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.
Elise Bissell
Texas animal shelters are currently overwhelmed with unwanted dogs and cats and often closed to intake which results in unwanted dogs being dumped – typically in rural areas. Other organizations like DSDA struggle to find enough fosters and adopters. The gap between available dogs and potential homes is significant, compounded by a lack of spay/neuter enforcement and breeding regulations. Thankfully, many generous individuals and businesses continue to support nonprofits like DSDA. Read more>>
Tejaswini Kumar
With his constant encouragement, I started LifeWithTeju—a small space on Instagram where I talked about food, travel, and the little joys of life. What began as a personal outlet turned into something bigger—people started connecting, engaging, resonating with my experiences. It was my first real taste of storytelling, of building something from scratch, of creating impact. Read more>>
Jemima Maweshi
I started my content creation journey in the summer of 2023 to express my true voice. I’ve always been talkative, but I realized I hadn’t always shared what I truly wanted. My social media page was a personal project for me to be my genuine self. At first, I shared my love for makeup, fashion, and hair, hoping to connect with others who shared those passions. Over time, I felt called to bring my faith into the mix, sharing singing videos and messages that reflect my Christian beliefs. Read more>>
Cole Gunter
Definitely not a smooth road but everything you go through builds calluses. I’ve had deals fall through, I’ve had murals sand blasted before they were finished, I’ve had buyers commission paintings and then ghost me or not pay, I’ve even had paintings stolen from me. As cliche as it sounds tho, I wouldn’t change any of it because it lead me to where I am now. Read more>>
Mikayla Burgess
Hi, I’m Kayla! Originally from Saint Louis, Missouri, I’m now based in Dallas as an aesthetician specializing in skincare and beauty treatments designed to enhance your natural radiance. I offer Luxury Lip Fillers, Lash Extensions, Teeth Whitening, Wax & Tinting, and Hair Services near downtown Dallas. With 8 years in the industry, my passion is helping individuals feel confident and empowered in their skin. Read more>>
Nikia Edwards
It definitely has not been a smooth road to building my business. Some of the challenges I faced were self-doubt, discouragement, and many struggles finding the right clientele. When I first started doing lashes I would constantly compare myself to other lash artists and realized that I was only holding myself back. Numerous conversations with my mother and a lot of self-discovery helped me to create the unique style of lash artistry that I am able to share with the Dallas community today. Read more>>
Jessika Minaker
Digital marketing caught my attention for several reasons. It gave me the opportunity to work from home, which allowed me to seamlessly balance my professional responsibilities and the demands of motherhood. I could attend school events, help with homework, and be there for the everyday moments that make being a mom so special. Plus, it offered the chance to build a business that aligned with my passions and interests. I was able to use my creativity, strategic thinking, and communication skills to connect with others, promote products, and make a real impact in the online world. Read more>>
Gianella Montoya
I am a nail instructor at a nail supply store in Dallas Texas. I specialize in teaching beginner nail technicians that want to turn their passion into a profession! I would say the thing I’m known for most in Dallas would be my crazy creativity with nail art! The uniqueness in my work has inspired others to do whatever their heart desires despite the hateful comments we may get! I am most proud of how many people really look up to me & my craft! I try my hardest to help everyone in this industry because it’s already intimidating starting a new craft! I’m happy I’m able to inspire others across the world! Read more>>
Emily Norris
With EBN Music, my goal has always been to create a fun, engaging, and personalized learning experience for every student. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, I tailor my lessons to fit each student’s learning style and interests. In addition to private lessons, I’ve expanded my reach by writing two piano books and creating an online course on Outschool, making music education more accessible to families everywhere. Read more>>
Madison Herrera
As a doula, I am deeply committed to advocating for the mother’s desires, comfort, and endurance throughout the birthing process. I believe that every pregnant mother deserves to have a dedicated support person who is solely focused on her well-being. I make it a priority to build strong relationships with my clients before, during, and after their birth experiences, ensuring they feel empowered and supported at every stage. Read more>>
Nicole Tranca
Not at all. There’s been lots of doubts. It is crazy to thing how much progress I have made in only a year. I still have so much to go but in the beginnign as your learning the board it can be wasy to get frustrated and your big dreams get somewhat cloudy. I caught myself many times pulling back from my original dreams. But i have learned no dream is too big. Surround yourself with people who can see that dream with you and encourage you to keep going. I have also made mistakes here and there and all you can do is learn from them. they’re going to happen regardless of what it is – it is a part of being human. But those mistakes are what have continues to build my DJ skills and overall character as well Read more>>
Tayashia Jones
Whew where do I start! Well I’m actually from Milwaukee, WI and I moved here to Dallas in April of 2021.unmoved here because I had experienced a lot of trauma living in Milwaukee and I knew that if I moved I could and would have a better life with more opportunities! When I moved here I told myself that my days of working to make others rich was over. I started nannying for families until I found the one I’m still currently with. I’ve always been able to make people laugh and entertain so it wasnt a shock when I gained so many followers and so much love on TikTok! I literally use my life experiences to tell my story which had brought me over 15,000 followers and counting! Laugh at my pain is what I like to say! Read more>>
Christina Lam
I grew up in Dallas and earned my Bachelor’s in Information Technology from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2021. I launched my career in cybersecurity sales, collaborating with diverse teams to drive significant growth. In October 2024, I paused my corporate journey to focus on content creation across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube—partnering with top brands and building a global social media community. Despite a challenging upbringing where I helped raise my sister, I now view my success as a testament to hard work and perseverance. Read more>>
Lisbeth Santana Payamps
