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The Most Inspiring Stories in Dallas

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.

Corbin Doyle

I’m a Texas kid. Growing up here in Dallas and in the Panhandle. I was always making things. Finding scraps of wood and making things out of them. Finding leftover building supplies around town and making versions of Star Wars weapons for my friends and me. Making forts and skateboard ramps. Before I was a teenager, I used all the money I made working to buy books, magazines, and records. Skate magazines were very impactful. Read More>>

Mallorie Hall

When my own dog walker moved away and couldn’t provide a referral, it reminded me of my teenage years when neighbors in my building relied on me for pet care. This sparked an idea. I asked my former dog walker to refer his clients to me, and before long, I found myself with a handful of weekly clients. Over the next few months, word of mouth alone brought in more business than I had anticipated. I briefly partnered with another dog-walking company to gain experience, but after a year and a lot of valuable lessons, I decided to venture out on my own—and that’s how City Sniffers was born. Read More>>

Antwon Frazier

In 2017 my oldest son, Lil Twon, started playing football. I would come out as just a parent, to support and watch him play, and before I knew it I was out there coaching. I coached him from the age of 4 years old until he turned 11. I needed him to get use to learning from someone other than me as his coach, so I went back down to the flag football level and started coaching my youngest son, Aycen. Now, today, my wife and I own the team my dad started [Triple D Buckeyes] where I am also the head flag team coach and my wife is the cheer director. Read More>>

Christine Giella

Later on in my college career, I led a small group and came alive. I loved seeing people grow in their relationship to themselves and to others. Being from a small town, I still didn’t know what being a therapist was, but leading that small group was a crack in the door of recognizing that I needed to be in a place where I could help others grow. After the small group ended, I had a friend who was applying to counseling programs and something clicked for me. I applied, graduated a semester early, and moved to Dallas to start my counseling program at DTS in 2013. V

Priyanka Garcia

A love for animals in my youth led me to make my own videos at home, and that led me to study film at UNT. As the pandemic hit, I decided to put everything I had into opening my own video production business! Through hard work and a team of amazing individuals, we are proudly working with multiple clients and continue to grow as a media production company! Read More>>

Priyatham Burgadda

Eventually, I got enough content to open up my own YouTube channel and website to showcase my work to the general public, which circulated exponentially. After peak COVID, I can say is when our business hit the top. We started receiving more requests and started doing many types of events ranging from birthdays to weddings, music videos, and many more! Our highest event is for housewarmings which we have a total of 350+ and we have a total of 600 events we have done to date all over the USA. Read More>>

Sheena Scott

The Pot and managed my investment properties with only 24 hours in a day. With no prior knowledge or teaching on personal credit and money management; I struggled with funding my dream. I experienced lots of trials and error during my start up process. Locating assistance that would fit my business needs was overwhelming and I couldn’t seem to find proper mentorship. I learned to leverage my personal relationships and my 401k to assist in positioning myself for what would soon be an unforgettable journey to building The POT brand. Read More>>

Nanou Moawad

As you enter Atelier Nanou, you’re greeted by the soft scent of freshly dyed fabrics and the gentle hum of sewing machines. The air is alive with creativity, each corner adorned with intricate abayas, luxurious bags, and exquisite shoes, each piece a testament to Nanou’s unwavering commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Read More>>

Jessica Degray

Greetings I started out in my home kitchen and a thought ran across my mind and I put a recipe together for my Potatoes and work on it for about two years and decided to make this my main dish Read More>>

Marissa Wilson

I was inspired to become a photographer in October 2020, when I went with my sister for her bridal photography session. I didn’t know at the time I would become a full time photographer 4 years later. What spoke most to me about the decision of becoming one was the adrenaline and excitement that overcame and brought so much emotion out of me. From there, getting to be part of other peoples chapters of life, my faith has led me to holding a piece of equipment in my hands that captures and creates tangible keepsakes for you is incredibly rewarding. I love providing such a necessary service for others. Read More>>

