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.
Pulse Pilates
Ashlin’s employer/local studio closed down during COVID. Together with a coworker, Arkeif Robinson, they pooled their resources to establish a 250 sq ft private studio offering private sessions only. In the Fall of 2021, Ashlin bought out Arkeif’s share when he relocated out of state. This coincided with the arrival of a new client, Sheryl, a nurse practitioner feeling the effects of extended hospital hours. Read more>>
Ryan Alexander
I am Mandu Soul. I’m artist out of Lynchburg, Virginia. I’ve consider myself as laidback with an ear for the classics. I’ve always been into music in one form or another. Church Choir, Chorus at school, Singing in my car being a road warrior. If you ever passed me on the road, you probably seen me singing. Read more>>
Bree Delac
I knew I wanted to be a massage therapist before I even graduated from high school. My parents encouraged me to pursue a traditional four-year degree, but to nobody’s surprise, that path didn’t last long. Instead, I enrolled at the Georgia Medical Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, where I completed my massage therapy training and graduated in 2003. Read more>>
Melissa Haight
It really all started with discovering yoga about 9 years ago, at age 35. I had a knee injury and could no longer long-distance run, which I had done for years. A friend encouraged me to try out a yoga class, and I was honestly pretty righteous about the whole thing. Read more>>
Craig Nargi
II began my culinary journey over 35 years ago as a cook and worked my way up through chef positions. That’s where my love for hospitality truly took root. Early on, I competed in culinary competitions, winning first place at both the local and state levels, which took me to the national competition in Oklahoma. Read more>>
Maura Stone
I started in photography back in 2020 after I withdrew from nursing school. The college-route wasn’t for me at all – I could never decide fully on what I wanted to do & ironically never really took any time to explore creative options! I was always a science person/medical field type of employe. Read more>>
Rob Ace Holmes
My journey began in Hampton VA. My dad was military (Army 20 years), we moved around a little when I was younger and ended up settling in Hampton, VA. I played sports – basketball and football and ended up working at farm fresh as a teenager. I attended Christopher Newport university majoring in business management and minor in communications. Read more>>
Christopher Robbins
In 1980 when I was going into 7th grade in High School, we had to pick one vocational course. Driving home from that orientation, my mother suggested photography. I remember it as if a light bulb was turned on at that moment, I wanted to be a photographer. My father bought me my first camera and taught me how to use it. Read more>>
Lynne Maloney
I worked in advertising sales and management for many years in the newspaper industry. I worked for several community newspaper groups and then started working at The Washiington Post in national advertising sales, which felt like a dream come true at the time. I loved what I did and was proud to represent The Post. Read more>>
Grace Kamau
Radiant Health & Wellness was founded with a simple mission: to provide compassionate, accessible, and personalized healthcare for women across all stages of life. As a board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, I saw a growing need for patient-centered care that allows women to feel heard, respected, and actively involved in their healthcare decisions. Read more>>
Marc Bethel
My business partner, Matt, and I started CCM (Commonwealth Creative Marketing) in 2010. This came after years working for ad agencies and various marketing departments, where we both loved the work we did but we didn’t enjoy several aspects of it. This included the fact that the large agency model was built on landing 5 to 10 large acounts. Read more>>
Sunil Kumar
I started Wine & Champagne Gifts with a simple idea to make sending premium wine, champagne, and spirits gifts easy, reliable, and meaningful across the US. What began as a small online gifting business gradually grew through a strong focus on customer experience, quality products, and dependable delivery service. Read more>>
Lauren Manturi
An appreciation for flowers was engrained in me from a young age. My grandma was a florist and my mom has always loved them. But it wasn’t until adulthood that the love really took root in me. Growing up, I would have classified baking as my main hobby. Read more>>
Nikita Greene
Umedia was founded in 2019 with a simple belief: every property deserves to look its best, regardless of size or budget. What started as a two-person operation with a camera and a passion for real estate has grown into a trusted team of nine professionals serving the entire DC, Maryland, and Virginia region. Over 4,000 photoshoots later, our mission hasn’t changed. Read more>>
Emily Giovinazzo
What started as a passion for helping women feel confident through beauty has grown into Bella Li Studio. A luxury beauty destination rooted in artistry, personalization, and healthy hair care. Founded by Emily Giovinazzo, Bella Li Studio was built with the belief that beauty services should feel intentional, elevated, and deeply customized to each client. Read more>>
Brittany Marks
I have worked in group fitness for years teaching barre and pilates classes. However I was always teaching for other owners and large franchise chains with no room for originality. Not much ability to teach creatively or with my own style. Read more>>
Dianna Taylor
As a full-time teacher, I never had much time to explore my creativity. The year after Covid, however, I needed a positive outlet. I asked a friend and artist to help me get started with watercolor, and once she taught me the basics, I was painting hours each day. Never before had I found a hobby that made time disappear completely. Read more>>
Christina Thomas
I was born into a musical family and started studying the harp as a child. Against everyone’s recommendations, I decided to go to college for business (at Penn State) instead of music. I had always felt a connection with the instrument but a disconnect with the perception that people had of what a harpist should be. Read more>>
