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.
Annelies Gentile
This side step started a meandering path of searching inward, exploring artistic expression. I made art which belonged to me, not a project with a script and a director. I was the creator. It was very freeing and messy. I made lots of wonky things! But it was also vital to start to make money. So, I needed a path and a plan. Read more>>
Holly Lux-Sullivan
By the time I graduated from seminary and became a health care chaplain, the miracle of antiretroviral drugs meant people with HIV/AIDS could live long, healthy lives, so my focus widened to care for anyone isolated by illness. That meant serving as a hospice chaplain and grief counselor for 11 years, working alongside amazing nurses, CNAs, and social workers to provide care for patients and families. Read more>>
Nikki Kornegay
This is where I meet you today, in continued pursuance of my dream to bridge the gap between wellness as we know it and the spiritual and emotional needs of my clients. I have found that much of my work has involved holding space for people just as much as it has involved working with the techniques I have learned in my studies, and this fills me up just as much as the people who trust me to care for them. Read more>>
Andi Workman
I spent more time building relationships with the brides I was working with as they rescheduled, then rescheduled again, and then finally got to celebrate the wedding day they were dreaming about! I think there was one bride that I designed 5 different pieces of mail for — she had to change her wedding plans that many times! Thankfully as the world got back to normal, weddings did too! Read more>>
Traci Simpson
I started Read Me Unconditionally in October, 2024. In September of 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated our area in ways that I never thought possible in the mountains! Rivers rose, trees fell, homes were destroyed, lives were lost and for quite a while I felt like I was living in a dystopian movie. Read more>>
Lauren Anson
The first year of our business was definitely a masterclass in building resilience, and never giving up on your dream. Despite the obvious obstacles, COVID wasn’t all bad news for us. We used that time to rebrand the business with a new name, and to renovate. When we finally reopened our doors-Something Bleu Bridal House & Formal Wear was exactly what we dreamed it would be. Read more>>
Feliciti Krug
After working in a few different roles, I decided to build something of my own. Starting my personal chef business allowed me to combine everything I value most: creativity, connection, a high level of professionalism and good food. Read more>>
Mike Allen
I have always been a live music fan, and when we moved to the Wake Forest area in 2003, I saw there was no venue for live, original music. It took me a while to have the time to start a music series, but I did in 2017. Read more>>
Dante Poole
My journey has been shaped by a long standing commitment to education, leadership, and community formation. I began my career as an educator and counselor, drawn to the work of helping people grow not just academically or professionally, but personally and relationally. Over time, that calling expanded into leadership roles where I could influence systems, culture, and the conditions that allow people to thrive. Read more>>
Pooja Patel
I always knew I wanted to work with children—I’ve loved working with kids from a young age and have always connected naturally with them. While shadowing different healthcare fields, I met an optometrist who was incredibly personable and approachable, which immediately drew me in. Read more>>
Ben Roberts
Growing up I was active, played sports and that lead me to joining the U.S. Air Force right after high school. For the next several year I worked hard, but denied my health by eating fast food, doing minimal activities and only went to the gym to be social or work on the “glamor muscles” – back and bi, chest and tri. Read more>>
Whitney Brown
My journey into small business ownership is rooted in resilience, creativity, and a deep desire to help others. I am a registered nurse, but my story started long before my career. Life wasn’t easy early on—I was a teen mother and spent much of my life as a single mother. Read more>>
Kathryn Mathias
I started making chainmail and wire wrapped jewelry in 2010 while I was in college at NCSU. I started doing vendor events in 2013 after I moved back to Mebane. Over time I kept doing vendor events, building my online presence and gained a small following! I expanded my skill set and started selling in a few shops across the Piedmont. Read more>>
Ramona LeGrand
After receiving my BA in music from Chowan University I moved to Greenville to be near my husband. We had our first son and I made the decision to stay home with him. When my son was 5 months old I began looking for ways to meet other moms and babies. Read more>>
Lisa Albinus
I’m an illustrator and art educator with a background in both traditional and digital media. I began my career teaching studio art and illustration, and over time built a parallel practice illustrating books and narrative projects while continuing to teach at the community and collegiate level. Read more>>
David Mueller
As a young athlete and as an active duty service member, I often struggled with coming back from injuries during play or work. At the time, there were very few resources available to a non-professional or NCAA athletes, or the majority of the Military, when it came to proper return to sport or return to duty strength and conditioning programs. Read more>>
Brian Boone
I started using drones in 2016 right before the FAA created the federal certificate Part 107 that commercial drone pilot must now have to legally operate. My first paid flights were aerial photography gigs for real estate firms across NC. During that time, I scoured the internet for years looking for drone jobs. Read more>>
