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.
T King
Years later countless hours of trial and error here I am. Honestly I feel you get out what you put in ! I give people the experience and art work I would want myself and treat people as I would want to be treated ! I feel that has got me where I am today remembering where I came from what I had and what I didn’t while staying humble and honest. Read More>>
Brad & Debbie Howard
We know that its the little things that make the difference between a good stay and a great one. When it came to decorating and creating a theme, Debbie wanted the comfort of a nature/boho feel but also having enough for kids to feel at “home”, we think we have created this space at Kingston Cottage. Brad has done so much with the entertainment space; providing ping pong, pool table, and air hockey in the basement. In the summer we have a stock tank boho sitting pool, which children and families seem to love, as well as a chiminea fire pit to sit around in cooler weather. We have a two story tree house as well as a swing, hanging chair, and chandelier lit sitting area. Every inch of our rental exudes details to create an inviting environment. Read More>>
Jared Hale
The hardest part about creating something is just taking that initial jump and doing it. I wanted to start a sports blog because I enjoy talking about sports with people and I’m proud to be from Ohio. Early on it’s difficult when you’re working so hard for little to no results. We were writing so many blogs in the early days and a lot of the time nobody was reading them. Same thing with the podcast. When we started that nobody was listening to it. Ian and I would sit down and research and record and work hard on something for hours that literally nobody was paying attention to. Thankfully we both just kept pushing each other and we continued to put out content consistently and fans slowly started to jump on board. Read More>>
Ali And Gia Weibel And Bolton
And so, we founded The Queen City Stunt Circus. Our mission is to revive and celebrate the vibrant tradition of circus arts while ensuring performers are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. We strive to create a thriving environment where artists can hone their skills and audiences can experience the magic of circus. Read More>>
Maria Alexander
River Valley Kids is a 4 piece indie band from with folks from all over the country finding themselves settling in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mike Trimpe (guitar/lead vocals) and his colleagues Matt Field and Allison Howell(keyboard/vocals) were on a photoshoot for a project they were working on and Mike started talking music. Allison casually brought up her piano skills and then they roped Matt in and set up a jam session. It was just 3 people dusting off their instruments and seeing what might happen. Read More>>
Jennifer Acus-Smith Nicole Trimble
There was a lot of time and effort spent on our process and approachwhen establishing the business. We had to develop a logo, website and social media as well as contracts, forms and procedures. I’m glad we spent significant time on this at the beginning because it helped us to create a professional business and effectively communicate with our clients. We are still learning each day and continue to grow and improve things. It has helped to talk to other artists who work in the public art industry and most are very happy to share best practices. Read More>>
Tannayia Thomas
During that time I started songwriting to let out the things I kept inside. I didn’t know how to talk about what was going on. The world felt heavy on my shoulders. I had endured a lot from a young age, had to grow up fast. And now being in college I’m unlearning trauma and anxieties and different things that affected me growing up. I’m actively in therapy which I recommend to everyone! Now I’m in such a better place in life. I’m a college student focusing on pursing my craft and breaking generational curses. With God, I honestly can do anything. And I believe I will be the first in my family to do just that. Changing our circumstances for the better and improving our quality of life. Read More>>
Meghan McCarthy
I was shopping at the West Side Market one day, when I purchased maple syrup from a local vendor, so I could make granola. The vendor and I got to chatting. They wanted to know if I had different granola flavors and would I be able to sell it. I answered yes to both questions. While I had been making my various granola recipes for years, I had never sold it before. Within a week of that chance encounter, I had chosen a company name and designed a logo. I sourced supplies, priced out my ingredients and returned to that same vendor with product in hand. Thus, City Hippie granola was born. Read More>>
Emily Barlow
I was so disappointed. Loveland was beginning a true Renaissance as the town was rebuilding after a devastating fire destroyed a row of buildings in the historic district and I knew that something spectacular was going to rise from those ashes (and it did), and I wanted to cover it all in the magazine. So after a lot of thinking and more thinking I took a leap of faith and took over a the publisher. I brought on the rest of the advertising dollars needed to launch, hired m editor and in November 2018 our first issue hit mailboxes. The magazine has grown along with the town. As new restaurants, boutiques and breweries opened we increased our page count to cover it all! Read More>>
Greg Hansberry
But for me, it all became clear on December 9, 2023, when I knew I had to make a career change—or risk being left behind. My best friend took me to see U2 at the Vegas Sphere for my 40th birthday. Yes, the concert was amazing, but the robots in the lobby, the speakers in the seats, and the 300-foot screen were all mind-blowing. I cannot overstate how impressive the experience was. I also left the building knowing it was only a matter of time before a robot could—and would—do anything I could do professionally. My days in radio broadcast were officially numbered. Read More>>
