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.
Yilong Peng
With the help of my college mentors, I founded the nonprofit and we created a curriculum and class where students like me could volunteer with hospice patients to document and publish their stories. Our first semester was a great success with 12 finished books. From there, things took off! The organization has continued to grow as more chapters have popped up at other schools and hospice programs, and I’ve gotten to work with people all across the country to improve our curriculum and writing process. Now I am in medical school and our work is still going strong! Read More>>
Peaceful Waters Retreat
In 1979, Bob and Trish met in a spiritual community on the east coast. All our lives since they were young, they’d both had a deep desire to give their lives over to serving a higher purpose. In Bob’s teen years, he’d even considered leaving home to become a monk! Over the years they’ve shared a consistent commitment to personal growth and a desire to return to a deeper relationship with the natural world. Read More>>
Melissa Bordeau Mark
Once in Austin, I quickly fell in love with the vibrant local music scene, attending live shows regularly. I revived my music blog, writing show reviews and conducting interviews with bands. Soon, I was being asked to photograph the shows I covered—something I’d always dreamed of but never had the resources to pursue. After two years in Austin, I finally bought myself my first camera, a Sony a6000, perfect for low-light concerts. What started as a hobby quickly turned into a passion, and I made the decision to leave my marketing job to pursue photography full-time in January of 2019. Read More>>
Stephen Belyeu
Since 2017, I’ve not stopped running. I’m always seeking out locations, planning calls, visiting the locations multiple times, digging into historical research, doing paranrmal investigating, and so on. Then, the journey’s not over. I must also put on my detective hat and try to, in some way, solve this mystery as best as I can. That involves sitting, listening, combing through all the evidence and history, then following leads that many times lead nowhere. But it’s an amazing journey every time and although it’s a struggle each time, it’s always incredibly rewarding. Read More>>
Joseph Martinez
Instead, I joined the military and became an Army Ranger. During that time, I had plenty of opportunities to make money tattooing, but I stayed true to my word and never did it. After my service, I finally had the chance to apprentice properly—and from there, everything fell into place. The rest is history!” Read More>>
Soyon Michelle Choi
Before coming here, I didn’t really know much about Austin. When I decided to study in the U.S., my boyfriend (currently, my spouse) and I were searching for schools that suited both of our needs. At first, UT Austin wasn’t even on my list. However, when I shifted my focus from sports management, which I studied through my master’s, to advertising, UT Austin quickly became my top choice. Read More>>
Valerie Mojica
I’ve always had a love for baking and all things crafty. In 2020 I started baking more and with my dogs always in the kitchen, how could I leave them out.! What was suppose to be a one time thing had turned into a small business that I enjoy so much! Knowing that what is going into my treats is healthy and beneficial for my dog and all my customers as well. The Bandanas and Bowties came a lil later. But I equally enjoy picking fabrics(bowties) and coming up with funny, cute saying(Bandanas)to style your dog and their personality. Read More>>
Adeline Rock
Of course not- life is full of ebbs and flows. But through any of the struggles or growing pains I’ve experienced during these 8 years, the passion for photographing moments of pure love and joy has been the overarching strength I’ve had to persist through any of those hardships. Read More>>
Leslie Martin
I was afforded the opportunity to take over the current space at 1900 South First Street and it was something I couldn’t pass up. I still wanted to be the same community focused place Bouldin was originally but in a space designed to be the full blown restaurant we had become. It took a while for Bouldin 2.0 to find it’s grove and change can be hard but things are great now. We have a great staff, the space is filled with art and laughter, our food is better than ever and we up on our 25th year. Read More>>
Sara Aleyce Roma
In 2020 I decided to freelance full-time as a motion designer and, thanks to friends made through my art activities, I was able to work primarily on music content, creating lyric videos for big names like Courntey Barnett, Adriana Quesada, and the Jonas Brothers, as well as local artists like JJS. Read More>>
Kendall Hanna
