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.
Kimberly Reynolds
We create our own graphic art here in house so we can take an idea from a concept to a completed design. From there it is just a matter of what our customer would like to put it on and how we will make that happen. The majority of our item decoration happens in house so our staff/makers must be creative, have the necessary computer skills, but also must have the technical ability to operate the machines used as well, and to top that off, have good customer relations too. This is quite an ask but our makers have stepped up to the task. Read more>>
eliza evans
I have always had an appreciation for art and have found various ways throughout my life to express artistic skill, but nothing ever felt like it really clicked, or was any good. I don’t believe I have an artist’s hand where I can sketch, paint, or form beautiful things. I do believe, however, that I have an artist’s mind, and that is why I am so grateful for the beauty of nature; I’m able to to tag team with what is already so lovely to create compositions that I am proud of. Read more>>
Rita Abdallah, LISW-S, ACSW, Rita Abdallah, E-RYT® 200, RYT® 500, YACEP®
Much of my professional life was spent in healthcare and community-based settings, including nearly a decade in outpatient cancer clinics. I supported patients and families through illness, uncertainty, grief, and major life transitions, while also facilitating self-care and meditation classes and creating spaces for emotional and spiritual support. Over time, I saw firsthand how stress, trauma, and burnout affect the whole person, not just the mind. Read more>>
Paige Beckwith
Fast forward to September of 2021. I graduated from Brown Aveda and went on to pass my state board exam & got licensed. I got my first job waxing for a popular chain in October of 2021, and worked there for about four months until I found an opening to do the one thing that I really wanted to do; Lash Extensions. Read more>>
Kurt Gutwein
I’ll tell you a story now and at times it may sound incredible and supernatural, but it is true and it is a story I have been and continue to live. A little over 20 years ago I was very ill. I was in the hospital and facing an undetermined future concerning life and my health. Read more>>
Andrew Cook
I honestly never thought I would end up an entrepreneur. I dropped out of a nursing college program to join the Navy (retired in 2017), and at that point I felt pretty lost and needed a break. Some people take a gap year, I ended up in bootcamp to avoid having to figure out what would come next in life. Read more>>
Bonnie Phillips
As long as I can remember, I have used imagery as a way to connect with others and build a sense of purpose. Growing up, I was obsessed with my family photos and preserving our family history. I took film photography in high school, and learned all about the dark room process. No matter where I was, I always had a camera in hand. Read more>>
Ghutty Mac
I am from Cleveland Ohio by way of Delaware and Southern Jersey. I began making music at the age of 10 but music has been my life and all around me since before I was born. I fell in love with hip hop around ‘98-‘99 and from that moment I knew that music was my calling and the only thing I wanted to do. Read more>>
Shelby Tench
It started out as a love of designing for my family and friends: handmaking cards, designing invitations, decor for celebrations, party games for showers; if I could do it by myself, I would. I’ve always loved art. My grandfather was an artist, and he taught me all the different ways we could make things with our hands. Read more>>
Davon Calloway
My journey into the financial industry began in the Marine Corps in 2014 while I was on recruiting duty. During that time, an advisor from Edward Jones came in to speak with us, which planted an early seed of interest in finance. Read more>>
Mike Keleman
In the fall of 2019 My wife Melissa and I were looking to sell our home. At the time we both worked part time on an apple orchard. Agriculture was very fresh on our minds. We were looking to move and start our own little farm. Read more>>
Kelan Johnson
I’m a 20 year old barber from Salem Ohio and I moved to the Columbus area about a year ago. My barber journey started when I met my barber and mentor. I always went to great clips my whole life so when I went to a real barber shop I immediately fell in love with the atmosphere. Read more>>
Kristie LeVangie-Melke
The 4th Avenue Farmhouse is a Middletown-based small business that operates online and at markets selling home and garden decor, cottage foods, handmade apparel and bags, upcycled glass art, and more. Wanting to build something of her own with a little more freedom for creativity, Kristie LeVangie-Melke walked away from her dream job after decades in the tech and market research industry after 25+ years. Read more>>
Matt Parente
I started my career in 2014 with my Yoga Teacher Training, which showed me just how different everyone’s bodies and needs really are. That led me to complete Pilates training in 2016, where I learned the value of alignment, control, and meeting people where they are. In 2017, I earned my ACE Personal Training Certification and completed FMS Level 2 training. Read more>>
DUSTIN ENGLE
In 2017, I hired a fence contractor, Dalton Fence, to build a cedar fence. They were kind enough to leave 30 extra fence pickets as spares. I put them in the back of my shed and nearly forgot about them. Then, in 2019, my wife clipped our mailbox post while backing out of the driveway. Read more>>
Miller Karns
I was born in Greenville, SC. on May 28, 2002. My family lived in Clemson for a year or so after they had me and then moved to Toledo. From there, I lived in the same house on the west side of Toledo until I graduated high school and went to college in 2020. Read more>>
Elizabeth Carter-Peabody
On December 7, 2022 our families life changed forever, our son, Harbour Knoxx Peabody, was delivered stillborn at 34.5 weeks due to a sudden placental abruption. In the immediate shock of losing him, we were offered something we had never heard of before—a CuddleCot. At the time, we did not know this was an option or that families could even request one. Read more>>
Teshawn
