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.

Deja Monet

I started my career in Cosmetology on paper in the year 2023, I attended Paul Mitchell school of Raleigh and graduated with honors. I can truly say my passion for my creativity that got me to this point started with dancing. I started dancing at the age of five in church. I was choregraphing artistic pieces and was often used as the “example” for when or how to do something. I’ve always had a natural ability to do things. This eventually led me to taking it more seriously, I started attending professional dance classes in Richmond, VA under Sisterly Grace Ministries owned and operated by Letricia Loftin Russell. I was exposed to Jazz, Ballet, Tap dancing, Hip-Hop, Salsa and even exposed to the Fashion World. Read More>>

Joshua Alston

I grew up being involved in many sports, particularly football. My favorite part about sports was always the weight room. Watching my own body grow and transform and seeing the new heights I could take my body to inspired me. So once I got to college and began an internship where I began training different people and seeing the joy on their faces come when they made progress towards becoming healthier and reaching their goals, that’s how I knew this industry is what my calling was in. Read More>>

Reatter Neal

I always said I would never come back home to practice law because of how small it is. I wanted to be in Charlotte or Winston-Salem and near the city. However, fate brought me home. My last year of law school was during Covid and so it made sense financially to move back home and save my money on renting an apartment in Durham. I took the bar exam in a local attorney’s law office and anxiously waited for my results. On September 14, 2021 (one day before my 25th birthday), I found out that I passed and was able to be a licensed attorney in the state of North Carolina. Read More>>

Emily Winslow

Art has always been my passion, though I didn’t always know the exact path. Growing up in Cincinnati, I danced through life and discovered my love for life drawing thanks to a high school teacher who believed in me. That spark led me to graphic arts in college, and eventually to a career that started with graphic design, evolved into web design, and now thrives in UX. I’m all about blending creativity with problem-solving. I live in Raleigh with my husband and two kids, juggling family life and always keeping the creative juices flowing. Read More>>

Neenah Brown

Looking back, it feels like everything naturally led me here. I’ve been obsessed with hair for as long as I can remember. From experimenting with styles as a kid to always being the go-to person for hair advice, it’s something that’s always been a part of me. At the same time, I pursued a career in marketing, where I worked my way into a senior-level role, leading campaigns and brand strategies across various industries. Read More>>

Tatjana Sweck

Obstacles and challenges I have run into are technical issues, because sometimes technology wants to win. This type of business isn’t a cheap one so having to replace any camera equipment can get challenging. Running a business, having a website, having a gallery page, all the programs and more can get struggling, because they go up in price every year where it seems like I can’t keep up and have to raise my prices. Read More>>

Jalisa Thompson And Tiffany Temple

We are college friends and Sorority Sisters who share a love of travel. We’ve taken numerous trips together and were always the ones who were planning and organizing all the travel arrangements. People were always coming to us to inquire about our travels since we both travel frequently, so we decided to turn our love for travel into a business in 2023. Read More>>

Aaron Blanchard

My goal isn’t just to teach techniques, but to empower individuals to develop their own shibari practice. By providing a supportive, professional environment, I help people feel comfortable learning and potentially self-teaching in the future. I’m transparent about my experience level, always emphasizing the importance of ongoing learning and respecting the complexity of the art form. Read More>>

Brent Deitrich

The publication market has been fraught with constant closures. Having a print magazine definitely has it’s challenges as most wedding market publications stopped doing this years ago. Ours is more of a coffee table type of magazine, and we typically only do an issue a year. There is always the challenge of ensuring that there is a good return on investment for our advertising partners, keeping our views and engagement up digitally. Our team also works remotely all over the country, which presents more challenges for keeping in touch as a group! Read More>>

Shanon Kindred

I created a body butter for my oldest daughter in 2010 when she was a few months old. I had tried several brands of baby lotion to soothe her dry skin and mild eczema and they just weren’t helping. Now she has softer skin and the eczema outbreaks have been reduced. Seeing the positive results on my baby’s skin (and mine), I became passionate about making other skincare products for my family that were as clean as possible. At the urging of family and friends, I began selling my creations in 2014. Read More>>

Angela Von Canon

Today, I work with other local artisans such as Pena Artworks & Designs, Music with Miss Kassie, and The White Street Market & Candle Bar through collaborations. All of us enjoy helping our community of predominantly Wake County residents through our artistic talents. Although I have an art studio at my house, the venue I like to call home is MK Creative Arts Studio in Wake Forest. They have an enchanting aesthetic as a dance studio which converts nicely into a comfy art workshop, too. You can also find Art & Soul Studio at The Stables Marketplace in Franklinton, Norse Brew Co., and Rolesville Parks & Rec. Read More>>

