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.
Sarah Kirkland Gass
I’m 35 now, and life looks a little different than when I started out. I’ve got three amazing daughters- Kirra (14), Emerie (12), and Thea (6)- who keep me on my toes and remind me why building something bigger than myself matters. About eight years ago, I started dreaming up a different kind of salon space, one that felt like more than just a salon. I wanted it to be a collective- a place where stylists, beauty pros, and clients all felt at home, supported, and inspired. Read more>>
Katie & Gavin Thacker
My father started tobacco farming on our land when he was a young teenager, which opened the door for him to grow the farm with row crops and agritourism. I moved away to Chattanooga after high school for college, where I met my husband. Shortly after my husband and I got married, my brother was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma Cancer. We made the decision to move back home to the farm. We had planned to slowly get the farm back up and running with my brother, but Heaven needed him more. Our journey to turn the farm back around went from a slow walk to nose dive pretty fast. We are both learning something new everyday. Read more>>
Talea Henderson
The transition wasn’t easy. Navigating the aesthetic industry as an RN and figuring out how to start a business came with challenges, especially since this field can feel intimidating to newcomers. Thankfully, under the guidance of Smiley Aesthetics, I was able to launch my own buisness while ensuring full compliance. Read more>>
Kimberly Drye
I began teaching at WAY in 2010, and over the years it became not just a place where I worked, but where I grew up in my teaching and found lasting connections with students and fellow teachers. After COVID, the previous owner decided to pass the torch, and I stepped into ownership. Taking on the studio in such a tender and uncertain time was both a challenge and a gift—it meant carrying forward a space that had already been a touchstone for so many, while also re-imagining how it could thrive in a changed world. Read more>>
Erica Gambrell
I am a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in Kinesiology, and minor in Business Administration. I also cheered – GO VOLS! My senior year, I sustained a serious calf injury, tearing it in 5 separate places, which ended my cheer career. It was during this time that I found NEIGHBORHOOD barre. I joined as a client in 2017. I loved the low impact, effective and fun workout. I also loved the community! The other clients and instructors were kind and encouraging, especially during such a difficult time for me! Read more>>
