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.
Cassidy Beaver
Petals and Silks was born from that passion and my love for creating beauty and meaningful experiences. I’ve always been drawn to weddings, not just the flowers, but the atmosphere, the emotion, and the tiny details that make the day unforgettable. I started out helping friends and family with floral arrangements and timelines, quickly realizing how much joy I found in bringing visions to life and helping couples feel at ease on such an important day. Read more>>
Maria Wisman
Our mission and goal today is to get more cheerleaders lifting like athletes and utilizing the weight room to not only progress our sport further as a whole but also to reduce injury risk. Through The Cheer Doctor we create strength and conditioning programs delivered via app to cheerleaders and cheer teams looking to take their training to the next level. Our goals is for all cheer teams to have access to expert strength training programs as well as other resources. In our strength app, we have also recorded calls we have done with sport psychologists, dietitians, college coaches and more so that no matter how big or small your team is you can have access to expert information! Read more>>
Elizabeth Rogers
I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old, and my search into the meat and dairy industries really took off when I was told I should start giving my babies cows milk. Every doctor I really asked about this did not have a great explanation on why this was better than formula or other milk alternatives. Looking into how our world scraps integrity and ethics for the almighty dollar in practice in these industries made it an easy choice to steer clear. Read more>>
Mark Khudyak
I wanted to be a chef for as long as I can remember. I was always in the kitchen helping my mom or grandma cooking. In high school I went to the career center to study culinary arts and worked at some of the local restaurants. The 20 Mile House in Landen was my first introduction to fine dining (it was called Hyde Park Chop House back then). The dim lights, jazz music, cigar lounge….everything about the front of the house impressed me so much the first time I saw it. I wanted to be part of what the guests came for, the amazing experience of service. Read more>>
Alexandra Craig
So, when I attended The Ohio State University in 1994, I decided to take Exercise Science as a major. It was a perfect fit for me because I could help others feel great about themselves, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Along with Exercise Science as a major, I also attained a minor degree in Nutrition. Because nutrition is 80% of results it was important to have that educational background as well. Once I graduated from school I immediately took the ACSM Heath Fitness Specialist Personal Training Certification. Read more>>
Emmett Collins
This didnt sit well with us. We wanted to change that. We wanted people to have a place they felt like they could gather without the social pressures. Without the need of emptying their pocket book. A place where people can just exist and hang out. Our goal was always to be a place people could gather and enjoy without breaking the bank. And thats why we are one of the least expensive specialty shops you will find within hours of us. Owning a business should be a marathon. Not a sprint to wealth. We dont believe in price gouging our customers simply because we can. And unfortunately so many businesses both big and small do just that. Read more>>
Michelle And Robert Damron
Our shop is quaint, cozy and full of character and brings alot of European style charm, which always brings compliments from our customers and makes them feel at ease. We are deeply proud of the community that we’ve had the privilege of getting to know, not only in the downtown area, but the vibrant neighborhoods and suburbs that surround us and the joy that our customers get when they receive our arrangements. We truly receive every compliment that we get as affirmation for the love that we have for this business. We love our flowers and want you to love them back. Read more>>
Ashlee McElwain
I had heard that someone in my family had a winery so for my 40th birthday I decided I wanted to go visit the winery. So my husband and I drove down to Bidwell Ohio. We introduced ourselves to the owners-Tim amd Lisa Merry and during our visit one of the owners asked if we would be interested in taking over. They wanted to retire in about three years and they would like to keep it in the family, I immediately called my daughter to ask her if she would like to buy a winery with me and told her what was going on. Of course, we spent the next three years preparing for buying the winery and here we are! We purchased the winery January 31 of 2025. Read more>>
Mark & Michael Kersey