I lived for many years on my beautiful island, the Dominican Republic, and when I got pregnant I moved to Texas. It has been a change, but what has made it possible are my daughters and the company of my husband and his family. This is a country full of opportunities and Dallas will have a successful family living in it. Read more>>
Ciera Avery
There have also been times when something very complex comes together so seamlessly that you almost can’t believe it. Some days I spend the entire day working to rectify one part of the process and that’s all the energy that I have to give. I’m always reminding myself that I am not only the administrator, biller, troubleshooter etc., but the therapist to my clients who are depending on me to show up as just that. It’s challenging and truly the greatest honor to be all of the above. Read more>>
Ron Chaisson
Some of the obstacles and challenges we as a non-profit organization face is volunteers and funding. Since the inception most of the funding has come from the Founder & CEO Mr. Ron Chaisson and a couple of parents. Who has given generously to help students. Whether they’re going on a trip to visit colleges and universities. Even just the software the organization has to use to help students with providing a clear and concise careerpath. We don’t have enough volunteers to help with administrative, marketing, and business development. But we still press on trying our best to open up doors and give students the opportunities available today. Read more>>
Emily Stoll
Years go by and my business had expanded to what it is today, Wild Beauty Interiors. Now I sell all different types of home decor, from pressed flower suncatchers, to pillows, to magnets, paintings, wall hangings, macrame plant hangers, embroidery, and more! Custom pieces have even made it back into the game for me, along with painting parties! Read more>>
Julie Sullivan, PT, PCS
I continued to study and learn new things and became Board Certified in Pediatrics and took courses to learn more about gross motor, infant feeding, and pediatric pelvic floor. I started my practice in 2023 and love to work with the kids and families. My practice offers specialized services that are needed and unique in our community. You can find intensive programs for both gross motor delays and pediatric pelvic floor and weekly follow up visits for infant feeding, gross motor and pelvic floor. All three of these programs are unique and help families from birth on. This has been a passion for me to open my practice and i’m excited to see it all come together. Read more>>
Chelsey Lancaster
After high school, like many others, I felt pressure to follow a conventional path, so I enrolled in nursing school. At first, I thought it was the right choice—practical, stable, and respected. But as time went on, something didn’t feel right. I was studying hard, yet my mind was always wandering to something else I felt disconnected. I found myself captivated by nail art, admiring the creativity that went into each design. I started experimenting on myself, practicing different styles staying up late at night to work on a set, and quickly realized how much joy it brought me. Read more>>
Lindsey Torres
I am most proud of the fact that I took the risk of opening during the pandemic, and the clientele that I have maintained as well as gained because of the attention to detail I have always had with each and every person. I am proud to be able to say that I worked hard and had so much support from clients who loved my work that I was able to start this journey and do a complete build out for my salon without taking out a loan of any kind, and with little knowledge of commercial real estate. Read more>>
Aliyyah Brooks
The move to Dallas in 2019 has provided me a mixture of the two lifestyles – Caribbean & European – and the ability to inject a different perspective into the Texas Home Design scene with these influences. I founded Balisier Concepts Interiors in 2023 and landed an amazing opportunity to remodel an entire 1980s home in Dallas from dated to contemporary which has been such a triumph in so many ways both personally and professionally. It is in it’s completion phase of the indoor of the home but we are working now on the remodel of their outdoor kitchen area. Read more>>
Kevin Payne
Starting with baseball and expanding to football and basketball, my passion for mentoring and serving the community has always been a part of me. I love to network and create things with likeminded individuals that are considered to be “Bigger than me” . In 2023, MYAA introduced the Fort Worth Tomahawks football program, which quickly gained momentum. Today, we have grown to include baseball, basketball, and have even partnered to create TCYSL (Tarrant County Youth Sports League). Exciting things are happening with the Tomahawks, and I am thrilled to see where this journey will take us next. Read more>>
Mari Hernandez
Creek, Wisconsin I lost two people to death and a long term relationship of mine ended. It was tragedy after tragedy. That shook me up. For about a year I got off track but then God gave me a wake up call. Since then, it’s still a day to day journey for me but God is opening up so many doors and have sent amazing people to get me where he wants me to be. Read more>>
Megan Divincenzo
I started my career as a trial attorney—talkative, enthusiastic, and dramatic, it felt like the perfect fit. And for a while, it was. I thrived in the courtroom, loved the energy, and truly believed I was on the right path… until I wasn’t. The stress, the pressure, the constant battles—it all started weighing on me. Anxiety crept in, and one day, I had a full-blown panic attack in court. That was my wake-up call. I knew something had to change. Read more>>
Kiara Simmons
The road to success is never easy. For me as I was going through my journey I had a lot I was juggling. When i started I was a new mom, going to school and had a 9-5 to support my little family and my business. Being a mom and an entrepreneur is not for the weak. As a new mom I was faced with new challenge and had to adapt. I learned that it wasn’t just about what I needed to do for myself, it’s about what I needed to do for my daughter too. Then with entrepreneurship I had learn to stay consistent and motivated through the ups and downs of business and trust the process. Read more>>
Haley Marie
My mom tells this story about when I was in preschool. During recess, while all the normal kids would be playing and running around, I liked to stand at the top of the slide and serenade everyone in this unrestrained, operatic style. I didn’t ever care who watched, but my mom says the teachers would always stand around, happily listening to me. All that to say, my love for music is as old as me. My dad played a significant role my pursuit of music: Read more>>
Ian Griffin
I am an old soldier that grew up in Pittsburg, Texas. I served 31 years in the army and returned home to Pittsburg to retire in 2020. After a few years into retirement, I started writing fiction novels. I wrote the Rick & Katja Spy Series and three non-spy books that take place in East Texas. My spy books are set in Kitzingen, Germany, where I was stationed for five years. I am just an old soldier who relishes writing about the complexities of life. Read more>>
