurants Miami has to
offer.
Best Aspect of Miami: The mixture of culture, climate, and access to whatever you want makes this
young city the perfect place to live the American dream.
