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.
Aisle Be Honest Podcast
We wanted to create something that cuts through the Pinterest noise and tells the truth about wedding planning. Not in a doom-and-gloom kind of way, but in a “here’s what actually matters and what you can let go of” kind of way. Each episode follows the flow of planning a wedding, from the engagement high to a straight-up conversation about food on a wedding day. These are honest conversations, combined with vendor insight and plenty of laughter in between. Read more>>
David Rosser
After graduating from the University of Tennessee in 2004 I worked at a few local commercial firms. I had great experiences learning required skills that school doesnt’t teach you, and working on some local exciting projects such as the Neyland Stadium Renovations. After 12 years I begin to get interested in custom residential and so begin transitioning to a solo practice. My boss at the time was very accomodating as I begin picking up clients on the side. After 1 year of that, in 2016, I begin my own solo practice and haven’t looked back since. I had humble beginnings as I toted my laptop around from various places, to the library, to local coffee shops and even fast food restaurants, to find Wi-Fi and work on my projects. Now, I have a home office, so I guess it’s still a pretty humble venture but I enjoy it every day – almost! Read more>>
Cody Ford
What started as small local shows has grown into one of the most talked-about independent promotions in the region. We’ve featured world-class talent, sold out venues, and built a loyal fan base that continues to grow. Today, NGW is more than a wrestling promotion—it’s a family, a community, and a movement dedicated to showcasing the best in professional wrestling while pushing boundaries for the next generation Read more>>
Ronda Basanta
It hasn’t always been easy—real estate can be a wild mix of high stakes, high emotions, and the occasional high heels sprint to a showing. It’s a tough industry, and yes, sometimes a little catty and cutthroat. But when you lead with your heart and genuinely care about people, every day becomes a new challenge, and a new chance to make a difference. Read more>>
Mallory Hillis
In 2012, while anticipating the birth of our first son, I began selling wheel-thrown and hand-built pottery through an Etsy shop called Pottery for the Parentless, an initiative to benefit adoptive families. After the birth of my second son, pottery was quickly becoming laborious and too messy in my shorter margins of time. I swapped clay for watercolors and launched Mallory Hope Designs during weekly babysitter time while my husband was on deployment. It was a way of making lemonade out of lemons. I began exhibiting these works at a local marketplace as well as through Etsy. Read more>>
Talisa Roach
But the outpouring of community support reminded me why I started. Every time someone donated, shared their own story, adopted a cat, or visited the cafe and felt joy, it reminded me that this wasn’t just about cats. It was about creating a safe, healing space. I’ve said from the beginning that Scruffy’s is more than a cafe, and it certainly has become so much more than I ever imagined — challenges and all! Read more>>
Nina Garcia
I was at Salon Aquarius for 3 beautiful years. I absolutely loved my time there. I learned so much about hair, the industry itself and some even about business. It really inspired me to open my own place. In April of 2025, I decided to open Va Va Vixen Hair Boutique. A hair boutique inspired by vintage glam and burlesque. I specialize in hair color, extensions, haircutting, and brow waxing. When I opened Va Va Vixen, I was 24 years old. I turned 25 June 25, 2025. Following right into my grandmothers’ footsteps. She is still working has a a great clientele. I plan to be the same! I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve had throughout my journey. I wouldnt have been able to do it without my wonderful guests and parents for helping me make it happen. Read more>>
Shane Hawkins
I realized it wasn’t meant for me. I decided to start over and go back to school for photography and the rest was history. As my photography career progressed, it became clear that weddings and events were my path forward. Today, I’m still photographing weddings and I’ve started doing more corporate photography. I consider myself very fortunate to have had help from many people along the way to help me get to where I am today. Read more>>
Brad Edenfield
Smiley Greens is a family owned and operated business. Originally our venture started out of seeking an alternative career for Brad as our small family started to grow. Brad has worked in the fine dining and food, beverage and hospitality environment and; through working at one of the restaurants, our family learned that the original owners were looking to sell the business. Since we were trying to cultivate a more balanced home/work life balance, this presented as a perfect opportunity. We were able to merge our love of farming with Brad’s networking in the Knoxville, Maryville and Townsend areas. Read more>>