I started creating from a place of instinct it was kinda just in me. I started doing talent shows in 5th grade through 8th grade. My high school years I spent at Cleveland school of the arts where I majored in vocal. Music, style, and self-expression were always how I made sense of everything, long before I even thought about fame or recognition. Read more>>
Craig & Suzanne Day
Day Dream Farm Winery is a family-owned winery and meadery located in the countryside of Rock Creek, Ohio. Founded by Craig and Suzi Day, it began as a passion project rooted in a love of handcrafted wine, mead, and warm hospitality. Read more>>
Bethany Smalley
Quality has always been a non-negotiable for me, a value my parents instilled long before I understood the industry. My early career days was spent in mall retail, where I fell in love with fashion labels but eventually grew tired of a world that felt increasingly ‘plastic.’ The turning point came when I was furnishing my first apartment. Read more>>
Robert Larson
It all started when I moved to Ohio from Florida when I was 21. My uncle gave me a place to stay as long as i helped fix up this house he just purchased. He taught me a lot as the years went on with every rental he had. Read more>>
Kimberly Broadnax
My journey began after witnessing firsthand how many young people were labeled as “troubled” when, in reality, they simply needed understanding, guidance, and opportunity. Through both personal experience and close involvement in my community, I saw how easily youth can fall through the cracks without consistent support. I knew something had to change. Read more>>
Tylisha Brantley
I have always been a decisive person with very little doubt. Even as a small child. I knew what I wanted and where I was headed, so my mind was made up by the time I was 7 years old. Becoming a hairstylist was always the plan, but it didn’t come that easy for me. Read more>>
Nick Adduci
I am a musician based in Youngstown, Ohio. I have been playing out at bars/venues for the past 8 years. I released my first original album in 2021, which was entitled United Music. I recorded that album at Boss Studios in Hubbard. Read more>>
Montanna & John Treitmaier & Thomas
Green World Lawn & Landscape started in 2019 when the two of us decided to take a leap and build something of our own. At the time, we had more ambition than equipment: just two push mowers and a weed eater. We spent our early days mowing large properties, working long hours, and saying yes to every opportunity we could. Read more>>
Yoko Ferrell
My journey became deeply personal in 2024 when I lost both my son on January 3rd of 2024, and just six months later on July 7th I lost my godson Khamari Campbell. In the middle of that unimaginable grief, I leaned on my faith and asked God to help me find purpose in the pain. Read more>>
Michael Pottle
I’ve been a long time car enthusiast and in the early 2000’s graduated from an auto tech school. I got hired right out of school to work on a professional Porsche racing team and spent the next 10 years traveling around the United States working on Porsche, BMW and Volvo racecars. Read more>>
Clement Kunkle
Cleveland Curiosities, our brick-and-mortar store, opened its doors in the heart of Lakewood, Ohio, in 2018. Before that, we were an online business that began in high school about 14 years ago. My wife, Hallie, and I met 12 years ago, and after both of us graduated, we decided it was time to open a storefront. Read more>>
Matthew Burke
In October 2008, a tragic accident occurred right in front of my home at the busy intersection of I-480 and Granger Road. I rushed outside to administer first aid alongside a passing paramedic, but despite our best efforts, we were unable to save the victim. Read more>>
Amy Haverstick
My father Jay Haverstick opened Jay’s Seafood Restaurant in February 1976. We specialize in seafood. We are located in an old 1850 building that used to be a corn and grist mill. Our bar was built in 1882 for James Ritty who invented the cash register. It is 5400 pounds of Honduras wood with hand carvings and hand tooled leather. Read more>>
Angel McAllister
Hi Everyone! I’m Angel, also known as thebaddestamazonian. I’m a Cleveland based model from Cleveland Ohio . You might know me from rocking the stage at Showagon and other local shows! Modeling is one of my passions, inspired by my mom, who I always wanted to follow in the footsteps of. Although I stopped as a kid due to unforeseen circumstances, I never stopped dreaming! Read more>>
Jeff Dayton
I have been a pastor for the last twenty years. I spent a decade up in Avon Lake before moving back to the area where I grew up. My wife and I chose to put down roots in North Canton when we moved back into the area eleven years ago. Read more>>
Ryan Cook
Kathy Cook founded all R friends in 2009. Prior to that, she worked for 12 years as a job coach with Westerville City Schools, where she recognized a significant gap in quality services for her students after graduation. This need for continued support for adults with disabilities inspired her to create our organization, all R friends. Read more>>
Sarah Girard
I started my real estate career because I’ve always loved everything about homes. After years as a fashion stylist and working in visual merchandising, guiding clients through buying or selling a home felt like a natural progression. Today, I focus on providing client-first, thoughtful guidance that makes the real estate journey easier—and surprisingly enjoyable. Read more>>
Michael AKA Melchizedek Mason
I had a Epiphany on November 1 1975 at Midnight. For the last 50 years ,I have been in training as a Prophet. The office of Melchizedek is my main thing. I also have been trained in following Spirits as they go through history. I have the main line of my Adventure, Most important is as I have been trained ,with each Revelation at the end of the Revelation, I’m given a paper trail to go with the Revelation. I have the story of “Holy Toledo”. That’s the gist of my story. Read more>>
Joanna Scholle
I first picked up a camera when I was twelve, growing up in a small town in Poland, and I’ve been telling stories through photographs ever since. What started as curiosity quickly became a way of seeing the world—paying attention to quiet moments, emotions, and the beauty in everyday life. I went on to attend photography school and officially completed my education in 2015. Read more>>
