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.
Brice Pickens
Funny how I got my start, I was actually going bald. My hair use to be straight and wavy, so you can imagine how I felt to know that I was losing my hair. So that kind of encouraged me to start growing a beard. But through my journey of growing and trying to PERFECT my beard I started to using all kinds of products to enhance the look of my beard. It was my love for creating and entrepreneurship that gave me the push come up with my own products. Read more>>.
Erin Marie Garrett
When I’m working as an actress if it’s film or TV -they usually are long days (12 to 16 hours) but I’m with people that are the same as me all creatives. If I’m performing live , it’s usually for corporate events or private parties so everybody’s having a great time. When I’m singing, I work as a fairytale princess and I’m a singer in a Dallas-based rock band -so I’m a bit of a chameleon you could say! Read more>>
Joshua Haggerty
Currently the fastest growing LTL Company in DFW/Dallas, Tx. As our on demand LTL fulfilment sector of the business started to build, it created a snowball of support as a direct result of us helping deliver substantial, fast problem solving attributes to the city and its supply and demand community. Read more>>
Sammy Sossa
I get asked this question frequently. I’d say it was trial and error. As a creator that’s what I thrive for creating and blocking the noise by putting my vision to work. When I say error I’m talking about the way how in the past I didn’t have big fanbase starting out. I’ve had high and lows and cherish every part of it mane. Read more>>
Lil Yoshii
I made music since i was a kid. Grew up in a church listening to music. Started playing guitar and use to sing as a kid. Just loved all art from painting to clothing. Went to the military got deployed still made music when i could. Came back home safe dropped some big projects, performed at couple of venues now im currently still pushing dropping my new single “no time” soon. Read more>>
HUNCHOBRI
I love to say “it’s not easy but it is simple” and all that means is that the path to your dreams will never be easy but we also don’t have to over complicate it. Wake up everyday and do what you love. Don’t let time keep passing you by. Taking a risk is necessary so don’t be scared. my biggest struggle was my fear of how I would be perceived and I feel like that delayed me for a while, I overcame this by standing ten toes in my truth. Nobody can tell you anything when you know exactly who you are. Read more>>
Naomi
I started doing music by writing songs in my room Read more>>
Ariana E Pérez H
6 years ago I arrived from Venezuela to this state of Dallas where I started working as a waitress and construction worker. I have 8 years of experience in the beauty area and by being constant and working hard I have managed to stabilize my business that I have now been running for 5 years and I have had the opportunity to serve more than 3000 thousand clients Read more>>
Brian Guilliaux
I was in the Dance Department studying Classical and Contemporary Techniques, yet at the same time I was very involved with Music and Visual Arts. When you are fortunate enough to attend such an amazing school, you would be a fool not to dive deep into all that it has to offer. Needless to say, I dove deep! Read more>>
Lauren Rushing
Being stuck in my own thoughts during a lockdown was one thing, so to keep my hands busy (and my mind calm), I began creating embroidery artworks. After exploring several different art techniques, one thing led to another and that is how I fell in love with creating fibers artwork. Read more>>
Bart Weiss
I started my journey in film and video in college. When I edited my first film, I was hooked. I went on to graduate school in film at Columbia because I thought teaching would be a good thing. I have been teaching film on the university level since 1979. In Dallas, I started the first nightclub that featured music videos, and it was a big hit. From that, I started a column about music videos in the Dallas Morning News, then the Dallas Times Herald, and then a syndicated one through the United Features syndicate. Read more>>
Tempestt Jackson-Poma
My other brand I started 17 THE BRAND has been doing very well and with this brand; I specialize in clothing & cosmetics. We will be releasing our first lip balm this summer called “Soft Kisses” and I am super excited about that, and what sets my brand apart from others is my creative ability, my consistency, and my self confidence. Doing what I was put here to do and that’s be myself. Read more>>
Diana Lozada
Diana Lozada was suffering from the chronic pain of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), an autoimmune disease that is a type of arthritis of the spine. She learned to manage it through nutrition and movement and made her life purpose to help others use these habits as medicine. Her coaching style focuses on building habits by giving her clients the tools and resources to feel vibrant, prepared, and empowered to integrate new skills into their existing busy lifestyles. Read more>>
Jeremiah Woodard
Hello everybody, my name is Jeremiah Woodard. I started getting into photography while I was high school, my Sophomore or Junior year. My brother, Tommy is the reason I wanted to start doing it in the first place. My parents got me my first point and shoot as a Christmas gift and I immediately started messing around with it. I took it everywhere with me, even to school. I was always shooting during lunch. As far I where I am now, I do a couple photoshoots here and there, but I always make sure I deliver and I can happily say that I love what I do for sure. Read more>>
