{"id":231062,"date":"2026-04-02T00:49:27","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T00:49:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/231062\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T00:49:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T00:49:27","slug":"hidden-gems-local-businesses-creatives-you-should-know-voyage-dallas-magazine-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/231062\/","title":{"rendered":"Hidden Gems: Local Businesses &#038; Creatives You Should Know \u2013 Voyage Dallas Magazine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Every day we have a choice. We can support an up and coming podcaster, try a new family-run restaurant, join a boutique gym started by a local fitness champ or we could keep giving away our money to the handful of giants who already control so much of our commerce. Our daily decisions impact the kind world we live in; if we want a world where small businesses are growing and artists and creatives are thriving then we should support them with our time, money and attention. We\u2019re proud to highlight inspiring creatives and entrepreneurs each week in Hidden Gems series. Check out some of our latest local gem features below.<\/p>\n<p>Emily Montgomery<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1773191986031-personal_1773191985500_1773191985500_emily_montgomery_dsc_1513.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>It has certainly not been a smooth road. There were many tears shed and for the first two years I struggled with fear that I had made a bad decision. I had to build my referral network and become confident in my products. I had a business mentor that encouraged me to put my energy into my faith that things will work out instead of wasting precious energy &amp; time into fear. I got my mindset right\u2026and put the hard work in to build my business.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/hidden-gems-meet-emily-montgomery-of-health-coverage-made-easy\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Yvonne Faulkner<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774381045251-personal_1774381044969_1774381044969_yvonne_faulkner_yvonne-purple.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Art has been my voice for as long as I can remember. As a quiet, introspective child, I often felt words were too small to carry what I felt. Painting became my language\u2014a way to express what lived beneath the surface. Through color, texture, and movement, I learned to communicate emotions that could not be spoken.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-yvonne-faulkner-of-yvonne-faulkner-mindful-arts-retreat-pics-mixer\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Amy Henry<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1773760454792-personal_1773760454347_1773760454347_amy_henry_dsc_4000.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Right in the heart of Peaster, Texas, The Rock Gym stands as a lasting symbol of the community\u2019s heritage and resilience. The building represents a time when structures were made with care and designed to serve the community for many years. Over the decades, The Rock Gym has played different roles in the life of Peaster.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-amy-henry-of-peaster\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Christi Slider<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774049938416-personal_1774049937935_1774049937935_christi_slider_christi-slider-business-owner-da.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I have always been fascinated with photography and the moments and beauty captured by photography. I started photography as a child capturing friends, family, and myself on film. While in college, I continued that love for photography taking photography classes and being the unofficial photographer for my gymnastics team and class events.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/rising-stars-meet-christi-slider-of-waxahachie\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a0Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Wendy Hutchinson<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774208609134-personal_1774208608202_1774208608202_wendy_hutchinson_h_1837.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>When I was seven years old, I attended my cousin\u2019s funeral. She had a heart attack at fifteen, and the family\u2019s grief was intense. Attending her funeral was the first time I felt the intensity of the emotions of every person in the church.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/life-work-with-wendy-hutchinson-of-houston\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Bevy Boyer<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774380580543-personal_1774380579924_1774380579924_bevy_boyer_taylor-guitar-2-2024_06_05-16_19_00-.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Music degree in guitar performance. In my senior year, I was honored to receive the Utah State University Guitar Player of the Year Award.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/conversations-with-bevy-boyer\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Jaymin and Yash Shah and Ghanekar<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774366468165-personal_1774366467170_1774366467170_jayminandyash_shahandghanekar_img_1176.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Moksha started from two personal stories of childhood friends that ended up converging. Yash: After losing a close friend, I went through a period where I was searching for something to help me process everything I was feeling. I tried meditation apps, but they felt impossible to use for me.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-jaymin-and-yash-shah-and-ghanekar-of-moksha\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Marianna Zimmerman<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1773946866635-personal_1773946865916_1773946865916_marianna_zimmerman_prosper-headshot.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I always say my journey into design wasn\u2019t a straight line, it was something that grew naturally over time. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York &amp; later spent many years in Massachusetts before eventually settling in Dallas nearly a decade ago.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/daily-inspiration-meet-marianna-zimmerman\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a0Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kelli Smith<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774296574726-personal_1774296574291_1774296574290_kelli_smith_photo-mar-15-2026-12-04-39-pm.