Danielle Vinson
Fast forward to 2025, and here I am—fully immersed in a career I love. Every day, I get to help clients navigate the exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) process of buying and selling homes. What started as a simple idea has grown into a full-time business that’s as rewarding as it is dynamic. Even better, is now my husband is no longer deployed, and he works right along side me! My son, whom is only 10, along side me when ever he can. and my daughter helps our when she is home from college. It has truly grown into a family business, something we are all deeply passionate about. Read More>>
Jeff Molski
Posted it online and sold it quickly and made a little money, thought to myself that there could be something here. I left the corporate world after 30 years in the healthcare field and begin pursuing my passion. The business grew and grew, my primarily selling vehicle is through Instagram where I have grown my following to almost 15,000. I have customers from California to Maine and truly enjoy finding unique and timeless pieces. While I don’t have a retail store, my current location is a space that encourages walk in traffic, though most of my customers have appointments. Read More>>
Thomas Craley
Absolutely not! There are so many working parts as an artist and business owner. Sometimes you don’t know where to start. My career is being an Artist. But I have to be the bookkeeper, marketing, social media presence, content creator and so many more hats… I would love to just create. The best thing I have found though, are local groups, communities or other small business who are more than willing to help or get you moving in the right direction. Read More>>
Chilly Rodriguez
Growing up in a broken home Chris’s path to becoming a professional artist wouldn’t be an easy one, in his 20s he would struggle with his addiction to alcohol and it wouldn’t be until he was 28 after losing his left hand in an alcohol related injury that he would finally get sober and stay sober. Read More>>
Shelby Parton
BUT I wouldn’t trade it for anything. All the bumps in the road make it worth it. I am not saying I am perfect even now, as we have to adapt to change and we all know the insurance world in general changes. I feel as if I am always in school to making sure I have my clients up to speed with those changes. This is where my teaching degree comes into play along with having a supportive husband and daughter with how crazy my schedule can be. Read More>>
M Segrist
WoodBottom Farms was created a decade ago with the intent of offering all natural sustainable products to the public. We create small batch award winning artisan bourbon infused jams, jellies, & caramel sauce, along with Cincinnati Half Step Chili seasoning packets available in over three dozen retail outlets, at weekly events and demos, and curb-side pickup. WoodBottom Farms is a member of Ohio Proud, and we only use Ohio made items in our products, including lids, rings, jars, labels. All of the fruit we use is either grown here on the farm or sourced within a 15-mile radius. Read More>>
Ava Perkins
What really shaped my path was my desire to educate and inspire others. Whether it’s through teaching, creating informative content on social media, or working with organizations like the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, I’ve made it my mission to make cosmetic science approachable, accessible, and fun. Now, as I pursue my PhD in Biomembrane Sciences at the University of Cincinnati, I’m focused on deepening my expertise and engaging in the community while working toward my long-term goal of becoming an educator after I graduate. Read More>>
Megan Fitze
Through that work, I became familiar with the Columbus arts and culture scene and dedicated to educating others about artisans and their craftwork. After many wonderful years with Global Gallery, I left to work in outreach at the Columbus Metropolitan Library. I loved the library and the resources it offered the community, but I missed the arts. So I decided to go back to school to get an MA in Art Education with a focus on Museum Education. I greatly believed in the mission of the Library and how it bent its services to the needs of the community. I wanted to explore how Museums could do the same. Read More>>
Gina Desantis
I began working in clay in 1999 through my college studies at Lorain County College and finished my art degree in 2002 from Cleveland State University. I graduated form Kent State University in 2006 with my MFA. I had hoped to teach college level art and ceramics but unfortunately jobs were scarce. I worked many jobs not related to my degree before quitting my day job in 2013. From 2013 until 2020 I focused on teaching ceramics out of my studio while selling my artwork. I shut down the classroom space during the pandemic and never re-opened it to focus full time on creating and selling my artwork. Read More>>
Liz Detrow
It definitely has not been a smooth road at all, but I truly believe everything happens for a reason! I’ve had to learn from some tough mistakes. Running ilysmkinda was like having training wheels for learning how to run a business. I made mistakes, but those experiences taught me so much. I learned how to handle finances, create effective marketing strategies, and connect with customers in meaningful ways. Read More>>
Ash Finke
I’m most proud of my courage to consistently put myself out there, sharing my authentic artistic vision with the world. My art is a deeply personal expression, reflecting my soul’s journey, both the beautiful and the challenging aspects. I embrace the fluidity of my creative process, often allowing the work to organically emerge without strict adherence to a preconceived plan. This intuitive approach, while sometimes defying logic, results in unique and fascinating creations. Read More>>