Jamie Christensen
Oh photography has NOT been a smooth road! I’ve learned a LOT of lessons along the way. Learning about my ideal clients, which sessions to take and not take and time management between my business, my job and my family have all been huge learning curves. Each time I take on a new photography challenge, I learn something new. Photography is ever changing, much like the nursing field, which I love so much. Read more>>
Nkem Warner
The journey has been anything but smooth. My biggest struggles has been overcoming imposter syndrome and limiting self beliefs but I see that these challenges all boils down to personal beliefs. If you don’t believe you’re capable of achieving your goals, or deserve a seat at the table, then that lack of belief will be your reality. I think that’s the struggle most artists face. We seek external validation without recognizing that we need to be our own biggest fans before others can come along with us on this ride. Read more>>
Jessica Malin
One of the biggest turning points in my business was the decision to niche down into maternity, newborn, and family photography. After years of photographing weddings, shifting my focus felt both exciting and a little scary. These days, I still take on a couple of weddings each year, but my heart has found its home in serving families. I care deeply about the legacy we pass on—the stories we preserve for the generations that come after us. It’s been such a gift to walk alongside moms in particular, to make them feel seen, celebrated, and pampered in a season that’s often overlooked. Read more>>
Amadea Brayden
Honestly, it has mostly been smooth. I’ve done virtually no advertising with my practices, it has essentially been word of mouth. Of course with each move, it takes a bit of time to get fully established again in a new city, so that’s a bit of a stress, but that’s a typical experience for any business new to a city. My faith is pretty strong that with prayer and willingness to work hard, something that we put care into will thrive. Read more>>
Elizabeth Thornburgh
Chattanooga Comic Con was born from a simple idea: to create a high-quality, fan-focused convention experience in the heart of the Southeast. As longtime fans of pop culture, comics, and conventions ourselves, we saw a need for a show that offered not just big-name guests and vendors, but a welcoming environment where artists, creators, and fans could come together and celebrate what they love. Read more>>
Allena Scott
I started writing in 2024, during a really difficult time in my life. I was being seriously cyberbullied, and writing became a much needed escape. I never set out with the true intention to become an author. Friends and family had told me for years that I should write, but I didn’t think I had it in me. When I finally sat down and started creating, something just clicked. Writing gave me a sense of purpose, peace, and control that I didn’t realize I needed. Read more>>
Hannah Nichols
My favorite thing about being a nurse was knowing that in some small way, I changed someone’s life that day in a memorable way. Managing a wedding venue isn’t all that different in that regard. Even though my work environment looks a little different these days, I am still presented with the opportunity every single day to play a part in one of the most memorable day’s in a person’s life. I am so thankful for my co-workers (shout out to Braden for teaching me everything I know), family, and all my NH brides that have helped confirm that I am exactly where I need to be. There is no cooler feeling than seeing a place I love so dearly become so special to our couples and knowing I played a small part in their forever story. Read more>>
Ansley Pacetti
This is a tough question because I think I am much harder on myself than those watching from the outside would be. I like any small business owner have faced ups and downs and had to learn how to navigate and pivot my business. I would say the hardest part about my job is balance and imposter syndrome. While it is the goal to be booked, I also am an artist. Keeping myself from burning out artistically so that I can serve all my clients at my best has been something I have had to learn. I like most artists also will catch myself falling into imposter syndrome and have to remind myself that my art is unique and offers purpose in its own way. Staying inspired by others without comparing myself to them can be very challenging. Read more>>
Lisa Willis – White
