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.

Chantrice Ollie-Jackson

I am a Cleveland, OH native – born and raised. My family is primarily here in Ohio, and I begun my own family here. After attending college I returned home because I knew The Land to be a unique space for artists and students. I’ve enjoyed the arts all my life, and God blessed me to be an artist. Read more>>

Danielle Tong

I built my career in social work and public health, focused on improving systems for families because they weren’t built the way families actually needed them to be. That led me to pursue my Master of Public Health so I could help change those systems from a different seat. Read more>>

Crystal & Gene Hughey

The story begins in January 1985 at The Ohio State University, where Gene and Crystal first met. What started as a fast friendship quickly grew into something more. By April, they were dating, and just a few weeks later, Gene proposed. In the fall of 1986, they were married, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in shared values, ambition, adventure, and faith. Read more>>

Iteisha Bankston

My name is Iteisha Bankston, and I am the owner of TeaSpot Tutoring Learning Center LLC., and founder of The LionHeart Kids Initiative, a 501c3 located in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. I started my career in education as a 3rd grade teacher and have worked as a principal and district leader. Read more>>

Rick Rzepka

Cleveland, OH – It’s no big secret among recreational aviators: The two things any pilot loves to do most are flying and eating. But how do you connect those two passions when not every restaurant has a runway and not every runway has a restaurant? Now there’s a way. Read more>>

Danielle Williams

I’ve always loved writing, as a child I’d sat my dads desk and just write. I started calligraphy during the pandemic as a creative outlet. I’ve never been a crafty,creative person so I had no idea my little hobby would turn into a growing business Read more>>

Mia Klinger

Nan Klinger Excellence in Dance has been a cornerstone of dance training in Northeast Ohio since its founding in 1953 by Nan Klinger. With a deep commitment to artistic integrity, discipline, and a love for the art form, Nan established a studio that quickly became known for its strong technical foundation and nurturing environment. Read more>>

Ed Moydell

I was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. One of my earliest memories of feeling truly connected to nature happened when I was about six or seven years old. My family visited a nature preserve called Redbud Valley. The Tulsa area is mostly flat, but Redbud Valley has this incredible rock outcropping that overlooks the landscape. Read more>>

Natalie Grilli

I always knew I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. I started my BFA out of High school in graphic design in the 90s and quickly fell in love with a photography class I was required to take. Read more>>

Brooke Goodwine

i am entering into my 15th year in public education, currently serving as a Principal in an elementary setting. I have deep roots in the educational system with my mother being my first influence as a teacher ans school leader for a 20+ year career. My grandfather, her father, worked in public education before her. Read more>>

Rachel Schwartzman Murphy

My story follows a through-line of pursuing what brings me both joy and challenge — and always through connection with others. In college, I became a camp counselor at an equestrian overnight camp. It was so rewarding that when a year-round position opened up before I’d even graduated — despite having an art education degree in hand — I took it. Read more>>

Kourtney Marks-Meyers

My husband, Sol and I started a gardening journey back in 2020 while we were pregnant with our first daughter, Marley. We wanted to develop self-sustainable skills so that we can be more in control of our lives while also nourishing our family and our environment. We realized this was important for other families to learn, so we started our nonprofit, Love Alwayz Foundation. Read more>>

Shon Burks

I grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and from a very young age I was drawn to art. I spent a lot of time at the kitchen table with my best friend, drawing cartoons and creating our own characters. I also had a self-proclaimed art studio in my grandmother’s attic. The space was filled with my supplies and my grandmother’s full-sized tin man named Brutus. Read more>>

Uliana Koriukina

I started my journey in Ukraine, where I always had a strong desire to help people feel more confident. Even while earning my degree in economics, I felt drawn to the beauty and aesthetics industry and eventually decided to dedicate myself to this path. Read more>>

gemcitypinupphotography@gmail.com gemcitypinupphotography@gmail.com

I actually started on the other side of the camera. About 15 years ago, I fell headfirst into the world of pinup as a model. I was working with so many insanely talented photographers and, like any curious human, I kept asking questions. Probably too many questions. Read more>>

Claire Coder

After getting my period at an event without the supplies I needed, I thought to myself, “Toilet paper is offered for free, why aren’t tampons and pads?”Ⓡ This question just kept popping back into my head. After doing some research, I discovered that nobody else had truly solved this problem. Read more>>

Ashley Berman

I had no intention of ever owning a small business. I’m type A sometimes, sometimes not. Also, for full transparency, you couldn’t have paid me to be in the garden helping my parents growing up…and now I’m a flower farmer? A bit shocking I’d say. I have my master’s in Speech-Language Pathology and worked in acute care hospitals from 2013-early 2025. Read more>>

Mike Eck

I’ve always loved to smoke bbq foods and I thought about more than just cooking in my backyard. I thought about a foodtruck, then the idea of a very unique foodtruck crossed my mind. So I bought a ladder truck to turn into a smoker. It’s not quite a smoker, but has a 12 foot area for charcoal cooking. Read more>>

Lyndsey Autrey

Just across the river, 8 min south of downtown Cincinnati ,OH is Ludlow, KY—a community with a true ‘hometown’ heart. That’s where Grandma’s House lives. After years of collecting family heirlooms, antiques, and vintage decor—including a curated collection of artwork by artist Joni Powers (the real ‘Grandma Joni’)—we realized we had the ingredients to create something special. Read more>>

Hilary Marchand

My Mom was looking for birthday signs for my brother’s 40th birthday back in 2018 and ended up contacting a business where the 80 yr old owner was selling parts of her business and wanted to know if my Mom knew anyone who would be interested in buying a part of her business. Read more>>

