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.
Robert Douglas
I grew up in upstate New York. My dad was a police officer, and my mom was a homemaker. I had three brothers. We didn’t have much money, so I did what kids did back then, I got a lot of part-time jobs. I was a paper boy, lawn mower, lifeguard, I parked cars, and when I got into wrestling, I cross-trained at the feed store loading 100 lb. bags of feed onto trucks. Read more>>
Klysta Pesina
I started my journey as a nail artist and salon owner of Exquisite Nails Boutique 5 years ago. I have always been ambitious however I never knew exactly where this business venture would take me. It all stated after passing the Texas cosmetology state board exams and earning my manicurist license. I was working in various nail salons around Dallas for a while then the pandemic hit. Everything came to a halt. However, following the pandemic I took a leap of faith and opened my own private salon suite. Read more>>
Joshua Laster
My journey in hospitality isn’t just a career; it’s a decade-long apprenticeship that taught me the DNA of successful operations, all leading to the creation of Auburn Avenue Hospitality Consulting. Over the last decade, I’ve had a front-row seat to how systems, processes, and structured training are the bedrock of any thriving hospitality business. Read more>>
Clifton and Georgina Hickman
1) Both of us have benefited from counseling by Christian therapists who cared for us during difficult seasons. These therapists, along with our friends, family, and church, have shaped who we are today. Our lives would be very different without them. We wanted to offer that same support to others, especially in a world where therapy grounded in a Christian worldview is often lacking. Read more>>
Sarah Bentz
Counseling is my second career. I had been in early education before deciding to finish my bachelors degree and move on to a masters degree. I have always enjoyed meeting with people and ‘counseling’. It wasn’t until I started to look at my next steps that I saw how much I enjoyed guiding and encouraging others to learn and grow. Read more>>
Felicia Wilson
I’m a Texan American, born and raised right here in the Fort Worth area. But while that sounds idyllic, the truth of my childhood was anything but. For my siblings and me, growing up was a raw, unforgiving crash course in total self-reliance—a constant ‘figure it out yourself’ challenge. My father, B.E. ‘Billy’ Wilson, was incarcerated for DWIs during my youth. Read more>>
Kiho Uhm
How I started: When the pandemic began in 2020, I was laid off from Samsung Electronics due to internal restructuring. It was definitely a bittersweet moment. After spending 25 years in the corporate world, I decided it was time to take a different path — one that would allow me to work more independently and connect more directly with people. Read more>>
Jennifer Farmer
My Journey: When the Soul Calls You into a New Direction You know, I never set out to be a psychic medium or a spiritual teacher. My journey into this work didn’t begin in childhood—it began as an adult, during a time when I was searching for something deeper and more fulfilling. Read more>>
Cody Fuller
Started off gardening with my meme after school. She would have a very elaborate garden with vegetables, succulents, and blooming flowers, all tied into an English style garden. She would teach me about each plant, and how each one needed different amount of attention. Read more>>
CeCe Simmons
Wow! Where do I begin! Music and creativity in some form or another has been apart of my life for as long as I can remember. I remember being forced to sing with my family as a child as early as 6 years old. Read more>>
Amanda Beat
Beat Insurance Services, LLC was founded in Jan 2020 with a simple but powerful mission — to bring integrity, education, and personalized service back into the insurance experience. What began as a small independent agency with a handful of clients and a vision for change has grown into a trusted name serving individuals, families, and businesses across multiple states. Read more>>
Quiana Reynolds
My husband and I started Reynolds Entertainment LLC in 2021 with a shared passion for creating unforgettable experiences. We’ve always loved bringing people together, so it felt natural to build a business centered around joy, celebration, and connection. As event curators, we handle everything from party planning and balloon design to catering, desserts, decor, travel planning, and even Photo Booth rentals. Read more>>
Marta Azcona
My story starts with roots, faith, and love. I come from a bloodline of spiritual healers. My grandfather was a healer too, and even though he passed when I was young, that gift — that light — runs naturally through my blood. It’s something I’ve always felt deep inside me. Read more>>
Briana Sampson
My curiosity for understanding people and emotions started long before I ever realized it would become my life’s work. Even as a kid, I was the one quietly observing – trying to make sense of difficult things happening around me and wondering what was underneath. Looking back, that early curiosity was the spark that eventually led me into the field of psychology. Read more>>
Josh Tatum
I’ve always had a passion for helping people grow, whether it’s a business, a brand, or a vision. Before starting Prestige Media Solutions, I spent several years in corporate marketing and advertising, where I learned how to blend data with creativity and build campaigns that truly connect with people. During that time, I saw a clear gap. Read more>>
David Romo
The story involves four individuals, all four Veterans from the armed forces who were united after retirement through the sport Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. My name is David Romo, an Air Force Reserves, Lt Col Reitred. I am one of the owners, along with my wife who is also a retired Air Force veteran. Read more>>
Katherine & Tenille co-owner Emily Brewer
It all began with a tiny, brave message! One friend asked an old friend to join together for an endeavor… not knowing what… and next, the idea was born for a boutique with global, artisan beauties… and an ocean-sized heart for sea-saving philanthropy. Read more>>
