{"id":399931,"date":"2026-08-07T04:24:24","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T04:24:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/399931\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T04:24:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T04:24:24","slug":"the-most-inspiring-stories-in-dallas-voyage-dallas-magazine-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/399931\/","title":{"rendered":"The Most Inspiring Stories in Dallas \u2013 Voyage Dallas 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. Check out our favorite stories from across the Voyage family.<\/p>\n<p>Shumaila Kidwai<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785179706579-personal_1785179706324_1785179706324_shumaila_kidwai_img_3760.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Last time we spoke, I was in the middle of taking off my photography page which I was able to but, then also started focusing on taking time to invest into my small scaled social media agency shucollective&amp;co. It took rebranding and a lot of work but, I finally got time to sit down and come up with a solid name that\u2019ll stick through. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/inspiring-conversations-with-shumaila-kidwai-of-shuco-collective\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Bre Hodges<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785178575787-personal_1785178575615_1785178575615_bre_hodges_headshot-bre-hodges.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve always been passionate about building community and creating opportunities for others. Throughout my career, I\u2019ve been driven by the belief that representation matters and that when we lift others up, we strengthen entire industries. A few years ago, when I began my career in aviation, I attended a meeting with about 35 people. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/daily-inspiration-meet-bre-hodges\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Rachel Tucker<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785176312388-personal_1785176312171_1785176312171_rachel_tucker_6c1cee1b-8444-4758-9f13-e89277779.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I often say that my greatest qualifications didn\u2019t come from a classroom. They came from walking through the fire. For many years, I looked successful on the outside while quietly carrying insecurity, fear, brokenness, and the weight of past mistakes. Like so many women, I spent years searching for significance in achievement instead of identity. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-rachel-tucker-of-warrior-women-mastermind\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Whitney Green<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785174208629-personal_1785174208421_1785174208421_whitney_green_34adf371-26f1-48bf-a05a-a905e8485.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Hi My Name Is Whitney &amp; I\u2019ll like to start off by saying that people find their calling later in life, but for me, it started in childhood Growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, I always felt naturally drawn to health, beauty, and caring for others. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-whitney-green-of-the-wellness-resort\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Michael Garrett<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785170356396-personal_1785170356291_1785170356291_michael_garrett_michaelhs.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>For more than 30 years, I worked in corporate operations, helping companies improve efficiency through Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and process improvement. My career taught me how to build systems that could solve problems at scale. When I transitioned into the nonprofit world, I quickly realized something that surprised me. Most organizations weren\u2019t struggling because they lacked passion. They were struggling because they lacked systems.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/exploring-life-business-with-michael-garrett-of-trusted-world\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Snjezana Pruginic<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785169907314-personal_1785169907046_1785169907046_snjezana_pruginic_sp-headshot-1.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My work started from my personal lived experiences of war which instilled in me the passion for wanting to transform how people relate to one another. I started working as a Somatic Trauma therapist with individuals and communities experiencing trauma, violence, war, displacement and incarceration. Eventually this path led me to work with front line workers in trades, social services, and public sector. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/exploring-life-business-with-snjezana-pruginic-of-circle-point-wellness\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ola Alibaloye<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785167511014-personal_1785167510095_1785167510095_ola_alibaloye_whatsapp-image-2026-07-27-at-1049.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My journey with Deloy Events began in 2016 in London with a simple passion for creating beautiful, meaningful spaces where people can celebrate life\u2019s biggest moments. What started as a dream has now grown into a business I\u2019m incredibly proud of, and this year marks a special milestone 10 years of Deloy Events. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/life-work-with-ola-alibaloye-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Luara Youman<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785165461991-personal_1785165459123_1785165459123_luara_youman_628730286_122094089979270045_42185.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>WeFlex started from a shared passion for fitness and a friendship built on encouraging each other to become stronger both physically and mentally. As we trained together, we realized we wanted to inspire other women to build healthy, sustainable habits and feel more confident in themselves. What began as sharing workouts on social media quickly grew into a supportive community. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/conversations-with-luara-youman\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ashtin jones Stevenson<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785164610232-personal_1785164610106_1785164610106_ashtinmook_jones_img_8534.