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.
Stacey Wilson
My college admissions story really begins with our son, Joshua. When he entered high school, I got my first real look at the college admissions process, and I quickly learned about its inequities. His school told us from day one that every student would, at the very least, complete calculus by 12th grade, specifically to strengthen their college applications. Read more>>
Josh Erwin
My mom always told me I was destined to be victorious. Not because of a prediction, a dream, or a lucky break, but because of the way I entered this world. When I was born, the umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck three times. By all accounts, I shouldn’t have made it through the delivery the way I did. But somehow, I did. Read more>>
Donathan Howard
As a Performing artist, I started out my dance career, my percussionist journey, and acting career in my church home at Friendship West Baptist Church in the drama, music ministry and Dance ministry. As a Kid I was inspired to dance, play music and act and train in martial arts by watching the hit 90s tv show Mighty Morphin Power Rangers! Read more>>
Brooks Barli
I first started playing the drums when I was one year old, and by the time I was three, I was already sitting in with a band. My grandparents, Barry and Annette Hicks, are both talented drummers and noticed my interest and talent at a very young age. My grandpa Barry plays guitar, bass, keyboards, and sings. Read more>>
Tom Nguyen
My name is Tom Nguyen, and I am the founder and lead photographer of 7th Story Wedding, a Dallas–Fort Worth-based wedding photography studio serving couples throughout Texas and beyond. My journey into wedding photography began with a love for preserving meaningful moments. I have always been drawn to the emotions, relationships, and small details that make each person’s story unique. Read more>>
Lorena Balaguer
My photography journey began long before I ever imagined it would become a business. Originally from Argentina, I have always been drawn to people, stories, and the moments that connect us. Photography started as a creative outlet and a way to preserve memories, but over time it became a true passion. Read more>>
Angela Lewis
I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, where my life changed when I reached six feet tall at just 12 years old. Being taller than most of my peers wasn’t always easy, but basketball gave me confidence, community, and a sense of purpose. Looking back, that experience became the foundation for the stories I would one day write. Basketball opened doors I never imagined. Read more>>
Kollin Kennedy
My journey with writing novels & poetry started out when I was very young: growing up in Louisiana, I was always writing short stories as a kid. I was very much inspired by Diary of a Wimpy Kid (haha). Read more>>
Amanda Garrison
My family is full of creatives and entrepreneurs. My parents were separated since I was 2 years old, and my mom was wonder woman, always working to make sure me and my brother had a roof over our head, but I spent most of my time with my grandparents growing up. Read more>>
Jax Romero
How I got where I am today is a very good question. I don’t know if its by chance or by decisions selectively made but it isn’t where I thought I would be. As a kid I always wanted to be in the medical field, a nurse in triage or in a small clinic. Two very opposite places to be. I wanted to help people. Read more>>
BIG J. ALL DAY
I don ‘t know where to begin.. lol Let’s see, I started in Houston, Texas making music and had a recording studio (5 Mics Recording Studio). Read more>>
Kia Wells
My name is Kia Wells, I am the owner of Fierce Faces Salon Suites. I am also a licensed esthetician/instructor and permanent makeup artist with over 14 years of experience in the beauty industry. My journey began with a love for makeup. What started as a passion for helping women feel beautiful quickly grew into a desire to understand the science behind healthy skin. Read more>>
SMUVE
People often ask me how I got started in music, but the truth is, it all began with a moment of inspiration when I was just 14 years old. After hearing Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III, especially the song “A Milli,” something clicked inside of me. Read more>>
Jedina Addison
I’ve been in the beauty and content creation industry for over 15 years. Originally from Oklahoma moved to Dallas. I started as a professional makeup artist while also pursuing my passion for plus-size fashion. More than ten years ago, I began creating content by participating in local fashion shows, modeling in plus-size photo shoots, and sharing my style online. Read more>>
John McGlothin
The arts have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a young boy, I started performing in church plays, where I played the lawyer during a production about the life of Jesus Christ. Read more>>
Steven Wayland
I was 15 years old when Cars and Coffee Dallas shut down their event permanently. I was a young and passionate enthusiast that was deeply saddened upon the realization that I might never be able to go again. All over the Internet, enthusiasts were distraught that there now wasn’t a place to go. I naïvely took it upon myself to change that reality. Read more>>
Jeff Felderhoff
