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.
Savana And Ty Hjort
When I was 12, I realized how much I loved cooking when I made a special dinner for my parents’ anniversary. We were on a family trip in New Braunfels, and I didn’t have money to buy them a gift, so I decided to cook instead. I ended up feeding the whole house—about 25 people—with a casserole I threw together. I couldn’t tell you what was in it (this is a theme with me), but my family still talks about it to this day. Seeing how food brought everyone together was such a lightbulb moment for me. It made me realize food isn’t just about eating—it’s about love and connection. Read More>>
Gabrielle Crowley
After our girls trip I came home so eager to pitch the idea to my husband. At first he was a little skeptical. And said no …. But after a couple of weeks of him seeing me research he began researching too! After a month or so I came home, from working my part time job as a Labor & Delivery Nurse, and Tyler started asking me about the business idea. I was so shocked! I didn’t think he was still researching. Read More>>
Heather Poffenberger
In 2018, I was ungracefully dwelling in a cramped mom van (#vanlife) where I mostly kept to myself. I finally gave up the goat when I broke out in head-to-toe hives while trying to stealth camp in Los Angeles. At this point, I was on the cusp of thirty, and felt very much like I hadn’t lived up to my own self-imposed expectations of endless adventure and scrapbookable moments. And every day, louder and louder, I could hear the tick-tock of time looming over me, telling me to settle down, get a cat, grow some broccoli, and accept that the train car of adventure had rattled past my youth and that I had now entered a less reckless and significantly more tired chapter of my life. Read More>>
Michell Bautista
I hold a double Bachelor’s in Child Development and Spanish, and I’m a trained Newborn Care Specialist and Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant. These qualifications, combined with over 10 years of hands-on experience working with families, have shaped my ability to provide personalized care and solutions for each baby’s unique needs. I’ve had the privilege of working with families from diverse backgrounds, which has further enriched my approach to nurturing and educating new parents. Read More>>
Connally Mckay
I grew up in Victoria, TX and was into sports, hunting and fishing. Pretty typical south Texas kid. My entire family on my dad’s side of the family went to Baylor University going back to the 1890’s, so Baylor sports and Baylor Football in particular was always a big part of my life. Going to Baylor Football games was just about my favorite thing to do, outside of actually playing the sport myself! Read More>>
Audrey Young Be Tu Tran
We wanted our next step to set the tone for a new chapter and THe Concord came to life. Not being in our 20’s anymore, we still enjoy the occasional drink but found ourselves partaking in hemp more often to relax, destress and help elevate other aspects of our daily lives. It felt like it was overnight that we decided to open a dispensary to highlight all the holistic health benefits of a wide variety of hemp and we jumped head first into the deep end. Read More>>
Jenna Gallagher
I am grateful to have found a way to give back to my community through working with (mostly rescue behavior) dogs, that is also good for my health and life. As far as the dog world, I have had many different jobs, at several different businesses with differing philosophies – which has allowed me to learn a ton and develop my own unique approach to dogs that I have seen be effective and safe. Read More>>
Juanita Caballero
In 1998, we emigrated from Mexico to the United States. My husband worked as a cook in a Mexican restaurant. He had experience in cooking from a young age. I started working in sales, which allowed me to be my own boss and have my 2-year-old son by my side. Through hard work, effort, and the vision to move forward, we had the opportunity to open our own restaurant five years after arriving. Read More>>
Sergio Zamarron
With more than 20 years of experience in the field, including over 17 years with my firm, I’ve had the opportunity to work on a variety of commercial projects, including franchise hotels and commercial plazas, but my true passion lies in custom residential design. Helping my clients envision and build their dream homes has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. I’m a proud member of the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) and a certified designer with the Texas Institute of Building Design (TIBD). Read More>>
Daniel Huggett
