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.
Congito Jaffe
my current focus is as a singer/songwriter of folk/Americana and integrating my vocals, guitar styling and very melodic material with the visionary poetry of my wife, the published poet Lady Ives of Rocky River— I’m proud that I am presenting what a recent reviewer of a coffee house concert noted was, “like being immersed in a coffeehouse of rich espresso on a beach in paradise in 1972” that is exactly the vibe that I strive to create in my performances. Read more>>
Brigette Rizzo
The most challenging part has been navigating self doubt. Those feelings of uncertainty and confidence in my ability to meet the expectations of my clients through all the steps in booking, performing, and delivering the packages. The uncomfortable apprehension of not knowing if you’re qualified, or if your work competes with the oversaturated market. Knowing my worth in my art and being able to stand out while wearing all the hates it takes to run a business. Read more>>
Raé
I began studying Massage Therapy, and a family member of mine, who experienced and frequented the services of Therma-Lift & Ultra-Lift @ Be-You-Tiful Beginnings, contacted me about a job opportunity. I began training as a Technician, working at the establishment, then later on purchased the business.. . Read more>>
Erica Laaker
I am an adult survivor of child abuse. At a very young age I started to experience chronic pain. As a teenager, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Doctors prescribed medication that would be later taken off of shelves, due to causing health problems. I knew there had to be a better way. Read more>>
Nickie Huff
I grew up in a small-town called Utica, Ohio, where life taught me early to be strong, independent, and grateful for what I had. I became a mom at sixteen and still managed to graduate high school a year early with the help of my mom and a few amazing teachers who believed in me. Thank you Mr Baker! Read more>>
Brandon Wilbur
I began at New Hope in March of 2007. I initially started here as the worship pastor under Pastor Don Nicely. In April of 2018, I took over as the lead pastor. We began here with 8 people and last Sunday we had 101 people here. Read more>>
Emily Chervenak
Well I started working in the field of mental health in 2005, yikes I’m aging myself here! I did community mental health/case management for several years. I honestly was all over the place-mostly in peoples homes, but I was everywhere-schools, community settings, jails (juvenile and adult), you name it, I was probably providing mental health services there. Read more>>
Jena Ashwill
When I got pregnant with my daughter 8 years ago, I knew nothing about birth. I had been doing yoga for many years, and started attending prenatal yoga, which led me on a whole journey of exploring home birth and other options outside the hospital system. I had a home birth and it was completely transformative and empowering. Read more>>
Devon Fegen-Herdman
Declutter with Devon started in Dec 2022 as a dream. Professional organizing was my passion. I had been following minimalism, the tiny home movement, and Marie Kondo for about a decade. I had been watching, reading, and listening to everything I could on these topics in my free time. I had decluttered and organized our house several times over, getting rid of thousands of items. Read more>>
Helena Barnes
My love for travel started as a little girl. My parents loved to travel. We did road trips near and far. I spent summers in Alabama with my maternal grandmother. Travel was usually on the Greyhound going down and then flying home. 12 years ago when living in the Washington, DC area, I received information for travel agent certification classes. Read more>>
Leslie Blackledge
I started my business just a few months ago. After working in higher education, workforce training, and the insurance industry for a number of years, some life transitions prompted me to need a more flexible schedule. Read more>>
Hannah Clemente
I grew up Irish Dancing in Akron, Ohio. Every weekend was spent in a big van with several families, driving around the states, going to competitions. I grew up relatively poor, so vacations weren’t a thing. My parents put every dime they had into my dancing. Fortunately, that is how I learned to explore and gained the friendships I have had my entire life. Read more>>
Kendra Cook
I’ve always loved bartending — it started back in my college days when I worked evenings behind the bar. Over time, I built connections with customers who began asking me to bartend their weddings and private events. At one of those weddings, the hosts had set up a camper for me to serve from, and I absolutely loved the concept. Read more>>