As early as 3rd grade we ( twins) we displayed a keen interest & aptitude for Art. Particularly the visual arts ! Our mother indulged us by enrolling us in classes at the Toledo Museum of Art. Then came the correspondence course FAMOUS ARTISTS . Then we won two spots out of 7 in a citywide contest to be instructed by a leading instructor at the Toledo Museum. We excelled at whatever we applied ourselves to. But the city isn’t represented by great galleries, so off to NYC we went with our portfolios to beat the sidewalks ! In short our funds ran out and 5 weeks later we returned home-sadder but wiser. Read more>>
Taylor Swihart
I officially launched Ink’T Cosmetics in 2023 after completing my permanent makeup training, building on my foundation from cosmetology school, which I finished in 2022. What started as a vision quickly evolved into more than I ever imagined—a collective that blends cosmetology, tattoo artistry, and my creative passions. Alongside this, I’m now entering my sixth year of running Ink’T Images, my photography and media design branch. Read more>>
David Williams
If I had to share one message, it would be this: stay focused and never give up. Challenges will come, and negativity will always be out there, but your mindset is your strongest weapon. Keep a positive attitude, trust your instincts, and always believe in what you’re doing. Be your own top motivator and your loudest cheerleader, because sometimes the belief you have in yourself will be the only thing that carries you through. Read more>>
Jason Yun
The big issues, the first one was in my mid twenties when I suffered through depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. School really doesn’t teach you anything about dealing with life. So this one I had to fix on my own. And it started with fixing my mindset and reading positive things that has been in my life ever since. It started with Tony Robbins books and the secret and has escalated from there. And it is also now one of the big tenants that I teach to my clients. I also heavily changed my nutrition from a bodybuilding standard American type diet to a more paleo type of approach Read more>>
Robin Turner
AI was just starting to trend in the spring of 2024 so they plugged their love of music and food into AI and The Rolling Scones Bakery and Cafe’ was born. TRSB&C will celebrate their 1 year anniversary this month the weekend of 8/23 with a summerween celebration for the community. We are located on the historic south end of Kent. Our space is a nod to all music genres with drum lights, guitars to play and more. We are growing and Kassie and the whole family is loving every minute of it. Our focus is to continue to grow and when Robin retires from her day job, she will work to build programming for anyone differently abled as a training space and employer. Their goal as a business is to be community centered and welcoming to all. Read more>>
LaTanya Settles
At the time, she didn’t fully understand the world of fitness she was stepping into. She only knew one thing—she was tired of losing herself and watching life from the sidelines. Everything shifted after she ran into a friend who had lost over 80 pounds. That friend took LaTanya under her wing, training with her five miles a day, five days a week. That commitment changed LaTanya’s life forever. Read more>>
Heather Johnson
Food Hussy started as a restaurant review blog. I had a journalism degree (and wasn’t using it) and liked eating out. So I did that for a few years and then started adding recipes because eating out all the time get expensive. After a few more years of that – I realized this could be more than just a hobby and I started working on it more seriously. It quickly became a “job” and I was doing this alongside my full-time job in marketing. I finally made the leap during Covid to quit my job and go full-time on my own and it was the best decision ever! I’m 4 years in and love it! Read more>>
Lisa Gray
As the Markets grew every year, I felt more and more grateful. I was doing what I was meant to be doing. I loved hosting while creating at home with my family. I opened up my tiny little 10×10 Milkhouse as a small vintage and Made (Antique) shop. I pulled my Esty orders everyday and if someone wanted to shop, well, come on over. I was in a few other antique shops at the time as well, none of which were a perfect fit, not even the milkhouse as much as LOVED it. Read more>>
Luke Zimmer
After gaining extensive welding experience, Luke took his talents further by founding his own media brand in college while on a lacrosse scholarship in Florida, proving early on that he could combine creativity, entrepreneurship, and hard work. He later worked for Lemonlight in Venice, California, traveling cross-country with his girlfriend in a Jeep with a rooftop tent—an adventure that blended work, life, and exploration in equal measure. Read more>>
Catherine And Shawn Duffy
