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.
Max Schaefer
As I made my way to high school, I shifted from Catholic school to one Lorain’s public high schools. It was a new environment for me and I was searching for ways to get involved and opportunities to make new friends. One of the first clubs I ended up joining was a service club. Key Club was focused on volunteering and giving back to your community. The volunteering felt somewhat familiar to me, but really I was there to meet new friends and socialize a bit before school started. Through this organization I served meals to others, volunteered at fundraisers, rang the local Salvation Army bell & sang Christmas carols in the mall. Read More>>
Jane Lankford
My first ceremony, however, came sooner than expected, March of 2021—an intimate affair for international students, with the bride’s parents joining via Zoom from Singapore. Surrounded by cherry blossoms at Hinkle Magnolia Garden in Eden Park, it was a perfect reminder that love transcends distance, time, and even global challenges. Read More>>
Skye Shepherd
Adding to the struggle was pursuing my passion for creative color in an area steeped in conservative norms. I often heard discouraging words, warnings that a living doing what I love, pushing conventional beauty, was simply not a viable path. Those moments of doubt and external criticism could have easily derailed my dreams, but instead, they fueled my determination to prove that bold, authentic expression has a place in every community. Read More>>
Summer Beach
As a child, my dream job was to be an actor. I realized later that this dream was rooted in wanting to escape my reality. For years I was a victim of abuse and neglect by those that were supposed to protect me. I found safety at school, with my teachers, and through writing and music. My goals shifted and my purpose redefined. I wanted to be a teacher and help other children have a safe space to be authentically themselves. As a first generation college student, I navigated the complexities of financial aid and expanded my mind. Read More>>
Jaden Solis
Not at all! One of my biggest struggles has been myself as I can be extremely self critical and I put down my ideas, but I’m working on that. I also lost my job in September of 2024 when the company I worked for filed bankruptcy, and I’m only just now starting a new job. It put me in a bad state mentally as I was In a really bad financial situation at that point. Now, I’m struggling to have motivation after work, which I feel will change after I’m working a little more again. Working after 4 months of being home is hard on the body! Read More>>
Ashley Nguyen
I went from being a part-time working mom, barely bringing in $20,000 extra a year, to now running a business that competes with my partner’s full-time corporate salary. More than just financial growth, this business has helped me heal parts of myself that I’ve struggled with my entire life. It has opened doors I never thought possible and given me the ability to provide experiences and opportunities for my kids that I never had growing up. Read More>>
Carrie Oneal Brenner
In 2019, as that little one was preparing to leave for college, I embraced a new chapter and opened Scripted Studio, a stationery and gift shop in Hamilton, Ohio. Today, I work primarily from my home attic studio in a century-old house in Cincinnati, where I focus on art direction, surface design licensing, and branding. And to keep my creative spark thriving, I treat myself to one day a week working from Scripted. Read More>>
Porshi Raunak
My story started back in 2021 when I went through my divorce and didn’t know from where to start exactly. Back of my mind I keep telling myself “change is always good” I’m so happy for becoming an independent, strong woman I always wanted to be. I’ m the one who motivates myself most of the time and my own encouragement and dedication is the key why I’m here today facing chaos with a smile. Read More>>
Natasha Herbert
I kind of stumbled into photography after being a web designer for some years, before I even realized it was going to be my thing. I’ve always been a visual storyteller at heart, but it really clicked when I was studying Digital Media at Michigan State. That’s where I got my foundation, but honestly, my real education came from just getting out there and shooting—capturing moments, figuring out light, and learning how to make people feel comfortable in front of the camera. Read More>>
Alyse Lewis
I was in disbelief! Since this was winter time, I had turned the remainder of my tallow into balms and shared them as Christmas gifts with friends and family and really anyone that would listen to me about tallow. When people began telling their friends of friends, I had unintentionally started a small business and named it Butter Hide as tallow can smell like butter, cooks similar to butter, makes your skin feel as soft as butter and played on the word hide thats like cowhide and our own skin. Read More>>
