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.

Lena Di

I was born in Russia and raised in New York, and I think that shaped how I see. When you grow up between two places, you learn to watch closely: the light, the gestures, the small moments that tell you where you are and whether you belong. Read more>>

Arthur Gregg

Raised in a single-parent home by a dedicated, deeply faithful mother who frequently sacrificed her own needs to provide for her family, the journey began as the youngest of five siblings. With a significant age gap between them, childhood often felt solitary, much like growing up as an only child. Read more>>

Lee Virden Geurkink

Tanglewood Moms started over 15 years ago as a simple neighborhood moms group. It quickly became what has been called a ‘local business Angie’s List.’ Originally, the group was limited to women living in the Tanglewood area of Fort Worth, but now it’s open to any woman living in Fort Worth and Aledo, and we have almost 34,000 members. Read more>>

Thamanna kalai

My name is Thamanna Kalai, and I’m an Indian immigrant from Chennai, a mom of two boys, and a content creator living in the United States. My journey began with digital marketing in my 30s. Exploring that field introduced me to the possibilities of creating and sharing content online and gradually led me toward content creation and working with brands. Read more>>

Shola Agbesola

Always being in church I’ve always seen people take photos, and was always very interested so in 2020 I picked up a camera for the first time and started to learn how to take photos. When I first started my pictures never came out the way I wanted them to, which was always a bit frustrating. Read more>>

Chasity Collins

I started in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where Rise Up Productions was born. Photography began as a love for capturing people as they really are, and it grew into a business built almost entirely on word of mouth. My clients trusted me, and that trust carried me further than any ad ever could. I moved to Dallas, Texas to reach for more. Read more>>

Ellen Ogden

What a question! I’ve always been a sensitive person, noticing nuance in my environment, and making things has always been an avenue to temper the rush of input into that sensitive reception. I studied art and art history in college, enjoying writing and the thought of investigating and digesting information in a curatorial role. Read more>>

Amy Bourgeois

I’ve been an artist for as far back as I can remember. My grandmother always made materials and tools available to me and really fostered my creative streak. From painting to sewing and everything in between, I have tried my hand at it and incorporated it in my work. Clay and small sculpture became a favorite medium of mine nearly 3 decades ago. Read more>>

Sarah White

My journey into fitness and entrepreneurship really began back in 2018. When I first launched OROCK Sculpted Fitness, I was working with clients in person. Specifically helping woman move better, build strength, and feel confident in their bodies. I loved the energy of hands-on coaching, but as my life, career, and family expanded over the years, my approach to fitness evolved too. Read more>>

Lupe Zamora

I’ve been fortunate enough to share my journey with Voyage Dallas several times over the years, and I think what’s so special about that is being able to look back and see how much I’ve grown, not just personally, but as a photographer and business owner. Photography has been a huge part of my life for years. Read more>>

Masha Shapovalova

I grew up in a conservative family where education was practically a religion. You know the stereotype of the Asian tiger mom? Mine was pretty close. (She’s wonderful. Read more>>

Lui Nagase

I started classical ballet when I was very young. Although I never really imagined myself becoming a professional dancer, quitting was never something I considered, so I simply kept dancing. When I was in high school, I learned about a newly established public high school specializing in the arts in Tokyo, where I discovered contemporary dance. Read more>>

Lavonte Crook

My brand is a viral Lifestyle Clothing Line along with partnering with my friends and starting our own podcast Behind The Kix.I got the concept by just observing different people’s fashion sense. While traveling across different states. I noticed each individual is an Artist. A Viral lifestyle clothing line that stands for the Artist inside everyday people. Read more>>

Sade Spears

If there’s one thing I’ve learned throughout my journey, it’s that becoming who God created you to be is a process. My story has been one of faith, growth, resilience, and constantly evolving. Read more>>

Andrea Maddox

The Story of MVP Rehabilitation & Integrative Services Andrea Maddox, DVM, began her veterinary career in traditional small-animal medicine after graduating from the University of Tennessee in 2009. For several years, she practiced general veterinary medicine, using the conventional tools available to help her patients live healthier lives. Read more>>

Sameera Smith

Some brands are built in boardrooms. MeeraLuxe Beauty and Extensions was built in bedrooms, bathrooms, and borrowed time between basketball practices and a grief that had no schedule. I grew up in Prince George’s County, Maryland. As a young black girl and for a long time I was not confident in my own texture. Coarse, thick, full, high maintenance, and entirely my own. Read more>>

