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.
Arietta Mitchem
I went to college for a while but right before the pandemic accepted that it wasnt for me and dropped out over winter break. 2020 starts and Im working random part time jobs trying to figure out to do with my life with the pandemic hits. I was working at joanns (RIP) and a customer complimented my nails and after a short conversation about how I’ve always wanted to do them professionally but didn’t know where to start she had given me the information for a local school her daughter attended for hair. After graduation I started working at a salon run by the same women as the school. I worked there for a little over a year and a half before becoming completely self employed. I do gel x and custom press ons now and love getting to create unique 3D and hand drawn designs for my clients! Read more>>
Julia Apostolou
I moved to Raleigh in June 2025 & quit my corporate job that same month. Taking a complete leap of faith, I knew that God was going to provide something so purposeful and fulfilling for me. Within 3 months, I landed a dream job in social media marketing, have grown my private cheffing business larger than I could have imagined. I get to provide my services for some very cool people in the area & have been able to grow my socials to over 10k+ followers through my content creation! I truly feel I am living out my purpose. Read more>>
Artreice Westmoreland
I was born with cerebral palsy. I attended public schools from 4th grade until 12th grade then I enrolled in community college graduated with an associated degree in office systems. In 2015, I went back to college and got my associate degree in business administration. Read more>>
Carolyn Miller
At The Healing Point, Carolyn has built more than a mental health practice—she has nurtured a community rooted in the belief that healing unfolds when people are given the freedom to show up as their authentic selves. Guided by the principle that “we believe in the transformative power of holding space for healing,” Carolyn and her team invite individuals to connect with their own stories, foster resilience, and discover new pathways toward growth. Read more>>
Myranda Polk
With little money and lots of love, we recorded a four track CD to give to our guests as a wedding favor. This became the birth of The Polk Duo, and since then, we have been performing together as a voice and guitar duo for over 11 years. We have been blessed to compose numerous original songs, headline Greensboro’s first Dîner en Blanc in 2021, and we have opened up for various artists such as Christian contemporary artists, Jonathan McReynolds, and Canton Jones. We continue to perform for various events and occasions with our message of inspiration and love, and a sound that is soulful and fresh. Read more>>
Heather Stallings
Due to some defects in my left leg, I lived at Lennox Baker Children’s Hospital from age 8-12. During that time I had 14 surgeries to try to correct my leg. When they got to the knee, it stumped them, it stumped everyone. They finally said that one day, I would run out of steps and never walk again. Clearly they forgot to factor in God, and my relentless persistence. My mom spent the next 7 years looking for a doctor that could fix my knee. She had gone back to school to be a nurse in the operating room. Then one day she found him. Read more>>
Hilary Norris
I grew up in Raleigh and graduated from Meredith College in 2001 with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work, and Minors in Psychology and Spanish. I then went to East Carolina University to graduate with a Masters Degree in Social Work in 2003. I received my license to practice clinical social work in NC in 2008. Read more>>
Jeff Cousler
Jeff & Danielle Cousler started the A Thyme Savor catering business in 2006 at Beau Rivage Golf and Country Club in Wilmington, NC. We leased a 2000sf commercial kitchen off of the upstairs banquet hall. We did mostly weddings but also club member events and golf outings. We were there for 4 years. Read more>>
Monica Kearney
I started my journey in social work because I’ve always been passionate about serving others and creating spaces where people feel seen, safe, and valued. My career began working directly with children and families, which gave me a front-row view of the challenges that trauma, poverty, and violence create in people’s lives. Read more>>
Danielle Thompson
I’ve always felt a deep spiritual pull, guiding me to create in ways that help others awaken and connect with their own power. From a young age, I was drawn to art and working with my hands. Taking things apart and putting them back together became a hobby for me. I’d even build new things out of the pieces sometimes. Read more>>
Heather Steele
I began my practice at the end of 2017 after experiencing burnout and leaving the field entirely. After taking some time away, I was able to reconnect with myself and rekindle my passion for providing care to others. I enjoyed focusing on my clients and managing the business side of my practice. Read more>>
Abigail Carter
My career in the bakery industry began at 16, when I started working for a local bakery while still in high school. Soon after, I had the opportunity to purchase the business, launching my journey as a young entrepreneur. Read more>>
Erin Pruett
There are so many aspects and parts to my story that led me to where I am today. Early on in my life I spent time abroad and was exposed to a lot of tragedy and hard things in the world. I also met helpers and those showing up in the most difficult of spaces. Read more>>
Eva Heaberlin