Amy Dutt
With increasing sales and a growing public interest in native plants, Scioto Gardens has expanded into a full-service nursery. Site Services for residential plant installation was added in 2021, and in 2022, we added Design Services for creating residential garden and landscape designs. Scioto Gardens reached space capacity on the land leased from the former business owners. So in 2024, we built and re-located to a new 9.5 acre site east of Delaware, Ohio near Alum Creek State Park. Read More>>
Karen Kombe
So far, there have been some challenges along the way. One of the biggest struggles I’ve faced is believing in myself and overcoming the fear that holds me back from fully supporting mothers. This has been my greatest obstacle since I began. As a naturally introverted person, putting myself out there can be tough. My goal moving forward is to attend networking events and connect with other doulas to learn how they navigate similar challenges. Read More>>
Roneesha Ocloo
I got started with e-commerce email marketing while running my own detox juice business. At the time, I relied heavily on my Facebook group for sales until one day, my group was blacklisted, and I lost my primary way of reaching my audience. Read More>>
Bethanie Halbeisen
In a year and a half I have grown much more than I could have expected. When my husband and I moved to Dayton, 4 years ago, I really only knew my hairstylist and my esthetician. To think that in a year and a half I have reached over 300 locals seems almost impossible. There are always bumps in the road, I have slow months and busy months but in the end I have been able to keep the business afloat and have been able to afford to bring on new treatments. While there has been some negatives along the way, I just focus on the positives. Read More>>
Chrishelle Smith
Just being in the salon as a younger girl and seeing all of the things our hair can do sparked my interest and creativity. I only worked in Westerville for a short period of time. It was hard trying to get the Far East side clientele I had to travel North. I then made the professional decision to move back to a salon out East. I began working at Serenity Beauty Bar in Whitehall at the beginning of 2021. I am currently located at ALorraine Salon in Whitehall, Ohio. My brand name is Pretty Like Belle and I specialize in natural hair care. I also do some braids, color and weaves. Read More>>
Lindsay Jenkins
Lynzi has now grown into a contemporary fashion brand known for bold, statement pieces that celebrate confidence and femininity. My work has been showcased at New York Fashion Week, Los Angeles Fashion Week, and multiple popups in Detroit, Atlanta, and Tennessee. I’ve dressed celebrities, collaborated with Detroit-based brands, and been featured in publications like The Detroit News, Blac Magazine, and The Detroit Pistons. Read More>>
Lindsey King
I always thought to myself if I won the lottery, I would still want to work at a coffeeshop. After many years, the passion inside me still alive and well, I wanted to create a shop of my own that was a reflection of who I was. I knew I couldn’t do it on my own though, I truly needed the community that I had been serving for so long. Recently married, my husband was the idea’s biggest support and said “let’s do it”. Canton made it clear that they agreed, after funding a successful Kickstarter campaign for us to open. Read More>>
Sarah Nidek-eberle
I have had to learn many lessons that I’m grateful for. The lesson I learned in 2024 is to protect my business. I learned to protect myself because people can pray on my good ideas, creativity and kindness. Nothing quite prepares you as an artist to see your work imitated by someone else. Read More>>
Diana Flores & Jordana Greenberg
We are passionate about presenting varied and fascinating concerts that utilize many different ensemble and artistic formats. We have a dream of collaborating with dancers, visual artists and musicians of all different genres. Since our first official concert in March 2023, we’ve presented traditional chamber music concerts, as well as collaborations with bluegrass, Americana & old-time bands, collaborated with school-based non-profits, given interactive kids performances, and have performed throughout the tri-state area. We’re committed to making our concerts accessible to everyone, therefore many are free or donation-based. Read More>>
Kelly & Ben Woodall
It’s not been easy, but through some serious blood sweat and tears our little dream slowly became a reality. Literally one long day at a time. On the other side of the craziness that was bringing a 170 year old barn into the 21st century, and complying with the state safety codes, we are so very happy that we didn’t give up. Fast forward to present day and we just celebrated 100 weddings here back in November, 2024. We still pinch ourselves that we get to be a part of such incredible people’s lives on one of the most important days of their lives. Read More>>
