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.
Ria Saint John
Now, I’m booking lead parts in various indie films around Texas and branching out to other markets. I’m constantly in class working on my craft and loving every moment of it. I surprise myself almost daily and there is always something new to learn. Acting is my business. It’s not a hobby and it’s definitely something I take very seriously. Read more>>
Hannah Williams
Growing up in Los Angeles, I was surrounded by the arts my whole life. I loved performing and dreamed of being on stage for the rest of my life. I studied acting and singing and picked up the guitar and songwriting at 17. The very first song I wrote shared a story of triumph and reframing my mindset. Little did I know, that thought process would shape everything I pursued going forward! I also started attending yoga classes and felt a connection to my body and sprit that I hadn’t ever felt before. Read more>>
Jose Flores
I’m proud of all my work even though much of it has been emotionally taxing to make, because on the other side of the lens there is often immense pain and suffering. The stories I’ve helped tell have shown everything from the stark realities of war and genocide abroad to racial injustices, trans rights, and environmental issues closer to home, and many other issues. I’m always humbled by the resilience of people fighting to survive, resist, or come together for change. They remind me why storytelling matters and why I keep showing up to do this work. Read more>>
Joi Conti
TAYO NA is a 40-page editorial magazine founded and photographed by me, Joi Conti. I consider myself to be a vibrant and bold storyteller who creates a spotlight for fellow artists through my distinctive visual perspective of showcasing people’s own tales to the world. Read more>>
Kyle Ray
I started Geek Window Cleaning back in 2007 as a side hustle. At the time, I was just trying to make a little extra money—knocking doors, cleaning a few windows, and figuring things out as I went. Read more>>
racquel theis
As a child my mom put me to bed every night with massages. My love for relaxation and bodywork began as a small child who was able to experience the profound benefits of massage therapy. In 2018 I decided to pursue my massage career after going through my own personal physical struggles. Read more>>
Lindsey White
At 25, I left Austin for New York City to pursue a career in fashion. What began as a dual interest in modeling and design grew into 12 years immersed in the garment district, where I developed a deep appreciation for form, detail, and craft. Read more>>
Sky Zito
I have loved music for as long as I can remember! It’s always been my passion! I dabbled with learning to play an instrument as young as five years old but the age of twelve is when I really got serious about becoming a professional musician. Read more>>
Devon Lampman
After moving from Bryan-College Station to Austin at 21 to pursue my passion for BMX riding, I scraped by with low-paying jobs—but I was content. The flexible hours gave me time to ride, which was all I really cared about then. I knew a lot of fellow BMX riders who worked at Barton Springs Bike Rental (BSBR), but I never had much interest. Read more>>
Larry Gipson
You might think that as a pastor I’ve always had faith, but that’s not my story. When I was eight years old I became an atheist after learning that our preacher had been having an affair with the wife of one of the deacons. Read more>>
Mkali Bailey, CBA
I started my journey in balloons and event décor over six years ago, with a passion for creating experiences that brought people joy. What began as small projects for family and friends quickly grew into Alexander Reign & Company. For the past four years, I’ve been working full-time as a certified balloon artist, specializing in intricate designs and large-scale installations. Read more>>
Reza Rostamnejad
I’ve had a few “before and after” moments in my life. The first was at 17, when I left my home country alone and landed in the U.S. with a heavy accent and a short vocabulary. The first week felt like silence—wanting to say so much and not knowing the words yet. I picked up shifts, picked up phrases, and kept showing up. Read more>>
Maddy Velez
I’ve always loved creating content for myself because I enjoy sharing my life with the world in fun and creative ways. My content journey really took off here in Austin earlier this year when I met a local business owner and did my first collab. Read more>>
Marceline Amaris
I was born in Turkey and grew up in the U.S. as an immigrant kid who always felt like I didn’t quite fit in—people noticed I stood out within seconds of meeting me. In 2018, freshly 21, I moved to Austin with nothing but time and a job at one of the most unforgiving coffee chains. Read more>>
Josie McKinney
Josie McKinney – Chef, Author, and Culinary Storyteller Josie McKinney is a classically trained chef, restaurateur, and author who has dedicated her career to celebrating food as both a cultural and personal journey. Originally from Alaska, where she owned and ran a bed-and-breakfast and a cooking school, Josie developed a deep love for hospitality, teaching, and creating dishes that connect people to place. Read more>>
Marino Cortina Jr