Bill Schuller Amplified Digital Entertainment

A DJ friend (Tommy) invited me to a backyard party with friends & family. He had to rush out and asked me to fill in and play music. I liked entertaining his friends & family so when I moved from the Toledo area to Dayton I decided to get more experience by shadowing another DJ friend of my wife’s in the area. Read more>>

Chirley Lima

I moved to the United States in 2012 after graduating from law school in Brazil. I had an incredible opportunity that allowed me to come here, work, pay for my English classes, and still support myself, which was a huge step toward building the life I envisioned. Even with that opportunity, starting over wasn’t easy. Read more>>

Elizabeth Bostick

My journey into health and wellness began 14 years ago after the birth of my first son. Like any mother, I wanted the absolute best for him. That desire led me into deep research, from vaccines and pharmaceuticals to nutrition, vitamins, and the products we used in our home. I wanted to understand what was truly safe and supportive for his growing body. Read more>>

Aaron Douglas

Aaron Douglas’s story starts early—before titles, before business, before anyone would have taken him seriously. In Pre-K, he was selling cough drops for a dollar each. He’d take a bag of Halls from CVS in Atlanta, sell them one by one, and go home and pay his mom back. Read more>>

Ron Harper

After over 30 years in radio, I was laid off and was looking for my ‘next chapter’ I was already doing voiceover projects for clients around the world. But a chance meeting with folks at SCORE introduced me to a new creative endeavor. Read more>>

Jake Markko

I took a Video production class in highschool and I absolutely loved it, So I tried to find a job as a photographer but I got declined everywhere I went because I didnt have enough experience and didn’t go to college for it, so feeling defeated, I got a random job to start getting money. Read more>>

Cindy Holt

There’s a part of my story I don’t often share, but it matters here… Even though I’ve spent over three decades guiding teams, clients, and individuals, helping hundreds make wise, empowered choices in both business and life… There was a time when I couldn’t even see a path forward for myself. From the outside, my life looked stable. Read more>>

Carlos and Courtney Muller

Our business was born out of firsthand experience while traveling for work. During Courtney’s time as a travel social worker, we had the opportunity to explore new cities, experience diverse communities, and fully embrace the flexibility and excitement that came with life on the move. Read more>>

Jessie Marcheski

I have been a LMT Licensed Medical Massage Therapist for 14 years. I have worked with so many different clients. Ranging from children, adults, elderly, cancer patients and survivors. By doing so I have been told how much my experience and energy has helped them feel better. I can’t tell you how much that means to me. Read more>>

Caleb Kennedy

got started in the fitness industry because I genuinely loved training and helping people feel better. Early on, I was working out of other facilities, building relationships, and learning what actually works when it comes to helping real people—not just athletes—get stronger, move better, and feel more confident. Read more>>

Lee and Sherry Patterson

My beautiful wife and I met in 2005 and felt a very powerful connection between us… We came into union Oct 2014.. we have a connection that defies just about anything.. they call it a twin flame connection.. we found it to be something that it is the most beautiful experience of our lives.. Read more>> 

Chadd Anderson

In 2017, I had lost my job as an advisor at a local car dealership after 3 years of employment. Concerned on what the future held for me, I sat back and thought of the direction i was going to go. Being a car and detailing enthusiast, I decided to gamble on opening my own detailing business during my unemployment timeframe. Read more>>

Nick Bisharat

My first personal dog was a big Mastiff. I got him as a puppy and wanted him to be well-trained so I could integrate him into my life and take him everywhere with me! Read more>>

Caroline Comer

Before joining Victory Project, I spent nearly seven years as a TV Reporter, Anchor, and Host across Maryland and Ohio—five of those years here in Dayton at WDTN. Storytelling was my career, but over time, the Lord began to shift my heart. I felt called to something deeper—work that wasn’t just about showing up, but about building something that truly mattered for His Kingdom. Read more>>

Daniel White

Black River Bonsai started a little over six years ago. I got my start in bonsai almost nine years ago and wanted a way to help people get started in bonsai by providing beginner bonsai stock at fair prices. I soon branched (no pun intended but should have been) out into hardgoods and remain dedicated to removing barriers to joinng the bonsai hobby. Read more>>

Joshua Kloepfer

I started Kaizen Home Improvements in 2022 alongside Luke and my brother Jonathan. The idea was simple—homeowners deserve a contractor they can actually trust. The name Kaizen comes from a Japanese term that means constant growth and improvement. That’s exactly why we chose it. Read more>>

Christopher Colón

My name is Christopher Colón, and I am a community builder, nonprofit leader, and proud son of Youngstown, Ohio. My life story is rooted in resilience, identity, and service. I am a Puerto Rican man with ancestral ties to the Taíno people of Puerto Rico and the Welsh countryside, and those roots have always helped shape how I see the world. Read more>>

Diana Galay

I’ve been photographing for about 11 years now, but it really started with something simple. Growing up, photos felt like a luxury in my family, so when I finally got the chance to create that experience for someone else, it stuck with me. I borrowed a friend’s camera to take photos of my sister, and even though they were imperfect, they felt like her. Read more>>

Melissa Lasley

We’re a Colorado family of five, and like a lot of families, our journey into business wasn’t something we had perfectly planned it grew out of change, uncertainty, and a desire to build something of our own. For over 20 years, I worked as an engineering technologist in the oil and gas industry. It was stable, structured, and familiar. But after the pandemic, everything shifted. Read more>>

Madeleine Grimm

Our journey started with a big dream—to move to the United States and build something of our own through an E-2 investor visa. Just as everything was falling into place, life surprised us in the best way: I became pregnant. Read more>>