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.
Lauren Diaz
I began with getting my master’s degree in social work in 2015 with plans to work with non-profit organizations. It wasn’t until I began working towards my clinical licensure that I had even considered working in private practice. Read more>>
Christy Le
I started the nail industry maybe a little over twenty years ago when i was 19 years old as a nail tech and slowly built my way up to my own salon. over time i’ve had three salons in charlotte and have grown to work with other people and growing our salon. Read more>>
Staci Chuculate
My husband and I saw a need in our community for a family-owned body shop and collision center to help with our growing population. We opened Panther City Collision doors in July of 2024 and have loved every minute. As avid car enthusiasts we enjoy attending car shows and even hosting a few. Read more>>
LOREAL LABAT
My journey of helping others begins at my parents divorce when I was 8 years old. My mom introduced me to psychotherapy to help me heal after the trauma of my parent’s divorce. I was angry and not adjusting well to my new world. However, after a few sessions of therapy, I realized that I wanted to help others in some capacity. Read more>>
Wendy Michelle Davis
Some of my earliest and most significant memories involved art and art making. I did not grow up with art enthusiast parents but they did well in providing me with art supplies. Mostly I forged my own way in the world of art. Read more>>
Savannah DeLeon
My initial spark for photography formed once I joined the middle school yearbook club in 8th grade. From that point on, I pursued photography in high school through other photography electives and yearbook all 4 years where I was made Clubs Editor my junior year, and Editor in Chief my senior year. Read more>>
Aaron Hubbard
Our Beginning Forge the Future Foundation, Inc. was born from loss, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to community. In 2018, our founder, Aaron Hubbard, experienced a life-altering loss when his father passed away after battling mouth, throat, and stomach cancer. His father was not only a parent, but his greatest mentor and guide. Read more>>
Michael Raoufpour
My story isn’t just about law; it’s about the preservation of the American Dream. I am the eldest child of two incredibly hard-working immigrants who arrived in this country with nothing but a relentless work ethic and the hope of a better future for themselves and their future children. Growing up, I didn’t just hear about their sacrifices—I lived them. Read more>>
Jarrod Parker
Before building my insurance business, I worked in real estate, which gave me early exposure to commission based work and reinforced how important trust, clarity, and long term relationships are when people are making meaningful financial decisions. I originally moved to the Dallas–Fort Worth area from Atlanta for college, and over time DFW became home as I built my career. Read more>>
Tin Dang
Mia Lem really started at home. I’ve always loved cooking for my family, and one day my son tried one of my dishes and said, “Mom, why don’t you open a restaurant so other people can try this too?” I laughed at first, but his words stayed with me. Food has always been how we show love in our family. Read more>>
Martha Carrillo
I started Graceful Maids to create financial stability and a better life for my children after becoming a single mom at a young age. Juggling two toddlers, a full-time job, and pursuing a college degree taught me resilience, determination, and the importance of building a stable foundation for my family. Read more>>
Manuel Tamayo
I have always been handy and crafty. I use to run a clothing line between 2016-2024 called (thirteen). It was very DIY and punk. I always create based on what’s around me and my interests. Nowadays, I am a very novice woodworker but very proud of the pieces I have created. Read more>>
Danarion & Jasmine Bluitt
Our story began with a shared vision to create something that reflected both our faith and our purpose. We’re Danarion and Jasmine Bluitt, a husband-and-wife team driven by the belief that everything we do should glorify God and empower others to walk confidently in who they’re called to be. Read more>>
Caroline Johnson & Melanie Guerra
Caleidos began quietly, in Dr. Caroline’s backyard, with a simple yet brave intention: to reimagine what education could feel like when rooted in care. As a psychologist and mother, she was searching for something more than academics—a space where children are seen, felt, and honored as whole beings. A space where connection mattered as much as curriculum. Read more>>
Diana Sumberlin
My journey into mortgage was built on a strong foundation in finance. I spent over 17 years in asset management and financial services, where I had a front-row seat to how wealth is truly built. One pattern was always consistent—the most successful individuals leveraged real estate as a cornerstone of their wealth strategy. Read more>>
Robyn Richardson, PhD
obyn Richardson, PhD is a licensed psychologist and accomplished clinical leader with a doctorate from the California School of Professional Psychology. She is the founder and director of a thriving psychological services practice, overseeing a multidisciplinary team of 12 clinicians and a dedicated staff of four. Under Dr. Read more>>
Cleopas Simbi
I was ordained into ministry in March 2019, but fear caused me to delay stepping fully into the calling for nearly two years. During that period, from March 2019 to March 2021, I often woke up in the middle of the night to pray, asking the Lord for strength and clarity. Read more>>
Angela Jack
In 2009 I went through a horrific divorce. I was homeless with three children after fleeing an abusive situation. A friend offered me a job as an administrative assistant. The company was a hedge fund exclusively purchasing commercial loans. The company either renegotiated the loan or foreclosed and sold the property for a profit. Read more>>
