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.
Macey Conwell
I’ve been lucky to be part of our family business since 2019, I began my career in Sports Marketing at Duke University in Athletics. Managing large corporate accounts, so I had a little background in client management. I did that for about 5 years and had an opportunity to join my parents in running The Magnolia. The rest is really history. I’ve been working in the wedding industry with our venues for the last 6 years! It’s quite different working in a small business after coming from the corporate world, but people are people and it’s been such a blessing to be part of something so special and meaningful. My parents and sisters are all involved in the business so it’s fun working alongside everyone! Read more>>
Kat Mahn
I have been a licensed aesthetician for over 2 decades! I attended the South Carolina Massage and Esthetics Institute, where I found my true passion for aesthetics. I began my career with Aveda, and while I still loves their products, I chose to move forward specializing in eyelash extensions and waxing. Read more>>
Connie Gatlin
Looking back, theatre spaces have been the biggest challenge. My first teaching/directing at BCHS was in one of those ‘little theatres’, an architectural fad in the early ’70’s when that school was built. Adequate staging has been an adventure. Outdoors at Red Clay State Park….ancient postage stamp stages in older school auditoriums…adjusting to the local Lee University rules and regs for their best-proscenium-in-the-area stage…finding well-suited theatre spaces has been the biggest challenge. Read more>>
Laura Cox
Since 2019 I’ve been blessed with a lot of really neat opportunities at our homestead including giving a tour to the Weston A Price Foundation in 2022, a few local news appearances, school field trips, and being a speaker at The Homestead Festival in Columbia TN. Most of my time is now spent teaching the average person how to raise meat rabbits and provide for their family. It’s been quite an interesting niche that’s fallen in my lap given that I would have never dreamed 10 years ago that I’d even be eating rabbit meat. Read more>>
Tucker Joneson
I have been writing and drawing for as long as I can remember. I began making animated shorts on my YouTube channel after graduating from Woodbury University. Since then, I have done freelance jobs designing logos, shirts, characters and more. Recently, I have been creating animated shorts for the horror host, Svengoolie, and his co-hosts on MeTV. My latest project was a segment for their Day of the Dead special. I am also currently illustrating several issues of Morgan Comics, created by Paul Smith, which you can find on Amazon. Read more>>
Jennifer Jarrett
After graduating college, I did not know what I wanted to do “for the rest of my life”. I started a corporate office job, but was unsatisfied. I started seeing an Aesthetician and loved the healthy changes I saw. I started researching ingredients and products, becoming the “go-to” person for friends and family. One day I thought, “I can become an Aesthetician”, and 4 days later I was enrolled in school. Going to school nights and weekends, while working a full-time job was not easy, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. I love skincare, but more importantly, I love helping people. Read more>>
Jordan Lamb
I (Jordan) came on as co-owner with Savannah in the summer of 2022! We always laugh about how I started part time, went full time within a few weeks and had these conversations about co-ownership a few months in. We both feel like we’ve known each other for forever so this has been a natural fit and balance for the both of us. Read more>>
Wes Bennett
At the time we were sad that a local artist was not available. But doing a exhaustive search ended up being an absolute blessing, as Finn Dean’s illustrations almost always receive the most compliments of anything in the book. Not going through a traditional publisher is scary, because we started out with a room full of boxes of books, and it was up to us to get out there and find stores interested in selling them, as will as contacting Newspapers and local media to cover the story, Read more>>
Emily
At this time, we were raising twin one-year-old toddlers in Madison, Wisconsin while my husband worked as a pastor. I wanted to give more financial support to those on the front lines while staying home with my toddlers. So I thought, “what do I have?” A little bit of nap time, and a love to create. I thought, what if profits from a painting could go to women and children fleeing Syria. I actually had two contacts working over there and I could give financial support directly to them. I had a business degree and my family is artistic but I had no training in art. Read more>>
Tracie Ancelet
At first, photography was simply a way to document life—especially with a new baby in the house—but it quickly became something deeper. I wasn’t just interested in taking pictures; I wanted to preserve moments. I wanted to capture emotion, connection, and story. My kids were my first subjects—until they got tired of always having a camera in their faces. So I began bringing it everywhere: to school events, church, the park, friends’ homes. Eventually, I enrolled in a photography class at the University of Tennessee. On the very first night, I raised my right hand and promised I wouldn’t touch the green box (auto mode) for the entire 8-week course. That simple pledge changed everything. I learned to see light differently, to use my camera intentionally. Read more>>
