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.
Rita Brewer
This is on the About page of my website: Lifestyle, Obesity & Functional Medicine | Metabolic Health & Diabetes Reversal Helping Patients Reverse Chronic Metabolic Disease Through Evidence-Based Lifestyle Medicine From a young age, I knew I was called to a career in medicine. Read more>>
Jen Josey
For 16 years, I taught middle school. Then one day, I woke up and realized I was allergic to children. Naturally, I transitioned into an equally abusive industry: health insurance. Because, let’s face it, everyone loves health insurance. It was during those corporate years that my husband, Vance, and I stumbled across a real estate investing education program. Read more>>
Montia Shardae
I started out in this beauty industry back when I was 16 years old, I was unsure and I only got in the industry because my mom made it mandatory for me to become a cosmetologist. Read more>>
Tierra Norwood
My entrepreneurial journey began after I had my daughter and was not given the option to work remotely or on a hybrid schedule. That experience forced me to think seriously about the kind of career and life I wanted to build. I needed greater flexibility for my family, but I also knew I wanted to continue doing meaningful work that created opportunities for others. Read more>>
Crissy Fishbane
Like many people, my career hasn’t followed a straight line. It has been shaped by experiences that completely changed how I see the world. I began my career as a high school psychology teacher because I was fascinated by human behavior and the questions that shape our lives. Long before that, though, I had already experienced challenges that would eventually become central to my work. Read more>>
Kenya White
Ira’s Vintage Gallery was founded by Ira and Dorothy White, whose profound passion for vintage art sparked the creation of this unique business. The inspiration for Ira’s Vintage Gallery grew from Ira and Dorothy’s deep enthusiasm for Southern pottery, particularly the fascinating evolution from utilitarian pieces to expressive art pottery—a transformation shaped by influential artists such as Dorothy Auman and Burlon Craig. Read more>>
Madison Ellis
I’ve always felt deeply rooted in Eastern North Carolina. I grew up here, spending my summers along the Crystal Coast and the rest of my childhood surrounded by animals, nature, and plenty of opportunities to create. Even before I knew what I wanted to do with my life, I knew I loved making things and telling stories. Read more>>
Carey Jackson
My path has been anything but linear, but when I look back, the through-line has always been people and connection. I started my career in HR and recruiting, which taught me how much I enjoy building relationships, understanding people’s goals, and helping connect them to opportunities. Read more>>
Steven Hester
Hi, my name is Steven, and I’ve been with Eno Animal Hospital for about two and a half years now. I would say my story into the world of pet care starts early in my life. My dad was a dog breeder and trainer, so very early I was assisting with the care of dogs — even before I can personally remember. Read more>>
Jenny Sellars
26 years ago my mom Susie, was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was always her wish to have a little antique shop so along with a friend, Anna, (SuzAnna’s ) they found a little lawn mower repair shop store front, for rent and started a small shop. Read more>>
Fat Mack
I started out making freestyle videos with my friend’s older brother who was already rapping at the time. Eventually he encouraged me to take music more serious which led to me and his brother recording and mixing our own tracks off an mp3 player. Read more>>
Fran Giannuzzi
Several Italian Americans got together in 2017 to try to organize a festival in Glenwood South to promote Italian culture. We started with a very small 1st festival with around 500 people and we have grown to over 15,000 and we are in our 8th year. Read more>>
Kashif (Kash) Norville
As a freshman in college, I met some incredible individuals that ended up becoming lifelong friends. They were all part of a hip hop collective on campus called H20. That is where I met Rapsody (Marlanna) and Sinopsis (Dennis) they were making music with a crew called Kooley High. They were dope but they were also my friends. Read more>>
Jodie Brim
I started my business in 2012 as a wedding photographer. As my clients grew in their careers, they began asking me for headshots and business photography. That shift lit me up. I went full-time in 2013 and spent several years photographing both weddings and brands. In 2019, I made the decision to leave the wedding industry behind and focus entirely on entrepreneurs and businesses. Read more>>
