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.
Alan Guillén
What started as a hobby quickly grew into a passion. Over the years, I dedicated time to learning the craft, studying technique, and refining my style. Eventually, I turned my passion into a side business, and that’s when things really started to take off. Today, I’m grateful to be recognized in the DFW community as a trusted photographer, and I’m proud of the journey that’s brought me here. This is just the beginning.. Read more>>
Toni Chamberlin
What I discovered is that the deeper I went into the holistic world, the less my circumstances seemed to cause me concern. I found joy in the simples pleasures, connecting with wonderful people and appreciating what we did have. My daughter also began to thrive, finding new friends, a renewed love of learning, and our family began to grow! Many of our friends became like family, and we adopted several cats and dogs. Read more>>
Carlos Gutierrez
This is where my life began to change. so I make a prayer to God asking for help. I had no money, I was in $15,000 in debt from my car I couldn’t afford, I had rent to pay, and I was really sad and depressed. I had the car listed, but no one was buying it. funny enough the day after I made that prayer. Some guy from California called me telling me he wanted the car as soon as possible. Long story short he came through the very next day and bought the car and paid off my debt. that’s when I realize maybe God was possibly real. Read more>>
Kristen Dillard
I began my professional journey as a band director in public education—a role that rooted me in discipline, leadership, and the joy of helping others grow. But in 2015, I felt the call to pivot. At the time, I was preparing for my first bodybuilding competition and craving a new way to serve. Read more>>
Casandra Jones
After a few years of investing and working closely with other agents n Oklahoma and Texas, I realized how much I enjoyed the process—especially helping others understand how to leverage real estate for their own goals. That’s when I became a licensed real estate agent. Since then, I’ve combined both worlds: specifically serving first-time buyers and sellers with a practical, investor-minded approach, and providing guidance that’s both educational and empowering. Read more>>
Brittany Hatcher
Although it’s been a fun road, it hasn’t always been smooth. At one point I was researching brands/styles, shopping for inventory, steaming the clothing, measuring and picturing the clothing, listing each item, advertising the items, responding to potential customers, marketing and then finally IF something sold, shipping the item. There are a lot of steps starting out – especially if you’re not sure what will sell. Read more>>
Franeka Pearson
On top of that, maintaining the space financially and energetically by myself was a lot. I’ve carried the weight of being the visionary, the manager, the problem-solver, and the host — sometimes all in the same day. I had to move off faith more times than I can count, and trust that my purpose would hold me up when I felt like I was drowning. I’m thankful for my Famliy & everything is through the grace of God Read more>>
Kamarin King
I have always admired the way that we are able to enhance our features with lashes, blush, and eyeshadow since childhood. I would sneak and apply my mom’s lipstick or use a friend’s mascara in middle school but I didn’t seriously consider doing makeup on others, until 2021. Around this time, I took a professional makeup artist class that allowed me to unlock my untapped potential and give me the creative freedom that I desired. Since becoming established as a makeup artist, 9Nineteen Beauty has had the pleasure of servicing clients of all walks of life, of all shades, and of all occasions. Read more>>
Andrew Duffer
Being thrust into that kind of visibility so quickly forces you to confront things you never prepared for—especially the emotional toll of becoming a public figure before you’ve had time to define what that means for yourself. People begin to talk about you like you are content instead of a person, and learning how to protect your mental health in the middle of that is crucial. Read more>>
Guadalupe Arleen Arredondo
Some of the struggles you would find funny. I remember one of the very first orders I made for a neighbor was for a 10×10 shareable tray that serves 2-4 people as an appetizer. I charged back then $50, and I realized I had spent over $100 just on the food and did not account the time spent to build it. After reading a few do’s and don’ts in the Charcuterie business I read this was very common in the beginning. Read more>>
Leesie Ardrey
Before becoming a counselor, I had the opportunity to work with children and families in a variety of settings, which helped shape my understanding of the unique challenges they face. It wasn’t until the end of my undergraduate studies at Baylor University—where I earned my degree in Psychology with a Minor in Child and Family Studies—that I realized counseling was the path I was meant to follow. I later earned my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Texas. Read more>>
