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.
Chad Neal
After my retirement, my two children introduced me to social media. As I watched videos online, I noticed there was A LOT of DIY content. Many of the people I watched were very talented, but most of their videos were designed to show their finished projects rather than teach someone how to do it. Read more>>
Tollina Banh
I’ve always been someone who’s had to adapt. I was born in California, but my family moved to North Carolina, and growing up I moved around a lot. Along the way, I also had to overcome some major health challenges. Those experiences taught me resilience early on, but they also made me pretty reserved. College was really the turning point for me. Read more>>
Molly Baker
I started Indie in January 2019 with a simple bet: brands needed a partner who could think across paid, earned, and owned as one connected system, not three separate vendors. At the same time, I wanted to prove that ‘great agency’ and ‘great client partner’ weren’t separate things — that service and strategy could be the same discipline. Read more>>
Thomas Collier
Before I was ever a DJ, I was a dancer. Growing up in Chicago, I spent countless hours on the dance floor, and that experience taught me something that’s still the foundation of everything I do today: great music isn’t just heard—it’s felt. Read more>>
Emmy Kline
Emmy Kline [aka Miss Cakes] is an artist living and working in Raleigh, NC since 2015. She received her BFA from Ringling College of Art & Design and has held a variety of positions within the artistic community in Florida, New York, and North Carolina. Read more>>
Morgan Grimm
I started Patchwork Market in Durham, NC in 2014 with a straightforward goal: create a consistent, high-quality market in Durham where local artists, makers, and vintage sellers could reliably connect with buyers. At the time, there was no dedicated curated market in Durham that ran on a regular schedule. Patchwork was built to fill that gap. The first Patchwork Market was small. Read more>>
Anthony McCauley
I grew up in Thomasville, NC, shaped by faith, family, and a community that believed in showing up for one another that’s where my roots go back to my Thomasville High School days. My path into service work wasn’t a straight line, but every turn built on the last. Read more>>
Ryan Cooke
I started this business to help me pay for college. I have now graduated with an AA and a certificate in Graphic Design. I started with just vendoring at small markets and learned very quickly how much I enjoyed it. I love talking to people coming up to my booth; it has been a blast to learn about so many different people. Read more>>
Becca Ingle
I started during Covid working remote for two IT companies and I wanted to design a swimsuit that was flattering for mom but also cute to match kids! I was already travel blogging on the side too. Read more>>
Megan Lagueruela
I started Megan-Ilene after a few pivotal experiences. Like many fashion students, I entered college with the intent of working within the traditional industry. However, as I studied at SCAD, I learned about the harmful effects of said model on both people and the planet. That perspective, combined with graduating in 2008, led me to pursue other creative careers. Read more>>
Terri Atkinson
I started the rescue after the death of Princess Regan Marie. I have been working in dog rescue since 2010. I adopted a little Shih Tzu that saved me. I had become home bound due to panic attacks. Once I adopted Reagan my panic attacks subsided, I was busy taking care of her and forgot my issues she need me. Read more>>
Carla ROSHITSH
The founding members of Paws for Life NC started our organization as a grassroots effort to help solve the problem of homeless dogs and cats in Franklin County, NC. Over the years, our footprint has grown to include parts of Southern Granville and Northern Wake Counties, NC, as well as support to outlying rural shelters like Vance, Rowan, Nash, Montgomery and Rocky Mount. Read more>>
Eric Gibbons
I’ve spent the past 35 years teaching art, from classrooms in New Jersey and Egypt to my current position as a high school art teacher and department chair in North Carolina. Early in my career, I realized I loved not only teaching students but also creating practical resources that helped other teachers succeed. Read more>>
Whitney Futrell
My career actually began in education, not art. I was a middle school teacher before becoming an instructional coach, and I had the opportunity to help open a school for middle and high school girls from marginalized communities. Our mission was to empower young women through education, and that work became such a huge part of my heart. Read more>>
Nicole Fella
