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.

Lisa Cliff

After 20 years in corporate, I simply had enough after the company I worked for was sold to a competitor. I am also an artist and dreamed about making a living selling my fine art. Read more>>

Stephanie El Tawil

I am a child of entrepreneurs which is ironic because I really didn’t see a future in small business development until it was happening in front of me. After working several years in retail, I wanted to acquire my MBA and my brother worked for the University of Southern Indiana and said if you work at the University, the degree is free. Read more>>

Pramod Bhandari

My journey with photography began back in 2005 in Nepal, where I used a simple analog camera to capture travel moments and family memories. At the time, it was purely a hobby—something I enjoyed without imagining where it would eventually take me. In 2013, I moved to Stavanger, Norway, and was completely inspired by the country’s natural beauty. Read more>>

Karah Pierce

I grew up with a lot of cousins and my Grandma would get us all together and have a Bible stories, crafts, and play a game. I loved doing the crafts with her. I continued crafting, painting, and any kind of art I could find to do. I eventually found Resin. Read more>>

Zack Humphreys

I come from pretty humble beginnings, and a lot of my early life shaped who I am today. Growing up, I didn’t have a lot of money, and I was bullied, which pushed me to develop a thick skin early on. Read more>>

Melissa Chamberlain

Tidy up with Melissa started as a dream that I could make a living doing what I loved, helping people get organized and feeling better about the spaces they lived in. At the beginning I started this as a side hustle. I would go to clients homes on the weekends or evenings after work and help people tidy up! Read more>>

Wes Ryle

The role of Astronomer for the Cincinnati Observatory is a dream come true for me. I had an interest in space from a very young age, as is the case for many people. My interest never waned, though, and transformed into a passion for science and science fiction. Read more>>

Shane Riggs

We didn’t start Timber Ridge as some big planned business—it really began with a piece of family land in the hills of southern Ohio, an opportunity, and a lot of hard work. As a family, we’ve always enjoyed building and creating things, and over time that turned into something much bigger than we ever expected. Read more>>

Kenyanna Stewart

My journey into life and mindset coaching didn’t begin with a perfect plan—it began in the middle of pressure. A few years ago, my husband and I moved to a new city, about an hour outside of Cleveland, in what was supposed to be a fresh start. New environment, new jobs, new energy—it felt like everything was finally aligning. Read more>>

Bolivar Lake Lodge Hughes, Pumneo, Werstler, Weyandt Families

Bolivar Lake Lodge is the culmination of the dreams and aspirations of four local families—three sisters, their spouses, and their parents—united by a shared vision of creating a special place where others can gather, relax, and make lasting memories. Nestled in Bolivar, Ohio, the property immediately captured our hearts, not only for its natural beauty but for the story behind it. Read more>>

Jenna DeLong

Hi, I’m Jenna Renee, Photography has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mother founded Total Image Photography in the 1970s, and I grew up alongside her, watching and learning as she captured weddings and senior portraits. Read more>>

Alison Kamis

Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved taking photos. I still remember getting my first digital camera, it was tiny and bright pink, and I took it everywhere with me, capturing anything and everything. That creative curiosity stayed with me as I grew up and eventually led me to pursue a degree in theater, another passion of mine.  Read more>>

Victoria O’Connor

The Clean Seat Company was born during a career pause I took after the birth of my second child. After years spent in fast-paced startups while balancing graduate studies, I found myself missing the mental stimulation and creative drive that came with building something of my own. Read more>>

Tierrah (Teah) Ojeda

I didn’t start out thinking I’d build a brand around visibility, I just knew I was drawn to capturing people in a way that felt real. Photography started as a creative outlet for me over 16 years ago, mostly events and moments that mattered. Read more>>

Jessica Rondon

I was born and raised in Brazil, and some of my earliest memories are of watching my mom draw. She had this natural talent, and I used to just sit there and admire how something could come to life from nothing. I didn’t know it at the time, but that stayed with me. Read more>>

Megan Wray

Photography has always been a part of my life. Growing up, my family really valued capturing memories, especially around the holidays. Every Christmas morning, all the dads in the family (including mine) would have their big video cameras out, recording every moment as we opened gifts, bright lights and all, even at six in the morning. Read more>>

Cupid Hayes

I was born in Cleveland; but raised in the UK by my great-grandmother and great-great grandfather. I would return to spend summers at Geauga Lake and Cedar Point with my cousins, aunt, and grandparents. Because my grandparents owned a bar, Terrell’s Lounge, my early childhood was spent surrounded by a whole cast of characters! Read more>>

Stephanie Hicks

I have had a passion for photography most of my life. On Christmas when I was 12 years old I was gifted a DSLR camera and that’s when it all clicked for me, this is what I was made to do. I started my business at only 20 years old photographing families. But later learned that boudoir was where I was meant to be. Read more>>

Vik Swamy

I grew up around entrepreneurship, as my family has been in the manufacturing business for many years. That experience gave me a strong foundation in how to build and operate a business, along with an appreciation for discipline, systems, and long-term thinking. When the time came to carve out my own path, I found myself not wanting to go the traditional corporate route. Read more>>

Olivia Citak

I started my career in nonprofit event planning right out of college. I’ve always had a knack for organizing and bringing people together, so it felt like a natural fit. Read more>>

