Designing Success: Miami’s Ann Lopez Named One of Inc.’s Top Business Leaders of the Year

Miami’s creative scene has no shortage of rising stars, but this year one designer is stepping firmly into the national spotlight. Ann Lopez, founder of the Miami-based interior design studio Studio 790, has been named to Inc. Magazine’s highly selective Business Leaders of the Year list, placing her among the top 40 business leaders in the country and shining a bright national light on Miami’s design talent.

For Lopez, whose work effortlessly merges Miami vibrancy with polished, purposeful design, the award comes alongside three Inc. Best in Business wins: Best Marketing, Best Social Media, and the coveted Business Leader of the Year distinction. It’s a major moment not just for Studio 790, but for Miami’s design community, which continues to shape national conversations around luxury, lifestyle, and creativity.

Founded in 2019, Studio 790 has quickly become one of Miami’s most buzzed-about design firms, crafting spaces that feel equal parts modern, soulful, and unmistakably Miami. Its signature aesthetic—lush textures, warm neutrals, bold statements, and purposeful details—has appeared everywhere from private homes in Coral Gables to the Tulum-inspired rooftop bar at the W Miami Hotel. The firm’s residential work has been featured in Architectural Digest, HGTV Magazine, and Domino, while its commercial projects bring a fresh sensibility to hotels, restaurants, and brands looking to create experiences rather than just interiors.

For Lopez, the national recognition is still sinking in. “I’m still processing this, honestly,” she said. “When you see your name on a list with people like Larry Ellison and Todd Graves, it’s surreal. But it also validates what we’re building at Studio 790 — a design firm that treats creativity like a business and business like a craft. We’re not just creating beautiful spaces. We’re building systems, strategy, and spaces that move people, move revenue, and move our clients and our team forward. That’s the bar. And we continue to exceed it.”

That blend of artistry and strategy is exactly what has set Studio 790 apart. While the firm is known for its elevated aesthetic- light-filled rooms, natural textures, serene palettes, and the kind of casually effortless luxury Miami does best - it’s the brand’s deeper purpose that has captured national attention. Lopez’s mission centers on designing spaces that enhance how people live, work, gather, and thrive.

“Our mission has always been clear: give everyone the opportunity to love the spaces they live, learn, play, and work in,” Lopez said. “These awards recognize that we’re not just designing beautiful rooms. We’re solving problems, elevating experiences, and helping people live and work better. And we’re doing this while running a healthy business that has a bigger purpose that goes beyond design.”

Studio 790’s recognition for Marketing and Social Media reflects its authentic, community-focused presence online, where Lopez often shares behind-the-scenes looks, educational content, and glimpses of Miami life that resonate far beyond the design world. Her Project to Profits program has become a go-to resource for designers looking to build sustainable, scalable creative businesses of their own.

And while the Inc. honors celebrate national excellence, Lopez sees the moment as uniquely rooted in her hometown. Miami has deeply shaped Studio 790’s aesthetic and ethos, from its multicultural vibrancy to its entrepreneurial spirit, from the city’s constant evolution to its deep connection to beauty and lifestyle.

“This is about the team we’ve built and the clients who trust us with their spaces,” Lopez said. “It’s about showing up every day with excellence and integrity. And honestly? It’s about proving that you can build something meaningful while staying completely, unapologetically yourself.”

As Miami continues to claim its place as a global hub for culture and creativity, Lopez’s recognition feels especially symbolic. Studio 790 represents the new Miami: stylish, entrepreneurial, confident, and expanding far beyond the city’s borders, all while staying rooted in its vibrant local identity.

The full list of Inc.’s Best in Business winners can be found at inc.com/best-in-business.

For more on Studio 790, visit studio790.com.

By ML Staff. Photos/Studio 790