The Change-Makers: stories that inspire

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.

Johanna Mcginley

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Even in grade school, I was making and selling hemp keychains for local bands. That drive has never left me. In 2024, I founded Mime Wolf Inn, LLC, to channel that energy into casting services, acting coaching, and studio rentals. Before starting my own company, my journey in the industry began in 2014 as an extras casting assistant on major films like Transformers 4 and Batman v Superman. After gaining valuable experience as a talent agent at PCG Talent in Columbus for the last 5 years, I knew I wanted more control over my career and a way to stay involved in acting. Read More>>

Zach Lugo

Red Cap Society is a three piece doom-punk band hailing from the famous village of Yellow Springs, Ohio. The heart of the band is personified by the brotherhood of three best friends. Formed in 2014 by middle school buddies Alex Lugo and Charles “Chuck” Moran under the primitive name “Battery,” the duet started learning their favorite songs after school on bass and guitar, respectively. Influences ranged from early punk such as The Clash and Dead Kennedys, to 80s thrash metal giants like Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer. Artists from the 90s’ grunge movement like Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden also played a substantial role in the early influence of the band. Read More>>

Savannah Harmo

My high school guidance counselor told me after sharing with him my dream to by a hair stylist, “you’re too smart to just be a hairstylist.” He helped me get a full tuition paid scholarship for four years. After my first year of college, I dropped out in pursuit of being the hair stylist I’ve always desired to become. Growing up as a young teen I was known as the neighborhood braider. At the age of 14, I was earning nearly $25 an hour from my braiding skills which made it difficult for me to be an employee for anyone other than myself. Read More>>

Shannon Dager

I’m most proud of my family and how we’ve grown stronger through the challenges we’ve faced. We’ve been through some tough times, but I’ve shown them that resilience and hard work can turn adversity into opportunity. I’m also incredibly proud of the reputation I’ve built in my career. People know me as someone who is honest, hardworking, kind, caring, and authentic. Having that kind of trust and respect means everything to me.  Read More>>

Alana Miniard

Hey there, I’m Alana! I started Love & Whimsy Events in the summer of 2021, shortly after having my son and deeply wanted to build a career that fills my cup and lets my creativity run wild. From a young age, I have always been a planner. The one paying attention to the little details—the things that make a moment feel special. My passion is creating unique experiences that bring people together in ways that feel joyful and unforgettable. Read More>>

Christine Vallieres

Christine Vallières is a contemporary figurative artist originally from upstate New York, now residing in Botkins, OH. Vallières spent her first two years of undergraduate study at Pratt at Munson Williams Proctor Institute, Utica NY. At MWPI she received acknowledgment for her film photography accomplishments as well as figure drawing ability. Vallières then spent her junior year at Anderson University, IN where she focused on sculpture.  Read More>>

Abigail Rodenburgh

With a background as a Research Analyst, I quickly found it more difficult to do research as a mom than for my job. It seemed literature and the internet were filled with outdated research that was often unfounded, flawed, or self interested. The only way I could find solid, accurate information was to directly read and analyze studies or to dive down rabbit holes of one expert referring another. After talking to many other moms, I realized I was not alone. So many of us felt like we had to spend hours scouring the internet to figure out what was going on with our kids, even those with backgrounds like nursing. Read More>>

Edd The Wordsmith

When I was 8 years old, I inadvertently won my first poetry competition. It wasn’t intentional; I wasn’t particularly interested in poetry at that time, but only submitted something as all the students in my school were required. Upon winning, I didn’t immediately commit to being a writer, but this experience merely foreshadowed my later endeavors. At about 10 years old, I fell in love with music, but was often more drawn to the lyricism and themes of a band or artist than the music itself.  Read More>>

Nick Cianchetti

It was this thought that gave me the idea to start Guys Tile and Flooring in 2018. I started the business and named it after him to show how proud we are of his accomplishments and to thank him for everything he taught us. He passed earlier this year but having this business continue on and grow will continue to keep his spirit alive. Since 2018, we have expanded our knowledge to include many different types of tiling such as custom tile showers and back-splashes, fireplace surrounds, stacked stone, and art-glass panels, as well as other types of flooring. Read More>>