Elijah Miller
I’m from Greensboro North Carolina. I was born and raised here. I’ve been making art since I was in pre school and I haven’t really stopped since. I’m an illustrator so drawing is the biggest part of my artistic foundation. I grew up watching sci-fi, cartoons, anime, nature shows, and reading graphic novels and I developed a strong love for creating and designing characters. Read more>>
Blake E. Odum
My story begins with a deep belief that exposure can change the entire direction of a young person’s life. I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, and education, faith, service, and community shaped who I became. As a high school student, I was accepted to Morehouse College. Read more>>
Alex Bolowich
I was a goalkeeper in soccer. which naturally comes with a lot of pressure. A striker misses five shots, scores one, and he’s the hero. A keeper makes five saves, lets one in, and that’s the goal people talk about on the ride home. You live and die on consistency back there and for most of my career, I had that. Read more>>
Samantha Winship
I’ve always believed that nature has a way of guiding us where we’re meant to be. My journey started with becoming a beekeeper, but it quickly became so much more than caring for bees. The hive taught me about patience, stewardship, and the importance of protecting the land while creating something meaningful for my community. Read more>>
Octavia Miller
I grew up in North Carolina in a community where opportunities often felt limited, and I learned early that your environment doesn’t have to determine your future. My parents, both military veterans, instilled in me the values of discipline, service, and resilience, while my community gave me a deep understanding of why representation and access matter. Read more>>
Jas McDonald
I was born in Charlotte, NC, but grew up in Sanford, NC. I moved to Raleigh to attend North Carolina State University, and it has been home ever since. I’m a daughter, dog mom, God-mom, friend, and “aunt” to several little humans. My faith is the foundation of who I am and everything I do. Read more>>
Colleen Quinn
I’m Colleen, co-owner & GM of Atomic Clock Brewing in Durham, NC. I started my career post college as a Corporate Strategist for a big used car company. While that was a great place to start my career, and I learned a lot, used cars were not something I was passionate about. Read more>>
Barbara Lee Smith
When I was ten, my minister father moved our family to a seaside town. That tells you a couple of things about my story. I was raised in a traditional home and time when ‘girls’ were not expected to do much more than marry; perhaps teach or be a nurse. The other more important thing is the seaside location. Read more>>
Chassta Atkins
Ruddy Roots Fragrance House began with a simple dream: to create beautiful, artisan fragrances that tell the stories of the places and people we love most. My husband, Jimmy, has spent years perfecting the art of fragrance creation, while I bring a background in business, marketing, and a love for building meaningful connections. Read more>>
Jeff Polish
I got my start in research science. I went to graduate school to earn a Ph.D. in Molecular Cell Biology, and somewhere along the way, I realized I was a better communicator than scientist. After earning my degree, I went into teaching, but even that felt a bit diluted. I felt like I was moving towards something but not quite there. Read more>>
william mellon
i am a hard-working, self-made entrepreneur who used practical experience, travel & education to begin operating a small farm-to-table restaurant in Wilmington, NC. i was born in Corpus Christi, TX and joined the US Army directly after graduating Highschool. After my service, I moved to Raleigh, went to NC State and eventually made my way to the coast. Read more>>
Aby Rao
My journey into filmmaking began as an experiment. In 2006, after returning from a trip to Germany, I started making short films from my home in Philadelphia. Read more>>
Maria Thompson
My journey into cybersecurity began during my time in the Marine Corps. In the early 2000s the Marine Corps created a new military occupational specialty (MOS) called Information Assurance Technician/Chief. This MOS was responsible for computer network defense of the Marine Corps networks both in garrison and tactical. I was selected as one of the first 30 Marines to become part of this effort. Read more>>
Jim Allen
actually started out on a very different path. I earned my degree in engineering from NC State, but it didn’t take long for me to realize my passion was in real estate. I started my career as an agent and focused on learning the business, serving clients well, and continually improving. Read more>>