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My journey began as a single mother working as a dancer at Onyx, determined to create a better future for myself and my family. Wanting more out of life, I took a leap of faith and moved out of my parents\u2019 home into my husband\u2019s cousin\u2019s living room. It wasn\u2019t where I wanted to stay\u2014it was simply where my new beginning started. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/rising-stars-meet-ashtin-jones-stevenson-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Melinda Price<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785161478437-personal_1785161478060_1785161478060_melinda_price_img_8929.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My journey started with a leap of faith. After spending 10 years as an operations manager, I walked away from a six-figure career to pursue my passion and opened Tre\u2019Bella Nail Spa. What began as doing nails quickly became something much bigger. I realized I wasn\u2019t just helping women look good, I was helping them feel confident. As my business grew, so did my purpose. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/daily-inspiration-meet-melinda-price\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Keed ThaHeater<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785132385355-personal_1785132385200_1785132385200_keed_thaheater_f476977d-9ea9-4e39-a6e2-c7344a56.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My name is Keed Tha Heater, and I\u2019m an independent hip-hop artist from Kansas City, Missouri. Music has always been a part of who I am, but like a lot of people, life took me down different roads. I\u2019ve worked regular jobs, dealt with setbacks, made mistakes, and had to rebuild more than once. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/rising-stars-meet-keed-thaheater-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>James Arredondo<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785124227793-personal_1785124227728_1785124227728_james_arredondo_img_0946.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Hi, My name is James (Jimmy) Arredondo. I\u2019ll be 33 this August 17th I\u2019m currently a barber here in the Dallas\/Ft worth area in Texas. I have been cutting hair for 10 years already and have seen amazing things with the fruits of my labor. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/check-out-james-arredondos-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Abby Seysei<\/p>\n<p>If you had told me years ago that one day I\u2019d be raising two boys, sharing our family\u2019s life online, and encouraging hundreds of thousands of people through ordinary moments, I don\u2019t think I would\u2019ve believed you.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/rising-stars-meet-abby-seysei-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Samantha Lopez<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785120238080-personal_1785120237948_1785120237948_samantha_lopez_b208e862-b49b-4c67-953c-4351bf36.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My passion for cooking started when I was around 9 or 10 years old. My dad, who attended culinary school in New York, introduced me to the kitchen and taught me the fundamentals of cooking. Spending that time with him sparked my love for food, and from that point on, I knew cooking was something I wanted to continue learning and growing in! <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/life-work-with-samantha-lopez-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Brittany McCoy<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785120216817-personal_1785120216765_1785120216765_brittany_mccoy_img_8472.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m a Dallas native \u2014 grew up in Oak Cliff, which shaped a lot of how I think about home and community. I went to UT Austin\u2019s McCombs School of Business, where I studied finance with a concentration in real estate, so in some ways I was pointed toward this industry early on. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-brittany-mccoy-of-bdoesre\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Anastasia Bolden<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785114190571-personal_1785114190434_1785114190434_anastasia_bolden_img_5801.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My name is Anastasia Bolden. I am a 51 year-old Native American. I have overcome incest, molestation, drug addictions that my parents went through and other childhood traumas.. I am grateful that I made it. I grew up in South Dallas, where Saint Phillips Episcopal school was my safe Haven, where Dr. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-anastasia-bolden-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Zo Smith<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785112879488-personal_1785112879392_1785112879392_zo_smith_cleaned-up-image-of-zo.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My entrepreneurial journey began in 2020. I discovered candle making as a hobby, and what started as a creative outlet quickly became something I genuinely enjoyed. Living with a chronic illness has naturally made me more of an introvert, and creating gave me a sense of peace, purpose, and accomplishment. Like many first-time entrepreneurs, I eventually tried turning that hobby into a business. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/rising-stars-meet-zo-smith-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Jordan Courtney<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785107233490-personal_1785107233357_1785107233357_jordan_courtney_image.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I grew up loving music. I sang in choir all through school and even made all state in high school. I started rapping when I was 15 but I didn\u2019t take it seriously. I joined the army after high school and became a combat medic. I was medically retired in 2022 and continued to work in medicine. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-jordan-courtney-of-weddingswithdjjd\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Ross Yenerich<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785106245472-personal_1785106245277_1785106245277_ross_yenerich_ross-headshot.