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.
Aaron Scene
As with anything in life worth accomplishing, I’ve had my fair share of obstacles that I’ve had to learn to overcome. There have been plenty of times where i have told myself maybe it was time to quit or move on but one thing i have definitely learned on my road to personal success is perseverance. You keep on keeping on not because you want to but because you have to. You have to learn to live and even love the tough moments in life because it makes the highs that much better. Read More>>
Ashley Ludkowski
The development of Rancho Moonrise has been a complex and ever-evolving journey. Navigating land development in Travis County comes with countless challenges, and working with the City of Austin has been an intricate and often difficult process. Despite the obstacles, every hurdle has been an opportunity to problem-solve and refine the vision for the property. Read More>>
Ronin
A few weeks later, I got a life-changing role in the startup space, which gave me the freedom to reflect and realize that music had always been my true calling. I had been writing music under a different alias for a few years, experimenting with my sound. I even had the opportunity to share my work with Timbaland, who cosigned me live on TikTok, and his encouragement solidified my belief that this is what I’m meant to do. Read More>>
Michael Taylor
It’s definitely not been a smooth road, as an independent adjuster and entrepreneur. The industry has its peaks and slow seasons along with other issues as toxic workplace environments and management. Being a pioneer and minority in my field hasn’t been the most pleasant but my Air Force experience I feel made me mentally tough to overcome trials and tribulations. Read More>>
Stephanie And Bradley Rogers
A unique challenge that we’ve encountered in our business is that we’re not just business partners, but life partners as well. In the beginning we had to figure out how to blend our perspectives and ways of doing things into something singular, without hurting feelings or taking things too personally. Fortunately, we found that any gains we made working on our business or personal relationship was equally beneficial to the other. Being relationally-minded has also helped us be more in tune with the needs and dynamics in our couples and is one of our greatest assets. Read More>>
Mia McShane
Not everything is a smooth transition, for me it was very difficult i went from going to school everyday not having a job and having nothing to do after school, being depressed and not having loyal friends and having to battle with my emotions. To one day starting to work in my company with my parents helping peoples family members and have them have a better quality life, and helping girls on social media learning a new language, how to love yourself, wanting to start in the medical business etc. I would have never believed i would be here today sharing my story and thinking I can help other young women too and become the best version of themself. Read More>>
Marcela Homrich
I got a degree in communications, which encompasses a wide range of potential career paths. My favorite subject was always graphic design. I had a few jobs as a designer after graduating but I always had a feeling that I was not suitable for any of them. I never liked rigid processes and I also never enjoyed working with a group of people. I have always loved to work alone, having control over my workflow. And mostly, making choices without needing to consult other people. Read More>>
Ana Martinez
I started to expand from drawing to mix media and painting figuratively outside the lines of what was seen as classic drawing. I explored different materials such as rubber bands to discuss the elasticity of words and create raw imagery of my journey. I started to sculpt and use paper to create story lines of femininity and sexuality to express my queer authentic self and felt liberated. Once I graduated I found my voice but needed a fresh start. I moved to Austin at 24 and it was the best thing to have happened to me. I’m glad to have had the courage to make the move because I finally found a queer community where I felt support. Read More>>
Joshua Milligan
What sets my company apart is our collective experience. My team and I have worked on a wide range of projects in a variety of industries which has given us insight into different styles and techniques of video production. We write most of our scripts, handle all of the audio, lighting and camera work, and even post-produce most projects in-house. Read More>>
Brook Bonnema
In addition to this exposure, I absolutely loved school and knew I did not want to end my education at a Bachelor level, which was good for me because anything in the psychology related fields requires Graduate level degrees. I spent the year after I graduated applying to various graduate schools, partying, traveling, and having a blast. Again, for my college aged audience, take a year off and live life, travel, and meet tons of people. Okay, back to Graduate School. Read More>>
James Hagen
When the pandemic hit, my partner and I decided it was time for a change. We left the bitter cold of the Midwest and moved to Austin, TX—the Live Music Capital of the World. Just like before, I started knocking on doors, sending messages, and putting myself out there. My persistence paid off when Heard (now Resound) Presents gave me a shot. Since then, I’ve been photographing artists across Austin’s thriving music scene, from legendary acts like T-Pain and Ashanti to rising stars like Urban Heat. One of my biggest highlights has been photographing SXSW, capturing the energy of one of the most exciting festivals in the world. Read More>>
Hana Chong
