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.
Tiffany Slade
Like many journeys you have some hills and curves but persistence is key. One of the challenges is shifting your mindset from employee to business owner especially in the beginning. Also, learning how to navigate being the owner but also providing the bulk of care until you’re established to hire help. Read more>>
Lyndsey Simpson
Where to start…I moved to Hendersonville, North Carolina in July of 2016 after my family and I found it on a map. We had never been here before and our entire move from deciding to jump to being here was only 45 days. I graduated from Flagler College (Saint Augustine, FL) with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and a minor in Advertising. Read more>>
Satirrah Forbes
Well, long ago in a mystical forest, a young fairy was blossoming in to her journey of adulthood (LOL). Fresh out of High School in the year 2000, my dream was to always start my own line of hair care and skin care products, but life happens. So, The Herbology Fairy Apothecary was founded in 2018 in Knightdale, NC. Read more>>
Brittany Burke
My story with food started long before One Love Kitchen ever existed. I grew up in Jamaica, and from as early as nine years old I found myself in love with cooking. Every time my mother cooked, I was right there beside her—curious, watching, learning. When she finished preparing a meal, I would gather whatever leftover ingredients she was about to throw away. Read more>>
Steve Wingerter
I found myself entering the mortgage industry somewhat unexpectedly after a dot-com venture I had been part of suddenly lost its funding, I was left asking, “What now?” That question launched a period of career exploration that ultimately led me to mortgage lending. Read more>>
Solomon Sinclair
I started my career in big-box retail, learning what it really means to lead — not by authority, but by earning trust and building connection with the people who show up every day. I was responsible for big spaces, big teams, and big goals, but what I loved most was the energy of bringing people together to do something great. Read more>>
Kelly Fisher
Indigo and Rice was started by my father-in-law, whose marketing background was in broadcast media sales. He’s charismatic, personable, and is passionate about helping small businesses make a marketing splash in order to compete with larger businesses. Read more>>
Jiten Pant
Green Scientist LLC was founded to address a serious and widespread problem: many scientists in the U.S. and elsewhere work long, demanding hours, yet remain undervalued and under‑recognized for their contributions. Read more>>
Melissa Hall
In 2014, I experienced significant health challenges, including extreme fatigue and cognitive impairment. After spending a substantial amount of time and money on conventional specialized testing and supplements without seeing results, I shifted my focus. I began working with complementary medical practitioners and quickly found that their approach was more aligned with my needs. This experience reinforced my commitment to this field. Read more>>
Abby Shaver
The Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival began in April 2003 as an expansion of its sister festival, the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival, which started in 1990 as an AIDS benefit concert. After witnessing the unbelievable impact that the festival had on its community, its founders wanted to continue that spirit of healing, connection, and celebration to other parts of the country. Read more>>
Brian Beachum
I am a small town guy raised by a modest family of small farmer’s and textile workers. My first job as a teenager was in a textile mill. I had other odd jobs, but the mill work was my first real W2 job. I was destine to fall into the footsteps of my parents and grandparents. Read more>>
Meg O’Donnell
I got my start as a captive insurance agent during my husband’s transition out of the military and moving back to my home state on the west coast. During covid, I felt inspired to make a change. Read more>>
Michelle Adams
Absolutely. My journey in photography began in 2009 when my dad, a photographer himself, first put a camera in my hands. From the beginning, he has been my greatest inspiration and mentor, What started as a hobby slowly grew as I photographed family, friends, and events. Read more>>
Eyes on Main Street INC Eyes on Main Street INC
Festival Theme: The Streets of the World, as seen by 100 Photographers. Read more>>
Atosha McLean
My path into counseling wasn’t something I stumbled into — it was a calling that lived in me long before any degree. I earned my undergraduate degree from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, and later completed my graduate studies at Regent University in Virginia Beach, graduating in 2013. But my journey into the field didn’t happen immediately after graduation. Read more>>
Jelissa Thomas
My entrepreneurship story didn’t start with trucks. It started with a drop in childcare center I opened right before COVID hit. When the pandemic shut everything down, it shut my business down with it. That loss humbled me. I had poured everything I had into that center and watched it disappear in a moment. Read more>>
