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.
Yvette De Oro
My expectations (of myself) increase with each book and that apparently doesn’t do great things for creativity. Writing is a joy (except when it’s not) – ha! – but if even one person (not my friend or family) read it – and like it… that’s a pretty dang awesome feeling! Read more>>
Subrina Nicole Deloach
This diverse background has equipped me with a unique perspective that I channel into my consulting practice. At SN Consulting, I provide tailored financial guidance, drawing on my expertise to help clients from various industries tackle their challenges and achieve their goals. My commitment to creating meaningful experiences for my children fuels my passion for making a positive impact in the world, and I am excited to share my journey and insights through the Inspiring Stories series in VoyageDallas Magazine. Read more>>
Kimberly Vo
What sets me apart from others is my desire to succeed but the ability to acknowledge not only my strengths but weaknesses, and my drive to inspire others that come from nothing, that God has the power to bring the most beautiful things even in the hardest moments in life. Read more>>
Charles Sam
Then, my Amazon account was banned and I lost access to everything I had published it felt like starting from zero all over again. But I refused to stop. Writing became a form of healing and resistance for me. I kept writing, self-learning, and marketing differently. Eventually, I became a three-time best-selling author, and over 1,200 people have now read my recent work. Read more>>
Annie Wilson
This May, I graduated from The King’s University with a Bachelor in Worship Leadership, and through that program and serving faithfully in church, I have had opportunities to exercise this gift of worship leadership. It took me time to realize that hesitation was never from God — and that fear had no place in my purpose. Although music was my passion, I always doubted my ability and kept my songs to myself. However, there came a point when the Lord confirmed my calling in both music and worship. My purpose is not music. Music is simply the vessel; pure worship is the mission. And now, I’m walking in that calling with boldness, not because I’m confident in myself, but because I’m confident in the One who called me. Read more>>
Umashree Kumaresh
My journey into health and wellness coaching really began with my own healing. Like many women, I spent years juggling a demanding career, motherhood, and caregiving responsibilities. I was always in motion—doing, giving, helping—but rarely taking a moment to ask how I was truly feeling. Over time, the constant pace left me feeling drained, both physically and emotionally. Read more>>
Angelica Tippett
A technique that really sets me apart is that I’ve been trained and have my certification in Sculptural Face Lifting™ (‘SFL’). It is a unique Natural rejuvenation technique created by Yakov Gershkovich. It has been marketed as the “Buccal Facial” and became more known in the States after Meghan Markle received this treatment. I am one of only a handful of estheticians trained in Texas. Read more>>
Tiana Holden
In that role, I was most proud of the moments I could provide relief for the worried families of the patient. I saw many families be able to go home shower, sleep, and eat because I was able to advocate for the patient and make sure they were comfortable. What set me apart from my peers was my ability to immediately interact with the families and patients to ensure no miscommunication or danger would come to the patients. It was a quality that many of my peers had to learn when they first started, so my natural ability to step into that role set me apart from my peers. Read more>>
Amanda Martin
My journey into business didn’t start in a boardroom, it started beside my (then) husband, watching him build and grow a successful roofing and construction company from the ground up. His unwavering work ethic and commitment to quality made a strong impression on me. While our paths have since changed, I credit him for laying the foundation of what would become my own entrepreneurial spirit. Read more>>
Sheldon Harris
In late 2020, I launched UNITEA—an underground house music event that gave me and others a place to feel free during a really heavy time. That party changed everything. I realized I could build safe spaces rooted in music, joy, and authenticity. Since then, I’ve thrown my own events, played at staple venues across Dallas like It’ll Do, Casablanca, and Round-Up, and even developed my own creative alter ego, Sheila, who lets me explore the content side of things with humor and heart. Read more>>
Gary Gordon
Like all small businesses there are always challenges. We are highly regulated by both state and federal government which is always difficult. We also rely on sophisticated machinery for cleaning, canning, cooling and making our mead. We’ve had machinery break down that required us to dump some of our products, machines damaged in shipment, and the occasional sensor go out at just the wrong time. Read more>>
Carlos
A significant personal hurdle occurred when my mother fell ill. Balancing the demands of caregiving with my responsibilities at home and work was emotionally and physically taxing. The stress of caregiving, coupled with the emotional strain of seeing a loved one suffer, took a toll on my well-being. Read more>>
