The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below. Check out our favorite stories from across the Voyage family.
Natalie Weakly
After 10 years in corporate America, I launched Signature Style to help individuals and small businesses project their best selves. 12 years and more than 300 clients later, I’ve honed my approach to help business professionals master their personal brand, body language, presentation, and executive presence. My goal is to show others how aligning your inner confidence with your outward appearance creates a powerful personal brand that opens doors. Read More>>
Taylor Jordan
My name is Taylor, and I sing and play guitar for A Dangerous Affair. We’re a pop punk band out of Dfw. When I first started the band, my vision of the band’s trajectory was vastly different than it’s grown to become. I first started playing music as I was getting ready to graduate high school, so I was a bit of a late bloomer. It started off innocently enough as a few friends jamming in my mom’s garage, but it quickly grew into something more serious that, I didn’t realize at the time, would greatly shape the man that I’ve grown up to be. Read more>>
Nani Castillo
My purpose with the clothing brand is to have a percentage of profits go towards a Non Profit that will help with raising Scholarships/ sponsorships/ donate to teams/organizations for the youth that wanna pursue sports professionally, specifically for the underprivileged kids which I fall under and know what it’s like to not have enough financial support or resources to take you to the next level. I am currently growing my network to help with more exposure for the upcoming talent. Read More>>
Kimberly Worthy
When he was a baby, I relied on oatmeal and breast milk baths to soothe his skin, but as he grew older, I knew I needed to find a more sustainable and age-appropriate solution. That “mommy mode” instinct kicked in, and I dove into research, asking myself, *What can I do to truly help my children?* Time and time again, goat milk soap stood out for its gentle, nourishing properties. I decided to give it a try, and soon, I found myself creating homemade soap tailored specifically to their needs. Read More>>
Melissa Vining
My own oracle reader always spoke to me as if she was teaching me how to perform readings and healings. I’d laugh as it never occurred to me that I could ever do that. With exploring all things witchy I learned that intuitive skills are grown, not gifted. On my journey to myself, I realized how little I was cared for. I had sacrificed every part of me for people who would have never done the same. I had gone from a strong woman supporting my family, to a doormat. So I decided to surrender to my intuition and started over. I ended my relationship, sold my home, changed jobs, started my business, dove into my relationship with my son as a solo parent. I learned how absolutely amazing and empowered I had become. Read More>>
Michael Potts
After being part of corporate laid offs and teaching for 15 years, I wanted to choose a recession proof industry. One of the few industries that offers that is transportation. Originally, I wanted a job that included travel so I could see the country..However the more i drove the more I realized how large the industry truly is. I began looking for ways to expand my business. I connected with Alex Vilarino and one of his ideas lead me to Voyage Dallas Magazine. Read More>>
Marcellas Clay
It was definitely not easy but it was worth it! I overcame the challenges by staying focused, believing in myself, and a lot of prayer! Lessons I’ve learned along the way is how to be humble, patient, and having no fear for whatever comes my way! I want the world to know everything, that we are legendary, fearless and we hold God before anything in all that we do! Read More>>
Kay Kent
Growing up, and even still to this day, my dad always encouraged me to try my best and to advocate for issues I really thought needed to be brought to the public attention. During the COVID-19 quarantine, feminism really caught my eye. Before doing some researching, I really did not know what it was; All I knew was that it was something having to do with “girl power”. What started out as a fascination with the “Rosie’s” (Rosie the Riveters) during World War II, turned into me advocating for women’s rights. Read More>>
Cynthia Villalobos
Yes, of course there have been many challenges. I was diagnosed as a type one diabetic when I turned 21. The diagnosis makes everything more challenging but never stopped me from doing the things I love most. I wear an insulin pump and manage to make this part of my style and fashion. It is simply part of who I am and my favorite accessory . I believe my insulin pump is like any other piece of clothing I wear, it means something, it tells a story and an interesting one. I try to interpret the challenges that life brings to us as opportunities to do something great. Read More>>
Michelle Roh
I was drawn to the floristry industry about how creative you can be and how much joy you can bring to people for their most special occasions – from their proposal, wedding to the birth of their first child. I also appreciate how you can really see the circle of life in this industry, as flowers can also be an expression of grief, sympathy and encouragement to people at tough times. I love the seasonality of the industry and how it’s always evolving and changing. Read More>>