Annie Darr
The biggest obstacle I faced in my career was when I was pregnant with my twins and navigating my business and making sure my clients were also taken care of. After my twins were born, juggling being a new mother and also nurturing my growing business was one of the hardest struggles I have faced in the last 7 years. Read More>>
William Hafley And Kaden Lucas
They would work diligently as content creators for the next two years. Will would focus on directing and editing while Kaden would focus on cinematography and photography. Their skills grew, and they began working with a number of musicians and artists in Cincinnati. However, at the end of 2018 they decided to take a break from content creation. They had success creating content for other artists, but decided they wanted to focus on their own art. Several ideas were pitched within their small network of creatives, but nothing ever came to fruition. Read More>>
Chelsea Espinosa
In addition, we opened a seperate, adjoining soda shop 6 months after the opening of V&V (2 months prior to construction). It’s difficult to put even put the magnitude of this into words. We knew the challenges that lied ahead of us, but felt that if we could get established and survive the year, we’d have a home in the heart of our hometown forever. Our incredible community continued to visit and support us throughout the construction no matter how difficult it was to get in the front door. We fought hard through that time and are now excited for the years to come in our beautiful downtown that is now ripe for new businesses to flourish. Read More>>
John Strauss
Ever since, I have had to figure out the best avenue for selling my work. When I began to establish my business, there was no internet to speak of. I tried advertising in the Yellow Pages, selling to designer oriented to the trade showrooms, showing at the largest domestic retail furniture trade show, and many other avenues. The trend has circled from trade showrooms, to brick and mortar retail to internet based sales and ecommerce platforms. I now spend more time selling than I do making the furniture. Read More>>
Sue Burnett
I was a math major in college, and when it came time to decide what I wanted to do as a career, the choice was between being a teacher (which meant more school), or being an actuary. The lure of a paycheck led me to be an actuary, which resulted in 7 years of exams while working full time! But, at least the paycheck was nice! Read More>>
Nick Brewer
I’ve always believed in the power of a great game night—the laughter, the friendly competition, and the way it brings people together. As a longtime board game collector (to the point where my wife joked I “might have a problem”), I had a passion for discovering and sharing table top games with others. Games provide a unique opportunity to disconnect from the hustle of everyday life, social media, etc—offering a chance to truly be present with the people around you. With a background in business and bar ownership, the idea of creating a space where people could engage in this just made sense. Read More>>
Alicia Wagner
I first noticed a significant health concern around the age of 27. I wasn’t feeling well, but every doctor I saw insisted I was fine—even though my body was telling me otherwise. A family member eventually recommended a holistic healthcare practitioner. Unlike the others, they truly listened, ran comprehensive lab work, and discovered I had a B-vitamin deficiency and hypothyroidism. Read More>>
Heather Ekola
This apple biz started many moons ago as I made caramel apples for my piano students for our holiday recital. Before apples, I taught piano for 20 years, and would gift my students an apple. One fall, money was tight, and my three young children planned to make their Halloween costumers; my kids are very creative! Without a lot of extra cash to buy materials, I took my plea to FB. With a single FB post, we sold well over $1,000 in caramel apples. It wasn’t until several years later I got intentional with apples. Read More>>
Scott Koorndyk
Through the power of networking, I accepted a role as an Executive in Residence with the Dayton Development Coalition, and then as Vice President of Technology Commercialization. Ultimately, I became the COO of the Coalition, with responsibility for all economic development programs. My time at the Coalition was incredibly rewarding – but I felt a strong pull back to entrepreneurs and technology commercialization – and became the President of the Entrepreneurs’ Center (EC) in 2015. Read More>>
Rebecca Wagner