Sarah Hays
The mead at Vinland Meads is deeply personal. The name itself—Vinland—pays homage to the Viking name for North America. Clyde learned the craft from his grandfather, who brought the family’s Scottish brewing knowledge with him to the U.S. Our mead-making process honors that lineage: we use local Texas honey, spring water from the natural springs on Hays Manor, and fruit and berries from our farm and surrounding area. It’s slow, deliberate, and rooted in tradition—something we believe sets us apart from modern mass production. Read more>>
Brenden Owen
Now I am a dedicated freelance photographer taking what I’ve learned in school and using it to help others find the beauty in their everyday lives through my work. I’ve been so lucky with the opportunities I’ve been given and all the great people who have helped me along the way. I’m forever grateful for the photographs I’ve shared and all of the people that I’ve worked with to help bring those projects to life, and I hope it never ends. Read more>>
Julie Coggiola
While I learned to play many instruments over the course of my life, including clarinet, saxophone, piano, and violin, I have been singing for as long as I can remember. I used to sing for the people who worked in the grocery store and sometimes they would give me free cookies. In school growing up, I was a part of every musical class or extra-curricular imaginable (musical theatre, marching band, choir, wind ensemble, jazz band – you name it). I have always loved being a musician, and I knew from an early age that it was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I went to music school after graduating from high school, knowing that I wanted to continue with my journey of becoming a multi-faceted musician Read more>>
Erica Pouncie
My journey into counseling began after earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. I initially pursued a career in higher education, where I worked as an Admissions Advisor and was later promoted to Director of Admissions for various colleges and vocational schools. Over the years, I’ve worked with a wide range of students—military and veteran populations, high schoolers, and adult learners from all backgrounds. My passion for education and helping others grow made counseling a natural and fulfilling career transition. Read more>>
Anastasia Robinson
It has not been a smooth road to this point. The journey has been filled with challenges and growth. I struggled with self-doubt questioning my own abilities. I also faced feelings of envy toward those who seemed to be living the dream I envisioned for myself. Motivating myself to strive for more was another issue, as I occasionally found comfort in the familiar. Each of these struggles helped me build resilience and understanding of my true potential. Read more>>
Monica Juneau & Jamie Coffey
We spend the next six months cooking on a Blackstone underneath a tent at backyard parties, special events like drug awareness programs and documentary premiers and farmers markets. Jamie has since told me that morning, on that walk he was talking to God and God gave him that name. Which I fully believe as I have seen God’s hand in this time and time again. In February of 2025, after opening door after door, God provided a food truck for us. That is are story so far and we are so excited to see what God has planned for us and If Jesus Made. Read more>>
Morgan Tower
I was originally licensed in MA and RI 20 years ago, but our family was relocated with my husband’s company in 2012. We had just purchased our first home, had a 1 year old son and was pregnant with my first daughter. Moving across the country, away from our entire family to a place we had only visited for 48 hours, was a wild ride. We felt like we were throwing a dart at a map, having no idea what area would fit us best. Thankfully in our search, our Realtor suggested we look into the master-planned community of Lantana. We had never heard of it, nor had anyone else we talked to, bit as soon as we drove in, we knew this was the place we had been searching for. Read more>>
Candice Hampton
In 2013, I launched my first small business, Food for Five, offering homemade plates with one meat, two sides, and a drink for just $5. It was a way to help other students who couldn’t afford expensive dining hall meals, while still doing what I loved. Although I paused the business to focus on school, the passion never left me. As graduation approached, I started an outreach effort called Feed the Homeless Project in Memphis. With help from friends, we’d collect donations, cook meals, and distribute them in the park almost every other month. When I relocated to Dallas, I hoped to continue the project, but soon realized it required more paperwork than I anticipated. So instead, I began preparing meals and distributing them quietly on holidays, still finding ways to give back. Read more>>
Angel Okolie