Tony Gardner

Although I’ve always wanted to be a Barber, it took a while for me to appreciate it as a Professional Career. In the beginning it was always a side hustle for me in addition to working a 9 to 5. It was like this from 7th Grade up into my college years. It wasn’t until I met my Wife and she encouraged me to enroll in Barber School and pursue my passion, so I did just that. I left a full time job, found part time work, and attended Barber School, in addition to being a Husband and Father of three! Read More>>

Sean Freeman

After graduating, I moved to Atlanta with a clear vision for my future. I stayed with a close friend and his mom, and began interning at God is Dope, a brand still in its early stages. Through hard work and dedication, I rose to the role of tour manager, playing a part in the brand’s growth during its incubation period. This experience in entrepreneurship and branding was invaluable, and it set the foundation for much of my future endeavors. Read More>>

Sydnie Mcadams

In 2023, I attended a Teacher workshop hosted by Queen City Clay where I elected to learn the pottery wheel. Immediately hooked, once again. I was gifted a wheel at home to practice on in addition to taking multiple 8 week courses with Queen City clay. Now throwing pottery is one of my favorite things to do! Read More>>

Courtney Bell

I was born and raised in Western Kentucky, where I developed an early interest in art and photography. In 2012, I graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Arts Administration and moved to the Cincinnati area in 2019. I have worked with various clients and organizations, such as local businesses, nonprofits, and festivals, to showcase their stories and products through my images. Read More>>

Melissa Biltz

As someone that does not eat a lot of pancakes she makes sure she gets the health benefits of using natural sweeteners in her beverages, whole grain cereals and baked goods. She has also formulated her own spice blends by taking maple sugar and combining it with ground peppers and other seasonings which is ideal for roasted vegetables or grilled meats. Healthy snacks are important so Sweet Fire has lightly Maple Sugar coated nuts available in Pecans, Walnuts, Almonds, Peanuts, and Cashews. Read More>>

Nick Francis

This proved to be a fantastic partnership that helped us truly test the concept of Scrap2Home. We have now been operating for two years as a 501c3 nonprofit. We have saved more than 28,000 pounds of wood from the landfill and recently passed 1,000 items built. The volunteers who help us build have made this possible, amassing 4500 hours of volunteer time. Read More>>

Jennave Traore

As I grew older, I learned how to adapt and connect with all people from all walks of life and ended up making a lot of connections. No longer was I the shy person in the background but learned to embrace being center stage. Today, I am still discovering who I am and who I am destined to be. I now know today certain things happened to help me have more compassion and understanding later on in life. My new found success and attention has been a complete change from the way things used to be. How I started and where I am today is like night and day. I know that people from my childhood and hometown can agree. Read More>>

Steven Muhammad

Growing up as a Black teenager, I grappled with finding my own identity and purpose. My journey took an exciting turn when I discovered a passion for comic books. I saw their potential to educate Black youth on history and culture, and my love for them drove me to pursue a professional career with a company called ANIA. Read More>>

Natalie Schwartz

During those early days of motherhood, I realized that taking care of my little one and nurturing my family left little time for myself. The overwhelming responsibility of motherhood often caused me to neglect my own well-being and, over time, I began to lose touch with the woman I once was. As I navigated through this profound transformation, I yearned for something that could help me maintain my sanity and reconnect with my true self. Read More>>

Destiny Ellison

My journey hasn’t been easy, from financial struggles, family and friend issues along with a drastic change in living situations. I’ve always tried my best to stay positive and stay focused on the next task to make my situation better. I always had to find a way to make my dream come true. The best things that come from my journey is the loyal friends I’ve made & the lessons I’ve learned. Read More>>

