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.
Shamika Pompey
I started my journey long before I realized it was one. I grew up connected to nature, community, and helping people, but I didn’t know those pieces would eventually come together and become my purpose. Over the years, I earned my Bachelor’s in Social Work and continued on to my MSW, building experience in child welfare, community support, and trauma-informed care. Read more>>
Brittani Procknow
Originally a Philadelphia native, I moved to Raleigh on a whim. I’ve been in Raleigh for the better part of a decade building a close community, friends, my practice, and lifestyle that I enjoy. I’m a relationship therapist specializing in intimacy for individuals and couples. I work with people through the arc of. Read more>>
Janet Leary-Carnell
After working for physical therapists and chiropractors as an office assistant I decided to embark on a career where I could help clients more than by answering their questions about their health insurance and scheduling appointments. I decided to enroll at the Carolina Massage Institute in Hillsborough, NC where I earned my massage therapy license in February 2021. Read more>>
Oasis Medaesthetics Jennifer O’Dell and Jennifer Morgan
We’re Jennifer Morgan and Jennifer O’Dell, and the world of medical aesthetics isn’t just a business for us—it’s been our passion for over 16 years. It all started when I, Jennifer Morgan, began my journey about 16 years ago. I was working as a Laser Technician at a really big med spa, and I just loved it. Read more>>
Lauren Zappitelli, DVM
I became interested in veterinary medicine and riding horses at a young age. I grew up in a rural area of Illinois, and after riding for many years, I was finally able to own my first horse at 14. Her name was ‘Girl Talk’ known as Gabby in the barn. Read more>>
Jennie Lorette Keatts
In 1996 I was in Colorado working as an International Marketing Manage for tourism for the city of Denver. My sister, Pam Owens of Jugtown Pottery encouraged me to take a jewelry making class as she had some glaze drips from the kilns that she wanted made into earrings, and I had always been interested in jewelry making. Read more>>
Hamid Lalani
My journey into entrepreneurship started in the Research Triangle Park (RTP) during the early 1990s. I joined an exciting optical telecom startup that experienced tremendous growth, culminating in a public offering during the explosive global internet boom. That initial experience ignited a passion for innovation and technology that would shape my career path for years to come. Read more>>
Mary Hales
With over 26 years of marriage, two amazing kids, and two playful pups, my life has always been full—and I wouldn’t have it any other way. But as my children grew older and began creating lives of their own, I felt myself entering a new season of motherhood. Read more>>
Stefany Romero
My name is Stefany Romero, and I am the founder of Disfruta la Vida Mobile Bar, a service dedicated to bringing unique and personalized bar experiences to weddings, birthdays, and all kinds of social events. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been a dreamer always imagining, creating, and building things from the heart. Read more>>
Alona Perov
From an early age, I recognized how an environment or interior setting affected my senses. I either felt comfortable or uncomfortable. Consciously, I didn’t understand why, but subconsciously I could tell when a layout wasn’t working or when a space felt too dark or unbalanced. I also had a constant desire to make improvements almost everywhere I went. Read more>>
Ellen Ross
I am currently a high school math teacher with over 20 years of experience, and I genuinely love what I do. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a wide range of students and learning environments including: regular education, exceptional education, alternative education in both middle and high school classrooms across multiple districts in North Carolina. I hold a B.S. Read more>>
Brad Poirier
I’ve always been the guy behind the camera, even before I knew what the word “portraiture” meant. For years, I was the friend who showed up to every cookout or family event with a camera, partly because I loved documenting life and partly because I absolutely hated being in photos myself. Read more>>
Dr. Wrenn Goodrum
Life Mission Statement I believe in the power of the arts to transform lives. I am an entrepreneur whose profit is made from the intangible life growth of others. I believe the arts can educate, entertain, empower and enlighten individuals, families and communities. I believe in people and the strength of positive thought and hope! Read more>>
Caroline Bangert
Before I was a baker, I was a mathematician. I held a position as a published researcher and tenure-track professor, studying in the field of combinatorics. But a few short years into my career, my health began to degrade rapidly. I had to sit on a stool to get through my lectures. I was fatigued and always unwell. Read more>>
Katherine de Vos Devine
I grew up in the Ansonia on NYC’s Upper West Side, the baroque apartment building that inspired “Only Murders in the Building.” It really was like living in a small, highly creative town. I woke up to opera singers doing their scales. Read more>>
Emily Anixter
I was fortunate to be exposed to photography and the arts at a very young age. I grew up around creative, curious minds and found a love for photography through film and darkroom work early on, sparking a lasting fascination with the process of capturing photographs. For a long time, photography lived quietly in the background of my life. Read more>>
Veronica Allen
