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.
Arch Girl
I saw a gap—there wasn’t a space that offered high-touch, high-quality brow care and made women feel seen, celebrated, and cared for. So I built it. Every detail, from the scent in the room to the custom art to the way I map each brow, was designed to make you feel like you’re the main character. Read more>>
Amy Sullins
We’ve had an amazing time learning this craft. We started a sister business called Amy Cole Creative in 2020. In 2023, we felt a stirring to change the name of the business to Upcrowd Social. Upcrowd is niched to churches and non-profits, but we also serve in the medical and therapy fields. Read more>>
Peter Osickey
Our architectural backgrounds make us particularly sensitive to the impact of a well-designed space. Starting with the old folding building part of the Knox Sanitary Laundry complex, we found not only the perfect building close to the downtown core, the Old City, and the first ring of historic neighborhoods, but also one that had a history of its own that could tie into the new story we were telling. Read more>>
Jason Chau
I am a Vietnam refugee, as a young child spent some time in a refugee camp here in America. My mother had a successful business in Vietnam, due to the war, that was all taken away, we escaped to the U.S. I am of Chinese and Vietnamese descent. I have been told that we have had a history of Chefs in our family, runs in the blood. I was raised in Los Angeles, California. I have had many different careers, computer tech, data analyst, plumbing and I went to Sushi school, I have a criminal law degree, became an RN, (side note ) that is how a met my wife Vee, who is a Social Worker. Read more>>
Craig Hennie
Around Christmas two and a half years later I ran into a family friend who was a semi-retired chiropractor. He saw the pain on my face and asked me what was wrong. I told him my story and he invited me into his office. I told him, “but I already tried Chiropractic.” His response was, “You have tried one Chiropractor, how many MDs have you been too?” So with some reluctance, I made an appointment. Read more>>
Hannah Wang
We started noticed there was a lack of Kpop stores and representation in the East Tennessee area, and thus started Ploghvey KPOP. Before our brick and mortar store opened in the beginning of 2024, we were doing pop-ups across the state, vending at Kpop and Asian culture related events. The response from the community was beyond our expectations, and their support made it possible for us to open our permanent location on Kingston Pike in West Knoxville just after a year. We are incredibly grateful to have such a supportive and loyal community and customer base here, and are excited to see what the future has in store for Ploghvey as well as the overall Kpop scene in Tennessee. Read more>>
Elisabeth Feggans
We started as a transitional house for women in 2016. We began in a three bedroom house with eight beds. Over the years we have grown to the point that Never Alone has 15 apartments in an Apartment building. Each apartment houses three women. We also have a MAT House, which provides 12 beds for women. We work with women in all walks of life, substance abuse, domestic violence, the cycle of homelessness, etc. Read more>>
William And Heather Butler
The renovation process started out a bit rocky due to numerous contractors falling through on the job. After a year of searching, we were able to find a contractor that worked closely with us to bring our vision to life. The end product turned out breathtaking. Many of our guests after staying, will state that photos really do not do justice to how beautiful and peaceful the property really is. Our property has been listed now on Airbnb for a year, and it has been so rewarding to see so many guests come and enjoy the space with their families. Read more>>
Brooke Whitt
I started my journey at a well-known, locally owned salon in Morristown, where I gained valuable experience. Within two years, I became an American Board Certified Haircolorist, a milestone that fueled my passion for growth. I knew I wanted more from my career, and while I made a few missteps in searching for the right salon, I eventually found my place in a high-end luxury hair spa in Knoxville. There, I had the privilege of working alongside talented stylists and educators, expanding my knowledge and building a loyal clientele. Read more>>
Malaya Depew
When farming and running a business, and any business at that, you will always have bumps in the road. There has been many trials and error when making our products and some failed batches where thing just didn’t turn out how they were supposed to, but we never let any struggles we encounter discourage us, instead we view them as a learning curve and look ahead on what we can do different in the future. This is not just a business to us. This is our life; our passion and we love every minute of it! Read more>>