Buffy Taylor
There is a widely attributed quote from Pablo Picasso that I find fitting in my own experiences: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain one once they grow up.” Creativity came naturally to me—but holding onto it through real life took support, practice, and grit. Read more>>
Nic and Anastasia Meadows
RWS (Ride With Style) Surf School is led by husband-and-wife team Nic and Anastasia Meadows, whose combined backgrounds in military service, education, athletics, and ocean safety form the backbone of one of the Crystal Coast’s most purpose-driven surf programs. Nic Meadows is a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, educator, and lifelong waterman. Read more>>
Stephan Pruitt
Whew thats a long one…I stole my parents handycam when I was 12 years old. Back then we were obsessed with Jackass and sketch comedy, so we made our own series called RoostBoost, which was just us little redneck kids doing stunts on our motorcross atv’s jumping the camcorder mixed with really silly sketch comedy. Read more>>
Darryl Lewis
My journey into photography began much earlier than most people realize. I shot my very first wedding at just 16 years old alongside my grandfather. Watching him work and being trusted with something so meaningful at such a young age left a lasting impression on me. Read more>>
Robert Burdick
Yes I started out as a group fitness instructor at a gym in my hometown. Then covid hit. I really didn’t want to stop working because so many of the clients there were making good progress so I asked after the gyms closed down because of covid if they’d like to meet in the Parks where we could actually still meet. Read more>>
Erika Stark
Christopher and Erika Stark (Gen X & Xennial) started Retrograde Vintage NC with one goal in mind… Let’s have a little more joy in the world. Let’s share memories, listen to classic music hits, reminisce about good movies and cartoons, remember recess, a simpler wild time before cell phones recorded everything… loud bass and field parties… Read more>>
Caleb Stewart
I have always been interested in art, be it drawing, painting or even music. I was diagnosed with some learning disabilities when i was very young so I always found it very difficult to focus on things for to long. Fast forward to 2004, I decided to pick up a camera an learn lighting in an attempt to make my drawing better. Read more>>
Scotty Williams
I started out DJing wedding in 2009; I work in the public education system and I wanted to make some extra income to help my family. After my wife and I had our first child, she wanted to raise our child at home and daycare was very expensive, so I decided to take a step out on faith and start my own DJ business. Read more>>
Raleigh Adams
I’m an exterior designer, and I see outdoor spaces as just as important as the inside of a home. Whether it’s a quiet place to unwind or a space that makes a strong first impression, I design landscapes to feel lived in, welcoming, and intentional. People often think of hiring an interior designer for a room. Read more>>
Latasha Horton
My journey with massage Therapy started when I became a CNA right after high school. I was in school for nursing but never got a chance to finish due to being a young mother. Providing patient care was when I discovered how massage made my patients feel better. How it calmed their spirit. Read more>>
Hope Savoye
My story begins with my own pain and struggle. At 12 years old, I developed an autoimmune disease, and within weeks my life completely changed. For the first time, I felt uncomfortable in my own body. Read more>>
Karen Taylor
I began in healthcare in the early 1990’s as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. In 2005, I decided to change careers, and I went to nursing school. By January 2008, I finished nursing school and started working in the Medical ICU (Intensive Care Unit) as a Critical Care Registered Nurse. Read more>>
Gina Lemay
It all started back in 1989 when I was able to hold my own kids camera my dad bout me Read more>>
Monika Pandey
My professional journey began in the corporate world, where I gained valuable experience in leadership and operations. However, my true calling has always been in early childhood education. I founded and successfully operated three schools in India, which deepened my passion for creating nurturing, high-quality learning environments for young children. Read more>>
Dhanraj Emanuel
I come from a family of photographers and am a fourth-generation photographer. My father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were photographers, and my uncle and cousin continue that tradition today. I grew up around photography and initially resisted it, but once I picked up a camera, it quickly became an obsession. Read more>>
Neelofer Khan
American board certified hair colorist and makeup artist, I offer continuous education to new comers professionals and fellow stylists in the industry. and also provide hands on home hair & skin, makeup care lessons to my clients. Read more>>
Mae Jeffery
I am a military spouse, a mother of two, and a firm believer that every child should have the skills to save themselves in the water. When my husband’s military career brought us to Goldsboro, I went looking for survival swim lessons for my two-year-old. Read more>>
Jameka Vereen ShaRhonda Smith
Our story didn’t begin with a business plan — it began with grief. ShaRhonda had just lost her brother, and one year later I (Jameka) lost my mother. In the middle of navigating heartbreak, we found ourselves spending intentional girl time together — talking, healing, and reflecting on life. Those conversations became sacred. Read more>>
Megan Kearns
My path into design wasn’t linear, but every step played a role in shaping the work I do today. I’ve always been drawn to creativity and to helping people, even when I struggled to see how those passions could become a real career. After high school, I pursued nursing because I wanted to make a meaningful impact in a hands-on way. Read more>>