Coleena Heath

It’s funny how life takes you in directions you never expected. If you had told me back in 1995 that one Australian Shepherd would eventually lead me to owning three dog grooming salons in Texas, I probably would have laughed. But that’s pretty much how it happened. Read more>>

Tina Loren

I’m Tina Loren, founder and CEO of Tina Loren Agency, and I’m building a female-led life and health insurance agency where women develop meaningful careers by helping firefighter families protect their financial futures. The connection is intentional: as women become skilled professionals and leaders, we can reach more families and help both create greater financial security. Read more>>

Kyle and Ashlee Cowan

After 26 years in the restaurant buisness and what started as a hobby we created Houston Armstrong Designs a custom leather buisness. We make durable leather goods with an old world style including custom holsters, belts, wallets, knife sheaths, and many other items. Read more>>

Anjel Coleman

Who would have thought that the little girl standing in her pack-and-play for a photo in her mother’s salon 38 years ago would one day become a beauty professional herself? I guess when you’re raised in it, you can’t help but embrace the gift. Hello! My name is Anjel Coleman, and I am the proud owner of Anjelic Artistry Beautique in beautiful Frisco, Texas. Read more>>

Steve Platt

OptionsPlayers.com began with a simple idea: share thoughtful investment ideas, proven strategies and clear plans with people who wanted to become better traders and investors. Before OP existed, I was an active participant on social media, regularly posting my investment thoughts, market outlooks and trading plans. As my track record continued to speak for itself, the audience grew rapidly. Read more>>

Ken’Nadi Broussard

I began my modeling journey in 2018 while attending college, and over the past eight years, I’ve had the opportunity to explore various facets of the industry, including commercial, print, bridal, creative/editorial, and runway modeling. My experience has allowed me to develop versatility, confidence, and the ability to bring a unique energy and perspective to every project. Read more>>

Ron Smith

Two co-owners, two very different stories. But one common goal. Co-Owner Nana Gaines, finished secretarial school (when they had secretarial schools) and got a job at an architectural firm and worked her way up to become the office manager there and decided to go back and get her accounting degree.. She always knew and understood the architectural business. Read more>>

Ayala Donchin

I started Evelyn’s Kitchen in my home in 2009, following a longtime passion for food. I launched EK after spending 15 years working in sports and entertainment and the relationships I’d built throughout that career helped get the business off the ground through early clients, referrals, and opportunities. What began in my home grew into a neighborhood cafe, bakery, and catering business. Read more>>

Gillian Cabanski

Our Story Two Moms. All the Chaos. No Filter. It all started with a friendship, a few voice notes, and a whole lot of chaos. We’re Gillian and Andrea, two moms who never set out to start a podcast. We were just two women trying to navigate the beautiful, messy, hilarious, and sometimes completely overwhelming realities of life. Our story started through a mutual connection. Read more>>

Derricka Smith

I started out as a teenager doing hair , and learning all the latest hairstyles to do on people in my neighborhood an friends of friends. I wanted to have something to help clients hair grow,so I then made my own hair oil. Then I got interested in pursuing a Beauty &Cosmetics business. Read more>>

Juli McEachern-Havens

Julie McEachern-Havens is a Dallas-based ceramic and mixed-media artist whose work explores memory, feminine autonomy, social awareness, and humanity’s connection to the natural world. Through sculpture, installation, and mixed-media forms, she investigates the emotional and often unseen forces that shape personal and collective experience. Read more>>

LAKEISHA HOWARD

My journey began with a desire to create something I did not see enough of in the cigar industry—a premium cigar brand that intentionally recognized women while still welcoming every adult cigar enthusiast. As a woman who appreciates cigar culture, I noticed that very few cigars were created with women specifically in mind. Read more>>

Nehemiah Green

I am a Dallas based creative, artist, entrepreneur, and now a model. Never had I a clear blueprint on the depiction of my life, but a strong desire to create and to express myself. Using muses through music, fashion, designing shoes, photography, or anything that filled the void of my potential. Music was one of the first places where i found myself. Read more>>

Kombetta Miles

My Journey, My Passion, My Purpose Where do I begin? My love for the beauty industry started at the tender age of 10, and believe it or not, my very first clients were my dolls! By 13, I had practically transformed my mother and father’s home into a bustling little hair salon every Saturday morning. Read more>>