Jeremiah Woodard
My name is Jeremiah Woodard. I am a freelance photographer based in Fort Worth, Texas. I started doing photography in high school. My parents bought me my first camera as a Christmas gift. From the moment I got it, I just took it outside and immediately started shooting with it right away. I took it to school with me sometimes and would be shooting during lunch. My brother, Tommy, is the one who has shown me a lot. The difference between full frame and medium format, developing your own film, why using manual is so much better, etc. From when I started to now, I’ve gotten significantly better. Read more>>
Esma Elmerini
Years later when i studied it and understood the meaning and benefits I wanted to become a part of changing people’s perspectives and forms of healing and lives Read more>>
Christine Imoukhuede
A few years ago, three of my close friends were getting married at the same time. I jumped in to help, but I quickly saw how stressful and disorganized the process was. They were juggling spreadsheets, endless vendor texts, and risky payments, with no single platform to keep things on track. That’s when it clicked—why wasn’t there a secure, all-in-one solution for wedding planning? Read more>>
Jerniqua Harris
When I fought the odds and became stronger and survived, I did have complications; which were, having seizures, not holding down my food, I had to be fed through tubes, when I started to try to walk, I had to wear braces on my legs. Mentally, throughout ALL of my schooling, I did have challenges to where I had to be put in special resource classes so that I could excel and move forward. Through those special programs, I was able to graduate High school and excel and go to college, which I did graduate Read more>>
Sierrah Garcia
My primary “job” is leading worship. But I don’t really consider that a part of my work – it’s just my favorite thing to do Read more>>
Tim St.Clair
I all starts with a dream… some are open and easy to follow – mine was not. Many dreams reflect an improvement on what others around you may have accomplished, mine did not. Some dreams offer an open-ended opportunity, mine did not. My dream led me to discovering, learning, and applying myself in new ways- taking chances and accepting personal challenges. Read more>>
Emily Harryman
By senior year of high school, I was baking cakes for birthday party’s and landed my first wedding cake. A three-tiered Alice in Wonderland themed cake that was nearly 3 feet tall – something you might see on a Food Network show. It was a feat & such an honor that they trusted me with their cake as such a young age. Read more>>
Lynda Carmouche
Though I wasn’t the first in my family to attend college, I was the first to graduate with a bachelor’s degree—and then a master’s degree. But the road wasn’t easy. I worked full-time while carrying a full course load, often juggling internships alongside it all. Exhaustion was a constant companion, but so was my determination to rise above the poverty and limitations that had defined my early life. Along the way, I fought battles against racism and classism—deeply embedded systems that tried to block my path at every turn. Read more>>
Jennifer Collier
Along the way, I have been honored to be featured in industry publications, serve as a panelist for wellness events, and mentor aspiring nursing professionals. I am especially passionate about providing wellness knowledge and education within the African American community, ensuring access to the tools and resources needed for a healthier lifestyle. My mission remains the same—to provide innovative, personalized wellness solutions that help individuals elevate their lifestyles and feel their absolute best. Read more>>
Rene Guitarrista
I had seen some band before this all started at a bar playing the music of a popular radio song and the singer said it was an original and he sang his own lyrics to it. I figured if these guys can play a big club ripping off music, I can do better with something original. Our band was doing really well all over that region, but soon our guitarist left, our singer/bassist started a family, and our drummer opened a dojo and we just kinda broke up after a rowdy few years. Unfortunately, my marriage didn’t work with my alcoholism and rock ‘n roll lifestyle and it was at this time when I started to really write my own stuff, locking myself away and having an outlet for my demons, so around 2001 I got divorced. Read more>>
Caroline Mercado
They were blown away! My dad, who is the co-founder and co-owner of our company Chef Mercado’s Kitchen, had the idea that I start offering the doughnuts to friends, followers from my recipe page and offering a local pop ups and events. I then started collaborating with local influencers and restaurants to bring more awareness to our new business and within about 8 months it had become my full time career. Now, we offer fully vegan catering, wedding cakes, meal preps and daily cravings like our doughnuts and more. Read more>>
Quincy Johnson