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My mother put me in piano lessons when I was 3 years old. From there my love of music grew exponentially. I was not the most talented or the most disciplined, but I made up for it with heart. I continued piano through high school and into choirs and eventually attended Austin College and achieved a bachelors with a double major in music and religion.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/life-work-with-kelli-smith-of-frisco-texas\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Jahmal Rivers<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774217380703-personal_1774217380184_1774217380184_jahmal_rivers_img_2621.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Well my entire life I have always been a HUGE fan of comedy funny, and told I should be somewhere on the microphone. I served in the military for 5 years. Places, including Korea, Killeen Tx, Germany, Georgia. So, I have been all over and seen and met all different types of cultures\/people. Through the process of that I gained a lot of stories.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/conversations-with-jahmal-rivers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a0Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Avery Bibbs<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774068353947-personal_1774068353257_1774068353257_avery_bibbs_img_0715.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I was a high school senior during 2020 and one of the lucky few that got to have a graduation. It was the best news we had all semester and I planned to make it count. Before then, I was never one to get my nails done until it wasn\u2019t available to me.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/conversations-with-avery-bibbs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Karen Rebolledo<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774577918861-personal_1774577918745_1774577918745_karen_rebolledo_img_3118.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My journey in the world of esthetics began at a very young age. It was born from an early awakening\u2014a deep passion for skin care that I didn\u2019t yet know could become a profession, much less a business. Long before I understood its potential, I fell in love with every detail\u2026 every change\u2026 every result I was able to achieve within myself.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/exploring-life-business-with-karen-rebolledo-of-vita-piel-spa\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>A\u2019sa Fernandez Evans<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774287536266-personal_1774287536144_1774287536144_asa_fernandezevans_virtualtherapymayim.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I didn\u2019t always want to be a therapist or even a social worker. In fact, I started off as a biology major, seeking a career as a physical therapist. Ironically, my everyday conversations\u2014and my curiosity\u2014kept circling back to the complexities of social systems and their impact, from a systemic level down to individual lives<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-asa-of-mayim-embrace-therapy-pllc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">. Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Brittney Coke<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774037195229-personal_1774037194828_1774037194827_brittney_coke_bri_leather-17.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My journey started in 2017 with a simple passion and a blog\u2014Classify Beauty. I\u2019ve always been someone who loves fashion, style, and beauty, and for me, those things have never just been about appearance\u2014they\u2019re a form of artistic expression.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/daily-inspiration-meet-brittney-coke\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Tenisha &amp; Rickie Tinsley &amp; Hildreth<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774503531952-personal_1774503531523_1774503531523_tenisharickie_tinsleyhildreth_e4ed8a87-32f1-449.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Six years ago, what started as a simple idea turned into something much bigger than we ever imagined. Rickie and I saw a need in our community\u2014people were planning beautiful events but struggling to find affordable, reliable rentals that truly brought their vision to life. Tables and chairs were easy to find, but statement pieces, quality service, and dependability were not.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/exploring-life-business-with-tenisha-rickie-tinsley-hildreth-of-unforgettable-props-rentals\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Linda Buj<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774326644184-personal_1774326643754_1774326643754_linda_buj_img_0050.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Linda and Vivian, co-owners of \u201cLV Skin Aesthetics.\u201d Celebrated a remarkable 2 years in business launching the first in Frisco\u2019s, hottest treatment in aesthetics that snatches profiles with no downtime, no needles, and no pain. Giving you a tightening and lift immediate effect.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-linda-buj-of-lv-skin-aesthetics\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Carlotta Stiggers<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774468694566-personal_1774468689046_1774468689046_carlotta_stiggers_urich-and-carlotta-pickle-par.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Kingdom Graphics was built from a shared vision, strong faith, and a desire to create something of our own. Urich went to school for graphic design and always dreamed of owning his own business. In 2019, he officially began branding and building Kingdom Graphics from the ground up.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-carlotta-stiggers-of-mansfield\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a0Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>David Glubochansky<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1773201959897-personal_1773201959408_1773201959408_david_glubochansky_img_4497.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Basketball has always been a big part of my life. I grew up playing the game from AAU through middle school and high school, and I was always interested not just in playing, but also in the media and storytelling side of the sport. I started The Players Tribe in 2021 while I was still in high school.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-david-glubochansky-of-the-players-tribe\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Josilyne Thomas<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774470170060-personal_1774470168919_1774470168919_josilyne_thomas_10571.