Overall, it’s been a smooth road since this is mainly a fun side hobby versus an actual job which removes the pressure of trying to hit a certain revenue. I luckily have the privilege to take a break from my baking if I want to. The only struggle I feel like I have is deciding if I want to do this full time! I’m asked this from friends and customers all the time and I can never give them a straight answer because I guess I am too scared to take the leap of faith to quit my job and commit 100% to my baking. Read More>>
Estefana Najera
I started out photographing newborns and families, then found my calling when the pandemic first started. I now specialize in surprise proposals and elopements. Elopements are one of my favorite things to photograph. It’s very chill and easy going for everyone involved. Read More>>
Jess Steidler
I started making hand painted jackets and sold them at music festivals. It really clicked for me that I could turn these designs into beautiful tattoos. So in 2020 I decided to make a portfolio of designs I thought would be great tattoos. I went to different artists to get tattooed and talked to them about an apprenticeship. Then one day I met Dillon Forte and he took me in as his apprentice! I worked with him for a little over a year in California. Then we moved to Austin and I worked with him for another 3 years out in Wimberley. Now I work at a studio in Austin called Burning Hand. It has all been such a dream come true. Read More>>
Keller Davis
We launched Createscape in a small, 1,000-square-foot room in East Austin, carefully designing it with open and dedicated desk seating. The execution was simple, but the demand for a space like ours was evident. When we had to relocate, we found a larger space at 701 Tillery Street, a former 1950s-era bread factory that had been converted into offices and artist studios. Moving there in 2015 was a major step forward. We expanded our offerings with a loft for dedicated desks, a private conference room, and more amenities tailored to our growing community. Read More>>
Merav & Yam Tsifroni
Over the past two years, our business has grown beyond just repairs and installations. We’ve focused on creating enjoyable experiences and forging lasting relationships within our community. Yam’s expertise has been crucial in training our team and ensuring quality service, while my role has evolved to manage our marketing efforts and customer relations. Together, we’ve faced challenges and celebrated milestones, always striving to provide exceptional service. Read More>>
Samantha M Clark
I loved telling my own stories as well, but I never thought that I could be an author. Now I speak to kids in schools all the time and tell them they can be authors. But where I grew up in the Caribbean, I never met an author, and it didn’t feel achievable to me. Instead, I became a journalist, writing other people’s stories. But I never let go of my dream of telling my own stories. I would wake up at 4 every morning, write for an hour, then go to my day-job. I often wrote in my lunch hour and on the weekends. Read More>>
Shelby Passmore
I began doing small vendor markets in nearby towns, where I gained hands-on experience selling and connecting with incredible business owners who helped spread the word about my plants. After gaining a base following I developed an online store. Through trial and error, I’ve slowly began to learn what makes a business succeed. Although my shop is only about two years old, the support of my friends, family, and new connections, have helped me start gaining recognition as a local plant seller! It’s been an incredible journey so far, and I’m so excited for what’s to come. Read More>>
Manny “Smiley” Velazquez
Texas was where I was able to play live music again thanks to my adopted big brother, Johnny McGowan. He opened his network for me to be able to travel to Austin and book shows from 2020-2022. Eventually I was able to move to Austin in May of 2022 after another bad breakup back east. Johnny scooped me up in Georgia when I was working a temp job as a contractor in a merchandising warehouse. From then on I was working full-time again with him and in my own music business endeavours, picking up gigs along the way with legend Alvin Crow, hero Bob Appel, and colleague Todd Deatherage. Read More>>
Ana Harney
This move gave me the flexibility to stay home with my daughter while still building something I’m passionate about. My husband, who is a firefighter, has been a huge support through my business launches. His schedule, two days on and four days off, gives him the opportunity to spend a lot of time with our family and even help with the business. Together, we’ve created a life that revolves around teamwork and family, which allows us to stay involved in our kid’s lives while pursuing our dreams. We praise God for the prayers answered and opportunities given. Read More>>
Cristina Ojeda
While I loved learning and growing in the esthetics field, I knew deep down that my true passion was in lashes. I later joined a well-known lash salon in Austin, where I was able to focus solely on my lash artistry. During my time there, I became certified in Mega Volume Lashes and sharpened my skills. After two years of working there, I decided it was time to take the next step and go into business for myself. Read More>>
Crystal Taylor
Slowly but surely we have been renovating the home room by room. Some help from General Contractors and some work we’ve done 100% ourselves. You can see the progress so far on my Instragram. I have an eclectic style and I love color. My dream would be to finish renovating my home and then move on to other projects. I’d love to do interior design full time. One thing that I’ve always known is that creativity would be a part of my life. Creating is therapeutic for me and I couldn’t imagine not having a way to express myself. Read More>>
Courtney Goforth