I’ve worked across multiple roles, from a Digital Marketing Specialist to a Senior RevOps Consultant and now a RevOps Strategist. In these roles, I’ve worked with diverse clients, helping them achieve meaningful outcomes through strategic demand generation, channel optimization, and campaign management. I also serve as a Marketing and Social Media Lecturer at the University of Texas at Dallas, where I share my industry insights with future marketers. Read more>>
Lorri Dotson
Education played a pivotal role in my growth. I earned an Associate of Arts Degree from Tarrant County College, followed by a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Northwood University. I continued my pursuit of knowledge, by obtaining a master’s degree in public administration, specializing in Economics and Nonprofit Management from the University of Texas at Arlington College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs. In 2005, Read more>>
Crystal Conkle
Today, as the CMO of The 20, I lead marketing for a rapidly growing IT services company that has transformed the MSP industry. Over the years, we’ve solved scalability challenges for our partners, acquired numerous companies, and built an incredible team. My role combines strategic vision, creativity, and a commitment to helping others succeed. Read more>>
Kyndall Brown
Through all the highs and lows, from battling depression to seeing my creativity flourish, I’ve realized that success is a marathon, not a race. I draw inspiration from turning my Pinterest board dreams into reality and use my story to represent girls who feel overlooked. Strangers have often been my biggest supporters, and that has fueled my passion for uplifting others. Every step I’ve taken has been about creating opportunities, being unapologetically authentic, and becoming the role model I want my daughter to see. Read more>>
Summer Delashaw
Finding the balance of taking care of these tasks along with setting aside undivided, undistracted time to actually create is not easy, but 100% necessary I have learned. I think this is a common struggle with artists, is actually finding the time and space to even think about what they want to create and who they want to be, and THEN sit down and do it. But, all that to say, my ‘yes’ to this dream of mine has made these struggles smaller, as I get to structure my time in such a way that I can be organized and work hard on the business, while also giving myself breathing room to dream and think and create without other stressors in the back of my head. Read more>>
Shay Lee
Instead of feeling helpless, I decided to take charge of my own health. I dove into fitness and nutrition with the intention of bettering myself—not just for the physical benefits, but for my overall well-being. It was about feeling strong, energized, and capable in every area of my life. As I learned more, I realized how incredibly powerful these changes could be—not only for me, but for others too. Read more>>
Natalia Maganda
As I shifted gears, I discovered a gap in the market: therapists, life coaches, and holistic practitioners, who dedicate their lives to helping others, often struggle to present their work in a way that feels authentic and professional. I saw an opportunity to combine my creative skills with strategic design to support these incredible individuals in building brands that reflect their values and attract the right clients. Read more>>
Ac Hampton
But let me be clear: this journey hasn’t been easy. I’ve been in the trenches. I’ve been the one managing everything, learning on the go, and figuring out how to lead a business, a team, and a movement. There were moments where I felt like quitting, where everything felt overwhelming, but my ‘why’ kept me grounded. I’m doing this for the people who feel like they don’t have a way out, for those who want to achieve greatness but just need the guidance to get there. Read more>>
C.R. Burnett
I’m saving those screenshots for the revival of my Woke Girls Don’t Date podcast though. Seriously, it’s astonishing how decorum seems to have taken a back seat in today’s online interactions. While writing has seemed to come easy for me, writing about the raw emotions and growing pains I’ve experienced has not been as easy, especially in my younger years. In high school, I turned to poetry as a way to process my experiences and emotions. In college, during a very challenging time, I was encouraged by a therapist to journal my feelings to get them out of my head. After taking an Intro to Poetry course, I found poetry to be an artful way to express feelings using metaphors, similes, rhyme, and rhythm. Read more>>
Daphney Acevedo
In a way I intuitively knew that my purpose was bigger than the unwarranted pressures and opinions of outsiders. And I knew that It would change as I evolved, I just didn’t know how. Fast forward a few years later, Auraliri started off as a horoscope page to give people insight that they needed to get through their day to day. Through time and practice of my gifts, I realized that my purpose was bigger than personal development. My purpose centered around building community, and guiding others towards their true selves. Read more>>
Jacqueline Crider
I stayed in mortgage because I fell in love with helping people through one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives—buying a home. I realized that homeownership isn’t just about the house; it’s about stability, financial security, and unlocking future opportunities. It’s a foundational part of people’s overall financial success, and I saw firsthand how the right strategy could transform lives. Read more>>
Eric Rush