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Josilyne Thomas: A Story of Faith, Family, and Restoration My name is Josilyne Thomas, and at my core, I\u2019m a woman of faith, a wife, and a mother of five. Everything I do flows from those roles and the journey God has taken me on. My story is one of restoration.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/conversations-with-josilyne-thomas\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a0Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sabrina Miller<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774448272187-personal_1774448271784_1774448271784_sabrina_miller_img_8028.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Well my family and I moved here from Florida. While living in Florida my friend ran a successful online boutique that I helped with and realized how much I loved it and all that goes with it and when I moved I wasn\u2019t able to help anymore. So that is where I got the idea to then start my own boutique!\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-sabrina-miller-of-frisco\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Parneet Kaur<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774296918375-personal_1774296917708_1774296917708_parneet_kaur_whatsapp-image-2026-03-23-at-31342.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Our Story \u2013 Curry Pizza House Frisco The love for bold flavors and unique combinations inspired us to bring Curry Pizza House from the Bay Area to Dallas. About eight years ago, we moved from California and truly missed enjoying the one-of-a-kind taste of curry pizza. As we explored new career paths, we asked ourselves\u2014why not bring something we genuinely love to a new community?\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-parneet-kaur-of-frisco\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Marcus Johnson<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774103960923-personal_1774103960227_1774103960227_marcus_johnson_img_7251-1.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I founded Flow Forward Media in April 2023 at 23 years old with my best friend, during my final season as a starting center fielder at Oklahoma Christian University. With my baseball eligibility ending, I knew I needed to build something new. The turning point came unexpectedly.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/exploring-life-business-with-marcus-johnson-of-flow-forward-media\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kendall Plemons<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774114497458-personal_1774114497009_1774114497009_kendall_plemons_img_0824.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I started playing trumpet in elementary school, which was really my first introduction to learning and creating music. In high school, I had a friend who started rapping and that\u2019s when I got into producing beats. Through that, I was introduced to a recording studio, which later offered me a job.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/conversations-with-kendall-plemons\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a0Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Christine Schut<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774490660486-personal_1774490660052_1774490660052_christine_schut_christineschut-headshot.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>As the founder of Phoenix Ledger Solutions LLC, our team was built on both experience and purpose. We started this business because we are passionate about helping individuals and small business owners gain clarity and confidence in their financials. There is nothing more rewarding than watching someone have that \u201caha\u201d moment\u2014when they truly understand their numbers and feel empowered to make informed decisions.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-christine-schut-of-phoenix-ledger-solutions-llc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Anitra Brooks<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774481937132-personal_1774481936641_1774481936641_anitra_brooks_346.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m a young entrepreneur, mom of two, and the owner of Luxe Wealth. My story didn\u2019t start from a place of abundance \u2014 I grew up with very little, which is what shaped my mindset early on. I knew I wanted more for myself and for my future family, so I\u2019ve always been driven to create my own opportunities.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-anitra-brooks-of-luxe-wealth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a0Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Rhianna Israni<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1773067255832-personal_1773067254860_1773067254860_rhianna_israni_img_3036-1.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Today I\u2019m based in Texas and photograph weddings for couples who are drawn to imagery that feels refined, timeless, and honest. My approach blends an editorial eye with a documentary heart \u2014 creating photographs that feel elevated without ever feeling forced.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/conversations-with-rhianna-israni\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Chasity Anderson<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774157662760-personal_1774157661899_1774157661899_chasity_anderson_img_2487.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Hi my name is Chasity I am a family nurse practitioner with the focus of holistic health. I treat the whole person body, mind, and soul. I knew I wanted to be doctor since I was a little girl. I knew I was put here to heal people.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-chasity-anderson-of-align-whole-oneness-holistic-services-inc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a0Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Lynn Molnar<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774535370311-personal_1774535371255_1774535371255_lynn_molnar_hero-and-lynn-at-orioles-game.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My journey into the heart of the human-canine bond began in 2007 with a single dog: Hero. A Golden Retriever with an unwavering spirit, Hero wasn\u2019t just a pet; he was my greatest inspiration. When he began to struggle with arthritis and Cushing\u2019s Disease, my role shifted from companion to caregiver.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-lynn-of-the-dog-attendant\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Stacey Sauer<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774288267509-personal_1774288267186_1774288267186_stacey_sauer_img_9601.