Trinity Sanchez
Growing a business while also coordinating events has been both exciting and challenging. Managing inventory, building brand awareness, and handling the logistics of hosting markets requires a lot of behind the scenes work. Finding the right venues, curating vendors, and ensuring everything runs smoothly on event day takes time and dedication. However, seeing vendors succeed at our markets and connecting with customers in a meaningful way makes it all worth it. Read more>>
Valerie Fox
I started my career in nutrition after completing a degree at UT Knoxville and a year long internship with Vanderbilt University Medical Center in 2005-2006. After working at a hospital in the area for 4 years, I decided to venture out internationally doing nutrition and trauma relief work for earthquake victims. In that time, I became ill which lasted for 7 years. Initially my treatment was with allopathic doctors but then it became clear I needed additional help from the integrative world. While working to be free from illness physically, I decided to address my emotional and spiritual health. Through a series of events, I was able to become well and have been so for the past seven years. Read more>>
K Leigh
It sounds cliché, but I don’t remember a time in my life that I didn’t consider myself a writer. I’ve always enjoyed inventing stories and characters, and as I grew, so did my love of writing. As a teen, I dabbled in poetry, short stories about my own life, and fantasy. I’ve also always been a voracious reader, and when I was a teen, my mamaw gave me a stack of books… that included my first romance novel. From that moment, I was hooked. The romance genre catches a lot of negative attention, and it’s ridiculous. Women love reading about women who are more than a plot device. Read more>>
Paige Clark
I’m a color specialist, and specialize in blondes. I love color! I love doing Transformations on people. Just seeing the confidence and spark it can give them. I also build a very strong bond with my clients. I always stand by my work and make sure it’s 1,000 percent and they feel like a super model leaving. That all makes me fullfilled. Read more>>
Whitney
After graduation, life took me down different paths — sales, banking, and dental — but I always found myself wondering, ‘What if I had pursued photography?’ However, by that time, I had a mortgage, a family, and two young boys to care for, so starting fresh in a new career seemed daunting. I decided to slowly dip my toes back into photography, picking up shoots on the weekends and during my days off. Read more>>
Hunter Hodge
I’ve joined 2 different networking groups that has kickstarted my company, I’m a paid sponsor on a Facebook group that has 34k members that I can post twice a day. I’ve met many builders and pool guys in my area that refer me business. This area needed a professional good fence builder and I filled that spot with ease. Read more>>
Brooke Kitzhaber
With unwavering support from my husband, I took on Mrs. K’s Kreations full time, where I craft unique necklaces and bracelets inspired by natural stones and the world around me. Each piece is designed with the intention of bringing joy and meaning to the wearer. This journey has reaffirmed my belief in the power of pursuing one’s passions, and I am immensely proud of how far I’ve come, crafting pieces that not only adorn but also uplift and inspire. Read More>>
Kimberly O’Neal
My journey to Modern Day SAHM started with a mix of love, struggle, and an undeniable calling from God. After becoming a mom, I found myself in a place I never expected—torn between wanting to be fully present for my children and feeling the financial pressure of a one-income household.
On top of that, I battled postpartum depression, something I never imagined would hit me as hard as it did. It was isolating, overwhelming, and left me feeling like I had lost a piece of myself. I remember thinking, I love my children more than anything, so why do I feel this way? It was one of the hardest seasons of my life. But through prayer, support, and perseverance, I found healing—and in that healing, I found my purpose.
The more I reflected, the more I realized the real problem—most companies weren’t creating opportunities that truly supported the stay-at-home mom community. It wasn’t just about needing a job; it was about needing flexibility, understanding, and a chance to work without compromising motherhood. That thought stuck with me, and after a lot of prayers, late nights, and conversations with other moms facing the same struggle, Modern Day SAHM was born. Read More>>
