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.
Denzel Fleming
See, I’m originally from Kinston, NC although, most times, people associate me with being from Greensboro, NC. That’s where I planted my feet. Growing up, I was involved in the arts; either at the Boys and Girls Club or Jack Amyette Recreation Center in Jacksonville, NC. Read more>>
Christine Northrup
The story of my business is a deeply personal one. By the age of 18 I’d endured years of struggle and suffering with a pretty consuming eating disorder. Read more>>
Amelia Smith
I became a hairdresser after going to college. Me and “corporate America” were not a good fit. I started cosmetology school in Cary at Mitchell’s academy but later moved to Wilmington, NC and finished at a local school there. Read more>>
Amy Pannullo
My career began as a Certified Athletic Trainer on Long Island, where I split my days working in a physical therapy clinic and my evenings covering the local high school. Read more>>
Bina Thakkar
My story started a long way from Raleigh – I began my career as an independent consultant in Mumbai, India, doing everything from developing accounting and payroll software to creating graphics for retail packaging to teaching computers and software to corporate clients, individuals, and special needs youth in English and regional languages. Read more>>
Trish Leigh
I’m Dr. Trish Leigh, a cognitive neuroscientist and brain health expert with more than 25 years of experience in neurofeedback and cognitive science. Read more>>
Christy Whisner
I started off in the entertainment industry with my first modeling gig at six months old. I soon fell in love with music and theatre and performed in many plays and musicals throughout middle school and high school. Read more>>
Brittany Shelton
I’ve always been drawn to sentimental and meaningful moments. I love hosting family dinners and finding ways to make even the smallest events feel special. When I had my son, each birthday became even more significant. At age two, he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, and that experience taught me to truly cherish the little things. Read more>>
Amanda Wares
Twenty-one years ago, my oldest child was in 3rd grade and struggling. After a LOT of thought and discussion, my husband and I decided to pull her out to homeschool, to work on her areas of struggle in particular. We fully intended to put her back in school after one year. Read more>>
Stephen Kosterman
I actually began my chiropractic journey as a patient. I come from a true chiropractic family—4 generations strong. I grew up in Clinton, North Carolina, under the care of my grandfather, Dr. Frank Kosterman Sr., and my uncle, Dr. Tim Kosterman. From a young age, I was in their office getting regular adjustments, not just when something hurt, but to stay healthy and strong. Read more>>
Kicherra Chisolm
– wanted to be a fashion designer as a child – went to the Art Institute of Charlotte for fashion merchandising and marketing – In 2016 I began teaching art lessons for early childhood facilities – In 2017 I became the resident artist for a local art studio. I held this title for 6 years. – in 2022 I began teaching private art lessons. Read more>>
Diana May
I didn’t take a traditional path into real estate or business ownership, it really started with a desire to build something meaningful for my family and my community. About eight years ago, I made the decision to pursue my real estate license, not fully knowing where it would lead but confident in my ability to connect with people and serve them well. Read more>>
The Way Admin
I’m the admin here at The Way. I actually got started several years ago at another church. I was helping with first impressions/connections which led to using my creative talents on the website and in social media. Read more>>
Michelle Pace Davis
The Pace Family has been involved in the Archer Lodge Community for over a hundred years. The family has been farming during this time a variety of crops with tobacco being the main staple. In the fall of 2016, the family took a leap of faith by beginning to diversify the row crop farm into produce and agritourism. Read more>>
Grace Schupp
I was first introduced to Choices Pregnancy Center as a client. I came in for a pregnancy confirmation appointment, and just a couple of weeks later, I returned experiencing heavy bleeding. During that visit, the nurse gently confirmed that I was having a miscarriage. It was one of the most difficult moments of my life. What I experienced in that space, though, changed me. Read more>>
Eric Cardin
Well it started with my grandad who owned BullCity Barber College, Which was rich in Durham Black WallStreet and the development of the Durham community until the mid 70’s. Then my mom who owned her own salons Lakewood Hair Quarters for over 40 years. Then me graduating from Hillside High 2003 and then 4 days later I proceeded to attend Harris Barber College. Read more>>
Karma Banks