People are often surprised to learn that I didn’t just wake up one day and decide to become a contractor. My background actually started in design. I earned my degree in Interior Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, and I’ve spent the last 25 years helping people create spaces they love. Read more>>
Alysa Kelly
I have always believed that every person is uniquely created by God with purpose, gifts, and value. As a woman of faith, one of the things that has weighed heavily on my heart is seeing how many people especially young women struggle with their identity because of the messages they receive from society. Read more>>
Brian Johnson
My journey into the world of professional brewing dates back to the summer of 2005 and a second floor kitchen in Berkeley, CA. After showing growing interest in exploring local craft brew pubs, and through the encouragement of a friend, I was brewing my first batch of beer. Read more>>
Caleb Parker
My love for cooking has always been rooted in my upbringing. Growing up, food was more than just a meal. It was how people connected, celebrated and built community. As I got older, I became fascinated not only with cooking itself but with everything that goes into creating memorable culinary experiences. Read more>>
Emily Doliner
I’ve loved art for as long as I can remember, but the pragmatist in me opted to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering from NC State instead of a more creative path. I worked as a water resources engineer for a few years after graduating, and was honestly terrible at it! Read more>>
Kim Baker
For 25 years, I worked as a Physician Assistant in hospital medicine and critical care, including serving as a medical director. While I loved caring for patients, I reached a point where I was ready for a new challenge. I had always wanted to own a business, so I spent nearly a year and a half looking for the right opportunity. Read more>>
Jess Stanley
I have always had a love for hair and expressing myself. When I discovered I could make it a career, I knew I had to try. I strongly believe every single person in the world is beautiful in their own way. A lot of people struggle seeing themselves the same way people see them. It’s hard for people to not be critical of themselves. Read more>>
Patrice Foster
It started the moment I gave birth. I knew it was a possibility, but I thought I was prepared. The doctors had increased my antidepressant dosage, and I had my therapist on speed dial, but it wasn’t enough. I felt like I wasn’t enough. Read more>>
Ashleyh Yemia’
Every great vision begins with passion, and Tip’d Off Luxury Press-On Collection is no exception. For years, I fell in love with press-on nails because they allowed me to express my creativity through beautiful nail art while giving me the freedom to switch up my style whenever I wanted. They became more than just a beauty accessory but instead a form of self-expression. Read more>>
John Gibbs
Approximately 10 years ago, I picked up my first drone to take on a cruise. I immediately fell in love with aerial photography and knew that there would be a great business model for drones. I initially purchased into a franchise named The Drone Co. They helped me with the training I needed to take off and slowly build the business. Read more>>
Nikita Gupta
Growing Up Gupta was born from a simple realization: families like mine were rarely represented in the stories, books, and media I saw. As an African American woman married to an Indian man, I wanted my children, and other multicultural families, to grow up seeing themselves reflected in positive, authentic ways. Read more>>
JP Jermaine Powell Powell
I’ve been creating art for as long as I can remember. I wanted to be an astronaut but received a scholarship for art upon high school graduation. Growing up in Ohio, creating meaningful art became a way for me to understand the world, express my ideas, and imagine a bigger future. Read more>>
Ann Harwell
Santa Claus brought me a hand cranked Singer sewing machine when I was 5. Barbie and Ken were well dressed. When I could operate a full size sewing machine I made clothes for myself and my sister, including wedding dresses. I did dressmaking and alterations in my home and at department stores. Read more>>
assan salley
I’ve been drawing and doing art ever since I was a kid. I’m self taught, always just had a natural gift for doing art. I never took it seriously, but when others saw it I always got such a great response. Read more>>
Ryan McKellar
As a child, I was always sketching anything of interest. As a teenager, I signed up for all of the limited art classes that were offered at my school and learned more about different techniques and composition. I started entering scholastic competitions, helping with set design for my high school drama program, and making caricatures of friends and favorite teachers.. Read more>>
