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.
Rachel Derouen
Of course it has not been smooth road. There are so many challenges and heartbreaks that come along with trying to be an actor/filmmaker. Most people would say this, but trying to just survive and pay bills can be such a big hindrance. And trying to be an actor is expensive -headshots, breakdown services, classes, even networking. And what it doesn’t cost in dollars, it can cost in other ways – social life, mental health, quality of life. I’ve thought about quitting so many times I don’t think I could count, but that would be like trying to live without air. It’s hard to do it, but it’d be crushing, devasting not to. Read More>>
Rebecca Alley
Our practice was built with intention and we have invested ourselves in living out our core values of alignment, acceptance, and inherent resilience. We believe that each of our clients already has exactly what they need within themselves. Our goal is to create a space of safety, trust, and nonjudgment in order to reconnect our clients with the innate resilience within them. Unconditional acceptance is at the center of our work. Read More>>
Hayden Redmon
This is a challenging industry to work in for a number of reasons; most of which are widely known (creative drive, logistics, financing), but some of the proudest moments of my life have come from the work that my team and I put in to support local artists, local businesses, and local people. In short, I’ve found it’s not what you say, but how you say it. I care deeply about this mission, and the people I work with; so I make it a point of emphasis to lead with integrity, transparency, and honesty out of respect for all parties involved. This makes the work easier and more enjoyable; humanizing the process the best way I can. Read More>>
Ayisha Collins
That same passion led to the creation of The ARC Spotlight podcast. I wanted to build a platform for everyday people, as well as athletes, celebrities, and entrepreneurs, to share their journeys. It’s a space for authentic conversations about success, resilience, and the lessons learned along the way, designed to inspire anyone chasing their dreams. Read More>>
Kevin Mendez
Kevin N Sons Dump Services is a family owned business that provides clean up to anyone in need of clean up whether it’s moving, demo, clean outs, material or even trailer rental. All can be done. Making your expectations our priority. Read More>>
Jessika Davila
As an artist or small business, we are bound to climb a mountain or three in the process of growing and learning along the way. Things like finding our niche audience, the high demands and requirement of social media, applying for events, slow seasons, booth energy, and set up. This list goes on varying from person to person and could continue to shift as we change our practices and presentation. I do however believe, that at our core, the whats and whys of what we do will remain a constant 
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Saanvi Gundala
One of those experiences occurred when I started noticing dry, flaky, and irritated skin around my eyes—something I couldn’t ignore. I visited a dermatologist, hoping for relief, but the prescribed ointment only made my condition worse. I assumed it was a misdiagnosis or that the treatment simply didn’t work for me, but the experience caused me to lose trust in my doctor. I did my own research and discovered I had contact dermatitis, triggered by allergens—including chlorine from swimming. Swimming had always been a central part of my life, so it was heartbreaking to know that the sport I loved so much was making my condition worse. Read More>>
Vixx
Streaming had always been in the back of my mind and I wasn’t sure how or when to get started. 2020 provided a perfect time to learn and get it all set up! I deeply missed the community part of cosplay, expanding my online community to streaming felt natural. I had no idea that this would be one of the best decisions of that year. I’m proud to lead a carrying, positive, and growing community. I’ve made so many friends through streaming and have had even more opportunities due to my community and streaming. Read More>>
Karina Martinez
That’s how KAREMA Design was born—a business I’m incredibly proud of. The name “KAREMA” holds a special meaning to me. It represents my family, my ultimate source of inspiration. The name combines parts of my name, Karina, and my children’s names, Renata and Mateo. Together, they form KAREMA, symbolizing the heart and soul behind my work. Read More>>
Candice Y. Johnson
I had a manuscript I’d been sitting on for years, so I found an amazing author who helped me publish it. I moved moved dancing on stage, to twirling across the keyboard and I haven’t stopped since! It’s been an incredible, mind-blowing journey, filled with tears, joy, hard work, and FUN. I write humorous, heartwarming women’s fiction, romance, inspirational, and children’s books. I’m currently with Tule Publishing, set to release the second in my Taco Truck Romance trilogy, “Talk Taco to Me.” The first (“Taco ‘Bout Love,”) was released in 2024; the third (“You Had Me at Taco”), will be released summer 2025. I have so many people to thank for this journey…but first, I thank GOD. Read More>>
Logan Lockhart