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>So much has changed since I moved here a year ago. Let\u2019s start in Dallas, in mid-May. I had just returned from a week-long trip in NYC with the SMU Temerlin Creative program which solidified my want and need to be there post-grad. SMU at BBH USA, May 2025 I was interning as a Copywriter at Johnson &amp; Sekin during my final semester at SMU. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/check-out-ross-yenerichs-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Shanell Monique<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785104252720-personal_1785104252527_1785104252527_shanell_monique_231eb8d1-750d-4c8b-ac74-c231ca7.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The idea for my childcare business came from my passion for helping children and families. After working with children for many years, I recognized the need for quality, affordable childcare in a safe and nurturing environment. I often thought about opening my own large home childcare program, but like many aspiring entrepreneurs, fear and uncertainty kept me in the idea phase. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/inspiring-conversations-with-shanell-monique-of-moniques-little-friends\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Yudas Bastidas<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785043091624-personal_1785043091406_1785043091406_yudas_bastidas_img_0781.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I was born and raised in Venezuela, where I studied Dentistry. When I came to the United States, I had to start from zero. It was not easy, but I worked hard and never gave up. Later, I found the insurance industry, and I realized I could help families protect their future. With hard work and discipline, I started Bastidas Insurance. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-yudas-bastidas-of-plutina-bastidas-insurance\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Tanicka kirk<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785041589250-personal_1785041588801_1785041588801_tanicka_kirk_img_6133.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I actually love this question because it reminds me of a time when I had a big vision but absolutely no roadmap for how to get there. My real estate journey started in 2017 after I left the Army and purchased my first property a duplex. At the time, I thought I was simply buying a home and making a smart financial decision. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/inspiring-conversations-with-tanicka-kirk-of-built2serve\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Rene Rocha<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785037007592-personal_1785037048002_1785037048002_rene_rocha_artist-photo.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My story begins as a hyper child who really enjoyed drawing, writing stories, and building endless useless inventions . I was a big idea guy! I had two loving, supportive parents who encouraged my creativity. Whenever I needed new supplies or art lessons, they provided them. When I began my Rocha Designs journey, my retired dad was my first employee. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/inspiring-conversations-with-rene-rocha-of-rocha-rentals\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Maryam Khalil<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785029145394-personal_1785029145122_1785029145121_maryam_khalil_khalil_maryam.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m Maryam Khalil, CEO of 1to1 Plans Design Studio. I\u2019ve been part of this company since its inception as a co-founder, and in January 2025 I stepped into the CEO role. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/hidden-gems-meet-maryam-khalil-of-1to1-plans\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Brandon Smallwood<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785029239299-personal_1785029238550_1785029238550_brandon_smallwood_1000011338.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My name is Brandon Smallwood AKA Karizma on the Beat I\u2019m a producer that\u2019s from Waco Texas that moved up to North Texas area I love to make music I have my own label called Lion Heart Music on all streaming services I got my passion for music from my mama Linda she inspired me to never let any thing that I was going through stop me from doing what I wanted to do so I did it\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/life-work-with-brandon-smallwood-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Andrew Bukowski<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785024249472-personal_1785024249276_1785024249276_andrew_bukowski_dsc03580.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, and my relationship with photography really started long before I ever owned a serious camera. As a teenager, I\u2019d spend entire days skating through downtown Dallas by myself, riding the DART trains just to see parts of the city I\u2019d never explored before. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/check-out-andrew-bukowskis-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Christopher Brewer<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785022264750-personal_1785022264401_1785022264401_christopher_brewer_a5f2fad0-a4d9-4efb-895c-f488.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My journey as a barber started with a simple passion for helping people look and feel their best. What began as cutting hair for family and friends quickly grew into a career built on consistency, hard work, and relationships. Over the years, I realized barbering is about much more than haircuts\u2014it\u2019s about building confidence, creating connections, and making a positive impact in my community. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/daily-inspiration-meet-christopher-brewer\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Nancie DeCourcy<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785018652184-personal_1785018650328_1785018650328_nancie_decourcy_ralc-teachers.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I would like to tell you about my post-career life. I play lots of pickleball! I also teach English as a second language to adults with an organization called RALC (Richardson Adult Literacy Center). My level 3B students are striving to improve their grammar and speaking fluency. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/rising-stars-meet-nancie-decourcy-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Matt and Brittani Miller<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785004801779-personal_1785004801564_1785004801564_mattandbrittani_miller_dsc01855.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve always been drawn to work where I get to build relationships and genuinely help people. Real estate just happened to be the perfect fit for that. Before becoming a Realtor, my background was in marketing, which gave me a deep appreciation for branding, storytelling, and understanding what motivates people. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/inspiring-conversations-with-matt-and-brittani-miller-of-dash-the-town-property-group\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Chad Evans<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785005623348-personal_1785005623155_1785005623155_chad_evans_394a8611-8ea9-434d-ba5b-de8e49679dee.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Music and ministry have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I began serving in the local church, leading worship and discovering that music could do far more than create a moment it could point people to Jesus, bring hope, and communicate truth. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/hidden-gems-meet-chad-evans-of-chad-evans-music\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Dave Culwell<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785005690687-personal_1785005690496_1785005690496_dave_culwell_img_5919.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I own Burger Schmurger, a family-forward burger joint that brings quality food, a great customer service experience and community all in one. My (at the time) 13 year old daughter and I started cooking for friends and neighbors during Covid in 2020.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-dave-culwell-of-burger-schmurger\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Gedeon Bring<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1785002967771-personal_1785002969782_1785002969782_gedeon_bring_20251213_rockinchristmas_alyssagra.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I am a 20-year old drummer in two bands in the DFW: I play with Colton Hamilton and Izaiah Forman. I recently released an album with Colton Hamilton titled the Curse of Colton Hamilton, which is a collection of 11 songs that we\u2019ve written over the last year. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/check-out-gedeon-brings-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kayla Bembry<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1784997590906-personal_1784997590757_1784997590757_kayla_bembry_img_3529.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve always been into music. I love how a simple lyric or song as a whole could have so much impact on a person. It could make you think of a memory, change your emotions, or even your mental. As time went on I grew to love different genres. Growing up I was always the event coordinator or party girl in my friend group. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/check-out-kayla-bembrys-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Shardae Martin<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1784999530570-personal_1784999530669_1784999530669_shardae_martin_4858.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My journey into the cleaning industry actually began when I was young. I spent a lot of time with my late grandmother, and she introduced me to the value of keeping spaces clean and organized. She also cleaned homes for others, so I was able to see firsthand the pride she took in serving people through her work. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/exploring-life-business-with-shardae-martin-of-haleys-helping-hands\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Leo Cusimano<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1784953741648-personal_1784953741461_1784953741461_leo_cusimano_p4119707779.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>If you had told the 18-year-old version of me that one day I\u2019d own one of the country\u2019s most respected LGBTQ newspapers, speak around the nation about the future of local journalism, and somehow become the \u2018adult in the room,\u2019 I probably would have laughed\u2026 and then asked if there was at least good Italian food involved. My journey has never been a straight line. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-leo-cusimano-of-dallas-voice-out-north-texas\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kristy Lea<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1784942690581-personal_1784942690467_1784942690467_kristy_lea_img_8948.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My journey began with a heart for serving people and bringing meaningful visions to life. Over the years, I built a strong professional foundation in commercial real estate, business management, accounting, human resources, and nonprofit leadership. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-kristy-lea-of-kristy-lea-properties-and-beyond-the-walls-outreach\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Dan Lam<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1784938336931-personal_1784938336003_1784938336003_dan_lam_img_5439.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve always been drawn to making things, but I didn\u2019t arrive at the work I make today all at once. I studied graphic design for a year before switching to fine art, eventually earning my BFA from the University of North Texas and my MFA from Arizona State University.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/check-out-dan-lams-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Janie Loyola<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1784935741436-personal_1784935741254_1784935741254_janie_loyola_b9827fdd-cb9e-42ab-80ce-7e23284972.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>People are often surprised when I tell them that I was never really a \u201cnail person.\u201d My dream was always to work in the beauty industry, but my original goal was to become a barber. I tried teaching myself, but without friends or siblings to practice on, it was difficult. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/hidden-gems-meet-janie-loyola-of-aga_nails\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Lindsay Mears<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1784933356467-personal_1784933356379_1784933356379_lindsay_mears_2026-logo-ig-post.