Laurie Ruettimann

I’m Laurie Ruettimann, an author, podcaster, and former HR leader turned speaker and advisor. My career began in 1995 as an HR intern at Leaf Candy Company, where I learned the ropes in a heavily unionized manufacturing environment, working alongside a diverse staff of local workers, out-of-state corporate professionals, and immigrants from war-torn Bosnia. My professional journey led me through roles at Monsanto, Alberto-Culver, Kemper Insurance, and Pfizer. Disenchanted with outdated workplace practices, I left corporate America to dedicate myself to speaking truth to power through my writing, speaking engagements, and advisory roles. Read More>>

Eric Thompson

Spoken word has taken me to stages across the country—from Tampa Bay, Florida, to Little Rock, Arkansas, to San Antonio, Texas, and all the way to Oakland, California. Along the way, I learned how vital it is to have spaces where we can speak, be heard, question, and seek answers. That realization planted the seed for my wife, Khalisa Rae, and me to create Griot and Grey Owl, the Southern Black Writers Conference—a space where storytelling, culture, and community come together. Read More>>

Kim Simmons

Oh, if only! Building Hush has been an adventure—think less of a smooth highway and more of a scenic route with a few unexpected detours (and maybe a pothole or two). Like any business, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges, from navigating the world of SBA loans to ensuring every detail of our luxury experience lives up to our high standards. But honestly, wouldn’t have it any other way. Read More>>

Cj Mcgill

Fast forward to 2019 and I find myself going to different games and events, mind you I had already started honing my creative skills working for a fortunate 100 company that employed me. It was than that I realized, my two passions. One for the game of basketball which had made its way back into my life, and the other was my new found passion for the arts in content creation. Since then I have traveled all over the country seeking opportunities to better my craft in photography, videography, and story telling art it pertains to the game of basketball.  Read More>>

Emily Satterfield

Behind the chair I specialize in low maintenance lived-in color and blonding techniques by creating a customized color for every guest. One of my main focuses is to ensure that the hair always keeps its healthy integrity when receiving any color service. Using organic, sustainable hair care products is just one way I do this. I have a passion for education and am dedicated to improving my craft so that I can help each person who sits in my chair create their hair goals. My ultimate goal is to create a genuine and relaxing environment for my clients while making you feel confident with your hair! Read More>>

Lakisha Gilbert

Lakisha grew up in Apex, NC, and currently resides in Raleigh, NC. A mom of 4 daughters, She currently resides in Raleigh, NC with her youngest daughter. Lakisha has over 13 years of professional experience in cosmetology. Since 2008 Lakisha has served individuals who sought after quality work, exceptional client service, and dedication from a hairstylist. She has also taught in the beauty industry for the last 9 years and this role has aided in the passing of NC Cosmetic Arts board examinations for numerous individuals. She has worked in several salons in the Raleigh area not only as a hair stylist, but she has worked in roles as a consultant, salon manager, receptionist, as well as shampoo tech. In these positions, Lakisha gained great insight on how to make a salon a very welcoming place for clients to come, a rewarding place for stylists to work, and a workspace that runs smoothly and harmoniously. Read More>>

Jess Klein

I spent a semester abroad in Kingston, Jamaica where I started putting my stories to music and wrote my first songs. Performing those songs for my fellow students and later public audiences in Kingston was like meeting my soul-mate – I felt an immediate clarity about how I wanted to spend my life. After graduation, I moved to Boston to be part of the songwriter scene there. I was signed by a large indie record label shortly thereafter and started touring across the US and Europe. My incessant hunger for creative inspiration later led me to live and make records in New York City and Austin, Texas, before landing in Hillsborough, NC in 2016. Read More>>

Tallula Tillman

As I got older, my passion for beauty only grew, and I started doing hair part-time. After going through a few life changes, I realized I wanted to take it more seriously, so I decided to get licensed. It’s wild to think that I’ve been licensed for nearly 11 years now. When I first came to Raleigh, I was still working part-time, but I have to give a huge shout-out to Justin from The Pretty Mane—he really mentored me and encouraged me to take a leap of faith and pursue my dream full-time. Read More>>

