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.
Vanita Kumar
My journey to owning Postal Connections in Leesburg has been driven by a passion for serving people and building relationships within the community. I have always enjoyed helping others solve problems and making everyday tasks a little easier, which is what drew me to the shipping and business services industry. Read more>>
Lia Fernandez
I’m originally from Colombia, and I have lived in Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and now Richmond. My interest in design started early. I taught myself how to code by building Sailor Moon fan sites, which still feels very on brand. I studied Communication Design at Miami Dade and Parsons, then split my career between startups and agencies. Read more>>
Diam Wins 
Diam Wins is the founder and creative visionary behind OXImoron Fashion Sense, a multifaceted lifestyle brand centered around helping people curate how they look, create, and live. Read more>>
Theodore Walker 
Music has always been a major part of my life. What began as a personal hobby—collecting music, learning how songs work together, and developing my skills as a DJ—gradually became something much more meaningful. I discovered that I enjoyed not only playing music, but also reading a crowd, creating the right atmosphere, and helping people celebrate important moments in their lives. Read more>>
Emily Donner 
Right out of college I worked at a big accounting firm where I became a CPA, then I moved through a few smaller businesses across a wide range of industries, always in some kind of financial or accounting role. Even with all of that, I never really had a true plan for my own money. Read more>>
Mara Despujol 
I’m Mara, a Spaniard and a mother of three. My husband was offered a job in Chile, so we moved there as expatriates. That is where we began raising our children. It was a wonderful time; we met many people and had a large circle of expat friends, which made the adjustment easy. Read more>>
Ciera Thomas 
My story begins in Roanoke, Va. I was born to 2 high school sweethearts raised by my village. I grew up in a church and in a christian school and while my life was full with sports, church activities and extra curricular activities — I struggled greatly with identity. Read more>>
Laura Daab 
Bikini Panini is Richmond, Virginia’s popular food truck, serving a delicious variety of grilled and pressed sandwiches, paella and ratatouille entrees, homemade soups, fresh-baked goods, and ice cream. Taste the sunshine! We’re available for lunch, dinner, festivals, corporate events, private parties, brewery & winery events, farmers’ markets, construction sites, or any other food truck needs you might have! Read more>>
Jennifer Gilley-Déry 
I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. I started experimenting with body art when I was about 14, doing traditional henna, and eventually found my way into tattooing. I started my formal tattoo apprenticeship about 20 years ago, and since then I’ve had the opportunity to work in different shops, learn from some incredible artists, and really develop my own voice. Read more>>
William Kimmins 
Overwatch Coaching grew out of a pattern I kept seeing across very different chapters of my career. I saw it while leading in the military, and I continued seeing it years later in clinical practice, particularly because much of my work has involved high-performing leaders. The environments were different, but the human behavior underneath them was remarkably similar. These were intelligent, capable, accomplished people. Read more>>
Crystal Ballance 
Many aspects of my early life seem to funnel directly into how I eventually became “The Hot Sauce Lady.” As a youngster, I achieved first-chair violin and was a visual, mixed-media artist in the Governor’s Magnet School for the Arts. I later earned a degree in the sciences, double-majoring in Biochemistry and Biology. Read more>>
Blake Parker 
Stix & Stones Indoor Golf started as a conversation among family members who love golf. We kept coming back to the same idea: golfers in Winchester and the greater Shenandoah Valley needed a place to play and practice year-round, and there was little nearby that offered the experience we envisioned. Read more>>
Gabrielle Sabri 
I was not trained as a painter, and I didn’t study art. I came to oil painting very circuitously, and I am completely self taught (for better or for worse). In college I studied Earth Science, then I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Madagascar for two years. Read more>>
Kimberly Lewis 
Dr. Kimberly Lewis has never taken a conventional path through life—or medicine. A world traveler who has lived and practiced in the United States, Ireland, and Peru, she eventually chose Blacksburg and the New River Valley as home, captivated by the mountains, natural beauty, and wonderful sense of community. Read more>>
Gabby & Fitz 
Rainbow Road was founded by a couple of queer neurodivergent nerds who saw a need for more nerdy events in Richmond, and even more so, events that were indeed a safe space for all nerds! Read more>>
Angie Zawistowski