Kamika Allen

I scheduled an appointment with my primary doctor on January 14, 2019; because my cousin Keisha and best friend Stacy encouraged me to go to the doctor. I had been noticing a discharge from my breast in the shower but assumed it was from nursing my youngest son. I have always gone to my yearly doctor and OBGYN appointments, and nothing was wrong. Read more>>

Carla Erskin

My story starts in the classroom, where I’ve spent about 15 years teaching middle school social studies. Teaching has given me a close view of the demands educators carry every day. The work can easily stretch beyond the school day into evenings, weekends, and time that belongs to our personal lives. Read more>>

Daniel Ortiz

FREQ started with a simple idea: bringing people together through music and creating experiences that go beyond just another night out. We’re a group of four college DJs who came together with a shared passion for EDM and a vision to bring something different to the Denton nightlife scene. Read more>>

Grace Lee

Grace Lee — Nutrition Advisor | 5-Day Reset & Weight Loss Specialist | Church Musician My journey has been shaped by two lifelong passions: health and music, both rooted in my desire to make a positive difference in people’s lives. In my late twenties, I moved from South Korea to the United States on my own to pursue my studies in church music. Read more>>

James Franklin

My journey has been built on faith, determination, hard work, and a passion for helping others. I’ve always had a love for fashion, events, and bringing people together. Over the years, I discovered that my passion was bigger than just fashion — I wanted to use my talents to encourage others, build confidence, and create opportunities for people to shine. Read more>>

Kendys Carrizo

My story began in Venezuela, and it has taken me through engineering, fashion, immigration, and, ultimately, a career centered on communication and connection. I studied petroleum engineering, but creativity has always been a big part of who I am. I also became a fashion designer, creating more than ten collections. Read more>>

Makayla Scott

You often hear how a person’s upbringing and surroundings influence the person they become. Deafine Beauty is a result of just that and shows my story throughout its products for others to experience and turn into their own stories. I was born with no hearing in my right ear, resulting in me having to learn to navigate through life a little differently than others. Read more>>

Marco Chavarria

I started in 2005 at Toni & Guy South Plains in Lubbock. That was my school and my home for five years, until they closed in May of 2010. When the doors shut, I went out on my own and rented at Salon Voulez Vous for the next two years. It taught me how to run a business, not just do hair. Read more>>

Pete Moreno

School was never really my thing. I struggled to stay interested and eventually dropped out of high school. Looking back, I think I was always more interested in learning by doing than sitting in a classroom. I got my start in the manufactured housing industry working alongside my father in his company, moving mobile homes. Read more>>

Toye Adewon

I saw a gap in the private chef experience during Covid and having previously doing meal preps and being from the area I thought it was to relaunch that venture. I love to cook and I love community and it only made sense to start doing what I do best in peoples homes Read more>>

Swarda Hiswankar

Hi, I’m Swarda! My love for mehndi started in school. My friends would come in with beautiful designs on their hands, and I was completely drawn to them. I wanted that for myself, so I went home and started drawing. Nobody taught me. I just kept practicing until my hands could make what I saw in my head. I grew up in Maharashtra, INDIA. Read more>>

Kenneth Collis III

TLK Fusion has always been a big part of my life. My dad founded the company, and as a family-run business, I’ve had the opportunity to be part of its growth and evolution over the years since I was a teenager. Read more>>

Julie West

My love for beautiful papers, stationery, and creative embellishments began long before Paper Planet opened its doors. Even as a child, I was drawn to the art of creating unique paper designs, combining colors, textures, and details to make something truly special. Read more>>

Meghan Holden

I started photography over a decade ago when I wanted newborn portraits of my firstborn baby. My husband and I couldn’t justify the price, so I got a cheap camera and began the journey of teaching myself how to take my own newborn photos. Read more>>

Dayshawn Nellon

My journey into entrepreneurship definitely wasn’t a straight line. Before starting Coffee Bae, I spent nearly 17 years in the military and built a career in corporate America. I’ve experienced career changes, layoffs, and having to start over more than once. But somewhere along the way, I discovered a genuine love for coffee, hospitality, and bringing people together. Read more>>

Shaterika Boyd

My journey as a makeup artist began in 2017, when I discovered my passion for beauty through doing my own makeup. What started as simply wanting to perfect my own looks quickly turned into something much bigger. I began experimenting with different techniques, practicing consistently, and eventually stepping outside my comfort zone to do makeup on other people. Read more>>