My story began long before I ever opened the doors to Good Karma Botanica & Wellness. I grew up in foster care and experienced a lot at a young age, including instability, trauma, and the kind of pain that can either break you or push you to become someone new. Read more>>
Phillipe Coley
What started and motivated me was the seed of encouragement and belief that Rudy Narace and Sagalovich had given to me, To pursue a career in Fashion Design. Read more>>
Lara Purnell
My sister and I founded Layers of Dignity together. As a Pediatric Emergency Nurse, Hayley (my sister) has seen the trauma caused by sexual assault far too many times. I have experience in Labor & Delivery, Pediatrics, and SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) nursing. Read more>>
Seema Tiwari
Came to America in 2002, got busy in the IT world… and fell in love with exploring this country. Read more>>
Kasie Brooks
Five years ago, I found myself wondering how I could make a small but meaningful impact in this big, bright, beautiful world. I had a high-energy, high-needs little one, and then we welcomed another right at the start of COVID. The idea of returning to the classroom full time while also caring for my family felt impossible. Read more>>
Casey Benander
Carl and I met at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and we became a military family that was transferred to Fort Bragg, NC. After encouragement from friends, we moved to the Haymount neighborhood for its historical architecture and close knit community. During that time, many of the older homes were being torn down and lots cleared for building of newer homes. Read more>>
Sharon Grubbs
My series of portraits paired with personal narratives began around 2018, during a time when conversations surrounding the Confederate flag were intensifying. In response, I felt compelled to create a body of work titled Face of My South. It became a way for me to examine how the flag is often romanticized, while also confronting the deeper, more painful realities it represents for many. Read more>>
Ashley Cox
I began my journey as an art major at Greensboro College in 2000, falling in love with film photography’s developing process. Transitioning to digital in 2006, I began shooting for family and friends, ultimately launching my business. Today, I specialize in weddings and commercial branding, turning my lifelong passion into a rewarding career. Read more>>
Shadae Tompkins
I started with a love for creativity and expression, but over time I realized my real strength was in vision, being able to see how different pieces, people, and ideas could come together to create something bigger. That’s what led me into curating. Read more>>
Nori Maldonado
I made Charlotte my home in 2019. I came from Ecuador when I was a Director at the Post Office in my province. I met my husband Richard during my previous vacations in Chicago. When I came I started studying 6-8 hours a day English at CPCC and by my own. I really didn’t know where to start. Read more>>
Cooper Bakos
My whole life ive been obsessed with the items I bring along on my everyday journeys. That obsession was born from my fascination of survivial, and knowing what to bring for every possible scenario. Read more>>
Eva Crawford
This is my bio/artist statement: Eva Crawford is a Charlotte born award-winning artist with a BFA from UNC-Chapel Hill and a lifetime of art making. Her interactions with former high school students and her own 5 children, which include a son from Uganda, taught Crawford to make art about human stories and hope. Read more>>
Cara Thompson
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Equine Business Management, not the start you might expect for a Marriage and Family Therapist. It did not take a full year to realize the equine industry was not the long-term career I desired, partly due a life (and face) altering traumatic experience. Read more>>
Maryellen Collamore
I have always been interested in being a ‘helper’ and while growing up, I was open to various career pathways to do so. I started my career as a music therapist and worked across all age groups, from neonatal infants to end-of-life hospice care. I also had the opportunity to live in Amman, Jordan and provide music therapy services to Iraqi refugees. Read more>>
John Gibbs
Originally from the Detroit, MI area, I live and work in Greensboro, NC after living in Chicago, IL and Lancaster, PA for a few years. I graduated from the University of Michigan where I studied sculpture and scientific illustration. I got my start in Chicago in the print graphics industry where I was worked as a production artist and art director. Read more>>
Kelly McPhail
I didn’t start my photography business with a big plan or a background in the industry. I started as a mom who didn’t want to miss anything. When my kids were little, I found myself constantly reaching for my camera, trying to hold onto the way their tiny hands fit in mine, the way they laughed, the way our everyday life felt. Read more>>