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Brand Properties Group was built on a foundation of experience, consistency, and a true commitment to putting clients first. Our team is led by Stacey Sauer, team lead and listing agent for Brand Properties Group, who didn\u2019t start her career in real estate. Stacey began as a teacher, where she developed strong interpersonal skills and the ability to guide and support others.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-stacey-sauer-of-brand-properties-group\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Preet Jandir<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1773978579846-personal_1773978579242_1773978579242_preet_jandir_img_2375.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>From a young age, I was deeply passionate about makeup and hair. I always knew that one day, I wanted to build a meaningful and lasting career in the beauty industry. My professional journey, however, began in the medical field. While working in healthcare job, I decided to pursue my passion on the side.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/check-out-preet-jandirs-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Maria Crystal Retana<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1773982499526-personal_1773982498986_1773982498986_maria_retana_dscf7928.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>From a young age, I always felt drawn to creativity and celebration. In fact, during my senior year of high school, I was gifted a journal where I wrote down three dreams: becoming a wedding planner, a florist, and a teacher. I even mapped out the classes I would need, the timelines, and the steps to get there.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-maria-crystal-of-armonia-grace-events-co\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Isabella Tuite<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1773951688666-personal_1773951688153_1773951688153_isabella_tuite_g8-collage-title.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Grateful 8 Studios started as a simple idea: to build a creative home. Not just for our team, but for other DFW artists from every facet and level of experience in the creative industry.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-isabella-tuite-of-cinemastory-and-grateful-8-studios\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Morgan Young<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774024260071-personal_1774024259556_1774024259556_morgan_young_img_5371.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I began my career in health and human services, which shaped my perspective on people, stability, and the impact of environment on everyday life. As I grew in that space, I developed a strong interest in business and systems, which naturally led me to real estate. I was drawn to the way real estate intersects with quality of life and long-term opportunity.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/inspiring-conversations-with-morgan-young-of-morgan-young-realtor-td-realty\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a0Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Lisa Dean<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774451610406-personal_1774451609521_1774451609521_lisa_dean_pb-2020-image.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>At the time, I was balancing a full-time career as a trial paralegal while attending school in the evenings\u2014leaving little room for wedding planning. With no family nearby to assist and a fianc\u00e9 who was (understandably) ready to begin our next chapter, waiting simply wasn\u2019t an option.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-lisa-dean-of-dallas\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Calista Irene<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774306362605-personal_1774306362214_1774306362214_calista_irene_img_2985-enhanced-nr.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve always been creative, and loved art where I was hands on making something. I also have always loved celebrations and going all out for others. Seeing the smiles on people\u2019s faces knowing they are loved and worth being celebrated is something that makes me so happy.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/check-out-calista-irenes-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Rose Ramos<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774297778380-personal_1774297777976_1774297777976_rose_ramos_img_6912.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My story of how I started as a hair stylist started in high school. I was enrolled in the cosmetology program at McKinney high school for 2 years and graduated with my cosmetology license. I\u2019ve always had a passion for all things beauty and knew this is what I wanted to do for a living.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-rose-ramos-of-mckinney-tx\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Rebecca Frierson<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774383076081-personal_1774383075632_1774383075632_rebecca_frierson_img_7182.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My path into interior design did not start in a design studio. It started in a classroom. I was a teacher before I had my children, and I truly loved it. I have always been someone who enjoys learning and growing, and teaching gave me a way to pour that into others.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/exploring-life-business-with-rebecca-frierson-of-r-frierson-interiors\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Jouelle Young<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774281268834-personal_1774281268410_1774281268410_jouelle_young_img_9883.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I started doing hair when I was about 10 years old fast-forward to my adult life. I went to cosmetology school at the age of 26 graduated 27 and started my professional hair journey then I moved to Dallas in 2020. I didn\u2019t know a lot of people, but I built my clientele within two weeks of living here.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/hidden-gems-meet-jouelle-young-of-the-j-slay-studios\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a0Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Lakisha Otis<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1773788658548-personal_1773788658187_1773788658187_lakisha_otis_img_4131.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My name is Lakisha Otis and I am the Founder of Obtaining New Ground, a mission driven nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the long term stability and self sufficiency of teenage and young mothers through structured education, workforce development, and community based support systems.