During Covid, I was processing some serious grief, trauma, and PTSD. It helped me understand and appreciate the importance of play and doing things just for fun. So I started playing with things in different mediums. One day I was looking at photos of woven furniture while I was playing with scraps of paper I painted for a previous project. I saw a weave I really liked and it was like a lightbulb moment. I decided to recreate that weave with the scraps and loved it. Read More>>
Benjamin Shrader
During my freshman year of college, I was part of a program then known as “Start Up Aggieland Program”, now known as the McFerrin Center for Entrepreneurship. This organization helps college students get their entrapanural dreams off the ground. At first, I was unsure what to do. I had no product, no widget, I couldn’t write code for an app, or even draw well. But, I could do one thing, and that was talk. So at first, I just pitched for other companies at competitions across the country while I gained the skills to launch my own. Read More>>
Robert Pedersen
Social conditioning has gotten most of us to a point where we’re uncomfortable with our bodies, finding all kinds of things wrong with them to the point that we simply can’t show up in life as we are. Instead we’re always projecting some sort of image from behind the masks we think will make us acceptable. Read More>>
Trey Hodge
I started gigging in small rock bands, garage bands, cover bands, you name it. I eventually started doing studio work in local studios, and really enjoyed being in an environment so primed for learning and creativity. I went to a brief stint in music school, but decided that was not for me (as I’ve always tried to be very mindful of excess debt). From leaving music school, but not wanting to give up on working music for a living, I began working for Carnival Cruise Lines as a ship-bound guitarist. That was quite the experience, but it made me way better at all aspects of music as a job. Read More>>
Brandon Wilhelm
My family started in the restaurant industry back in 1986 when I was 7 years old in northern Illinois. We ended up being successful franchisees and developers for Subway restaurants for many years and oversaw development and operations for over 200 restaurants. Obviously, restaurants and franchising has been in my blood since I was very young. I saw my parents risk everything to become entrepreneurs and they really instilled in me the value of hard work, leadership, risk-taking, and integrity in business. Read More>>
Alex Pradhan
That was such an exciting day. I rode it for just over a year and even took it to Santa Fe on a trip with Breakfast Club. Over time, I started documenting my rides on Instagram and sharing them. I just wanted to keep a record for myself. I guess you could say I’ve been posting cycling content on Instagram for 2-3 years now. I’d say my main focus these days is to share pictures and reels that encourage people to get out and ride. It’s not my full time job right now, so I have a lot of say-so as to what, when, and how I share ideas. My parents have always encouraged me to trust my gut instincts, lean into creativity, and bring positivity and thoughtfulness to every conversation and relationship. Read More>>
Tova Charles
I am a Black woman, and nothing has come easy. I have worked hard and dedicated myself to my city and slam community. As a mother of two energetic and highly intelligent children, they keep me on my toes, and I am deeply grateful to be their mom. My journey hasn’t been the smoothest, but I get to share this life with some incredible humans, and for that, I know it has all been worth it. Read More>>
Jean Elizabeth Buckner
Books and wine have always gone together, so that seemed to make intuitive sense to me. Also, as a reader who very rarely drank coffee, I was looking for more places outside of coffee shops that I could feel comfortable sitting and reading (i’ve been known to read books at the dog park, restaurants, and even while in line at the grocery store). Read More>>
Shameka Thompson
What I want readers to know about my brand is that Gem’s Sweets is a labor of love. Quality won’t diminish as the business grows, and it will always be guaranteed. And remember: like a gem, a gourmet cookie can be your best friend! Read More>>
Kelsey Edson
When I was 17, I took a graphic design class and knew it was what I wanted to do. After 14 years of doing freelance work, it started to become difficult to get a job so I decided to start doing graphic design for art purposes again. The Emo Alien began with hand embroidery and digital prints, but in June 2024, I acquired a laser cuter. Now I am spending each day wood cutting my own designs and hand painting each piece. Read More>>
Kaliegh Benck