I know I’m not alone when I say that my path to becoming a professional artist has been anything but linear. If, even as recently as two years ago, you were to ask me if I would be back in graduate school, this time for an MFA in Studio Art, I would say you were out of your mind for more reasons than one. Read more>>
Christian Alan Hansen
I never know where to begin when I tell my story. I grew up in South Elgin, Illinois — a town of about 22,000 people, not quite small but far from big. My childhood revolved around sports: football, soccer, baseball. Soccer was the one that owned my heart, probably thanks to the Brazilian blood I inherited from my dad’s side of the family. Read more>>
Heather Gill
I came to photography through food, and I came to food through a professional kitchen. Before I ever picked up a camera with intention, I was a classically trained chef – someone who understood what a dish was supposed to feel like before it was ever plated. That background never left me, and it continues to shape the way I approach every photograph I make. Read more>>
Britlee Adaramewa
It all started with me and a camera I got for Christmas in 2014 from my mom. At the time, I was 18. I was also a dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher, so naturally I started photographing dancers and anything creative that I could get my camera on. Read more>>
Russell Brightwell
I grew up in Houston. After a two-year stint at Rice University – initially majoring in Chemical Engineering and ultimately in Fine Art & English Literature – I moved to NYC to attend Parson School of Design studying Communications Design. After graduating Parsons, I went on to work as a creative in advertising in New York and London. Read more>>
Caitlyn Jablonowski
I’ve always wanted to help people, I just wasn’t sure how I wanted to do that. When I got to college, I was still trying to figure it out, and about halfway through my sophomore year I declared a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with the goal of eventually going to physical therapy school. Read more>>
Gracia Habre
My story actually starts much earlier than people expect. I was twelve years old, doing makeup on my sisters, mother and neighbours with no YouTube, no tutorials, nothing to learn from but instinct and curiosity. Looking back, I think that was the first sign of what I was meant to do. By the time I graduated university, that instinct had taken proper shape. Read more>>
Liz Truluck
I started with the work. My father owned an appliance store where he refurbished appliances by hand before later operating a refrigeration company and trade school. Read more>>
Henry Coke
Always The Alibi (also abbreviated as ATA) is an Alternative Rock band based out of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The group’s current line-up consists of vocalist/guitarist Henry Coke, lead guitarist Matt Wilson, bassist Nick Di Biasio, and drummer Richard Muenckler. Always The Alibi has released one full-length album, two EPs and eight singles. Read more>>
Erykah WIlliams
My love for baking started long before I ever imagined owning a business. As a kid, I would bake with my Grandma Retta, who would let me take home cakes to finish decorating on my own. Those moments sparked my love for decorating and gave me the confidence to be creative from an early age. Read more>>
Sarah Jane Semrad
I’m a longtime Dallas resident and have had a varied career that spans both the arts and nonprofit sectors. Over the years I’ve worked as an entrepreneur and community organizer with projects including Pigeon-Stone Project (2004-2005), Art Conspiracy (2005-2011) and La Reunion TX (2007-2012). Read more>>
Trinene Davis
My journey to my story is filled with trails, tribulations and revelations. It took me to almost lose my life to find my real God giving purpose and passion. By going through the hard lessons in life it helped me to better understand my faith, strength, courage and resilience. I am a mother who is also a visionary creator. Read more>>
Ivy Montgomery
I know now that it was destiny all along. I remember making doll clothes out of old underwear fabrics, and being obsessed with Barbie’s clothes at Toys -R-Us and imagining what I’d do with them if I could afford them. My first successful styling memory was around 6years old. My mama was shopping for an outfit to wear to a fish fry. Read more>>
Damarea Nakel Perkins
My story began at my granny’s house off Ann Arbor in Oak Cliff, Dallas, Texas. That house holds generations of strength. It is where my grandmother was raised, where my mother was raised, and where I was raised too. I come from a single-parent household, but I was never without love, guidance, or examples of resilience. Read more>>
Pamela Pantea
After experiencing a traumatic period in my life, I found comfort in singing gospel songs in my home. At the time, I had no formal vocal training and did not consider myself a singer. Yet over the course of about three years, something remarkable began to happen—my voice started to develop. Read more>>
La’Christian Harbert
DAIZED Hair (formerly known as The Chrissy Dai Hair co) started in 2021 during the Pandemic. While seeing many women unable to get a hair service, I started making ready-to-wear custom units. As the demand grew and we the Pandemic came to an end I decided to teach myself how to do wig installs. Read more>>