Molly Kearns

I opened my business in the summer of 2024. Although Happy Flower Ceramics is still new to this world, my love for clay began over twenty-years ago in my hometown of Salem, Oregon. My parents regularly took my brother and I to a kid-friendly clay studio in our community, where we were given large blocks of clay and little to no restrictions besides the limits of our imaginations. We only lived there for a few years before my dad’s job took us to another state, but the joy surrounding my experiences at our small clay studio stayed with me until I decided to take my first adult ceramics class in 2022 at Bayarts. Read More>>

Wilma Rosser

Finding a commissary location to cook was challenging but we secured a place that works for our current needs. Funding the business in lean times and generating new clients is always challenging but we continue to press through anything that stands in our way. Read More>>

Kristyn Nicole Stanley

My passion for photography actually started when I was much younger, and I have had a camera in hand for as long as I can remember, with my first one being a “Nikon Coolpix” in the early 2000s. Since then I had basically become a hoarder of memories throughout my childhood (and still am today if I’m being honest), obsessed with capturing every family vacation, holiday, birthday, and every-day moments in between. I even experienced my first tragic SD card failure while on a family trip to Mexico in the 5th grade, learning the importance of backing up your photos and formatting your memory cards the hard way! Read More>>

Brooklyn Ware

It hasn’t been a smooth road at all. I’d be lying to you if I said it was easy. I feel as tho everyone has their own fears or struggles when it comes to pursuing anything new. Some of my biggest personal fears made me uncomfortable with putting myself out there. The thought of people being able to see, judge, comment, or even share my art was crippling to me at first. There were so many times I would call quits, get frustrated, cry and question if this is something I really could do.. Read More>>

Brooklyn Summer Country

The night I arrived, I started playing live music rounds, writing music with co-writers, and playing small one-hour gigs in town. When I was thirteen, my gigs were two hours, and at age fourteen, I now play up to three-hour sets, open for small acts in town, and headline my own shows. I’m working on my first EP, writing new music, practicing with a great band, and planning my future while trying to keep a 4.0 in high school. It’s a lot, but it’s so much fun at the same time. Read More>>

Alissa Disanto

I went to college for Nursing and later found myself back in school for my MBA. I transitioned into medical device sales where I currently still am. As we approached the covid days, I was left working from home for many of months. This was my opportunity to turn my hobby into a reality so I started my food blog- Sauced By Sunday. I have this love for taking care of people and helping people and I find myself doing that with my food. Food is such a comforting thing and I love to share that with my family and friends. Read More>>

Tulimubona Namulemo

Over time, I turned to faith as a source of strength and healing. Through my growing relationship with Jesus Christ, prayer, and meditation of God’s word, I found the healing and restoration I desperately needed. I began to focus on wellness—not just physical health, but also mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. This transformative journey ignited a passion within me to help others who were struggling, just as I had. Read More>>

Ashley Perrin

Behold Beauty Hair Studio was created from my lived experience of discovering my own beauty. My heart is for you to feel liberated to see your beauty while we share time together. Beauty that challenges social norms. Beauty that emanates from the inside out. The beauty that’s always been there. Behold Beauty Hair Studio is a safe + peaceful + joyful + inclusive space where you are the focus. If you’ve longed for silence, that’s what you’ll find. If you’ve longed for conversation, that’s what you’ll find. Read More>>

Tosha Love

And it was a hit! And so I’ve been doing it ever since specializing in different events and customizing to go boxes and grazing tables and letter boards and more! Anything that people can think of that will elevate their party or event I try to do through charcuterie. Lastly, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without my incredible mother, Yvonne. She has been my rock through out all of this. She’s retired but has stepped in to helping me run my business with no questions asked. I respectfully and lovingly call her “The Boss”. Her and I ARE Lil Bits N Bites Read More>>

The End At Last

The End At Last was formed in 2022 by Nate VanBuskirk, Parker Buhrman, and Vinny Anderson, who met at the Copeland fitness center. Quickly bonding over their mutual love for metalcore and hardcore music, they began exploring the idea of forming a metal band. Given Nate’s seven years of experience writing and producing Synthwave music under the name of Decade Defector and Parker’s guitar playing experience, the trio felt confident in their ability to start writing and producing music. Read More>>