Stephanie Molina

At 18, I was working with my mom at her job, learning as I went by. Watching the people work they bar with such passion inspired me to give it a try. Little by little started building my confidence to become a mixologist myself! Got my license to handle alcohol and boom it all begins! Read More>>

Jessica Sublet

During this time off I was looking on Pinterest for a side hustle, I saw that people were making cheese boards, selling them and created full businesses out of this. I thought to myself I can do that! Around Thanksgiving 2019 we were hosting people at our home, I made a few boards as appetizers. Everyone was raving about the boards, I could sell and people would pay. I thought to myself, can I!? This is where it began. I posted on Frisco business moms group on Facebook and created my first payable board for Thanksgiving and the word of mouth spread. Read More>>

Emily Hoffman

The Barking Project is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs facing euthanasia in overcrowded Texas shelters and beyond. Founded in 2022 by a group of passionate women who volunteer for shelters and rescues, this organization was born out of a shared desire to address the heartbreaking reality of adoptable dogs being euthanized due to lack of shelter space and resource constraints. Read More>>

Erin Massengale

They had arrest warrants for me and 20 something others. What, me? I had never had a speeding ticket. I quickly learned what a conspiracy charge was. I was sentenced and sent to federal prison in Bryan Texas for over 6 years. As scary as that was I knew my life had to change. I made my daughter a promise that not a day apart would be in vain. I used my time wisely and became the best me I could be. I took every class and got certified in just about everything they offered. This is where I finished my hours and passed all of my cosmetology state test. Spent the rest of my time incarcerated working in the salon. Once I was released in early 2017 my family had a salon willing to give me a chance. I knew starting this late in life I would have to hustle and stay focused. Read More>>

Tatiana Markina

Since then, my passion for photography blossomed. I had no books or formal training on the subject, and I still wonder how I managed to take photos without knowing the basics. Late into the nights, I immersed myself in old issues of Vogue and conducted numerous creative shoots. Read More>>

Camilla

I have been a musician since I was 11 and was coming to the end of an era with the band I had been in for over a decade, it was 2018 and I thought I was starting a rock and roll side project, Crooked Bones, when suddenly it became my only band. Whiskey Folk Ramblers had started in 2006, when I was only 21 and lasted 12 years. We toured around, put out albums, got turned down by a couple bigger labels, went through some line up changes, then eventually called it.  Read More>>

Heidi Mcbain

I’m a fully online therapy private practice. I had a lot of push back before the pandemic about online therapy, but clients in the perinatal period (pregnancy and postpartum) really loved not having to leave their houses for their sessions. Since the pandemic, most people seems to want (and even seem to assume) that sessions will be online. Read More>>

Chunni Bunn

That early taste of the spotlight really ignited my passion for music and made me eager to pick up different instruments. My oldest brother, Darrell Jr., was in the school drumline, and I would often hang out and watch him practice. He inspired me to give drumming a shot myself, and by the time I was eleven, I had my first gig at my dad’s church, playing alongside my brothers while they sang and played the keys. Now, I still love performing at my church in Dallas, Texas. Read More>>

Deborah Colleen Rose

Using a lifetime of experience and her incredible abilities as a public speaker and teacher, Deborah has had the opportunity to speak and teach to thousands of family members and professionals. By doing so, Deborah is also sharing with them, the needs of children and their caregivers when dealing with a mental illness and the concept of whole health – mind, body and soul. Read More>>

Kage

I took a lot of advice that either helped or hindered but decisions always feel the best following my gut. So thats where we’re at! Just following my gut, sharing my story through art that pushes boundaries and create conversations that can bring us a step closer to understanding each other. I have also stepped into film with my creative agency ‘Bonkers Studios’, where me and my team focus on bringing the feeling and art of storytelling back into music videos, advertisements, and film. I’m excited to expand more on everything throughout 2025. To God be the Glory for everything we’ve accomplished to this point and beyond it. Read More>>

