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.
Justice Cammack
Including performances with various bands and solo performances, I have over 3,000 stage performances to my name. I’ve pretty much lost count at this point. I have had the incredible experiences of opening for legendary acts like The Temptations, Joan Jett, and Mint Condition. Read more>>
Jacob Bates
Our organization opened up Bird Creek Burger Co in Downtown Temple off of Main Street in 2017 as a small family run business. We wanted to bring something a little different to the downtown area with specialty burgers and scratch kitchen offerings. As time progressed we saw the potential for Downtown Temple’s growth and decided to renovate a historical property and open up Treno Pizzeria & Taproom in 2020 off of 1st Street. Read more>>
Lacey Kay Levi
After my own struggles with mental health and escapism (usually with alcohol), I felt like I finally “found myself” in 2017. 2 years later I met my husband, Chace Levi, who is a very talented bass player and sound engineer. We are in a few bands together, have a sound company, and a really wonderful family life (with three amazing kiddos ages 16, 18, and 23). Read more>>
Rusty Bettis
I set up Mpact Sports in 2014 after spending 20 years as a Wholesale Executive with Bank of America. My daughter was an exceptional volleyball player at an early age. After playing a team from a low income area in Austin, she asked “dad, how can they be so bad?”. I responded “you don’t understand, they aren’t in a position to get year round Olympic style training in volleyball, it’s expensive”. I realized my daughter(and her friends in DS) were disconnected to the real world. This always stuck with me. Read more>>
Rohan Sreenivasan
Shortly thereafter I entered the management side of operations at the now defunct Silver and Stone Fine Dining restaurant, the ability to impact guests experience on a larger scale and now positioning to be more of a teacher & guide who could pass on knowledge & support was something that really spoke to me. Read more>>
Franklin Dusserre
Dylan Petrich, my business partner, and I were both born in the same hospital in Paris 1 year apart, two French dads and two American moms, but we didn’t actually meet until college in Philadelphia. After graduating, we both pursued careers in finance and private equity, working long hours on deals that didn’t necessarily reflect the kind of life or purpose we wanted. Read more>>
Amelia Floyd
In February 2020, our Board of Directors organized, led and hosted a “Bubbles and Bags” luncheon, specifically designed to raise awareness of our organization with parents – and really started with the Moms in our community. With the help of TV personality, Bob Guiney of The Bachelor and Bachelorette fame, we exceeded our attendance and fundraising goal. We were off to a strong and energizing start as an organization, with our sights clearly set on bringing in-person mental health resources to parents, community groups, and local schools. Read more>>
Catie Auchter
When the world slowed down during Covid, so did my pursuit of an acting career. Like so many people, I was left wondering what came next. The one thing that consistently brought me joy was being around animals. Whether it was walking a dog through an app or spending time with my own pets, those moments brought me so much happiness. Read more>>
Karen & Graham Knight ~ Pierce
Our story began as a love for the natural world and a longing to create a place where life could breathe again. Graham was born and raised in the garden county of Wicklow, Ireland, where care for land and community is a way of life. Read more>>
Martelle Luedecke
Rooted in Legacy, Growing in Purpose When your family helped settle Travis County in 1831, deep roots come with the territory. For me, those roots have always meant a sense of belonging, resilience, and commitment to community. My life has been shaped by those same values — a mix of heritage, hard work, and hope that I try to carry into everything I do. Read more>>
Makayla Lambert
I’ve always been drawn to visual storytelling, I have never really been good with words so I try to show not tell. My creative journey began at Rouse High School where my piece about the polarization inside of my local school board meetings was picked up by PBS Newshour. That project taught me how powerful media is at relaying important messages. Read more>>
Priya Kumar
My story began on the Forty Acres — where I first discovered my fascination with supply chains. They felt like an endless puzzle to solve, each day presenting a new challenge and a new opportunity to find a smarter solution. That sense of curiosity and problem-solving has guided me ever since. Read more>>
Maria Vanillo Enriquez
Sweet Understanding Counseling opened in 2022 to create a space where clients felt supported throughout every step of their counseling journey. Whether you’re new to therapy or have years of experience, my goal is to minimize the intimidation of asking for help. Read more>>
Richard Sager
I moved to texas back In 2021 and while working down here I decided to take a leap of faith and start something I had a deep passion for which is cards and collectibles. Read more>>
Amanda Pfeiffer
Thank you so much for taking the time to let me share my story! I’m a seventh-generation Texan from the Houston area, and from a very young age, I subjected my parents and younger brother to many living room performances. I think I’ve always felt the most like myself when I’m singing or playing a character. Read more>>
Michael Coleman