Eventually, my coaches pulled me aside to let me know that the NCAA wouldn’t allow me to keep making money from my art while playing. They gave me an ultimatum: choose between my passion for creating and the sport I loved so dearly. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever faced, but I chose art. What began as a creative outlet quickly became a necessity, I had to survive now. I started to think about all the athletes who may have ended up in the same position I was in. I started to think about if the other athletes had something they could confide in other than football. The art for me then became a way for me to process the intense inner dialogues that came with balancing athletics, academics, and life itself. That’s how my collection, SELF CONVO, was born. Read more>>
Patrick Hart
Before launching his own companies, Mr. Hart held multiple executive leadership roles, including Vice President of Enterprise Development, Vice President of Sales, and Vice President of Customer Success. In each role, he was responsible for strategic growth, market expansion, sales leadership, and enhancing client experience. Across his career, he’s consistently driven innovation, operational excellence, and inclusive leadership—helping organizations scale while keeping people at the center of the mission. Read more>>
Marcy Palmer
Oh, it never is a smooth road, is it? I have struggled to get my work shown and recognized by galleries and museums, projects themselves always have challenges, and teaching can have its own set of challenges. I think that changing one’s mindset and approach can be helpful, keeping everything in perspective, trying new things, and a bit of play and tenacity can help one overcome challenges. Read more>>
Kitty Higginbotham
I’m a cottage baker in Denton, TX. I do custom cakes and other baked goods for birthdays and events, as well as the Denton Community Market. However I would consider my specialties French Macarons and Pies. I think I’m probably most known for the variety of tasty, colorful macarons, but come holiday season, it’s all about the pies! One thing that sets me apart from others is my focus on making everything from scratch, and emphasis on flavor and the experience of eating. You know, my sugar cookies don’t just taste like a ton of sugar. There’s nuance, a hint of citrus, a touch of salt, etc. I aspire to bake something that you bite into, and your eyes widen. Something that makes you go, “Oh, damn!’ Read more>>
Briana Greer
My journey began in cosmetology school, where I discovered my passion for enhancing natural beauty. From traveling for photoshoots to working from home, I’ve dedicated myself to perfecting my craft since 2013. After years of industry experience, I transitioned to the digital space following my move to Texas, allowing me to connect with clients virtually. Today, I proudly teach women how to maintain their natural hair, extensions and makeup, empowering them to look and feel their best every day. Read more>>
Zainab Alabi
One of my closest friends reached out and said he wanted to propose to his girlfriend, and asked me to help plan it and find vendors. I was genuinely excited and happy to help. As we talked through the plans, I had an idea: what if I not only planned it, but actually created and decorated the entire experience for him? Without hesitation, he trusted me with the vision. Read more>>
Elizabeth Duncan
Fashion has always been my thing, but accessories is where the magic happened. Even as a kid, I was all about stacking, mixing, and switching up styles just for fun. I never really thought of myself as a “jewelry girl,” but every time I got dressed, it felt like something was missing until I added that one special piece. Read more>>
Ariel Ellzey
Since launching in 2019 – it’s been a journey of loving my baby to health, diving into apart of motherhood I never anticipated – learning, re-learning, trial/error, starting and stopping, pivoting, growing, taking losses, failing, mistake after mistake, investments, rebrand after rebrand – But, through it all, God taught me to praise Him & showed me that He used my story for good! Read more>>
Caterina Rossini
I trained as an actor at the Studio De Fazio in Rome for four years before moving to NYC. The work as an actor in traditional and poetic theater, combined with the dramatically powerful, solid Italian singing school, prepared me for the demanding and naturally selective classical theater and classical music world. Read more>>
Mariah Johnson
Absolutely not. It has been anything but a clear road. While I was finishing my bachelor’s degree, COVID-19 hit and, like most people, my life was completely turned upside down. After graduation, I worked for a few months and ended up applying to grad school at the very last minute. I was accepted just before the deadline, and within a few weeks, I had to pack my things and move to London. I had no savings and no pre-planning. It was definitely an impulse decision, but I knew it was something I had to do. Read more>>
Benjamin McElroy
Well…I am a theatre kid. I have been since birth. The doctors told my parents, “I’m so sorry your son is going to be clinically annoying for his entire life. It’s terminal”. But in all seriousness, I found theatre in elementary school, and it became my passion. My love of theatre was mirrored by my love of reading. I own over 500 plays. Although my scripts are always in the hands of friends I lend them to. My bookshelf only currently has 456 volumes sitting in her. I also adore fantasy. Which lead me to The Falcon Quinn series of books written by Jennifer Finney Boylan. Read more>>
Kristen Walker