Eric James
Planning the show includes reaching out to an artist so a poster can be made. Sometimes, this is done in house by Eric. Northside does occasionally hire artists for local shows (we reach out to Columbus Ohio artists for Columbus Ohio live music shows). Planning also includes establishing a connection with more than 1 venue. Bars are fluid and change, come and go. Eric regularly goes into the field to establish connections and to get more leads for a successful show. This includes handing out show posters to people and posting event posters in local shops. Northside also plans for events by brining in photographers, lights specialists and sound engineers for higher end events. Read More>>
Michelle Filler
Duke’s K9 Dash N’ Splash was born from the boundless energy of a Belgian Malinois puppy named Duke. After adopting him in late 2015, we quickly realized we were in over our heads. If we didn’t find a way to burn off his excess energy, things could get out of hand fast! My son, Zak, who was 14 at the time, stumbled upon the sport of dock diving online. So, we packed up and drove 3.5 hours to our first event in Dayton, Ohio. Both boys had the time of their lives, and by the end of the weekend, Duke had transformed from a wild, uncontrollable puppy into a happy, tired, and fulfilled dog. Read More>>
Adam Delane
Over the years, this passion has taken me across the country—from New York to Puerto Rico, Seattle to Los Angeles. Along the way, I’ve honed my craft, building a body of work that reflects my love for creativity and originality. My goal is always the same: to create something that makes people stop, admire, and feel inspired. It’s not about stories or narratives; it’s about crafting art that speaks for itself—beautiful, striking, and unforgettable. Read More>>
Shelby Drake
I began shooting more, all while still working full-time, this is what I was doing when I wasn’t working my 9-5. My business was growing, rapidly. My husband, Nathan, and I welcomed our first son in September 2018, and I still kept photographing away. Taking more weddings, taking more clients. Fast forward to February 2020 – I left my full-time job to become a stay at home mom. We were expecting baby boy number 2 in May, and this was the right move to make. The plan was me staying home with our kids, but also going full-time with my photography business. And once the pandemic passed, I officially went full-time. Read More>>
Ec 3
To grow up, train hard, find a way, catch a few breaks that bring you closer while narrowly avoiding a few traps that end it where it lies and become something you dreamed of as a child that persisted through your teens and left you hollow if you didn’t at least try as an adult is a fairly surreal, yet extremely grateful mindset that brought me to where I am. Read More>>
Robin Howard
After deciding to end my 21 years of teaching career, I have put all my efforts into ReVampt Columbus. The idea for ReVampt started in 2019 when I had my first experiences with Poshmark. Poshmark is an online platform for resellers and for audiences who love shopping sustainably. Initially, I used Poshmark to sell items from my own personal wardrobe and became addicted to the process. Selling my own items was quickly followed by purchasing fun apparel pieces at local Columbus thrift stores to resell. Over the past 5 years, while still teaching full time, I took business courses and started building the ReVampt brand and became official one year ago, in January of 2024. Read More>>
Yvette Lloyd
As my passion for helping others grew, I expanded into various areas, creating programs like *Fadia Young Women’s Program* and *Humble Beginnings Services*. These initiatives were born from a desire to empower women and foster their personal growth, especially those who were navigating challenging circumstances. I also saw the need to give women a platform to share their voices, which led me to launch *Life Her Podcast*. The podcast is designed to uplift, encourage, and provide a space for women business owners to share their journeys. Read More>>
Lindsay Ronneberg
My love of food really grew from an appreciation of visiting big cities and doing the research to seek out the best restaurants, and also, speaking with chefs in the city. I feel like having those meaningful conversations with the chefs that are feeding me, and always staying in tune to new restaurants is helpful to my community, by giving back and supporting them. I love to recommend places for people to try, while building up small businesses. Read More>>
Michelle Dantz
I decided to write children’s books because I have always had a passion for kids, and wanted to impact their lives positively. Since the second grade, I have wanted to be a teacher and spent some time in college pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. Although I was unable to finish my degree, I am still actively involved with kids. I offer school visits to children all across the US, so whether it’s virtual or in person, I get to connect with many kids which is wonderful. Read More>>
Erik Engartner
We offer the building as a location for photo and film shoots, paranormal investigations, comedy shows, drag shows, and miscellaneous events like our estate sale, couple’s nights, trunk or treats, birthday parties, and meetings. Biggest of all though was our Haunted Attraction in 2022 called Nine Lives. Took all year to prepare for that but it was so cool to see come together as the architecture of the building lent itself well to such an experience. It attracted nearly 700 attendees across the 8 nights and was reported on by national outlets. Read More>>
Anthony Church
Primarily my role as a music producer allows me to help craft the sound of an artist and get their vision to a spot where they can feel proud of. This includes working one on one with each collaborator and having important discussions about life and everything in between. It’s almost like a form of therapy, and your goal is always to gain a mutual respect and trust with the other person. Read More>>
