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.

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>>

Serbennia Davis

If you try it, you’ll buy it! In 2023, I was asked to make Pepper Jelly and came up with my own recipes. I offer free jelly-tastings at every event. My mouthwatering gourmet jellies comes in a variety of fruits and over 30 flavors. I participate as frequently as possible at pop-ups, farmers markets, and craft shows. Read more>>

Rebecca Pomplas

My journey with The Daffodil Room Group comes from a very personal place. I experienced recurrent pregnancy loss and went through IVF to have my son, and later adopted my daughter. Through these experiences, I know firsthand how different each family’s path can be—and even within one family, journeys can vary dramatically. During my own challenges, I felt really alone. Read more>>

Tina Cargill

I’ve been a hobby photographer for as long as I can remember! Think all the way back to the mini Polaroid film camera, disposables & then yes the mini digital cameras. I was always the friend with the camera. Flash forward my dad got me a Canon Rebel— if you know, you know! I was mainly photographing my children, trips, etc. Read more>>

Miranda Barringer

I’m the owner of Mirmaid Esthetics, a waxing focused spa studio in Ohio, and the cofounder of a small batch skincare and wax manufacturing brand called Salt & Spirit Skin Rituals. The path to getting here has been anything but straightforward. I have always been someone who likes to create. Read more>>

Dr. Tiffany R. Harris

What if the very struggles you are trying to escape are actually preparing you for the stage you were born to stand on? Today, I am blessed to serve as an award-winning international keynote speaker, mindset strategist, best-selling author, and CEO of Shift Your Mindset & Dream BIG LLC. Read more>>

Brenda Ryan

I lost my daughter in 2016 to a fentanyl overdose. She left behind a five-year-old little boy named Wyatt. We started Keys 2 serenity are nonprofit in 2017 are nonprofit supports children that have been impacted by addiction in the home. These are kids that have either lost a parent. Parents are incarcerated or relatives are raising the children due to addiction. They are over. Read more>>

Jennifer Bullock-Moore

I was born and raised in Zanesville, OH. That’s where my mom’s family is from… and she convinced my dad to move there from Columbus early in their marriage. My father is a full time pastor at my family’s church (Hands of Faith Church in Zanesville celebrating 35 years this year!)… my mom is a chemist… I have one sibling, an older sister. Read more>>

Natalie Ralph

My husband, Zachary Ralph, grew up breeding Pure Bred AKC golden retriever puppies with his family. He grew to have a deep and passionate love for these animals and how majestic they are. He loved growing up in a home where he could take care of them and learn to work hard. Read more>>

Matt Overholt

Back in my Junior and Senior years of high school I went to a vocational school for printing and graphics where I learned, among other things, how to screen print. Cut to 12 years later and I am in between jobs, I bought a little start up screen printing kit to keep me busy and initially just print some shirts for my friends and I. Read more>>

Lisa McCraw

I’ve always had a love of photography. For me, photography was the ultimate story telling art form. Over 20 years ago, some friends started a wedding photography company and were doing so well, they needed someone to take their overflow business. So, I worked for them for a couple of years, learned the business, and then started my own company. Read more>>

Melanie Booher

Here’s the **first-person version**—clear, confident, and human. — I didn’t set out to become a culture disruptor. Like many people, I started by simply working hard, building a career, raising a family, and trying to help others succeed along the way. But over time I started noticing something that bothered me: most organizations talk about culture, but very few actually build it. Read more>>

Kelly Parks

The Davis-Parks School of Arts grew out of a dream that has been developing for more than 20 years. I founded the Medina Centre for Dance Art because I wanted to create a place where students could learn strong technique, build confidence and experience the joy of dance. Over the years, that vision naturally expanded. Read more>>

Lindsey Deck

My journey to opening the studio really grew out of a love for movement and community. Fitness has always been an important part of my life, but I saw an opportunity to create something a little different in Dayton—a space that combines effective workouts with a welcoming, supportive environment. Read more>>

Hannah Hutton

I started Made by Han Designs in 2020. I have always had a passion for art, even from a young age. During the COVID pandemic, I was home from college with more time to focus on artwork again. I began hand-lettering bible verses and encouraging quotes simply for fun. Read more>>

Laura Chacon Davis

I’m a full time mom and business owner – which is not where I expected to be if you had asked me five years ago! When my husband and I planned on starting a family, we didn’t exactly have a plan for our financial future. But his entrepreneurial spirit led us to the decision to start a family business. Read more>>

Nicky Bee

Great Lakes Event Works started because I kept seeing the same problem: communities had great event ideas and passionate volunteers, but not always the structure needed to actually execute them well. I became the person people called when events needed organization behind the scenes — sponsorship outreach, vendor coordination, timelines, logistics, and keeping moving pieces on track. Read more>>

Shae’era Jackson

If someone had told my younger self that at 33 I would be the founder of a wellness coaching business, I probably would have looked at them like they were ten-carat crazy. Growing up, I didn’t have much awareness around mental health or personal development. Read more>>

Jacqueline Hutchison

Hi, I’m Jacqueline! I have over 10 years experience as a professional maternity, newborn and baby photographer servicing Columbus and all of Central Ohio. I owned my first camera at the age of 12. That was back in the Kodak and film days. I carried that camera to every event I could and just really enjoyed learning photography. Read more>>

Amy Duvic

I grew up in the Dayton area and attended the University of Dayton. During my freshman year of college, I started working for a wedding planner in Cincinnati, and that experience completely changed the direction of my career. Read more>>

Jennifer Hartman

The path from college graduate to business partner in one of Cleveland’s premier event venues has been anything but linear. After earning my BA in Arts, I spent time working for Nickelodeon in Orlando, where I developed a passion for storytelling through television production. Read more>>

