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.
Kat Harrison
We’re diving deep already – I like your style. I started in the womb of my mother. She carried my egg in her body throughout her whole life. Everything she witnessed, endured, and overcame, I was with her the whole time. Witnessing it as a little egg, with no clue how life was going to treat me once I came out of my cocoon. Read more>>
Kevin Carney
I was honorably discharged from the US Navy and choose a career with Dean Witter. Once I made all of the cut offs. I worked at a few other firms. Then I realized that, I wanted to run my own firm. From Texas, I moved to North Carolina. And Pier One Insurance & Investments was born. Read more>>
Tahaia “Kunny” Brothers
In 10th grade Entrepreneurship class. We had to write a letter about where we see ourselves in 10 years. My goal was to practice real estate. Many of my family members a re licensed . At ECU my major was Finance with a concentration in Real Estate and a minor in Psychology.. Then in 2001, I began my career with Century 21. Read more>>
Heather Crews
I began my work in immigration in Washington, D.C., where I served as a case manager for international adoptions from Russia and Kazakhstan. When Russia later prohibited U.S. adoptions in response to American sanctions, I learned the hard way how quickly political decisions can limit immigration pathways and alter lives. Read more>>
Lydia Ramos
I decided to pursue a career in medicine in my ’20s, having been influenced by people in my life who struggled with mental illness. My father has been the largest influence in my life, as he was not diagnosed with Autism until age 48 – but once receiving an accurate diagnosis and treatment, he steadily improved over time. Read more>>
Kevin Wilson
Owner of Oak Grove Retreat Center in Tarboro, NC, EV owner, NPR & PBS supporter, 45 years as a Timber Framer, and big-time dreamer. Kevin Wilson is North Carolina-born and Bred. After growing up in Greensboro, I attended High Point College (now a university), where I met my wife, Trish. Read more>>
Robin Bertram
I grew up in Virginia in a pastor’s home, where the Bible sat open on the kitchen table and faith was not just taught—it was lived. From the outside, my life looked anchored and secure. Inside, however, I would later discover that being raised around faith doesn’t automatically protect you from storms. Sometimes it simply gives you the tools you’ll need to survive them. Read more>>
Michelle Bast
I grew up in Miami, which is loud, fast, diverse, and competitive by nature. You learn quickly how to read people, how to move, and how to hustle. That environment shaped me long before I ever touched marketing. I was always observant, creative, and good at figuring out why something worked or didn’t. Read more>>
Angi Terpenning
My story isn’t a straight line, it’s more like a winding path that led me exactly where I was supposed to be. I actually learned how to do taxes when I was sixteen. My mom taught me. It clicked for me right away, and before long, I was helping friends and family every year. What started as a skill I enjoyed turned into something much bigger. Read more>>
Jaime Pike LMBT
I discovered my path to help others through therapeutic massage, by dealing with my own personal muscular pain, perpetuated by skeletal misalignment. Through therapeutic massage I found relief from my condition that other therapies had not given relief to. Through out the years I have continued to manage my condition through deep tissue massage and bodywork. Read more>>
Pat Zande
My interest in astrology began when I was only 7 years old. My elderly babysitter, Mrs. Davis, and I would always work on the daily newspaper crossword puzzle together, and one day I asked about the horoscopes. She lit up and said, “Oh those tell you what’s going to happen today!” I was floored. Why isn’t this on the front page?!? Read more>>
Anavel (Annie) Soza
My journey with baking began at a very young age. As a little girl, I loved being in the kitchen—getting my hands dirty with frosting and creating treats that brought smiles to people’s faces. That passion has stayed with me throughout my life. Professionally, I’ve built a 25-year career as an administrator and accountant, which I continue full time. Read more>>
AJ Leigh
I was severely pigeon-toed as a child – like my toes almost pointed directly at each other. My mom put me in ballet, which corrected that problem, but kinda confused the muscles in my hips. Read more>>
Rachel Sandberg
My journey into the travel industry didn’t begin with tourism—it began in healthcare. With a background in nursing, I spent years working in roles centered around caring for others, eventually transitioning into a position with an insurance company in their healthcare department. While the work was meaningful, like so many Americans, I found myself feeling burnt out and in need of a pause. Read more>>
Amy Downen
