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.
Phoebe Sloan
Fast forward, and after 10 years at Tonic, Nancy and I found ourselves full circle with an incredible opportunity to open our own wellness studio. Despite the unfortunate passing of Steve, the dream to open a family yoga studio lives on, as we honor him with the name Parting Clouds Yoga. We also honor Deborah, as she since passed away, with the spirit of her vision to create a thriving wellness community continuing with us. My mom and I have been able to employ many of the same instructors, and have been blessed for the community of clients that have followed us to PCY. We most recently were able to transform the space with updates, and to add Barre classes, where we have grown the community even more. Read more>>
Kristi Watson
Fast forward to 2024, I gave birth to my son and made the decision to leave my professional career at a Cleveland law firm. Becoming a stay-at-home mom gave me the opportunity to step fully into my role as Executive Director of the JADFA House. It’s a role I’m deeply honored to hold, and one I often share with my son right by my side. I’m passionate about normalizing the idea that moms can lead, serve, and build something meaningful while raising their children at the same time. Wherever I’m found working, it’s not unusual to find my little one close by, learning, growing, and being part of this mission. Read more>>
Mary Slocum
I turned to YouTube and discovered a Korean American beauty influencer. She was so beautiful and confident, and watching her talk about makeup and products truly captivated me. From that moment on, I was drawn into the world of beauty and especially inspired by Asian American content creators. That really sparked my love for makeup and K-beauty, and all things skincare. Even though I was working in corporate jobs, I never truly felt fulfilled. One day I took a step back and asked myself, “What do I actually want for my future?” And everything kept pointing me back to the beauty industry. So I decided to go for it. I enrolled in esthetics school and immersed myself in everything—facials, skincare, makeup, products, you name it. I dove in fully and haven’t looked back since. Read more>>
Lauren Meisberger
My mom used to say “if the bus is leaving, Lauren is on it,” and that was so true! I’ve been to many places and met many people and always taken my camera along the way. Studying photojournalism put together the connection between taking a good photo and photographing someone as they are. I learned to sit and watch and see what someone looks like when they’re at their happiest, most natural self and when to take their photo to reflect that. Read more>>
Allie Hamed
Another challenge has been learning how to market myself in a way that connects with the kind of clients I truly want to serve. When you’re first starting out, you say yes to everything which is important for growth but it can also make it easy to lose sight of your own voice and vision. It took time (and lots of trial and error) to figure out how to speak directly to my dream clients the ones who value storytelling, connection, and timeless imagery and attract them in a way that feels true to me. Read more>>
Heather Badger
Inspired to share what I had received and continue deepening my own practice, I went on to earn my ERYT-200 and RYT-500 certifications through Rasa Yoga School and am now in the process of pursuing my E-200 and Yoga Therapy certification. Along the way, I’ve had the honor of studying with master teachers including Tracie Brace Hatton (Padma Shakti), Gracie Alcocer, Bhakti House Band (Sanskrit), and Jason Campbell. I hold deep gratitude for my teacher’s continued guidance and for the lineage that informs everything I offer. Read more>>
Ameerah Herbert
What I’m most proud of is the impact I’ve been able to make in people’s confidence and self-image. Seeing someone light up because they feel good in their skin is incredibly fulfilling. And knowing I built this business from the ground up, after years of dreaming, learning, and overcoming challenges, makes it all the more meaningful. Read more>>
Kathryn Powers
Honestly, I never imagined I’d end up as a photographer. I went to university for hospitality management and spent years working and traveling all over the world. The hospitality industry gave me the chance to live abroad, meet people from all walks of life, and learn how to truly connect with others. I’ve always felt drawn to different cultures and perspectives. Surrounding myself with people who live, think, and feel differently has shaped so much of who I am. Read more>>
Dee Culpepper
I started Birthday N The Box with all of my personal resources. In our low seasons, creating enough revenue, to market and run the business is challenging. During this time, I may use my personal resources to keep afloat, until the business takes root. Read more>>
Erin Finck
I didn’t become a regular practitioner until around 2011, when a ruptured disc in my spine left me uselessly horizontal for most of my free time, and the doctors offered me a giant bottle of pills as a solution. When I asked if there was anything I could do to fix it, he shrugged and said there were some stretches. I was given a packet of poorly illustrated drawings. I immediately recognized those drawings as yoga, and so my attendance at yoga classes became regular. It took months. Years, maybe – but as long as I kept practicing, the pain slowly but surely became manageable. Read more>>
Katie Elbisse