Brooke Puckett
Through my website, blog, and social media community, I share authentic content about faith-centered fitness, Biblical money wisdom, and choosing bold faith over comfortable silence. My journey hasn’t been without challenges – from financial struggles to recent knee surgery and recovery – but each season has deepened my faith and expanded my ministry. The thread in connecting in at is my belief that our greatest growth happens when we choose God’s purpose over people’s approval, and that sometimes our biggest career “setbacks” are actually setups for our true calling. Read more>>
Stevi Dahl
In 2022, I launched OnPoint Health as a mobile IV therapy service, aiming to bring convenient wellness treatments directly to clients’ homes. What started as a small mobile business quickly grew—driven by community needs and a vision for accessible, high-quality care. Over time, I expanded into primary care, walk-in visits, hormone therapy, aesthetics, and more, opening a full-service clinic to serve patients both locally and from surrounding rural areas. Read more>>
Cinthya Lopez
For 8 years, I specialized in men’s grooming, shaping beards, skin fades, and making sure every client left feeling sharp and confident. But as I stepped into motherhood, everything changed. The barbershop life meant weekends away, long hours, and missing the little moments that mattered most. In September 2023, I made one of the scariest yet most necessary decisions of my life… I officially left the barbershop to be more present for my daughter. Read more>>
Felix Ndugwa
My journey into the world of coffee, and ultimately the creation of Karibu Coffee Cafe, began with a long-cherished dream of owning a food-based business. While that passion simmered, my casual interest in coffee quickly blossomed into a profound, albeit expensive, hobby. The true turning point came when I delved into roasting my own beans. It was then I realized the incredible breadth of taste and adventure that could be unlocked from a single coffee bean, a revelation that propelled me to transform this cherished passion into a business. Read more>>
S&S Events DFW
Like most businesses starting from scratch, we have struggled with funding while building our decoration rental inventory. We consistently work to build trust and relationships with potential clients in a metroplex saturated with choice. One of the biggest challenges in this industry is keeping up with fast moving trends while still staying true to our vision of making beautiful and customized events affordable to everyone. Read more>>
Arpita Shah
We specialize in Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy, which is a deeply personalized, seasonal, and energetically-informed way to practice and teach yoga. Unlike mainstream yoga, which often focuses on physical fitness or trends, our approach is rooted in timeless wisdom and individual alignment. We believe your practice should shift with your doshic constitution, life phase, time of day, seasons, and even your emotional patterns. Read more>>
Sravya Arimilli
I wanted to serve as a role model for me to pursue his wildest dream. I am also an aspiring full time social media content creator/ influencer (@sravyaarimilli on TikTok and Instagram). This has been a childhood dream since I was 15 years old. I mainly create lifestyle and mom related content talking about how parenthood is so different for Indian American kids like me trying to blend both cultures along with travel and beauty. It was cool way to merge Saffron and Gold with my personal Influencer brand as well. Read more>>
Kristy Johnson
I’ve participated in and owned multiple bands across many different genres. It’s hard to nail down my favorite type, because there’s so much to love and appreciate about all types of music. My husband, Glenn Johnson, and I currently own 5 different bands. We have Waterloo – A Celebration of ABBA, Even It Up – The Ultimate Heart Tribute, Ever The Essence – The Evanescence Experience, Disco Inferno – Ignite the Night (a disco cover band) and Burning Sky (a classic to current rock cover band.) We also are co-owners (with Phil Scholling) of Winter’s Night – The TSO Experience. Each one is so different and I never get bored. I have a busy schedule that’s filled with music! Read more>>
Nickira Anderson
Absolutely not. For years, I’ve had to choose between two career paths, utilizing my education in media and my talent as a makeup artist, while juggling both until I decided to create my own content sharing beauty tips. This helped me start my business as a makeup artist while still using my education and professional experience in digital media production. In 2020, I was also diagnosed with a rare brain condition that damaged my spine. It caused debilitating symptoms that led to me not being able to stand for long periods, so I had to stop doing makeup for about a year. For 4 years, my doctors had no explanation or a solution until I found a specialist in Maryland to treat me. I had my surgery last year and feel 100% better. Read more>>
Kaitlin Thompson