Joanne Bronish
Proactive Risk solutions LLC was initially named SmBiz Consulting LLC which was created as the result of my publication ‘Risk Management and Key performance Indicators’. The book outlines the risk approach I developed whereby organizations utilize key performance indicators to monitor and identify risks. This allows functional management the ability to have a hands-on risk management approach. Read more>>
Holly Michniak
In honor of my mother, who loved all things wild and beautiful:) She used to sing it all the time… ‘ I love the mountains, I love the rolling hills, I love the flowers, I love the daffodils, I love the fireside when all the lights are low…boomdyada, boomdyada, boomdyada, boomdyada… That’s everything our shop is about! Read more>>
Shelly’ Shalimar Moorman
Then I just wrote a book with a Frame work of F.E.A.R.L.E.S.S its also a workbook. I also am a Archery Certified Instructor- but now I dont so much teach it but I do share the experince of it, at festivals, kids events ect. and I also do a ladies camp out twice a year spring and fall for the past 5 yrs or so, to give ladies the experience of the outdoors. Part of what I do is -Don’t Be A Target is the brand and the book name and it is a Movement for Women the Company name is Arrow N Bows LLC. Read more>>
Jessica Sumerak
I didn’t have a direct career or life path, which has given me a unique perspective on the workforce. I’ve had to overcome a number of obstacles throughout my career, navigating neurodivergence, socioeconomic hurdles, single motherhood, and thriving in male-dominated industries. Read more>>
Christman Hersha
Here’s a clean draft you can drop right into Voyage. I started with music. I studied audio production and business at Ohio University, then moved to Austin with my wife to chase the scene. I played, engineered in studios, ran live sound, and eventually did mastering. Read more>>
Jade Miller
When I had the opportunity to create Lotus Grove Wellness, it’s because I saw a need for people to feel comfortable enough to connect with Alternative holistic healing options. I feel it’s needed in the community, especially for people and families looking for natural, supportive care. Read more>>
Silas Pope
Logiq Soundz LLC was created through my gift of playing drums. I started out as a band in 2010, that grew to a full music school 2014. I always had the passion for teaching music. I started out just giving lessons to some of the youth at my church. Then from there we branched out to the community and never looked back. Read more>>
Erika Alarcon
My story began with a deep love for fashion and transformation, but the true inspiration came from my daughter. When she was little, we used to play dress-up together — I didn’t even know what the word boutique truly meant back then. Read more>>
Jill Basler
I was working in a job that I wanted to retire from when I was downsized. So I decided to start my own organizing company. I had done organizing for friends and family for many years, but hadn’t thought about doing that officially. So in 2017, I started my company, Just Be Organized LLC. Read more>>
Ursula Robinson
My journey to becoming a mental health therapist began after losing my father at age 11, I witnessed first hand how trauma and grief can impact lives. This inspired me to help others facing similar challenges. I began my career working with individuals with mental disabilities and later earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology. Read more>>
TamLa (T.J.) CRUTCHFIELD
I have been suffering from all types of trauma and abuse since I was about 8 y/o and it continued through my adult life that led to chronic illnesses and disabilities of PTSD and fibromyalgia. After not being able to work anymore and had to leave Cleveland State on a disability withdrawal, I attempted suicide multiple times due to feeling hopeless & worthless. Read more>>
Shelby Smith
started my journey to become a doula in 2020 after struggling with unexplained secondary infertility for over two and a half years. During that time, my favorite show was Call the Midwife. Watching it made me reflect on my own birth experience and how much trust women have lost in their bodies. That realization sparked something in me. Read more>>
Robert (Buddy) Henson (Lewis)
Well I’ve had the idea for years! Read more>>
No Conscription League
We started as a high school project between our guitarist, Gianni, and bassist, Harry. When we both went to college, we put up flyers looking for other members where we found our other guitarist, Andrew, and our drummer, Jake. Ever since, we’ve been trying to create music we’re passionate about by combining our different musical influences such as rock, punk, jazz, shoegaze, etc. Read more>>