I am a teacher by trade. After teaching for 9 years, I became a stay-at-home mom when my first daughter was born in 2010. Continuing my passion for education and family I started doing daycare in my home. I quickly learned that I needed adult relationships after being home with the infants/toddlers all day. Read more>>
Dr. Sheena Horsford 
I started my practice in 2019 working part time. In 2023 I took the leap and started working my practice full time. The first year was probably the scariest because I had never worked full time for myself. So my initial goal was to reproduce my salary. Read more>>
Jennifer Muro, LCSW-S, RPT 
‘The first time I ever noticed Jennifer was when I was riding her bus in middle school. Read more>>
Jameicia Thomas 
My story is really a story of becoming. I did not start out knowing exactly what I was called to do. In fact, much of my journey has been about discovering that what I thought were separate pieces of my life were actually preparing me for the work I am doing today. Read more>>
Rachel Robillard 
I’ve always been a naturalist at heart. Much of my life has been spent obsessing over the outdoors in one way or another. My first art form was photography, my original dream job was to be a photo journalist. I followed the advice of my family members and went to school for health and medicine instead. Read more>>
Kenya Tanner 
Bodied by K was established in 2019 and officially opened its doors in January 2020. What started as a vision to help women feel confident in their bodies has grown into a full MedSpa offering advanced body contouring, skincare, weight loss services, lymphatic drainage, and other non-invasive aesthetic treatments. My journey into entrepreneurship began while already working in healthcare as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Read more>>
Tracey Hairston 
MochaGirl Place began with my love of finding beautiful vintage home décor and imagining how each piece could bring character and warmth to a space. As I shared my finds and home online, people connected not only with the décor but also with my approach to creating a personal, lived-in home. Read more>>
Neema Assanar 
Elysian Events really started with two friends, a shared love for creativity, and a genuine excitement for bringing people together. We’re Neema and Shanima, co-founders of Elysian Events. Long before Elysian became a business, we were the people who loved getting involved in celebrations—coming up with ideas, styling spaces, paying attention to the little details, and finding ways to make an occasion feel extra special. Read more>>
Jess Runge 
There are seasons in life when simply getting through the day feels like an accomplishment. I know that feeling firsthand. Yoga became my place to breathe through grief, uncertainty, and profound change—and eventually, to find my way back to my own heart. Read more>>
Austin Hungate 
Modern Day Roofing started with a simple idea: homeowners deserved a better experience when replacing their roofs. Too often, the roofing industry is associated with poor communication, unpredictable schedules, messy jobsites, and contractors who disappear once the work is complete. I wanted to build a company that approached the entire process differently. Read more>>
Chelsey Carico
I married Chance while he was in the military and we moved to Fort Bragg. The military pays for education, and he pushed me to use it. That’s exactly what I did; I was also ready for a different career. I had been getting Botox for a few years, and the physician who treated me told me to go further in aesthetics. That stuck. Read more>>
Christie Bazemore 
I fell in love with my home and kitchen (like most) during Covid. I had never really had the time to cook or the desire to make a fuss over dinner, and when time became all there was, I threw myself into cookbooks and artbooks, rediscovering so much enjoyment in the everyday tasks. Read more>>
Jayy Kirks 
My name is Jayy and I have been a photographer for going on 5 years now! I am a wife, mom of 4 (16, 13, 12, and 2) and a Marine Corps veteran. I live in central Virginia but I was born and raised in The Lone Star State. Read more>>
Amanda VandenBroek 
After two decades working at traditional marketing agencies like The Martin Agency, client-side with homebuilders, and at a startup music venue, I decided it was time to focus on what truly brought me joy. That’s what led me to launch Curious Work, where I help small businesses get found online through websites, search engine optimization, and social media. Read more>>
Emily Matras 
I founded my wedding floral business in 2025, after a decade working as a travel copywriter. I first fell in love with flowers after moving to the DC area—I would drive out to pick-your-own flower farms in Virginia, collect as many blooms as I could in my bucket, and have fun arranging at home. Read more>>
Gerson Polanco 
We actually started out working for a family member’s company, but over time, we realized we needed to strike out on our own. The whole idea was born from a drive to build a better financial future for ourselves and support our family. Read more>>
Tori Anderson 
I grew up in Louisiana where my mother was grew lots of garden roses and we moved to Virginia after high school. I initially studied communications at VCU and later would discover my true passion for nature and gardening. I returned to school to study Horticulture where I studied sustainable agriculture and floristry. Read more>>