The original intent behind the account was to serve as a resource for fans to learn about Longhorn kicks, and to give them a space to share information about them with others. While these types of sneakers used to be tough to find, shortly after I started the page Nike began to increase the number of UT shoes they released to the public. I began to cover, and in many cases be the first one to break the news on these releases to keep Texas fans informed. As time went on, I began to expand the types of UT-related content that I outputted, and I now regularly post about custom Longhorn kicks, uniforms, gear, as well as the Texas shoe collections of both myself and others. I think expanding into these areas really helped to fuel the growth that Texas Sneakers has seen, and I’m not sure that it would have experienced this had I stuck solely to its original purpose. Read More>>
Luis Bosch
My commitment to health and fitness grew even stronger after witnessing two of the most important men in my life face devastating health challenges. My Tio Robert’s battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) was a harsh reminder of how quickly the body can betray us, while my Grandfather Luis’s decline from Alzheimer’s disease showed me how fragile and fleeting our mental and physical strength can be. Watching them suffer was heartbreaking, but it also lit a fire in me to help others prioritize their health and take charge of their well-being before it’s too late. Read More>>
Reese Baloutine
I explored several different professions, from architecture to working in restaurants. I even worked as an electrician for a while because I thought I might want to pursue design-build remodeling. During that time, I met some landscapers who were designing and building outdoor spaces, and their work really inspired me. It looked so fulfilling, and I knew I wanted to try something similar. I started reading everything I could about landscaping, plants, and outdoor design. Read More>>
Hamilton Heald
We had never started a business before, but the biggest question I had at this point was about where to find sweet and gentle mini donkeys that we would enjoy owning but that would also be ready to take to events. So I started searching for beer burros on craigslist, as one does. Multiple listings popped up with these beautifully white and black painted minis. I thought I knew the warning signs when it came to scams on Craigslist and felt pretty confident I’d be able to detect one if I saw it. Unfortunately the first lead we got did end up being a scam. Read More>>
John Cardenas
More on that in a moment. Once I did research, I discovered a physical therapist assistant program, that is part online and part in person. We were the first class to ever start this program, and there was already an in person PTA program thats been happening for 10+ years, so I knew I could trust it. And it was affordable vs 100k PT program. I jumped on it immediately. We started with 9, and I was one of 3 who finished. After I passed my exam, I moved to Austin within a week. (I could go back to school to become a PT if i’d like, would be only an extra 1.5 years.) Read More>>
Katie Clingman
My name is Katie Clingman and I’m the founder of Settled In Soundly, a professional home organization company based in Austin, Texas. I grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, and first moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas, where I double majored in architecture and architectural engineering. After graduation I earned my EIT (engineer-in-training) certificate and accepted a role as a façade engineer with Arup, where I spent several years collaborating with architects on high profile international projects. While in this role, I became an expert in 3D modeling and AutoCAD. I now use this expertise and my design background to elevate professional organizing services to a new level. Read More>>
Sam Miles
Legacy Tide Water Recreation was born from a personal journey, grounded in Sam Miles’ deep understanding of overcoming adversity and the transformative power of water. Sam’s life was shaped by early experiences of sports injuries and rehabilitation, which ignited her passion for swimming as both a therapeutic and empowering practice. Through these personal trials, she discovered that swimming was more than just a physical activity—it was a space of healing, confidence-building, and growth. Her journey was marked by tenacity, shaped by her resilience as the eldest sibling and a leader among her peers, traits that she now channels into her swim school. Read More>>
Ian Oliver
After graduating, I worked in news and eventually decided to start my own production company, Say Something Productions. To get started, I dove into the wedding industry, knowing it could be lucrative. My very first setup was an iPhone 6 and an Osmo Pocket in 2015. Weddings were a crash course in capturing moments and telling stories on the fly. But while I developed my skills, the work wasn’t sustainable, I wasn’t making enough money in news and began to resent weddings. Read More>>
Wendi And Brian Ramirez