Ashley Rogers
With my very low college-kid funds I bought the best Elsa costume and wig I could afford, and began making hospital visits as the beloved Ice Queen. The experience was magical—seeing the children’s faces light up was unforgettable. I soon started hosting fundraising events for CMN as Elsa, and I was amazed by how many kids believed I was truly her. Their joy was contagious. When I was asked to perform at a birthday party, I said yes—and absolutely loved it. Creating magical memories for kids brought me so much happiness. I was hooked. Read more>>
Kiana Jones
In 2019, I officially launched Plush Moon Terrarium Co with a mission to help others reconnect with nature, even in the smallest spaces. After years of pop-ups, mobile terrarium workshops and packing kits from my kitchen table, we opened our first storefront in Knoxville. Our studio is now a living, breathing space where people come to create something beautiful and walk away with more than just a plant they leave with a piece of calm they built themselves. Read more>>
Brennan King
From a young age, I dreamed of creating a space where people could get stronger, feel supported, and be part of a positive community. That vision turned into this gym. It’s more than just a place to work out, it’s a welcoming environment where people can feel encouraged and motivated to become the best versions of themselves inside and out. Read more>>
Dexter Mims Jr
I did not have any other social media platforms. I started posting 5 to 6 videos a day just trying to get myself out there. While things were moving slowly, I started to see growth from 4k followers to 10k followers within a couple of weeks. My first viral video which was a reaction video, got over 15 million views. That started pouring in the followers. I went from having 10k followers to 70k followers in just two days. Then the very next week I had a second viral video which received over 20 million views. I went from having 70k followers to 150,000 followers in just a couple of days. It has now been nonstop and continues to grow daily. Read more>>
Valerie Collett
Struggles along the way well there were a few I’ve been working 50-55 hours a week since April 2019. Building a business takes a lot of dedication and long hours. I would love to hire another person to help but they have to go to Electrolysis school and curretly there isn’t one in Tennessee. My schedule is very busy and unfortunately doesn’t leave any wiggle room if something comes up at the last minute unless I reschedule my clients Read more>>
Sarah Cook
Our motto is “We Tell Your Story,” and that’s truly at the center of everything we do. Whether it’s planning, coordinating, or capturing a wedding day, it’s never about us – it’s about each couple’s unique journey and making sure their story shines through every detail. Looking back, I’m so grateful for how this business has grown, but even more grateful for the relationships we’ve built along the way. Read more>>
Brandi Woodall
We are a combination of a curated rentals shop and event design firm. We offer a unique collection of event rentals and services. In addition to rentals and event design, we also offer planning services. Space for planning services for weddings and corporate events is extremely limited. We have dedicated our careers to creating unique, sophisticated events. Our goal is to make an event feel effortless and special. Read more>>
Kultida Blais
Currently, we are at a new location with Western plaza shopping center, 4451 Kingston Pike. We’re proud to have already established a significant presence in and around Knoxville. This is largely thanks to our cherished family recipes, handed down through generations. Moreover, the owner, Kultida “Fai,” has undergone extensive culinary training at the Rel Maples Institute for Culinary Arts – Business – Walter State Community College. Read more>>
Christy Fitzpatrick
Because I work in a science field, I’ve not always had the time to consistently produce artwork. There was a time when I had a long break from painting due to travel and work, but on the cusp of 2018 I promised myself to never take a long break again! Ever since, I have been more intentional about how I spend my time, and have been able to consistently create. I think most creators can agree that life happens, which is a natural struggle – but through setting more goals and holding myself accountable, the road to creating has been less rocky. Read more>>
Erica Lowrey
From the very beginning my passion for beauty and wellness has been rooted in one purpose: To help others embrace their individuality and inner beauty! With over 15 years of hands on experience as a Licensed Aesthetician, Esthiology Educator, Master Lash Artist~ along with specialized training in Medical Aesthetics and Holistic Practices, I’ve been blessed to spend my career creating spaces where everyone feels seen, celebrated and empowered to live authentically. Read more>>