I’ve always had an interest in Art for as long as I can remember. I’m the oldest of a large Irish Catholic family so my parents got me drawing and painting gifts a lot for my birthday and Christmas. I really liked the drawing projects, I fondly remember the pencil drawings scenes and the charcoal compositions I copied from the kits. Read more>>
Sara Weber
My story really began long before I ever opened my own practice. Like many therapists, I was drawn to this work because I care deeply about helping people find their way back to themselves, to feel seen, supported, and capable of change even when life feels messy. Read more>>
Justin Kessel
Justin’s journey began with over two decades in the home services industry before branching out as an entrepreneur in 2016, launching Kessel Group Insurance Solutions. While growing that business, he became deeply involved in local networking groups and quickly discovered a real passion and talent for connecting people and helping them succeed. Read more>>
Natasha Klavon
Moonflower Wellness really grew out of both my personal healing and my professional experience as a counselor over the past 18 years. I’ve spent years helping people navigate trauma, anxiety, and disconnection, but the deeper I went in my own journey, the more I realized that healing isn’t just about talking through the past. Read more>>
Janelle Lee Austin
After leaving the tech world in 2022, I’ve spent the last three years in school, earning my Associate’s in Radio, TV, and Film from ACC and now finishing up my bachelor’s at Texas State in December 2025. Read more>>
Lee Little
I have always had a fascination with cars. Especially the design and the look. Most cars can look clunky and non-descript, but others stand out and memorable and iconic. I had three old cars and my wife told me figure out a way to make money with those old cars or they have to go. Read more>>
Roderick Robeson, CPA, CTP
After leaving the military, I earned my Finance degree from Baylor University, fully intending to become a stockbroker or day trader. You could say I became an accountant by accident. While preparing for my Series 7 exam, I took on some part-time work helping a friend whose partnership was thriving financially but was an absolute mess on paper. Read more>>
Stephanie Garcia
I began my career working with children and families providing play therapy services, and opened my private practice, Volver Counseling, two years ago. I have spent the majority of my career working in community mental health in various places throughout the country, including Texas, Massachusetts, New Orleans, and Colorado. Read more>>
Celia McDonald
I am a native Austinite. My mom is from Crystal City, TX the Spinach capital of the world and my father is from Newport, RI. I am proud of my mixed heritage of being both Caucasian and Hispanic. My father was stationed at Bergstrom AFB, when I was born. My family was blessed to be stationed all over the world. Read more>>
Chris Cunningham
Nervous Charlie’s started as a passion project. When we moved to Austin, I couldn’t find a good bacon, egg, and cheese — the kind I grew up eating back home on Long Island. So my wife and I decided to open a place that could fill that gap — a true New York–style bagel shop built on authenticity, quality, and community. Read more>>
Carissa Hartman
Growing up I was always passionate about art and animals. I went to art school and worked as a visual merchandiser and visual display artist for major retailers and small privately owned boutiques. While in art school, I had to complete a business plan for one of my classes and did one on a dog business. Read more>>
Swanee Browning
Nearly three decades ago, my husband and I arrived in the heart of the Texas Hill Country with a dream and a deep appreciation for community. Back then, I was known as Mrs. Browning to generations of students. As an educator, I was devoted to shaping young minds for 31 years. Read more>>
Michelle Patterson
My Story Like many people, my career path changed during COVID. At the time, I was a bartender searching for a new opportunity after the shutdowns closed my workplace. I decided to take a leap of faith — I enrolled in my residential appraiser courses, found a mentor, and hustled through the post-COVID real estate boom. Read more>>
Justin Bryan
After college, I spent about 15 years working in the oil and gas industry. Eventually, my family and I decided we wanted to get out of the city and move back to a smaller town with more family around, so we settled in Lexington, TX. That’s when I started doing construction full time, and things have been going really well. Read more>>
CJ Geoffroy
In 1980, my dad moved the family here to Austin from Irvine, California and I’ve been here ever since. With all of the Californians here now, I like to joke that I started that movement. I grew up in NW Austin and have remained here ever since. Read more>>
Arturo Navarrete
Born and raised in Mexico city, proud from where i come from and a huge influence in my career, went to Cordon Bleu culinary school, worked for them to obtain a scholarship, Worked for a pastry/ chocolate shop before My parents opened a restaurant which i became chef for until they had to close due to personal issues. Read more>>
Shea Goltzman
My path has always been guided by a deep commitment to people—helping families find stability, opportunity, and a sense of belonging. Before stepping into housing, I spent years in education and advocacy, working with multiple state and national organizations, eventually serving as Texas State Policy Chief and later Chief of Staff for the National Parents Union. Read more>>
Alycia DeGraff