By 2017, we had outgrown our small space so we opened an additional shop on the east side, Dovetail Tattoo East. After being my business partner and handyman after all these years, Brian has finally undergone an apprenticeship and is beginning a new chapter as a tattoo artist himself doing Traditional Americana under the direction of our long-standing artists, Chris Bishop, Kira Bishop, and Thom Rein. For the last 10 years, I also maintain a home in northeast Tn. where my father still lives following the death of my mother. I travel there on a monthly basis and tattoo. Read More>>
Lovleen Aulakh
I lived in Delhi, India for almost half my life before moving to Austin, TX. I studied architecture at one of India’s most prestigious architecture schools, worked with some of the best minds in sustainable design, became director at a construction company and completed my masters in regenerative design. Only for me to later leave it all to live the life of an artist. In hindsight I can now see how following my inner guidance led me to this path, but on the surface the reality felt very turbid. Read More>>
Martha Wissing
I would make beaded jewelry and sell it in the shop, at craft fairs and to boutique shops nearby. As my interest in knitting grew, the local yarn shops in my area began to close. I decided to add yarn to my little bead shop, which exploded into a yarn store with beads! Always a maker, I would create knitted accessories, write shop patterns and give the patterns to my customers with a yarn purchase. The business grew to be a destination yarn shop in Rhode Island. My life changed when I met my husband, and he joined the Army. I sold my shop and we moved, but wherever we went, I continued knitting, making. Read More>>
Alissa Mcclure
He thought my cello playing was cool, but had to miss my first show because Yoko Ono needed someone to hang out with in the artist lounge. So, I gave him a pass… but he’s never missed anything since. A Behavioral Economist via Wharton and fiduciary by trade, Jake sought a system of education that taught delayed gratification, the key indicator of lifelong success (see The Marshmallow Study). When I presented the Montessori Method as a project for us to take on, he knew he’d found a match. He’s been the Chairman of the Board ever since. Read More>>
Jd Clark
I’m a born and raised Austinite. I grew up around my parents playing music in their band from the time I was born. Their band, Texas Fever, played in central Texas in the ‘80s and ‘90s opening up for some of the biggest country artists of the time. I started my own musical path after high school, getting back in to the music I was raised on and learned to love from them. I did a lot of solo gigs in my early twenties and then started a band over a decade ago. I’m proud to play alongside some great friends at some of the cities best venues. Read More>>
Raven “rayee” Nance
My name is Raven, I am a 35 year old Texas Native and mother of one to my 13 year old SonShine! Ever since I was a child I always knew that whatever I did in life, I wanted to help people and make them feel good about themselves. When I was in my twenties I took a step into the medical field working in hospice care/home health and eventually made my way into OBGYN care. I loved taking care of the elderly and making the end of their life journey an enjoyable experience, as well as assisting with bringing new life into the world. Read More>>
Emma Keteler
Creating content is not always as easy as it may seem. I do this as a hobby and still work a full time job. Balancing work, mental health and my social life alongside creating content is like a trapeze act. Adding on to this I am also in the process of growing a social media management and coaching company called AMME MEDIA with the goal of helping small Austin businesses grow sustainable audiences. Read More>>
Ben Kullerd
It’s definitely been a bumpy road at times. Professional baking can be physically taxing and require a lot of focus, dedication and finesse, which takes years of practice and learning from more experienced cooks. I have had a lot of emotional support in getting Good Judy off the ground, but I have really been figuring it out as I go along. I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way, which in my experience is the best way to learn. Read More>>
Matisse Giordano
As part of my CNA training, I spent hours in a skilled nursing facility and rehabilitation center where I fell in love with bedside care. One patient, in particular, left an indelible mark on me. While I can’t share his full story, he taught me how much of a difference you can make by simply being present for someone during their most vulnerable moments. His resilience and spirit inspired me to focus on nursing as a career because I wanted to be that person who not only provided care but also made others feel seen and supported. Read More>>
Garrett Smith
The journey hasn’t been smooth at all. Photography is beautiful chaos – incredible yet messy. I’ve faced countless moments of self-doubt about my abilities and work. During my first lead shoot at the agency, we had to shut down mid-session for the lunch rush. This meant dismantling our entire setup – lights, props, everything – and I was convinced I’d miss crucial shots. Read More>>
Mark Villanueva Jr.