After college, I landed a job in tech, taught myself how to code and joined the reporting and data analytics team. Over the years the stress and demand of the job was really starting to wear on me. I developed panic attacks for the first time in my life and my partner and I both agreed that this job wasn’t worth that toll on my health. I took a 3 month leave-of-absence and really dug into my hobby at that time. I started posting pictures of the things I’d made and was getting really positive feedback from family and friends. I had this moment where I was like, “I think I could do this full time. I WANT to do this full time.” Read More>>
Nilouphar Zahedi
When I finally got to the US I knew I wanted to become a chiropractor to help people get rid of their pain and discomfort through natural approaches, I learned that our body doesn’t work as an organ or system here or there but as a whole unit together. So I searched for more holistic approaches. Besides chiropractic, I studied functional nutrition, yoga, energy healing, and brain retraining. I’ve also continued working on my self-growth, and spirituality. I could see how powerful the human mind is and how we can create our realities with our thoughts. I could see how approaching human beings as a whole, can help them to not only survive and adopt their pain, but to heal and thrive. Read More>>
Stephanie Cano
I am best known for my senior work, as well as my senior rep club- known as SCP Rep Club. my passion lies in helping our youth see their value and grow in confidence. I truly believe that helping our youth grow in confidence and seeing themselves in a new light helps them prepare for the world ahead. my greatest passion is being a good role model for my younger girls. Read More>>
David Regone
I use graphic illustration techniques to create works that ultimately comment on the human condition. Most of my work centers around observation of urban living and the juxtaposition of natural beauty. I use my artwork as a way to connect with the community and highlight things that are otherwise overlooked. During the pandemic years I built out a campervan and moved from Brooklyn to Austin where I could be closer to family while still pursuing my career as a full time artist. I now live and work in Austin. Read More>>
Saúl Arteta
While I was studying my Major in Economics at college, I moved to Bruxelles (Belgium) and France where I started working in the restaurant industry. There I became in touch with the world of European culinary arts and I began to appreciate how important the fundamentals are—precision, technique, and the beauty of simple ingredients. But the more I traveled, the more I learned that cooking isn’t just about following rules. In Thailand, I discovered how bold flavors and spices could completely transform a dish. It opened my eyes to the endless possibilities in cooking and how it really is a universal language. Read More>>
Mara Wearden
As I got older, I studied languages in a more academic setting. It was during my study abroad experience in Shanghai, China, when that same realization I had as a three-year-old hit me again, but this time, not only was I recognizing how many different ways people communicate with each other, I was recognizing that the more languages you know, the more people you can talk to, build relationships with, and learn from. From this moment on, this has always been what language learning means to me. Read More>>
Erica Hom-yern
As I got older, I became the resident baker for my family. I would bake up sweets and desserts for all our holiday gatherings. It became my creative outlet. I eventually started a baking blog, which further helped me combine my love of pastry with all the Asian flavors I grew up with in New York City. I wrote recipes for creamy Thai tea cream puffs, black sesame egg tarts and pillowy milk bread cinnamon rolls. Read More>>
Hongmei Deng
I am the 2nd oldest of four daughters. My family did not have a lot of resources growing up, but we had a lot of love and a lot of grit. I was a young child during the cultural revolution, which made feeding our family very difficult. Starting at age 5 I would find odd jobs around my village to help my mother feed me and my sisters. Times were tough, a lucky week was one where we could afford one meal with a protein (chicken or pork). A lot of days we were hungry, and every day was a battle. This experience shaped my view on the world, and I vowed I would work as hard as I could to make sure that none of my loved ones would ever go hungry again. And thus my passion for hard work and tasty food was born. Read More>>
Erica Moreno
Hi everyone! My name is Erica Moreno, and I was born and raised on the Texas coast. (“Southside”) In high school, I fell in love with art and photography, and after graduating, I moved to Austin to pursue them as a career. I received my Associate’s degree at Austin Community College and loved my experience there. I worked part-time at ACC’s Visual Communication department and interned as a silkscreen printer with Coronado Studios. I also designed for a local punk rock magazine called Whoopsy! Directly after college, I was hired at a media company and went on to work my way from graphic designer to creative director. Read More>>