Joseph Starr
I loved what I was doing as being outside with the dogs never felt like work and I enjoyed the engagement with my clients. Later on, I was able to be trained by the great Cesar Milan at his ranch in California. He was super inspiring and it made me connect so many dots in regards to the experience I accrued in my dog training journey. After spending a week learning dog psychology, I knew right away this was what the people of Dallas needed. I quickly came home and rerouted my business to teach it through consults and hands on training. Ive since been doing that for the last 5 years. Last year I bought the business a home and transformed it into the perfect place for clients to bring their dogs. Im very proud of it Read More>>
Yan Tam
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset. Over the years, I’ve started a few businesses, but either the timing wasn’t right or they didn’t work out. Then, in 2020, shortly after getting my golden retriever Daisy, I came up with the idea for Happy Floof. One of the ongoing challenges I faced was her habit of rolling in dog feces, which made cleaning her harness and collar a major hassle. The smell never seemed to fully go away, and it was such a time-consuming process to get everything clean. That frustration sparked the idea to create a line of walk gear that was not only functional and stylish but also easy to clean and odor-resistant. Growing up with dogs and having a deep love for them, I knew this was something I’d be truly passionate about Read More>>
Samuell Alvarez
A people group that did this with an attitude of a servant always going seeking to extend an hand, and never aiming to be selfish. I saw the generosity from dart bus drivers whenever my dad didn’t have enough money to pay for a bus ticket, I saw the business owners who led by examples never exempting themselves from the hard work. I saw a community that was filled with love, for each other! I saw unity! This lead me to start God bless Oak Cliff. I wanted to partner with people in the city to make this place heaven on earth! So we cleaned the streets, we served hot coffee and pan dulces, we gather and prayed for one another, we stood united with one another. All with the desire to see Heaven in Oakcliff Read More>>
Gautam Poddar Nick Newlon
Gautam has always wanted to start a YouTube channel and Nick has always been into videography and editing. We’ve been to a few car meets at the past and we’ve always wanted to ask some of the car owners intrusive questions like “why did you bring a Kia Soul to a car meet?” People would be more willing to share this kind of information if it was for a recorded interview, so an idea was born. Read More>>
Tania Martinez
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Being a small business owner doesn’t guarantee steady sales, and I’ve had to work hard to build momentum. At times, I questioned if I’d made the right choice, especially since I’m not naturally an outgoing person. But through this journey, I’ve found ways to challenge myself, becoming more open and comfortable connecting with my clients. It’s been rewarding to see my personal growth along the way, and I’m determined to keep working hard to make this business a success. Read More>>
Laporscha Turner
While trying to tap into my home’s equity, I faced a few roadblocks in the approval process. Frustrated, I questioned God. “Why is this so hard for me? Why isn’t this working?” I vented (in my head) while riding in the car with my sister. I happened to look out of the window and I saw a homeless man lying on a mattress on the ground. That moment humbled me deeply. Here I was upset about not being able to get an investment property, yet this man didn’t even have a roof over his head. It shifted my perspective entirely. Read More>>
Violet Ravotti
I am open to collaboration opportunities and I love to support brands as a social media manager, leveraging creativity, strategy, and a passion for connection to deliver meaningful results. Feel free to reach out via Instagram or email me at thevivalaviolet@gmail.com if you’re interested in working together. Read More>>
Luke & Chardonnay Faulkner
Sure, I’d love to share our story! My husband Luke and I have been together since high school and got married at 18. This year, we celebrated our 15th anniversary, and looking back, it feels like every chapter brought us a little closer to where we are now. Over the years, we talked often about starting a business together. Luke works in the insurance industry, and I’m an ICU nurse, so at different times, we considered a health-based business and even an insurance agency. But in both cases, we ran into either personal hesitations or timing and financial barriers that kept us from moving forward. Read More>>
Madeline Jacobson
My story is not simple—no one’s is. It’s woven with grace and a growing understanding of God and Jesus Christ, and how I can authentically live out my purpose as the artist I was meant to be. Though I was born creative, it wasn’t until I moved to England that I realized I wanted to embrace my identity as an artist wholeheartedly. Read More>>