I’m a perfectionist, and can be a bit of a workaholic, so sometimes it can be a bit frustrating because I would like to see things realized as quickly as they have formed in my mind. Being a middle class, independent artist, I have to practice patience. All in all, I’m appreciative of how creating in this way is allowing me to explore other sides of my vulnerability, and slowly, but surely, expanding my business acumen…it all works together, right? Read more>>
Rafael Barbosa
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Moving to a new country was one of the biggest challenges of my life. I had to leave my family, friends, and everything I knew behind in Brazil to chase my dream in the United States. Starting from scratch, adapting to a new culture, and building a reputation in a place where I was unknown was not easy. Read more>>
Mandy Metts
I was an elementary art teacher for fifteen years and then quit to be a stay at home Mom. By the time my son was six months old I was desperately trying to find a way to be creative at home. I had always enjoyed making jewelry so I started using some of my old supplies and making earrings and necklaces to sell. I found a small local market that was free to participate in so I would do that once a month. I would make an occasional sale but for the most part sat for 5-6 hours editing pics on my phone and scrolling. It did give me a break from being a Mom and I was able to make things, but it wasn’t what I was looking for. Read more>>
Christopher Arnold
I never intended to start my own company. With two kids that have ADHD and a full time job, there was certainly no time. Any family that has been impacted by ADHD realizes that it does not come without its challenges, but one thing that I have realized is that it is important to smile and find joy in even those small moments. Whether it was putting on a Disney night with friends, or dressing up in costume as a certain spider hero at both of my son’s birthday parties (at least until they realized that it was me), entertaining was something that I enjoyed. Read more>>
Wilfred Ruck
I’ve been a software engineer for over 8 years and always felt like code-themed apparel was missing something. It was often bland, uninspired, and didn’t reflect the creativity I saw in tech culture. So I decided to build something different. That’s how theCoder was born; a streetwear brand that fuses code and fashion. What started as a personal side project turned into a mission-driven brand rooted in both style and self-expression. Read more>>
Sneha Ramolia
I’ve always known I wanted to help others, and for the longest time, I thought that meant becoming a medical doctor. But during college, I had the opportunity to shadow a dentist—and that completely changed my path. I was drawn in by how dental care could truly transform not only someone’s smile, but their confidence and overall well-being. I realized that dentistry offered a unique balance of hands-on care, creativity, and meaningful connection with patients. Read more>>
Kayvan Moghaddassi
Over the next 17 years, that company grew into a group of businesses with 60 employees and offices in both London and New York. We had 12 recording studios, a production music division, a digital agency, an audio-first creative agency, and a publishing arm. Our clients included global brands, ad agencies, broadcasters, and media owners. We operated across creative, production, and advertising – all fast-moving industries where things constantly shift. Read more>>
Jacy Kennedy
When I was six, our family moved to rural West Texas and helped care for my grandmother’s small farm. It was there that my love for animals took root. We were surrounded by cows, chickens, rabbits, cats, dogs—even a donkey—and I loved every creature. I became an animal fanatic early on, and to this day, animals remain central to both my personal life and artistic work. Read more>>
Rawles Bell
It’s rarely a smooth road, especially when you’re building something from the ground up. Starting any business requires a lot of grit and persistence. There were plenty of long days and tough lessons early on in my career. I had to hit my head against a few walls, make mistakes, and keep learning in order to really hone my craft. Looking back, I wouldn’t necessarily want to relive those early challenges, but I’m grateful for them. They taught me how to grow, how to learn from failure, and how to embrace humility—things you can’t pick up from a textbook. Read more>>
Ace Kurokami
I’m an artist from East Oakland, California. I grew up playing instruments since I was 10 years old. I started with piano and fell in love with that. As I got older I taught myself guitar and also how to DJ. Since 2023 I moved to Houston, Texas. I’ve DJ’d many parties and performed at many events. It’s been a pleasure to express myself with others and share my art during my time here. Read more>>
Lillian Jones
During this journey of building my brand I’ve had hardships like recently becoming a newly divorced single mother of 2. Even though that took a toll on me financially, physically, mentally, etc. I still have my faith in GOD. I’m showing my daughters that they will have hardships but it is all in how you overcome. I often minister to people who sit in my chair or we even just share a few laughs. My clients never leave my presence like they came. I believe this is my ministry which is why I named my Business ADORN which came from 1Peter 3:3-4 Read more>>