Markese Jackson

Over the past 12 years everything isn’t peaches and cream you may have some obstacles that may challenge you and break you but you have to stand strong and believe in yourself that life isn’t all glitz and glam we all hit rock bottom but it’s within yourself to pick yourself up hold your head high and move foward. Read More>>

Corey Holland

Nitres originally made his mark many years ago in his home town of Raleigh, North Carolina quickly rising to prominence in the local music scene. In demand, he secured opportunities to be an opening act for many Internationally known recording artist including Atlanta child-R&B star Sammie. Continuing to press the needle of his career forward he would go on to do musical collaborations with acts like Petey Pablo, Dj Unk, Pastor Troy, Mike Jones and Lil Ru just to name drop a few.  Read More>>

Brandon Glenn

My specialties are natural, lived-in colors, hidden bead extensions, and blowouts. My favorite thing about doing hair is making everyone feel like their most beautiful self. I’m always striving to learn something new to elevate each of my guests’ experiences. I want to bring your hair dreams to life and be the reason you love your hair. Read More>>

Barrett Hildebrand

I began dance at age 2 with the dance studio directly behind my house. It was where I wanted to be, close to my mom. Cars would loop around our home every afternoon, Throughout my schooling years I would compete in various dance competitions and would raise money each year for Duke Children’s Hospital. It was a teachable moment through dance to help the children who were less fortunate. Giving back to our community was so rewarding all those years. Read More>>

Sara Robinson

Building on that foundation, we launched IbashoCon to bring the same sense of connection and belonging to the Triangle’s anime and pop-culture scene. The idea was to create a space where fans could come together, celebrate their interests, and truly be themselves. We listened closely to community feedback, making sure to include events that people wanted to see—like K-pop performances, cosplay showcases, danmei gatherings, and gaming tournaments. IbashoCon is our way of taking the inclusive spirit of Animazed to the next level, creating a convention experience that’s vibrant, memorable, and designed for everyone. Read More>>

Ali Buttar

I’ve always had a passion for solar and renewable energy since my college days and jumped into the solar industry right after graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering. I started my career in Cleveland, Ohio, but eventually made my way to Raleigh, NC, drawn by my love for the Triangle area. I often visited my aunt, a physician at UNC in Chapel Hill, and I always thought it was the perfect place to raise a family. Read More>>

Ashley Knight

Myself & Tamrish (Partner) always loved to entertain and would regularly invite our friends over for food and cocktails. Together we realized we had a passion for cooking and fellowship over a wide range of delicious food. Beginning 2016 we decided to try our hand at lunch delivery. We got a great bit of local business. Once people began to purchase our plates, we were then asked.. “ Do you all cater”. At this point, we decided, let’s go ahead and take this seriously! We realized this could be a lucrative business, as well as an opportunity to do what we enjoyed. Read More>>

Brady Nowak

I’ve always been drawn to helping people, but I knew I wanted to do it in a way that went beyond the traditional medical model. Growing up in Temperance, Michigan, I was fortunate to have two incredible role model parents who instilled in me a strong work ethic and a belief in pursuing my passions. Athletics were a big part of my life, and I carried that drive with me to Saginaw Valley State University, where I ran track and pursued my Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Read More>>

Dj Roxci

One of my biggest challenges was figuring out what people like to listen to. I grew up as an old soul, with my musical background rooted in the church and heavily influenced by my family—many of whom were from up north. My foundation was built on gospel, hip-hop, and R&B, especially from the ’90s and 2000s. But it wasn’t until I got around my friends that I started discovering and appreciating the sounds of today’s music. That shift helped me become more versatile, allowing me to blend nostalgia with modern vibes in a way that resonates with different crowds. Read More>>

Jaime Paiton

I began slinging clay in my garage in the summer of 2020 with my friend Tiana, and we had NO idea what we were doing, though it was a lot of laughs. The wheel was a gift from my husband and when I finally decided to take a class and start creating pottery, we created a little studio in a room in our house that was never used. It was fun to slowly put things together and by August of 2023, I was already phased out of my career and ready to work for myself. JPP Pottery was created, not without mistakes! Read More>>

Olashaun Parker

No. There were struggles with doubt, fear and strategy. The real estate course teaches you what you are selling but it does not teach you HOW. I had to figure out how to attract clients. That was really hard. I was new to this career. Who would trust me? I lost friends, family and had to accept that this journey was for me and certain people couldn’t come. Read More>>