I am a therapist specializing in trauma and addiction treatment, with a career in the mental health field that began in 2007 while I was earning my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Over the years, I have worked in diverse settings and levels of care, supporting individuals with a wide range of presenting concerns and diagnoses. What has always driven me in this work is the meaningful connection I form with clients, my curiosity about the “why” behind behaviors, and the privilege of witnessing people’s growth and transformation. Read more>>
Gabrielle Roseman
We’re proud to be one of the few organizations in Texas offering structured yet flexible programs that meet children exactly where they are developmentally. Whether a child is nonverbal, sensory-seeking, or has never joined a group activity before, The Free Play Foundation gives them a chance to feel included, seen, and celebrated. Read more>>
Estefani Ruiz
I wasn’t satisfied with the amount of clients I was bringing in so I started working for a company doing eyebrows to gain more skills and experience, but after a while I felt stuck and I had to make a change. In May, 2024 I decided to make a big adjustment and got my own personal suite and I felt like everything was going in the right direction. I started utilizing social media to my advantage to help expand my clientele and grow my business. So far it’s been over a year and I can now say it’s my full time job with many great clients and still growing. Read more>>
Adriana Gonzales
As I grew up I expressed myself through my clothes of choice or even using cosmetic makeup . Luckily my mom always supported me and loved me no matter what and I can truly say I’m blessed to have her in my life . I’d say when I got to high school is where I truly shined and owned who I was as an individual . I was in many art and drama programs you can think of . I was always helping a lot of the girls in my choir groups with makeup and hair . I’ve always had a natural act for makeup . Making people feel confident and beautiful with themselves is truly rewarding . What’s got me through anything is for sure is my group of friends that I call family . They know who they are . I also have to thank my boyfriend Chris he’s my rock ! Read more>>
Phillip Russell
I started Josephine’s Soul Kitchen as a food truck in Princeton, Texas, with a dream of serving comfort food that felt like home. It wasn’t easy—there were long days, tough setbacks, and lots of learning along the way—but the support from our community kept me going. Over time, we built a loyal customer base, expanded our menu, and became a local favorite. Read more>>
Carly Beck
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. One of the biggest challenges was learning all about bike maintenance from scratch. Assembling the bikes was a real team effort, with my parents and brother-in-law pitching in to help. It made the process much more manageable and meaningful. Juggling this while working full-time during the launch added its own set of hurdles, but despite the challenges, there’s been so much fun and growth along the way. The best part is that our whole family has been involved, making it a truly special journey together. Read more>>
AMBER PICKENS
A proud Dallas native and Texas Young Master of the Arts, Amber Pickens is a powerhouse performer, visionary creator, and passionate artivist whose impact spans stage, screen, and community. A graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts and The Juilliard School (BFA in Dance), Amber’s journey has been shaped by elite training at institutions like Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Alvin Ailey, Camp Broadway, and Martha Graham — alongside acting masterclasses with luminaries including Bill Duke , Tasha Smith, and Anthony Abeson. Read more>>
Sam Fields
There was definitely a lot of discomfort. A lot of highs and lows, which is par for the course when building something that means a great deal to you. In the beginning there was just a lot of non-stop grind. We’d pay bills with remote work that had the most brutal schedule and worked as camp hosts so there wasn’t rent to worry about while we got our business up and running. We were lucky that we had a lot of folks rooting for us. There was so much support from our families that really championed what we were trying to build. There were a lot of days where that was what pushed us forward. Read more>>
Kamia Williams
There were days I felt paralyzed by self-doubt, like maybe I was dreaming too big, too soon. I struggled with consistency, discipline, and fear. Not fear of failing once, but of getting back up again after the fifth or sixth time and still not seeing results. I wrestled with imposter syndrome, constantly wondering, “Who am I to try and build something this massive?” Read more>>
Yu Ting Wang
I was raised in a culture deeply influenced by Chinese medicine, where health wasn’t just about treating symptoms, but about uncovering and addressing the root cause. My mom was—and still is—my greatest influence. While other families were reaching for quick fixes, she was reading books, boiling herbs, and traveling hours just to find a doctor who aligned with her values. That kind of dedication left a deep impression on me. Read more>>
