{"id":288569,"date":"2026-05-29T05:53:40","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T05:53:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/288569\/"},"modified":"2026-05-29T05:53:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T05:53:40","slug":"jacksonvilles-most-inspiring-stories-voyage-jacksonville-magazine-28","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/288569\/","title":{"rendered":"Jacksonville\u2019s Most Inspiring Stories \u2013 Voyage Jacksonville Magazine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we\u2019ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can\u2019t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below.<\/p>\n<p>Nadia Grigorchuk<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779367052456-personal_1779367052352_1779367052352_nadia_grigorchuk_db_07197.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I discovered my love for flowers at a young age. Growing up in Portland, I began spending weekends helping our neighbors who sold flowers by processing and cleaning blooms. After a few months, they trusted me to start creating bouquets, and that\u2019s where my passion for floral design truly began. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/meet-nadia-grigorchuk-of-jacksonville-fl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Melissa McGarry<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779303840430-personal_1779303840333_1779303840333_melissa_mcgarry_7l6a1274-copy-2.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I started my photography business when I was just 15 years old after discovering my passion for photography and realizing almost immediately that I wanted to turn it into a career. Throughout high school, I took on a variety of freelance photography work while trying to figure out where I truly fit creatively. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/check-out-melissa-mcgarrys-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Morgan Gad<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779200163281-personal_1779200163200_1779200163200_morgan_gad_gallery-ny-opening.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My professional journey has been shaped by a deep curiosity about consciousness, healing, history, science, and the relationship between mind and body. Over the years, my path evolved into an interdisciplinary blend of education, writing, holistic wellness, research, and consciousness-based studies. What has always remained constant is my passion for helping people better understand themselves and their potential for growth and healing. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/life-work-with-morgan-gad-of-jacksonville-fl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Orland Ruiz<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779230651127-personal_1779230649628_1779230649628_orland_ruiz_20250831_142302.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My story (Nimsay Rivera Gonzalez) begins inside one of the largest pet\u2011care corporations in the country, where I spent years building my career from the ground up. I started as a bather, worked my way through every level of the grooming department, and eventually became a Pet Grooming Manager, responsible for leading teams, shaping salon culture, and ensuring pets received the highest standard of care.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-orland-ruiz-of-jeepees-spaw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cornishia Gooden<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779228983851-personal_1779228979025_1779228979025_cornishia_gooden_corn-headshot.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>From an early stage in my life, I\u2019ve always felt drawn to supporting others through life\u2019s challenges and creating safe spaces where people feel seen, heard, and understood. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida A&amp;M University and went on to complete my Master\u2019s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from University of North Florida. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/meet-cornishia-gooden-of-visions-of-hope-counseling-and-social-services-llc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Anadonis Nephilim<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779225417992-personal_1779225386637_1779225386637_anadonis_nephilim_dsc00096.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Cosmically Charmed Shop was birthed when one day one of the primary emblems descended to me from the creative stratosphere while I was doodling a design based around astrology through Adobe Photoshop. It would turn out to be my highest quality design. Over time, more designs emerged, with their own significant energy to the sign which it represented. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/life-work-with-anadonis-nephilim-of-jacksonville-fl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>James Hardy<\/p>\n<p>My Story of Becoming a Photographer Growing up in the 1980s, I was always intrigued and fascinated by cameras. I was about 10 years old when I got my first film camera from a garage sale. It was so long ago that I can\u2019t remember the exact model, but it was made by Kodak and came with a few rolls of 35mm film. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/life-work-with-james-hardy-of-jacksonville-fl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Nathanial Fowler<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779209406479-personal_1779209406440_1779209406440_nathanial_fowler_e362d1cb-83dc-4917-8b7f-7aebe1.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Our story: Fowler Family Chiropractic was built from a simple belief: healthcare should feel personal, approachable, and centered around helping people truly live better lives. For Dr. Nate and Dr. Allison, chiropractic care was never just about quick adjustments or temporary relief. From the very beginning, the vision was bigger than that. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/inspiring-conversations-with-nathanial-fowler-of-fowler-family-chiropractic-llc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Blake Briand<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779198946586-personal_1779198948110_1779198948110_blake_briand_archway-dining-setup.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Archway Events started after a few years of running a custom fabrication business with my dad. I wanted to build something that was scalable and could grow into a larger company over time, but still stay connected to craftsmanship. One thing I always disliked about custom fabrication was spending weeks building something beautiful, delivering it, and then never seeing it again.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/life-work-with-blake-briand-of-jacksonville-fl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ahyanna Nakia<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779153292640-personal_1779153292060_1779153292060_ahyanna_nakia_ahyanna-nakia-.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My creative energy was passed down to me from my father, who encouraged me to appreciate art through geometric patterns, textiles, and design. As a self-taught jewelry designer and textile artist, I continue to explore ways to manipulate remnant fabrics and raw materials into unique creations. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/meet-ahyanna-of-national\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Craig Necker<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779146173384-personal_1779146172251_1779146172250_craig_necker_519408723_1300006281730136_5773477.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I started tattooing in 2010. I was a single father barely making ends meet so I started tattooing out of my garage to supplement my income. I opened my first shop Under Your Skin Tattoos in 2012 in Central City, Nebraska then Palmer, Nebraska in 2014. During the covid shutdowns of 2020 my wife and I decided to move our family to Florida. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/inspiring-conversations-with-craig-necker-of-under-your-skin-tattoos\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Brianna Macella (MACXLLA)<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779070857802-personal_1779070857711_1779070857711_brianna_macellamacxlla_6432f32e-04c7-4a26-bb21-.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m originally from Jacksonville, Florida, and later moved to Orlando for college, where I began my journey in poetry. My passion for poetry eventually led me to the world of spoken word, which seamlessly transitioned into music. I started by rewriting my favorite songs and, over time, began crafting my own lyrics to instrumentals. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/life-work-with-brianna-macella-macxlla-of-jacksonville-fl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ephraim Badea<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779064397457-personal_1779064397301_1779064397301_ephraim_badea_haunt1.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I started as an Educational tour guide for a local tour company working with fourth grade children,teachers and chaperones. As a guide you have to know our Cities history, so this is accomplished by studying the provided history material that the City provides. Once you feel confident that you know the material you needed to take a test. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/daily-inspiration-meet-ephraim-badea\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Mecca thA Marvelous<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779033009064-personal_1779033009010_1779033009010_meccatha_marvelous_mecca-1.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Growing up I didn\u2019t get the chance to express myself as much as i wanted to, being the youngest of 6 kids growing up. I found music when i was 11 &amp; that became a way to express myself &amp; my feelings. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/check-out-mecca-tha-marvelouss-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Paulami Guha<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1778976373352-personal_1778976373243_1778976373243_paulami_guha_paulami-guha.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I rebuilt my entire professional life in the United States from the ground up after already completing my medical education and residency training in India. Repeating years of training, competing again for residency as an international medical graduate, and then pursuing a surgical fellowship required not only intelligence and skill, but also persistence, resilience, and endurance. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/inspiring-conversations-with-paulami-guha-of-north-florida-gynecology-specialists-llc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Raquel Rub\u00ed<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1778934667783-personal_1778934667442_1778934667442_raquel_rub_img_6912.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m a Cuban soprano and artist. My musical background and education started at the early age of 7 in Havana. I studied Piano and Composition with the prestigious Harold Gramatges. Later, in South Florida, USA, I continued my studies in Vocal Performance, achieving a Master\u2019s and Doctorate in Musical Arts. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/check-out-raquel-rubis-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Jennifer Sanzo<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1778873024352-personal_1778873023762_1778873023762_jennifer_sanzo_dsc_6338.