The Change-Makers: stories that inspire

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.

Benjamin Rizk

Hello!  My name is Benjamin Rizk and I am the owner of CCD Security Consulting.  I grew up in a small town in Central Texas where i spent most of my early years serving at church and the local community, helping shape a lifelong passion for loving and serving people. Read more>>

Rebecca Franchione

The road to my TV show ‘The Mother Flip’ on A&E and designing/flipping houses started during Covid when I went to my hometown of Fort Smith, AR to remodel my Dad’s home that I grew up in. Read more>>

ANA BEATRIZ MUNOZ RUIZ

My story has been a bit of a journey, geographically and personally. I was born in Veracruz, raised in Mexico City, then built a home and started my family in Cancun…and now I’m based in Austin, Tx. So I guess you could say I’ve learned to carry ‘home’ with me wherever I go. Read more>>

Carita Jundt

My name is Carita Jundt, and I currently serve as the Executive Director of the Bandera Visitor Center. My journey here has been shaped by a wide range of experiences, both professionally and personally. I hold an Associate and Bachelor of Science degree, as well as a Master’s in Business, which have helped guide my career across several fields. Read more>>

Cory Brymer

I grew up around the telecommunications and infrastructure industry through my family’s business, CoCom. I started in the warehouse when I was young, spent summers working in the field, and learned the business from the ground up. Read more>>

Jola Ogunleye

I was doom-scrolling on TikTok one day and saw someone DJing in their bedroom. My immediate thought was, “Wait… I could totally do better than that.” So naturally, the very next day I marched into Guitar Center, bought a full setup with absolutely no plan, and taught myself how to DJ from scratch. Read more>>

Tishy Bryant

I didn’t start out in photography the traditional way. I began my career at GSD&M, where I learned the creative side of advertising and the power of storytelling. From there, I moved into the PR world, expanding into communications, social media, and operations. Read more>>

KEVIN MCAFEE

I grew up in Austin feeling slightly out of rhythm with the world around me. From an early age, I was labeled with ADD and placed on medication, and for years I quietly internalized the idea that something about the way I experienced life needed to be corrected. Read more>>

Bri Hermosillo

I am an interdisciplinary practitioner and artist working at the intersection of ancestral healing, creative expression, and transformational care. I was born into a lineage where communication with the spirit world and ancestral healing practices were part of everyday life. Read more>>

Navaji David Nava

Dance has been at the center of my life since I was 12 years old, but over time my path grew into something much larger than performance alone. It expanded into guidance, healing, and expression. Read more>>

Luz Lopez-Guerrero

I am known for my community engagement, leadership dedicated to connecting individuals and families especially within underserved and Latino communities to meaningful healthcare resources and support. With a background in healthcare, business development, and provider relations, she brings a well-rounded perspective to building partnerships and expanding community outreach. Read more>>

Avai D’Amico

I was making films across a wide variety of genres, and while that was a lot of fun for me, I found it was difficult to build any sort of following with that approach. I decided to focus on crime dramas so I could build a following while still telling stories that involved elements of thrillers, romance, and even action comedy. Read more>>

Vivian Zana

My background is in design, and I’ve always been drawn to how a space feels, what makes a home feel right, what gives it potential, and how to see beyond what it is to what it could be. I started my career in luxury fashion, representing independent designers and working with high end boutiques and department stores. Read more>>

Pharaoh Loren

My story started in the very early years of elementary. Even at that age, I desired to create things no one had seen regardless of the teacher trying to keep me in a box. Also during these early years of elementary, I was bullied for my appearance – I had big glasses and had broken my front teeth in a bicycle accident. Read more>>

Yara Castelan

My journey into the world of luxury event design was never just about fabric and draping — it was always about creating moments that people would never forget. I founded Unique Design & Events back in 2008 with a simple but powerful belief: that every event, no matter the size or budget, deserves to feel extraordinary. Read more>>

Erik Aiple

I didn’t set out to build a retreat platform, I grew up inside the problem. My mom was a yoga and wellness professional, so from a young age I saw the behind the scenes reality. Amazing practitioners, incredible at what they do, but constantly stretched thin trying to organize retreats, manage logistics, fill spots, and make the numbers work. Read more>>

Lahoma Dade

I started Events Unleashed in 2014, but the path that led me there began years earlier, in two places that did not seem connected at the time. The first was banking. I worked inside a financial institution and supported our community reinvestment giving, which gave me a front-row seat to how capital moved into the community and, just as importantly, where it did not. Read more>> 