Roberto Ixtzul Perez

We specialized in the handling of escrow and title, insurance and settlement of a Real Estate transaction. We are the impartial party to the contract and we are here to make certain that both parties obey what’s already been agreed upon on the sales contract and to also give the insurance to the buyer if they preferer of the title to the property by conducting a Depth title search for liens or taxes against the property in question. Read More>>

Nayy Seduction

At 16, I moved to Indianapolis, where my passion for the beauty industry only grew. From 2016 to 2024, I immersed myself in the world of fashion, appearing in shows, music videos, and magazines. In 2019, I graduated from Ivy Tech Community College with a degree in paralegal studies, grounding myself professionally while still pursuing my dreams. Read More>>

Jasmine Andrews

It all began once my brother graduated from High School. I threw him a big Jamaican themed pool-side party. I put in so much work for this party, it was a the hottest day of the year in Dallas, Tx. Once the party was over, all I cared about was how people loved the party and how good it looked. My brother said, “I did too much”, but I fell in love with making a beautiful space! From the many stops at Target to all the purchases on Amazon to the actual set up process, I loved every bit of the process. I hosted the party at a community pool and everyone asked, “Was my work done by a professional?” I told them no. They advised me I should look into the business. Read More>>

Cindy Flannery-villarreal

A little about the hashtag is that it is an ongoing joke- if you are stubborn, if you have some OCD tendencies, if you are a “stickler” for processes and rule-following and/or if you speak your mind in any given situation, well…you tend to have some “Flannery” qualities. Many members of the Flannery family use this hashtag. It makes me smile. It made my dad smile. Read More>>

Jeanine Bowens

The road hasn’t been smooth, especially with the unique challenges of navigating the modeling industry as a woman of color and a full-figured model. Early on, I faced the pressures and expectations of size standards, as I wasn’t the stereotypical size 2 or 4. Embracing my curves and finding my place as a full-figured model took time, but it ultimately helped me define my style and purpose within the industry. Read More>>

Shakila Lee

The Ladies Athletic Club of Dallas (LACD) began as a vision to create an empowering space for women to prioritize their health, fitness, and overall well-being in a supportive, community-driven social club. I recognized the lack of female-focused athletic clubs in Dallas that catered specifically to the unique fitness goals and wellness needs of women. I envisioned a place that wasn’t just about working out, but where women of all fitness levels and ages could connect, support, and inspire each other. Read More>>

Andre Pascual

My kick with photography started when I won a Kodak point-and-shoot in a raffle at 17. That lucky draw started me down my path toward photography. In college, I dreamed of being a photojournalist but was scared off by the idea during the recession in 2008. I kept it as a hobby instead. Read More>>

Marcos Carrillo

My career journey began as many do—in a swirl of uncertainty and a quest for direction. In college, I didn’t have a set path and often felt adrift as friends spoke passionately about their goals, equipped with clear plans and vision. Feeling pressure to choose a major, I decided on Public Relations, hoping it would open doors while I explored my interests. Yet, alongside my classes, I found myself regularly drawn to the quiet space of a yoga practice. In between lectures, i’d go to the courtyard and flow on my own. During the week I took advantage of free yoga classes at the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. It was in these simple, grounding moments that my first seeds of passion began to grow. Read More>>

Jamie Kraus

On the car rides back home to Texas after our vacations, I remember always dreaming of owning a home in Colorado one day. The gnawing desire only grew stronger once I had children of my own. My husband and I raised our 3 boys the same way my parents raised me. With a great appreciation for nature. Every chance we got, we took the boys to Colorado. It felt like it was the only sacred place left without the distraction of technology. (And let’s be honest, the only sacred place left without mosquitos too.) The allure of exploring the outdoors outweighed the desire for a screen, yielding some of the best times we’ve had as a family. Read More>>

Carlos Charnichart

Like everything in life, it hasn’t always been easy. We are still a young company here in the United States, while also operating in Mexico, so establishing our presence here in the DFW area initially was a bit of a challenge. However, as time has gone by, we’ve been able to demonstrate the high quality of our products and services, as well as the exceptional customer service we provide. Read More>>