A hoosier born and raised, I attended Indiana University and was drawn to studies in marketing. But specifically the creative side of the category. The business classes that taught marketing in equations and numbers felt disingenuous. I preferred the emotions, the behavior – putting myself in the consumer’s shoes and creating from there. I’m not sure I was always so aware of it, but looking back, it seems I’ve always sought opportunities that allow me to play a role in connecting people and communities – often over a shared interest. Read more>>
Joel Anger
My name is Joel D. Anger and I am an aspiring musician from Cleveland, Ohio. I was born in 1988 in the Euclid-Green neighborhood on the northeast side of Cleveland and spent roughly the first twelve years of my life in the South Collinwood neighborhood (also on the east side). Times were tough during my childhood, but I always had my maternal grandparents and twin brother to keep me company. Music was a passion of my grandfather’s and one of his favorite things to do was to play the keyboard in his own strange way, writing original and eccentric compositions. Read more>>
Danny Kit
Music has ruled my life for as long as I can remember, but I never saw a future for myself in it. I sang, I joined marching band, I did community theatre, but I grew up in rural Ohio. Small towns just don’t have the spaces and resources for young people to express themselves artistically. I didn’t even realize teenagers could actually be in bands; that was just something I daydreamed about. The only places in walking distance were fast food restaurants off the highway. There weren’t local shows or art galleries to see. Maybe if I had been more confident as a kid I would’ve made my own spaces, but I didn’t feel like I had permission. Read more>>
Quinn Mcilhargey
I continued to pursue this business on the side, taking opportunities where I could and eventually quit my job at the end of 2020 to pursue Baqette full-time. It took a few years after that to focus and settle into my new reality. My business really started to take shape in early 2023 when I moved into a studio space outside of my house, then moving into a bigger studio space within the building about 9 months later… days before my first baby was born. Read more>>
Ben Elia
Growing up, I spent countless hours in my dad’s woodshop, surrounded by sawdust, tools, and the steady rhythm of hard work. My dad, a lifelong carpenter, was and still is my biggest influence. From an early age, he taught me how to use my hands, build with intention, and pay attention to the details. I learned so much just by watching him work, soaking in the environment even if I didn’t realize at the time how deeply it was shaping me. Read more>>
Tessah Wells
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges. The rising cost of living, the impact of COVID-19 in 2020, and the lack of consistent community support for small business owners have all been difficult to navigate. On top of that, balancing the daily hustle of being a mom and wife, from making sure the homestead is taken care of while managing the demands of running a business, has required constant juggling. There are seasons where it feels like everything is happening all at once, but through it all, I’ve learned to lean on faith, stay grounded, and keep showing up with purpose. Read more>>
Collin Nealey
That experience motivated me to seek a different approach. I wanted to work in an environment where I could spend more quality time with my patients—without the pressure of a ticking clock. I envisioned a setting where proactive, personalized care was the norm, and where patients could communicate directly with their provider easily and confidently. I wanted healthcare to be less about bureaucracy and more about building trust and meaningful relationships. Read more>>
Julie Matola
I realized that many of the products I’d been using weren’t just unnecessary—they were making people sick. I wanted to offer something different. I’ve never been a heavy consumer, and I wanted to provide people with simple, multipurpose products that are truly clean. Each ingredient in my products is carefully chosen, and I make sure to explain what’s in them and why. I spent time researching to ensure everything I make is safe for my family, and now I’m proud to share that with others. Read more>>
David Fueglein
Over the years, I worked at some of the most recognized salons in the region—Funke & Co., Wyred About Hair, Hair Loft at the Hamptons, JO Hair—and made lasting connections. But I always knew I wanted more. I wanted freedom. To create, to lead, to build a space that reflected my values, my passion, and my love for people. Read more>>
Savi Shah
I am also a musician, so I get the best of both worlds; visual and sonic. I specialize in moody photography and alt-rock music. I’m most proud of my ability to balance both while working a full time job. I am proud of the way I am able to reach people with either method of story-telling. I have also overcome a lot of personal challenges, such as my POTS disorder, which is a chronic illness that greatly effects my day-to-day life Read more>>
Randi Sullivan
Before the pandemic we were meeting in an office or at our clients houses in person and once everything shut down, our biggest challenge was learning how to gain the trust of our clients when working with them through Zoom. Creating real relationships via Zoom takes time and effort and was a huge struggle at first. Thankfully we were able to adjust our approach and the general public became more comfortable with electronic communication and we’ve been able to help clients all over the United States! Read more>>
