Raleigh’s Most Inspiring Stories

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.

Bernard Taylor

I can’t say it’s been a smooth road. I grew up in a time when liking makeup wasn’t popular, and being a makeup artist wasn’t the norm. I had nothing but books and a handful of YouTubers even talking about it. The career itself didn’t make sense unless you lived in a major city—and I didn’t. Coming from a small town like Mebane, the dream felt far away. But I stayed true to my craft, spent five years locked in, and grounded myself in artistry and product knowledge. I studied everything, undertones, color theory, and the techniques needed for different skin types—until I fully understood how it all worked. Read more>>

Michelle Vincent

The road has been relatively smooth thanks to inheriting a great storefront in Wake Forest and having a team of super employees come on board to make a great customer experience. Our biggest challenge has been in cleaning up some business practices and software we inherited from the old business, and improving on some of the candle-making techniques to produce a higher quality and more consistent product. We’ve experimented with different sizes and vessels for our pre-made candles and room sprays, for example, and with our 3rd version just launched in spring we think we really have a winner on our hands! Read more>>

Mona Abraham

Everything can be understood by being curious about how or why it came to be, leaving me a person filled with wonder. I call this possibility for transformation “magic”, something I practiced often and which was positively reinforced. This is the thought that there is always another solution, possibility, or capacity for something to exist that could not be observed–objects and humans alike! In this way, I became curious about everything, and so this exercise made me well fit to be a design thinker. I took my sewing, materials, and painting passions and added design as I majored in Art & Design: Fibers (now called MAD Tech) at NC State University. I felt validation in learning that my mode of thinking was not a secondary skill, but the primary force by which I could bring things to life. Read more>>

Lisa Kozak

I never could have imagined a job that essentially fell into my lap would lead to a 12 year career that I genuinely enjoy. After graduating college in 2012, I began working the front desk of the San Francisco Yacht Club while searching for what I thought was my dream job in marketing. I applied to a position for a marketing assistant that turned out to be a licensed real estate assistant job. During the interview, I actually said “I love watching house hunters” when asked about my real estate experience – hilarious and so cringe worthy today. Turns out the realtor I was interviewing with was a member of the San Francisco Yacht Club and had been impressed with my attention to detail and work ethic, so he was willing to take a chance on me. Read more>>

Tondalaya Pearson

It has been a smooth road in that the studio (including my staff, students, and dance families) has provided me much happiness, but as with anything in life there have been bumps and forks along the way. I know I’m not alone sharing that 2020 was a difficult year for small businesses. I am still blown away by our ability to shift to a virtual platform and continue to keep students engaged and dancing from afar. Read more>>

Andrea Repasz – Batsche

As a child, I always loved fabric and the process of creating. I was enchanted by the movement of colors and the tactile sensations of different materials in my hands. Whether it was making stuffed animals or doll clothes, my passion for crafting was evident. In high school, I worked backstage in theater, where I enjoyed making costumes and dressing performers. At that time, we had home economics classes, where I learned to sew clothes for myself and my mother. Growing up in rural Vermont, recycling was a part of everyday life for me. I repurposed my dad’s old ties, linens, and scarves, which became an inherent aspect of who I am. Transforming something old into something new and useful came naturally to me. Read more>>

Rachel Thomas

I’ve always had a love for creating, from making bracelets and selling them outside my parents’ beach house as a kid, to decorating my dorm room with magazine cutouts. I grew up dancing and performing, and somewhere along the way, I felt like I had to distance myself from being “too girly.” But now, in my 30s, I find myself returning to that softness and sparkle I loved as a child. There’s something really powerful about reclaiming it. Read more>>

Victoria Fuentes

Currently, I’m a high school Visual Arts teacher in Nash County — a role I deeply cherish. I love teaching students how to express themselves through art and opening their minds to new ways of creating. Some of my favorite moments are when students say, “Mrs. F, I love your class — it helps me clear my mind and makes me enjoy creating again.” Those moments remind me why I love both teaching and creating. Read more>>

