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.
Dustin Marx
My wife, Becca, and I saw an opportunity to transform the plumbing industry. We acquired Mother Modern Plumbing with a clear vision: to elevate the standard of home services by integrating modern technology, ensuring transparency, and fostering a culture where employees thrive. Our commitment to sharing 50% of all profits with employees and employee well-being stems from our belief that when our team prospers, our customers receive unparalleled service. Read more>>
Chris Rupert
In 2013, Chris and his wife, Diesa, founded Nametag Films, embodying their vision of a company rooted in integrity and respect. Seeking to nurture the creative community further, they relocated their production office to Fort Worth’s Near Southside neighborhood, purchasing and renovating an old recording studio on South Main Street. The result was Salt FW, a beautifully remodeled 6,000-square-foot shared workspace designed to help creatives thrive. Salt FW offers private offices, a soundproof podcast studio, a cutting-edge video editing suite, and a private-access coffee shop, all crafted to elevate professional experiences. Read more>>
Ethan Wardman
Over time, I started working with architects, interior designers, and builders, and that’s when everything clicked. These professionals weren’t just looking for photos—they needed images that reflected the months (or years) of work that went into their projects. They needed magazine-quality photography that told the story of their designs, something that could help them win clients, get published, and showcase their work in the way it truly deserved. Read more>>
Brandi Irving
I was successful for a year in that location and was in the process of looking to expand and move to a more established location, then I was forced to close my doors. I had been the victim of extreme domestic violence for quite a while from my husband, and it had finally reached a point that I had to leave or I may not leave alive. He went to jail and was convicted of domestic violence, and was also found guilty in a civil lawsuit as well of the abuse, cruelty and adultery. I was able to still walk away with my head held high and move on 18 months later and start over and open 2 business. God is Good, all the time. Read more>>
Kate Talbert
Wanting to flex my creative muscles a bit, I started doing makeup for friends around town and I loved it! However, Covid put a stop to the in person makeovers so I pivoted and started creating makeup videos. I did one on how to do makeup for zoom meetings (because at that time everyone was having zoom meetings) and that was my first “viral” video. Things really took off from there and now creating educational beauty videos is my full time job and I absolutely love it!! Read more>>
Kristin Parks
One of the biggest challenges in entering a saturated market is building brand awareness. Establishing a social media following from scratch and running promotional ads involves significant upfront costs and requires professional expertise, which I initially thought I could handle on my own. After three years, we are still growing, but we have successfully identified our target audience and refined our promotional strategies. Read more>>
Meenakshi Vatsa
From a young age, I was passionate about creating and building things from scratch. I had a keen eye for details and design, which led me to pursue architecture. In 2008, I began my journey as an architect, fully immersed in a profession I loved. For years, I worked with multiple companies, designing spaces and bringing their visions to life. But deep down, I had a dream of my own—a dream to build something where I could help people transform their houses into homes, making them aesthetically beautiful and functionally seamless. Read more>>
Courtney Hart
Back in Texas, I recorded and released my first EP, “The Host”, on music streaming platforms in October of 2023. My songs began to trickle throughout the Dallas dance community, and eventually made their way to dance competitions and classrooms all over. In March of 2024, I took a trip to NYC where I was able to work with choreographer and director Chelsea Thedinga on my first music video, as well as accompany a class for her at Steps On Broadway. Today, I am officially a company member and musician with Soulescape, and I hope to continue creating unique collaborations between music and movement, and connecting people through all forms of art. Read more>>
Nikki Queen
“You take his picture and I’ll break your legs”. No problem, I’ll just go over here to the other end of the club and pretend your not here. I definetly partied with that Prince later in the night and absolutely did not take his picture as you can see, I still have both legs in tact. There are so many ups and downs in photography, sometimes I get burnt out and want to quit and have a “normal” job. Usually the best answer to that is pivoting. Start shooting for a different demographic or a different genre all together. Read more>>
Vanna Nori
I am a Dallas based makeup artist. I specialize in soft glam whether it is a personal client or wedding makeup. Soft glam, to me, is enhancing your features without disguising who you are. I want you to feel your best, most confident, & beautiful self when you look in the mirror. Makeup is meant to be FUN! I am most proud of the connections and relationships I’ve made in this industry. I love my job and find it a gift to be able to do this full time! Read more>>
Roxanna Contreras Balderas
I have always had a passion for music and the arts. I started taking random pictures in high school using a camera I took from my older brother…So happy he never asked for it back. I continued using the same camera through high-school and throughout college. A few years ago, my husband bought me a new camera since I loved taking pictures of our adventures. The love for taking pictures just grew when he had our son. Read more>>
Ciera Phillips
That said, one of the biggest challenges has been carving out a space for instructional design and EdTech in smaller businesses. Many organizations recognize the need for better training and learning systems, but they don’t always know where to start or how to invest in them effectively. Educating business owners on the value of well-designed training solutions has been both a challenge and a rewarding part of my work. Read more>>
Kenyada Garner
So I moved on, trying different accounting roles, hoping to find something that truly excited me. But here’s the thing—I was never the “typical” accountant. I had too much personality, loved connecting with people, and wanted to do more than crunch numbers. That’s when a recruiter approached me about a job in recruiting—something completely outside my comfort zone. I almost didn’t take it because, let’s be real, I didn’t go to school for five years to NOT use my accounting degree. But I was young, didn’t have kids yet, and figured, why not? Read more>>
Jaidyn Yoder