I left Do512 after six of the gnarliest years of my twenties where I DID so much and became the Marketing Manager of Heard Presents. I promoted the shows at The Parish and Empire Control Room & Garage and booked some local gigs and SXSW showcases. In 2019, I landed the Marketing Director role at my dream venue Hotel Vegas, along with Barracuda (RIP, Barry’s 4ever) and Kinda Tropical. Eventually, the partners opened Chess Club and Tweedy’s and I added those spots to my belt. I get to have a lot of fun, alongside a lot of hard work! Read More>>
Ashe Etherton
I pursued specialization in pelvic health while in PT school. I wasn’t even aware that this niche existed until I was in my doctoral program studying to become a physical therapist. I had no idea PT could address intimate concerns such as debilitating periods, chronic constipation, and pain during sex…issues I had been struggling with for years but that had been dismissed by healthcare providers as “normal.” I was instantly intrigued by pelvic health, which led me to seek further knowledge and mentorship throughout school and upon entering the workforce. Read More>>
Colton Barden
Absolutely not haha. Have I been abundantly blessed and supported along the way though? Absolutely. There has been no shortage of mishaps and setbacks along this road, but I’m thankful for them nonetheless. Most important have been the people that surrounded me throughout the years reminding me why I press on and continue to pursue my dreams. I’ve endured 2 leg surgeries, losses in clients, poor business decisions, and straight up burnout along the way. All of these have taught me a better approach for the next time, and that the most valuable characteristic is persistence. Read More>>
Joshua Garza
I am a tattoo artist and owner of JPS Tattoos in San Marcos, Tx. I specialize in an illustrative approach to tattoos using my knowledge of styles including, traditional, neotraditional, new school, fineline, realism, micro realism, and black and grey. I am most proud of my ability to activly listen and provide various options to my clientele to aid them in telling their story. Read More>>
Angel Gallegos
Starting Dos Cuernos Tequila was an exciting journey, but it came with its fair share of challenges. From the beginning, capital was a major hurdle. Unlike some brands backed by big investors, we were building this from the ground up, which meant every dollar had to be strategically invested—from securing the right distillery in Jalisco, Mexico, to designing a premium bottle that stood out on shelves. Read More>>
Andrew Garrison
I grew up in South Florida, gob-smacked by the beauty of my environment; I knew I was lucky to be there. As a kid, I fooled around with plastic cameras and cheap tape recorders. I was not as good at drawing or painting as my best friend, so at age twelve I started to walk around with a 35mm camera I borrowed from my father. When I was 14, we took a family vacation to the Bahamas. Local law enforcement and parental supervision were fairly lax. I played blackjack at a casino in Freeport and won enough money to buy my own 35 mm camera, duty free. Read More>>
Natalie Grigson
Over the years I’ve written a lot of fiction, and a lot of articles. Out of the books I’ve written, I’d say I love my Peter Able series the most. It was the first series I wrote (so of course there are some very cringey re-read moments), but the characters, the story, and the overall concept still make me smile. Read More>>
Eleanor Baker
It’s mostly been a smooth road, thankfully. Any struggles along the way have been related to figuring out my process and making mistakes. For example, I used to photograph my work to make prints, but the colors would always come out distorted and I’d get customer complaints that the image was blurry. I now outsource that process to a local photographer and am happy to pay for her skill. After a couple of years of running this business, I’ve found the most success by focusing on making art — and hiring other professionals to help with the rest. Read More>>
Alicia Wells
Married, had kids, and moved around the world. Stayed home, raised kids, and bought lots and lots of little toys for kids. Took kids to lots and lots of art museums all over the world. Kids grew up. I refound photography, took classes to master the digital age. Established myself, gallery shows, event photography, showing in local restaurants and venues. Getting published here and there. Getting a few awards. COVID hit, I went off and did lots and lots of paid and volunteer photography. Austin Pets Alive, Art from the Streets, Wildflower Center, Waterloo Greenway, etc. Today, I continue to show and sell my work locally. As of late, I am focused on my Small World Works. They bring me joy. Read More>>
Erich Sayers
Taking the leap to a massive city like Los Angeles and managing to find my way while working jobs to pay the bills was no small feat. We had to use paper maps back then. I was a stranger in a strange land, finding my way alone. I eventually secured an internship, working for free in the evenings, where I learned how to use Photoshop and design art that effectively communicates a message. Once my career began to take off, navigating the dynamics of a highly competitive market became a continuous learning experience. Read More>>
Jeremy Smith
Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about looking good. It’s about feeling in control of your life because you know how to navigate a lifestyle. A lot of people join programs to help them with a short term goal, so I decided to create a program that facilitates how to truly make fitness a lifestyle using my Elite 3-Pillar Framework designed to strategically get you results that last. Read More>>
Julie Davis
My journey into the art world seemed to come by chance and later than for most. After I moved to Austin in 2003, a friend introduced me to a local landscape artist at a Contemporary Austin event. Soon after, I began taking oil painting classes from her at the Laguna Gloria campus. I quickly realized that plein air painting brought all my skills and interests together in a way that excited and challenged me like nothing else had (my background was not in art–I have degrees in education and law and experience in freelance writing and photography). Read More>>