During the first year of starting Transcending Personal Training, I struggled to get clients and had to drive for Uber countless hours, sometimes overnight and well into the morning, until I had enough clients to do personal training full-time. That first year, some people told me I wouldn’t be able to make a living from my personal training business and would need to get a job; but I stayed true to my vision and put in the work necessary to grow. Read More>>
Tiarah Howell
Fast forward 6 years purchased a home, which is currently on the market, and went through a mentally, physically and emotional divorce. Found my now husband to be and started back posting for small business all around the country as well as some local places in Austin. Now having 5 children and planning the wedding of our dreams. Just taking our lives and living it how we want unapologetically. I have him to thank for my now safe space to be a soft woman. Read More>>
Santos Galicia
The first of four siblings never had anyone to look up to other than my hard working parents. Which is where I get my hard work ethnic from. Special thanks to my parents. Built the business organically through word of mouth I thought to my self that if I can get this business off the ground like this, which I thought was the hardest way. I could do anything I set my mind to, I knew I made the right decision when I started getting momentum. Since I was a kiddo I’ve always wanted to own my own business I noticed that, that was the only way to have actual freedom and be there for my family. Read More>>
Gary Hook
Aside from contests (typically judged subjectively) I sought some manner of objectivity in reviewing my own work as well as that of others. To support that goal, I launched, with the help of a photography partner, a club dedicated to practicing the creation and assessment of images in a non-judgmental environment. Our group, Round Rock Image Creators, is starting its seventh year, and holds a unique position in its mission and format. Being involved with a group that is passionate about photographic art has done more for me as a photographer than anything else I’ve done. Read More>>
Christina Decker
Owning my own businesses gave me a strong foundation in business strategy, which led me to consult on everything from brand management to social media strategy and influencer partnerships. My consulting work opened the door to ghostwriting and editing, managing collaborations for content creators and helping to grow their personal brands, writing/editing newsletters, and the most recent addition to my skill-set, serving as executive producer for a client’s podcast, The Cult of Flair. I work with each person differently, tailoring my support to fit their unique needs, while drawing from a broad wheelhouse of brand strategy expertise. Read More>>
Justin Jackley
We followed that with a 12″ EP release by the Mushroom Club – a psychedelic shoe-gaze band from Glasgow, Scotland. We would later team up with Psych9 Records out of Guatemala for some collaborative releases by the Strawberry Jam (UK) and Secular Pains (Toronto, Canada). We have since released over 60 records over the past 5 years with a long list of musicians both local to Austin and others across the US and from Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Scotland, the UK, Germany, Poland, Italy, Israel, and Japan with much more on the way. At this point, the goal is to reach 100 records by the year 2030 and call it quits. Read More>>
Shelby Kirchner
Our team focuses on creating guest centric, full weekend events. Our clients typically have a majority of their guests traveling in for the wedding day and want to give everyone the “Austin experience”. We help them do that by creating a cohesive calendar of events throughout the wedding weekend engineered to foster fun, connection, and celebration! Read More>>
Brandon Chang
At the start there were a lot of obstacles. It’s never going to be a completely smooth ride in any endeavor is what I learned quickly. Finding customers starting from 0 with no real experience in a new state was very tough. Near the end of last season my older lawn mower broke down so I had to put my customers on hold until it was fixed. Learning how to cut a lawn properly from start to finish and all the knowledge I needed to catch up on was overwhelming. The first day I actually went out I felt the wrath of a 105F Texas day and contemplated if it was for me. But I stuck with it and the more you go down the road the clearer it becomes. Read More>>
Lauren Lowry
I’ve always loved design. As a young girl, I preferred crafting Barbie houses over playing with the dolls. I created beautiful spaces in every stage of life—my bedroom, dorm, and first apartment as a newlywed. After earning a Family & Consumer Science degree from Texas State, I taught for four years but felt burned out. Remodeling our 100-year-old fixer-upper sparked my passion for design, and I taught myself sewing and furniture refinishing to furnish our home affordably. Friends noticed and started hiring me for small projects. Read More>>