“My story begins with my grandmother, who opened her home to anyone in need—whether they were struggling financially, escaping difficult situations, or simply seeking support. I grew up watching her provide meals, shelter, encouragement, financial assistance, and unconditional love. This spirit of generosity was passed down to my mother and eventually to me, shaping my commitment to helping others. Read more>>
Anthony Garnes
As a young kid growing up in New York, I was exposed to a lot of diverse cultures, which included their music too. At an early age, I appreciated music for what it was, and that’s bringing people together. That experience naturally allowed me to gravitate towards the DJ profession. Read more>>
Somya Qureshi
I moved to the United States from India in 2005 as a student. After completing my MBA at The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, I worked in Germany for two years before returning to North Carolina to get married. I’ve called Winston-Salem home since 2010 and am proud to be part of this community. Read more>>
Stephanie Funaro
In 2013 I applied to a massage school in Asheville on a whim, and from day one I was hooked. Everything clicked into place and I knew I was meant for this work. When I graduated, I mostly worked in boutique day spas for the first few years gaining valuable hands-on experience. Read more>>
Cassie Causey
Sassy Clover was actually born during difficult and uncertain times, built on the passion of helping others heal and be heard. During the height of COVID, I found myself slipping into one of the deepest depressions I had ever faced. Depression is something I’ve battled with most of my life, but the stillness of the world in that moment made it heavier than ever. Read more>>
Larry Monk Sr
My name is Dr. Larry D. Monk Sr., and I live at the crossroads of scholarship and entrepreneurship. I am a professor of psychology by profession and an architect of media and business by calling. For me, academic life and business have never operated in separate worlds—they have always been in concert. Psychology taught me how people think, feel, and survive. Read more>>
Mariquena Davenport and Maribel Hurtado Mariposa Therapeutic Services PLLC
Our story really begins long before Mariposa Therapeutic Services ever existed, back when we were two sisters growing up in Argentina. We used to watch a show called Chiquititas, which centered around an orphanage and a special place the children called their “rincón de luz”; their “corner of light.” Even at a young age, that idea moved us. Read more>>
Heather Brogan O’Riley
Hello! I’m 46 years old, married to my best friend, and we share our home (and hearts) with our little dog who brings us endless joy. We moved to Holly Springs in 2020 from St. Petersburg, FL, where we had lived our whole lives—and we absolutely love it here! Read more>>
julya m mirro
I’ve had a couple theatre companies over the years – in Cary, a youth program in Holly Springs, worked with a program in a prison on KY, etc – but I started little independent theatre (LIT; yes, its lower case LOL) about 12 years ago with a reperatory production of ‘Hamlet’ and ‘Rosencrantz & Gildenstern Are Dead’ in Raleigh. Read more>>
Shannon Newby
Kid Lab started in my house 10 years ago (in 2015). It was a seedling of an idea at first – I was a new mom and wanted to find fun, creative ways to connect with my daughter (then 2 yrs old) and also make connections with other moms in the area. Read more>>
Tiffany Walker
My Journey Into Paper 2 Film My name is Tiffany Walker, and my love for storytelling started long before I ever realized it would shape my entire life. I was first introduced to Broadcast Production in the 11th grade at Weaver Education Center. The moment I stepped into that classroom—surrounded by cameras, lights, and the hum of creative energy—I felt something awaken in me. Read more>>
Frank A. Harris
I was born and raised in New Orleans, a city defined by resilience, culture, and a spirit of perseverance that shaped my identity long before I understood its impact. Growing up in an environment where grit was a necessity, not a choice, I learned early what it meant to push through adversity. Read more>>
Kevin Chidester
Our journey to Knightdale started long before we ever thought about opening a dental practice. My wife is from Idaho, and I’m from Massachusetts, and between the two of us we’ve lived just about everywhere—Idaho, Utah, Mississippi, Florida, and Massachusetts. Each place taught us something we loved: the mountains, the coast, the warm weather, and especially the kindness of the people in the South. Read more>>
Dr. DeLon Canterbury
The Catalyst: A Grandmother’s Struggle Dr. DeLon Canterbury’s mission didn’t begin in a classroom or hospital—it began in the most personal way possible. His grandmother, Mildred, became the unwitting victim of a system that failed her. Living with mild dementia in an assisted-living facility, she was prescribed Ziprasidone, a powerful sedative with a Black Box Warning for elderly patients with dementia. Read more>>
Zeynep Lebe Watson
I was born and raised in Turkey, surrounded by a vibrant culture and a close-knit community. I earned both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English Language and Literature, which set the foundation for my passion for language, learning, and communication. About three years ago, I made the life-changing decision to move to the United States. Read more>>
Helen Svoboda-Barber
My private practice is called Heal, Grow, Go because I believe you already have the seed of everything you need within you. Our work together in therapy gently reveals what needs to be healed. During our sessions, we grow your resources, clarity, hope, and courage. Read more>>
