The Change-Makers: stories that inspire

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.

Donnetta Carter

The Social Butterfly Public Figure Donnetta Carter is known for her Business and Health Expo, Small Business Saturday, and Christmas Bazaar. Marketing and promoting Fund-raiser for non-profit organizations. She tailored her events to meet their needs and accomdates the guests and entrepreneurs. The Social Butterfly LLC. Read more>>

Melissa Smith

Inspired in 2004 by wanting to create a product that supported agriculture, sustainability and community the first candles were conceived, melted and poured in the kitchen of our c.1820 farmstead home that has been in our family since 1919. We are also 4th generation farmers and stewards of the land. Read more>>

Tanisha Taylor

My story really begins with a heart for helping people grow. For more than 30 years, I’ve worked across business, finance, leadership, and community service, and along the way I kept seeing the same gap: so many young people were entering adulthood without the life skills, structure, and support they truly needed to thrive. That stayed with me. Read more>>

Demayl Powell

After college, I started out in the field of social services. I really enjoyed interacting with and advocating for others. After several years of working in that area, I was laid off from my job. Being a creative, I knew whatever I did next HAD to appeal to my creative side if I was going to last in that position. Read more>>

Valerie Polunas

Flowing River Conflict Solutions exists because I’ve seen how unresolved conflict breaks trust, teams, and entire workplaces, and I’ve also seen what’s possible when teams learn how to navigate it with confidence. I grew up hearing “love thy neighbor” a lot, but I also grew up in a home where conflict was avoided and resentment built. Read more>>

Lindsay Stamper

Animals have always been a huge part of my life. My dad is a veterinarian, and I helped care for the clinic’s pet patients my entire childhood. Growing up I always wanted to be a dolphin trainer. The hard part was I grew up in Minnesota, with a distinct lack of oceans and warm weather. Read more>>

Gunner Barnes

It all started with taking photos and videos in high school. Then I decided to go the college route where I learned even more about videography and photography and while working other side jobs, I started to do more and more freelance work which led me to doing photography, videography and social media content creating full time! Read more>>

Michael Griffin

OK, using talk to text. We’ll see how this goes. I actually got started when my brother and I were little we used to watch the superhero shows and almost every single week. Read more>>

Gabi Ruble

From a very young age, I loved making things and had the desire to have my own business. I never set up a lemonade stand, but did attempt to open a slime shop on eBay, which didn’t go well – I never made a single sale, but kept dreaming of a successful business. Read more>>

Amanda Novena

I’ve always had a love for taking pictures, but over time it became so much more than that. As I started building my business, I realized I didn’t just want to create beautiful images. I wanted to create an experience where people feel comfortable, confident, and fully themselves in front of the camera. That really became the foundation of everything I do. Read more>>

Ryan Brannon

I started Bent Tree Coffee Roasters in Kent, Ohio about fifteen years ago with my business partner, Mike. Before that, I spent years playing in bands and touring out of Kent, and that DIY music scene had a big influence on how I approach business. It was a community of people creating things from the ground up, supporting each other, and building something meaningful locally. Read more>>

Katelin Puzakulics

m a self-taught programmer who built a consciousness technology platform from my living room in Akron, Ohio. No CS degree. No bootcamp. No co-founder. Just me, a relentless curiosity about how reality actually works, and an embarrassing number of browser tabs open at any given time. Read more>>

Jim Wendle

Engineering and Construction professional. Learned the business in a construction trailer. Rose to a President for two companies one private and one public. Retired from the corporate world and started a home and commercial inspection business in 2016. I operate JW Property Inspection LLC. Transitioned in expert witness cases in the engineering and construction sector. I enjoy working in the inspection and expert witness business. Read more>>

Antavia Artis

The Beehive Project is actually a natural evolution of my first business, Holistic Secrets. Through that journey, I realized one of the biggest pieces I was missing was strong systems, the right collaboration, and strategic connections. What I was searching for back then is exactly what I’m now building through the Beehive Project. Read more>>

