{"id":433769,"date":"2026-10-21T06:40:22","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T06:40:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/433769\/"},"modified":"2026-10-21T06:40:22","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T06:40:22","slug":"jacksonvilles-most-inspiring-stories-voyage-jacksonville-magazine-48","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/433769\/","title":{"rendered":"Jacksonville\u2019s Most Inspiring Stories \u2013 Voyage Jacksonville Magazine"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Sarah Kinney Kinney <\/p>\n

Skinney Craft Events actually started with my love of all things sparkly! \u2728 I started by selling bedazzled cups and cowboy hats, but I realized I wanted to share the experience of creating fun crafts together. I\u2019ve always loved the idea of event planning, and with my background in hospitality, I wanted to find a way to combine that passion with crafting. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Auretha Callison <\/p>\n

My name is Auretha, a small-town Iowa watercolor portrait artist who felt like a clunky nerd until an awakening to my own beauty and attractiveness in my 40\u2019s. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Carsh\u00e9nah Jefferson <\/p>\n

Verse Films Productions started out of my living room from my Jr. Studio apartment in West Toluca Lake, CA in October of 2010. I found myself using my camera and setting up shots and writing storylines and utilizing my living space as a studio and thought to myself, this is the start of something big. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Evan Fitzburgh <\/p>\n

Being from New Jersey and moving to Florida, our entire family missed good pizza. It became my life mission to bring it to Florida for both families who miss it as well and anybody else who just wants amazing pizza. I started making pizzas at 15 and now have a decade and a half of experience being 30 now. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Ian and Franchesca Edwards <\/p>\n

We are Franchesca and Ian Edwards, the husband-and-wife team behind The Affinity Studio, based in historic St. Augustine, Florida. Our backgrounds couldn\u2019t have been more different. Franchesca\u2019s journey began in Medell\u00edn, Colombia, before she moved to the United States at 18. Her passion for art, children, and photography eventually led her to specialize in newborn and family portraiture. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Mikayel Aslanyan <\/p>\n

My journey began in Yerevan, Armenia, where I was born and raised. With a Master\u2019s degree in Cybernetics and Automated Systems, I developed an early interest in technology, problem-solving, and finding better ways to make things work. That mindset eventually became the foundation of my entrepreneurial journey in the United States. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Tamera Hill <\/p>\n

My journey started in San Diego, CA back in 2006. It all began with a stage play, which I wrote, directed, and produced to a sold-out audience at the Lyceum Theater. Following this success, we embarked on a West Coast tour, bringing my plays to audiences across various cities for several years. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Rachel Layne <\/p>\n

I\u2019m originally from Nashville, Tennessee and was a yoga teacher and director of studios in Nashville for over 15 years. I became a massage Therapist in 2014, graduated from the Florida School of Massage in Gainesville, FL. Years later I decided to expand my services to head spa therapist, aesthetician, and permanent make up artistry. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Shelby Hodges <\/p>\n

I\u2019m a St. Augustine native, a second-generation REALTOR\u00ae, a wife, and a mom of four, and if you had told me years ago that I would eventually build a real estate business and team here in my hometown, I\u2019m not sure I would have believed you. My path into real estate definitely wasn\u2019t a straight line. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Kristen Tolerico <\/p>\n

I\u2019ve always loved the creativity that comes with doing hair and the opportunity to help people feel confident in themselves. Over the years, I\u2019ve grown as a stylist, continued learning, and found my passion in color, blonding, and curly hair. Eventually, I knew I wanted to create something of my own, which led me to open Firefly Hair Studio. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Kylie Stein <\/p>\n

I found yoga at 16, and it changed how I understood my own body. What started as a way to feel calmer and more at home in myself quickly became something I couldn\u2019t stop exploring. Movement gave me a language for strength, softness, and presence, and I wanted to keep learning it. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Fran Windeler <\/p>\n

The Artist\u2019s Story: Fran Windeler \u2018Art with a Pulse\u2019 (c) The language of art has always been the most natural one for me. My formal training culminated in a Fine Art degree, and in my younger years, I pursued the energy of freelance work, navigating the creative demands of diverse client projects. Eventually, I took a necessary detour into the corporate world. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Dominique Hatton <\/p>\n