Icosa Collective
ICOSA Collective is an artist-run space that showcases a diverse range of contemporary art and programming. Founded in 2015, ICOSA was originally located within Pump Project’s former studio complex on Shady Lane. In June 2018 ICOSA Collective moved to nearby Canopy, east Austin’s blossoming gallery and studio hub at 916 Springdale Road. The gallery houses track lighting, high ceilings, with 1500 square feet of exhibition space and small gift shop. ICOSA Collective is a non profit organization that is home to a collective group of 20 artists, well known nationally and internationally, who have received numerous awards and grants and whose work is featured in various collections. Read More>>
Nicole Patel
I have a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Engineering degree from Texas A&M University. I started my career at Motorola in Austin, Texas, working in the semiconductor fab and yield improvement team. I earned a Master Black Belt certification from Motorola and oversaw the Six Sigma continuous improvement program at Freescale Semiconductor, focusing on quality and customer satisfaction and ended my engineering career as a Director of Quality. All of these experiences built the foundation for Delysia Chocolatier. Read More>>
Christine Hla
After we brought Lettuce home it was a long journey. She had health issues – mostly GI issues and had to be placed on a special diet. She still has problems but we definitely have the worst of it under control. Training took time as well. She had spent 5 years with no training or socialization at the puppy mill. We hired a trainer, remained patient and created a consistent home environment. Her lack of socialization made her fearful of people and other dogs. It took two years for her to come around to my partner but now they are besties. Read More>>
Marliza Mendez
That drive led me to Northwestern University, where I earned a master’s in communications, opening doors to work at MACRO—a multiplatform media company dedicated to amplifying Black and POC voices in film and television. At the end of my program, I had to decide whether to move to LA or New York to continue building my career. Ultimately, I chose to come back home to Texas, where my collaborators, family, and creative community are. With my background in education and film, I’m grateful to work at The Austin Film Society, where I’m the Program Coordinator in the Community Education department. Read More>>
Louren Suarez
As a proud first-generation Latina with roots in Honduras, my journey has been shaped by resilience, curiosity, and ambition. With a double major in Information Systems and Cybersecurity from the University of Texas at San Antonio, I’ve found my passion at the intersection of technology and problem-solving. Born and raised in Houston, I have been living in Austin for over two years, a city that has fueled both my personal and professional growth while becoming a place I’ve truly fallen in love with. Read More>>
Anne Shackelford
I’m most proud of the way my art supports others on their personal journeys. Whether through my artwork, yoga, or sound offerings, I aim to create immersive experiences that guide people toward inner peace and alignment. My work is a bridge—connecting beauty, energy, and intention to those who seek a deeper connection with themselves and the world around them. Read More>>
Kerisa Denison
My name is Kerisa and the story of my small business, Keep Earth Vintage, started during covid when I was living in LA and everything had shut down. I initially sold upcycled vintage shirts that I had embroidered–but at that time it was just a way to pass time; I didn’t view it as a possible business. A year later, I had moved to Texas and started to take my little venture seriously, all while living in a 30 ft renovated RV. I started reselling vintage and thrifted clothes on Etsy and my shop was becoming more and more popular which kind of took me by surprise because I was just doing what I loved. Read More>>
Connor Nutt
I wanted to create a comedy show that showcased the incredible comedic talent we have here in Austin while offering something fresh and unique. I’ve always been a fan of the old-school Las Vegas era—performers like Frank Sinatra and the rest of the Rat Pack. Inspired by that timeless, sophisticated vibe, I thought it would be fun to host a show where comedians performed in suits and cocktail attire, encouraging the audience to dress up and join in on the experience. Read More>>
Raeven K. Harris