Demi Richardson
I’ve always been a creative at heart. I’m a content creator, creative director, and entrepreneur building Triple 9 Retreat, a boutique wellness retreat in the desert. What started as sharing my personal style and documenting everyday life online slowly evolved into building a brand and creating experiences that bring people together. I’m still in the building phase, which is honestly my favorite part. Read more>>
Mohammad Hasan
When I moved to the US from Palestine in 2014, I really missed the Mediterranean food back home and I’ve always loved cooking and sharing food but it’s scary to open up your own restaurant! I opened my first Moe’s Gyro location in Hurst, TX in May of 2018 after years of hesitancy and it’s been a great experience. Read more>>
Jaclyn Nguyen
After graduating in 2021 with a degree in marketing, I figured I’d land a normal 9-5 like everyone else and work remote. When that wasn’t panning out, I decided to create something for myself. I knew there were businesses out there that could use my support, so I got my start as a VA. Read more>>
Natalie Ramirez Galvan
Doñas Tacos was born from resilience, hard work, and a love for bringing people together through authentic Mexican food. What started as Doña’s small idea quickly became something much bigger than we ever imagined. In the beginning, we didn’t have a fancy setup. We started with a borrowed canopy, borrowed serving trays, and whatever equipment we could piece together. Read more>>
Jodii Bixx
My name is Joseph Martin, professionally known to to as Jodii Bixx. I am an independent recording artist, writer, producer, author, entrepreneur, and founder of NIMBL (National Independent Music & Business Label) Records [Aug 8th 2021] and Future Feature Films. Music has been a part of my life since childhood. Read more>>
Joseph Wayne Henry Love
My story began with a boy who dreamed to dance. Music is my life and with it came a passion for Fashion, Style, Modeling, and just about anything creative for this proud black gay man. I was blessed to have an older gay brother and more importantly a family who accepted me for who I was without prejudice. Read more>>
Aaron Brown
My story began long before I founded Brilliant Home Builders. Growing up around construction, I was introduced at an early age to the importance of craftsmanship, hard work, and doing things the right way. Some of my earliest memories are on a job site pushing a broom. Read more>>
Cameron Lee
I have always wanted to be an actor and during covid that dream got put on hold. I have also always been an anime fan and realized there was acting in that too and began developing my voice acting work from there. Read more>>
Dr. Ross Jordan
I’ve always believed exposure can change the trajectory of someone’s life because I’ve experienced it firsthand. I was born and raised in DeSoto, Texas, and so much of who I am today was built by the people, schools, and community that poured into me there. DeSoto is home. Read more>>
DeSiree Faith Che
Well, my fashion journey began when I was very young. Both my Maternal and Paternal grandmothers were heavily into fashion and style. My paternal grandmother, Jerline Moning was a popular hat designer in the Dallas area. Read more>>
Lusine Antonian
I started my journey as a makeup artist in 2020 while I was spending a lot of time at home. I’ve always loved makeup, but I never imagined it would become my career. At the time, before-and-after transformations and makeup tutorials were everywhere on social media, so I started experimenting with makeup and posting videos just for fun. Read more>>
Morghan Vincent
My name is Morghan Vincent, and I’m the founder of the MorghanElise brand and Rainbow Sprinkle Lemonade. My journey started with a simple lemonade stand, a big imagination, and the belief that I could create something that made people smile. Read more>>
Linica Skinner
Im Linica Skinner. Originally from Dayton, oh. I grew up in Little Rock. Ar and I currently reside in Dallas/ Fort Worth I’m the proud wife of Traveon Skinner and mother of 2 amazing kids and 5 awesome step kids. The world knows me as Chef Linica I own catering company . Taste Amaizeng specializing in seafood, soul food and brunch. Read more>>
Katie Burwell
My journey to Jack’s Basket is both personal and professional. For many years, I built my career in Talent Acquisition within the technology industry. I loved connecting people with opportunities and building meaningful relationships, but everything changed in 2022 when my youngest daughter, Tatum, was born with Down syndrome. Like many parents, our diagnosis came unexpectedly. Read more>>
Alondra Mejia
When people see Fades Of Passion Studio today, they see a thriving business. What they don’t always see are the sacrifices, the sleepless nights, the setbacks, and the unwavering belief that passion can carry you through moments when skill alone isn’t enough. Read more>>
Shannon Cairns
My career has definitely taken an unexpected path. I started my professional career as a foot and ankle surgeon, but after becoming a mom, I found myself searching for a way to build something that offered more flexibility for my family while still allowing me to make an impact. In 2017, I started a blog after realizing that ordinary moms were building successful businesses online. Read more>>
Dr. Jen Holt, PT, DPT