Jeidy Soto

My passion for photography began in 2015 while I was in college. A few years later, in 2018, while I was studying TV and Radio Broadcasting, I decided to invest in my first camera and finally pursue something I truly loved. I started by photographing family and friends, using those early sessions to practice, learn, and develop my style. Read more>>

Theo Mckaye

My path into this space wasn’t traditional, but it’s been very intentional. I’ve always been drawn to experiences — how people interact, what captures attention, and what actually sticks with them after the moment is over. I originally got into the event space through photo booths, but pretty quickly realized most were being treated as an add-on instead of something that truly enhanced the event. Read more>>

Mindi Hixson

GeNell’s Flowers has been expertly serving Piqua, Ohio, and its local communities since 1949. As a full-service florist, GeNell’s Flowers carries fresh flowers, plants, silk floral designs, and keepsake items for all occasions. Daily delivery areas include (but are not limited to) Piqua, Troy, Sidney, Tipp City, Covington, Fletcher, Bradford, Houston, and St. Paris. Read more>>

Henri Rapp

Hi, I’m Henri Rapp, and I’m a production sound mixer & location sound recordist for TV, film, & commercial video productions. I’ve been lucky to call the likes of Netflix, NBC, American Greetings, Disney, Amazon, Loctite, NFL, Nike, YouTube, Verizon, and countless more my clients. Production sound is all about capturing performances and dialog on set to match up with visuals caught in camera. Read more>>

Josh Osting

In 2015 I got my first dog Odin, a few months later I got his sister Freya. They are XXL bullies. After a few months I realized I had no idea what I was doing and needed help so I reached out to a local trainer. We worked through some basic obedience training and some more serious issues I was facing with them. Read more>>

Whitney Harris

I’ve always been drawn to creativity and environments that feel grounding. Growing up as the youngest in a big, high-energy household, I learned early on how to create moments of calm for myself—through art, nature, and anything that helped me slow down. Plant & Sip started as a simple concept, but it quickly evolved. Read more>>

Cory Greenberg

I started installing garage door almost 20 years ago after I was laid off from a factory job and it was only supposed to be a short-term job. i worked for almost 17 years for the big companies in the area and didn’t really care for how the outlook they had towards their employees. Read more>>

Ahmed Sassi

I come from a family of portrait photographers. Photography has always been part of my life. As a child, I remember sneaking into the darkroom where my dad developed film. I truly thought he was doing magic, watching images slowly appear on paper felt unreal to me. That curiosity stayed with me. Over time, that childhood wonder turned into passion. Read more>>

Joe Dickson

My story is really about a guy that had a passion and turned it into a business. I grew up the son of a photographer so I was around it my whole life. I didn’t really see it for the art and value I see it now until my son was born. Read more>>

Bee Yelo

Since I was a kid I was a very independent person, creative and never like to be told what to do or to work as a team or unit. It did not matter if it was with my siblings, cousins, friends or strangers. For someone reason I just always thought not would could help me like I could help me. Read more>>

Keisha Brown

I’m LaKeisha Brown, the founder of L Brown Bookkeeping. My journey into bookkeeping really started with my passion for helping businesses understand their numbers and make smarter financial decisions. Before launching my firm, I spent over 20 years in the financial industry, working with organizations like American Express, Bank of America, and HSBC. Read more>>

Mallori DuVall

Have an aesthetician for 23 years and a Permenant Make Up artist is for 10 years. My goal has always been to create a safe place for women to put themselves back together. Relaxation is such a necessary thing that we all take for granted. I wanted to create something beautiful with a laid-back vibe. Read more>>

Jonathan Glancy

My wife and I started hosting on AirBnB during the pandemic in Orange County. At first, it was simple — extra rooms in our home, my wife’s (then girlfriend’s) apartment, and even sub-renting a house for a friend who got stuck in India due to work visa issues. We were just trying to make some extra cash, and it worked better than we expected. Read more>>

Tisha Angelo

I’m a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and the founder of Second Chance Canine. My journey began as a volunteer at a local humane society, where I worked hands-on with dogs in need and saw firsthand how many end up in shelters simply because their families lack the right guidance. Read more>>