Tom Day
I began my construction career in Two Rivers, Wisconsin in the 70’s. Starting at just 12 years old, my father would take me to construction sites with him, and give me small tasks so I would feel like a part of the crew. Read more>>
Mike MacCrory
My journey began at TCU where I played offensive line from 2012 to 2016. We had a couple of exceptional seasons where we finished ranked as a top 10 team in the country. I played with several future NFL athletes but I knew my transition out of football was coming sooner than my peers. Read more>>
Jon and Breanna Reed
The Azle Academy was born from a dream to bring high-quality music and enrichment opportunities closer to home. After years of teaching and seeing families drive long distances for lessons, Jon and Breanna wanted to create something special right here in Azle, a place where creativity, education, and community could thrive together. Read more>>
Angela Tolliver
I taught high school for 22 years. After a move and divorce, I decided to change my career. I got my real estate license and haven’t looked back. I got my broker license in 2020 and just added my first agent to my brokerage, 11:11 Brokerage. I named it 11:11 because me and my husband saw that number constantly. Read more>>
Zolimar Mercado
Two years ago, I made the decision to move to the state of Texas, searching for a better lifestyle for my children and myself. I was very afraid, but confident that I could achieve my goal of having a full-service salon, just like I had back home in Puerto Rico. Read more>>
Amelia Cobbs
I’ve always known I wanted to be in healthcare. Learning how the body works, has always fascinated me. In healthcare the possibilities of learning are endless, challenging even. After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science the goal was nursing school, becoming a midwife to be exact. Well, as we know in life things don’t always turn out as we planned. Read more>>
Amy Wright
Back in 2013, I was overweight and knew I needed to make a change. I decided to take control of my health and joined a fitness class — and that’s where my journey began. Over the years, through hard work and consistency, I lost the weight and discovered a passion for fitness that completely changed my life. Read more>>
Lyn Cowie
These days, you’ll find me happily based in Uptown Dallas, an empty nester with a free spirit and an entrepreneurial mind that never sits still. I run Lyn Cowie Interiors, a boutique interior decorating studio that’s all about creating soulful, layered spaces with longevity and wellbeing in mind. Read more>>
Tatyanny Griffiths
I am a physical therapist that started my own business about 4-5 months ago. I have worked in a variety of different settings from doing travel therapy to working in physician owned clinics. I enjoyed every clinic that I had been in because I learned a lot and grew from it. Read more>>
Perry Posed
Perry Posed began with a camera, a dream, and a deep love for preserving life’s in-between moments. What started as a creative outlet during COVID, quickly grew into a heartfelt business built on connection. Today, Perry Posed stands as a luxury lifestyle photography brand in DFW, known for timeless edits, intentional posing, and personalized experiences that feel just as special as the photos look. Read more>>
Farrah Christian
Maverick Medical Care was born out of both frustration and hope. For years, I watched countless women struggle to be heard by their healthcare providers—especially when it came to their weight, hormones, and overall well-being. Read more>>
Akyish Dallas
We are Japanese Spa based in North Dallas and Houston. Japanese nail art at Akyish is a style of nail design that draws on techniques and aesthetics from Japan. Key features include: 3D effects,Fine hand-painting,Anime or character art using gel polish (and types that are more gentle on nails) by Japanese-brand. Read more>>
Janice Williams
I was trained as an historian, with a lot of background in education and working experience in business. Originally, from Virginia, I moved to Texas due to my husband’s job in 2019. My work here started in Grapevine at a living museum, and I eventually made my way to the IPAT Museum of Porcelain Art. Read more>>
John Comito
John became interested in the martial arts after two coeds were brutally attacked while he was attending college in 1978. He felt his wrestling skills (which had earned him two scholarship offers) were solid, but he did not feel they were useful when standing up to a person armed with a knife. Read more>>
Kevin Miller
I’ve spent most of my life in the restaurant world. My journey started behind the grill at Wendy’s, where I learned the value of hard work and consistency. Over time, I worked my way up through management and eventually became a General Manager, running multiple restaurants and building a strong foundation in the industry. Read more>>
Greg Wofford
Years ago, before I came to truly know Christ, I was about as far from being a follower of Him as you could get. I was playing in a hard rock band, hair down to the middle of my back, opening for national acts. Needless to say, my mind wasn’t on Jesus. I believed He existed, but I definitely wasn’t following Him. Read more>>
Dan Parodi
I began my career as a Buyer at Macy’s in New York City, where I quickly recognized a major opportunity in excess inventory — unsold merchandise and customer returns. Seeing potential where others saw challenges, I started purchasing closeouts from suppliers along 7th Avenue in Manhattan and reselling them to major off-price retailers like Ross and Burlington. Read more>>
Melissa McGee, MA, LPC-S
I have always enjoyed listening to others’s stories and providing support. Even as a teenager, I would sometimes have to tell my parents I would be home late because someone needed me to talk. That grew into pursuing psychology and counseling in college. Read more>>
Sage Funk
I began my career in mental health as a neurotransformational life coach. I had a passion for helping people heal, set goals, and create meaningful change in their lives. While coaching, I quickly realized that many of the challenges my clients faced were rooted in unresolved trauma that the current coaching tools I had could not fully reach. Read more>>