ADME || Amy Downen Marketing + Events was born from a moment of clarity that only comes after navigating uncertainty, burnout, and a deep desire to do work differently — and better. After years of building brands, leading marketing operations, and supporting organizations that mattered, I found myself at a crossroads. Read more>>
Timothy & Shenise Glenn
Pretty Southern Catering was born from a love for hospitality and the belief that food is one of the most powerful ways to bring people together. What started as cooking for family and friends quickly grew as word spread and requests poured in. Read more>>
Roderick Rotzien
Techwarrior Technologies was founded in 2007 in Richfield, Minnesota, during a time when technology was rapidly becoming essential to everyday life—but reliable, honest tech support was hard to find. What began as a small, hands-on operation was built on a simple idea: people and businesses deserved real solutions, clear explanations, and technology that actually worked for them—not confusing jargon or quick fixes. Read more>>
Jennifer Yourkavitch
My name is Jennifer Yourkavitch and I’ve lived in Carrboro for 12 years. I am an epidemiologist and lactation consultant and I worked on improving the health of women, children, and families around the world for over 25 years. Along with thousands of other scientists and tens of thousands of foreign aid specialists, I lost my job in the federal government in 2025. Read more>>
Rong Chen
Growing up my parents used to own restaurants so I’ve always been in the food industry. After college and while working in corporate I had the opportunity to travel around the world because of my job. Read more>>
Rafael Lopez
I was born in Havana, Cuba, and moved to Canada in 2008 when I was 18 years old, just a teenager with big dreams, no English, no money, and no knowledge of the construction industry. What I did have was a lot of drive and a responsibility to support my grandparents and my mom, who I had to leave behind in Cuba. Read more>>
Franco Romero
My name is Franco Romero, and I am a 26-year-old saxophonist from Havana, Cuba. I began my musical journey at the age of ten, taking my first steps at the Alejandro García Caturla School before continuing my studies at the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory in Havana. Read more>>
Carol Rosenberg
The story of the Artist League begins several years before the Workshop opened in the fall of 1994. It started after an advertising executive moved to the area. A student of the arts and former commercial artist, he’d discovered the beauty and the appeal of the Carolina golf community in 1974 and joined Pinehurst. Read more>>
Kim McNeill
I spent 20 years or so being met with shrugs by well-meaning doctors. I had a laundry list of ailments that I just knew had to be connected but no doctor could explain or cure me. In the Spring of 2023, I hit a breaking point. Read more>>
Gabriella Shahi
I started off in the wedding industry several years ago as a professional wedding officiant in California (which is definitely one of the most ‘niche’ vendors of the wedding vendor variety). I got into officiating because I am a proponent of marriage and I have a knack for story telling. Read more>>
Michelle Popp
Professionally, I started my photography business 13 years ago. But my love for photography began much earlier when I was a little girl with a Polaroid in my hands. I was fascinated with capturing moments and trying to freeze time. After I lost my dad in my 20s, suddenly a photograph was not just a picture. It was a lifeline. Read more>>
Amber Allen
Even though I trained as a general surgeon for many years in both large and small surgical practices after completing a fellowship in minimally invasive surgery, I realized long term there was more I could offer especially with a background in Fine Arts. Read more>>
Brittany Murphy
My journey into skincare didn’t begin with trends or aesthetics—it began with a problem I needed to solve for myself. I’ve dealt with eczema and sensitive skin for most of my life,That curiosity led me to earn a degree in biology, where I learned to understand skin as a living organ connected to overall health. Read more>>
Scott Laird
I grew up in Western Pennsylvania and started playing the violin when I was 6 years old. My parents were teachers and when it came time to decide on a career path, they encouraged me to consider music education. Read more>>
LaTia Guyton
Many years ago, I began my professional life as an educator. For 16 years, the classroom was my world. I loved the work, but I carried a persistent sense that there was something more I was meant to offer, something I couldn’t yet name. Eventually, burnout pushed me to pause long enough to listen. Read more>>
Ginger Walls
Folk & Fable Co. originally started as a marketing firm in 2020. It was something I did on the side while I stayed home with my small children. Then, in 2023, my mom told me she wanted to start selling her antiques. Before I knew it, we were taking my old business name and turning it into a book and antique store. Read more>>
April Short