Kinnari Sahay
My journey has been shaped by resilience, reinvention, and a deep curiosity about people and their stories. I moved from India to the United States in 2012, settling in the New York City area with a dream, a strong work ethic, and the excitement—and uncertainty—that comes with starting over in a new country. Read more>>
Jaclyn Forrester
Niche Pilates Studio began in 2016 as Centered RVA, a small 300 square foot space with one reformer, TRX bands and a few props, built around the idea of creating a welcoming, intentional and community focused movement experience. Read more>>
Sadie Woodhouse
I began working in the wedding industry in 2023 at a bridal salon! I fell in love with the glamorous fashion and the process of putting so much time and effort into a day that really feels like you. Read more>>
Linsey Hess
My journey into photography began in 2012 after the birth of my daughter. Like many new parents, I found myself documenting every little moment of her life, and somewhere along the way, I discovered a true passion for storytelling through images. My husband at the time encouraged me to invest in a “real” camera, and that decision opened a door I never expected. Read more>>
Sonia Newell
My journey to founding Granby St. Glow Juice Bar & More began long before the business itself. After spending more than 26 years in the intermodal logistics industry, I developed a passion for leadership, operations, and serving people. However, my perspective on health and wellness was shaped by personal experiences. Read more>>
Joshua Banks
I am a serial entrepreneur who works in X-ray and CT full-time and has started multiple businesses, including Voices of Virginia and Flex 4 Change, which created the nation’s largest kids’ fitness event. I am also a co-owner of a mobile X-ray company and more. As it pertains to my matchmaker VA, the idea came from not being a fan of reality shows. Read more>>
Lyv Rezin
My journey started as a wife and mother looking for a healthier and stronger version of myself. What began as simply going to the gym to improve my confidence eventually grew into a passion for fitness, nutrition, and personal development. Read more>>
Brett Lieberman
My path to pest control was not something I ever would have expected. I studied journalism and political science in college. After college at Boston University, I worked for almost 20 years as a journalist. I started at a local paper in Pennsylvania and later worked for news organizations in Washington, D.C. Read more>>
Hash (Hashmatullah) Salih
My journey has been shaped by hard work, perseverance, and a desire to build something of my own. I came to the United States with a strong belief in creating opportunities through dedication and continuous learning. Read more>>
Kenya Williams
My name is Kenya Williams, and I am the founder and CEO of iShine. My journey began with a simple passion for cars and a desire to create something of my own. Like many entrepreneurs, I started with limited resources, working long hours and building the business one customer at a time. Read more>>
Dave Littere
We – me and my wife – began growing our own food in 2020. During COVID, we were able to grow more food for restaurants and customers at the farmers markets. The transition to food waste collection came around 2022 when I began collecting food scraps for free at the markets to make my own compost for the food I was growing. Read more>>
Brandy Wallace
I grew up watching my Mommy (yes, I still call her Mommy!) baking cookies and cakes, so being in the kitchen has always felt like home to me. While I make cakes today, cookies are really where my story began. I was working at a call center, and during breaks our only options were a dollar store or a few fast-food places across the street. Read more>>
Uriah Bowser
Started working in Corporate America back 2008, Financial & Banking Institution sector. I’ve always had a passion with providing support, problem-solving skills and educating clients with their finances. In 2020 I decided to open a small consulting agency called ‘Neighborhood Home Assistance’ with the mission to help guide first time home buyers into purchasing their first home. Read more>>
Rupesh Koirala
I started as a software developer. After working in multiple financial companies, I was closely monitoring the rise of Artificial Intelligence. I used it everyday for my day to day life. I realized that big businesses have a lot of power to employ AI in their everyday life. Read more>>
Alex James
I first learned how to work on cars from my father as a young kid and grew up loving to work on cars. During highschool I worked in a couple different auto repair shops doing basic stuff. After graduating highschool I went to Universal Technical Institute in Orlando, Fl, an Automotive repair program, and I received a certificate from that program. Read more>>
Sam Lewis
Conquest Graphics is a family-owned company, and as a 4th-generation family member, my start came early, in the form of simple bindery work, cutting the grass, or cleaning up. I got to see the business from a unique perspective, and I also got to see the hard work that goes into running a company by watching my dad, Chris Lewis. Read more>>
Maria Milton
Rossana was born out of a love for hospitality, community, and the simple joy that comes from a really great cup of coffee. My sister, Randi, and I have spent most of our careers in food and beverage. Between the two of us, we have decades of experience working in cafés, restaurants, breweries, and hospitality spaces. Read more>>
Elin Kanchev
I was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, in 1985 and have been involved in sports for as long as I can remember. I started swimming in 1992, began practicing martial arts in 1997, and throughout my life athletics became much more than a hobby, it became a way of life. Read more>>
Reshu Jain
I truly believe that the universe has a unique plan for each one of us. Our role is to trust the divine, have faith in its timing, and continue moving forward with sincerity and purpose. Looking back, I can see how every experience in my life was preparing me for the journey I am on today. Read more>>
