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.
Natalie Valdez
My clinical focus for Made 2 Move is elite athlete care – bridging rehab, performance, and return-to-sport at the highest level. I am trusted by athletes of all levels (Professional, Collegiate, High School, & Youth Sports) to perform at the top of their game. I also work with active individuals and believe that there is an athlete inside everyone and will help you reach your full potential. Read more>>
Danzavier White
I started out taking pictures as a hobby, but it turned into something I love to do. I started going to my daughter’s track meets and then added football games as well. Then it transitioned from a hobby to a part-time job. I have been taking pictures professionally for almost 10 years now. Read more>>
Lynnsey Harris
Well, it all started when I relocated from Baton Rouge to Dallas four years ago. After many years of pursuing a nursing career, I found myself working various warehouse jobs. I never imagined I’d be working in a warehouse. The days started super early, lasted long, and were repetitive and monotonous. Read more>>
Ric Juarez
I currently live in Flower Mound, Texas, though like many retired service members, I’m a transplant shaped by years of moving between duty stations. My career in the U.S. Navy took me across the country and around the world: San Diego, Ventura, San Francisco, Kaneohe (Hawaii), Okinawa (Japan), Jacksonville, Corpus Christi, and multiple six-month deployments in remote and often undisclosed locations. Read more>>
Addison LaBonte
Sweet Addison’s started very organically. I’ve been gluten-free and dairy-free for years, and like so many people with dietary restrictions, I was constantly disappointed by the lack of desserts that actually tasted good. I love baking, and what began as making treats for myself and friends quickly turned into something bigger when people kept asking where they could buy them. Read more>>
Pasha Zambia
I’m a photographer/videographer based in Arlington, born in Zambia and have been here for 10 years. I deal with street photography/fashion photography and make documentaries. Read more>>
Gwendolyn Benthul
Kenneth, comes from a long line of bee keepers. As a child he remembers his grandfather keeping bees and having pecan blossom honey regularly. When Kenneth suffered a massive pulmonary embolism in January 2016, he almost died. Afterwards he decided that he could no longer put off his dreams and Honey Apple Farms was established a year later in January 2017. Read more>>
Cody Savell
After years in sales, I went to work for another roofing company(unnamed). After 5 years with them, I saw the ugly side of the roofing industry. My wife and I decided to start our own company and we did so in March of 2016. The name of our company is Bad Bear Roofing and Construction. Read more>>
Betty Edwards
In 2016 I went on my first mission trip to Uganda, Africa. My heart was touched by the severe poverty and suffering of the people, especially in the rural villages. I was determined to find a way to have a lasting impact and alleviate some of the hardships the people were experiencing. Read more>>
Courtney Slater
As I stepped into real estate, something clicked: I didn’t have to leave wellness behind. I could weave it into how I serve my clients and how I show up in the community. Today, I’m a North Dallas Realtor who still pours into women through my online wellness community, Nourished 31—helping them build healthier rhythms, deeper faith, and sustainable habits. Read more>>
Remi Roy Osi
My name is Remi Roy Osi. I’m the host of The Driven Introvert podcast and the founder of PodGround.io, a learning and networking platform for independent podcasters. My path to what I do today has been anything but linear. I’ve always seen myself as a creative. Curious, open, and eager to explore new ideas. Read more>>
John Mathew
I grew up in Negombo, Sri Lanka — a vibrant coastal city known for its beaches, bustling restaurants, and world-class hotels. Tourism was the heartbeat of the city. Every day, I watched visitors from around the world arrive to experience the warmth, elegance, and effortless hospitality that defined the region. Read more>>
Mary Hill
I am at a threshold, where, as I imagine new visions for my life and in my life, then I am recreated in this metamorphical process.The familiar patterns that structure our lives fall away and reconstitute as deeper truths unfold. It’s not where we are going, but who we are becoming. This ‘informing’ process crystallizes a new world of being — hopefully, with wings. Read more>>
Domminique Young
Straight out of Pleasant Grove, Dallas, Texas, Young Double is an artist shaped by reality, lineage, and lived experience. Influenced early by his father’s love for 2Pac, music was never just background noise—it was purpose planted young. From childhood, rap wasn’t a phase or a hobby; it was the vision. Young Double’s style is rooted in truth. Read more>>
Nibu Abraham
My path has been rooted in music and community from the start. I’m a cohost of Generasian Radio on 90.1 KPFT FM and a co-curator of Spindia, a monthly IndoHouse night at the House of Blues Foundation Room in Houston, where I focus on creating spaces that blend diasporic sounds with contemporary club culture. Read more>>