FBE Big John

I mean as an artist we all have our ups and downs. It took 3 years to drop my debut project. The only thing that has slowed me down was my health this year after having major back surgery this month but I have already bounced back and I’m back on stage already. This music and this community keeps me going. It’s my own personal healing process. Im a people person so being on stage at shows recharges my battery. Read more>>

Phillip Thalheimer

I remember washing dishes for 3 months then asked to work the grill and then a customer service supervisor. The hard work paid off. While keeping up with my photography assignment’s. I took the required Marketing, Accounting,communcations and business classes at the local community college at nights during the summer months which saved a good bit of money. Read more>>

Jalika Smith

No, the road hasn’t been smooth on my journey. I have lost over $10,000 on investments in hair. I’ve also had issues with vendors delivering quality products, and then staying consistent. Also, when I went to cosmetology school, I ran into obstacles where I was accused of stealing product when I was trying to learn. I was told I would have to pay to do wigs because they were not part of the curriculum at the Paul Mitchell School of Raleigh. Nevertheless, even with obstacles like being told I wouldn’t graduate on time because of the school’s negligence, I still stayed on the path and completed my course. Read more>>

Will Draper

I leaned into content creation early, especially video. I started making videos about my local community—home tours, neighborhood spotlights, local businesses—and sharing them on social media. It wasn’t perfect, but it was consistent. And over time, that content started generating real leads. People would message me and say, “I feel like I already know you.” That was the moment I realized I didn’t need to chase leads—I could attract them by showing up with value. Read more>>

Amy Marshall

Before launching Wed Society Raleigh, Amy spent over a decade as an ICU Registered Nurse, eventually pivoting careers to pursue her lifelong passion for marketing and connection. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Colorado State University and has since spent the last six years helping businesses grow through thoughtful branding, digital strategy, and community engagement. Read more>>

Antoinette Wells-Brown

One of the biggest challenges I faced was getting people to see why I should be their go-to esthetician. Building trust and proving my value in a competitive industry took time. I had to show potential clients that I wasn’t just offering services I was offering an experience that would make them feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. It wasn’t easy, but through consistency, delivering great results, and being transparent about my passion for skincare, I was able to build that trust and loyalty. Now, clients know they can count on me for expert care and a genuine commitment to their well-being Read more>>

Teresa Smith

From a young age, I felt a pull to make a difference, though I didn’t always know what form that would take. However, I knew people’s stories, struggles, and untapped potential mattered to me. That desire to serve and support others led me to begin my career as a school counselor, where I helped students break through barriers and step into who they were meant to be. As I deepened my work in education and earned my doctorate, I realized my purpose extended beyond the walls of a school. I launched the Dr. TAS brand to serve a wider audience hungry for personal growth, authentic leadership, and lasting transformation. Read more>>

Julian Hagner

I made a big decision to move to America 9 years ago and started at Frizzles Salon in downtown Alexandria, Virginia. Back at that time I was married to a military lawyer. That was the main reason for the move to USA but also I experienced wonderful moves to Alexandria, Charlottesville and Southern Pines, where I worked at top notch hair salon. Read more>>

Michelle Vasquez

Any career you choose in the wedding industry has its ups & downs, highs and lows, and so on. Some of the struggles that I personally faced as a wedding planner was that I was so new that I had to work very hard to create a name for myself in an industry that I knew very little about. But because of my business background and great work ethic I knew that my “struggles” would eventually turn into my “strengths”. Now that I am more established it still hasn’t been easy – the hustle is real, but now I know how to present myself in meetings, open houses, and other events. The wedding industry has simply made me grow so much as a person that I am extremely grateful for all the challenges it has hit me with. Read more>>

 Marilyn

I am the owner/ baker at the same time for my small bakery that specialized in authentic handmade Filipino baked goods like pandesal, ube cheese pandesal, spanish bread, pandecoco, ensaymada and many more. I also make traditional ube cake, mango cake, mocha, yema, vanilla, chocolate and strawberry tres leches. Sylvanas, Egg pies, buko pie and other classic Filipino desserts. Read more>>

