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.
Steven Ferlauto
My professional life was spent entirely in New York, where I worked as an art director and designer for NBC and Penguin Publishing. Immersed in the world of language and typography, I became fascinated by the quiet architecture of the printed page. In 1983, while studying abroad in Rome, the project that would come to define my life began. Read more>>
Kathy Hansinger
The Fab 4 Village is the dream venture for my husband and I.. I am an avowed mid-century modern/Beatles fan and wanted a place to showcase the beauty of the era and its unique design. I came across a charming 1960s-era 4 bedroom house and knew it would be perfect to remodel in mid-century modern style. Read more>>
Uta Belletete
From Germany to Fayetteville: Finding Home When I think back to the day my family and I left Germany due to another military move, I can still remember the sound of my suitcase wheels clicking across the airport floor — a mix of nerves, excitement, and a quiet voice inside saying, “This is it. Read more>>
Brianna Lester
I moved out at 17 years old, got my GED from a tech school that offered me a full scholarship but I couldn’t afford college; so I went straight to work. I worked odd and end bare min jobs until by the grace of God I got hired by a real estate print advertising company. Read more>>
Myla Erwin
I have been counseling family and friends since my late teens. Although my own life was a mess. people always sought my advice and it made me wonder why I was able to help them and not myself. People say that counselors tend to be wounded healers; I believe that has been proven true in my own life. Read more>>
Katie Smith
I’ve always loved taking photos, but I truly fell in love with photography when I became a mom. When my oldest was born, I was that first-time mom who always had a camera in hand- documenting every little milestone, every new expression, every day that felt like it was flying by too fast. Then came his first birthday. Read more>>
Ammalu Saleh
Cooking has always been a part of my life. Growing up, I spent countless hours in the kitchen helping my mother, who owned a catering business. I loved being by her side, learning, tasting, and delivering food to customers. Even when I wasn’t in the kitchen, I’d be outside with friends pretending to cook, it’s always been something that felt natural to me. Read more>>
Alicia McIntyre
I have been in the massage therapy profession since 2008. I have worked in various settings including, chain massage clinics, a spa on a cruise ship, a luxury spa here in Raleigh, as well as a private practice. I love massage therapy so much and I wanted to be able to provide my clients with the best service possible. Read more>>
Irina Myachkin
I’ve been in music for a long time. I’ve been singing and teaching here and there. And once I had my own kids and they reached the age of two and four, I noticed that they started absorbing much more information, including music around them. Read more>>
Ursula Horton
I’m Ursula Horton. A Helping Hand Learning Academy began in 2013 with just one student and a simple need. But really, the seed was planted long before that. Back at Bennett College, majoring in English Literature, I dreamed of creating a learning center for students who needed extra help. Read more>>
Kimberly Bynum
Adorned by Faith is an e-commerce store that began in 2024, during a pivotal season in my life when I connected with two individuals via social media, who later became mentors in various aspects of my life. They helped ignite my faith journey and encouraged me to grow closer to God. Read more>>
Honoria Santibanez-Chavez
It all began in 2011, when I had the opportunity to work part-time for Billy and Jimmy at Flowers by the Neuse. At the same time, I started creating decorations on my own for family and friends, and little by little, the word spread. Read more>>
Kelley Harrell
I never planned to work with other people or have a private practice of any kind. However, after formal studies in spirit work I realized that it was learning things not meant to be kept to myself, and I created Soul Intent Arts in 2000. Read more>>
April Pyatt
My love for the art of planning actually began over 20 years ago when I helped my best friend plan her wedding in beautiful Jamaica! Three years later, in 2008, I launched Socialite Events. I leverage my Project Management and technical skills to develop an amazing process that really leans into the logistical planner I am at heart. Read more>>
Dr Belinda Ferguson
My journey began long before Bella Medical Associates was ever a business name. It started with personal experiences that inspired a lifelong passion to bridge the gap between traditional medicine, personal wellness, and leadership resilience. With over two decades in healthcare from clinical nursing to education, leadership, and now advanced practice, I began noticing a troubling pattern. Read more>>
Teresa Sivak
I always say that this life chose me — I didn’t choose it. My entrepreneurial mindset began early, as early as five years old. I came to the United States at that age to live with my dad, while my mom and brother were still in the Dominican Republic. Read more>>
Ajaunie White
I’ve always been fascinated by computers and the internet, how things work behind the scenes and the potential to create something from nothing. Back in middle school, I was looking for ways to make some extra money, but I was too young to get a traditional job. That’s when I discovered web development. I started by building a website for my mom’s tutoring business. Read more>>
Keisha Saunders-waldron