Bianca Cedeño
Since then, we’ve had the privilege of serving so many wonderful people and experiencing truly special moments along the way. While our ultimate dream remains to open a brick-and-mortar coffee shop, we are deeply enjoying this season of bringing the coffee experience directly to our guests and community. There’s something incredibly special about meeting new people, setting up in unique spaces, and sharing a cup of coffee that’s crafted with love and intention. Read more>>
Anna Rajcsak
It hasn’t bee the easiest, as the same year I started Story Floral, I also had my first child. I then quickly had to learn how to balance working full-time, being a mom, and an entrepreneur. Juggling all of this at first was a challenge but quickly became rewarding and gave me a clear vision in the direction I wanted to take my business. No longer was it just a hobby/side-hussle, but it was a business that I wanted to see succeed and grow. Read more>>
Kodjo
Attending Columbus College of Arts & Design, Kodjo studied Filmmaking and earned his BFA in 2016. He then went on to launch his videography business, putting together a high-energy, positive team. As a filmmaker, videographer, and business owner, he has made it his mission to go above and beyond all his clients’ expectations, putting service at the center of everything that he does. Trusting in God all those years ago, Kodjo could not have known where his life was headed. Because of his faith, though, he knew that it would all work out in the end. He was always confident that by pursuing his dreams, he could impact others, putting smiles on their faces. It had been a long journey from West Africa to the present, but it was all for the best – all the challenges, all the struggles, everything. Read more>>
Joseph Maxwell
The Improvised Musical as a guitarist, became a father, and started bartending at Imposters Theater (Cleveland’s home for improv, sketch, alternative comedy, and other nonsense). All of this led to the musical I wrote, CALLBACK: the story of an aspiring comedian who gets the opportunity of a lifetime when a streaming service holds local auditions. I wrote the musical for and about the wonderful community of people I found in Cleveland, and put as much of myself into it as I could. It is not literally my story, but it is my life’s work – the culmination of every part of my story thus far. Read more>>
Samira Smith
I’ve always been a creatrix — it’s truly in my lineage. My mother, a professional makeup artist and cosmetologist, taught me the power of beauty, while my father, a NASA scientist, showed me the magic of curiosity, precision, and wonder. Growing up with that duality — the mystical and the methodical — gave me permission to explore life through both creativity and intention. My mom kept me close, guiding me through all things beauty and expression. As I grew, I found new ways to channel that energy. Read more>>
Alivia Freyn
For a long time, I tried to fit into what I thought I was supposed to be focusing on grades, trying sports, and doing what everyone else seemed to be doing. I’ve always been a creative soul, but it took me a while to find the right outlet. I thought it might be painting, but even after years of working at it, drawing never came naturally to me. Read more>>
Heather Sevigny
As life moved on, I got married and my husband and I started a family. The birth of our first daughter in 2010 prompted me to spend some money and purchase my first DSLR. I wanted cute pictures of my baby, and I didn’t want them all to be done in a studio. I wanted to get the small moments and start teaching myself how to take decent photo. Read more>>
Vernon Jackson
As I tried to find my path, I faced internal doubts and uncertainty about forecasting the future or having a clear plan. Professionally, working with children, especially those with special needs, was challenging—dealing with unpredictable schedules, managing my impatience, and handling difficult moments with parents and children. The lack of prior information about children’s needs often made my work frustrating and stressful. Read more>>
Matthew DeRubertis
I began producing in a commercial kitchen in Akron and solidifying the brand. After being featured on Fox 8 Good Day Cleveland this January, Delion has become well known as a healthy coffee alternative in northeast Ohio. I do most of my business online through my website (www.delion.coffee) and have a national customer base as well. Read more>>
Kalyn Vogelmann
I opened my home on Thursday for women to gather for fellowship and bible study. As that became a sacred space for those 12 women my calling to ministry began to grow in passion and clarity. We moved to the local Church so the children could have childcare and more women from the community could attend. The Lord asked me to host a 2 day Womens confercence in my community 12 years ago. Today that conference with the same framework hosts over 800 women annualyy including girls ages 5-85. Read more>>
Rebecca Trumbull
Here I am in 2025. I have been volunteering with dog rescues for six years, my photography business is turning 10 in the fall and I have just moved into my second studio space. (Oh and I have a partner in the business who also photographs and runs the studio with me). My business has become known as the one that works with pets. We have built our brand around the skills that working with those rescue dogs inspired. Read more>>