Mary Kenney
Growing up, my brother, Steven, and I always loved playing with LEGO. We would spend hours creating anything and everything from our random bin of parts. But, we never expected that LEGO would help us find our place in a much greater community. My journey started in 2019. Read more>>
Breanna Alsouissi
I’ve always been into some aspect of design, beginning with print and moving into branding and web design. I started off my business accidentally when I moved out of the corporate world and decided I would attempt freelancing while we were moving out of the city. From there, I had enough interest that I just decided to throw myself into it fully. Read more>>
Rebecca Gorman
I started seeing a therapist years ago to address my own mental health concerns related to persistent depression and anxiety. It was difficult and humbling for me to walk into that office because I considered myself a healthy, well-adjusted person. Read more>>
Nel Carter
My story is simply one of which I stick to the plan. I’m Nel Carter or how people have said it of late “WHAT THE NELLY” I would consider myself as a multifaceted woman of purpose with a huge heart and even bigger mindset. I am from Jackson, Mississippi. Currently residing in Dallas, tx. Read more>>
Maggie Tautfest
I started Tautfest Weddings in August 2023. I started planning weddings shortly after graduating with my Bachelor’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management with an emphasis in Event Planning. I loved helping plan events for my university, and I wanted to continue with that, but on a smaller scale. I love being able to help with others memories, while making sure everything runs smoothy. Read more>>
Andrea Garcia
I’ve always had a passion for travel since being an Airman in the U.S. Navy. Viewing the world from all perspectives has always been a passion, and helping other’s explore and view the world is just as exciting. Read more>>
Carlos Mario Chiffer
We start with the dream and passion of Mexican cuisine and en young what we like To do is put a smile on a customers after a good meal Read more>>
Calvary Callender
I spent most of my life helping people discover who they are in God and how they can live that out in everyday life. My ministry journey started in youth ministry, where I spent 10 years walking alongside students and learning how to communicate faith in ways that felt real and relational. Read more>>
Jessica Spence
The Cake Ballerina Story What started as a simple love for baking and creating beautiful things quickly turned into something much bigger. I made my first batch of cake pops for my daughter’s 2nd birthday — a mix of sprinkles, sugar, and creativity — and before I knew it, friends and family were asking for more. Read more>>
Crystal Sciarini
I was chronically ill for more than a decade. Doctors kept telling me it was “ in my head” or to lose weight”. Or worst of all “the pain can’t be that bad, because there’s nothing wrong with you.” I knew something was wrong. I was young and yet barely able to function many days due to pain. Read more>>
Sarah Lane
I am a licensed professional counselor. I have been in my profession for over 8 years. I started out wanting to help those with addiction issues and eating disorders. I still work with these populations today and found a calling to help those with trauma and mood disorders as well. Read more>>
Taylor Guzman
Wild Pistol Traveling Boutique was created because when I would shop at boutiques I could not find my style or size. I saw a gap in the market for affordable, size-inclusive fashion that actually felt bold and original. I wanted to create a space where all sizes could feel that same freedom to express themselves. Pop-up tents were the starting place for our boutique. Read more>>
David Kenoly
My background is in entertainment. I began singing at age 4. I had my first paying gig at age 7. I have been a musician and singer most of my life. I owned an entertainment company here is Dallas for about 22 years. Then it was shut down by Covid. Read more>>
Tommi Clement
My journey started with a simple goal — I just wanted to help people feel better. As a nurse, I loved caring for others, but over time I realized I was especially drawn to helping people feel confident in their own skin, not just healthy. That’s what led me into the world of aesthetics and wellness. Read more>>
Sushma Karki
A&B Beauty Co. was born into two people with one shared purpose: to serve. One of us proudly served in the military, dedicating years to protecting our country. The other has spent a lifetime serving our community, helping people in need find hope, support, and care. Read more>>
Aberdeem
My journey began in the humblest corners of the kitchen. I didn’t step into the culinary world as a chef I earned my place in it. I started serving tables, prepping ingredients, doing whatever it took to stay close to the kitchen to learn anything and everything. Eventually, I found my true calling in pastry. Read more>>
Lacey Shelby-Mitsche
I’ve always been an entrepreneur, but 4 years ago I made a huge decision to shift gears and that kick started the exciting, crazy adventure to where I am now. My sole focus became growing my personal brand on social media along side my then 14 year old daughter, Addi. Read more>>
George Fuller
I began my career in Manhattan, where I managed the re-development of a commercial building to residential lofts. I then moved to Roanoke, Virginia and opened an auto parts distribution business, capitalizing on the new next day delivery services of UPS and FedEx. I opened a second location in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and ultimately a third location in Dallas, which is how I ended up in North Texas. Read more>>
Catherine Carpenter Cox
I grew up with a singular dream: to bring stories to life on stage. Born and raised in Boston, I began performing professionally at just 10 years old, captivating audiences at the Boston Children’s Theater and Wheelock Family Theatre. This passion eventually led me to New York City, where I earned my BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Read more>>