I fell in love with the industry back in 2005, when I met my husband. Our shared passion for all things geek sparked a journey that would eventually shape our lives and our town. When we moved to Zebulon in 2014, we noticed a gap—there was no local hub for geek culture. So we made it our mission to change that. Read more>>
Imani and Nia Brown
Imani: My story is a great example of how our journeys in life are far from linear but that’s okay. I experienced trauma throughout my childhood, such as my father being incarcerated for 18 years. I excelled throughout school until I got to UNC Chapel Hill in my first semester. of college. Read more>>
Benjamin Parks
As a kid, my dream job when I grew up was either a cartoonist or a comedian. My idols were Jim Davis (Garfield) and Robin Williams. So when I was floundering trying to figure out what I wanted to do in undergrad, Toy Story came out. Read more>>
Amanda Robertson
I remember when I was around ten years old, I traveled with my dad from Bloomington, Indiana to Radford, Virginia where he was interviewing for a position at Radford University. I had never seen mountains like those we drove through in West Virginia. Read more>>
Pooja makam
My journey started with a simple but powerful goal — to create a dental practice where patients truly feel cared for like family. After earning my dental degree and working in a variety of practices, I realized that while dentistry is about science and skill, it’s equally about trust, relationships, and creating a positive experience. Read more>>
Kim Kupferer
I grew up in Southern California where I loved horses as long as I can remember. There are videos of me at 6 mos old strapped onto my favorite horse ‘Sugar’ riding decked out in a cowgirl outfit. My best friend and I saved all of our babysitting money and would go to the stables and ride horses through the canyons. Read more>>
Jena Plummer
I started Little Seed Counseling in 2020 with a focus on supporting people navigating complex trauma. My goal was to create a space where clients could explore their experiences without shame — where growth felt possible, even in the middle of hard things. As time went on and I learned more about my own neurodivergence, my work began to shift. Read more>>
William Ellenberger
I started my career in the U.S. Army and then worked as a police officer with the NYPD up until I was injured in the line of duty. It was then that my wife and I made the decision to move from NY to NC and have lived here for over 12 years now. Read more>>
Will Bumgarner
I started Vanco Crawlspace in 2019-2020. I was working for my in-laws who owned a grocery store and I was buying real estate part time. Every house that I bought or flipped had a crawlspace problem or basement problem. Read more>>
Carrie Goodman
I’ve always believed that purpose and persistence are more powerful than a perfect plan. My journey started in the culinary world, where I became a certified hospitality educator and spent over two decades teaching at Johnson & Wales University. Read more>>
Airaina Knight
I began braiding in NY for fun as an adolescent: first my dolls, Shout out to my Chrissie doll. I could make her hair go long or short by pulling out the center. I learn the fashion styles on my Barbies. When I moved to NY as a teen i would braid my hair for style and management. I was asked by my cheerleading sisters. Read more>>
Victoria Lewis
Native Vines Winery started in the kitchen of my mother, Darlene Gabbard, as a hobby. She was trying to find a use for all the wild blackberries and apples that were growing in abundance on her farm. Her wine was as an immediate success, friends and family quickly started to make request for more than her kitchen was able to produce. Read more>>
Karen Wallace
We have had 9 natural beautiful Bradley® births, and every one of them was an incredible experience. When I was pregnant with our first child, my husband, Jeff, and I took Bradley® classes together. Jeff learned how to be an effective labor coach. Read more>>
Jana Ingraham
Design a Dream Events was founded and created by a woman who had a design and event planning personality starting at a very young age. Jana, the owner of Design A Dream Events, was given the nickname ‘D.O.’ as a child. What does ‘D.O.’ stand for you ask?! Detail Oriented! Read more>>
LaDonna DeVane-Perry
I’m currently 40-years-old and originally from Sampson County (Harrells/ Ivanhoe, NC). I graduated from Fayetteville State University in 2009 with a B.S. degree in Psychology and from Webster University (Myrtle Beach, SC) in 2014 with a M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology. Read more>>
LYDIA DUDLEY
Lydia Salett Dudley, originally from Cleveland Ohio, was born in a musical family. She grew up singing in the church choir under the direction of her mother and eventually went on to study Jazz Composition at North Carolina Central University. Her passion for community service is demonstrated through facilitating workshops, camps and performing to audiences of all ages. Read more>>
Amy White
Community of Hope Ministries History and Mission Just an Afterschool Program…….In 2003, the “School Success Profile” was created by the Jordan Institute of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to collect data from students and parents in the school setting to identify areas of high risk for families and children. Read more>>
Nicole Riley
My journey as a travel advisor began from a simple love of traveling as an empty nester, exploring new destinations, and helping others do the same. What started as planning trips for family and friends quickly grew into a passion for creating meaningful, stress-free travel experiences. Read more>>
dina Koebbeman
Bored by Board was born from a very dark time in my life. The struggle to survive everyday was challenging but it gave me strength to fight and persevere. In 2016 my marriage of 15 years came to an end. I had 4 kids and I was a stay at home mom. Read more>>