Zackary McCaskill

My journey with Two Feathers Pinecones started in the summer of 2016–2017 with a simple moment of curiosity. I saw someone wearing a necklace that caught my attention, and when I asked about it, they told me it was made from a pinecone by a company in California. Read more>>

Diana Castillo

I’ve always known that I wanted to work with people, but my path wasn’t completely linear. I initially studied Business Administration, and for a few years after graduating, I found myself unsure of what direction I truly wanted to take. Read more>>

Pika Dubey

It began around the time of Covid , The world had slowed down, but my mind had not. I found myself sitting with questions I had never truly allowed space for before questions about existence, purpose, and the strange, shared reality we all inhabit. Why are we here? Read more>>

Ramya Shankar

I had musical training from the age of four, growing up in Bangalore, India, in a south indian but a cosmopolitan, open-minded household. Music was never separate from life—it was part of how I understood emotion, culture, and expression from an early age. Read more>>

Julia Aziz

My current work as a psychotherapist and ceremonialist looks quite different than when I began in the mid-nineties. I started out on a pretty traditional path studying psychology then social work, but the mental health perspective felt limited to me, especially in relation to the bigger existential questions. Read more>>

Jill Siegel

My path didn’t start with a design school degree or a grand plan. It started with curiosity and a deep belief that the spaces we live in shape how we feel every day. Partnering with my husband Daniel, along with co-owning California Closets of the Texas Hill Country for almost 20 years, was really our first education in what people truly want from their homes. Read more>>

Gregory Collier

I’ve been part of the fitness industry for more than 35 years, and my journey really began in the 1980s during my time in the Army, where I served as the Weight Control NCOIC. That experience sparked a lifelong passion for health, strength, and discipline. Read more>>

Steph Douglass

In 2013, I was a first-year elementary school teacher in Dove Springs when my landlord raised my rent past what I could afford. That moment was a fork in the road. I could keep renting at the mercy of someone else’s decisions, or I could try something I’d never seen anyone in my world do, buy a house. Read more>>

Keli Hogsett

I noticed a gap between how many people genuinely love art and how few of them actually collect it. People often feel like they need more knowledge, time invested, and a more refined eye before they’ll confidently commit to a purchase. That belief just quietly keeps them on the sidelines. Read more>>

Jon Beaulieu

For more than 15 years, woodworking was simply a hobby for me, something I loved doing whenever I had free time. I always enjoyed creating things with my hands and working with natural materials, but I never imagined it would eventually become my full-time business. Read more>>

Daniel Siefken

My journey to my current reality began during college, when I spent two weeks traveling Costa Rica and Panama with a few friends. What I thought would simply be a short-term volunteer experience helping with a construction project resulted in a life-long passion for social and community impact work in Central America and with Latino’s everywhere. Read more>>

Ellen and Austin Gonzalez

Rose Roll Off LLC didn’t start in a boardroom.
It was conceived in a hospital room—while sitting in the NICU with our youngest daughter, Josie Rose. Read more>>

Erin Brown

I started doing hair and makeup after my best friend moved to Los Angeles to be a wardrobe stylist. We were always the girls doing the most with our glam to go out in our small town. We wanted to be a dream team. I started out in fashion, doing more editorial. Read more>>

Emily Chappelear

I got my start giving walking tours as a contractor for another local company. It was intended to be a temporary gig, but I fell in love with everything about it. After leaving a desk job, I especially loved working outside on my feet and interacting with other curious people who were excited to be visiting a new city. The vibes were so refreshing. Read more>>

Erin Ashford

I grew up in Central Florida, in Ocala (The Horse Capitol of the World). My first job ever was working at Publix Super Market as a bagger & cart pusher (shout out Pub Subs, ifyyk) at the age of 16. Read more>>

Heather Ward

We like to describe MainStreet Mercantile as a little piece of heaven with a wild streak. We started with a dream to bring a fabulous and unique gift selection to are small town and rural community. We have trendy clothing, home decor, accessories and so much more. We are a destination worth the trip. Read more>>

Jade Greenough Powell

Growing up as a true Austinite, born and raised, dance has always been part of who I am. I started dancing at four years old and instantly fell in love thanks to my very first teacher, Ms. Trish, whose passion made the studio feel magical. From that moment on, I was hooked. Read more>>

Samara Alsaffar

Movie At Moonlight began as a passion project between my husband and me, and has grown into something that means so much to our family. We are a local, family-owned business, and at the heart of what we do is a simple belief: Read more>>