Daniela Martinez
I worked in the dental field as an office manager until the start of COVID, when I was laid off. Being at home with my two kids during such an uncertain and difficult time was incredibly challenging, especially while watching so many families struggle throughout the pandemic. Read more>>
Mariah CamposBishop
My spiritual path revealed itself through divine timing. What began as personal healing through downloads, tarot, ritual, and energy work quickly became a calling to serve others. The more I aligned with my purpose, the more doors opened — not just for myself, but for those drawn to my work. Read more>>
Marius Malarme
I discovered the world of massage at a very young age. As the son of a mother who was the director of a massage school and a father who is an osteopath, I grew up in an environment where the body and well-being were part of everyday life. Read more>>
Joleen Ford
In the words of Biggie, “It was all a dream!”—except it really wasn’t. Starting a granola business was never on the bingo card for my business partner, Morgan Clayton, or me. I just wanted granola that didn’t taste like sweetened cardboard. When I couldn’t find it on the shelves, I started making it myself. Read more>>
Edyn & Ghoulio ‘Alcala Studios’
We are Alcala Studios LLC, a production company. Our story kind of starts out as a love story. Yes, we are one of those annoying couples who people refer to as a “power couple”. Coming from very different backgrounds, we did not meet in this crazy world until we were both 28. Read more>>
Dessiah Sanders
I always knew I wanted to work for myself but wasn’t quite sure which direction I was headed. Being a jack of all trades can be hard but something about the beauty industry stuck with me and in 2019 lashes and brows became it! Read more>>
Leeat Fullerton
In addition to my wonderful roles of wife and mother, working with children is one of my greatest accomplishments. I grew up in Dallas and proudly graduated from The Hockaday School. I continued my education at Brandeis University, where I earned my BA in Art History. Upon graduation, I began my work in art galleries from Boston to Dallas to NYC. Read more>>
Elizabeth Hark
After a really fun 13 year career in Logistics with Maersk and KLine, that including amazing experiences and worldwide travel, I had the opportunity to pursue my passion of landscaping with a Sales Manager position at Lawns of Dallas. I loved the travel and the people but it is nice to be local at home. I learned so much in this first landscaping role. Read more>>
Brandon Giannasi
Back in 2010, I began sweeping floors for a large commercial construction company in Dallas that specialized in restaurants, salons, and high-end retail shops. I got to know “sweeping compound” really well! Read more>>
Brianna Mitchell
I started my professional journey working in social services in Alameda County, California. While the work was meaningful, I knew deep down that I wanted more , more growth, more ownership, and more control over the life I was building for myself and my children. At a pivotal moment, I made a bold decision. Read more>>
Delaine Mitchell
My husband and I have always been creative souls, whether that involves cooking/baking, building, or pretty much any form of creativity. We lived in a small house in Saginaw and ran out of space in which to let our creative side out. Read more>>
Jessica Lefkowitz
I run a small home bakery that began during a season of big change. After college, I moved to Dallas for my first full-time job and suddenly had evenings and weekends free for the first time in years. Living alone and not knowing many people yet, I naturally returned to something I’ve always loved—baking. Read more>>
Nadia Shalwani
My journey into health and wellness is both professional and deeply personal. Growing up, I saw firsthand how lifestyle, stress, and a lack of education around health can affect so much more than just the body — it impacts confidence, mindset, and overall quality of life. Read more>>
Kasey Scharnett King, LMFT-S, CST
I always said therapy found me. However, after looking back, I was always destined to do this work. It was an interesting transition that started with my desire to work with children. After doing that in grad school, I realized working with children yielded little–without the presence of the parent(s). Therefore, I decided to shift from solely child work to marriages and families. Read more>>
Brittany Olawale
Their journey into real estate began in 2017, during the final chapter of Jamize Olawale’s nine-year NFL career. Years of professional athletics had shaped his discipline, leadership, and ability to build repeatable systems, skills that would later become the backbone of their businesses. At the same time, Brittany Olawale was building her own career in Southlake, Texas, establishing herself as a luxury real estate professional. Read more>>
kimberly Vo
I am an immigrant who came to the United States from Vietnam at just two months old. My family arrived with nothing and was sponsored by a local church in Richmond, Virginia, an early lesson in the power of community and generosity. Read more>>
Kimberly Goodwin
