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.
Mark & Gretchen Knode
At first, it was just for our family—chickens, rabbits, a garden, learning as we went. But along the way, we started seeing big changes in our health: we avoided gall bladder surgery, overcame allergies, and found support for things like autoimmune thyroid issues—all through food and lifestyle. That’s when it clicked: this wasn’t just about food anymore. It was about health, healing, and living differently. Read more>>
Todd Heckert
Upon returning, I moved to New York City to chase my photography dreams. I landed internships and eventually became a studio manager for a fashion and beauty photographer, working on shoots for prestigious clients like Vogue and Maybelline. Despite the glamour, I realized the fashion industry wasn’t my calling. I stepped away from photography and rediscovered my love for drawing. While working on a streetwear brand, I met the owner of a tattoo studio in Brooklyn, who took me on as their final apprentice. I later moved to a shop in Williamsburg, where I refined my tattooing skills. Read more>>
Rosie Mayes
Yes and no! I was blessed to have the previous owner of the business as a mentor, as well as inheriting a great team of nurses to help as I figured out what I was doing. I’ve learned a ton about entrepreneurship – marketing, managing inventory, and determining my niche market! Read more>>
Kelly Webb
Mystic Meadows was born from two things: my love for creating magical experiences—and the deep transformation I’ve been through in my personal life. I’m a single mom, and after years of navigating pain, healing, and rediscovering who I am, I wanted to create something beautiful—not just for others, but as a reflection of the peace and joy I’m building in my own world. Read more>>
David And Bonell Dominguez
David had been in the hair industry for years when he and I met. We decided to open a barbershop together in my hometown in 2012. It was a small military town in the central valley of California. The business flourished, and as it grew, David pushed me to learn to be a barber. Instead of me just working behind the scenes, he mentored me, taught me the craft, and helped to make me the barber I am today. Read more>>
Joe Tolbert Jr.
That experience showed me that art isn’t just about expression; it’s a tool for social justice, for healing, and for building community. Over time, I pursued degrees at the University of Tennessee and Union Theological Seminary and later joined a regional incubator with ArtPlace America. That process, asking how money could be housed, governed, and prioritized by the community, planted the seeds of what became the Waymakers Collective. Read more>>
Roxy & Jon Golightly
This way, we can photograph their wedding in a way that is meaningful to them, After the wedding, all of our couples get to enjoy a one of a kind wedding album handcrafted in Italy. For us, printed artwork is the best way to relive wedding day memories. Read more>>
Brad Gaw-Urwin
We both envisioned a shop where a client can bring their own music, where the only other people there are the ones they bring. A place where the decor is just my personal artwork, where we have snacks and refreshments for clients. My family is very musical so we even have guitars and a piano that a client or their party can play while they are there. In our studio we feel that the experience is just as meaningful and important as the quality of the finished tattoo, and it seems that approach to the business has worked very well for the clients and for the business. Read more>>
Terran Ward
I started The Luxury Wedding Co back in 2019 with a mission to create beautifully curated, stress-free wedding experiences for stylish couples. It began as an all-inclusive planning company, and over the years, I planned everything from intimate mountain elopements to high-end hotel weddings. I poured my heart into building relationships with clients and vendors, learning what worked and what didn’t, and refining my creative direction. Read more>>
Suzanne Salchert
A Kohler kitchen and bath showroom, behind the scenes for a cabinet company, the new home construction process and pitfalls while working for a custom home builder in Michigan and then culminating in starting my own design firm and passing the NCIDQ exam. Each new experience added to the layers of knowledge that I feel I have gained and continue to gain with each project. New products, technology, and ever evolving trends will keep you on your toes! But this isn’t work. To translate someone’s idea of how they want their home to look, or feel is just great fun! Read more>>
Brian Rich
I chose to reinvest all profits from the first year of practice ownership. Having saved nearly all my earnings from the Army, my family lived off our savings. We upgraded from film radiographs to digital, purchased a new dental treatment chair, updated materials, acquired intraoral cameras for every operatory, and, most importantly, invested in a Cerec scanner, mill, and furnace. Once we were steadily seeing patients and 90% of the patient base was aware of the transition, I hired a second hygienist and a second front desk employee. Read more>>
Dayna Love
This doctor also introduced me to the healing powers of ozone and oxygen therapies. Fascinated, I began researching how I could use these methods myself. Eventually, I found a company in Canada selling the necessary equipment. I traveled there and studied Bio-Oxidative Therapies with Dr. Frank Shallenberger. When I returned home, I committed to 21 days of sauna sessions—and the results were nothing short of remarkable. My symptoms dramatically reversed, and I felt life and vitality returning to my body. Read more>>
Emma Moseley
Since I saw the benefits of the program and how it changed students’ lives, I wanted to create a sensory and holistic approach to tutoring. I took what I learned about the functions of the brain and my knowledge on tutoring dyslexic students to create Wholesome Tutoring. We help students use the brain they were gifted versus trying to conform it. Not only does Wholesome Tutoring provide tutoring services, but we are an outlet for parents who need resources, advice, and a friend to talk to. We are part of the community, helping shape future generation holistically. Read more>>
Amy Woods