Sean Smith

I’m originally from the Dallas-Fort Worth area and came to Central Texas to attend Southwestern University, where I studied Business and Psychology and played lacrosse. I was drawn to Austin pretty quickly — the energy, the growth, the creativity, and the relationship-driven nature of the city all felt like a natural fit. Read more>>

Valeska Hernandez

Soul Breathe was born from the opportunity to connect with people in a positive way through the messages we wear on our clothing and accessories. Today, many people struggle to socialize, express empathy, or simply connect with others, and we believe that meaningful messages can create small but powerful interactions that inspire and uplift. Read more>>

Kasey Schwartzer

I never set out to become a “community leader.” Honestly, I just wanted to help animals. What started as a job quickly became a calling, and somewhere along the way, that calling grew into fighting not only for homeless pets, but for the people and communities around them too. Read more>>

Chandler Hamilton

Living in the Caribbean for almost a decade, I fell in love with herbal tinctures and natural remedies. In adolescent years I struggled with cystic acne and tried all the things the dermatologist could give me. Read more>>

Carlyn Smith

I started in photography back in college, initially just as a creative outlet. At the same time, I built my career in social media marketing, where I learned how to translate visuals into storytelling that actually connects with people. Read more>>

Kelly Yankle

My name is Kelly Yankle, and I am professional dancer, director, mentor, choreographer, and founder and director of the East Side Performing Arts Professional Training and Youth Dance Program on the east side of Austin. Read more>>

Fai Chan

I started the business more than 10 years ago and with lots of hours in study. I then provide consultations, speaking and moderating in research conference , paper publications, and peer reviewing…. Read more>>

J, Jordan, Soleil Turpin, Gignac, Gignac

Carabiner Collections began with a shared frustration. In 2023, the three of us kept running into the same problem: queer and trans books were disappearing from shelves across Texas, and in many rural areas, they had never been there to begin with. We wanted to create something that could move, adapt, and show up for people who needed affirming stories. Read more>>

Noah McGowen

I’m Noah McGowen, the creator behind Endless Design Lab, where I make fractal-inspired 3D printable art, geometric designs, and creative tools for artists, makers, and 3D printing enthusiasts. Before that, I was deep into yo-yos and became fascinated with the idea of designing one with built-in LEDs. That curiosity pulled me into small electronics, prototyping, and eventually 3D printing. Read more>>

Nathali Barlas

My story starts in Europe. I grew up there, and so did my partner Cengiz. After years of building careers in tech, we made the leap to America — and over the next three decades, we lived and worked across the country, collecting experiences, design ideas, and a deep appreciation for what makes a place feel truly special. Read more>>

Derek DeLaRosa

I studied Business Management at St. Edwards University and quickly developed an interest in entrepreneurship. After graduation, I was able to utilize much of what I learned through my various employment opportunities. Read more>>

Sonia Scussel

I didn’t start my business with a perfect plan; it developed naturally through my own personal journey and a desire to help others. Read more>>

Eric Meyer

Our story starts out quite simply with a dream while working a full time job and traveling a minimum of 275 days a year. I have always been a musician at heart and I have always been fascinated with all the knobs that you see on mixing consoles. Read more>>

New Angkana Taylor

Hi my name is New Angkana Taylor. 
I was born and raised in Northern Thailand. Read more>>

Emily Latham

I’ve always loved working with my hands. Gardening, baking, and fiber arts were some of my earliest hobbies. As a young adult, I started a business on Etsy selling engraved wooden kitchen gifts such as cutting boards and utensils. My shop still specializes in personalized gifts for weddings and Mother’s Day. Read more>>

Danyl Magick

I spent most of my life doing what I thought I was supposed to do. Read more>>

Jennifer Mayberry

Animals are the key to my heart. I am a pet mom to Crush and Rico and help care for a cat colony in our neighborhood. There is so much misinformation about pet food ingredients and so many products that create the equivalent of a fast food diet for them. Read more>>

My Nextdoor Neighbor

My Nextdoor Neighbor is a psych-rock and jam-fusion project born out of the Austin and Bastrop music scenes. Read more>>

Maria Elena Dominguez

Maria E. Dominguez Biography Maria was born in Guanajuato, Mexico until her family decided to migrate to Texas when she was just nine years old. She attended Texas State University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, majoring in Bilingual Education in 2007. Maria received her EC-4 Bilingual Certification from the state of Texas in December 2007. Read more>>

Nicole Ridgwell

I grew up playing street music next to my mom’s flower stand. I played fiddle in other people’s bands for years, then during the pandemic I made my first solo record on a friend’s tape machine, while I was living out of my car. I printed CDs, played anywhere that would have me, and slowly put together a band. Read more>>