Robyn Pallotta
In 2007 As a family we tried to relocate to Austin. We also tried again in 2016. But we were continually pulled back to NJ as remotely running businesses was much harder than expected. Our love for Austin never wavered. In 2021, we made the decision to sell it all, shop included, and relocate one last time, this time with an all-or-nothing attitude. We worked in a private studio setting for 3 years, and realized we missed the energy that comes along with owning a shop. Read More>>
Krista Bergeron
However, in sports, I found an environment where meritocracy and diversity could flourish, where people set aside vast differences in pursuit of a shared goal. From a young age, I was drawn to understanding the intersectionality of class, race, and gender—not only due to my own experiences but also because of what I witnessed in others. This curiosity initially led me to pursue a career in social work and later property management on the East Coast. I have always been passionate about identifying obstacles and helping others navigate them, largely because of the support that was extended to me. I sought a broader understanding of the structural systems that influence individual outcomes, hoping to contribute to meaningful solutions. Read More>>
Vanessa Solis
That passion naturally evolved into my professional journey as an event planner during the pandemic, and eventually leading to the birth of Party Vault Eventures. By combining the heartwarming traditions of my upbringing with the creative energy I honed in the classroom, I set out to craft events that are not only beautifully designed but also stress-free and full of personal touches. Today, I’m proud to continue that mission, ensuring every event we touch becomes a cherished memory for our clients and their loved ones. Read More>>
Kathy Lindsey
Both! In some ways things just fell into place, which helped me realize I was on the right path. But since I don’t have my own studio, finding places to offer sound bath journeys has been challenging. Aside from the pop-ops, I also offer sound bath journeys to private groups, such as companies for staff appreciation and friend gatherings. Read More>>
Mariana McFadden
As a mom, I’ve always sought the flexibility to be with my girls, which led me to thrive in e-commerce. Recently, I launched an Etsy mentorship program to help beginners start their own online shops. I love serving my community and want to give other moms like me the chance to create their own businesses. I’m also passionate about fitness and have an online group where my friends and I work out together. Additionally, I love art, culture, and music, and I’m part of a group in Austin that promotes cultural events in collaboration with local consulates, important companies, galleries, museums, important art and culture organizations and entrepreneurs. My goal is always to help and serve my community in any way I can. Read More>>
Angela Ponce
My demeanor changed and I would just come in and tattoo because I wanted to be a tattooer so badly it’s my dream! But after all the sweat, blood, ink, and tears I got fired through a text message. I was told that it wasn’t going to work and I was “not serious enough”. After 4 months later …I finally got to convince my fiancé to move out of state and we did to Waco, Tx. I made a list of tattoo shops that I wanted to apply to. And the first one that was on the list gave me that opportunity to tattoo again! I currently worked for Embrace the Choas for about year and something months and I couldn’t be any happier. Read More>>
Amber Gordon
I kept talking to my husband about it, who suggested I put a plan together. I dreamed out loud to my childhood best friend and found encouragement from friends & family. I also worked with an AMAZING staff of teachers at Bush Elementary in Steiner Ranch who are incredibly supportive of my new venture. With their support and the love from the families I teach, my heart is filled with overflowing LOVE that pushes me forward. Read More>>
James Wolfgang Kuntz
When he’s not working, you can find James outdoors—whether it’s around a campfire, hunting, fishing, or hanging out with his wife, Gracie, and their two labs, Maverick and Luna. Together, James and Gracie are excitedly awaiting the arrival of their baby girl Charlotte Day Kuntz. Read More>>
Emily Hill
I’m a content creator or influencer. It is a business where I provide advertising to brands and am able to help spotlight their products in grocery stores to fellow Texans. I do also earn some revenue from the social platforms themselves, for engagement on content. Read More>>
Sarah Smith
He was a pretty great sleeper the first few months and I was patting myself on the back (ha). The 4 month regression hit, teething hit, and everything went off the rails. The strategies that worked for my daughter, did not work for him. Where she was flexible, he was sensitive. Where she needed space, he wanted closeness. His sensitivities are different, his preferences are different and it was a whole new learning curve. We really tuned into him, and found methods that worked for him, and for us, and became a great sleeper too! Read More>>
Nina Harrison
As a single mom, I know what it’s like to juggle responsibilities, feel exhausted, and make excuses. But I also know that if you commit, trust the process, and do the work, transformation isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable. That’s why I share my knowledge not only with my clients but also through my YouTube channel, Nina Harrison Fitness, where I inspire and educate others on training, nutrition, and the mindset needed to achieve lasting results. Health is everything. As the saying goes, a healthy person has a thousand wishes, but a sick person has only one. Read More>>
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>>
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