Isley Andrews

Vine & Co. Sourdough kinda happened as a happy accident! My sourdough journey began as a solution to help my husband with some gut health issues. Newlyweds, we moved from Houston, TX to the small town of Waxahachie, TX to serve at a local church in youth and young adult ministry. Coping with this transition, I realized that I needed a hobby. With a desire to connect and a lot of patience, I delved into perfecting the art of sourdough bread. As I baked beyond our needs, I shared my creations with friends and neighbors who, in turn, encouraged me to start selling them. What began as a personal hobby has flourished into Vine & Co. Sourdough, a cherished cottage bakery and small business! Read More>>

Marco Dorsey

I have thirty years of hospitality around my belt. Flight Attendant for four years between two airlines Expressjet and Spirit. I worked on a cruise ship for one contract, which was based in Honolulu, Hawaii on Norwegian Cruise Line. I work at several casinos throughout the Louisiana area. I also work at hotels between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. I earned my bachelor’s in Hospitality Tourism at The University of New Orleans. I’m deeply knowledgeable about how a travel agency works. This is the reason I became my own boss to open my own agency here in Dallas, Texas. I’m happy to serve the people with respect, great service and to give them what they want. Read More>>

Paloma Nicole Diaz

I started taking art seriously in high school, when I realized I could pursue a career out of something I loved. With the help of Steve Ko, my private art teacher, I was able to build a solid portfolio and apply to various art colleges along with University of Texas as my “back up plan”. As a first generation Mexican American with a type-A personaility, I have always had a plan B, while putting all my efforts into making plan A work. Read More>>

Ashley Moran

Today, my focus is on crafting purposeful visuals that go beyond aesthetics. Through my company, I aim to create designs that give intent and direction, connecting brands with their audience in meaningful ways. Working primarily with hospitality and lifestyle brands, I help clients achieve their goals by aligning every element of their brand with a clear, resonant message. It’s rewarding to watch these visuals come to life and truly make an impact. Read More>>

Jerry Runnels

Well I started out filming videos back in 2015. It all came about when my brother-in-law (El Rogish) and I (TAG King Junior), started doing music and had no one to do our videos! We picked up an old camera his aunt had and it went from there! Friends and strangers would ask us who do our videos and we said us, and that’s when they started asking for a price. I later on ending up getting my own camera and started my brand new”TAG” Talented and Gifted Ent. My videography brand is Tag Visuals. Read More>>

Doc Murphy

I began my journey in business at around 20 years old, diving into nearly every home-based opportunity I could find—at least, that’s how it felt! I remember confidently telling my wife that I’d be retired by 21. That didn’t quite happen. At the time, I had no clear roadmap, but I knew one thing: I wanted the freedom that came from not working for someone else—freedom of time and, of course, financial freedom to serve a greater purpose. Read More>>

Meryl Evans

How did I move from captioning to all accessibility? I’ve always cared about equal access for everyone in all aspects of life. I wanted to push for more than captions. That’s when I studied hard and passed the accessibility certification exam. I wanted to show I knew more about disabilities and accessibility beyond my own disability and captions. Read More>>

 

 

Jocelyn Alvarez

To further enhance my skills and better serve my clients, I also pursued additional education. Today, I am focused on building my brand and increasing awareness for JocelynTic. My mission is to alleviate the stress of social media management for business owners, as their daily tasks can often make posting on social media a low priority. This is encapsulated in my slogan: “Tic off your list, grow your business!” Read More>>

Ashley Johnson

With my mothers death and my determination to make others feel beautiful I chose entrepreneurship in 2018 and left my job to take on braiding full time.Ove rather years i learned new styles and techniques and my business grew abundantly. By the year of 2020 I opened a braiding shop me and my business partner and went on there until we moved here to the state of Texas.Im still thriving but im trying to grow and spread my wings a bit wider here in Texas Read More>>

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