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Hello there! I\u2019m Jenny Sanzo, a multi-passionate entrepreneur with a less than linear career path. How did I end up owning a bookish clothing boutique and leading a team of thousands in the social selling space? Well, it\u2019s been a bit of a journey, and it all started with a blog called Flower City Fashionista. I\u2019m a big proponent of massive messy action. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/inspiring-conversations-with-jennifer-sanzo-of-get-lit-boutique\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>John Lumpkin II<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1778866796742-personal_1778866796609_1778866796609_john_lumpkinii_img_2051.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>From Grammy-nominated artists and producers to the next generation of jazz innovators, John Lumpkin has established himself as one of the leading pillars of the Southeast\u2019s music scene. His diverse musical endeavors span world music, jazz, and gospel, drawing inspiration from legendary drummers like Elvin Jones, Chris \u2018Daddy\u2019 Dave, and Ahmir \u2018Questlove\u2019 Thompson.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/conversations-with-john-lumpkin-ii\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Krystle Martin<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1778860529566-personal_1778860529441_1778860529441_krystle_martin_kmsfcc.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My journey into healthcare and entrepreneurship has been anything but traditional. I started in healthcare over 10 years ago as a medical assistant and quickly realized how much I loved building relationships with patients and helping people feel genuinely cared for. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/meet-krystle-martin-of-sanford-family-care-center-llc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Emma Forgette<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1778856770739-personal_1778856770634_1778856770634_emma_forgette_ac1_9333-copy2-2.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Music has always been a big part of my life. I started playing flute in fifth grade and was always first chair, so even before singing, music was something I really loved and worked hard at. I didn\u2019t start pursuing country music until my junior year of high school. Once I started performing and writing songs, I realized it was what I wanted to do.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/meet-emma-forgette-of-jacksonville-fl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Emichael Bethel<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1778691741853-personal_1778691740523_1778691740523_emichael_bethel_48681f29-c4e7-48c8-82f5-805f35d.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My story honestly starts with pain, loss, adversity and learning how to turn all of that into purpose. I grew up on the Westside of Jacksonville and experienced a lot early on. I lost my father to violence before I ever really had the chance to know him, and throughout life I also lost my brother and grandfather. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/life-work-with-emichael-bethel-of-jacksonville-fl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Robyn Yonn<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779283174961-personal_1779283174830_1779283174830_robyn_yonn_robyn-yonn.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Hi, I\u2019m Robyn, the Founder and Lead Designer behind Mar\u00e9e Paper Studio LLC, a luxury wedding stationery studio inspired by timeless details, refined typography, and intentional design. My entrepreneurial journey first began in 2018 with a custom embroidery and screen-printing business, where I discovered a love for creativity, branding, and craftsmanship. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/hidden-gems-meet-robyn-yonn-of-maree-paper-studio\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Miles Cooper<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779211338927-personal_1779211338804_1779211338804_miles_cooper_dsc_1605.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I started off as a bouncer here in Jacksonville, I crossed paths with several amazing DJs, including Omy The DJ, Teezy McGrady, and NickFresh. Given my lifelong love for music, I asked them all \u201cwhat sparked your interest in DJing?\u201d and with that found that our stories all started off similar.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/meet-miles-cooper-of-jacksonville-fl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>John Monarch<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779210437912-personal_1779210437766_1779210437766_john_monarch_dylan-m-img_2116.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I grew up in a small town in western Pennsylvania. When I saw MTV for the first time I decided I wanted to play guitar. At the age of 16, my mom got me a cheap electric guitar and I began taking lessons at a local music shop. Some friends and I formed a band and within months we were playing house parties. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/meet-john-of-jax-guitar-lessons\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Mark Williams<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779207080207-personal_1779207079857_markcd.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Ray Lewis had been promoting shows in Jacksonville and throughout Florida for years. As a musician I was happy to get to perform in some of them. About 13 years ago Ray was looking for a new place to open up a listening room in Jacksonville, for mainly acoustic music. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/life-work-with-mark-williams-of-jacksonville-fl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Swancia Brunson<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779195290177-personal_1779195290072_1779195290072_swancia_brunson_img_7238.