Summer Holmes Mason

Wow! My journey really begins as a bright eyed newly minted attending physician back in 2014. I had graduated residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and was ready to change the world. Read more>>

Ashley Smart

A.Smart Designs started in the thick of Covid. What started as a stationary shop, quickly turned into a personalization shop. I went from making custom planners and journals to making custom t-shirts, hats, tote bags and more. I added in the option for embroidery and we have not looked back. I’m so glad I added embroidery to my shop. Read more>>

Cynthia Dawson

My story started the way it does for a lot of women photographers… when my first baby was born. I loved trying to capture all the milestones and everyday moments, but honestly? I was terrible at it. My photos were always blurry and never quite held the feeling of what that moment meant to me. Read more>>

Maria Waymire

We had a very old barn on our farm and the structure always intrigued me. I thought to myself, this would be neat to turn into a wedding venue. I always enjoyed planning events and so you could say that is when the dream started for building a wedding venue. Read more>>

Zakir Baraka II

I was cleaning my own yard about ten years ago and was thinking “ this is terrible, I wish there was someone to do this for me.” A few more years past and while in Denver in 2019, I saw a company that did pet waste removal. This was just before COVID 19 and I started my company a few tears later. Read more>>

Manu Brune

My journey into this work began long before I ever called it a career. It started when I became a mother. After my first child was born, I experienced a really difficult postpartum period. I struggled with postpartum anxiety and felt incredibly unprepared for what life after birth actually looked like. Read more>>

Hannah McKain

Selah Events really began from my love for creating meaningful moments for people. I’ve always been drawn to the details that make a celebration feel personal, the small touches that tell a couple’s story and bring their vision to life. Growing up, I was always very creative and loved decorating. Read more>>

Chris Ketler

I was born a poor ……. Oh is that too far back? Several years ago I took the stage and I never looked back. Once I tried stand up comedy I instantly knew this was where my people were. Shortly after that I began to produce my own performances throughout NE Ohii bringing comedians from around the country to NE Ohio. Read more>>

Scott Westberg

My wife and I started Pure Passions Farm in 2022 with just a few animals and a simple goal: to create a place where people could slow down, connect with animals, and experience a little bit of farm life. What began as a small family hobby quickly turned into something much bigger once we saw how much joy these interactions brought to people. Read more>>

KELLY VELIKONYA PATEL

Kelly Velikonya Patel, Founder and Principal Designer of Bold Interiors CLE, has built a career rooted in creativity, storytelling, and an instinct for creating spaces that connect with people. Read more>>

Julia Cendrowski

This all started back in 2017, when I decided to go to school at Brown Aveda Institute for Esthetics. My son had just started school and that gave me the opportunity to return to school and pursue something I was passionate about, helping people look and feel their very best. I would have never dreamed it would lead to where I am now. Read more>>

Destiny Smith-Milner

Hi, I’m Destiny Smith-Milner, owner and co-founder of Social Sitters LLC, an Ohio based event child care company. My background is rooted in over 13 years of experience in the child care field. I’ve worked in daycare administration, taught in early childhood classrooms, developed preschool programs for local recreation centers, and spent several years serving as a career nanny for private high-net-worth families. Read more>>

Matthew Oberdorfer

I spent 24 years in the United States Marine Corps, where discipline, preparation, and long-term thinking were part of everyday life. During that time I became a student and lifelong practitioner of how thoughtful decisions made consistently over time can compound into meaningful outcomes. I also came to understand that resources must be allocated properly and risk must be managed deliberately. Read more>>

Jeff Traxler

MEGA Wrestling is a pro wrestling promotion founded in 1998 . Founded by Jeff Traxler with a credit card and a dream , MEGA continues to be part of the community through hosting regular events and partnerships with other local businesses Read more>>

Darlene Burks

I am a high school English teacher and the director of the Saturday Tutoring Program. I arrived at this point in my career because I have always understood that there is a profound need to support students on their journeys toward success. I also recognize that many families face extenuating circumstances that can interrupt or delay that success. Read more>>

Taylor Oliphant

I started my career in web development, fintech, and financial services, working across a range of large institutions, and later earned my MBA from Purdue. But honestly, my heart was never really in it. My parents were small business owners. I’ve always preferred Mom and Pop shops over their larger competitors, and I’ve always enjoyed helping them. Read more>>

Tiffani Cantrell

Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve had a passion to help the elderly. My grandmother passed away when I was 15. My aunt passed away when I was 16 and that impact in my life because I was a caregiver at the ages of 13 to 16 years old so I have been doing this for quite a while. Read more>>

Anna Taft

As a privileged teenager from Columbus, Ohio, I had the opportunity to go on a safari in Kenya. Rather than the animals, what captivated my attention was the ethical dilemma of how to be in right relation to people who were so different from me in access to resources and in culture. Read more>>

Ben Kosewski

I grew up running heavy machinery (excavators, bull dozers, loaders, etc.) so I understood the importance of a solid foundation. Upon graduating from Lakeland University and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, I I gained hands-on experience as a care provider with a health system in Green Bay, WI. Read more>>

Alexander Boom

Power Boom’s purpose is to make electric vehicle (EV) charging more accessible by making it simpler and more rewarding to set up and manage EV charging sites. Read more>>

Alex Holt

After graduation, I found myself working for a local landscaping company, and I started to enjoy things. We will create so shortly after our branched off with a close friend and started a lawn care service.. highlighter decided to grow my own company and make it a Lawn Care land scaping focused business around 2011.  Read more>>