Rachel Joyce
I began my career in beauty over 30 years ago. It began as a passion for the feelings that being surrounded by beautiful things made you feel. The textures, the aromas, the overall comfort that came from treating yourself to a small piece of luxury provided fueled my desire to not only work in, but grow as much as I could in the field. Read more>>
Daishae’ Cox
Exquisite Soirée was born from a lifelong love for creating meaningful experiences and a desire to make people feel seen, celebrated, and cared for. I started the business after years of helping friends, family, and community members bring their visions to life and realizing how naturally event design, logistics, and storytelling came together for me. Read more>>
Steve Carr
Carr Amplifiers started back in 1998 with my own personal interest in a better hand wired vacuum tube guitar amp. Initially this was simply something that would suite my needs as a gigging guitarist. As you can imagine, developing that first amplifier took a lot of trial and error. Read more>>
Reyna Verduzco
Twelve years ago, I stepped into the world of insurance with one simple goal: to help people protect what matters most. I didn’t know then that this career would become my passion, my purpose, and eventually my business — Dream Team Insurance Agency. I started as an insurance agent eager to learn, asking questions, studying every policy, and taking every opportunity to grow. Read more>>
Bryan Piccirillo
Growing up in a small, blue-collar community, I understood that my parents worked hard for everything we had. I also saw the impact my mother had as a nurse and caregiver. I knew I wanted to follow in their footsteps, working hard to change people’s lives for the better. Read more>>
Ford Matthews
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved building and working with my hands. Growing up, I spent countless hours helping my dad with projects—everything from decks to fences to whatever needed fixing. Those moments taught me not just the skills of the trade, but the pride that comes from creating something lasting. I always knew I wanted to build my own company. Read more>>
Rob Lenfestey
Honestly, the best source of this story would be to read it on our website… it’s actually a pretty amazing story and fun to tell. The first few paragraphs are about Eleanor and I, and then the second section is the actually narrative I wrote on my journey to starting this amazing project. Please let me know any further info you require! https://www.mandalasprings.com/our-story Read more>>
Joel Murr
I was born into a basketball family. My dad and all 4 of my brothers played college basketball. I also have 2 sons and a daughter who played in college. I came to work in Sanford, NC, in 1999. I love the city of Sanford and the state of NC. I have lived in NC since 1992. Read more>>
Ginger VanNess
If you had told me a few years ago that I’d leave a long career in healthcare to open a coffee shop and community gathering space, I probably would’ve laughed. My entire adult life was spent in healthcare—leading teams, supporting patients, and pouring myself into work that mattered deeply. Read more>>
Tiffany Kirkpatrick
Miladas began long before it became a boutique. Over ten years ago, my husband came home from war injured. I left my job as a pharmacy technician to care for him and our sons. As Christmas approached, money was tight and I couldn’t afford gifts. When my Gramma asked what I wanted, I told her: a metal stamping kit. Read more>>
Ebony Alston
I lost my only sister to Domestic Violence. Read more>>
Ron Fowler
My wife Judy and I started selling antiques and collectibles back in the late 1980’s. I got my Auction License and Auction Firm license in 1993. We started doing auctions at this time. A few years later we started adding estate tag sales to our list of things we do. Read more>>
Jamil Kadoura
I came to this great land, from Palestine, when I was 20 years old. I started working in hotels and restaurants, starting as a dishwasher and climbed my way up to become a director of Food and Beverage in a couple hotels in the area. In 1991, I decided to venture out and open my own business. Read more>>
James Brooks
I grew up with a front-row seat to transformation. My dad worked with dogs from the local Army base — the ones that didn’t quite make the cut as guard dogs. The “rejects,” they called them. But to me, they were just dogs waiting for someone to believe in them. Read more>>
Jasmine Yiping Ni
My Story · Jasmine Yiping Ni I was born into a traditional Chinese medicine family in Sichuan, China. The air of my childhood carried the gentle scent of herbs, mixed with the warm, steady rhythm of my father’s breath as he treated patients. Read more>>
Michael Moran
I started as Purple Star Graphics and rebranded to Purple Star Signs in 2022 as I grew into a full custom sign shop. I’ve made made wrong turns on the way. A year and a half ago I quit drinking, and that completely reset my life. It pushed me to focus on my health, my goals, and my purpose. Read more>>
John Bridgers