Oh my gosh, everything was a struggle initially. It is very different to go from a manager to an owner for sure. We struggled because our space had to be built out and have a grease trap and hood vent added which are very expensive. We were really blessed to work with wonderful owners and much family and friends who spent countless hours helping us but by far Tracy was the hammer and chisel by himself on a lot of days as I still work an additional full time job. Read more>>
Marcy Parks
Now I hope to create with the same level of freedom, courage, joy, and command that I see my girls creating with. Motherhood has challenged me to be bolder, and braver, and stronger, and more courageous, and more expressive, and more energetic in my art and my expression than I ever have before because I want my girls to feel at home in however those qualities take shape in them. Because of them, I am and will always be pushing the boundaries of what is “too much” in my work so that they will always know there is no such thing. Read more>>
Amanda Fothergill
Fast forward to college: I was finishing my accounting degree and had applied to two top-ranked graduate programs in the Southeast. When I was rejected from my first choice, I didn’t wait around to hear back from the second. Instead, I took a leap of faith. I emptied my savings account—around $10,000—and invested it all into a camera, lens, editing software, a website, branding… the works. Two weeks later, I got the unexpected news: I had been accepted into the second program at the University of Tennessee. Read more>>
Michele Aguilar
Getting that first brand deal was such an adrenaline rush and I can’t wait to keep going. Resale Therapy is still going strong, with a new rebrand along with offering custom refinishing, restoration, and repairs. So many of us just buy new when we have pieces with great bones and I want to be the person they think of before they hop in the car to buy from a big box retailer. I strive to provide excellent service and make those furniture design dreams come true. I’m constantly learning and trying new techniques to improve my craft. Read more>>
Becky Ramsey
The future at Wyndale Gardens is as promising as it is inspiring. In Spring 2025, Scott and Becky completed a 12-acre pollinator habitat, creating a haven for their apiary’s bees while enhancing the land’s beauty, controlling erosion, and enriching soil health. Looking ahead, they plan to construct a high tunnel dedicated to growing produce for educational outreach, eager to share their knowledge with the community. For now, the Ramseys are focused on refining their operations, overcoming challenges, building partnerships to explore new markets, and raising their youngest daughter in the nurturing environment of their farm. Wyndale Gardens is more than a farm—it’s a testament to sustainability, community, and a bright future. Read more>>
Olga Brankova
We fell in love with it, the beautiful nature, warm people but there wasn’t really a place where we can just have a few bites and enjoy a nice glass of wine. We started looking for a small building that we can turn into a restaurant/ cafe. Lucky enough we found it and in 2014 we moved to Gatlinburg. We worked for a couple of years and turn an old 50 s ranch house to a modern but also rustic chalet and 2018 we opened it as Red Oak Bistro. Our dream became a reality! Now I have my small Bistro with a few tables and a small menu like I always imagined! Read more>>
Michelle Goebel
Back in 2008, I was 34 with two kids and recently divorced. But I wanted a career not a job. I wanted something creative but i had no idea what! So… at the encouragement of my own hairstylist, I started beauty school. I had to make this career work! I needed to succeed to earn money and to prove to myself that I could make it on my own. I worked my tail off. I studied hard and I soaked up every bit of education and advice I could get my hands on. With a lot of help and guidance, I was able to build a solid clientele in less than a year after graduating. I attribute that to surrounding myself with the most talented and experienced stylists and entrepreneurs that I could. Read more>>
Krystal Kinnunen
I’ve always walked the edge between science and spirit. My work blends evidence-based women’s health—especially around fertility, hormones, and perimenopause—with holistic and energetic tools like Reiki, East Asian medicine, and spiritual coaching. I’ve studied with wisdom keepers and birth workers around the world, and I’ve led everything from women’s circles and blessingways to community acupuncture and trauma-informed fertility coaching. Read more>>
Robyn James
Over the past 21 years we’ve met lots more musicians, expanded our booking options (including violin/viola and piano), carved out a niche in the market as the group who would play almost anything, lost that niche thanks to Bridgerton, networked with lots of other wedding and event professionals, and built a name for ourselves. It’s very important to me that when people hear my business name they think of trustworthiness and musicianship. Read more>>