Benjamin Arington
This is the story of how Fatbensbakery came to life. I, Ben “Fat Ben” Arington, previously a pastry chef in Manhattan, I worked under some of the best in the business, learning everything from macarons to cakes and cookies. Tired of working for others, I took a leap of faith and started making donuts, which I posted on social media and tagged Urbana Cafe. This led to a message from Daniel, who owned a local shop, asking about the donuts. After meeting him and dropping off the treats, we began a wholesale partnership. Read More>>
Jasmine Viola
However, when Ohio’s cannabis industry launched in 2018, I pivoted to pursue an unexpected but exciting opportunity. I started as a general manager at a dispensary and worked my way up to becoming a compliance director, overseeing operations at several dispensaries nationwide. Over six years, I successfully opened stores in multiple states, transitioned from medical to adult-use markets, and collaborated with the Ohio Department of Commerce to help shape the state’s cannabis program. Read More>>
Angela Boehm
Absolutely not, lol. But I think obstacles are what grows us as a person. Inside and outside of our career. You always have others judging you when you are in a position like this and you have to have tough skin. The job itself is extremely difficult with unrealistic last minute demands, lol. But I embrace that. There is nothing in film that surprises me anymore, wether on the set of Superman being asked for 5, 7year olds at 7pm at night for the next morning at 7am or being asked for an additional 50 military men willing to shave their heads and I have two days to produce this (Cherry) I embrace the challenge and it feels empowering to help give them what they want to tell the story we are all trying to tell. Read More>>
Brandon Stephens
Realizing I needed current game film to showcase my abilities, I decided to sign with the Arena Football League in 2014. I played two games with the sole purpose of getting that footage for NFL scouts. Then, another setback—I dislocated my shoulder. It was tempting to feel defeated, but I remembered texting my parents, “God is still good.” That moment reminded me that my faith and optimism were stronger than any obstacle. I refused to give up. Read More>>
Lori Osterloh-Hagaman
The Herbchick LLC is a business centered around natural health and herbalism. I offer reflexology, reiki and consultations utilizing many traditional evaluation modalities. I teach bellydance and am a 200 hour registered yoga teacher. I sell handcrafted herbal low impact body care; herbs I grow and dry; and assorted accessories. Because knowledge is power, I teach about herbs and natural health, as well as produce a podcast, called Wholistic Bad Ass, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and other platforms. Read More>>
Aja Toro
I create one-of-a kind ultrasound art with your images that you can treasure forever, whether you want to commemorate a pregnancy, celebrate a new baby, honor a memory of an angel baby, or even the exciting moments of an embryo forming ! As a mother figure to three of my siblings and with three children of my own, my nurturing nature permeates through my art. Each stroke of the brush embodies the love and tenderness I hold for the lives yet to be born Read More>>
John Harper
Starting in the early days, it was very indie. We morphed into a much more modern/melodic rock band with a whole bunch of people. Then scaling back to just a guitar/bass/drums/singer band which is where we have been for most of the length of this project. Our core song writers have been together now honestly longer than any other era of this band. So I think where we are at right now just as a 3 piece, is probably the healthiest, most excited, and best incarnation since probably the beginning! Read More>>
Renae Myrie
Aura is the distinctive atmosphere or quality that seems to surround and be generated by a person, thing, or place. Therefore I envision that my clothing would demonstrate my different moods and capture the Aura I want to present whenever I walk into a room. Koutura means ‘Couture- Her’. I replaced the ‘C’ from Couture (the type of fashion I love) with a ‘K’ and added an ‘A’ to get the pronunciation of the meaning in Patios my native Jamaican dialect. Since the birth of Aura Koutura I have managed to maintain the same head turning effect when I walk into a room. Read More>>
S.k. Patrick
From teller to supervisor to personal banker, I gained valuable experience. After graduation, Stock Yards offered me a managerial position. It was in college, however, that I discovered my true passion. I graduated with a degree in communications and marketing, and through my writing, I realized I had a knack for putting words to paper. This led me to pursue a career as a sports journalist. Read More>>
Marina Amaral
Six years ago I cane with the idea to bring a little of France in to our town.. With my background in Education and speaking 3 languages, I thought we could joy a space where we can learn about European pastries , what a real macaron is and what is about a great quality of coffee. Our chocolate truffles are coming from Belgium or for French chocolatier located in Las Vegas. Read More>>
Joel David Weir
I taught myself how to play through tab books and learning from friends. I wrote my first songs and started my first band there. After playing in various bands through my early 20s I started my solo career in the early 2000s and decided to really make a go of it. I played consistently in the midwest for ten years and then began to branch out to other parts of the country, eventually getting a UK following in the past five years thanks to Aldora Britain Records taking interest in my music and releasing a retrospective to that audience followed by a series of new releases. Read More>>
Savon Gibson Sr.