I graduated with my Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2014 from Carroll University in Waukesha, WI. I was really uncertain of what my specialty should be originally. In 2017 I started seeing more pregnant women and realized I loved helping women with pain during pregnancy. Read more>>
Briana Whiteside
I was a tenure-track English professor, concentrating in Black sci-fi, African American literature, and popular culture, and it was my childhood dream, the career that got me out of the inner city of Chicago. Months before I was set to go up for tenure and promotion, I knew it was over, though nothing external happened. Read more>>
Todd Bush
We owned resataurant catering company which I helped design and build the three restaruants and catering kitchens. We always had income properties which I would sub out or work myself. We sold the restaurants company in 2018 and I just segwayed into general contracting when one of my friends, who built the first Oliver’s suggested it to me. Read more>>
Isabel Kypuros
I’ve always loved home design. Long before social media, I was rearranging furniture, restyling rooms, and saving inspiration from magazines and Pinterest. I earned a degree in Home Furnishings Merchandising, worked for a home staging company, and became a Certified Home Staging Expert. For many years, I worked in talent acquisition and sourcing. Looking back, sourcing has always been a common thread in my life. Read more>>
Ron Ramy
Integrity 1st Car Pros really started with Kevin’s lifelong passion for cars. He was always a car junkie. Like a lot of people from that generation, the Fast & Furious era helped fuel the excitement, the culture, and the idea that cars were more than just transportation. They represented personality, creativity, discipline, and community. Read more>>
Yurenny Márquez
I was born and raised in Venezuela, where I earned a degree in Public Accounting and a master’s degree in Cost Accounting. While my education gave me a strong business foundation, I eventually discovered that my true passion was helping people feel confident in their own skin. After moving to the United States almost ten years ago, I had to start over. Read more>>
Ana Ayobiojo
My journey has been anything but traditional. I’m a former mental health provider (previously a mental health coach and years ago provided therapy under licensed supervision) with over a decade of experience walking alongside individuals and families through some of life’s hardest seasons. But before I was helping others heal, I had to face my own story. Read more>>
Nakeyia Wills
I picked up my first pair of clippers, back in 1991. I had 3 little brothers lol (target practice) lol . The fade back then wasn’t as popular as it is now! Lol ( Chilly Bowl Express). On a more serious note… I moved to Texas in 2015 from Michigan. I always maintained my Barber Skills along the way. Read more>>
Cristhian González
I’m a multidisciplinary creative from Colombia, born in Pereira, a city full of diversity and popular culture. My career began in advertising, where I spent over 11 years working across Colombia and Brazil as an Art Director and Creative Director. Read more>>
Jente Carter
When people see Denim By Jente today, they see the runway shows, the custom denim, the awards, and the opportunities. What they don’t always see is where it all began. My name is Jente Carter, and I’m the Founder and Creative Director of Denim By Jente. Read more>>
Joshua Molina
I started messing with cameras ever since I was 7 years old, my mom had an old Kodak camera that I loved messing around with and even brought it to school to take pictures of some events I have attended! My mom is a photographer and she was the one to introduce me to it since I always into the arts. Read more>>
John Partesius (aka Jonny Goodday)
I never set out to become a filmmaker. I simply fell in love with discovering stories that most people drive past every day without realizing their significance. What started in 2015 as a hobby with a camera has grown into a passion and a mission to preserve Texas history, architecture, and the people connected to it before those stories disappear. Read more>>
aisha ojha
The Mandala Dance began with a simple dream: to create a space where people of all ages could connect with Nepali and Bollywood \ culture, build confidence, and experience the joy of dance. What started as a small community class with just a handful of students has grown through word of mouth, hard work, and the incredible support of our families. Read more>>
Abigail Rich
Abigail was born in Dallas, Texas, and was abandoned by her mother when she was just two months old. She spent her childhood growing up in foster homes until the age of 17. Despite the challenges she faced, Abigail always knew she wanted to dedicate her life to helping others. Read more>>
Ana Maria Braswell
I’ve been a nurse for 18 years and spent the majority of my career as a pediatric RN. This year my aesthetic dream became a reality with the help of my husband, Rich and mentor, Skoty Jecker, RN. The one on one detailed preceptorship really gave me the confidence to serve my community in my own home aesthetic studio. I’ve partnered with Elevated Medical Beauty/Dr. Read more>>
Mahnoor Mukhtar