Kiesha Battles
I am Kiesha Battles, owner of I Am Yoga, founded in 2017. My journey to owning a yoga business began as a self-care practice while working in the Technology Project Management and Auditing field. In a work culture that praised skipping lunch breaks and staying late, it was a revolutionary act to commit to prioritizing a yoga class during my lunch break. Read more>>
Chris Sturk
I grew up in Billerica, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. My parents were heavily involved in music and the arts, so creativity was always a big part of my life. From an early age, I was surrounded by music, photography, and artistic expression, all of which had a major influence on who I became. My older brother was also a significant inspiration. Read more>>
Dave Kreider
NestVisions grew out of a long career in real estate marketing and a dream that took several years to fully realize. I’m originally from Boston, where I worked for a number of boutique real estate brokerages. Like many people at smaller companies, I wore a lot of different hats and often took on odd jobs for the agents. One of those jobs was photography. Read more>>
Marcus Anderson
# Marcus Anderson: Musician, Businessman, Father, Entrepreneur Two time Grammy and Stellar Award nominated artist Marcus Anderson is an incredible act, and one worth watching. The saxophonist is the golden child shining among stars, with 18 studio albums to his name and 5 Billboard number 1s. Read more>>
Jennifer Clifton
I’ve always loved art. I remember when I was little, my mom used to check out paintings from the library. How cool is that?. I would sit and stare at a print of Christina’s World by Andrew Wyeth, or Van Gogh’s Sunflowers for long stretches of time. Read more>>
Shruti Desai
My journey into real estate actually started because of my parents. After graduating from college, they encouraged me to talk with some of their best friends, who happened to own a successful RE/MAX office in Raleigh. At the time, I wasn’t exactly sure what career path I wanted to take, but after meeting with them, I knew I had found something that truly excited me. Read more>>
Steve Rubin
My photography journey has been one of continuous evolution. While I spent my professional career in the technology industry, photography was always more than just a hobby. In 2010, I founded Steve Rubin Photography, LLC and built a successful side business specializing in weddings and portrait photography. Read more>>
Angela Cano-Johnson
I immigrated to the USA from Medellin, Colombia at the age of 2. Most often, as part of a Latinx family, children learn to become social navigators. They help translate, make appointments, attend meetings and navigate large systems (school, medical, governmental, etc) due to the language need and other barriers that impact the family’s ability to access resources. Read more>>
LaQuetta Perry
About Me: I became a licensed hairstylist in 2004 after graduating from Fort Pierce Beauty Academy in Fort Pierce, Florida, in 2003. My career began with a focus on booth rental, but I soon transitioned to corporate settings, specializing in men’s haircuts. I joined Great Clips in 2012 and later moved to Sport Clips in 2015. Read more>>
CLAUDIA ALZATE
My story is a story of transformation, resilience, and learning to move from fear into a life of greater purpose and fulfillment. I was born in Pereira, Colombia, and almost 30 years ago, I made the decision to leave my country and begin a new life in the United States. Read more>>
Daisy Dance
Hi, I’m Daisy. I fell in love with singing when I was around eight years old, and I’ve never looked back. I signed my first record deal at 14, and my journey in the music industry has continued to evolve ever since.<br> Read more>>
Natalie Horseman
For most of my career, I never imagined introducing myself as an author. I have spent more than twenty years as a nurse and healthcare leader, focusing on education, quality improvement, and helping teams deliver the best possible care. Read more>>
Diana Hurtado
My career has been guided by a commitment to service, education, and creating opportunities for others. As an Army Reserve Military Police veteran, educator, and leader, I’ve had the privilege of serving across the military, K–12 education, healthcare, higher education, and technology sectors for more than 20 years. Read more>>
Michelle Keaton-Barrow
I was born in Taylorsville NC in a hospital that no longer exists in the Western Part of North Carolina. I grew up in a small town called Stony Point or as I said growing up about an hour from Charlotte! Blessed to be the youngest of 6 children and academically gifted. My father passed away when I was 5 years old. Read more>>