Kristie Sisson

On the day that I received my certification, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. My father was also rapidly declining from Alzheimer’s disease. Because my parents lived 3 hours east of Raleigh, I made many trips to help care for them and often drove them to doctor appointments at hospitals on the Outer Banks, UNC Chapel Hill and Duke. Sadly, my father passed away in the summer of 2023 but thankfully, my mother has survived her cancer battle! While I would not trade the time that I spent with my parents, it did delay my efforts in starting my design business. Read more>>

Shante Bell

My Nanny passed in 2011 and my Aunt Sue passed in 2022 both in their early 60s and both from illness that may have been prevented by a change in diet and lifestyle. I began to veganized all of the amazing food that I came up on and when it passed the deliciousness test of my family, I knew for sure I was on to something. My husband I have always loved to travel and go to festivals, but once we became vegan would often leave hungry. Then, Soul’s Kitchen was born. We were able to pay homage to my Nanny and my Aunt Sue while creating a healthier alternative to our community. Read more>>

Nate Dove

We started indie Bird in 2021 while living in Charlotte, North Carolina. From the beginning, our goal has always been to create authentic, honest imagery without pressuring our couples to fit into a certain mold. We genuinely wanted to document weddings as they truly unfolded, highlighting genuine moments and real connections. Starting during COVID presented unique challenges—but we found that the pandemic sparked a deeper desire for real human connection, new wedding traditions, and intentional, meaningful imagery. Read more>>

Fabiola Plata

I have Been in the hair industry for 24 years. I absolutely love what I do and am often reminded when my clients face light up with excitement after getting their hair done. There is nothing like the feeling of knowing someone’s self esteem just got a little brighter. I have gone from corporate salon, as stylist, manager, and area supervisor but my favorite is now where I work In a private loft where it’s more of a one one one experience with the client. Read more>>

Kamryn Hollowell

The next summer, I returned to the Miss North Carolina’s Teen stage as Miss Zebulon’s Teen 2023. The next fall, after placing first runner up at another local competition, I competed and captured the title of Miss Statesville’s Teen 2024. After seven months of hard work and dedication, I walked away with a Preliminary Evening Gown award, the Community Service Impact award, and the title of Miss North Carolina’s Teen 2024. I hope throughout the course of my reign I have been able to be the role model I saw growing up and influence the next generation to keep dreaming and persevering because they can accomplish their dreams if they set their mind to it. Read more>>

Derkey O. Ford

That’s when I launched Uraeus Inc., my branding and marketing company. It started with graphic design, then grew into full creative direction and artist business management. Over the years, I’ve worked with both independent R&B artists and artists signed to major labels like Atlantic Records, 300 Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Generation Now and OTF only the family. I’m big on helping creatives own their business, their name, and their future. Read more>>

Ashley Day

It’s definitely been a journey of trial and error — learning how to become not just a business owner, but an impactful entrepreneur. I’ve had to figure out so much along the way, especially since I don’t come from a family of entrepreneurs. Everything from managing a business, marketing, pricing, and building a brand with purpose has been something I’ve learned through experience, mistakes, and growth. Through it all, my faith in God has been my foundation. I’ve leaned on Him to guide me, open doors, and give me the wisdom and strength to keep going, even when things got tough. Every challenge has not only grown me as a businesswoman but also deepened my relationship with God. Read more>>

Caroline Batten

Those qualities have served me well as I started from the ground level. Learning to run a business along with learning photography has been a process. My first year was defiantly the hardest but after that it has been a much smoother journey. Learning what photography I desire to specialize in has been a huge help to enjoying this career. I still have some of my very first client’s to this day, they have walked alongside of me in this journey. God has truly blessed me and I get to meet such amazing people each day. Every day is different but it is such an exciting career. Read more>>

Althea Jones

Years later after trying to push that book out I learned more useful information and gained insights that was valuable to what I spoke about in my first book which lead me to revisions. As you can tell my discovery for writing was a process overtime. One to two years later after hearing about business I started to build my buisness by writing several other books and getting my website made which was first named “Purposed Driven Literature” and later turned to “Purposed Writings” and now is a business that host my personal literature and soon will host my clients literature. Along with that I offer services to beginning and aspiring authors who have either began writing their stories or desire to write their own books. Read more>>