La Parrilla LAC started when Marino moved from Chicago to Texas. Growing up, his family cooked tacos, and food was always a part of his life. While working as a bouncer and security guard in Chicago, Marino realized that what he really wanted to do was cook. In Georgetown, he met Enrique at a local food park. Read more>>
Alexandra Lytle
I’ve always been passionate about photography—ever since I was a little girl. I spent every summer with my grandparents, and those summers were nothing short of magical. We’d pack into their motor home and travel across the country—hiking through national parks, riding the Amtrak through the backcountry of the Northwest, and building sandcastles along the beaches in the South. Read more>>
Catalina Velez-Watson
I was born in Medellín, Colombia, and raised in Queens, New York, as an only child surrounded by strong, independent immigrants who taught me the importance of values, compassion, and respect. Read more>>
Jeff Clark
JEFF CLARK Jeff Clark has been performing with bands since the 7th Grade, with the highlight of his career playing with the iconic Austin band, Too Smooth from 1974 to 1980. He was a songwriter, vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist for Too Smooth, featuring all original music from its inception. Read more>>
Jesse Brede
I moved to Austin, Texas in 1998 to go to the University of Texas for computer science and business. While attending UT, I fell in love with electronic music and became an active DJ and promoter. While at college, I began working for Josh Baer’s first company, Skylist, which was at the forefront of email marketing. Read more>>
Amanda Vernor
I began teaching Yoga in 2002, later certifying in Classical Pilates and soon after in the GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methods. I was drawn to the depth of these practices and the way they connect mind and body with a precision and integrity that transcend trends. In 2009, I opened Somaspace, which has since grown into a destination for those seeking more than just a workout. Read more>>
Dayne Watkins
I went to Texas State University without really knowing what I wanted to do. I love screenwriting and wanted to find the closest thing to it. I took an ‘Intro to Advertising’ class and learned all about the creative side of it. Read more>>
Jeanine Rains
After a 28-year career in the travel industry, I lost my job as a Global Account Manager due to COVID-19 in 2020. While I valued my role, my team and my clients, this unexpected change encouraged me to explore a new path. My husband and I refinanced our house, and a mobile notary’s visit to our home sparked an idea. Read more>>
Lori Hopkins
Started working as cake decorator in bakery while attending college in San Marcos. My manager that trained me was a pastry chef that migrated from France. Best teacher I could have had. I ended up managing 5 different retail bakery locations around the Austin area from 2000 to 2007. Read more>>
Justin Han
The Music Mixer ATX was founded in 2022, fresh off the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic. As people started gathering again, I was eager to get back out and play music, but everything felt different — including me. Read more>>
Mary Richardson-Perez
“Studio Satya began as a small backyard studio behind my house. I had been teaching for many years, at various studios, and wanted a space to offer private sessions and small in-depth workshops. In 2019, two of the main studios I taught at closed and I decided it was time to open up a larger studio in a commercial space. Read more>>
Leigh Anne Malcolm
I’m a proud Texas native, originally from a small town where community and creativity were always close to my heart. After high school, I moved to San Marcos and never looked back—this vibrant area has been home for over 20 years. It’s where I met my husband in college, and together we’ve built a beautiful life in Buda, raising our two amazing daughters. Read more>>
Holly Orr
The short answer is my hobby of paddling on the river took over and became my profession. A more in-depth look at the history of my business will take you back to when I was in high school. Read more>>
Stephanie Louie
I was born and bred in California and never thought I would find myself in Texas. Read more>>
Josh Putman
I’m Josh, a former Air Force member, and my wife Katie is a 5th-grade teacher. We were ready for a new adventure when we decided to open On the Go Coffee Co! Both of us grew up in families where coffee was more than just a drink—it was a tradition that brought people together. Read more>>
Amy Michelle Frank
I like to utilize storage solutions already in place, but maybe in a more resourceful way – I love to repurpose! I will use a shoe box in a drawer to organize socks for example. Repurpose, reuse, reduce is what I like to keep in mind when organizing. Read more>>
Audie Alcorn
However, if you had asked me even back then (and to this day) what my favorite classes at Southwestern had been, I would have answered, without hesitation, the courses I had taken in Philosophy, Religion, Psychology, and Fine Arts, credits which were required as part of Southwestern’s liberal-arts focus. No Accounting or Economics courses would have made that list, even though those subjects were my major and minor. Read more>>
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