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve always done hair since my teenage years for extra money. In my early 20\u2019s One of my clients told me I should go to cosmetology school and I finally did. I was licensed for five years before I opened Bombshell. I opened a salon because I wanted a team of women who respected and appreciated one another. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-swancia-brunson-of-bombshell-beauty-salon\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Jordan Mixson<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779197184682-personal_1779197184371_1779197184371_jordan_mixson_3018.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Part of what pushed me to create The Mixson Method was the clear void in North Florida\u2019s talent ecosystem. Producers and brands were constantly searching for well\u2011rounded male models, yet the pool here in Jacksonville was thin and underdeveloped. Female models needed more visibility too, but there wasn\u2019t an agency in the area that leaned editorial while still understanding commercial versatility.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-jordan-mixson-of-the-mixson-method\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Annie &amp; Dave Weeks<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1778604083006-personal_1778604081738_1778604081738_annie_weeks_img_4709.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dave and I both grew up as theater-loving kids with a passion for performing and storytelling. After college, we each pursued careers in the arts, searching for a path would allow us to combine creativity, connection, and meaningful work. We discovered ballroom dancing and Arthur Murray and were immediately captivated. What began as a shared passion evolved into our profession. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/hidden-gems-meet-annie-dave-weeks-of-arthur-murray-ponte-vedra-beach\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Tina Arniotis<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1778590222309-personal_1778590222212_1778590222212_tina_arniotis_img_5531.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Born and raised in Queens, New York, Tina Arniotis spent over 40 years immersed in the fast-paced energy and nightlife of NYC. In 2021, she traded city lights for sunshine, relocating to Jacksonville, Florida to be closer to her youngest brother. But slowing down? That was never really her style. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/meet-tina-arniotis-of-jacksonville-fl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Alto Daniels<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1778129072692-personal_1778129072399_1778129072399_alto_daniels_img_6789.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>KNA Accessories began as a Jacksonville-based firearms and safety training company focused on responsible firearm ownership, education, and community safety. The company was founded under the leadership of Alto Daniels, a certified firearm instructor and combat veteran with multiple certifications through organizations such as the USCCA, NRA and NAAGA. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/check-out-alto-danielss-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Abdul-Hai Thomas, Ed.D.<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1777983179770-personal_1777983182362_1777983182362_abdulhai_thomas_voyage-magazine.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Garage Veterans was built on what I learned as a Marine Corps infantryman and squad leader during Operation Enduring and Operation Iraqi Freedom. That service shapes how we operate. After I got home, I built a life here in Jacksonville. In 2018, my wife, my daughter, and I bought our first home. We hired a contractor for a two-day job that took two months. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/conversations-with-abdul-hai-thomas-ed-d\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kenetra Saintilaire<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1778632692837-personal_1778632694769_1778632694769_kenetra_saintilaire_573589933_17918072928194175.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>As a wife, mother of three, entrepreneur, certified life coach, and creative, I understood what it felt like to constantly pour into others while neglecting moments of rest and reflection for myself. Over time, I realized that creativity was more than just painting or crafting it became a form of peace, connection, and restoration.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/meet-kenetra-saintilaire-of-other\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>DeVonderick Johnson<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1778525775346-personal_1778525775996_1778525775996_devonderick_johnson_629448247_26144292945183389.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Black Galaxy Ent was founded back in 2008 and was originally just the name of a group of friends who shared a passion for making music together. Music was always a major part of our lives, and we spent countless hours creating, recording, and building our sound together. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-devonderick-johnson-of-black-galaxy-ent-llc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Peggy Jones<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779054098074-personal_1779054097972_1779054097972_peggy_jones_peggy.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>We lost Wendy Judeen Owens on January 26. In 2004, at the age of 31, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The loss was devastating to our family. From the emptiness of grief, Unity Outreach, Inc. was founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on August 22, 2006, in St. Augustine, Florida. Unity Outreach, copyright logo \u2013 PINK RIBBON \u2013 For breast cancer support and awareness. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/exploring-life-business-with-peggy-jones-of-unity-outreach-inc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Shane Hostetler<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1778596407180-personal_1778596409057_1778596409057_shane_hostetler_lane_jewelers-10.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Down a gravel lane in Ohio, Shane and Holly Hostetler began their love story as childhood neighbors. That lane would became the namesake for Lane Jewelers, a place where they now help others shape their own stories, this time set in gold. Shane began working with jewelry in Ohio when he purchased a jewelry store.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/inspiring-conversations-with-shane-hostetler-of-lane-jewelers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Stefan Bernhard<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1778860657396-personal_1778860657027_1778860657027_stefan_bernhard_stefanbernhardheadshot-3.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I am originally from New Orleans, a city that shaped my identity. It is a place where architecture, music, storied history, and famous cuisine are closely linked. Growing up in this environment left a strong impression on my artistic sensibilities. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina deepened that awareness more personally. Seeing familiar places suddenly vanish altered how I understood the places we inhabit. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/hidden-gems-meet-stefan-bernhard-of-bernhard-visuals\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Andrea Moccio<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1778611321587-personal_1778611321013_1778611321013_andrea_moccio_img_8418.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My name is Andrea Moccio, and I\u2019m a wellness entrepreneur, esthetician, creator, and social media consultant passionate about helping women rebuild their confidence, reconnect with themselves, and heal from the inside out. My journey into wellness and aesthetics wasn\u2019t just a career change\u2014it was personal.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/hidden-gems-meet-andrea-moccio-of-reglow-by-dre-glowupandgoaldig\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Pete Masitti<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1778267507788-personal_1778267507663_1778267507663_pete_masitti_david_carvajal-47.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Looking back, my entire music career was inspired by a completely random encounter when I was in seventh grade. At that age, I used to spend Saturdays at a boys club run by a seminary in northern New Jersey.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/daily-inspiration-meet-pete-masitti\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Fran Pitre<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1779316297364-personal_1779316297219_1779316297219_fran_pitre_franpitrepromophoto.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Born and raised in upstate NY, then in Louisiana outside of New Orleans, I\u2019ve been involved in music since childhood, singing in church choirs and playing the lead in My Fair Lady at age 13, then again at 17. I stayed involved in college musical theater while completing my degree in communication design. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/meet-fran-pitre-of-jacksonville-fl\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Jaimie Baptista<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1778866172657-personal_1778866174219_1778866174219_jaimie_baptista_4433.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Our whole story started in October 2006 when my husband and I started dating at the ripe ages of 18 &amp; 16. We both had met while working in a Portuguese bakery. Our lives and personalities couldn\u2019t have been more different but yet opposites attract. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-jaimie-baptista-of-deja-brew-coffee\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Alexis Legg<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1777995071938-personal_1777995071402_1777995071402_alexis_legg_img_1551.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I have been a stay at home mom since my husband and I began growing our family. We now have 4 daughters (YES, ALL GIRLS) ages 8 years old, 4 years old, 2 years old and 6 months old.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/exploring-life-business-with-alexis-legg-of-big-bows-tiny-toes-llc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Mandi Kelloway<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c-1777573482541-personal_1777573482018_1777573482018_mandi_kelloway_kelloways-0937.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m a Jacksonville girl through and through, and I\u2019ve spent the last 25 years doing what I love in the beauty industry. Four years ago, I took over San Marco Strands from my mom and finally got to do something I had dreamed about since I was a little girl. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagejacksonville.com\/interview\/exploring-life-business-with-mandi-kelloway-of-salon-on-the-southbank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":180549,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[116,118,117],"class_list":["post-288569","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-jacksonville","tag-jacksonville","tag-jacksonville-headlines","tag-jacksonville-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/288569","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=288569"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/288569\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/180549"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=288569"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=288569"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=288569"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}