Comprehensive Mental Health was born out of an unwavering belief that mental health care could, and should, be done differently. I met Dr. Garcia in the trenches of corporate health care circa 2016. At the time, I was a bright-eyed therapist fresh out of my PhD program and Dr. Read more>>
Hampton Young
I started at the very bottom as a 15-year-old boy earning $12 an hour, carrying bundles of shingles up a ladder. Twenty years later, after gaining extensive knowledge about roofing and construction, I became a project manager for a large roofing company. Read more>>
Justin Mauldin
I got my start at Apple back when the iPhone was just taking off, which was kind of like being at the center of the universe at that time. Read more>>
Xenia Kempf
I was born and raised in Hungary, and my first degree was actually in economics from Budapest Business School. Life took an unexpected but beautiful turn when I immigrated to the United States in 2010 to be with my husband. Read more>>
Brooke Dlouhy
The height of my Hair & Makeup career: Getting to watch clients on the big screen is just different. Working with Glenn Powell in the launch of his career with Top Gun ll & in addition of Apollo 10 1/2 movie production by Richard Linklater was an incredible experience. Read more>>
Jorge Chavez
I was born in Mexico and spent much of my childhood moving from place to place after my parents’ divorce, an experience that was both disorienting and formative. Growing up, therapy wasn’t something people in my culture openly discussed. Emotional struggles were often minimized, and mental health was rarely a topic at the table. Read more>>
Caitlyn Rose Clark
We’ll have to go back to the beginning. The year is 1985, and my dad is down on one knee, declaring to Mom all of the reasons why she must marry him. The one that got her? “I can promise that our lives will always be about something bigger than ourselves.” Forty years later, he more than delivered. Read more>>
Katrina Bolton
I’ve always known I wanted to build something of my own — something deeply rooted in intention, care, and community. I grew up with an entrepreneurial spirit, but I didn’t always know what that would look like. What I did know was that I loved helping people feel confident in their own skin. Read more>>
Marian Garrard
“I remember it like it was yesterday…” Over 40 years ago, I walked into We Are Blood for the first time. Instantly, it felt like home. Looking around the donation room, I could tell the phlebotomists and donors had built meaningful relationships – it truly felt like a family. At just 22 years old, I decided to pursue a job in phlebotomy. Read more>>
Jayme Shiarla
I spent a lot of years believing that the more I achieved, the more I’d be loved, respected, and seen as “enough.” So I chased success relentlessly — working harder, pushing further, and constantly trying to prove my worth through what I accomplished. But what it really brought me was burnout, exhaustion, and a deep sense of loneliness. Read more>>
PierGiorgio Manna
Pier Giorgio Manna has been involved in the restaurant business since 1964. He has owned and operated several restaurants in northern Italy, for approximately 25 years. He is also a certified Professional Sommelier. His masterpiece is the well known ‘Ristorante da Silvio’ located in the town of San Michele all’Adige, near Trento, (north Italy) in the heart of the Dolomite mountains. Read more>>
Maria Orozova
I’ve always been drawn to spaces that tell a story. As an entrepreneur and creative, I’ve spent years helping brands build their identities, shaping how they look, sound, and connect with people. But I’ve also seen firsthand how much our surroundings influence the way we think, collaborate, and create. Read more>>
Michael Bourne
IThe story of Bourne Environmental Consulting is rooted in personal loss and a lifelong commitment to protecting others. In 1985, just before my senior year of high school, my father passed away from mesothelioma — a rare, aggressive, and often fatal form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Read more>>
Christian Mattson
Christian Mattson is the dynamic founder of Wagyu on Wheels (www.wagyuonwheels.com), a woman-owned gourmet food truck in the Cedar Park/Leander, Texas area known for its premium Wagyu beef burgers and creative sides. Read more>>
Carrie + Jeff Leinen
Jeff and I purchased Assisted Living Locators of Austin after Jeff retired as an Emergency Room Physician with over 30 years of clinical experience. With my nearly 20 years as a Realtor, we decided to team up to help seniors and their families find senior housing and care solutions that meet their needs and fit their budgets. Read more>>
Bruce & Sandy Bottcher
As with so many other businesses, we face higher property taxes and insurance. After covid, the cost of goods escalated, causing a strain on each of us. We have tried to keep our service prices down in order to help our patients be able to afford their health care, but in order to stay in business, we have to bring in enough to pay our bills also. We are a cash only business, but we do take credit cards, checks and cash. The credit card companies have begun to gouge us with higher prices and extra charges that were not originally charged; therefore, we have had to pass the credit card fees on to our patients. Read more>>
Tamuka & Jazmine Simango
We created Water Your Plants because we wanted to make intentional spaces for people to connect and build community. Austin is a beautiful city with a lot going on, but sometimes that can lead to a lot of surface level interactions and we want to help change that narrative. Read more>>
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