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.
Elisa Hernandez
I made a plan: I was going to work out this contract WHILE I began tutoring. I made Noema Learning, and began making connections with parents in my community, mostly through Facebook groups. It was very slow at first. I only had 2 tutoring clients for at least 6 months. But I kept putting out social media posts and sharing them to any community parent groups, as well as homeschool groups. I played up all my credentials as an educator and my unique educational philosophy. Read More>>
Oscar Ramirez
I was saught after by some locals in the pin up community to photograph portraits for the potential of being published. Reluctantly I said yes to the opportunities which thankfully paid off. In just 2.5 years as a professional photographer, I’ve been blessed by having my photos published by varios magazines. Read More>>
Erik Dominguez
Velvet & Lace Events started from a simple idea: events should feel personal, seamless, and unforgettable. I worked for a well-established company in the industry and realized there was an opportunity to elevate the experience—to combine quality, personality, and timeless moments in a way that truly stands out. I knew I could offer something special, and that’s what inspired me to create Velvet & Lace. Read More>>
Kimberly Barr
Throughout my career, I’ve focused on enhancing productivity, efficiency, and service quality, and I’ve seen firsthand the challenges small and medium-sized businesses face in building a strong, consistent brand presence. That’s where my passion comes in. My firm specializes in social media management, business strategy, and unique graphic design, helping clients amplify their online presence and achieve measurable growth. Read More>>
Sophia Hennessy
I moved to Phoenix, Arizona, sight unseen, without having any friends in the city—and that leap of faith has shaped who I am today. From a young age, I’ve been passionate about content creation. I’ve always loved being creative—ever since I got my first camera (after begging for it as a birthday gift). In college, I took that passion a step further by running social media pages for a few organizations, and it really solidified my love for content creation. But it was the move to Phoenix that truly unlocked my creativity and allowed me to express myself in meaningful ways. Read More>>
Jasmine Loew
My dad also encouraged me to take photos, it was something we’ve bonded over throughout the years. We have a family farm which has moved into the event venue space over the last 15 or so years and it has given me the opportunity to book weddings. I have learned so much over the years, shooting several weddings a year, also gifting wedding photography to my friends. It can be so challenging and also the pressure can be intense. I sometimes have dreams where I am at the wrong venue, or late or miss the event entirely. The pressure to get the shot gets my heart rate going and makes me feel the butterflies in my belly. But once we are there, on set, live, action is happening and the flow state overcomes me and there aren’t many other areas of my life where I am successful at accessing it. Photography is an effort towards replicating a small amount of the beauty I experience every day, saving it for later so it can be shared. Read More>>
Ashley Eaves
Another significant challenge was transitioning to a different wax base. This change wasn’t just about improving the product; it required extensive testing, research, and development to ensure the quality of our candles remained exceptional. We also made the tough but necessary decision to switch from using lids on our vessels to a more economical approach for processing and fulfillment, allowing us to scale more efficiently without compromising our brand’s identity. Read More>>
Juan Murillo Jr
It can feel overwhelming and scary to be in the helping field with no direction. I think many of us in the counseling the therapy field struggle to find our niche, I know i did. Through trial and error and observing others success and mistakes I am now very happy as a trauma therapist! I focus on working with adults and minors who want to heal the “root” by processing trauma using EMDR, Sandtray, or other methods. I work very well with those who are somewhat closed off but realize they have to make a change or those who have had talk therapy but now want to try something different and look for trauma therapy. Read More>>
Alejandra Montaño
In each piece I create, I strive to honor the vibrant culture that has shaped me. I also honor the community that has uplifted me and the journeys that continue to inspire me. As I stand in front of a blank canvas with a brush in hand, I feel the whispers of my ancestors urging me forward, reminding me that art is not just about the final piece; it is about the journey, the connections, and the stories waiting to be told. Read More>>
Talya Kornachuk
At first my biggest struggle was actually learning different weaves. Later on when I established a style and was making more intricate and original pieces it was navigating figuring out what to do when people were copying my work. Now, my biggest struggle is just trying to keep up because I’m a one person business and very busy! Read More>>
Dan Skultety
I really enjoyed my time volunteering and started to really connect with some of the dogs that other volunteers struggled to work with (sometime known as behavior dogs). I had the skill set to be able to deal with the large, jumpy, and mouthy dogs through play but really wanted to do more so I started my education journey. What started with a few books on dog behavior proceeded to a more formal education. I went through the Fear Free Shelter volunteer training, graduated from the CATCH Canine Academy and became a Fear Free Certified Trainer. I’ve then continued my education journey by attending different national training conferences and working through a variety of other educational programs every year. Read More>>
Tiffany Arriagada
This path allows me to learn from various photographers and experiment with different styles and techniques. My focus now is on becoming a conceptual photographer, dedicated to pushing boundaries and growing as an artist. This journey is about finding my voice through photography while staying true to my creative instincts. Read More>>
Green Pressed
Now we don’t only own commercial cold-pressed juicers, but commercial equipment and a commercial kitchen, in which we prepare, bottle and pack all of our freshly pressed juices, and we were able to add more packages to our menu, making it more accessible for people trying to stay in their healthy path. Read More>>
Melissa Van Oss
Together with my co-founder and fellow bestselling and award-winning author, Frank Zaccari, our program now boasts a track record of 15 (and counting*) titles hitting #1 bestseller status, with four of them also winning National Book Awards. My passion lies in the art and craft of storytelling. I love not only sharing stories but also working with authors to bring their visions to life, enabling them to make a bigger ripple effect with their messages. I believe that when we all aspire to do good work and help others share their positive messages, we contribute to creating a happier planet for everyone. Read More>>
Danalyn Savage
When I think of Western New York I think Buffalo Bills, snow storms, Buffalo wings and Beef on Weck. But I grew up more than an hour away from Buffalo. When I say I am from Middleport, NY, it doesn’t elicit anything but weird looks from people and an explanation from me about the Erie Canal.
There’s a stigma attached to small towns – many say they foster small thinking. While I was raised in a small town and now live in a small community, my family and my international travels empowered me to learn from anyone and serve everyone.
My oldest son is named after his great-grandfather, Wesley Mackmer. During his lifetime, Wesley was a dairy farmer, a postman, an insurance salesman, and an encouragement to his grandchildren. He did all of this from Collins Center, New York. He grew up in a farming family, where he learned the value of hard work and education. Read More>>
Karysma Hicks
I have been a creative from the age of elementary school. I’ve also been a self-identified hustler since elementary school. From a young age, I have been passionate about using my creative drive and ability to connect with people and their temporary desires in order to make money. I can think back to a time that while most kids sold lemonade for cents, I sold my used toys for dollar bills. While other little girls were going door to door to sell Girl Scouts cookies, I went door to door to sell ice. Read More>>