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/exploring-life-business-with-lakisha-otis-of-obtaining-new-ground-inc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Alexis Dominique<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774404317135-personal_1774404316708_1774404316708_alexis_dominique_img_1088.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Becoming who I am today has been a layered journey of faith, creativity, and courage \u2014 one that began with a young girl who simply wanted to inspire others while finding her own voice. When I first started showing up online, I wasn\u2019t as bold about my faith as I am today.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/life-work-with-alexis-dominique-of-garland\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Tyler Solona<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774408211638-personal_1774408211305_1774408211305_tyler_solona_20260105_134422.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Originally, I was a life-long musician, who cared about very little else. I sang in a band and in choirs, played multiple instruments, wrote new music all the time. It was my whole world. But, in 2019, I was hit by an SUV while riding a motorcycle to one of my college classes (music business, it was my favorite.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/rising-stars-meet-tyler-of-dfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a0Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Khadijah Johnson<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774377232090-personal_1774377231055_1774377231055_khadijah_johnson_1000036674.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve always cared about helping children and families, but I kept seeing how hard it was for parents to actually get support when they needed it, especially with Medicaid. That\u2019s what led me to open Texas Care Stop 6 here in East Fort Worth. From the beginning, the goal was simple. Make it easier for families to get help.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-khadijah-johnson-of-texas-care-stop-6\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Leah Blakely<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1773950331423-personal_1773950331274_1773950331274_leah_blakely_0c9bdb30-8fc6-42ef-8409-02431548be.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Totally Twisted Karaoke is owned by business partners Leah Blakely and Robert McDonald. We started TTK because as fans of karaoke ourselves, we were disappointed at how most karaoke shows operated.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-leah-blakely-of-totally-twisted-karaoke\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Joshua Sanchez<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774371124677-personal_1774371124027_1774371124027_joshua_sanchez_image_c0ff10a7.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I started my entrepreneur path when I was 20 years old. I had just bought a mechanical bull from facebook, in hopes to make some extra income. For about a year I would go to an event every weekend to make a couple bucks. It was going well but I was tired of having to sacrifice every weekend.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-joshua-sanchez-of-rodeo-rentals\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cyndi Gallego<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774235576352-personal_1774235575712_1774235575712_cyndi_gallego_img_7304-2.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I didn\u2019t grow up hearing people talk about mental health. In my world, the eldest daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, crying was viewed as a sign of weakness. I was often scolded for crying because it meant I was drawing attention to myself away from other things that mattered more.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-cyndi-gallego-of-tu-palabra-es-tu-magia\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Elizabeth Charkalis<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774479081074-personal_1774479080119_1774479080119_elizabeth_charkalis_img_0231-2.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My name is Elizabeth Charkalis, and I am a 22-year-old creative self-starter based in Dallas, Texas. Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, but my journey as an entrepreneur truly began in college when I started my own small jewelry business called No Rain, No Flowers.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-elizabeth-charkalis-of-dallas\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Christian Burks<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774033465666-personal_1774033479937_1774033479937_christian_burks_img_4139.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I am a born and raised Texan from the Flower Mound area. I graduated from high school from Liberty Christian, graduated college from SMU, and now running businesses and raising my family where my parents did the same. I have two siblings, both older, we all work in the same family wealth management firm, Burks Wealth Management.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/hidden-gems-meet-christian-burks-of-burks-wealth-management-burks-family-insurance-llc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Nick Gikas<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774282961316-personal_1774282959865_1774282959865_nick_gikas_2026.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I started voice acting in 2018 while still living in Detroit, Michigan. It began with websites like Casting Call Club and ModDB where I found work on smaller animations and video game mods. Over time I gained commercial clients and worked on numerous other projects, and I eventually moved to Fort Worth to pursue voiceover further.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/conversations-with-nick-gikas\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Elizabeth Garza<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1773952791745-personal_1773952791038_1773952791038_elizabeth_garza_9058559814855894843.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I remember being 11 years old and my brother said to me, \u2018One day you will run my company\u2019. He was a master electrician for as long as I can remember and as a kid, I did not take it seriously one bit and laughed it off. I started working at the age of 16 at a restaurant and quickly moved up into management roles.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/hidden-gems-meet-elizabeth-garza-of-eve-electric\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a0Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sierra Hartman<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774291990873-personal_1774292736102_1774292736102_sierra_hartman_dsc09246-1.