Veronica Dominguez

I started with selling plants doing porch pick up from my home location, porch pick ups! I got a great jump start during the covid pandemic in 2020. I had contactless porch pick up which was a great selling point during the covid pandemic. People were stuck at home being isolated and needed a hobby such as plant collecting to lift up their spirits. Read more>>

Alyssa Hultquist

Sassy Spirit & Design started in 2021 as a little hobby in our home garage during a season of my life when I was trying to figure out what my next chapter looked like. Read more>>

chloe marcano

My journey has been anything but linear, but I think that’s what makes it so special. I’ve always been someone who believed in the power of connection, community, and creating opportunities, even before I fully understood how those passions would shape my career. My professional background is in marketing, but I ultimately found my calling in talent acquisition and recruiting. Read more>>

Trinity Hankins

I decided to become a birth doula at 19 after realizing the career path I had previously chosen was not one I wanted to pursue further. My mom was my true inspiration behind this decision as she was a birth doula when I was a little kid. I slowly got my foot in the door and started to attend births. Read more>>

Markivus Nious

My journey has never been a straight line, but looking back, I can see how every chapter of my life helped prepare me for where I am today. My name is Markivus Nious, and I’m a U.S. Navy veteran, recording artist, music producer, podcaster, and founder of Nious Media, an independent multimedia network built around music, gaming, entertainment, storytelling, and meaningful conversations. Read more>>

Brandie Pyburn

My name is International Apostle Dr. Brandie Pyburn, and my story is one of faith, resilience, healing, and purpose. My journey has not been easy, but every season of my life has helped shape the woman and leader I am today. Read more>>

Evelyn Jones Reed

Evelyn Jones Reed’s journey to success began with overcoming a traumatic childhood—she was brutally raped at the age of five, which resulted in a speech impediment that kept her silent for a year. Encouraged by a teacher to express herself through writing and acting, she discovered the power of storytelling and has since inspired audiences nationwide with her theatrical and literary talents. Read more>>

Berta De Loera Salas

My name is Berta, and I am the founder of Glowing Beauty in Grand Prairie, Texas. I am originally from Aguascalientes, Mexico, and I have more than 20 years of experience in the beauty industry, with training in Mexico, Spain, and the United States. My work has focused on bridal and quinceañera hair and makeup. Read more>>

Claudia Hoye

I did not start in wellness. I started in the back of an ambulance. Six years as a paramedic. I was good at it. But every shift I hit the same wall. We would stabilize someone in crisis, hand them off, and never once touch the reason they ended up there. I got tired of arriving at the emergency. Read more>>

Emily Phillips

The beginning of Emily Kaye Floral Atelier was the culmination of many things, including experiences that I did not plan for. Read more>>

Victoria of The Movement Series

My story starts at home, even though home was Nigeria and the outside world was America. If you know anything about Nigerian immigrant parents, you probably know the traditional idea of success: doctor, lawyer, engineer. Creativity wasn’t necessarily presented to me as a career path, but ironically, my family gave me almost every ingredient I would eventually use to build one. Read more>>

P.J. Moton

I often say that my story begins long before my professional career. I was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and raised in Birmingham, with much of my foundation shaped by my grandparents, Bernice and Lester Moton. My grandmother, in particular, taught me something that has remained central to how I live and lead: love is not simply something we feel; it is something we do. Read more>>

Jen Cunnings

For years, I measured my worth by how much I could accomplish and how much everyone else needed me. I grew up deeply sensitive, and my challenging childhood taught me to protect myself, stay independent, and keep my feelings hidden. I became the listener, the helper, the fixer, often losing myself in the process of caring for others. Read more>>

Taylor Donaldson

My career has taken a lot of turns I never expected, but I guess that’s what happens when you keep saying yes to things! I started studying theatre at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 2009. I originally wanted to study music, but I ended up enrolling as a musical theatre major. Read more>>

Jai Midgette

Yes of course, my journey started in high school when I developed an interest in fashion and clothing. Headed into my senior year I had decided that a career in fashion was something I seriously wanted to pursue, however I always saw that panning out as a small boutique owner or something that had to do with retail. Read more>>

Federico Malatesta

I grew up in Rome, Italy, studied political science and finance, then worked nearly fifteen years in the oil and gas industry in London, Moscow, and boardrooms across Europe and the Middle East. In my last corporate role, I was Chief Investment Officer for a major Moscow-based energy company, overseeing a $40 billion capital investment portfolio. Read more>>