Occular Odyssey

In 2020 , at the height of the pandemic , friends Mai and Dani started chronicling their every day life during the new normal . After creating the instagram page as a place just to post the work Mai was doing , Danielle stepped into a managerial role, focusing on artist development and branding. Occular Odyssey was born , and devoted itself to using its platform to platform other artists . With an emphasis on black artists and artists & brands from low income areas . Read More>>

Victoria Lekson

As a child I was drawn to the grandeur and beauty of the instrument. I studied classical harp performance in college at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA and earned my degree in 2016. Since then, I have focused my career on writing and performing original harp compositions. I love collaborating with local creatives from musicians to photographers to tattoo artists. I am fortunate to be a part of such a vibrant and welcoming arts scene in Cincinnati. The artists here are crucial to my sound and I feel so supported in this scene. Read More>>

Brooklynn Pastoria

I just never knew how far I could go because I could not see past my high school years. Eventually I was running this business by myself and it felt like it was my “baby”. I knew everything about it and had many intellectual conversations with the owner. Every so often he would pop in and talk to me about life, business, credit, his inspiring story, all the things that I never saw for myself at one point in life. It all started to click in my head that I wanted this for myself. I was blessed to meet someone who gave me free game and knowledge because he was so comfortable in his own position that he did not mind mentoring me. Read More>>

115jai

After years of quietly honing his skills behind the scenes, 115Jai emerged as a formidable artist in his own right. His music defies easy categorization, resonating with audiences nationwide and proving that true artistry knows no boundaries. Venturing beyond the studio, he embarked on multiple tours across the United States, captivating crowds in iconic venues such as Kemba Live and the House of Blues. Read More>>

Maryna Didenko

I came to the USA as a refugee in 2022 right after the war started in Ukraine (evacuation train after being heavily bombed in Kharkiv city) with only a backpack of documents, diplomas of my 2 degrees and a laptop with a hope that I may find some decent job wherever the life will bring me and my son. The first three month we stayed in Warsaw, where i was working as a teacher of English for Ukrainian refugee kids.  Read More>>

Christine Jennings

We are now partners and lead the Steele Group at Streetlight Realty- we are always looking for new agents! We are able to provide buyers agents, listing agents, commercial and investments. We also run property management company. I’ve learned so much about real estate in a few short years. I have a particular interest in investing in real estate so I’m excited to keep learning and grow a portfolio of my own. Read More>>

Angel Snitzer

I’m no scientist so experimenting with different formulas and scents has been very tricky and it took many batches to find the perfect ones. It has truly just been trial and error for me and I still plan to continuously better my product. There are many factors that go into my products such as texture, color, scent and I wanted to make sure it’s not too greasy or oily on the skin. Finally, I found the perfect formula that dries down beautifully and leaves the perfect amount of shimmer. Read More>>

Candice Howard

Back in January 2024, I was tasked with completing a 30 dozen cookie bar order for a family funeral reception. They knew I could crank it out quickly, considering I’ve baked as many as 130 dozen by myself in one day on multiple occasions. I calculated the prices of all the ingredients with the recipes I use, and considered the time it took to bake, box-up and label everything. I had heard of a few people baking out of their home as cottage bakers and figured the restrictions here in Ohio were easy to work with, so I jumped in. At the very least, if it didn’t work out, I wasn’t going to be stuck in a commercial lease or left with a ton of equipment I didn’t need. Read More>>

Emily Tanski

In 2024, I launched Fleurish to bring more zero-proof events to Cleveland and make hosting these gatherings easier. Our “Sober in the City” series introduces innovative non-alcoholic drinks in an elevated dining experience, aiming to normalize the choice not to drink. Fleurish’s mission is to offer thoughtful and creative alcohol-free options to our community, no matter where they stand on their personal journey with alcohol. Read More>>