Jimmy Vasill III

Hoop Toledo didn’t start as something I invented from scratch, but it’s absolutely something I saw potential in and decided to bring to our market. I came across the concept through a company out in San Diego that had built a mobile basketball arcade experience, and it immediately stood out to me. Read more>>

Toni Poling

I’m a Findlay Ohio native and a 1990 graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelors degree in Secondary Education. I am a former high school teacher. I was married in 1990 and have a son and a daughter. Read more>>

Breahna Whitehair

I started my career over 12 years ago in the dental field, where I built a strong foundation in anatomy, patient care, and really understanding the structure of the face. Working so closely with the muscles of the jaw gave me a unique perspective that I didn’t fully realize the value of at the time. Read more>>

Dr Cleopatra Kum

My nursing journey began more than a decade ago in Cameroon, with a bold pivot. I was trained in Geology and Environmental Sciences at the University of Buea in Cameroon. However, I found myself drawn to work that was more directly connected to people and community well-being. Read more>>

Amy Smith

Our story really began with a love for making things feel beautiful, welcoming, and meaningful, and saving these historic homes. I have always been drawn to old homes, layered history, and the little details that make people feel seen and cared for, especially this block of homes, which we now call home. Read more>>

Shaniquea Jackson

I’m Shaniquea Jackson, better known as Niq, the owner and founder of High Class Consulting, a licensed credit repair organization dedicated to helping individuals fix and build their credit the right way. My journey with credit began in 2017 while purchasing my first home with my husband. Read more>>

Beth Sanchez and Brittany Schmidt

Balance & Bloom Women’s Wellness was created out of a shared passion for improving access to thoughtful, specialized mental health care for women. Read more>>

Chris Cox

Auctioneering is more than just my career—it’s in my blood. I married into a four-generation auction family, and I’ve embraced the tradition with a modern approach, specializing in all types of real estate auctions across Ohio. With a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Southeastern University and a graduate of The Ohio Auction School, I combine hands-on expertise with a strong business foundation. Read more>>

Aja Miyamoto

I grew up in an entrepreneurial environment, so building something of my own has always felt natural. My mom owned a children’s consignment shop, and my dad worked with and repaired computers, so I was surrounded by both creativity and problem-solving from a young age. My path wasn’t linear. Read more>>

Amy Lynn

I was born in Akron, Ohio, I’ve spent more than 25 years working across voice acting, writing, podcasting, and digital media. I didn’t follow a straight path. I built my career piece by piece while being a caregiver for my father, freelancing, and teaching myself every skill I needed along the way. Read more>>

Charlie Vangas

It all kind of started when I was just a kid at around 8 or so. My dad has been a woodworker for 50 years. I started helping him out stripping and refinishing old antiques and other small things like that. As I got into highschool I started really growing into soccer and ended up falling in love with it and played all year round. Read more>>

Aileen Smith

My photography journey began when I was a kid. I would buy dozens of disposable cameras from the local pharmacy and go through them all so quick. I just loved taking photos of my friends and remembering our times together. Read more>>

TOMIKA CAMPER

From the beginning, when I began my first nursing position in 2007, the company gave us a CPR course. Being a new nurse I had no idea that so much was missing. Read more>>

Talia and Rainier Reyes

We first heard of SG yard signs in the spring of 2023. A friend of ours, in passing, mentioned that her colleague was moving out of Ohio and was looking to sell their business. We both started researching the company and found the franchise to be very interesting as we both were excited to get involved in our community through spreading joy! Read more>>

Gabrie’le Eato

Hello!!! My name is Gabrie’le Eato, most people call me Gabby!!! Gabby Eato!!! Firstly, thank you so much for the opportunity to connect again – especially during this time, considering Autism Awareness Month is literally April. That makes this even more meaningful to me. I originally started as a nursing major and was set on becoming a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Read more>>

Sara Mansour

I started Zaanwood with a passion for design, quality craftsmanship, and creating spaces that feel both beautiful and personal. From the beginning, my vision was to bring together luxury, customization, and accessibility in one place—offering pieces that you don’t typically find everywhere else. Like many small businesses, the journey wasn’t easy. Read more>>

Bill Wade

I am the founder and executive artistic director of Inlet Dance Theatre, an internationally recognized professional contemporary dance company with roots in American Modern Dance. I’m a choreographer. I grew up moving all over the continental US, from Lancaster, PA, to Mission Viejo, CA. I attended UW-Milwaukee for 2 years, then jumped into professional training for a year as a Trainee at the Milwaukee Ballet. Read more>>

Rosie Santiago

I go by Rosie Santiago, I’m from Cleveland. I started off just making music trying to figure myself out, and over time it turned into something I took serious. In the beginning it felt like I had to prove myself and create my own opportunities just to be seen. Now it’s a little different. I’m more focused on what I’m building instead of chasing things. Read more>>

Christian Nocera

I spent the first 43 years of my life in Columbus, Ohio. For a long time, my world was defined by high-level tech; I was the IT Manager for a global law firm, living a comfortable, established life. But in 2018, I decided to take a massive leap of faith. Read more>>

Alison Sturgis

I didn’t set out thinking I would start something like Avenity but looking back, it makes complete sense why I’m here. I’ve always been someone who prioritized my health. I stayed active, took care of myself, and even got into bodybuilding for a period of time. And looking back, there was always this quiet curiosity in the back of my mind about hormones and HRT. Read more>>