I have since earned my BA in Communications with professional writing and marketing for my background, During that time I earned 5 Presidents awards and 5 Advanced Leadership certifications. At coming to the end of my college career the pandemic hit, and I was left without any experience in the field I went to school for. I also knew stopping was not an option. My plate wasn’t full yet and I was hungry for more positive change. Read more>>
Jesse James
I have been performing for over ten years. I’ve done solo shows, duos, trios, guitar pulls, and shows with my full band, Jesse James And The Peacemakers. We’ve played your typical bar and brewery shows, but we’ve also had the chance to open for The Moonshine Bandits (4 times), Brantley Gilbert, The Steelwoods, and Big Smo. I’ve also had the opportunity to open for David Allan Coe and Faster Pussycat as a solo act. Currently, we are declining most bar and brewery shows, and focusing on recording and bigger shows. We have a bunch of live music videos on YouTube and you can also find our single, “All The Drugs” on most streaming platforms. Read more>>
Kelsey Reardon
Being around talented people and seeing such great events really inspired to start something of my own. So I started booking shows for Punish, a Chattanooga slam metal band. I started Bible Belt Metal originally to share music from Punish, and music from others bands that I’ve seen. It eventually turned into booking metal shows of own. I’ve had so much fun along the way. I got to where I am today by learning new things and really putting myself out there. You can’t be afraid to mess up. Read more>>
Erik Dobell
Around 2014 I met my business partner and we started this show called Impossibilities, and we toured it through North Carolina for two years. Then one day I was visiting some relatives in Asheville, North Carolina and somehow discovered there was a mentalism show at the Gatlinburg Space Needle. I decided to check it out and when I called for tickets I was told that the performer left town about a week ago and the show was closed. I asked if they would be interested in having another show there and the next thing I knew we were talking to the owners and we opened Impossibilities in Gatlinburg in March of 2016. Read more>>
Jennifer Justice
Running a design studio while raising a family has come with its share of challenges. One of the biggest has been achieving work-life balance. I believe in working hard and being fully present for my clients, but I also believe deeply in the power of rest, margin, and a balanced life. My family will always be my first commitment, and while I love what I do, there are sacrifices that come with being a working mom. The idea that we can “have it all” just isn’t realistic—but with intentional choices, I strive to find the right rhythm. Read more>>
Amanda Furlow
I went on to study Interior Architecture at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and graduated in 2016. From there, I started my career in sales at Ferguson, where I sold high-end building materials and worked closely with builders across the Knoxville area. That job gave me a deep understanding of the industry and helped me build a strong client base and valuable relationships—experience that became foundational when I eventually launched my own company. Read more>>
Daisy Sanders
I began my career in cosmetology over 26 years ago, fueled by a lifelong love of art and creativity. While I started in hair, I quickly realized my true passion was in makeup artistry. As I built a successful makeup business, I discovered something powerful—makeup only looks as good as the skin underneath. That realization led me deep into skincare, where I fell in love with ingredients, skin health, and eventually, advanced treatments like lasers and microneedling. Read more>>
Veronica Seever
In the process of rebuilding, I discovered a powerful desire to connect with other resilient, real women—those who show up with authenticity, who are willing to be vulnerable, and who are just trying to balance life’s chaos with a little grace. I envisioned a space where we could come together, speak openly about our fears and insecurities, and still champion each other’s professional growth. Read more>>
Liam Story
That curiosity led me to real estate. It seemed logical—agents needed drone photography, and maybe I could fill that gap. The only problem? They didn’t just want drone just shots. They needed interiors too. I remember thinking, “It’s just pictures of walls, how hard can it be?” But that first shoot was a disaster. I quickly learned how technical, challenging, and nuanced real estate photography actually is—and instead of walking away, I leaned in. I practiced, studied, made mistakes, and kept showing up. Read more>>
Elisa Trentham
After college, I started filming and photographing weddings, and trying to find jobs in TV and film in my hometown of Knoxville. I knocked on all the doors I knew about at the time, and nothing. One day, I showed up at a picnic to welcome refugees from Iraq, and there I met some professors who took a chance on me. For three years, I worked with them on a sports diplomacy grant with the U.S. Department of State focused on empowering women and girls. Read more>>
Maggie
So I made it official. Fractional Magic was born in July 2024: a hands-on operations consulting and implementation company that helps small, smart teams get their time, energy, and sanity back. We build onboarding systems, clean up tool stacks, automate everything possible, and make work feel smoother and a little bit more fun. Read more>>
Ashley Wangler
What started with a few small local shows quickly became something much bigger than I ever imagined. I realized early on that this business wasn’t just about jewelry—it was about people. My customers became so much more than just clients; they became friends, part of my journey. They return not just to see my latest chain or charm, but to share their stories, update me on their lives, and create new memories together. Every piece I weld holds a personal meaning, and I’m honored to be a part of those special moments. Read more>>
Drew Carson
At Armor Strategies, our mission is to develop transformational leaders by aligning vision, strategy, and culture. We design professional development experiences, build executive coaching journeys, and create organizational frameworks that help leaders and teams operate at their highest potential. Whether serving federal agencies, corporate teams, or nonprofit organizations, our work is rooted in a belief that great leadership is a full-contact pursuit—requiring mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual engagement. Read more>>