Walls Down Productions has made significant strides since its inception, proving itself to be a dynamic and impactful nonprofit organization. In 2020, Walls Down Productions became a federally recognized nonprofit organization, with a mission centered around arts education and appreciation. The organization aims to enrich the community through creative and educational endeavors. Read more>>
Mike Brewer
In 1981 the wife and I I purchased a small abandoned farm house with 5 acres of property in Sunnyvale, Texas. The house is a 1910 Texas Prairie house that I was hell-bent on saving — which I did! The farm has 2 gigantic native pecans that are estimated by an arborist to be between 200 and 300 years old. Read more>>
Jackie deMontmollin
Rather than eating with a restrictive “diet” mentality, and exercising harder, I learned to focus on restoring my metabolism—stabilizing blood sugar, fueling my body with nutrient dense fuel, burning fat, reducing inflammation, preserving lean muscle, and building sustainable habits. Now I’m a certified health coach, and I pay that forward, and my team has helped over 1000 people find wellness. I can’t think of a more rewarding profession! Read more>>
Zach Vann
Began as a date night with another couple and had a ton of fun. A few weeks later, Zach joined a league at another axe house. He told Alexsha he wanted to open an axe house because there weren’t any entertainment options nearby, so she said “go for it”. – – Zach was born and raised in Houston, and there was always things to do. Read more>>
Taylor Price
I began my career in the beauty industry straight out of high school by enrolling in cosmetology school. Wanting to better understand the business side of beauty, I went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship and marketing. Read more>>
Chrislyn Firth
I started this business back in 2023 after working at numerous bakery jobs and falling in love with it all. After researching and slowly collecting the material to start my own business I started a page and started doing vendor events. Read more>>
Vanessa Bogenholm
I was a very overweight child from a poor family and very bullied. I didn’t realize this growing up, i was just always sad until one day in the 5th grade when a girl at school said that ‘you can eat your lunch with us but you can’t play with us, you do know why you are fat, don’t you? Read more>>
Alynna Saenz
Hi! I was licensed in cosmetology back in 2016 through Paul mitchell, but I have always had a passion for hair, what emo kid doesn’t!? I started professionally offering services shortly after I graduated, I apprenticed with Tony and Guy during my last 6 months of school, , but truly rounding my skills immediately after graduating, and continued on the floor for about a year. Read more>>
Ashley Alonso
I’ve been involved in the horror and creative community for several years through events and creative business work. My husband, Andrew Alonso, is an independent horror and science fiction author, and I serve as the literary agent for his work. Together, we also own Guy McMonstermaker’s Creatureporium, a small business focused on horror collectibles, where I act as Director of Business Development. Read more>>
ANDREA CACHO
My name is Andrea, and I arrived in the United States from Buenos Aires, Argentina, 25 years ago, in December of 2000, with my husband and our three young children. We began our life in this beautiful country working in sales for a company. Over time, I felt the desire to build something of my own and began cleaning houses to support our family. Read more>>
Ayanna Yemanja
The origin of my entrepreneurial journey began in high school. I expressed myself through fashion and modeled my own handcrafted clothing, which helped me build a loyal customer base. This passion carried through college, where I used my formal education in Marketing to strengthen my brand. At the time, I was designing jewelry and using the profits to help fund my education. Read more>>
Christie Harrison
My path definitely wasn’t linear, and that’s a big part of why I do what I do today. I became a mother at a young age, which forced me to grow up quickly and make very intentional decisions about my life and career. Read more>>
Deb Bushong
I did not attend graduate school until my late twenties, and for a long time I doubted whether I was “smart enough” to pursue an advanced degree—messages I had absorbed early in life. But I had an incredible therapist who gently encouraged me to start with just one class and see how it felt. After that first class, I was hooked. Read more>>
yonathan rodriguez
My journey started with music(creating beats, producing tracks, and exploring sound as a form of expression). It was a creative outlet that taught me how to think in systems, build from nothing, and iterate until something resonated. That foundation shaped how I approach everything I build today. Read more>>
Missy Lee
“I started acting back in high school and kept going in college. Life happened, I raised my kids, let them tap into creativity too, and took a pause. When I came back, I came back grown — and ready.” Read more>>
O’Don McClaine III
For as far back as I could remember, I’ve wanted to be an artist. As a child my grandmother encouraged me to draw to occupy myself. The first things that I learned how to draw were horses. I loved Cowboys and horses and I was always drawing. Read more>>