Elijah Wells
That was the spark. I started going around to tattoo shops across O‘ahu, hoping to land an apprenticeship, but no one was taking on new artists. Instead of giving up, I took matters into my own hands. I completed my BBP certification, got my blood work done, submitted everything to the health department, and got licensed. Then I my girlfriend at the time bought my first tattoo kit. Read more>>
Stephanie Ortiz
Growing up, I always had a heart for beauty and fashion. I used to tell myself, “I want to be a star!”—and honestly, I believed it. As a kid, I’d dress up and put on mini concerts in my room, performing my favorite songs from childhood icons. I loved to dance, and MTV Made was one of my favorite shows. My cousins and I would play dress-up and create our own little fashion worlds—it was pure magic. Read more>>
Umair Meghani
I spent over a year diving into the industry, learning the ins and outs of development and construction. Eventually, I decided to take a leap of faith and raised money to build my first 5-unit townhouse project. That project was the start of everything. I was hooked. I loved real estate development, but I realized I was even more passionate about the construction side of it all. That’s when I started my general contracting company and kept building townhomes across Dallas. Read more>>
Rod Gaffoglio
To launch our food truck, it took a lot of prayer more than anything. We use our truck as a vessel to be able to glorify God while going on our food adventure. I always like to tell people that we are a Christ centered food truck, without him, none of this would of been possible. We are only a little over a year in, but we’ve managed to meet some really amazing people along the way and our ultimate goal is to open a store front by the end of our second year in the business. One of the most rewarding parts of the business is being able to see my kids, nephew, and nieces be part of the journey. They love getting in the truck to put stickers on boxes and wearing extra large gloves that don’t fit them lol It’s all been a big blessing. Read more>>
John Bowers III
I went on to attend Morehouse College, where I was proud to serve as the 88th Student Body President. Morehouse further developed my passion for service and leadership, and I eventually returned home to earn an MBA in Strategy from Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business, sharpening the problem-solving and policy acumen I now bring back to the community that raised me. Read more>>
Shawna Kuykendall
But beyond my career, I’m most proud of being a single mom of three. Raising my kids in the Park Cities has been the most rewarding and humbling experience of my life. Whether it’s cheering them on at theater performances, cheer competitions, or sporting events, I’m always their biggest supporter. Our family finds peace and joy at Cedar Creek Lake, and our church community plays a meaningful role in our lives, grounding us with faith and connection. Read more>>
Jennifer Sturges
I like to believe no road worth pursuing is smooth. The biggest struggle I’ve faced, and that nearly ended my personal music career, was the separation from my writing partner (that roommate I told you about before). For reason not to be discussed we didn’t make music together for three years. During that time I struggled to write and to maintain a consistent band. Read more>>
Jessica Bryant
I grew up in poverty, in the “hood,” surrounded by drugs and violence, but I refused to let my environment define me. One of the greatest blessings of my childhood was attending a Montessori school, which nurtured my curiosity and creativity. I’ll forever be grateful to Miss Walker, who acted as a preschool teacher to neighborhood children and helped my parents get me into that school—it planted a seed of hope that has stayed with me ever since. Read more>>
Brenda Tutt
In 2008, I was accepted into nursing school. I graduated in spring of 2009; I proudly completed my LPN program. Becoming a nurse was always my calling. It provided me with the tools to serve others and to make a difference in people’s lives. Today, I am a school nurse, a role that truly resonates with my spirit. It allows me to connect deeply with children and their families, to be a supportive presence, and to contribute to their well-being within their daily lives. Read more>>
Reuben Cheatem
It seems that the gallery model, where it’s difficult for artists to gain notoriety and relevance on their own, is losing it’s stronghold on the business of selling art. There is a growing number of artists who are able to find success and make a living independently, without the aid of art institutions. With the continued growth of our attraction to time spent on social media, I expect this trend to continue in the favor of self sustained artists. Read more>>
Cai Ranáe