I’m a proud DFW native, born and raised in Denton. I stayed local for college, attending TCU, where I double-majored in marketing and entrepreneurial management. After graduation, I moved to Dallas for five years to build my career and recently returned to Fort Worth, which is now my forever home. Read More>>
Vanity Scott
The road has been blessed, but not without challenges. I have combatted imposter syndrome, rejection, anxiety, and more. I have had to overcome comparison in every season and my faith has been tested. I don’t think big dreams come without challenges on the way. I truly believe that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and I have learned something new from each challenge that has helped me in my journey. Read More>>
Jess Bryson
Launching a business in the competitive renovation space has come with its challenges—chiefly, educating homeowners on what sets us apart. Unlike traditional renovation companies, we offer something truly unique: speed, affordability, and a seamless experience. Our signature is completing bathroom renovations in just 2 to 3 days, from demo to finished product. This rapid turnaround is made possible by Theo’s extensive sales background and industry partnerships, which allow us to keep margins low and offer renovations at half the price of our competitors. Read More>>
Valeria Valderas
My journey into aesthetics has been deeply rooted in my passion for empowering others to feel confident in their own skin. After earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Tech University, graduating summa cum laude, I began my career in nursing with a commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care. I gained valuable experience in various areas of nursing, which gave me a strong foundation in safety, precision, and communication—skills that I now bring into my work as an aesthetic nurse injector. Read More>>
Guy Andre & Alva Pierlot
Since I (Alva) grew up in a home where pulling together as a family was second nature, I knew I could count on my parents, especially my father, to help with this very special day. My father had many talents and skills, but he devoted the majority of his career to creating great food. He was passionate about his job, and I grew up watching him cater, do banquets, and work as both a public and private chef. He worked in the industry for over 30 years. For my quinceañera and every other family event, we always did everything ourselves, so it was a no-brainer to take on this challenge as a family once again. Read More>>
Ms. Latrice Young
My sophomore year of high school, I transferred to a performing arts high school in Gary IN (Emerson Visual Performing Arts High Ability Academy), where I majored in Creative Writing and then Technical Theater (due to creative writing no longer being offered as a major). At Emerson, I was introduced to other majors like drama, dance, and vocal and by the time I graduated, I wished I could have majored or at least took classes in all of them. Read More>>
Tyrone Watts
Between 2016 and 2019, I became known as a fitness influencer in Detroit, training countless clients and hosting boot camps around the city. During 2019, I began having recurring dreams of being with the Dallas Cowboys. Believing these dreams were from God, I pursued them with unwavering faith. In November 2019, I moved to Texas and became an employee of the Cowboys organization. Read More>>
Jaylin Gibson
My name is Jaylin Gibson, and I’m originally from Natchez, Mississippi. In 2021, I decided to take a leap of faith and relocate to Dallas, Texas. I’ve always had a passion for capturing life’s special moments because I believe we’re so blessed to experience them. Along with that, I’ve always loved celebrating and decorating, especially when it comes to bringing people together Read More>>
Melody Caban
I recognized the potential of museum stores to engage audiences and create inclusive spaces. After all, we all know how to shop! This passion, combined with my business acumen, led me to start my own museum store consulting business, Melody Caban Consulting. That’s right, I made a career out of entering through the gift shop! Read More>>
Gargi Porwal
I was a student at UT Austin when I first came across the challenges many students faced in accessing mental health resources and support. Conversations with peers sometimes revealed the widespread stigma regarding mental health and the lack of awareness about available resources people could turn to help. Motivated by these factors, I first trained to become a Crisis Text Line volunteer to help individuals in crisis and provide them with the support they needed. However, during some late night shifts, I often saw the number of people waiting in line go up to 60, highlighting the overwhelming need for more accessible mental health support. Read More>>
Darian Burns
It definitely has not been a smooth road, which I think most people working in the music industry would say the same thing. I’ve had to carve out my own lane, and with that comes the inevitability of making mistakes and taking some wrong turns. Those experiences have taught me resilience, adaptability, and how to learn from setbacks. Each challenge has ultimately strengthened my ability to navigate uncertainty and chart a clear path forward. Read More>>