kenneth smith
Im Kenneth Smith owner/Founder of Fido’s Lair which is a digital store front for higher ticket dog product that are made in the USA. Fidos Lair support the American business. Fidos Lair list American made dog products of various brands but is 100% made in the USA. Our products may cost more than any marketplace but it’s better quality and craftsmanship than any mass production. Read more>>
Shunte Warren
Whatsupchic started 2016. I have always wanted to sell quality jewelry that would be timeless pieces and just decided to follow my passion. Read more>>
Brianna Ayala
Lux Sweets by Bri officially began in 2019, but my love for baking started long before that. From a young age, I was always in the kitchen baking for friends, family gatherings, and special occasions. What began as something I did for fun slowly turned into something much deeper. Read more>>
Derrick Keener
The very beginning was after my father’s sermons on Sunday afternoon. That’s where I first honed my skills. After that it was on the campus of Prairie View A&M University under the tutelage of Mr. C. Lee Turner. He told me that I was going to be a comedian and I believed him. Read more>>
Daunte Paschal
Daunte DeVon Paschal is a licensed professional barber originally from Northeast Portland and currently based in Dallas, TX. A proud graduate of Moler Barber College in downtown Portland, Daunte has played a pivotal role in training and employing many of the current barbers in the Portland Metropolitan area. Read more>>
Celene Garcia
I always dreamed about becoming a hairstylist since I was little. It hasn’t been easy. I wasn’t able to go to a beauty school right after graduating from high school, I had to work for a few years in another industry. Then I decided that it was the right time to go to Cosmetology school. Read more>>
Tiana Frazier
My story begins at the end of my sophomore year of college in 2011. Like many college students, I had no clear idea of what career path I wanted to pursue. I was quickly running out of time, having already completed all of the general education courses available to me without declaring a major. It felt as though no career path truly fit. Read more>>
Rodrick ulmer
My journey has been rooted in craft, consistency, and patience. I became professionally licensed in 2006 not because barbering was trendy, but because it demanded discipline and offered a direct way to serve people. Early on, I learned that mastering a craft—showing up every day, honing your skills, and taking pride in the details—creates momentum over time, even when progress feels stagnant. Read more>>
Kathy Kim
My love for boba tea started more than 25 years ago in California, long before most people even knew what boba was. What began as a simple treat quickly became something I genuinely connected with—an experience, a comfort, and eventually a passion that followed me everywhere I went. Read more>>
Jessica Gibson
I started my career in a physical therapy clinic, working with patients after they completed rehab but wanted to continue building strength and confidence through fitness. That experience really shaped me. I’ve since worked in a wide range of settings—large gyms, the YMCA, 24 Hour Fitness, and private studios—and each one helped define how I train today. Read more>>
Tabatha Polley
My Real Estate career began in 2008! Coming from Finance background I knew this was something I could take far, in 2012 I Opened Town & Country Relators through Keller Williams in Aubrey! Read more>>
Megan Winkler
I didn’t set out to become a burnout coach or energetic strategist. I started here because I watched too many brilliant women business owners burn themselves out trying to build success the ‘right’ way. My background is in strategy. I have an MBA and spent years working in marketing, SEO, and systems, helping businesses grow, optimize, and scale. Read more>>
Kristina Bynum
I started my journey right after high school, driven by a love for art, science, and humanities. I found cosmetology, and it quickly became the perfect intersection of all three for me. Read more>>
Chris Lofland
At a younger age, I was a gymnastics coach for many years. As a coach, I have always had a passion for fitness and working with clients. Read more>>
Tina Wolf
My story begins with a Springtime Beekeeping class given by a dear friend, Charles Shipp. I felt an affinity for Bees right away. Our class included the installation of bees into a hive, which was exhilarating! However, our bees froze to death that first winter. Read more>>
Michelle Reyes
I’m a culturally informed leadership coach, and I help high-capacity minority women be themselves and advance as leaders. My work grew out of my own experience as an Indian American woman, navigating spaces where I was constantly adapting, translating, and code-switching with ease, yet still feeling overlooked, under-recognized, or subtly sidelined. Over time, I realized the issue wasn’t a lack of competence or communication skill. Read more>>
David Detrinidad
I got inspired by other creators on instagram and I was doing YouTube at the time. So I thought why not make short form videos to get better at videos and also get paid doing it! Because I wanted to start a new job and why not do something I love. Read more>>
Kyree McClish
My career began at UPS as a Driver Trainer and Safety Manager—known internally as a Feeder On-Road Supervisor, a role reserved for the company’s top performers. It was there that I learned to train drivers the UPS way, where safety, discipline, and precision aren’t suggestions—they’re the standard. Read more>>
Leticia Salinas
My insurance career began twenty years ago as a Customer Service Representative for an Independent Insurance Agent in the Garland area. I was promoted to Office Manager six months later as the agency continued to grow. I never saw it as just a job, but rather as assisting clients in understanding insurance. I built strong relationships with my clients, and some became lifelong friends. Read more>>
