A Cuban woman residing in Miami has become a social media sensation, showcasing her entrepreneurial journey through a business that specializes in removing unwanted items and revealing just how much profit she can make in a single day.
Amelis Luna took to Instagram with a video highlighting her venture, Next Step Junk, capturing the attention of thousands with a captivating opening line: "Today we made $200 in under an hour, and what we found at the end is worth more than what we charged."
This enterprise involves clients paying for the removal of anything they no longer need from their homes, ranging from a single piece of furniture to clearing out an entire property.
The Process Behind the Business
In the video, a property owner contacted Luna's company to clear out belongings left by a departing tenant. "Every drawer, every closet, and every nook of the house needs to be checked," Luna explains.
One of the most striking aspects of Luna's account is the cultural contrast she describes. "Initially, it was painful for me because where I come from, everything is saved and reused," she admits, highlighting the stark difference with the Cuban reality where scarcity leads to repurposing every last item. In the United States, however, nearly new items are often discarded.
Challenges and Opportunities
When feasible, Luna's team donates or gives away useful items they find, but with multiple jobs in a day, there's no time to sort. "Sometimes you just have to throw out and move on," she acknowledges candidly.
Starting out, they faced criticism. "Many people called us trash collectors or, as we say in Cuba, 'buzos'," Luna recalls. Yet, she defends her business with data: "This is a legitimate business that generates income. In the United States alone, this industry is worth billions annually."
Joining a Trend of Cuban Entrepreneurs
Luna's story is part of a growing trend of Cubans launching service businesses in Miami and documenting their journeys on social media. Leidy Aragón started her cleaning business with less than $100 and went viral on TikTok.
Recently, a group of Cubans opened a jewelry store named "I-220A Joyería" in Miami, bearing the slogan "Dreams Have No Borders." Additionally, singer La Diosa ventured into the car wash business, and by 2025, a Cuban economist had founded three senior care centers in Miami.
According to the United States Small Business Administration, Cubans account for 12% of small business owners in Florida.
Living well in the United States by cleaning homes or removing unwanted items is a reality that an increasing number of migrants document and share as evidence that hard work pays off.
Luna's business is equipped with a hydraulic trailer that dumps loads at the landfill with the push of a button. But the revenue doesn't end there: the items left behind after each job, she claims, are "the real money," beyond the service fees.
"Starting our own business was the best decision we could have made," Luna wrote in the video description. Her attitude toward the most challenging days sums it up: "The harder it is, the happier I am because it's more money for me."
Insights into Cuban Entrepreneurial Ventures in Miami
What is the main service provided by Amelis Luna's business?
Amelis Luna's business, Next Step Junk, specializes in the removal of unwanted items from homes, ranging from single pieces of furniture to entire house clearouts.
How does Luna's business generate income beyond service fees?
Beyond charging for removal services, Luna's business profits from valuable items left behind, which they can sell or repurpose, referring to these as "the real money."
How are Cuban immigrants in Miami influencing local entrepreneurship?
Cuban immigrants are significantly contributing to Miami's entrepreneurial scene, with 12% of small business owners in Florida being of Cuban origin. Many are starting diverse service-oriented businesses and sharing their stories on social media.