In 2020 we started The Garden for All with a small garden on the land of our church and donated 750 pounds of produce to the food pantry in response to high food insecurity during COVID. Each year since, we have expanded our impact. In 2021, we expanded the growing space to 9×50 and grew 2,650 pounds of food. In 2023, the growing space continued to expand significantly and with almost 230 unique volunteers, The Garden for All donated over 8,000 pounds of produce that year. In addition to growing produce and fresh flowers, we converted three sections of grass to pollinator meadow. Bees, butterflies and birds find their homes there, making The Garden for All a place that gives life to all creatures. Read more>>
Heather Shirey
I started out when I was pregnant and put on bed rest from my full time job back in 2017. I needed a hobby and something to do everyday. It started out as fashion and then quickly grew into home decor and being a “foodie”. I moved to Columbus in 2019 and have only grown since! Read more>>
Sarah And Chase Vaughan
We both grew up with a camera in hand, chasing any moment we could find. For Sarah, that meant sprinting home after school, grabbing her mom’s point-and-shoot, and heading to the park with friends to capture every laugh, every pose, every bit of joy she could. For Chase, it was weekends spent photographing his friends in cosplay, experimenting with angles and light, and wandering city streets with a curiosity for the beauty hidden in everyday life. Read more>>
Kyland Jung
My husband got a job offer from Amend Consulting in Cincinnati, OH, which brought us back to our hometown. With the support of our families, we knew that we could take the risk and open my dream fitness studio. I wanted to create a community that I felt Cincinnati was lacking in quantity; a community that was designed for everybody and every body. Thus, began my hunt for a location! Once we found the space in Oakley Square, I knew it was meant to be. Now, we just celebrated two years of being open and impacting hundreds lives! Read more>>
Diontay
Too be honest, I have struggles everyday. Constantly peeling layers to the next step of creating a movement every single day. As I’m working a 6-4 job & doing my business it gets really rough. From a creative standpoint & business, because I do a lot of these things on my own. Often times it kills my spirit to create but I find ways to maneuver the best I can. The goal is to create a bigger team so it’ll be easier. That day will come soon, real soon. Read more>>
Maxwell Leaning
Paragraphs Bookstore also provides ways to enhance the reading experience. The store hosts author events and book signings throughout the year, storytime twice a month, and writers’ workshops during the school year with the Kenyon Review. They support the local Battle of the Books competition and provide books for local storybook trails. They also work with Experience Mount Vernon and fellow downtown merchants on special events, including Find Waldo Local in July and a new Lord of the Rings-themed event on September 20th – A Middle-earth March Through Mount Vernon: Celebrating National Hobbit Day. Read more>>
Susan Sutton
I guess my story starts as a 15 year old pregnant sophomore. I was in love with a boy who abused me. I was scared to tell my parents about my pregnancy until I was 5 1/2 months along. I knew by then they couldn’t force me to terminate my pregnancy. I turned 16 and about 2 weeks later my daughter was born. I returned to high school as a junior. I worked hard. I earned all A’s. I was also told “I should forget about college”. I didn’t listen. I continued to work hard, taking AP courses as well as something called an “early entrance scholarship”. I basically allowed me to take college courses in high school. Read more>>
Emily And Joshua Kaster
Also finding commercial property in a small village is incredibly hard. Especially if we’re trying to find a certain size, as little renovations as possible, and a good location. Thankfully we were able to find our current location and it has worked really well for the two rooms that we have. Read more>>
Michael Flinner
I started off in Real Estate, in the Title Industry. I was a sales rep calling on Real Estate Agents and Lenders both Residential and Commercial. This gave me a lot of great experience in both sales and business. Then, in 2006 I switched gears and started a 3rd Party Logistics Company with a business partner. We went from working out of a small basement office to 10,000 square feet, employing 25 people. In 2023, after 17 years, I felt it was time for me to move on a find something new. After studying the market and building out the technology, I launched a laundry pickup and delivery service in February of 2025. Today we are growing every month and servicing all of central Ohio withe the On-Demand laundry service. Read more>>
Elliot Olson