Patrick Sullivan

In the summer of 2022, my friend and I made a commitment to each other that we were going to be serious about this dream. We started hitting multiple open mics a week and soon started getting booked on actual shows. I studied abroad in Barcelona for a semester and even got involved in the English speaking comedy scene there. When I got back to school, I became very involved with the on campus comedy scene. I just graduated from college and am looking forward to pursuing my dream from here on out. Read More>>

Cole Clayton

This faced me with the inability to see my son, or move to a more remote based career. 2 years in now, and I have several Live shows on my YouTube Channel such as Hammered & Cheese, a cooking podcast centered around my bestie Dino The Genetic Marvel and alcohol, Every Other Weekend Meals which start Jack as I teach him to make delicious meal. The Greatest God Damn Show on Air, which is just a podcast with me and my sister speaking on current events, and lastly but not least, my mother and I make bets on Football called Sunday Best Bets. Read More>>

Dj Dholak

Since I played the Indian drum (the Dholak) since I was like two we decided that the name DJ Dholak would fit us as it was something unique about me and what I loved to play as a kid. The whole purpose of this was to make people experience joy through the music we were mixing. Fast forward a couple months later and we are now playing gigs and posting our content on multiple social media platforms. We already connected as brothers but this made us even closer and enhanced the duo that is DJ Dholak. Read More>>

Megan Higgins

With time, I realized that my work really fit with what children’s book illustrators were doing so I started developing my work in that direction. Eventually, I applied to my dream agency and when they offered me a place as one of their illustrators I was over the moon. Once I joined with them, I started working professionally as an illustrator taking on book projects and other projects with art and illustrations aimed at kids. It’s hard to believe that this is a thing I get to do for work and I count myself very lucky, but I also know I worked very hard to get here. Read More>>

Jareth Marlow

While pursuing my musical passions, I was also a dedicated gymnast, training and competing from the age of two to eighteen. Unfortunately, my gymnastics career took a sudden turn during my senior year when I broke my leg at the first competition. This setback was devastating, as I had hoped to compete at the collegiate level. However, during my recovery, I discovered a new love: playing the guitar. By the end of my senior year, I had written my first original song, which received enthusiastic support from my friends despite my limited experience as a songwriter. Read More>>

Nathaniel & Alecia Russell

Their ministry assignment is to encourage believers to listen to the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us into all truth. Nathaniel is a physician, excited about sharing the oracles of God regarding the unity of the faith through a unique prophetic anointing. Alecia is a School Psychologist and graduate of Valor Christian College, excited to enable believers to understand their authority through Christ, teach, and sing. Her newest single, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me” is available on all streaming platforms. Nathaniel and Alecia have four lovely children. For bookings or more information, visit: https://holyspiritsupportgroup.com Read More>>

Jaeda Kinkoph

After spending over ten years in the luxury goods industry, and being introduced to incredible talent around the world, I saw a major gap in Cleveland’s jewelry market for independent designer representation. For years I dreamt about opening a non-traditional jewelry store that showcased these designers in a very casual and comfortable environment. After my twins started school, I happened upon an office space that I ended up transforming into a beautiful, appointment-only showroom. Read More>>

Jason Smith

At its heart, The Smokin’ Section is all about the love of music, community, and collaboration. Levi and I share a passion for breaking down barriers between different music scenes and bringing artists together in ways that audiences may not expect. That’s what makes the Smokin’ Section special – the band evolves based on the project we’re working on, whether it’s backing an artist like Levi for his own shows or regularly performing with BHM artist/rapper OG VERN. Read More>>

Kristin Harlander-Sony

My friend and I went to restaurants all around Columbus asking to host events. California Pizza Kitchen picked us up and we were there every Tuesday night. Within a year we had three different Columbus locations that we attended weekly along with private events for birthdays, bachelorette parties, girls night out, etc. Read More>>

Matt Thornton

One of the things I always tell people, mostly my students, is you should never expect the path to your goals to be linear. You will often find that you will have to achieve your goals, in spite of, the negative forces that work against you. My difficulties range from the struggles all artist have, and some unique to myself. Perseverance is the one trait that is unique to all successful people, and the one skill we should spend the most time cultivating. Read More>>