Meagan Gregg 
I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember, but my professional journey really began while I was studying painting at George Mason University. I graduated in 2015 with a BFA and a concentration in painting, and after college I continued exhibiting my work while building a small art business on the side. Read more>>
Patrick Gilliam 
In 2017 after spending 26 years in retail Operations I decided to change careers. We were in our pool in May 2017 in Myrtle Beach and I told my wife, ‘We should start a food truck’. She said you’re crazy but if you get the loan go ahead and do it. I left the pool wet in the house and called USAA bank. Read more>>
Marco Nodari 
Marco Nodari MEMBER LARAS (LATIN GRAMMY) &NARAS (Recording Academy GRAMMY AWARDS) Mentor Recording Academy (grammy awards) 1 Nomination Grammy Awards, Award, a prize reserved for the 10 Italian Super Excellences in the World Marco Nodari passion for music began at the age of 6 with the study of the guitar and later the piano. Read more>>
Zakiyyah Shabazz 
I was inspired to pursue a career in beauty when my aunt did my hair as a child. I started braiding my friends’ hair at 14, and then got my cosmetology license at 18 when I graduated high school. From there, I worked in a couple of salons, but I didn’t quite find my niche until I started working for European Wax Center in 2021. Read more>>
Treona (Tree) Kelty 
My journey began with a desire to create opportunities and spaces where Black-owned businesses could be seen, supported, and celebrated. I have always believed that small businesses can transform families and communities when they are given the right platform. I started by organizing events under SoulFULL Vegan Events, combining my passion for community, entrepreneurship, and plant-based living. Read more>>
Sierra Hall 
Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started singing at four years old and grew up in a household where music was always playing, so my ear was being developed before I even realized it. Read more>>
Bill Wotowiec 
After concluding a full career in the federal government, I was looking for an interesting retirement gig. I enjoyed parkour and w began discussions with a parkour gym owner about potential franchise opportunities. Read more>>
Will Brooks 
I believe I got my first guitar for a 9th birthday gift. I remember seeing my uncle play guitar and thinking it was the coolest thing in the world, so for a while, I wanted to be a rockstar. I switched to bass in middle school though, and stopped playing guitar altogether until 2020 when quarantine started. Read more>>
Nadia Ramadhin 
The great thing about speech pathology is that we are needed in so many different settings. Before officially starting Gift of Gab, I worked in Veterans Affairs hospitals, Skilled Nursing Facilities/Assisted Living, Medical Groups, Schools, and more! I figured if I could make a great impact for other companies, why not myself? Read more>>
Lucy Day 
My tattoo journey started in 2001 when got my foot in the door working the front desk at Eastend Dermagraphics in Richmond ,Virginia. After spending quite sometime as a desk girl, I moved over to Graffiti’s Ink located in Sandston, Virginia. This is where my actual tattoo apprenticeship began. Read more>>
Sydnee King 
Queen of Esthetics started from my love for the beauty industry and a dream of creating something that was completely my own. I became a licensed esthetician and went on to become a 3x certified lash artist, continuing my education so I could offer my clients quality services while always prioritizing healthy skin and natural lash health. Read more>>
Nataki Hill 
Please excuse my all over the place-ness in advance! I needed all below to become who I am today! Read more>>
Stephen Meador 
I started my career in banking, working in customer service, mortgage lending, and eventually in a bank branch. I later took a break from banking and spent a year teaching junior high and high school, which is still probably the hardest job I’ve ever had. After that, I accepted a position helping people across the country with Medicare insurance. Read more>>
David D’Andrea 
Growing up as an insufferably uncool homeschooled kid, there was nothing cooler to me than the idea of being a rock singer. I was convinced that this was only possible for people born with natural talent and an irresistible swagger; neither of which I could ever in my wildest dreams hope to possess. Read more>>
Alison Lincoln
I started my practice 21 years ago when a friend of mine asked me to try something new. I was looking for a bit of adventure and purpose, so I joined an Aikido class with her. The class came at just the right time—I was recently single and responded well to the sense of community and self-empowerment that one finds in Aikido class. Read more>>
Marilyn Pham
My story originates from when I was a little girl growing up in Virginia. I was a self taught singer and would practice whenever I got the chance. This usually included locking myself in the garage so nobody would hear or find me. Nobody in my family knew I could sing until they came to my school talent show, and they were shocked. Read more>>