At the core of my work, I specialize in using storytelling as a vehicle for transformation. As the CEO of Prime Pitch Podcast Network, I lead three impactful podcasts that focus on resilience, innovation, and giving voice to those who’ve been overlooked. I’m known for my ability to connect deeply with people and for creating spaces where raw, authentic stories can inspire real change. Read more>>
Hillary Adams
This work is deeply rewarding, but it requires energy, commitment and a whole lot of heart. Over time, we’ve learned how to manage our schedules, take care of ourselves and continue providing the best care possible for every pet in our hands. Every step of the way, we’ve grown, improved and fine tuned our services to be the best they can be. The journey has been exciting, full of surprises and incredibly fulfilling. We wouldn’t change a thing and we’re so grateful for the amazing pets and people who make it all worthwhile! Read more>>
La-Shawnda Thompson
Now, I continue to inspire women through my latest books, Discovering Your Identity: 31-Day Self-Discovery Journal and Crowned in Confidence. These books are designed to help women embrace their God-given identity and step into their confidence with boldness. Today, I’m walking in my calling as a beautypreneur, author, speaker, and faith-driven business strategist. I equip Kingdom creatives to build impactful brands while inspiring single mothers to thrive beyond survival. Every chapter of my story has been divinely orchestrated, and I’m just getting started. Read more>>
Dylan Jones
The idea for LYX was born from my early work in military working dog technology, where I led research on innovations to support the dogs serving alongside our forces. While in that community, I encountered intriguing research: military dog handlers were developing ways to keep these high-performing dogs hydrated on mission, where they faced a unique problem – these dogs love their work so much that “break time” for water didn’t entice them. Their focus on the mission was their reward, and this meant they weren’t staying hydrated, a crucial issue considering the physical demands they face and their value – on average, each military dog saves over 400 lives during their career. Read more>>
JenLyn (UNBN) Ford
I have faced unimaginable challenges—I am a survivor of kidnapping and attempted murder. I have known loss, having been widowed by suicide, and I have endured heartbreak, being abandoned by my second wife when my seven autoimmune diseases placed me in a wheelchair. But through it all, I have risen. As an AudHD neurodivergent individual, I have turned my differences into my strengths, using my journey to inspire and empower others. Read more>>
Adriana Martinez Grau
I am originally from Bogotá, Colombia, and I am a professional business administrator. I spent 20 years working at L’Oréal Colombia in marketing and trade marketing, which sparked my fascination with the beauty industry. After the pandemic, I left the company and began working as a consultant in furniture and accessories. During this time, I created designs that I shared with my close friends to help enhance their homes. Through this experience, I discovered my passion for interior design, realizing its connections to the world of beauty. Read more>>
Julie Kennedy
It has definitely been challenging! Career wise, I didn’t initially have mentors to guide my way. And I didn’t know about functional medicine. So, I pieced together various certifications along the way. Although all of the trainings and experiences have been helpful, I could have had a shorter path to get to where I am. This is why I created a mentoring program for individuals to focus and be efficient with their career paths and get more functional medicine into the community! Read more>>
Stephanie Strickland
Since becoming an advocate and using my voice to bring awareness to domestic violence I have faced many obstacles. The social stigma of domestic violence causes people to be reluctant to talk about it. Often times when victims of domestic violence finally muster the courage to break the silence and report the abuse, they find themselves treated differently as a result of their disclosure. Because I choose to share my story, and not be shamed into silenced, I am constantly criticized and made to look like a villain. I have lost friendships, and at times I have felt alone. Read more>>
Margaret Ude
It’s easy to create a piece but feeling proud and joyful about how people receive my work is a feeling that I am still trying to cultivate. I struggle with marketing and connecting people with my work. I’ve learned that the best thing to be as an artist is shameless. Shame stops you from applying to opportunities. speaking out about your work and connecting with people. It’s still a lesson I am learning and trying to include in the way I interact with people who are interested in my creative process and motivations. Read more>>
Russell Crooms
Early on, I wrestled with imposter syndrome, constantly questioning whether I knew enough to be considered a “real developer.” There were days when I spent hours debugging a single issue, staring at my screen, trying to figure out why something wasn’t working. And then there were moments when I pushed myself into completely new territory—integrating technologies I had never used before, breaking things, and having to piece everything back together line by line. Read more>>
Byron-Gabriel Proutt