Dillon Schupp
We started as ‘two guys in a Burger King.’ That would be me and one of our other pastors, Mark Stevens, back in 2015. Our desire has always been to create a place where people who have not connected to church and who aren’t even really religious can feel welcomed, be loved, have their questions taken seriously. Read more>>
Lisa Autry
I grew up in Toledo, Ohio, the Glass City, where my love for art began during childhood with visits to the Toledo Museum of Art. While I wasn’t the strongest student in most subjects, art always came naturally to me—it was where I felt at home and most myself. Read more>>
Bryn Banks
I joined the military right out of high school and served with the 10th Mountain Division. When I got out, I went to work for my father-in-law in construction, where I really learned the trade hands-on. Read more>>
Dechhen Sherpa
For me and my family, momo has always been more than food—it’s something we go back to again and again, whether as a snack, lunch, or dinner. In Nepal, momo is a day-to-day favorite, but it also brings people together during special moments. It carries comfort, joy, and a sense of home. Read more>>
Kimberly Clarke
This is huge and there’s so many sublet stories within the entire process of the businesses and my life. To begin all of my businesses have been a hoot of my love of life, love of human beings, love of animals love of the Earth and they have all been a direct guidance from spirit, and I have so so many stories.. Read more>>
Beth Hanna
At The Nook at Sneads Ferry, we know how to create the perfect atmosphere for that special event in your life. No matter the location or what your preferences or special requests might be, we can make them happen. The Nook at Sneads Ferry is the realization of many years of dreaming, preparing, and helping others to plan their special events. Read more>>
Alexandra (Alex) Washburn
As a child I was frequently told by adults that I should become a therapist when I grew up. Looking back I can see that my sensitivity and insight were developing even at a young age, though I did not yet know how to protect this. Read more>>
Charletta Tucker
On New Years day in 2001, my life changed drastically. I was diagnosed with diabetes and my younger brother was diagnosed a few months later. We had no idea what was going on with our bodies. Read more>>
Colby Cooper
My journey with yoga began shortly after college in the early 2000s, when I found myself drawn to the grounding and healing aspects of the practice after years training in classical ballet. Over the years, my passion deepened, eventually leading me to complete teacher training and take on a studio management role in Northern Virginia. Read more>>
Ashley Ranaudo
I moved to North Carolina with my family from California in 2008; I went to Panther Creek High as one of the first graduating classes then NC State for college, Go Wolfpack! Read more>>
Tonya Cowan
My name is Tonya M. Cowan, though many know me as Ms. Positivi-T. My journey began with a heartfelt vision: to uplift and encourage people from all walks of life. Driven by my passion for positive change, I founded Ms. Positivi-T as a platform dedicated to inspiring others and supporting them as they discover their own strength and potential. Read more>>
Nayomii Raee
I started out as a kid in the hood who always loved showing my talent. In the beginning, I wasn’t as confident as I am now, but over time I realized that there are so many different creators in this world who are all unique with a purpose. That pushed me to stay consistent with creating content and to embrace who I am. Read more>>
Rachel J Haungs
I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. My mother is extremely creative in fiber arts and my grandfather was a drafter and artist. They both poured a lot of love into nourishing interest in the arts from a very young age, and that sustained through school. Read more>>
Lauren Jones
The Start of Wake Forest Driving Academy It began with a simple realization: teenagers in Wake Forest needed more accessible, supportive, and community-minded driver’s education options. Read more>>
Emethia Washington
My journey in the tax industry began back in the 1990s, when tax forms and books were still mailed to your home. In the late 90s and early 2000s, I realized how much I enjoyed helping others with their taxes and decided this was something I wanted to pursue long term. Read more>>
Katie Sautter
Life is rarely linear, and my story is proof of that. On paper, I am Dr. Sautter. I hold a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering and once built quantum dot lasers for a living. It was the kind of career many would call “The Dream Job”: six-figure salary, benefits, stability. But inside, I felt restless. Read more>>
Thao Nguyen
I grew up in Hartford CT, after my parents and I immigrated to the United States when I was 2. A career in the arts was not something my parents envisioned for me – or even something that they could fathom. Read more>>
Bethany Duffrin
During a time when the world stood still, something unexpected began to bloom. In the middle of lockdown, I had my teenage nieces over, armed with plenty of craft kits to keep us busy indoors. When I opened a Michaels clay kit, a few clay cutters and earring bezels tumbled out — and that’s where it all began. Read more>>
Catrina Reese
Catrina Reese is the founder of Catrina Reese, LLC, where she serves as a licensed and ordained minister, certified life and business coach, officiant trainer, and award-winning wedding officiant. A 2025 Quality Business Award winner for Best Wedding Officiant in Charlotte, Catrina is also a singer-songwriter, former talk-show host, publisher, and the author of four books available on Amazon. Read more>>