My journey began when my daughter experienced severe gastro intestinal issues during infancy. I was not pleased with the “conventional” suggestions from her pediatrician at the time and decided to take matters in to my own hands. My gut told me there had to be a better way…a more natural, gentle approach to helping her little tummy. It started as a simple research project, and before I knew it, I was on a deep dive in to the world of holistic nutrition and all that encompasses holistic living. Read More>>
Nicole Rettman
In 2023, I chased down an opportunity to open my own brick-and-mortar Henna Studio & Gift Gallery in Cuyahoga Falls. I opened my doors in August of that year, and since then I’ve had the pleasure of welcoming folks from all over Ohio into my shop for appointments and parties. I also have a small retail space in the studio, which allows me to support other small-scale artists and artisans – a huge goal of mine! I love being part of the thriving downtown area of Cuyahoga Falls, and look forward to many years at my location. Read More>>
Martha And Camryn Kuchenbuch
What makes our business even more special is that there is nothing quite like it on the west side of Cincinnati. It felt like the perfect opportunity to bring something unique to the community I love. A place where people could come to nurture their well-being. And beyond the community, I wanted to set an example for my children. I’ve always taught them to pursue their dreams, no matter how big or small, and by following my own dream and opening Refresh Wellness Dent, I could show them that I, too, believe dreams really can come true! Read More>>
Father Jason Kahle
Like most things in life, I have had ups and downs. Some of the most life-giving experiences for me have been simply walking the journey of faith with others and being in relationship with friends and families. On the other hand, some of the challenges and struggles include feeling inadequate at times. Whether it was not being able to help someone like they wanted or fulfilling an administrative task in the parish (because that’s not where my gifts are), I have had various experiences that were both obstacles and invitations to surrender and trust in God’s grace and guidance. Read More>>
Brianna Hatfield
I ordered a candle making kit that was strictly soy wax and clean fragrance. It quickly became my favorite hobby. Along with this hobby, came extensive research about what is actually released into the air from our cleaners, candles, perfumes, etc. After finally finding a clean recipe for candles, 100% soy wax, and 100% clean fragrance, I decided to launch a small etsy business. As a college student, this was something feasible on my stovetop, without taking me away from my other enjoyments. Plus, who doesn’t like candles?! Read More>>
Sabrina Lindhout
When I was 22 during my 6-year tenure at a Cleveland-based modern dance company, I suddenly got extremely ill and was hospitalized for about two weeks. I was tested for what felt like everything from meningitis to exotic infectious diseases, but no one knew why I was so sick with a fever of 104 and body aches and headaches so extreme that they put any workout or migraine to shame. Read More>>
Mekhi Chives
In January 2020, following a job loss precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, I took the initiative to establish my own graphic design company. This venture was driven by a commitment to support the growth and success of small businesses, particularly those owned by Black entrepreneurs. Read More>>
Ashton Blake
My English teacher had us make video projects that coincided with the books we were reading. Well, a lot of people didn’t really know how to shoot or edit video so I would end up helping half the class. That would probably be the beginnings of Blaak Media. I even started having people offer to pay me to help them with their projects through high school. In college I bought my first DSLR (Nikon D3200) and began shooting live shows, video and photo, for my brother Will Blake. We even interviewed people so I learned about three point lighting. When people started asking me to shoot videos for them during the pandemic I officially incorporated and my company Blaak Media LLC was born. Since then I have moved into a studio space in downtown Akron with the help of Downtown Akron Partnership that I have dubbed “The Lab”. Here I produce podcasts, live performance, photo shoots, video shoots, and much more. Read More>>
John Riddlebaugh
Nope, this road has been full of potholes. When I got into acting, I was offered extra roles with an occasional small speaking role. Keep in mind, Cleveland’s local film community is just film students–and a few people who make a living in the broadcasting field–who make cinematic productions on a shoestring budget. There are some very talented people among them, but the people who seem to make it are better at marketing themselves than having actual artistic talent. Read More>>
Sonya Wells