Casey & Chelsea Jones
We are twin sisters who share a vision: helping families and business partners to travel more affordably. Our mission is to show others how to explore the world without breaking the bank. As we entered the travel industry, we found ourselves driven not only to help people reach the destinations of their dreams, but also to empower them to earn income through travel. Read more>>
Paige Bohart
Bohart Counseling was established in 2024; I am a sole proprietor following a dream that seemed impossible once. My story is only beginning. I came here from California in 2003, so North Carolina is home. I started out teaching and tutoring English around Fayetteville and received my clinical license in 2023 after graduating from Pembroke University. Read more>>
Robert Gary Dodds
My MG Consulting and Authors websites, listed below, offer a brief overview of my background and provide an early introduction to who I am. Born in England, I built an international career that led me to serve as Head of Human Resources for both regional and global luxury hotel companies across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, and the United States. Read more>>
Ethan Lechner
I first walked into Kosala Center in January 2008. I’d just returned from a year of study in Indonesia and had complicated feelings about returning to the USA. Indonesia had shown me an example of a more peaceful and harmonious way of living. Read more>>
Amanda Graham
It’s hard to say how I started this journey because on some level, I believe that what I am doing now is a culmination of everything I value. My journey has not been straight nor traditional but the throughline has been a passion for animals and a deep curiosity about human behavior. Read more>>
Ameer Hassan
My alma mater has a strong Agricultural program, and although I was enrolled in the business school, I was surrounded by friends in that program and inspired by their passion for the field. I teamed up with a close friend from the Ag program with a shared mission: to provide our neighbors with a straightforward, informed, and reliable landscaping service. We found early success. Read more>>
Evette Smith
My journey into behavioral health and community wellness began with a passion for helping people feel seen, supported, and empowered. Over the years, I worked in environments where I witnessed firsthand how gaps in mental health services, safety education, and community resources impacted individuals and families. Those experiences inspired me to build something that could address those needs more intentionally and holistically. Read more>>
Kendreek Mitchell
I got started working on how to perfect my craft, staying disciplined, and diligent in my goals. Trial and error in finding out what works best for me. Art has been my path that I love to do in my younger years as a child. Being inspired by my brother and cousin that were great artists. Read more>>
Dianne Allen
It all really started in high school when I needed someone to talk to, to listen to me when my family was arguing and I was afraid for my safety. My mother listened to all the neighborhood kids but always missed listening to me I felt alone and misunderstood nearly all the time, by my family and friends. Read more>>
Cecilia Perez
As an immigrant from Colombia, I followed in the footsteps of many recently arrived individuals by working in local warehouses and factories when I first came to this country. Shortly after my arrival, my husband became ill and underwent surgery. During his recovery, he required several radiology treatments that left him with a large darkened area on his skin. Read more>>
Priya Malani
I started my career on Wall Street, working with ultra-high-net-worth clients who had more money than they had time to think about. Over the years, I kept noticing the same gap: my friends, smart, ambitious, high-earning 30somethings, were making real money, but no one was helping them use it wisely. Read more>>
Nicola Squires
Over 8. years ago we were kind of joking about opening something and a few weeks later we were signing a lease. Military life brings so many different minds and friendships together. Kelly was retired from the military and Tracey and Nicola were military wives. It always sounds fun to get to create and work with your friends. Read more>>
Caitlin Ackler
At 24 years old, I found myself searching for more than just a career — I wanted something soul-filling. I craved a path where I could make people feel welcomed, seen, and comfortable in their own skin. I didn’t just want a job… I wanted a purpose. That purpose revealed itself through lashes. Read more>>
Najeema Bey-Mickel
For seven years, I served as an English Language Arts educator in the public school system, dedicated to closing literacy gaps for struggling readers. I’ve always believed that every child deserves a teacher who sees them, advocates for them, and refuses to let them fall through the cracks. Read more>>
Astrid Morales
Everything started as a side hustle back in 2018. My husband, Ezequiel Garcia, was working full-time in construction, but he had past experience in lawn care. He started doing weekend jobs to bring in extra income and quickly realized there was a real demand. Clients would often tell him how hard it was to find honest, fair businesses. Read more>>
Cristian Silva
In 2021, I founded GDS Lawn Care & Landscaping as a side hustle, using my job at Harris Teeter to help fund my dream. Each year brought growth, experience, and new opportunities. By 2025, I made the life-changing decision to leave my full-time job and dedicate myself completely to my business. Read more>>