Jay Cannon
From my most formative years I have loved creating services and ‘businesses’. Grass mowing, firewood, a local newspaper etc. I tried it all when I was a little kid. This carried into my adult years. Running a business is like getting to play a board game every day. Win some, Lose some, but always fun if you have the right mindset. Read more>>
Brandon Christy
I did not have a five year plan when I graduated high school. A family friend was a kitchen manager at a local steakhouse and offered me a shot in the back of the house. I took it. I figured I would work hard, learn what I could, and see where life pointed me. That first job gave me more than a paycheck. Read more>>
Mayia Warren
I am an independent Gospel artist who is visually impaired and navigates multiple disabilities. With such a traumatic childhood at the hands of my parents, creativity through words and art became my outlet. Through many pitfalls, and turns in my life, my faith has been my foundation, even when I failed to acknowledge it at times. Read more>>
Quan McLeod
I started with a simple passion for sharing authentic Southern flavors with a creative twist. In the beginning, it was just me cooking for family, friends, and small community events, growing up being taught by my great grandmother Lillie”Biggie” Wilson but the response was overwhelming. Word of mouth grew, and soon I was catering larger events, festivals, and corporate gatherings. Read more>>
Susan Corriher
I have always been a doodler, but never considered art as even a hobby. However, I was out of a job at 50 and wanted to return to school, but did not know what line of study to pursue. Read more>>
Kiana Rempfer
Where to begin first I was a cheerleader dancer meaning I did cheerleading and they had a dance team so to me it wasn’t considered street dance. It was considered cheer dance. I started that at five years old at a place that was called Elite Cheer and Dance. Read more>>
SIR SMITH Lionell Smith
I began my music career singing with my family band Joy, based out of Austin, Texas with roots to the southeast Texas area (Beaumont-Port Arthur region). We spent all our playtime as kids learning how to harmonize, teaching ourselves parts in songs. We quickly learned and took note of local vocalists in our church our parents, their siblings. Read more>>
Corey Dorsa
Back in 2021, my partner and I moved to Raleigh when she graduated LSU Veterinarian School. We had always had our eyes on North Carolina and Raleigh was the place we ended up calling home. I was working as a sales representative for a national residential repairs chain. Read more>>
Jessi Bloom
Jessi Bloom is the visionary founder and CEO of Bloomwell Bookkeeping, an agency dedicated to growing small businesses through personalized, people-focused financial services. With over a decade of hands-on experience in bookkeeping and seven years in human resources, Jessi blends precision with empathy—bringing both numbers and people into alignment. Read more>>
Jocquelyn Boone
I’m a lifelong lover of all things arts and culture—an affinity that has shaped every step of my professional journey. I earned a BA in Broadcast Journalism from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC, and an MFA in Film from Howard University in Washington, DC. Read more>>
Megan Jones Medford
I am a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and mother. I am from Asheville, NC and graduated from UNCC with a degree in Dance Education. I performed and taught in NYC for six years before returning back to WNC. I currently dance with Stewart/Owen Dance and The Asheville Ballet. I teach throughout the city with Asheville Dance Theater, WNC Dance Academy, and The Ballet Conservatory of Asheville. Read more>>
Nikki Kavanagh
My story is very long and complicated but I will try to simplify it as best as I can. I grew up in New Jersey. Read more>>
Cole Knoll
I was born and raised in Iowa. My upbringing was far from easy—it taught me grit, discipline, and how to rely on sports and community when things got tough. One of the biggest influences during that time was the barbershop an hour away from home. Every time I stepped inside, I felt connected. It was a space of laughter, lessons, and authenticity. Read more>>
Tilantine Benjamin
I describe my journey as one of resilience, service, and purpose. I began in education as a K–12 teacher and instructional technologist, but soon stepped into organizational leadership and workforce development. Over the years, I’ve led in senior roles with the Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency (MDA), and now as Branch Chief of People Programs at the USDA. Read more>>
Austin Hansen
I have practiced martial arts since 2009, with my speciality being the sport of Judo. I hold a 4th degree black belt in Judo, a 4th degree black belt in Japanese Jujutsu, and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I moved to Sanford, NC in 2020 on military orders. Read more>>
DENICIA MONTFORD
I am a Vice President of NC AFL CIO Executive Board, Executive Director of Bayard Rustin LGBTQ APRI, IBEW Local 379 Member, Co-Chair Policy Committee of NC AFL CIO, Board Member BluePrint NC, and Mentor NCLCVF. My daddy is a retired IAM (Machinists Union) and my mom is a retired UFCW. I was raised in community and labor. I was raised to fight for myself but most importantly fight for others that have not found there voice yet. Read more>>
Lori Tyman
My wellness journey started in 2004 when I was delivered from cigarette smoking. It was truly divine intervention because I had several unsuccessful attempts prior to this one. I then started walking on an elliptical machine, stopped eating fast food, read every book & article I could find on health & wellness, and continued to improve my diet & lifestyle. Read more>>