Kristy Lea
“I’m thrilled to share my journey with you. From a young age, I’ve been driven by a strong sense of purpose to protect and advocate for others. This innate passion led me to establish my nonprofit organization, dedicated to empowering individuals and families through compassion, development, and creativity. Read More>>
Liz Holmes
Since I was a child I wanted to be a real estate agent. My childhood friend, Yvette’s mother was a REALTOR and Yvette and I would tag along with her to tour houses. I started off in real estate finance after graduating from Southern University A& M where I helped families refinance and purchases real estate properties as well as first time homebuyers purchase their home with downpayment assistance. I then became a real estate investor owning and managing both single family and multi-family properties. In 2017 I because a N. Texas REALTOR. I believe this is the epitome of the real estate business as it has opened so many doors of opportunities for me. Read More>>
Jamari Eaden
TALJAMUZO is a trio band featuring vocalist Donnell Brown (‘Don Hulio’). The band members include Talib “Twist” Lands on drums and vocals, Jamari Eaden (j the egg) on guitar, and Uzo “Blakk Mambo” Aharanwa on bass. We originally met in a 6-piece band, and decided to break off from that to do our own thing. We are still up and coming on trajectory to conquer the Dallas Metroplex and the world at large. Read More>>
Brandyn Hale
I like to say that I was placed in this “position,” but it was my choice to put in the work. When God gave me the vision and showed me what I could do, it kept me up for nights, and I knew I had to do something. I asked God to order my footsteps, and shortly after, I booked my first photoshoot in a garage in February of 2021. I had no prior experience—just a journal full of research, a concept I’d drafted, and my best friend by my side. Read More>>
Jennifer Stone
Switching to the HVAC industry after 20 years in marketing of a different industry definitely hasn’t been a smooth ride. It’s been more like navigating a winding road with steep learning curves. The biggest challenge has been diving into a completely new field. Learning the ins and outs of HVAC—everything from the technical jargon to understanding systems and maintenance—has been a huge adjustment. But it’s also been incredibly rewarding. Each day, I learn something new, and it’s been amazing to pair my marketing experience with this industry to help Big D Mechanical grow. It’s a challenge, but it’s a challenge I’m proud to take o Read More>>
Micah Bower
My journey to birth work and photography started after the births of my own two daughters. I know first hand what it looks like to have a birth that is supported and what it feels like to have my wants and wishes understood and respected. Because of that, I want to ensure that as many families as possible are able to have that same experience. Feeling so confident during childbirth, both physically and emotionally, set the tone for my and my husband’s parenting journey. Read More>>
Joel Zeff
I started my professional career as a newspaper journalist. At the end of 1991, I lost my job. All great origin stories start with that line. I had a severance check and an enormous amount of free time. And that combination always leads to stand-up comedy, and then later improvisational comedy. I joined a comedy troupe that had a theater in Downtown Dallas. I loved performing. At some point, the severance ran out and I got a job at a public relations agency and then an advertising agency. Read More>>
Zach Menezes
After about a year and a half of working through my realty career, I began to notice that curb appeal was so important to people, whether that was the color of the house, the condition of the windows, or the color of the front door. I also began to notice the lack of care for homes while showing them to prospective buyers, which often presented itself as dirty windows, a driveway corroded with black mold or algae, rust stains from sprinklers, dirty siding, and more. This was where the birth and vision of Restore It Power wash was built from. My initial career in realty birthed a new journey for me in the cleaning world, and I’ve loved it and desire to continue to grow in it. Read More>>
Simone Waechter
Then in 2021 I moved to North Dallas. I realized that I was getting bored of doing family photos constantly and needed more variety. Since I was new to the area and did not know anyone, I took it as a chance to start having a more creative approach to my work. I was really depressed during the time but creative portraits helped me push through everything I was going through. I eventually started working with models in the Dallas area. I was a creative director in most of the shoots I did and eventually started to network with the creative community here. The networking lead to meeting clients for weddings as well. Weddings made me fall in love with photography again. Read More>>
Abigail Molina
One of the aspects of design I found myself especially passionate about was creating custom furniture. I began designing and crafting marble end tables and coffee tables, blending elegant, luxurious materials with modern aesthetics. I loved the challenge of transforming raw marble into functional works of art that would complement the spaces I designed. These custom pieces became a signature part of my work, allowing me to offer something truly unique to my clients. Read More>>