My latest ventures include a consulting firm, Sonya Wells Public Health & Wellness Consulting, dedicated to helping small organizations and nonprofits bridge gaps in public health and wellness, as well as The Evolve Wellness Collective—a thoughtfully designed suite-style workspace where wellness professionals can grow and thrive.”When not working, I love to spend time with my family and travel. Read More>>
Robyn Roth
As an independent artist, challenges are always present, and nothing comes easily. My experience in university was particularly difficult; I struggled to find my voice amidst the pressure of completing assignments for both my major and non-major courses while also working to pay for school and living on my own. Although I discovered mediums I loved, it was challenging to delve into myself and understand what I truly wanted to express through my artwork. Some instructors dismissed my efforts, but I persevered. By my senior year, their attitudes shifted, and I began to receive encouragement, but it took time to get there. Read More>>
Dominique Springs
It has not been smooth! The marketing is always a struggle for me. I’m not a content creator so I rely on others to help me and sometimes the videos or pictures does’nt always live up to my expectations. Also, the shipping from my vendors is a challenge but that just comes with the territory. Read More>>
Makenna & Carley Kaeferle & Kerkhoven
As lifelong friends, Carley and Makenna had always harbored dreams of starting a business together. However, it wasn’t until they stumbled upon the magic of creating backdrops and balloon arches that everything fell into place. The synchronicity was undeniable – both of them instantly shared the same idea, and The One-Seventy Party Co. was born. Read More>>
Rickquetta Brown
But what I’m most proud of is the feedback from the listeners. One listener shared that they were on the verge of taking their own life, and decided to live another day after listening to the SBC podcast. Or the message from a young single mom who once believed she wasn’t worthy of love—until she heard a snippet of our podcast episode reminding her that she is unconditionally and infinitely loved by God, and that nothing she does will change that. This is what truly sets the SBC podcast apart. It’s not about the numbers, money or recognition— it’s about being a physical extension of Christ here on earth and changing lives, One episode at a time. Read More>>
Candace Reed
At the University of Cincinnati, I discovered my love for doing makeup on others. Friends would ask me to do their makeup for parties or Spring Break, and I was hooked. After graduation, I started posting my work on Facebook, and soon, more people began to reach out. I realized makeup was not just a passion—it was my calling. After I gained experience in corporate America, I took a leap made my dream come true: I became a MAC Artist. That experience taught me so much about the art of makeup and opened so many doors. Read More>>
Kara Henry
This body of work invites viewers to find joy in the minutia of life. In pieces like “A Ballpark Feast” and “Fun and Games” I use a smattering of objects (objects that you don’t often see portrayed in such a traditional medium- acrylic paint) to capture a special nostalgic longing many of us have for chowing down at a baseball game with the sun on our faces and/or spending a whole day playing and being a kid who doesn’t even know what taxes are yet. Read More>>
Jake Burns
If anyone in a band tells you it’s been a smooth road they are lying. Just to name a few challenges: being broke, constantly losing band members, living in different states, being broke, vehicles breaking down, equipment getting stolen, being broke, family members passing. Most recently we lost a bunch of equipment to flooding from Hurricane Helene after playing a show in Asheville, North Carolina. Read More>>
Sheena Miller
My love for making other people feel and look amazing, lifting people up to their full potential, grew more and more. Today I am a proud Co-owner of The Paint Shop Nail Studio where I am given the ability to make people feel like their best selves, while providing a unique, modern, and in style setting for my clientele. Read More>>
Elliott Gilardi
Art has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember, though I never truly enjoyed painting until I discovered the art of painting on shoes. I specialize in creating custom designs that captivate and inspire, aiming for that “wow” reaction from anyone who sees my work. Each pair I create tells a unique story, with meaningful connections to the customer’s vision. My style is intricate and dynamic—busy, but never overwhelming. Read More>>
Jewel Rollins
At Jewels2Health, we’re committed to supporting families with Full Spectrum Doula services, including birth, postpartum, and bereavement care. Our services focus on the well-being of mothers, babies, and families by promoting positive births, successful breastfeeding, and safe sleep practices. Read More>>
Alexander Elkins