Bernadette Noll
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where I got my start in the world of Reduce Reuse Remake. Was it from my grandmother who traveled from Texas back home to Brooklyn once a year in the 30s and 40s, stopping at second hand shops or, what she called “goodie shops” along the way? Was it growing up in New Jersey when my dad would have us all pile into the station wagon and drive around town during bulky trash days picking up bike parts and building materials? Read More>>
Malachi & Ederlyn Santillan
After Malachi tried my baking, he fell in love and suggested that I should sell it, because “if not you’ll be doing the world a disservice.” I have always really enjoyed baking with my mother, who still loves to bake in Japan. I decided to take his advice and start selling my delicious treats. I am excited to turn my passion for baking into a business that has allowed me to share my creations with friends, family and new friends we get the honor to meet! As we all know food is one of those things that brings people together in a very special way. Which is why when we celebrate occasions, food always being a key componet to the whole memory. Read More>>
Tony Nuñez
The first thing I accomplished was coming up with flavorful and spicy salsas to pair with different dishes. My wife pushed me to enter one of the salsas to the Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival in the individual specialty category. After that 1st place win, the plan for a food truck changed into a salsa business. After a few years of selling our salsas at local farmer’s markets, pop up events, and online, we introduced them to local stores. Now, they are carried in HEB’s Central Market locations across Texas. Read More>>
Mint Pattanan Ketthin
Over the years, I realized that this idea of intentionality could go beyond food. Growing up in Thailand and traveling across Asia, I was surrounded by scents that brought comfort and nostalgia—like the zesty brightness of yuzu or the earthy warmth of hinoki wood. Those scents weren’t just pleasant; they told a story and carried a sense of place and culture. When I moved to the U.S., I noticed that these kinds of fragrances were missing in the home fragrance market, and I saw an opportunity to create something truly unique. Read More>>
Kameryn Matranga
The journey to where I am today certainly had its challenges, but surprisingly not as many as I expected. A big part of my growth came from connecting with others—building relationships with clients, other photographers, and doulas. The biggest challenge I’ve faced, though, has been finding the time. Balancing my work in healthcare, being a mom to two precious (and growing!) little ones, and managing my business has been a real juggling act. But despite the struggles, it’s been so worth it! Read More>>
Ruchi Agrawal
It’s been an interesting journey! The biggest challenge was capturing the essence of resilient women’s stories through the lens of Indian textiles. The apparel industry is often glamorized, focusing on luxury lifestyles and models. Using clothing as a medium to spotlight stories of hardship and resilience wasn’t a straightforward task, but it was a meaningful one. Read More>>
Caleb Gandy
I started in 2003 the wrong way tattooing in my bedroom and graduating to my cousins kitchen. I was a senior in high school in 08-09 and got my apprenticeship over the Christmas break. It wasn’t the best shop but there was a dope artist there that took me under his wing and showed me the right way. We shop hopped and did conventions together for a few years and parted ways. Then I just bounced around between Harker heights and college station for a few years. Read More>>
Nick Diaz
I play guitar for hire, run my own original indie band, record and produce songs for sync licensing and other people out of my own personal studio. I got here through persistence, hard work and always understanding there was more work to be done. I’m also here because I never gave a shit what anyone said about me, my playing, what I was playing or how I was playing it, because there are no rules in this business other than to believe in yourself and carve your own path. Also, that being said, be a nice person, always. Read More>>
Aaron Degruyter
Another obstacle I’ve faced is finding my artistic voice. It has taken me decades to develop the visual language necessary to translate my emotions and experiences into a physical visually representational object. Along the way my art has taken on different “looks” and imitated lots of things that came before it. Through constant experimentation and intuition I feel like I’m finally settling into a visual language that does a good job at translating the ideas in my head into a painting that evokes emotion.