My name is April Short, and I am the proud owner of The Learning Playtime Spot in Laurinburg, North Carolina. My journey into entrepreneurship is deeply rooted in my faith. I wholeheartedly trust in God and believe in His holy word, and it was through His guidance and a vision placed on my heart that this business was born. Read more>>
Nic Albright
Throughout high school, the vision was always stayed the same—graduate high school, attend UNC Wilmington for marine biology, and live happily ever after studying all things aquatic. Unfortunately, I found myself subject to a few difficult circumstances after graduation and was not able to attend university as I had intended. After naively assuming my linear plan to success was bulletproof, I was scrambling to find other options when it wasn’t. I began browsing for jobs, career paths, bootcamp programs, pay-to-play courses, and everything in between in an effort to rewrite my life plan. Read more>>
Hollow Johnson
TheToppic94 began in high school with nothing but my iPhone. I couldn’t afford a camera at the time, but my passion didn’t let that stop me. One of my photos was selected for a DPS art show, and seeing my portrait displayed on the wall truly surprised me. That moment motivated me to keep going and believe in my talent. Read more>>
Andrea Hayes
I started this journey as a 7th grade language arts teacher who had a passion for understanding my students. Read more>>
Danyl Walton
Embarking on the journey to open a yoga studio is an exciting, scary, and a roller coaster of an adventure. It’s a chance to create a space dedicated to wellness, build community, and to share my practice that will change the lives of people that will bring balance and peace to our hearts! Read more>>
Rahela Rajh
Over the past decade, I’ve spent countless hours with children and parents across Dubai — from toddlers on carpets in Jumeirah, Burj Khalifa, and Arabian Ranches, to storytime and playful learning in nurseries citywide. During rushed school pick-ups, parents often shared a familiar challenge: busy days, limited time together, and a reliance on screens or toys to occupy children — followed by guilt and uncertainty about how to reconnect. Read more>>
Priya Rani
I didn’t start Social Apostrophe to build an agency. I started it to solve a pattern I kept seeing across industries. After years of working across technology, creative, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial spaces, I noticed that most brands didn’t lack talent or ambition. They lacked clarity. Decisions were being made in silos, narratives were fragmented, and growth was often reactive rather than intentional. Read more>>
Beckie Kiker
Welcome to our home and Harvest Place Farm, our little slice of heaven tucked away in Wendell, NC. From the very beginning, we dreamed of creating a place where people could gather, breathe deeply, and let their hearts settle into the beauty around them—a farm filled with peace, purpose, and laughter. And the question we hear the most? Read more>>
Holly Symosky
I didn’t grow up with a ton of money, I got myself through college and graduate school working 3 jobs. During this time I also became a pet owner to a lovely German shepherd mix. This led to me to require my own pet care services. Read more>>
Jasmine Bone
My journey has been anything but linear, and in many ways, it was shaped by motherhood, caregiving, loss, and healing. I originally leaned into esthetics not only because of my love for skin, but because it offered the flexibility I needed as a mother and caregiver. Read more>>
Shameka Logan-Johnson
I worked as a nurse in various settings and found my passion in corrections and mental health. I also have had family and personal mental health struggles. After pondering for many years with ways to give back to the mental health community I decided to further my education in mental health as my specialty. Read more>>
Mary Kane
As a creative, I always knew I wanted to do something artistic. Taking cosmetology classes was one of my best decisions. Leading me to a fulfilling career since 2012 in the salon industry owning three salons including one previously in Michigan and two currently in Goldsboro, NC. Read more>>
Rebecca Worlu-Ezeh
I have always loved to bake. Growing up in Nigeria, I spent time visiting local markets and bringing home baked goods like meat pies and fish pies, then teaching myself how to recreate them. At just 11 years old, I convinced my father to loan me money so I could sell baked goods after school, which became my first experience with entrepreneurship. Read more>>
Diana Topjian
A friend of mine, living in GA, was very interested in starting a rescue. She had been helping shelters network pups for about 10 years. My husband and I have always contributed to rescues, however; I wanted to do more than financial support. Read more>>
Monica Schulze
The idea for Ansonia Soup Company was born during a deeply personal and difficult time in my life. Food became a way for me to stay grounded — a way to take care of myself — and eventually a way to imagine creating a space where other people could feel that same sense of comfort and care. Read more>>