I joined a local commercial production company, Big Media Creative, as a partner and worked with my good friend Adam Bowen to craft high quality advertisements for almost 3 years. In February of 2024, I once again stepped back into freelance in order to gain some more flexibility in my schedule (we now had three children and the ability to turn down work became necessary). In the past year, I’ve mainly shot commercials, but I’m working my way back into the feature world and I’m excited to see where this amazing career will take me. Read More>>
Merisa Salazar
Lindsay and Merisa are both non- Ohio natives, however college brought them to Ohio as both felt the calling to serve Ohio but especially Stark County. Separately, Lindsay and Merisa had hopes of starting a trauma center to address the mental health crisis.They worked at Children Services in Stark for 7 years each and went into private practice where they connected with the founder of Branch Counseling. Both Lindsay and Merisa agreed that Branch Counseling and Trauma Center was something that they wanted to be apart of and became partners with 2 other like minded women. Now, they serve Stark County and the surrounding counties. Read More>>
Reanna Stevenson
In my opinion there isn’t a smooth road in anything . I was able to learn many things along the way . I wouldn’t say they were struggles but more of of learning experiences. Read More>>
Steph West
I took all of that experience and eventually started my indie film production company, Eleven One Productions, and my indie publishing company, Red Fern Press. I’ve produced my work and the work of other creatives under Eleven One, and I’ve published two books under my Red Fern label. I’m actively seeking new authors to publish under my Red Fern label. I’m also going to law school at Ohio Northern University, and I intend to use my law degree within the sports, media, film, and publishing landscapes. Read More>>
Isaiah Williams
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, for example: I am mostly a self taught artist besides my art classes in grade school. I also had to work very hard to get recognition for my work especially because I didn’t go to some big art school. My love for art has carried me through. Read More>>
Jacob And Noy Moore
At this time, we started receiving catering calls, and from there, we purchased a brick and mortar to be able to accommodate more requests. We opened in November 2024 and currently only open for barbeque on Saturdays. My wife, Noy does all the desserts. This seems to suit us well- I smoke the meats and prepare the sides while she prepare the desserts and eggrolls. Yes, we serve eggrolls as well. My wife’s homemade eggrolls is a staple menu to our barbeque menu. This happened when we first started food trucking and it just stayed due to high demand. Read More>>
Lynnesha Hamilton
As Chief Operations Officer in this startup, I wear many hats – from Human Resources, handling hiring and firing, to payroll, event coordination, and even navigating legal matters. The three partners come from vastly different backgrounds. Still, we’ve learned to find our balance, building strategically and providing the necessary drive to ensure our artists and writers have every opportunity to share their voices and visions with the world. Read More>>
Matt Owens
During the upheaval and uncertainty of the pandemic, the former Harvest Pizzeria opening executive chef, Owens revisited his pizza-making roots and began perfecting his Neapolitan-style pizza dough recipe. When Owens decided he wanted to start selling his pizza to the public, he reached out to partner with friend, former co-worker and hospitality marketing expert Emily Lang. Together they launched Companion in June of 2023, and in the year and half since have developed more than 35 unique and creative pizzas, served at 74 pop-ups and events, all while building a loyal fan base of diehard regulars. Read More>>
April Kline
She pitched the idea of a doula agency to April in 2022 as a way to meet increasing public interest in having doula support throughout pregnancy, birth and postpartum… and the idea became reality. Since the launch of the BWS Doula Agency, we have seen exponential growth and, watching trends in healthcare in this country (the United States is 55th for maternal mortality worldwide according to the WHO and UNICEF), we believe the demand for highly trained and experienced doulas will only increase from here. Read More>>
Joseph Guzy
I arrived at Duquesne with dreams of being a sports writer. Once I walked into the student newspaper’s open house the first week of classes, I quickly realized a lot of other people had the same dream. The photo editor at the time, Claire Murray, overhead me asking about opportunities and asked if I’d have any interest in taking photos of sports. My parents sent me to school with a new DSLR so I figured why the heck not. Read More>>