Beatriz Negrin

After moving to Raleigh, I worked in the Wake County District Attorney’s Office in the Special Victims Unit and also served as an interpreter. But no matter where my career took me, I always felt that real estate was where I truly belonged. So, I earned my North Carolina real estate license and returned to the profession with over a decade of experience and a deep knowledge of the legal and transactional side of real estate. Read more>>

Lisa Jay

I knew it was time to pursue my passions again. At this point, I was working in Order Management at an eLearning company and knew that if I were to pivot it needed to be here. The company had several creative roles and I spent the majority of time outside of work teaching myself not only how to design courses, but also how to illustrate. That was in 2018 and I’ve been happily creating full time ever since! In 2024, I started my small business, The Whimsy Jay and have maintained that while continuing to work as an instructional designer. Read more>>

Mack Garrison

I delved into the world of animation and ate it up! Now, a lot of y’all will conjure up visions of Disney and Pixar when I say animation, but what I loved was “motion design,” that is graphic design in motion – typography, composition, abstract metaphors to explain complex subjects. I was fascinated with the idea of taking something hard to explain and creating a story, and visuals, to get that message across. I was providing clarity in a world of ambiguity. Read more>>

Max Lane

I was groomed from a young age for ministry. I played music in my local church youth group and church bands throughout childhood and highschool. The church I grew up in wasn’t like the southern baptist churches my grandparents and cousins went to. I grew up in the assemblies of god. My parents had gotten saved in the late 80s-early 90s and the traditional style of church service was lost on them. When people ask how church was growing up I like to say the church I grew up in was “two steps away from shaking snakes”. Nothing was off the table. Rolling around on the ground, hootin’ and hollering, scream crying and confessing your sins, being delivered from demons at the altar, you name it. And during all of that, I was providing the soundtrack. Read more>>

Julie Shimmel

It has not always been a smooth road. We’ve had to evolve over the years as the business and industry have, and changed our business model . And as many business owners know- change isn’t always easy. As our town has grown, we’ve had to grow with it, understanding what our clients want and needs as well as the industry landscape. We have had to take some calculated risks over the years, and thankfully that has paid off. Read more>>

Genevieve Guenther

It was difficult in the beginning to get the word out and find clients. I didn’t know anyone within the wedding or event industry. Slowly I began meeting some of the kind, like-minded people in this industry who gave me tips and confidence in my skills. One of those connections, Samara Perchick (@makeupxsamara) I met on the job and we had an instant connection. We had a similar application style – natural, skin-forward, and understated – and she asked if I wanted to be her Secondary Artist when needed. She does makeup full time and she’s been instrumental in my growth and success. She took me under her wing and I so appreciate all that she’s done for me, my business, and my confidence. Read more>>

Jess Stambaugh

As a photography student at the New England School of Photography, I studied what would now be called analogue photography. I majored in black and white film, and double minored in color and zone system. I was fortunate to learn under a professor who was not only a master of the zone system, but also a professional framer in Massachusetts. It was through him that I first learned how to frame — not as a hobby, but as a skill set essential to surviving as an artist. Read more>>

Tenesha Brooks

I decided to do something in the humanities because I wanted to complement my science training with “soft skills.” I wanted to understand how people are motivated and how to support families during challenging times. I majored in family studies and fell in love with how the mind works. The connection between our emotions, past experiences, how we view ourselves, and our behaviors captivated me. Along the way, I decided that instead of working with the brain anatomically, I would work with the brain emotionally and become a therapist. I got my masters in social work from Boston University and started my career in Massachusetts. Read more>>

Wali Raja

When I found Pineapple Sol, I immediately saw something special. It wasn’t just a café—it was a place full of charm, warmth, and community. The sunny SoCal theme felt like a little piece of home, and it had so much heart already. I knew right away it could be the perfect family venture. My parents could manage the day-to-day with love and care, while I handle the business side. Read more>>