K. Noelle Fulford
Medicine runs in my family, but becoming a nurse practitioner and medical aesthetic business owner was never part of my original plan. As a child, I imagined a life in fashion—sketching gowns and dreaming up silhouettes. In high school, that passion shifted to interior design, and I even declared it as my major at Texas Christian University. But something didn’t quite fit. Read more>>
DJ EXPRESSION
DJ Expression began his journey with a passion for music, culture, and creating unforgettable experiences. What started as DJing local events and refining his sound quickly grew into a deeper commitment to mastering his craft and understanding how music connects people across backgrounds. Read more>>
Sruti Kafle
I am a physics scholar with Master’s , yoga instructor and a kathak professional dancing on and off since i was a kid. I have a Masters degree from Prayag Sangeet Samiti university Allahabaad India. For the last 10 years i have been actively dancing and running a dance and yoga studio in Bedford Texas since 2023. Read more>>
Joe Miller
I started in the trade at age 20 doing side work with a friend of mine, whose dad had always been in the electrical industry as a foreman. That led to excitement and curiosity that made me apply to work at All Star electric in New Orleans Louisiana. Read more>>
Mark Nzeocha
I came from a professional football background, where structure, discipline, and consistency were part of everyday life. After football, I knew I wanted to build something long term that also allowed me to spend more time with my family. That’s what led me into the smart vending space. Read more>>
Alexandra Alise
I’m Alexandra Alise. A Cali native and creative that came to Texas and started a new chapter of life. Just a year into my marriage and after heartbreak of miscarriages. I decided to pursue joy. Joy in the present, remembering the past and looking forward to the future. Read more>>
Zachary Dyck
I began my career as a filmmaker & a video creator when I was really young. I was about 10 years old when I first discovered stop motion lego videos on YouTube and I quickly set off to make my own. They weren’t great, but that was the beginning of my journey of using cameras to make my dreams ‘come to life’. Read more>>
Chai
I started making music young — recording in my bedroom closet as a freshman in high school, before I had resources, a plan, or an audience. That small space was where I learned how to turn emotion into sound and survive through creativity. Music was freedom, but it was also ambition. I didn’t just want to express myself — I wanted to build something real. Read more>>
Tori Cain
Tori Cain founded Cain & Co. in 2020 with the vision of creating thoughtfully curated, unforgettable event experiences. Her passion for the events industry began in 2015 when she joined the team at Larry Joe Taylor’s Texas Music Festival in Stephenville, where she continues to support events today. Read more>>
Corey Lockett
My family and I officially moved to the Dallas–Fort Worth area in 2021, shortly after I returned from deployment with the Army Reserves. Like many families with young children, we spent a lot of time outdoors, but once we settled into DFW, we began exploring indoor play spaces for our kids. Read more>>
Summer Butler
My story really begins when I was thirteen years old. My parents’ divorce left me feeling lost and alone, unseen and unsure of where I belonged. I didn’t have the language to explain what I was feeling, and no one ever sat me down to ask how the changes were affecting me. Read more>>
Shameela Keshavjee
No matter how many different career paths I considered, I always came back to healing professions. After careful consideration, I chose systems therapy, or marital and family therapy, because I connected deeply with the idea that a person’s relational contexts matter. I graduated with a master of science in marital and family therapy from Northwestern University in 2005. Read more>>
Martin Horak
I’ve lived and worked in the Florida Panhandle for decades, mostly around property management, construction, and development. Over time, I kept seeing the same problem everywhere: contractors, suppliers, property managers—even homeowners—losing hours to supply runs, waiting on parts, or juggling deliveries that weren’t built for how job sites actually operate. Read more>>
Corea Connie
It definitely has not been easy. I’ve lost a few jobs, had to change esthetician schools due to allergic reactions at my first school. Most recently I lost my nephew to suicide in Nov 2024. After that I was in a tough situation financially and mentally losing my mind, so I decided to move back home for 6 months to regroup. Then immediately after I moved back home I lost my grandma in Feb 2025. Those 2 deaths turned my entire world upside down. I was in a dark place for a really long time at the beginning of this year. Read more>>
Selena Dotson
Telling my story always makes me emotional, because little me would be incredibly proud of the woman I am becoming the values I carry, the heart I lead with, and the growth I’ve experienced over the years. My love for beauty began at just 15 years old. Makeup made me feel beautiful and confident, and it quickly became my creative outlet and safe space. Read more>>