Over 15 years ago, I was working as a PR Director for a firm when I began communicating regularly with one of our clients. We had built a great rapport over the phone, and everything seemed to be going well. However, when I visited the client’s site to discuss a specific project, the greeting I received was completely different. What had started as excitement quickly turned cold. The client, in a professional manner, informed my boss that they did not work with people of color. Read more>>
La Dinner Club
Through hosting dinners, we’ve seen firsthand how food brings people together in unexpected ways. Whether it’s introducing someone to a new dish, sharing memories tied to a recipe, or simply creating an atmosphere where conversation flows effortlessly, we’ve found our purpose: to celebrate Vietnamese culture, foster genuine connections, and turn every meal into something more than just dinner—it’s an experience. Read more>>
Nikki Jackson
Motivated by a desire to empower others, I became a certified life coach, determined to help individuals overcome obstacles and achieve their potential. In 2021, I founded Just A Queen With Goals Empowering Women, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing critical issues like mental health, financial literacy, and trauma recovery. My goal was simple: to create programs that not only educate but also inspire confidence and resilience in those who need it most. Read more>>
Jordan Johnson
I am known as a medical intuitive and am very passionate about understanding the spiritual and energetic patterns that make up our lives and well-being. Throughout our journies on earth, we grow and learn lessons that often lead us to times of inner reflection and self-awareness. Through these moments of inner knowing and reflection, this is when the amount of light and grace flows into our auras and around us. Read more>>
Zachariah Rippey
Some specific struggles involved losing my best friend Armani in 2020 and working through grief in the same year I was discovering my faith. It was a push and pull between feeling pain and feeling a higher purpose to glorify God in my pain through every episode and piece of content I was creating at the time. Read more>>
Sachien Ravi
This began with Search Engine Optimization, and later Social Media Marketing. With the addition of these new services/departments, we quickly realized we were going to need employees to help us consistently provide a quality service to our clients and oncoming clients at the time. We realized the best candidates were our friends who were already interested in what we were doing and had shown intrigue and initiative into learning the skills and getting to work. With this, we began our interning process to see who would be best, this ended up being teaching and testing six friends, ending up with three hired employees. Read more>>
Haley Guilfoile
I’ve always been a creator- since before I can remember. I can’t sit still, so just folding up gum wrappers, doodling in class, or arranging pieces of paper into mosaics.. I’ve always been creating something. I started selling things I made to folks at such a young age that entrepreneurialism has always been tied to my artwork. Read more>>
Bianca B. King
Early success came fast. I landed a five-figure contract almost immediately. But what no one tells you about entrepreneurship is that a great start doesn’t guarantee a smooth road. For over two years, I struggled, undercharging, questioning my worth, and feeling like I had made a huge mistake leaving my safe corporate career. I hit my lowest point in 2010 when I remember staring at my bank account balance of $38.63. Read more>>
Anagha Kolanu
On top of struggling with my mental health, I grew up in a home where abuse was normalized. Domestic violence, both physical and emotional, was a reality I had to endure in silence. In Desi culture, family reputation is everything, and speaking out against abuse is often met with shame rather than support. I learned early on that staying silent was the only way to keep the peace. But silence comes at a cost. It meant suppressing my pain, pretending everything was fine, and carrying the weight of generational trauma alone. Read more>>
Hayli Thorpe
Admittedly, I have always been a very clean and organized person. While my siblings were often just asked to clean their room, I was given extra duties because I voluntarily kept my room clean. But until a few years ago, I hadn’t figured out how to help OTHER PEOPLE organize. (Seriously, my version of “helping” my little sister organize was to take all of her junk that was cluttering our shared bedroom and hiding it in a box. And then accepting bribes to tell her where her stuff went.) Read more>>
Tod Meisner
This role was challenging in such a small market and after 18 months I moved once again from agency life to the client-side and began my tenure at Aflac. Working my way up through the brand and national advertising team, I concluded my term as Brand Manager. As brand manager, I developed and formulated the company’s social media key strategies and executional deliverables that supported the overall brand and national advertising strategy, core brand promise, program/campaigns and overall business objectives. Read more>>
Chiamaka Offorjebe
