Do you work at one of the best companies? See top-ranked in South Florida
When Joseph Elias Phillips and William Corbera met 15 years ago at Kukaramakara, a Brickell salsa bar, they became new friends on a lively Friday night.
They soon became business partners.
And now, they co-own a multi-million dollar company with happy employees.
Payabli is one of 41 Florida businesses that made Inc. magazine’s 2025 list of the best workplaces in America. The Miami company, launched in 2020, helps software companies manage their payment systems
As one of two Hispanic founders, Phillips identifies with Miami’s diverse workforce. And their backgrounds play a key role in cultivating a workplace for people of all backgrounds.
“Miami is ingrained in our DNA,” he said. “Miami has a very entrepreneurial background and many immigrants. I’m Cuban American, Will is Nicaraguan American. There are many people that share that same experience. I think Miami has been excellent for us in having access to amazing team members.”
To make the annual list, businesses must be at least 2 years old, have at least five permanent employees and offer benefits like healthcare to at least half its workers.
Employees at nominated companies also must answer questions about their workplace culture and the experience at the company.
“These honorees aren’t just talking the talk,” Inc. magazine said in releasing the list of the 541 companies that made the national rankings. “Their benefits, growth opportunities, and team values are having a real impact on the employee experience.
Phillips said that other entrepreneurs or people interested in owning a business should just do it. He has seen Miami’s tech ecosystem grow from no interest into one with a sense of urgency
“There’s never a perfect time to start, so you just have to have the tenacity and perseverance,” he said. “We’re trying to give the city the staying power it deserves.”
The other 4 South Florida businesses on the list:
Avicado Construction Technology Services, business products and services, Coconut Grove
CentralReach, software, Fort Lauderdale
Exit Factor, business products and Services, West Palm Beach
Love Social Media, advertising, marketing and public relations, Miami
The 36 other Florida businesses on the list:
AccountingDepartment.com, financial services, Naples
Allied Trust Insurance Company, insurance, Tampa
Bit-Wizards, IT services, Fort Walton Beach
BlackCloak, security, Lake Mary
Climate First Bank, financial services, St. Petersburg
Coastal Cloud, IT services, Palm Coast
DirectiveGroup, advertising, marketing and public relations, Tampa
Enumerate, software, Clearwater
Farlinium, IT services, Seminole
Harbor View Advisors, financial services, Neptune Beach
INFUSE, advertising, marketing and PR, Boca Raton
Investor Friendly CPA, financial services, Sarasota
Just Drive Media, advertising, marketing and PR, Miramar Beach
Kappa Computer Systems, IT services, Lake Mary
Launch Potato, advertising, marketing and PR, Delray Beach
Moore Agency, advertising, marketing and PR, Tallahassee
Nucleus Security, software, Sarasota
Occams Advisory, financial services, Sarasota
Paradise Exteriors, construction, Boynton Beach
Pinnacle Insurance, financial Services, Jacksonville
PlanetBids, software, Ormond Beach
ReliaQuest, security, Tampa
S-One Holdings Corp., business products and services, Sarasota
Seacoast Bank, financial services, Stuart
Signature Athletics, consumer products, Tampa
Source 1 Solutions, IT services, Clearwater
Symple Lending, financial services, Tampa
TalkingParents, consumer products, Fort Walton Beach
The Center for Sales Strategy, business products and service, Tsampa
The Current Agency, advertising, marketing and PR, Tallahassee
TheHomeMag, advertising, marketing and PR, Cape Coral
TheIncLab, engineering, Tampa
Trailer Bridge, logistics and transportation, Jacksonville
VeraData, artificial intelligence and data, Fort Myers
Vertical Bridge, telecommunications, Boca Raton
Wild Coffee Marketing, advertising, marketing and PR, Plantation
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