Nina Stewart
While working part time or full time jobs, I have been using my free time to focus on my photography side business. I didn’t initially plan to move back to Dallas in 2020, even though I’m a Dallas native and have family here. Since that year, I realized how little control we truly have over life and how unpredictable a career path can be in just a year. Now, I’m running my photography business at a pace that feels right for me, and it allows me to stay productive without burning out. Read More>>
Alex Melton
My love for weddings began with my bonus mom. She married my dad when I was 14 and I grew up visiting the bridal boutique my bonus mom managed, flipping through the wedding magazines she modeled for, and helping with styled shoots while I was a teenager. I fell in love with the industry and spent the next almost decade doing anything I could to participate. I’ve interned with and assisted wedding planners and coordinators throughout Dallas, worked behind the scenes with florists, venues, event designers, and I’ve coordinated MANY wedding planning journeys along the way. Read More>>
Claudia Galvez
It has not been a smooth road. I have always believed that to succeed in this line of work, you need a genuine passion for investigative work, as well as an instinct for it. A significant amount of sacrifice is involved, including long workdays; it’s not uncommon to put in 16-hour fieldwork and once I finish the assignment, another one is usually already scheduled. There have been times when I’ve had to sleep in my vehicle for an hour or two just to be ready for my next assignment. Cases cannot wait, I have the responsibility to resolve each case quickly while delivering the results that all my clients deserve and are expecting. With every case, I apply all my knowledge and passion to solve the case. Read More>>
Jerry Mwaura
While figuring things out, I worked part-time at Chick-fil-A. Even during that period of uncertainty, I knew deep down that I wanted to build a business of my own. I’ll never forget that feeling of being lost, having to reimagine my future after years of believing I’d work in tech. It was during that time that I stumbled upon a Facebook group for real estate photographers across the country, and everything began to click. Photography had always been a passion of mine—I’d owned a camera for years but had never found a niche that both excited me and felt sustainable. Read More>>
Josue Ramirez
Back when I was a child in kindergarten I used to hide from my teacher to show my friends how to dance or show them my dance skills, one time my teacher saw me dancing in the back of the School so she told my grandma and she hit me when I got back home, Growing up in a Christian family dancing was look as not a good thing, Then in 2017 and 2019 I was studying in Costa Mesa High School, I asked my teacher if I she could help change my schedule and add dance class to it and she did it. Read More>>
Sharlottte Bouniol
I founded GB Graphix, LLC is 2015 as a way to help entrepreneurs and small businesses with Branding, Marketing, and social media graphics. In 2017 I expanded my services to include website design. I believe that My business background along with my experience and focus in marketing gives me a leg up as a graphic designer. I understand Marketing just as much as Design (if not more) and when it comes to strategizing or creating a campaign, I’m great at working through this with my client to create the most eye-catching and relevant concept for their target audience. I’m a marketing professional who knows how to design….but that confuses people so I just say I’m a graphic designer and then weave my marketing mind into each and every design. Read More>>
Beth Robles
Beth the owner of the salon is a skilled, experienced hairstylist with over 15 years of experience. Beth Thomas Salon and Blowdry Bar is a beauty professional salon that likes to provide a warm friendly experience. We aim to carry the best, luxury must-haves home care products to keep the integrity of the hair. Read More>>
Dominique Sneed
I grew up acting, and that went into theater and background work. In college after constantly hearing about my vocal quality, I started voice acting. After years of minor work, becoming a mom, marrying, and getting my degree, I decided to start applying for small roles again. I was “discovered” by an ANTM alum and walked her runway for LA Fashion Week. Now, here I am, still working still applying still doing whatever is available acting-wise in Dallas! Read More>>
Coey Jaylene
Life on the move isn’t always glamorous. Changing jobs and traveling for work meant I was constantly juggling priorities. One day I’d be meal-prepping at home, determined to stick to healthy habits, and the next, I’m scanning restaurant menus. In between, there are flight delays, last-minute meetings, and the endless search for balance. But through it all, I’ve learned to adapt—finding joy in new flavors, squeezing in quick workouts, and proving that even the busiest schedules can still make room for growth and adventure. Read More>>