The Cloth Barn started in 1956 with Lillian Bridgers (my grandmother) with a focus on bridal and dress fabrics with some quilting and home decor fabrics. Over those years our concentration has led to drapery and upholstery and doing lots of custom drapery, bedding and upholstery all over the east coast. My father and mother both worked here and have recently retired. Read more>>
Robert Archer
I started making balloons when I got a book for Christmas one year. And once I learned I could make a living from it. I ran with it. I kept continuing to educate myself whenever I could. and learned how to market myself better. I moved to the Charlotte NC area 10 years ago and its been the best place for me. Read more>>
Austin Adams
Back in 2015, I was teaching elementary school here in Wilmington. Teachers don’t get paid the greatest, but we do have summers off, so most teachers have a ‘summer side hustle’. At the time, I was painting houses during the summer, which I hated. I started thinking about things that I already knew how to do, enjoyed, and could make some money doing. Read more>>
Donna Launey
Our story begins when a group of artists decided to create an art space where the community and artists could connect. After finding the perfect space in historic downtown, we went to work creating 6 individual working artist studios and a large gallery space to showcase the wonderful local art this community has to offer. Read more>>
Amy Kleist
My name is Amy Kleist, and I am the founder of Women of Wellness and Blossom Wellness, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to making holistic wellness accessible to all women. My wellness journey began early; at seven years old, I was running track in California. What started as a childhood passion became the foundation of my health philosophy. Read more>>
Holly Holliday
Holly Holliday: From Parsons to Purpose — Designing Brands That Make a Difference** If you’d told me back when I was studying Communication Design at Parsons School of Design in New York City that one day I’d be running my own creative agency in Greensboro, North Carolina — I probably would’ve laughed. Read more>>
Jessica Boothe
I’m Jessica Boothe, and I help people grow things they care about. I didn’t plan on starting a marketing agency, I just kept meeting really great business owners who were amazing at what they did, but struggled with being seen. They didn’t need jargon or a complicated strategy. Read more>>
Tyshia Luistro Jamie Bockover
We were two seasoned event planners creating and designing events all over the Raleigh area. We soon saw that the market lacked support for small intimate events such as marriage proposals. Fulfilling that need, we developed our proposal planning team to curate luxury proposals that are tailored to each couple. Read more>>
Sanu Gautam
I started by moving to USA at 20 years old. Once I finally got my green card I had to start working right away. I took the first job I could get which was a hostess at a restaurant across the street. I worked there until I got a job at a hair salon from there. Read more>>
Rosalind Tyburski
Honestly, everything I had done in my life has brought me to where I am now; every little piece contributed in some way. Right now, I offer Equine Assisted Coaching, Team. Building, and Leadership Development services at my farm. I also recently became part owner in EquineFlow, LLC, where we offer Equine Assisted Coaching Certifications. But I wasn’t a ‘horse girl’ growing up. Read more>>
Erika Dunnon
One Health Literacy Organization (OHLO) was created out of a recognized need for help with navigating health including healthcare. It was started and became a 501c3 around December 2020. The business has since hosted virtual events and published health education related content on the internet. The idea is to help community members understand pertinent public health concepts as it relates to their personal health journey. Read more>>
Eddie Jones
I started with a pen, a Bible, and a burden. I wrote stories and devotions and gave away royalties from the sale of those books. After a church event where we had forty box lunches left over, I drove to downtown Raleigh and handed those lunches to those in the park who appeared in need. Read more>>
La’Toya Chambers
I was born and raised in Salisbury, NC. Growing up I participated in several community events , sports , committees and ministries in church. I was taught to always protect my character and never compromise my spirituality. I attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the North Carolina School of Insurance and is a mother of two amazing sons. Read more>>
Kevin Hennenhoefer
I entered medical school already with a passion for the musculoskeletal system. My initial plans were to go into rheumatology, but during my time in school, I fell in love with my current field after my exposure to osteopathic manipulative medicine. Read more>>
Tameka McFarland
From an early age, I was the child who watched people closely—not out of curiosity alone, but with a budding fascination for human behavior and the intricate dance of relationship dynamics. Growing up, I witnessed and endured emotional abuse myself, an experience that shaped me understanding that wounds without bruises can be just as dangerous, disorienting, and life-altering as physical harm. Read more>>
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>>