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My whole life has been about books and stories. I grew up reading Nancy Drew, Goosebumps, and when I got a little older, I got into Harry Potter and bought every book written by Meg Cabot. Books were my escape, and I always knew I wanted to be in the Publishing world. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/check-out-lindsay-mearss-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Dario Hernandez<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1784931981439-personal_1784931980877_1784931980877_dario_hernandez_b9a9a0e8-47b5-4e57-8b2a-df3f8cb.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>If I had to describe my journey in one sentence, I would say it has been a life of constant reinvention, guided by faith, family, and a passion for serving others. I was born and raised in Colombia, where my love for soccer began at a very young age. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-dario-of-dhs-training\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Natalia Payton<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1784925139711-personal_1784925138326_1784925138326_natalia_payton_natalia-payton-headshot-2026.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I grew up in Plano, Texas, long before it became what it is today. After graduating from college in Colorado, I completed internships with Fox Sports and Altitude Sports &amp; Entertainment before landing my first full-time position with the Denver Nuggets. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/conversations-with-natalia-payton\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Taylor Lindley<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1784923184234-personal_1784923183686_1784923183686_taylor_lindley_img_0506.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I graduated high school in 2017 and originally planned to take a gap year before starting college when I turned 18. My mom encouraged me to tour a cosmetology school in Lubbock, Texas, about two hours from home. I\u2019ll be honest\u2014I wasn\u2019t interested at first. Then I toured the school, saw all the cute boys, and figured, \u201cWhy not?\u201d So I enrolled. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/life-work-with-taylor-lindley-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Brooklyn Fletcher<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1784924025976-personal_1784924025727_1784924025726_brooklyn_fletcher_tezza-0561.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My story with influencing started a little differently than most. I originally began as a boutique owner, but I quickly realized that what I truly loved was shopping. I loved showing what brought me confidence and That passion naturally led me into content creation. As my platform grew, I made a promise to always keep it real. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/conversations-with-brooklyn-fletcher\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Brooke Richey<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1784916437264-personal_1784916437118_1784916437118_brooke_richey_richeyphotography1120256-1.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My photography journey started in high school at the Allen High School Freshman Center, where I was part of an after-school photography class. Growing up, I was a very quiet, awkward, and introverted kid\u2014a bit of an outcast. I was really into anime and cosplay, and I often felt like I didn\u2019t quite fit in anywhere. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/rising-stars-meet-brooke-richey-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kristi McDonald<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1784923389975-personal_1784923389132_1784923389132_kristi_mcdonald_img_3983.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My heart has always been in building community and connecting people. Over the years, I\u2019ve found my real joy in supporting small businesses\u2014especially women-owned businesses\u2014by giving them a platform, sharing their stories, and watching them thrive. My work is built on the simple wisdom of Ecclesiastes 3:12\u2014that there is nothing better than to be happy and do good. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-kristi-of-texas-wedding-womens-expo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Aisha R. H-Jones<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1784920578025-personal_1784920577818_1784920577818_aishar_hjones_1000090414.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My story has never been a straight line, but it\u2019s always been rooted in transformation. I became a mother at a young age and experienced some difficult seasons early in life that taught me resilience, faith, and the power of starting over. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-aisha-r-h-jones-of-green-rose-empire-2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Trip Ghetaway<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/c-1784913579039-personal_1784913578892_1784913578892_trip_ghetaway_1000015864.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A man of many hats\u2026 Many did not know i have been a strength athlete for 30 years\u2026. I literally never had any interest in playing professional sports, or doing things to hurt myself demonstrating my strength for money. Nothing wrong with those that do, but I just wanted to be an athlete for me. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/exploring-life-business-with-trip-ghetaway-of-sales\" 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":398964,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[102,104,103],"class_list":["post-399931","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-dallas","tag-dallas","tag-dallas-headlines","tag-dallas-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/399931","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=399931"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/399931\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/398964"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=399931"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=399931"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=399931"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}