Man, is this even going to work? At the end of the day, my strong sense of identity and art-oriented background have been my biggest assets. I have a developed sense of personal style, aesthetic, and artistic concepts that have helped me remain distinct as my art continues to evolve. I know who I am, and sticking to that artistic identity helps me find viewers and consumers who appreciate my art in it’s truest form. Having supportive artist family and friends has been an incredible boost for staying confident and making connections. Thanks, guys! Read more>>
Ashlee Harris
Not always! There have definitely been challenges along the way. Early on, I actually overworked myself with training to the point where, by the time I got on the bike one weekend, I was already exhausted. That was a huge lesson in the importance of recovery. I also experimented with diets that weren’t ideal for a sport as demanding as motocross—like keto—and learned firsthand that proper fueling matters just as much as training. Read more>>
Ashley Elizabeth Burke
I allow my artwork to tell a story using acrylic, inks, collage papers, sometimes gold leaf, and ALWAYS oil paint. In the beginning of my process I move the colors to form abstract shapes to create a composition or a background. I come in with an idea in mind but I also refrain from relying on concrete outcomes. Utilizing my intuition when it comes to brushwork and composition has really helped me loosen up and express myself. I think I create my best work when I feel both free and confident. Read more>>
Shannon Allen
Farming is my passion and I am constantly inspired by the flowers that we grow. On our farm, we specialize in beautiful, sustainably grown cut flowers. Our design studio utilizes a garden style and we love getting to allow our customers to experience flowers that they have never seen or heard of! I am most proud of how the farm has grown and changed to meet customer needs over the years. We always have our customer experience at the top of our mind and have always followed their lead. Read more>>
David Blouir
Otherwise you will just be judged the same.. Another thing would be finding appropriate housing and away from the trouble that still waits for anyone that decided to back slide . But housing is the hard thing for me I still have not been able to purchase a home ,you see I’ve had 5 children since I was 18 and basically all Iake goes to them.But I know one day I’ll get to be able to buy the house I want and make a real impact on my kids and myself as well. Read more>>
Gina Hoot
I left teaching at the end of the 23-24 school year after being in the classroom for 4 years. My boyfriend and I got an opportunity to move to Florida and we decided to take it for a fresh start. The job market proved to be highly competitive and after 4 months there we made the decision to move back to Ohio. I worked a couple jobs while I was trying to figure out what direction I wanted to go next. A coworker from Utah was telling me she wished there was a dirty soda shop in the Toledo area and it gave me the idea for my business. I looked into a couple storefronts but ultimately decided to start a mobile business with my boyfriend. Read more>>
Orion Monroe
Orion Monroe is a filmmaker, writer, and advocate for social change, committed to storytelling that sheds light on critical societal issues. With a strong academic foundation, he holds advanced degrees in Economics, Accounting, and Social Science; a combination that provides him with a deep and analytical understanding of human behavior, financial systems, and the broader societal structures that influence social outcomes. His ability to merge these disciplines allows him to explore the complexities of systemic inequality, mental health, and social justice in his work. Read more>>
Danny & Janine Schikowski
We learned they shipped nationwide, but the flavor we loved most—brown butter honey—was the only one they didn’t ship. That left us disappointed, but also inspired. Once we got home, we started experimenting in our own kitchen, determined to recreate that delicious cookie. It wasn’t until 2020, when the pandemic gave us extra time, that we really dove in. We spent months testing different ingredients—types of sugars, honeys, leavening agents—until we finally landed on a version that felt just right and truly “ours”. Read more>>
Sue Neltner
Luckily my husband is great with equipment and was able to complete a lot of the construction himself with the help of some friends. He has a full time job so we have spent many after hours and weekends at the farm working. He is very resourceful and using things he has or finding things off FB marketplace to create a vision for the venue. No it has not been smooth, outdoor venues are always under the mercy of Mother Nature. This year has been crazy with all the rain. We have had to fix quite a lot of the outdoor area because of the heavy rains. Read more>>
Jamie Edwards