Sasha McCoy
Throughout this journey, I have pushed myself to step out of my comfort zone and learn everyday. It hasn’t always been the easiest but it’s always worth it. Figuring out what I want my business to stand for and how I want to tell my clients stories in a unique way took a lot of trial and error. I push myself to keep trying new things and get creative, even on the hard days. I let my passion guide me. Read more>>
Jodi Mehlenbacher
Having no prior business experience or investors I successfully built my MedSpa from the ground up. I started completely from scratch, but now we are working 3 days a week and doing seven-figures annually. I believed that offering exceptional services and having reasonable prices ensured success, and it worked. Our patients were happy, and over the years, my practice has continued to grow thanks to the dedication of my team and loyalty of my patients. As my practice has flourished, I received numerous inquiries about how I managed to build such a successful business from the ground up. Read more>>
SUMMER SHELTON
I began my professional journey in 1997 as an Aveda-trained stylist while pursuing a degree in education. I hold a B.S. in Curriculum & Instruction and a M.Ed. in Technology & Learning. I earned my principal certification through the Pathways to Leadership in Urban Schools program, a rigorous initiative designed to prepare equity-focused leaders for high-impact roles. I have served in leadership positions in the School District of Philadelphia, directed academic programming at a Coast Salish Tribal school in Washington State, and studied Native Education through the University of Washington. My continued professional development includes completion of Yale School of Management’s Women in Leadership program. Read more>>
Wyatt Fann
From there, things snowballed into WWE Shop unboxings, WWE event vlogs, and traveling around the country to attend wrestling shows and meet wrestlers. Once COVID hit, I made a YouTube video where I challenged myself to see how many TikTok followers I could gain in 24 hours by making wrestling content. That experiment turned into something much bigger—eventually growing to over 46,000 followers on TikTok, where I shared the same kind of content I made on YouTube, along with wrestling skits using trending sounds. Read more>>
Joscelyn Haward
In 2007, our family moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, where we continued to expand Global Infusion, a nonprofit missions organization we co-founded. We lead teams across more than 20 countries, offering humanitarian aid through medical clinics, educational outreach, evangelism, construction, church planting, and more. Knoxville has become the perfect place to raise our three children — Luke, Aaron, and Naomi — and grow both our organization and my photography business. Read more>>
Amanda Peasley
My journey into photography started unexpectedly with a random Groupon ad! I had just had my 5th baby. I LOVE the baby stage, but I didn’t want to get lost in diapering and feedings and simply put my brain on hold. When I saw a three hour beginning photography class in my area, I figured it was worth $50 to try it out! The worst thing that could happen was that I discovered it wasn’t for me. Of course, the opposite happened! I feel in love with capturing the tender moments between mamas and their babies, as well as rekindling a spark between spouses, who often hadn’t had photos together since their wedding day. Read more>>
Sissy Sullivan
I shot my very first wedding while still a student, and from that moment on, I knew this was the direction I wanted to take. After graduation, I poured everything into building my business—day by day, client by client. Eventually, I was able to take it full-time, and now, more than 20 years later, I’ve had the joy of photographing over 600 weddings, along with countless family sessions, events, and portraits. It’s been an incredible journey doing what I love. In addition to that, I also take on commercial work—everything from food and product photography to branding imagery for businesses, which has become a rewarding part of my creative path. Read more>>
Leah Williams
I made the scary, yet exciting, decision to leave my full time job and start my own alterations business in 2014. What started as a business based out of my spare bedroom, grew into a full time company with employees and an appointment book that stays full 5-6 days/week. Looking back, I owe so much to the people who trusted me in the 1st few years before I had built a reputation- those who didn’t know me at all and yet had the courage to bring their dress to my house and trust that I was going to make them feel beautiful. Read more>>