My journey into content creation was never part of the plan. I’ve always loved cooking, but I wanted to make recipes that felt approachable for everyday people, especially those who are busy, intimidated by complicated recipes, or simply don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. Read more>>
Aquancia Jones
From the beginning, CBE has believed that creativity extends beyond art—it’s also about education, problem-solving, leadership, and financial empowerment. That’s why our very first event, Meeting Millionaires, connected college students with financial planners and advisors to help them better understand assets, liabilities, and the foundations of building wealth. Read more>>
Adreana Washington
My story is really a journey of resilience, finding my footing, and discovering how to turn my personal healing into my biggest purpose. Growing up, I had to grow up fast. I lost my dad completely out of the blue when I was 11, and just a year later, my mom passed away from cancer. Read more>>
Matthew Johnson
My creative journey started back in 2016. What began as making music with friends slowly grew into something much bigger. In 2020, during the COVID pandemic, one of my best friends, Brad, encouraged me to start releasing my music on all streaming platforms. That was the turning point. Read more>>
Nick Stracener
I got my musical start playing saxophone. I earned a scholarship for it and played through college, which really built my love for performing and connecting with music on a deeper level. During the early days of COVID, I decided to teach myself DJing through online courses. I put together my first set, uploaded it to SoundCloud, and just kept creating. Read more>>
Serene-Marie Washburn
My journey with Aspen Tibet began years ago while I was working at the Aspen Club and Spa. I had the profound privilege of encountering Tibetan Buddhist monks from Gaden Shartse Monastery performing a sacred ceremony atop Aspen Mountain in the Roaring Fork Valley in the summer of 1999. Participating in the ritual filled me with an extraordinary sense of peace and familiar connection. Read more>>
Regina Maloy
I began my entrepreneurial journey at just 22 years old by opening a beauty salon and building a successful hair extension business. For nearly five years, I operated a cash-flow-based business that taught me invaluable lessons about customer service, business ownership, and resilience. When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the beauty industry in 2020, I made the difficult decision to close my salon. Read more>>
Victor Musa
I’ve been in the creative industry for almost 17 years now, starting out in graphic design before branching into cinematography, photography, and 2D/3D animation. Over time I built up a full skill set across video production and visual design, and more recently I moved deep into AI content production, which has become a huge part of what I do now. Read more>>
Carolina Portillo
I’m originally an accountant and moved to the United States 19 years ago with my husband and our two daughters in search of new opportunities. After arriving, I transitioned into the field of education, where I have spent my career serving and advocating for the bilingual community. In 2023, our family launched a small side business in the event rental industry. Read more>>
Shivi Kumar
I am a neuroscience researcher, global health advocate, and the Founder and Executive Director of Mind Matters Foundation, a youth-led international nonprofit advancing brain health through research, education, advocacy, and policy. My work focuses on computational neuro-oncology and translational medicine, developing novel precision therapeutics for glioblastoma and other neurological diseases while working to ensure scientific innovation reaches the communities that need it most. Read more>>
Whitney Adegoke
Growing up, some of my happiest memories centered around food and family. I come from a beautiful lineage of Southern women, where making sure loved ones were fed wasn’t just a responsibility—it was a love language. Read more>>
Laci Kagey
I am currently located in Royse City, Texas, an implant from a very small town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I’m a full time mother and traveling lash tech who recently began my journey as an author, with my first romantic suspense novel releasing in June last year. Read more>>
Serah Prince
Like many photographers, my journey didn’t begin with a business plan—it began with my children. I was simply a mom with a camera who wanted to capture the little moments that seemed to pass by far too quickly. I loved documenting birthdays, milestones, and everyday memories, but before long I realized I wanted to create images that would stand the test of time. Read more>>
Chase Lloyd
The last four years have been about building something real. I’m a performance coach working primarily with first responders, executives, and high-performers through my company, Battle-Tested Performance Coaching. The work is rooted in the idea that true performance isn’t just physical, it’s mental, emotional, and philosophical. Read more>>
Paola Sottanis
Silent Book Club Genova started in December 2019, when Ilaria and Erika came across an article in The Post about the Silent Book Club movement. They immediately fell in love with the idea: a book club without assigned books, homework or pressure—just people reading together in silence and connecting afterwards if they felt like it. Read more>>