JJ Hurst
Ah, that’s a complex question. Where does starting, really begin? Does it begin with what led me down the path of PT? Does it start with why I launched my own business? Let’s start perhaps, with what got me into PT in the first place. Read more>>
Rossemary Pacchioli
I always heard about moms leaving their corporate jobs after having a baby wanting to soak up that precious first year and honestly, I thought it could never be me. I mean, I LOVED my job. I was finally in the role I always dreamed and I’d worked so hard for. Read more>>
Virginia Tang
My journey to opening The Hot Spot Studios Garner was less about a traditional business plan and more about following a pull I couldn’t ignore. After spending 24 years in corporate tax accounting, I knew I was ready for something more fulfilling, something rooted in creativity, connection, and community. When I discovered The Hot Spot Studios franchise, it immediately resonated with me. Read more>>
Jade Dawkins
I began drawing as soon as I was old enough to hold a pencil. Art was always a part of my life throughout school, but I never truly believed it could be a “real” career. After graduating high school, I chose a photography program because it felt safer and more marketable. Read more>>
Robert Henderson
We are a small, family owned business located in Holly Springs, North Carolina. We serve the cities of Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Apex, New Hill, Morrisville, & Cary. Read more>>
LaTanya Hill
P&T Seafood was originally established in 2021 in Oxon Hill, Maryland, born out of a genuine love for seafood and the traditions that surround it—family, friends, gatherings, and food that brings people together. As a Veteran- and Woman-owned business, we built P&T Seafood on passion, discipline, and the belief that good food has the power to create memorable moments. Read more>>
Travis Holder
Sauna Realm was born out of a lifelong commitment to wellness and peak performance. Both Melanie and I have spent over 25 years practicing karate and competing at national and international levels. Through these experiences, we learned firsthand how vital recovery, health, and self-care are—not just for athletes, but for anyone seeking a better quality of life. Read more>>
Rashmi Kumar
I’ve been a practicing physical therapist since 2008, and my path into this field was driven by a genuine interest in helping people move better and feel more confident in their bodies. Read more>>
Danielle Neufville
I was born the eldest daughter to Jamaican immigrants, in a household where creativity and resourcefulness were part of daily life. Dry cat food bags became grocery totes, fabric scraps turned into new outfits, and toys transformed into functional decor. I spent much of my childhood immersed in my own world, staying up late painting, choreographing dances, writing, and playing dress-up. Read more>>
Megan Peevey
After falling into the depths of substance use disorder in 2013, I found myself in and out of the criminal justice system and residential treatment programs throughout Wake County. After experiencing multiple overdoses, I was introduced to a Certified Peer Support Specialist named Ashley through the Rapid Responder Program at Healing Transitions. Read more>>
Dr. Becca Tagg
I was a child who mostly did what I was supposed to do. In elementary school, I followed the rules, met expectations, and stayed under the radar. Things became harder in middle school, around the same time my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. My grades dropped, I started getting in trouble, and activities I once loved fell away. Read more>>
Kasey Smith
It’s been clear from a young age that I belonged in a creative field, but my path to find interior design was not exactly linear. I studied graphic design in college while simultaneously building a photography business, working in corporate user interface design, and freelancing in fine art, stationery, and brand design. Read more>>
Natasha Ballack – Devoe
I’ve always been drawn to the intersection between the human experience of space and design, storytelling, and structure — even before I had the language for it. Read more>>
Emma boyd
I began working in the family business running the front office. My father trained me. I’ve been making custom ocular prostheses for around 15 years. I opened my own practice, The Eye Spot in January of 2024. Read more>>
Makenna Hammer
I grew up playing golf, and it’s hard to keep that out of my story as I played professionally and eventually quit amidst the one thing that stayed: fashion, styling, & music. Back in 2012ish, I was a tumblr era kid, before then even I was creating photoshop setups and using editing software for fun, recording cover songs.. that kind of thing. Read more>>
Anjali Vallury
I stepped onto the mat for the first time when I was six years old – shy, reserved, and unsure of my voice. Growing up, I didn’t see many people who looked like me in the martial arts world. Read more>>
clarence livingstone
As a child, I loved designing and building things with my hands, so I started my career in residential design for several architectural companies in the Triangle area. Designing homes fulfilled my need to be a designer. However, it did not fulfill the need to be a builder. In 2019, I decided to become a certified Home Inspector and General Contractor. After passing both exams in 2019, I opened Enteck Design Group, LLC. Now I can both design and build homes. Read more>>
Isabel Edwards
My name is Isabel Edwards, and I have been working in all sorts of restaurants since I immigrated to this country in the early 2000s. I started at a Deli on 7th St. in Charlotte. I spoke little English and quickly learned what it was to work in a fast pace environment. Read more>>