My name is Chiamaka Offorjebe and I am an international fashion model born in Nigeria. I moved to Dallas 2 years ago and the creative community have been welcoming and inspiring! I have had the opportunity to work with some of the most amazing photographers, hair stylists, and makeup artists! From outside looking in, people do not always realize the hardwork that goes into this line of work to be in a position where people are paying you for your service. its years of hard work, trials and errors, and just consistently perfecting your craft. I’ve always know that i was destined for greatness, I just didn’t know the details on how God planned to make it happen. Modeling has introduce me to rooms that i never would have imagined and also allowed me to connect with people on a journey and growth level. Read more>>
Bambi Pride-Huff
when our lease was up we looked everything over and made the choice to move into a food trailer under the same name Bear’s cafe, a name sake to our late dogs, my husbands service dog, and my late grandfather Norman Pride who had Big Bear in Indiana when my father was a teen. we now operate out of a 20ft concession trailer for Bear’s cafe serving at corporate catering, as well as residents events at apartment complexes around the DFW and Austin area. Since my last article with voyage we have changed up the menu, as well as doing a lot more big events and setting up a scheduled rotation with several apartments to service their residence more regularly as well. Read more>>
Natalie Young
Because I worked in environments with modest budgets (that I had to be ok with to keep the flexibility I required), I had to teach myself how to do every aspect of marketing by myself – from graphic design to A/B testing email subject lines to video editing to managing events, etc. Most of the work was also connected to fundraising, so I got comfortable finding ways of attracting money without asking for it outright – which is a skill that still helps me to this day. Read more>>
Jim Newton
In March of that year, I was doing a weekend youth event at North Broadway UMC in Columbus, Ohio – and on Saturday afternoon of that weekend I met a couple who were youth sponsors. As we visited in some time between my sessions with their group, they told me about having lost their young son to cancer some years before. They also told me that, in memory and honor of their son, they were active in a parental support group at Columbus Children’s Hospital (now Nationwide Children’s). And they asked me if I would be willing to go and sing for the kiddos and families at the hospital the next afternoon. This really surprised me, and though I was worn out and weary from two weeks on the road & did not feel I had an appropriate repertoire for children, I could not bring myself to say no – so I said, “Sure, if you can set it up I’ll be glad to go”… Read more>>
Canon Herring
The biggest struggle for me was pushing past the disappointment and continuing to chase my dream with confidence and strength. When the path gets difficult or we run into a set back, it is our responsibility to push through those things and finish the race strong. I can never blame my own failure as a result of my circumstances, rather a should learn what I can from my mistakes and get back on the horse. This was the hardest lesson for me to learn. Read more>>
Karolina Aguilar
Yes, I believe in every business there are obstacles, and honestly, it hasn’t been easy. There have been many moments where I wanted to give up on the business, but it’s all part of the experience. For example, imagine you’re setting up a proposal event, and the weather doesn’t cooperate, it starts raining. You can’t use the outdoor space that you planned and designed so carefully. It can be frustrating and stressful, but through experience, you learn to always have a backup plan, like moving the setup to a covered area. These situations teach you to adapt and grow as an entrepreneur, even though they can be challenging in the moment. Read more>>
Amber Bogardus
In 2022, during the last trimester of my first pregnancy, I learned that my son was expected to have some pretty serious heart problems after birth. I had to put all of my plans for the blog on hold, in a completely different way than I had already planned for his birth. I ultimately had to shut down for 2 years as we learned that he would need a heart transplant when he was born, live in the hospital with him for many months, make the transition home, and ultimately (miraculously) be told he was slowly improving and we’d be able to delay heart transplant. I was able to navigate this experience in my own way but struggled to contribute to my growing blog, understandably. Read more>>
Aleksey Chursin
My name is Aleksey Chursin, and I’m a serial entrepreneur specializing in building businesses that create value and make a lasting impact. My entrepreneurial journey began 13 years ago with the founding of STUDIO 2112, a global experiential marketing and brand communication agency that provides B2B services for well-known global brands. We’re known for our creativity, strategic approach, and ability to bring brands to life through immersive and memorable experiences. Read more>>
Traliece
My journey as a musician began early as I was growing up New Orleans, LA. I come from a very musical city and also from a family of musicians so music is literally in my blood. I started of with the esteemed New Orleans Youth Symphony Orchestra and as years went on lead to performances with the Red River Valley Symphony Orchestra in Virginia and the Mesquite Symphony Orchestra in Texas. Now I perform at private events and on various worship teams. It was also during this time that I have also recognized that I have a talent for singing as well and am now a singer as well as a violinist. Read more>>