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>As a kid, I goofed around in the back yard with out Belgian Malinois teaching him to search for toys, climb ladders and crawl under or jump over broom sticks. I knew then I wanted to find a career working with animals. I trained horses for several years out of high school until going to school for my associated in Animal Science.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/exploring-life-business-with-sierra-hartman-of-paws-ability-unlimited-llc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Adrian Villalta<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774046996627-personal_1774046996508_1774046996508_adrian_villalta_photodec11202584302pm14-2.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My story really begins at one of the lowest points in my life. Around 2019\u20132020, I had convinced myself that I didn\u2019t want to be here anymore. I attempted suicide by overdose and later confessed to my dad what I had done.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-adrian-villalta-of-azle\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Estela Ayala<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774297816729-personal_1774297816086_1774297816086_estela_ayala_mea-headshot-standing.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I began my teaching journey right out of college teaching English in the Paris Suburbs. That\u2019s right! Paris, France. I taught English and Spanish there, both in the public and private sector. Because life happens, I had to make an unexpected pivot and return to the United States, so I again, ended up in the classroom.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/hidden-gems-meet-estela-ayala-of-saber-living-counseling-pllc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Adil Mukhi<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774018875085-personal_1774018874507_1774018874507_adil_mukhi_img_5957.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I got started pretty simply. I was curious about medicine, but I didn\u2019t really know where to begin. Like a lot of students, I found that opportunities, mentorship, and clear guidance weren\u2019t always easy to access, especially early on. That curiosity turned into action. I started getting involved in health advocacy, research, and youth leadership spaces across Canada.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/inspiring-conversations-with-adil-mukhi-of-dr-interested\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Davion Mory\u00e9<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774448239932-personal_1774448239473_1774448239473_davion_mory_fullsizerender_vsco.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I was born in Oklahoma, but Texas is really where I was raised and shaped. Growing up, I moved around quite a bit because my dad was in the military, so adapting to new environments became second nature early on. That constant change gave me a wide perspective on people, culture, and resilience.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/conversations-with-davion-morye\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Quajesius Moore<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1774453674276-personal_1774453673551_1774453673551_quajesius_moore_48120e51-1c63-4b79-adb5-18d660e.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My name is Quajesius Moore\u2026 And I didn\u2019t just hear about God\u2026 I was raised in Him. I grew up in a two-parent household where my mom and dad taught us the ways of the Lord from the very beginning. Church wasn\u2019t optional\u2026 it was a lifestyle. Prayer wasn\u2019t random\u2026 it was daily. Jesus wasn\u2019t just a name\u2026 He was the center of everything.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/life-work-with-quajesius-moore-of-desoto\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Santoshi Madhuri Ponnam<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1771987617502-personal_1771987617083_1771987617082_santoshimadhuri_ponnam_4706.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Around the age of five, I\u2019d watch dancers perform Kuchipudi on the television. My dad would watch me imitate those steps and found a dance teacher for me. My dad and mom was the reason I discovered this passion, and I wouldn\u2019t be where I am today without them. I joined a dance class nearby and would diligently practice and improve everyday.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/life-work-with-santoshi-madhuri-of-the-colony\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kara \u2018Mini on the Boardz\u2019 Tavers<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1773369298871-personal_1773369298343_1773369298343_kara_tavers_img_2814.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My journey into music started when I was really young. When I was around nine years old, my stepbrother and I formed a little group together. He would rap and I would sing, and eventually we started writing our own songs. As we got older, he kind of grew out of it, but I realized I still really loved music and wanted to keep going.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/check-out-kara-mini-on-the-boardz-taverss-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Agatha Weisz<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c-1773773183037-personal_1773773182628_1773773182628_agatha_weisz_img_8311.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I grew up in Mexico City surrounded by dogs, cats and horses. For years I struggled with the norm for training animals.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/inspiring-conversations-with-agatha-weisz-of-hound-habits\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Every day we have a choice. We can support an up and coming podcaster, try a new family-run&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":181391,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[102,104,103],"class_list":{"0":"post-231062","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-dallas","8":"tag-dallas","9":"tag-dallas-headlines","10":"tag-dallas-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/231062","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=231062"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/231062\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/181391"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=231062"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=231062"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=231062"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}