As an aspiring entrepreneur, I have a deep desire to make connections and to succeed. I’m proud of building a platform that gives me the opportunity to do so and to serve others. TrueVine is permanent jewelry wherever you want it and whoever you want it for. Our jewelry is all waterproof, copper free and nickel free. We offer sterling silver, stainless steel, 14k gold filled, and 18k gold filled chains. All of ours chains are set at the same price so that customers don’t question the integrity of our pricing. We would love to serve you! Read more>>
Nisha B
Most recently, I pivoted to coaching. I am now a Confidence and Online Business coach. Through my digital resources, I am teaching women to have multiple sources of income online. I offer courses, guides, private and group coaching. Also encouraging women to find their WHY. Not just have a money or a business goal, but WHY do you want that goal. Helping women discover what they want deep down inside through journal prompts I post here and there. Read more>>
Irayana Wilson
In July 2022, I joined the U.S. Navy Reserves as a backup plan and to help pay for school. After completing basic training and A-school, I immediately enrolled in cosmetology school while still fulfilling my military duties and traveling. I also continued taking clients, determined to grow my business. By October 2023, I had completed the course, and in January 2024, I officially became a licensed cosmetologist. Read more>>
Fadziso Chikonyora
After high school, I moved to South Africa to attend the University of Pretoria, where I completed a Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology and Pharmacology. While my degree gave me a solid foundation, I knew deep down that comedy was what I really wanted to do. That passion is what ultimately brought me to the United States — specifically to Texas, where my family now lives in Plano. Read more>>
Dr. Celene Stanley
Eventually, I took a leap and started SHOTS BY LC, turning what had been a creative passion into a full-time photography business. Weddings became my specialty because I love documenting love—real, raw, and unfiltered. There’s something about capturing those once-in-a-lifetime moments that just feels right to me. Over time, I expanded my work to include portrait sessions, brand photography, and even photojournalism. Read more>>
Aliya Fraser
Overtime you learn to find beauty and appreciation for every stage during your journey because it shapes you into the person you are today. From the ages of early childhood to adolescent. Art has always been my favorite class where I could tune out the world and safely express myself without the fear of being judged. In my teen years, I struggled with depression and negative thoughts slowly pushing myself away from God. The start of my spiritual journey in my late teens was very rocky, but through my intuition art became my biggest coping skill to survive and channel my energy with messages from the universe. Read more>>
Amani Algammudi
After establishing my company in Dallas and completing all necessary paperwork, I set up an online presence to share my creations. I have successfully sold my designs to customers in over 15 U.S. states, as well as Canada, the Netherlands, and the UK. This journey has enabled me to celebrate modest fashion while reaching a diverse audience. Read more>>
Jacobo Lopez
Now at the age of 17 I’ve been fortunate enough to work with players from schools like OU, LSU, SMU, OSU, Mississippi State, and more. I’ve even had the chance to work with NFL players like Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, which has been surreal. Recently, our team, the Celina Bobcats, won the 4A Division I State Championship in football, and I’ve continued to document every step of the journey. As I’m about to graduate high school, my goal is to take what I’ve built and continue it at the next level. I want to keep refining my craft, learn more, and challenge myself creatively. College, for me, is the next big step in continuing to do what I love. Read more>>
Josh Roman
One of my biggest ventures was a luxury transportation business, Heaven On Wheels Limousines, which my family and I successfully operated for over 16 years. When COVID hit, the luxury transportation industry came to an abrupt halt, forcing me to quickly pivot. I recognized an opportunity in the waste management and dumpster rental industry—something completely different, yet essential. That’s when I founded American AF Dumpsters here in Dallas, Texas. Read more>>
Alex Berrios
I just always felt I had to make it up to them by finishing school. My parents couldn’t afford to pay for my school, my grades were too low to get a scholarship. In my twenties, every other semester I was in school and I was working 2 part-time jobs. Then when I was 27, I was really at my lowest. I lived in an almost empty 1 bedroom apart, all I had was my bed, dresser and a TV. Living paycheck to paycheck, and on top of that I was broken-hearted. I had just ended my 1 year relationship with a boyfriend, while I loved him, he didn’t love me. He said, “I thought we were just having fun.” And he apologized for not loving me. Read more>>
Richard Smith
I’m an artist/ entrepreneur. I’ve also added vocal engineer to the list of the many things that I do. As an independent artist you have to wear many hats. One day I’m doing graphic design and the next day I’m on the phone with program directors trying to get my record played. But my heart is in writing and recording I love that as an artist I’m able to turn a thought into a tangible product. I think the thing that separates me from other artists is my honesty and the passion that I put into my craft. Read more>>
Ray Latham
Partly inspired by this trauma, I’ve dedicated myself to learning how our physical and mental health are deeply interconnected. My path was also partly inspired by my own severe gut health challenges, for which my doctors could not find the root-cause but instead prescribed meds for me to take for the rest of my life to manage symptoms. I spent thousands of dollars going down the rabbit hole and when I was not able find answers from my health practitioners, I went back to school and became my own practitioner. Read more>>
Eshin
He is the one who brought Don Toliver to Travis Scott and has worked with many other artists in Houston and around the world. Over the last 6-7 months almost he’s helped me work on everything. We basically stripped down everything I was doing and corrected everything; from lyrics, to markerting, to song structure, to beat selection, everything, He’s great. He connected me with another producer, Damon Dahl who has been working very closely with me over the past 6-7 months too. I got my boy Joey who helps me write too. He’s amazing with it. Currently I’m just working on music in silence, I want to get everything perfect before I come out and release again. Full 100% on everything, Read more>>
Vaishali Verma
My journey with Dallas Charcuterie Lab began with a simple holiday tradition. Every Christmas, I would create charcuterie boards for friends and family. It was my way of bringing everyone together, spreading joy, and sharing my love for delicious, artfully arranged food. Each year, the compliments and enthusiasm grew, and it dawned on me—why not turn this festive passion into a professional endeavor? Read more>>