My story is one of faith, resilience, determination, and transformation. I am a firm believer that where you start does not determine where you finish. Growing up as the fourth of five daughters in a single-parent household, I learned early the importance of strength, perseverance, and creating opportunities rather than waiting for them. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Mica Brown <\/p>\n

Lifted Dignity Foundation began with a personal experience. When my stepfather needed support, I saw how difficult it could be to find affordable housing that met his needs on a fixed income. That experience stayed with me and inspired me to help others facing similar challenges. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Rae\u2019Sheeda White <\/p>\n

Rae\u2019Sheeda White, a hospitality professional and Operations Corporate Management Trainee at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, with a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of the Virgin Islands. My journey in hospitality actually began in the 9th grade, when I started working at Josie\u2019s Special Events and Baker. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

George YUALL Harper <\/p>\n

GEORGE \u201cYUALL THE PLUGG\u201d HARPER JR. From Chicago Roots to Building a Creative Legacy Originally from Chicago, my journey has taken me through LaGrange and Atlanta, Georgia, and ultimately to Jacksonville, Florida. Each city has played a significant role in shaping who I am today, both personally and professionally. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Crystal Claiborne <\/p>\n

I started KCO JAX because I wanted friendships that would help me grow closer to Jesus. Jacksonville is where I came to know Him, and as my relationship with Him grew, I began wanting community with women who were pursuing Him too. I wanted friends to spend time with, have honest conversations with, and enjoy life with, while encouraging one another in our faith. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Jessica McIntee <\/p>\n

I started The Boss\u2019s Shop in 2018 to provide quality hair care services for clients with natural hair and protective styles. Over the years, The Boss\u2019s Shop has grown through different stages, including offering mobile services and operating from a brick-and-mortar location. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Emily Bourassa<\/p>\n

My journey into esthetics started with my own skin struggles. I dealt with acne as a teenager, and it brought its fair share of insecurities. When those issues resurfaced in my twenties, I was reminded of how much your skin can affect your confidence and even your quality of life. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

madeleine wagner <\/p>\n

I come from a family of creative problem solvers and weirdo visionaries. My dad built boats in the backyard, my mother drew and made prints, and from the time I was a kid, I was exposed to art and ideas. I was also expected to problem solve and experiment on my own. Like so many kids, I was also drawing and making stuff. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Samiie Rodriguez <\/p>\n

My journey with Johnnys Ice LA really began through my connection to Johnnys Ice & Co. The jewelry business was already established by Johnny, a professional jeweler with years of experience in the industry. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Arik Ancelin <\/p>\n

My journey into tattooing started with my own love for tattoos. As I got more tattoos myself, I became more curious about the art behind them and how they were created. I started wanting to understand the creative process and explore that side of my mind. For me, tattooing is also a form of healing. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Brianna Watson <\/p>\n

I have always held on to being creative in life. Whether through physical art, or mentally finding ways to uplift and decorate life itself. I\u2019ve uprooted a lot and each time I found my way back to art to explore so many avenues. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Christina Ralko <\/p>\n

I started Your Way Pediatrics because I wanted families to have care that felt personal, accessible, and centered on their needs. Specializing in pediatrics and psychiatric mental health, I\u2019ve seen how closely physical health, mental health, and family life are connected. My training in functional medicine has also shaped the way I listen, ask questions, and look for the factors contributing to a patient\u2019s symptoms. Read more>><\/a><\/p>\n

Trachele Shields <\/p>\n

Real estate has been a part of my professional life for almost two decades. I became licensed in Florida in 2008, and what started with traditional real estate eventually grew into experience across mortgage lending, underwriting, foreclosure, condo project review, property preservation, loss control, and other areas of the real estate and financial services industries. Read more>><\/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…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":433770,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[116,118,117],"class_list":["post-433769","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\/433769","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=433769"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/433769\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/433770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=433769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=433769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=433769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}