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved taking pictures. I saw the world from a perspective that not many did. I appreciated the small things around me – found beauty in them. I started off with just my phone camera and eventually saved up for my first digital camera when I was 16. My photography business never took off the way I wanted it to but I knew I was meant to have a camera in my hand. In 2023, I met Matthew Osborne who has become my mentor/friend. He introduced me to filming just by giving me a chance with his video camera. I fell in love with filming the moment I hit the record button. I was filled with this passion I had never felt before and I knew in that moment, I had discovered my true purpose. Read more>>
Keturah Boyce
Hello, my name is Keturah Boyce and here is how my journey as a hairstylist began. Around the age of 7 or 8 my dad found a beautiful doll at his job and brought it home to me. I was already experimenting on my mom’s hair because I liked the trending styles that I saw my classmates have. As I practiced on my doll I noticed that I had a gift. In my middle school years I began to do friends and family hair and decided to get my license after high school. Read more>>
Carmen Perez
It hasn’t always been a smooth journey for my small business. During my second year, I felt discouraged due to a lack of sales and even considered giving up that I ended up deleting my Instagram account. But after some time, I decided to give it another chance and reopened the account. I also took a leap and created a Depop profile to reach more customers, even though it came with its own risks. Read more>>
Charles Edobor
At age eight, I found solace in a local church. By nine, I was serving as the church’s keyboardist, a role that would quietly shape the course of his future. When it came time for high school, however, financial hardship struck again—my mother simply couldn’t afford the fees. I spent the next five years out of school, continuing to serve in church and helping organize crusades. Read more>>
Kayla Gayle
Pothos Health is a dream project born from my desire to return to psychotherapy and also to pioneer psychedelic-assisted therapy. There are very few platforms that support clinicians who want to incorporate psychedelics into their practice, despite the incredible therapeutic potential. We have been offering ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for the past two years through a partnership with Sanctum Med + Wellness, where Dr. Jessica Shepherd serves as our prescriber. This collaboration has been beautiful and has enabled us to help people at their point of need and expand access to innovative treatments that are often hard to find. Read more>>
Brittany Hymes
But my story took a very real, traumatic turn. Eleven years ago, a woman tried to kill me. This wasn’t a random accident—I was intentionally run over by a car. The injuries were devastating: I broke both hips, shattered my pelvis, and dislocated and impacted my right arm. Doctors told me I would be in a wheelchair for over a year. But I was out of it in two and a half months. I had to relearn how to walk and live through unimaginable pain, but I was determined. That moment reshaped everything for me. I knew I hadn’t survived for no reason. Read more>>
Anil Pantangi
I work at the intersection of technology, business strategy, and innovation. My focus is on architecting and developing AI-driven solutions that address real business challenges and deliver tangible results. Over the years, I’ve led initiatives that have transformed how global enterprises operate, from modernizing telecom systems to implementing AI frameworks that enhance efficiency and inform decision-making. Read more>>
Chanel De La Garza
I first fell in love with psychology when I was 14 years old. We had a class lecture on the different fields of psychology, and something about it just clicked—I felt like I’d found my calling. At the time, I thought I wanted to become a psychiatrist. That seemed like the most obvious path to helping people with mental health struggles. But as I delved deeper into my studies, I realized that my true passion lay in clinical psychology—specifically, in community mental health. Read more>>
Kiki And CoCo
The text for that book was completely inspired but then in took me 13 years to illustrate it (during which, we starting a family and had other projects like my “Goddess Project” on top of Kiki being a busy doctor and I a college professor, that all delayed my finishing the book.) Once I finally finished during lockdown, I had an epiphany one day, to do a live action version of the book in a YouTube show and include local musicians and artists as guest stars and that THAT would be the way I could share the book with the world. So, “The Kiki and CoCo Show” was born! Read more>>
Mariah
I knew I wasn’t passionate about the medical field, but filmmaking was very unrealistic to me at the time. Until I heard a pastor speak on purpose and callings. That was the first time I felt like I could pick my dream career and not worry about the “what if’s” because if God called me to it, he would provide for me along the way. So between me and God, when I was 17, I decided to pursue filmmaking and from that moment on, doors of opportunity started coming out of nowhere and swinging open. One thing kept leading to the next and now I get to do this interview with you! That was supposed to be the short answer, sorry! Read more>>
