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.
Sughra Hussainy
I began my journey as an artist in Kabul, Afghanistan, where I studied traditional art at Turquoise Mountain Institute. Art became more than a creative practice for me—it became a way to preserve culture, tell stories, and give voice to experiences that are often difficult to express. Read more>>
Vincent Seng
We started as a group of friends who simply loved making videos and telling stories. What began as a creative passion eventually grew into a production company, where we took on projects across the food industry, events, commercials, music videos, and dance videos. As we grew, we each began developing our own specialties. Read more>>
Daniela Melendez
Hi, my name is Daniela Meléndez, and I’m a content creator. After many of the experiences my friend and I have been through, we decided to create our own podcast as a space to share our stories, lessons, and experiences in a real and relatable way. Read more>>
Travis Poe
The first show I ever booked was at a local skatepark in Richmond called Texas Beach for a friend that played in Impulse Machine(NC) that wanted to come play in Richmond. From there I kept booking a number of D.I.Y. Read more>>
Jason Cerda
Jason Cerda is a Northern Virginia native whose journey in music and entertainment spans more than two decades. A recording artist, performer, and creative visionary, Jason’s story has always been rooted in a passion for the arts—and in the community that raised him. Read more>>
Eugene Opperman
I grew up in Johannesburg, always making something — doodling, building absurdly large Lego castles, creating electronic music. Graphic design school was the obvious next step, though the real education started the day I graduated. The agencies I worked for taught me craft, but they also taught me the part school skips: how to read a client, how to run the thing. Read more>>
Chris Skibbe
I started working with glass back in 1997, which I ended up pursuing formally, earning my BFA from VCU in 2005. Right after graduation, I knew I wasn’t done learning. In 2006, I built out The Glass Spot, and we opened to the public in 2007. Read more>>
Amoni Wilds
Oooo where do I beginnn??? This may sound cliche but Ive literally loved music for as long as I can remember …. I still remember certain songs I sing to this day that I’ve apparently been listening/singing since i was a 4-5 years old lol . I started actually taking music seriously in Oct 2019.. Read more>>
Ewa Harr
Founded in 1919, Frank Ix & Sons was originally based in Union City, New Jersey. In 1928, Frank Ix, Jr. moved to Charlottesville, Virginia to build the third and eventually largest of six mills. He’d only planned to stay a year but liked it so much, he stayed a lifetime. Known around town as the silk mill, Ix & Sons produced “greige goods”, unfinished fabrics. Read more>>
Dr. Zoe Ross-Nash, PsyD, CEDS
On March 13, 2020, I was a third year psychology doctoral student grabbing dinner at my favorite local Chinese restaurant, completely unaware that the world was about to shut down. I quietly broke open my fortune cookie and unfolded a piece of guidance that I had no idea would shape my ideology as a psychologist, business owner, and human. Read more>>
Peyton Whaley
My story really started with a love for the beauty industry and a dream of one day having something of my own. I always knew I wanted to build a career where I could be creative, connect with people, and make others feel confident and beautiful. Read more>>
Anna Degismen
I never set out to become a photographer. It began quietly—with a camera in my hands and two little boys who became my first, and very patient, models. At the time, I was building a career in business and finance. Photography was my creative escape. I photographed my children, experimented with light, posing, and composition, and taught myself through endless trial and error. Read more>>
Terry Doherty
I took my first Jazzercise class in 2012. I was a self-described exercise nomad because despite numerous attempts to ‘be healthy,’ I couldn’t find a program that didn’t bore me after a few bouts. I didn’t know what to expect … but I found my forever exercise home. Fast-forward 14 years. Read more>>
Chris Jones
Ever since I was a young boy, I was constantly building—whether crafting models, making stop-motion films, or fabricating custom creations. That innate drive to build led me to West Virginia University, where I earned a BFA in Graphic Design, and subsequently spent 16 years running my own successful design firm. Becoming a parent rekindled my passion for hands-on fabrication and functional interiors. Read more>>
Brittany Blake
Photography has always felt like a place where time could slow down for me. From an early age, I was drawn to the way a single image could hold emotion, memory, and meaning all at once. It gave me a sense of stillness in a fast-moving world, and that feeling never left. Read more>>
Paxton Titus
My name is Paxton Titus. I am a Jiu Jitsu competitor and Strength Coach for hobbyists, competitors, and those seeking strength! I attended a small Christian school in Pinckney, Michigan. I graduated from Livingston Christian Schools with 10 kids in my class. I was a top 10 student of my graduating class! Read more>>
Mohammed Dajani