The road to where I am today has certainly not been without its challenges. While my passion for financial empowerment and community service has remained unwavering, there have been obstacles that required resilience and adaptability. One of the most significant struggles was navigating the complexities of starting and growing a business. Founding **Empire Consulting/Gibson Financial Planning** in 2014 was a bold step, and as an entrepreneur, I faced many of the typical challenges—building a client base, managing cash flow, and gaining recognition in a competitive industry. Read More>>
Katherine Siegwarth
One of my earliest art/museum memories was when I was about eight. Visiting the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, when I rounded the corner into a darkened room, I became face to face with an eerily quirky projection-based sculpture by Tony Oursler: I was completely transfixed. I continued showing an interest in art and museums, and while I took a circuitous route in college—changing my major every year—I eventually realized that I wanted to work in museums as a curator, focusing on the history of photography. I feel incredibly fortunate to have built a career in this field for the last 15 years. Read More>>
Mitchell Sotka
As an untraditional antique store, using antiques for decorating and to give as gifts has been my focus. I think the shop is known for being a creative space, offering interesting pieces, with friendly service at a good prices. The passion for antiques and a love adapting them to todays lifestyle has been my goal. Read More>>
Trina Felber
My journey to building Primal Life Organics and becoming a clean health and beauty expert started with one of the most painful moments of my life—a miscarriage. At the time, I was working as a nurse anesthetist, immersed in the healthcare system but unaware of the silent toxins lurking in my everyday life. Like many women, I trusted that the products on store shelves were safe. But when I experienced my miscarriage, I couldn’t help but wonder if something in my environment or my lifestyle had contributed to it. Read More>>
Larone Gilmore
I think that the concept of “smooth roads” in life is a fantasy. Experience builds a person whether you succeed, fail, or try. For me, it’s been no walk in the park. From College to now, I still fight with institutional racism, narcissism, and individuals who like to gate keep. Even when I know I am qualified, folks still won’t do an interview. The job market is 10 times harder than when I graduated from The University of Toledo in 2017. The most important thing that I learned from all that was to keep my head up and keep going.I don’t give into the negativity or weird folks that do me wrong. I just wanna go to work giving it my all on the court, so I can leave giving my all to my wife. Read More>>
Cameron Hooks
One day we decided to have some fun and let the creative energy flow and they told me to write a verse for this song. I was nervous I hadn’t attempted to rap since I was 15 and it never ended well for me, I wouldn’t be able to finish the song or get the words to mesh properly. But, for some reasons on this day, a decade or so from then the words were flowing easily through me. I took it as a sign and challenged myself to always get better than my last song, better than my last verse, better than whatever I had just did. I felt I had found my calling and my passion and wanted to dive head first into it all Read More>>
James Rosenberger
Investing in yourself sometimes means stretching beyond your comfort zone and taking on risks not covered in textbooks! In 2006 my company, maxxmedia+events LLC began offering therapeutic music and storytelling to Seniors under the name Audible Therapies. Prior to the pandemic, Audible Therapies was visiting 18 communities a month, reaching over 9,000 residents a year! In 2010 I became a Clinically Certified Therapeutic Musician and began working with the Alois Alzheimer’s Center at their hospice settings, playing one-on-one at bedside with people in the final stages of life (https://jamesrosenberger.com/). Read More>>
Kari Bello
The Braid Initiative is a program in partnership with Hamilton County’s Youth Employment Program to create vocational opportunities for youth in Cincinnati. The program is an intensive 7 week training for youth ages 14-21, who want to learn the art of hair braiding. Students come from all over the city of Cincinnati to get paid to braid! Youth are paid a stipend to complete the training. The program is apart of the county’s initiative to end youth violence. So far, The Braid Initiative has graduated 28 students since June 2024, with the hopes of continuing to spread the Braiding bug! Read More>>
Nicole Quillen
The pandemic played a big role in shaping the business as well. Being a stay-at-home mom during COVID with little kids was challenging, but it also gave me the time to dream and create. This platform allowed me to stay present with my children while building something meaningful and creative. Read More>>