I must have been four or five the first time I saw her sew, and I was mesmerized. The idea that you could create something from nothing felt like magic. I begged for a needle and thread, and while I don’t remember what I made that day, I remember the feeling: this was something I was meant to do. By seven, I had my first sewing machine—customized so I couldn’t run it at top speed (my mother feared for my fingers). From there, I spent every summer with my grandmother, learning everything she knew. When we reached the limits of her knowledge, she told my mother it was time for me to take lessons. Read More>>
Neil Dumra
My journey has been shaped by deep exploration of embodiment, movement, and healing. Sports, culture, travel, and community have always guided me, but everything changed after an accident led to heavy metals being implanted into my hips. This caused profound health issues that Western healthcare failed to address. Through my healing, I discovered how genetic trauma, ancestral patterns, and family dynamics influence our well-being. Read More>>
Aime Brunn
I visited my friend Ty Gibson for SXSW and liked the city. Since the city was big for music I figured it would be a good place to be since I had been laid off from my job at NPR. Before I moved to Austin, I was a broadcast recording tech for NPR after finishing school for Audio engineering in Rockville, MD. I brought my audio engineering and production skills to Austin and was able to make a way. Read More>>
Rafael Colon Hernandez
As a mortgage broker I am proud to assist Fred Kelley Mortgage as we allow Veterans to understand there VA Benefits while also helping everyone reach their home-buying goals. So in essence I’m proud to bring honor, trust, commitment to the Austin home-buying experience just like I have done across the globe as a soldier Read More>>
Kevin Flatt
With it’s wonderful music community, I continue to love playing and hanging in this town. It opens up so many opportunities to make music with so many great players. I’m always searching for my next band or project to have some fun with! I’m currently playing in a wonderful entertainment company, Moontower Entertainment, as well as my own group, K Flatt & Friends. I’m also a member of Graffiti Phunk. We are a new Austin wrecking crew of musicians exploring the world of funk, horn sections, rap, soul, and groove! Read More>>
Vasavi Kumar
Now, as a visibility and self-expression coach, podcast host, and speaker, I teach business owners, coaches, and creatives how to show up with confidence, both in their business and in their everyday lives. Whether it’s through my Say It Out Loud group program, my masterclasses for neurodivergent entrepreneurs, or my on-camera training visibility reset, my mission is clear: to help people stop hiding, embrace their energy, and be fully seen and heard. Read More>>
Gregory Johnson
During the COVID era, I decided to take a break from the indoor volleyball scene and joined a queer + ally sand volleyball league. While it was fun, I quickly noticed that the queer leagues in Austin at the time focused solely on competition, with little effort to foster community outside of gameplay. Later, I learned that the sand volleyball league I had joined was based out of Los Angeles, and they had no intention of deepening the community experience here in Austin. When that organization took an extended break due to COVID-19, the void became clear. Read More>>
Melanie Suber
Fast forward to today, and we now run one of the top real estate teams in Texas, helping buyers, sellers, and investors maximize their opportunities. With our background in marketing, negotiation, and data-driven strategies, we don’t just sell homes—we help our clients build wealth through real estate. Read More>>
Anton Shaporov
Despite the struggles, I was determine to learn English as quickly as possible. I wanted to be equal, to have an ability to express myself and build my life in my new home. With the help of incredible people who supported me, I adapted and learned. I still remember the taste of that glass of wine, when I pour to myself in celebration, finishing reading my first book in English- Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. Read More>>
Tenaya Wickstrand
Moving to Austin was the catalyst for me to say, “You know what, what do I want my life to be? What do I want to show my children?” I wanted them to see someone following their passion and pursuing a dream. Creating a job for themselves that they loved. So I just did it. Needing to know everything or have things perfect ca be such a barrier, but I refused to let that doubt be the thing that prevented me. Read More>>
Merilee Mckinley
After getting my degree, I dove into my own self-love journey, which was helpful for both my personal life and my career. It had become important for me to learn how to love myself without needing to compare my appearance or accomplishments to others. So many doors have opened for me ever since i started sharing my journey online, and I only hope that my passion and dedication towards a positive mental image can be shown in everything I do! I couldn’t have gotten to this point without my loving family, supportive friends, and my incredible husband. Read More>>