Hailey Born
I was a waitress for 6 years and when I had my daughter I decided I couldn’t go back to the long hours of being a waitress. I took a Microblading class in 2023 and after I opened up Powder and Mist Permanent Make Up & Esthetics. Read more>>
Monica Dabney
I owned medical centers in Miami, Florida. I had doctors, nurses, physical therapists, etc. working for me. It was a great living, then, my second son entered second grade and was diagnosed with ADHD. Read more>>
Lexxie Saputo
I started taking photos of my friends with a digital camera around the age of 12, and by 16, I officially turned that passion into a business. I began with portraits and sports photography in high school as part of the yearbook staff, where I learned how to capture fast-paced, emotional moments. Read more>>
Alexis Hefney
. Ava’s Cuisine began as a food truck and has grown into a full-service catering company serving Greensboro and the surrounding areas. We gained significant recognition through our participation in large events such as Dreamville, as well as partnerships with major corporate clients. Building on this success, we expanded our services by opening our first To-Go restaurant in Greensboro in October 2023. Read more>>
Leo Kaiser
In 2020 I was in my first year of college and felt a pull to pursue music, after dropping out I spent the next few years exploring my music and after spending time in Nashville I realized this was the path for me. As a solo act I found it difficult to get work and hit a wall with my writing. Read more>>
Dale Townsend
moved to Charlotte in 2012 experiencing homelessness. Four years later, I was in full-time management in the food service industry. I later transitioned into mental health as a Certified Care Support professional while becoming a certified personal trainer. In 2017, I secured a gym contract, became fully self-employed in 2018, and opened my own gym in 2023. Read more>>
Noel Treglia
The Story Behind Plum Krazy Play Plum Krazy Play began long before the play structures, laughter, and memories—it began with a family, a dream, and a purple pinstripe jersey. When our owner was just 12 years old, her parents stepped in to support a local rec league softball team that didn’t even have a coach. Her father became the head coach. Read more>>
Megan Chrisley
After 13 years behind the chair and experience in several salons where I often felt confined to expectations that didn’t align with who I am or how I create, I made the decision to open my own salon. My goal was to build a space where stylists who felt out of place elsewhere could express themselves freely and create meaningful work. Read more>>
Aniya Powell
Lachezbeautybar began as a childhood passion long before it became a business. I started doing nails at just 9 years old, not knowing it would grow into something much bigger. As I got older, especially during high school and into college, I began to truly pour into the beauty industry—learning, practicing, and understanding that this was more than a hobby, it was a calling. Read more>>
Jessica Gonzalez
I am Puerto Rican and Italian so food is an automatic love language for me. I was always in the kitchen growing up and had a tremendous connection with my grandpa. He would always ask “What’s my little chef making today”. Sadly he passed away when I was 16 and I told myself that I would continue to be in the kitchen in his memory. Read more>>
Yolanda Alford-Floyd
Purpose Counseling Services, PLLC was built from a deep commitment to support individuals and families on their journey toward healing, growth, and meaningful transformation. Founded by Yolanda – Floyd, MA, LCMHCS, TF-CBT, Purpose Counseling Services opened its doors with a clear mission: to provide compassionate, culturally responsive, and evidence-based therapeutic care to the community. Read more>>
Curtis Ruffin Jr
He later on moved to Sylvania, Georgia and fell in love with “Gangster” rap, (though it’s been more so reality rap for 13irthmark) from artist like Ice Cube, Scarface, Snoop Dogg and other artist that he classifies in his genre of Hip Hop Soul like Outkast, Goodie Mob, 2 Pac 8Ball and MJG, while playing percussion in the SCREVEN COUNTY school’s band. Read more>>
Samantha Barth
I didn’t grow up dreaming of owning a travel business – I grew up being the person people naturally leaned on. Service has always been part of my life. I was eager to help my mom serve tables at the restaurant where she waitressed… starting around the age of five. Looking back, that instinct to help and pay attention to people never really left. Read more>>
Tammy Evans
My journey really began with a simple suggestion from my husband Charles.He encouraged me to sign up on a dog-sitting platform, and at the time I didn’t see it as anything more than a way to help people and earn a little extra income doing something I loved. Read more>>