Lindsay Harris
Since then, I’ve continued working as both a broker and an investor. After running my own brokerage for many years, I joined Compass Real Estate as a founding member in November 2018. In 2024, I launched Feminine Grit, a coaching business designed to help other women find their true calling and learn to trust themselves. I’m excited to use my business expertise to bring my love of inner work full circle and help women become all they can be. Read More>>
Liz Lopez
Like many moms, I often felt guilty whenever I had to leave my son, and there were the financial challenges of investing in equipment and courses to get the business off the ground. Through it all, I’ve been incredibly lucky to have an amazing husband who always believed in me and encouraged me to keep pushing forward. His support has been a driving force in helping me stay focused on my dreams. Read More>>
Kimberly Kennedy
Eventually, I moved from New York to Los Angeles, where I deepened my spiritual practice and became certified in various modalities. This was the beginning of my informal retreat-hosting days…gathering women to connect, heal, and grow in small, intimate circles. After COVID, when the world started to open back up, I felt called to create something bigger. I began hosting formal retreats, and to my amazement, every single one sold out. Read More>>
Julie Ahmad
From hosting iconic gallery parties to providing education and marketing support that fuel female artists careers, our goal is to create lasting impact. One of our most exciting initiatives is The Inner Circle, a social club dedicated to fostering a community of art enthusiasts, business leaders, and supporters who champion women in the arts. Members will enjoy exclusive events like hosted dinners, member retreats, and networking opportunities while actively supporting female artists. Read More>>
Dr. Sheila Baez
Balancing personal life, family responsibilities, and the demands of being both a graduate and doctoral student was no small feat. There were countless late nights spent writing papers, meeting deadlines, and completing licensure hours—all while navigating the unique challenges of military life. Read More>>
Sky Rockenbach
When I was younger, working on my own drawing or painting projects, it felt like creativity flowed effortlessly. But as life gets more complex, the creative well doesn’t always run so deep. What you need then is time and space to nurture that spark of inspiration. And when that’s not always available, you hit what’s known as “creative block.” That’s when a real creative process becomes essential. Read More>>
Bryan Snyder
In 2020, I purchased my first camera and started studying on YouTube University. I watched all kinds of videos, trying to learn my craft. When I could, I’d attend workshops or classes and go on photo walks. I started investing time in learning. Simply because this was something I truly wanted to do, and I wanted to do it right. I knew that if I was going to charge for my services, I wanted people to see the value and give them quality. Just because I had a camera didn’t mean I was going to set charging–I wanted to earn it. Read More>>
Clare Robinette
Another passion of mine is vintage clothing. I previously ran a vintage business called Lipstick Lille Vintage, specializing in beautiful, feminine, one-of-a-kind pieces. While I’ve since transitioned from selling to curating, my love for vintage remains at the heart of what I do. This February 9th, I’m thrilled to host the debut Heritance Vintage Market in East Austin—a carefully curated hub for premium vintage sellers to showcase their extraordinary collections. Read More>>
Manju Babu
The biggest roadblock has been finding the right space for Bagel Bear and designing it to align with our vision. Many landlords prefer established chains or franchises as tenants, which made securing a location more challenging. Beyond that, there are countless moving parts to bring this dream to life—designing the space, obtaining the necessary building certifications, navigating permits, coordinating contracts with vendors for supplies, arranging signage, and, of course, finding quality team members to join us on this journey. Read More>>
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