John Wiley Schexnayder
I realized the demand for carbon repair and custom frame paint in Austin and saw an opportunity to fill the niche. Diving in headfirst, I bought the necessary equipment to put out top quality work. I officially started my LLC in August 2024 and have stepped back at Austin Tricyclist to working only a couple days a week all so that I can properly focus my time on painting bikes and doing carbon repair. I have been incredibly fortunate to find my passions and be able to follow them wholeheartedly. This work has truly allowed me to intertwine my inner engineer and artist! Read More>>
Charles “chuck” Foster Jr
This sparked my search for programs like the Master Naturalist program, connecting me with non-profits such as the Austin Parks Foundation. My desire to learn and engage with the outdoors intensified. Now, eight years after leaving my urban planner role, I proudly run my own landscaping business, maintain 13 miles of hiking trails, serve as a part-time project leader for the Austin Parks Foundation, and hold the position of President of a park adopter group and the Capital Area Master Naturalist. I’m outside 98% of the year, and I couldn’t be happier with the direction my life has taken. Read More>>
Nawaf Hassan
My journey began humbly, with a simple two-burner propane stove in my garage. I started popping up at different events across Austin, sharing Knafeh with anyone willing to give it a try. What began as a small initiative quickly grew as people connected not just with the flavors but also with the story behind them. The warmth and hospitality I’ve experienced in Austin have been incredible, and I’m grateful for every conversation, every shared plate, and every person who has taken a moment to learn about Palestine through this dessert. Read More>>
Adrian Viloria
I am Adrian Viloria, an entrepreneur and visionary who believes deeply in the power of pursuing dreams. I work tirelessly to make my goals a reality, always confident that anything is achievable with dedication and hard work. Family is at the heart of everything I do, and my primary motivation is to create businesses that provide value, enabling me to have more time with my loved ones. Read More>>
Queer Black Women Alliance
She had just recently discovered she was queer and was looking community. After having a successful community outreach program for almost two years, she decided she wanted to make a more lasting impact on her community that extended past social events and asked other fellow queer black women if they wanted to start a nonprofit organization together. Under her leadership, QBWA was the recipient of a Best of Austin Award given by the Austin Chronicle in 2023, a BlaQ Award, and a Human Rights Campaign certificate for their contributions to the Austin community. One of her most notable accomplishments is her creation of an At-Risk Youth Mentorship Program within QBWA to help at-risk youth involved in the juvenile detention center and she is currently a mentor herself. Read More>>
Brenda Patricia Garza
The entertainment industry has always captivated me. From a young age, I felt a deep connection to storytelling and performance. At just seven years old, I knew I wanted to be on television in some capacity. Over time, I began appearing in commercials, but my true journey in the industry didn’t begin until my early 20s when I was fortunate enough to host *Club Affairs*, a locally aired TV show. Read More>>
Fanny Gonzalez
Corazon Latino Dance Studio opened its doors in the Austin, Texas community in the year 2009. Today it continues to beat with a rhythm that is stronger than ever, and continues to pursue its initial goal to combine exercise and fun while promoting overall health.Corazon Latino is the heart felt creation of Fanny Gonzalez, and two other entrepreneurs who wanted to bring Latino music to the Austin community as a means of health and fitness. Read More>>
Yani Larie
I had to look deep at parts of myself that I didn’t want to see to heal myself this was my “shadow work.” I began offering my tarot reading services through an app called “BIGO” and began helping people “bounce back” from trauma online. It was then that I knew my calling was to help other people overcome trauma by cleansing their energy simply by being myself. Most spiritual advisors follow certain rules in terms of “how” they heal others, but I learned that life gets so damn messy and overwhelming at times that there’s no time to plan and there are no rules to follow. Read More>>
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>>
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