Christy Neff

I started my journey at a young age. After graduating high school, I initially enrolled in college for business, but during my first semester I realized the traditional path wasn’t where I felt called to be. I’ve always had a creative side and knew I wanted to be an artist while also building something of my own. Read more>>

Deja Pearson

In January of 2020, I was offered a space that would be perfect for a dog grooming business in the Chagrin-Lee corridor. I had always wanted my own business and had been looking around but I didn’t think I was ready. Read more>>

Lauren DePompei

My journey into this business really began as a parent. When my kids were younger, I was eager to introduce them to sports, but the experience wasn’t what I had hoped for. The programs we found often lacked energy and engagement, and instead of being excited to participate, it felt like we were pushing them to go. That left a lasting impression on me. Read more>>

Tony Reed

We could go way back and say this started 15-20 years ago. A brief background of then, I was creating music with a few close friends at the time so creativity has always been a passion for all of us. Chasing dreams that seemed far fetched was something we were all invested in. Read more>>

Rick Rick III

Rick is the owner and head coach of the Energy Lab, a training facility in Hilliard, Ohio. With nearly three decades of experience in strength and conditioning, Rick specializes in helping athletes of all ages improve movement, build confidence, and push past limits. Through his online coaching, Rick now empowers endurance athletes everywhere to stay strong, healthy, and injury-free year-round—without needing a gym. Read more>>

Breyonna Walter

Duo Tax Services, LLP was established in December 2019 by sisters Chanique Jones and Breyonna Walter of Central Ohio. Combining their individual knowledge and expertise, they set out to build a tax firm that provides world-class service. Duo is a full-service tax preparation company offering a wide range of financial services to both current and future clients across the United States. Read more>>

Marcus Coleman

Marcus Coleman is a creative strategist, entrepreneur, and community builder with nearly two decades of experience helping brands grow with clarity, purpose, and impact. He is the CEO and Executive Creative Director of Baruch Design & Company, a full-service creative and marketing agency founded in 2006 that serves small businesses, nonprofits, and mid-size organizations across multiple industries. Read more>>

Justin Fumic

EGA Construction LLC is built on a foundation of service, craftsmanship, and family. The company itself was founded in 2010, but in many ways its roots go back to 1991, when my father, Kevin Fumic, served in the United States Marine Corps. Read more>>

Emily Tanski

After spending over a decade in hospitality, I realized that I was still searching for a ‘third space’ in Cleveland that felt truly intentional—somewhere with big-city energy that didn’t rely on cocktails to create connection. Read more>>

LaTila Peterson

In kindergarten I told my teacher “I’m going to be a Hair stylist”! She said Cosmologist I said “ No a Hair stylist”“ I learned that day! I felt like all odds was against me as a teen, Losing my father at 14 then being diagnose with a rare eye disease called keratoconus at 15 the Dr. Read more>>

Tara Pierce

I started cleaning homes in 2006. My husband cleaned a local office and the owner of it asked if I would be willing to clean his home because they were losing their house cleaner. At the time I had no idea how to clean, but I decided to give it a try. Read more>>

Karl Yost

I’ve worn a lot of different hats over the years, from working in a record shop to spending time in restaurants when I thought I might pursue cooking. Eventually I landed in tech and stayed there for close to thirty years. Getting into tech was a challenge. I had been working for a company that said they would move me into the technology team. Read more>>

Gini Maddocks

By the time I finished college, I realized that my chosen profession–social work–was not really for me. After 3 years in the work-force, I decided to follow a “holistic health” path and took a massage therapy course in Mt. Desert, Maine.. It was 1981–I was 30 and pregnant, looking for something that could sustain our family while allowing me to make my own schedule. Read more>>

Licia Thompson-Young, CPC, ELI-MP

As I reflected on this through the years, I observed many women who came to work stressed or broken, unable to grow forward from their personal challenges which eventually began to impact their ability to perform the essential functions of their job. This is what lead me to pursue coaching certifications to add to the leadership tools I already had and share insight for those in need. Read more>>