Tae Kwon Do has played a huge role in shaping who I am today. In many ways, it changed the direction of my life. When I was a young teenager, I was out of shape, lacking confidence, and starting to find myself around the wrong crowd. Read more>>
Judith Soule
I’d love to say that my photography journey started because I had this irrepressible urge to create beautiful photos… but unfortunately everything got going out of a sense of desperation. March of 2009, I had two small babies, was going through a terrible divorce, and had to figure out how to make a living. Read more>>
Ashton Swan
I have been supporting moms and babies since 2018, when I began my career as an OB nurse. One of my favorite parts of working in the hospital has always been helping mothers navigate breastfeeding. I found myself taking a special interest in lactation and the unique challenges families can face during those early days. Over time, I realized I wanted to do more. Read more>>
Amanda Bocchi
My name is Amanda Bocchi. I’m a mother, musician, teacher and an insurance agent for Comparion Insurance in Roanoke, Virginia. I have 3 daughters 16, 14 and 5. Music has always been my greatest passion. I started playing guitar when I was 9. I graduated from Hollins University with a Bachelor of Arts- concentration in classical guitar, I have had a rather meandering career. Read more>>
Brigitte Kamga
It started when I was in primary school, growing up in Cameroon. Every summer I would make beignets to earn money for back to school supplies. My older sister had already turned it into a small business, and watching her planted something in me early on. I continued to learn, and it stayed with me. Read more>>
Shatresse Simmons
Creating art was a perfect distraction from all the troubles I was facing in my life; it was better than keeping a journal. I started off with character designs that turned into making original characters in my sketchbooks. Those characters had different aspects of personalities I had, desired to have, and the flaws many of us could have. Read more>>
Arielle Stephen
Hi! I’m Arielle, the new owner of Abrakadoodle Loudoun County. My path here is unconventional–I spent over 16 years in healthcare working on cardiovascular patient and engagement. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Health Administration from Indiana University and my master’s degree in Health Services Management and Leadership from The George Washington University. My work was always focused on creating meaningful, patient-centered experiences. Read more>>
Kenda Sutton-EL
My story really started long before Birth In Color became an organization. I grew up in the Northern Neck of Virginia, in a rural community where access to healthcare was very different from what people experience in larger cities. My entire family works in healthcare so it’s natural to want to pursue something in healthcare that will help the community. Read more>>
Kevin Mornot
The Recording Pod started with two lifelong friends, a basement, and an idea. Larry and I have been friends for more than 30 years. After recording our own podcast in my basement, we experienced firsthand how much work goes into producing quality content—from setting up cameras and microphones to lighting, editing, and creating an environment where people feel comfortable speaking openly. Read more>>
Rob Hurd
Relocated to Lynchburg VA 9 years ago opening the premier Jiu Jitsu academy in Cental Virginia Read more>>
Jessica Felder
My path to Conví all started from my love for hospitality. I spent years working my way up through the industry, from server to bartender, and eventually into service manager, bar manager, kitchen manager, and event roles. Read more>>
Dilan Rafael burrola Enriquez
The Story Behind Mexatubs Painting Mexatubs Painting was founded in 2024, but its story began much earlier, while I was working for another company. That was where I learned the trade, developed my skills, and discovered the satisfaction of transforming spaces with my own hands. Although I was responsible for completing most of the work, my salary was very low. Read more>>
Minkyung Kim
My story began in Korea, where I was born and graduated with a degree in Taekwondo. After moving to the United States, I spent more than 10 years working as a Taekwondo instructor before finally taking the leap and opening my own school. Opening my own school was a dream come true, but the reality was much harder than I imagined. Read more>>
Kimberley Mathis
I started because I genuinely love helping people feel better. Massage therapy gave me a way to do that while building something of my own. At first, the goal was pretty simple: give great massages, take care of my clients, and make a living. Apparently, I misunderstood the assignment. Read more>>
Mark Freeman
Lucia and I met in college at Tulane University in New Orleans, where we were both attending the School of Architecture. We graduated in 2002, just after September 11th, and many areas weren’t building or hiring architects. We moved to Washington, DC versus heading back to our hometowns. We had many friends who had moved here and convinced us we’d find jobs. Read more>>
Sara Bell
I always wanted to be covered in tattoos. Growing up in rural Virginia I only knew one person with any tattoos, my uncle, and he was the coolest looking person I’d ever seen. As I got older and started getting into art I knew that yes, I wanted to be covered in tattoos, but I also wanted to be the one doing the tattoos. Read more>>