Courtnei McWilliams
I’m one of those people that has an exact idea in their heads of how things should look. Yet, those things don’t exist! So, as the daughter of two creatives, I just started making the things I had dreamed up. Read more>>
Sharon & Jermaine Marsh
Marsh’s Rentals, started with my husband and I just having a discussion about life and dreams for the future. He had a part-time job. I suggested if you’re going to work why not work for yourself. From there we started discussing what was his passion, what did he love doing. This is how we came up with Marsh’s Rentals. Read more>>
Dana Yustin
I started my business in 2018 when I was home with two toddlers and a one year old. As a stay at home mom with a husband in the military, I was looking for something to fill the quiet hours between nap times, especially during long work days and deployments. Read more>>
Sage Morgan
I have been making pots for more than half of my life, but drawing was my first love. I would copy manga pages and draw on vocab cards with bic pens in the middle of class to satiate my hands need for movement. Read more>>
Alexis Moore
Photography has always been a part of my life. Before I ever thought about making it a career, I was the kid who always had a camera. Growing up on the west side of Charlotte, I was either playing softball or carrying a camera. My godmom bought me my first digital camera when I was in the eighth grade, and I took it everywhere. Read more>>
Alyah Baker
After spending over a decade learning about all aspects of retail from the in-store experience to design, merchandising, and buying, I decided to venture out on my own to start a business that reflected my values and aesthetics. Show & Tell was born in 2011 in downtown Oakland, CA, where I lived at the time. Read more>>
Guy Pendergrass
Professor Rob and Guy are the owners and head instructors of Pendergrass Academy of Martial Arts. With 35 years of martial arts experience as students, competitors, instructors, and leaders within the community. As natives they care deeply about the impact they have through the martial arts lessons they deliver within our local community. Both Rob and Guy are 4th degree Black Belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Read more>>
Gabriella Becker Corter
Raised in Canada by an artist mother, I went to university in Vancouver and to art school in Toronto. I started out as a pet portrait artist and have been doing this ever since. After manifold pet portraits I pursued other subjects but almost always animals. Read more>>
Shaqullie Jackson
I began my career serving in the Mississippi Army National Guard as an M1 Armor Crewman. After completing my military service, I explored several different career paths, including trucking, HVAC, photography, graphic design, and motion graphics. Over the years, I have worked with a variety of clients in the entertainment industry, which helped me develop strong creative, communication, and problem solving skills. Read more>>
Monica Daye Williams
I did not begin with a building, a grant, or a professional title. I began with a pen. Poetry was one of the first places where I could tell the truth about what I had experienced. Before I had professional language for trauma, healing, advocacy, or trauma informed care, I had my words. Read more>>
loren stephens
I have been a ghostwriter for more than 20 years with a select group of journalists working with me at my company Write Wisdom. Read more>>
Tatyana Kiahra
I grew up in a creative family. My mother is a dancer, my father, an actor, and my three younger siblings participated in the arts in various ways. Growing up, I fell in love with dance and practiced endlessly until my parents started a non-profit performing arts school called Shammah Dance and Arts Academy. From there, my love of the arts grew. Read more>>
Mocha Lyn
I’m a Divine Celestial Frequency, Mocha Lyn, grace personified if you will. Read more>>
Ebony Grimes
My story is one of determination, resilience, and believing that there is always more to accomplish. My entrepreneurial journey actually began when I was just 16 years old. My parents entered my sister and me into several beauty pageants, and from there I was discovered for modeling opportunities. What started as pageants quickly turned into paid modeling work with several companies. At such a young age, I was able to experience what it felt like to earn my own income, travel, meet new people, and develop confidence in myself. Modeling taught me discipline, professionalism, and how to carry myself in business, lessons that I still use every day. Read More>>