Oasis Tattoo Company is located at 445 Woodman Drive in Dayton, Ohio 45431 and has been in business for 16 years. Britanny Elizondo and I have been running Oasis as a Mom & Pop tattoo shop for the last 4 years. We both specialize in custom design and enjoy providing our clients with the best custom Body Art. We walk this path together and enjoy working and playing together. Read more>>
Pam Geisel
I enjoy being a graphic designer but found I needed a creative outlet and while I’ve always been artistic and crafty, I was intimidated by the sewing machine. As a tactile person, I found myself drawn to fabric: the intense colors, the interesting patterns, and the warmth of it as a medium. And I found it very interesting how traditional quilt patterns would differ if you changed the colors or the contrast of the fabrics. So, I took a class where we created a small handsewn quilt and while I really liked the results, hand sewing takes a lot of time, so I faced my fears and learned how to use a sewing machine. Read more>>
Brenda Glasure
During those lonely months, a friend knocked on my door one Friday night, armed with a couple of bottles of wine, some Asian take-away, and boatload of acrylic clay (FIMO). We watched movies, drank wine, and made fun sets of jewelry with a sense of humor — like one earring was toast, and the other was a pat of butter. We had so. much. fun! Not only did it lift my spirits, but it really got under my skin. I wanted more. Read more>>
Kimberly Burke
My dad’s final words of wisdom to me were to enjoy life now because you may not be able to later. He said I love hearing about your weddings and seeing the joy they bring to you. He strongly suggested that I quit my job and do what I love. Of course, I told my dad that weddings are my passion, but it doesn’t pay the bills. He said, “It’s your passion that will make it possible”. It wasn’t until he passed away that I followed his advice. With the help of my Mr., I quit my job and couldn’t be happier. Read more>>
Tom Owen
I’ve been painting and exhibiting for over twenty years in several Ohio cities: Cincinnati, Dayton, Mason, and other US cities including New York, Miami, Santa Fe, Richmond, Milwaukee, Key West, and in the San Francisco Bay Area. Along the way I also earned an MA in psychology and credentials as a hypnotherapist. I left the 8-5 job in the autumn of 2021 to paint full-time. My current art studio is located in Newport, KY, less than 2 miles from downtown Cincinnati so I work closely with many Cincinnati-based art collectors, art consultants and designers on commissions for residential and commercial projects across the US. My work has been featured in several publications (print and online) and is in both private and corporate collections across the United States and Europe. Read more>>
Alyssa Graham
Blissful Rentals & Events originated from a passion to create peacefulness amidst the chaos of wedding planning. Having personally experienced the stress inherent in this process , I get how stressful it can be. My husband and I were a Covid wedding and had the unwanted stress of pushing our day back twice was a nightmare. Read more>>
Mysha Harris
My journey of starting a business in the functional health space didn’t start in a gym, it started in a barber chair! I was a cosmetologist working behind the chair for a few years – loving my job but having a deep longing for more purpose. I had gone out on a whim and self-studied nutrition and training years before; receiving my certification in BOTH before I even knew it was what I was meant to be doing. Read more>>
Jim Firth
Direct Entertainment was founded over 17 years ago on the premise of treating the client based on individualized wants and needs. I’ve been in the industry for over 25 years. Having been employed with a National wedding and event companies for the majority of his life, he wanted to bring that passion and creative experience to his company. “How can one expect to deliver fun and success to the event and wedding industry without having a passion within”? he asks. I know he how to do it better, providing a better quality service all while streamlining the process for our couples and clients . Read more>>
Alex & Amy White White
Word got out fast, and by 2019 we’d outgrown two different spaces. That led us to our current 10,000-square-foot facility, built for anyone who wants more than a gym membership. It’s for those high performers who desire a place where they can come either alone or with their family to train hard, learn to eat well, think right, and actually be part of something special. Read more>>
Harley Rose
My first introduction to tattoos was hearing about and seeing my parents’ tattoos at Designs by Dana in Northside. Immediately I got the itch. From that point on; anywhere I was, so was my sketch books. After extensive learning and a little elbow grease; I opened my first studio in 2019. I was able to independently expand in 2022, officially opening in 2023. Read more>>