Ivy Sbaiti
For the past 15 years, I’ve worked across a broad range of projects—from ground-up developments to value-add renovations—always staying close to the design and construction side of things. I take a very hands-on approach. Whether I’m evaluating a deal, planning a layout, or solving a construction challenge, I like to be involved at every step. I’m especially drawn to properties that have been overlooked—homes or buildings with good bones that just need vision, planning, and the right kind of investment to reach their potential. Read more>>
Ty Hamilton
My name is Ty Hamilton, from Dallas Tx. and I’m the owner of 199Scrilla clothing company. I started the clothing company around 2013 with some close family members, but before that I was mostly into sports growing up. Until one day I just got into my creative bag when I needed an outfit for a party. The styles were so liked that people would offer to buy clothes from me, and the business has been growing steadily since then. Once the name came to mind we’ve worked hands on learning everything else needed to know about running a successful company. Read more>>
Leisha Olesch
Not at all! It’s taken a lot of blood, sweat and tears and 13 years of 17 hour days, 7 days a week to get to where I am. I’ve dealt with abuse, jealousy and anger from family and friends for following my passions! I’ve been on trips and spent more time working than I did enjoying my trip. I take my work seriously and others don’t understand and that can cause relationship issues. It sure hasn’t been easy. But, it’s all worth it! Read more>>
Jennifer Wax
In 2011 I decided to take my photography to a whole new level, and I opened my own business. Back then I was shooting with my mom and under the name Forget Me Not Photography, it was a mouth full, I know. After a year of shooting seniors and families, I wanted to test my skills and do more. I changed the name to J L Glamour, and I went on the hunt to further my business and find my style. I shot my first wedding in 2015, it was a blast, and I loved every minute of it. I started taking classes that were designed around weddings and a few months later I had booked a wedding for every single month that year. Read more>>
Allicia Washington-White
Originally from Milwaukee, I quickly realized there was a significant need to provide connections, share resources, and establish a support system for transplants living in the North Texas suburbs. This realization inspired me to cultivate a community dedicated to supporting individuals who, like myself, found themselves feeling lost and overwhelmed in a new and unfamiliar environment. This was my first major move and there were many times I’d wished for some sort of a guide. Read more>>
Brittani Smith
Another struggle was learning to set boundaries. For years, I didn’t take time off, which led to burnout. It wasn’t until I became a mom that I realized the importance of taking time for myself and my family. Now, I plan vacations and prioritize self-care, which has made me a better photographer and business owner. Read more>>
Anthony Sanders
Also, I am married with two kids! I worked Monday – Thursday. After work on Thursday, it was the same routine for 2 years – pickup supplies, prep, cook meat (all night) and sides, sell it on Friday. Rinse, wash, repeat for Saturday. Some weekends I stayed up for 48 hours to get everything done. We took most Sundays off to spend time with my family. You can search long and hard but never come up with enough motivation to put in the work that’s required. It requires relentless ambition and a simple philosophy – you have a job, get it done. Read more>>
Molly Blaisdell
I began writing a blog that led to more work. I started a website. Because I grew up in a small business environment, I understood the basics of setting up a business (business licenses, accounting, etc.) That said, I took a few local small business courses offered by community colleges and continuing education. I continue to make contacts through my vast network of creatives. I also continue to volunteer — currently, I am the founder and coach of TEENSPublish at the Ringer Library in College Station, Texas, a summer program that introduces teens to the business of creative writing. Finally, I hone my writing craft daily. Read more>>
Caleb Dean
Ha no. The road has been a lot of things and smooth is not one of them. A huge struggle along the way has been my voice. My voice has always been a huge part of my identity as a storyteller and songwriter but I always seemed to lose it so easily. It actually wasn’t until I got nodules that I slowed down long enough to figure out what was actually going on with my voice. Now I’m able to and am still working on making the lifestyle changes necessary to keep my voice in consistent good health. Read more>>
Chinyere Onyirimba
Also, all of my experiences have aligned to allow me to combine my passions and skills, using pharmacy as my gateway to providing education to my peers, colleagues, and community using Chinyere PharmD Consulting. Additionally, I have built a community space and brand, called TrapQueensRx, which centers Black womxn and the fullness of their person. TrapQueensRx aims to connect Black womxn across age ranges, professional backgrounds, and walks of life. Read more>>