If someone had told me years ago that I’d one day lead a counseling practice, teach at a university, and help shape conversations around mental health and leadership, I probably would’ve smiled politely and said, “Maybe.” But the truth is, this path found me long before I fully recognized it — even back in my early days of cartoon illustrations. Read more>>
Jasmine Nnadi
My journey into mental health counseling started with my own battles in college. I struggled deeply with depression and anxiety, often feeling invisible. I didn’t seek help because I didn’t know what counseling was at the time — until one day, my mom heard something in my voice over the phone. Read more>>
Ari Lehtela
I began guitar building as a kind of a logical way to follow up several years of assembling pre-made guitar kits, simply by a desire to actually build a guitar rather than just assembling pre-made kits. This would have been around 1990. After 7 years of learning the craft I then officially went into business as LA Guitar Factory in 1997. Read more>>
Jaime Adams
I grew up in the small town of Endicott, New York, surrounded by extended family throughout my childhood. I have one younger sister, Jennifer, whom regulars at Little Doodles will recognize as my right hand and manager. After earning my degree in English, I became a teacher and later moved to Raleigh to pursue a master’s in education. Read more>>
Kristin Krippa
I started out by volunteering at a 24 hour crisis intervention center in graduate school I also worked as an in-home treatment provider to families needing support and behavioral health interventions for their children. After graduation I took a job as a Staff Psychologist for the Department of Corrections. I later moved on to the Children’s Services Director and Willie M. Read more>>
Madison Ohlwiler
I started my esthetics journey in California, where I first opened Raw Beauty with one goal in mind, to help women see and embrace their true, unfiltered raw beauty. When COVID hit in 2020, I had to close my salon, and it felt like losing a piece of myself. Shortly after, my husband joined the Army, and we relocated to North Carolina. Read more>>
Emily Raulerson
Our team— often branded as Emily & Matt , reflects the best of partnership. Together, we blend deep local expertise with a personal touch that feels more like a friendship than a transaction. Clients trust us because we bring strategy and soul to every deal….whether it’s helping families buy their first home, sell their childhood property, or navigate a big life transition. Read more>>
Barbara Green
What started my career in hospitality was not exactly planned; it was pure serendipity. I spent several years working as a credit manager for a popular furniture company until it filed for bankruptcy and sold its stores. At the time, my children were young, and like many working parents, I was balancing family life with a full-time career. Read more>>
Victoria (Vicki) Fremont
After teaching multiple grade levels and English as a Second Language in five different countries, over twenty-two years, I retired to my home country, the U. S. A. Fifteen years ago I started experiencing Neuropathy in my feet, which over time has moved throughout my body. I’m disabled and have not left home in six months due to issues with Neuropathy. Read more>>
Vance Haywood
My journey has always been rooted in a deep desire to serve and to make space for people who’ve been pushed to the margins. I began my professional life in emergency services — first as an EMT and later as a Chief and Director — where I learned how systems can either save lives or fail people entirely. Read more>>
Joshua Stubbs
I grew up in the sign industry. My dad has owned a sign company in Oklahoma almost as long as I can remember. I remember growing up watching him hand paint signs with no computers. It was amazing to watch. I remember hand painting my first sign at 13 years old. I have tried a lot of crafts and jobs. Read more>>
Dave Alsobrooks
My background is in art and design. I started out in advertising as a designer and art director but didn’t stay long. I left to make art and explore what creativity looked like without a brief attached. That period shaped how I think about expression, purpose, and how ideas can connect people. Read more>>
Dana McKnight
Thank you for having me! I really appreciate the opportunity to share my story. To answer your question, thinking about how I started Magnolia Content Studios it still makes me smile because the journey was totally unexpected. It all started when I turned our dining room into a content space for our family blog. Read more>>
Deborah Ashway
I’m Deborah Ashway, and honestly, I never planned on a career in mental health, not even close. Becoming a therapist was nowhere on my radar. I grew up in South Florida, where life was all about the beach, friends, surfing, music, photography, film, piano and art. I studied architecture at the University of Florida and fell in love with design. Read more>>
Kenneth Bridges
The struggle was I needed patience because it was not easy. My biggest struggle came with removing convertible tops and putting new ones on After much practice I perfected the gift. Also when I started taking seats apart and remembering how to put them back together. Read more>>
Coach Martez & Dr. Woodrina Layton
Our story is one of grace, grit, and divine purpose. We didn’t begin from perfection, we began from pain, prayer, and perseverance. More than 34 years ago, our marriage went through seasons that could have broken us. But through faith, dedication to family, godly purpose and a shared commitment to keep growing together, we learned that what tried to destroy us was actually developing us. Read more>>