Jessie Gibson
My journey into nutrition began with a deep passion for sports. As an athlete, you’re constantly seeking that competitive edge, and I quickly became fascinated by how fueling and nutrition fit into that intricate puzzle. I pursued a strong dietetic program at Bluffton University in Ohio, which led me to an internship and Master’s degree at SFASU in Tyler. My focus was on functional nutrition and treating the root cause of issues. Graduating in 2020, at the height of COVID, I found myself working in a hospital. While I truly valued the science of it all, I felt a disconnect from my athletic roots, unsure if I’d ever truly fulfill my dream of working with athletes. Read more>>
Mi’Anjel Jack
I like to say I didn’t choose psychology—psychology chose me. When I first started undergrad at Xavier University of Louisiana, I was on the pre-med track, convinced I’d become a medical doctor. I had always envisioned myself helping people, and at the time, I thought that meant becoming a neurologist. I even worked at a neurotherapy clinic during high school, where I assisted speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists. But as I continued through undergrad, I realized that my heart was pulling me in a different direction. Read more>>
Patricia Walls
The remembrance began in an encounter with a woman who said she was abducted over and over as a child by beings that she called “the little blue bastards”. She, as a child, had recurrent bouts of fever. In the fever induced sleep the little blue beings would come and take her and make her run until she woke up. Of course, they were not torturing her… but in a child’s mind they did. I wanted to know more and discovered answers for myself and others in that journey. Read more>>
Kevin Chou
What started with a small team of just a few has grown into a full U.S.-based team of nearly 20, along with 24/7 call center support based out of the Philippines. Today, we partner with over 50 airlines that offer exclusive student fares and work with universities across the country to manage study abroad travel logistics. ScholarTrip has evolved into a platform that makes travel more accessible for students and young travelers under 35. Read more>>
Independent Jorji
While helping a friend land a producer publishing deal with 300 Entertainment, I wrote my very first single, Pucci, as a reference track for Megan Thee Stallion — and that moment lit a fire in me. I dropped the track, my friends went wild for it, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Music became my therapy, my creative playground, and my calling. By last year, I made the bold leap — I left corporate America behind and went full throttle into becoming a full-time artist. Best decision I’ve ever made. Read more>>
Sherita Flores
Through faith, healing, and storytelling, I began writing again. I launched my podcast Breaking the Silence and my series Talk to Me Tuesday to create a safe space for others navigating grief, trauma, and transformation. I founded The Flores Collective, published my book Unwinged, and recently launched Little Blossoms Boutique a nonprofit project gifting dresses and confidence to little girls who’ve never felt seen. Read more>>
D’Andra Sykes
I relocated to Dallas, Texas April 2019. Before moving to Dallas, I briefly lived in Atlanta, Georgia for eight months. I spent majority of my life in Arkansas where I was born and raised. Fast forward to April 2019, I moved to Dallas with aspirations of being successful. My definition of success at the time was to make an honest living that would allow me to survive and thrive in Dallas. At the time, I moved to Dallas without a job, so I was driving UBER until I found stable employment. Read more>>
Cortney Marshall
Our story began in 2020, during the height of the pandemic lockdown. Both Kyli and I (Cortney) had started our own small businesses—she was making beautiful stone-wrapped jewelry, and I was selling vintage finds. I reached out to her on Instagram to ask for help getting into a local market… little did I know, she had just started doing markets herself! Read more>>
Jacquirus (Jay) Rhyne
My first professional break came through a friend who asked me to style an influencer client of hers for NBA All-Star Weekend. It was my first paid styling gig, and not just for anyone—it was one of Netflix’s biggest stars from Love Is Blind. I took that opportunity seriously. After a creative consult call, I went straight to work, putting together a suite of standout looks. Everything was ordered and prepped… until I got the call that she wouldn’t be attending the event after all. Read more>>
Terrell Sumpter
After her death, I moved between homes, eventually staying with my aunt in North Philadelphia. She helped me get back on track with school, and during that time, I found a sense of peace at the local PAL Center , a place where I could escape the chaos and feel like a kid again. My oldest brother also played a pivotal role in raising me, instilling wisdom and responsibility that would later serve as anchors in my life. Years later, after time apart, we reconnected during a four-hour Greyhound bus ride. He reminded me that while life would test me, I had what it took to make it through. Read more>>
