Nashville’s Most Inspiring Stories

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.

Dr. Benacci Palloto

Back in 2019 I moved back to the US from Australia. I was the heallllthiest I had ever been there – walking, running, swimming, eating so healthy, etc. On my way back, I went to egypt for a month and fell off a horse and landed on my head and suffered a pretty severe undiagnosed and missed concussion. I also silly enough drank from the Nile because they told me if I did I would come back – and I wanted to come back! Read more>>

Sophia Cruse

Originally from Berlin, Germany, I moved to the United States over 8 years ago and have lived in Washington, D.C.; Fredericksburg, VA; Raleigh, NC; Chicago, IL; and now Hermitage, TN. My passion for real estate began when my husband and I purchased our dream home—a unique property previously owned by a Tennessee Titans player. Experiencing the buying process firsthand, especially while living out of state in a competitive market, gave me a deep appreciation for the industry. That experience, combined with my love for Tennessee’s dynamic housing market and welcoming communities, inspired me to help others achieve their homeownership dreams. Read more>>

Karla Wiser

Approximately eight months after receiving my license, I transitioned to a full-time real estate career. Since then, I have been dedicated to guiding clients through one of the most significant decisions of their lives. I am passionate about educating and supporting families throughout the home-buying process, fostering lasting relationships, and treating every client with the care and attention I would give to my own family. Read more>>

Emily Green

After swearing I would never shoot couples, I did a free session with one of my friends and her boyfriend at the time, and fell in love with working with couples. From there, I put myself out there constantly to work with wedding photographers, and also grew my own portfolio of family work through word of mouth and referrals. Six and a half years later, I’m still just as enthralled with shooting couples and families as I was in the beginning. Now, I photograph weddings across the Southeast and work with new and repeat families for newborns, maternity, and family sessions. Read more>>

Amanda Picking

I completed that training in October and then was able to open up my new brick and mortar location called The Vital Spark: Veterinary Rehab and Acupuncture. Since then, I have been able to help so many more pets and in so many more ways! It’s been quite the journey already, but it’s only just begun. There are so many more services that I want to train in and provide including herbs, homemade diet plans, and chiropractic. I will always be trying to expand my knowledge and will never plateau in my career. Read more>>

Marionna

I then decided to apply to a few schools for songwriting because I had just gotten into that during the pandemic and was lucky enough to be accepted into both Belmont and Berklee College of Music. For my first few years of college I was deadset on being just a songwrited but then at a pitch meeting I attended I was told that I should keep the songs I submitted for myself and the rest is history. I haven’t been pursing this path of being an artist for long (3 years), but deep down this has always been in my, my head is just finally catching up to my heart. Read more>>.

Dr. Tanner Simmons

When we moved back to Nashville is when I decided to open my own practice. I had the dream of creating the ideal environment for both patient care as well as a practice that providers would thrive in. I also have been very blessed in my life and feel called to give back to the community. Through opening my own business, this has allowed me to reinvest a portion of our profits to cover seeing patients pro bono who can’t otherwise afford or have access to physical therapy!. Read more>>

Stephanie Rinehart

I originally studied Media and Communication Arts, but when the focus shifted from film to digital, I lost interest and took a break. Years later, one coworker suggested I check out a massage school in Madison, believing I’d do well. Massage therapy had always been a career I considered, especially since I wanted to help people and wasn’t interested in nursing due to a fear of needles. A few days later, my fiancé and I toured the school, and I enrolled. Read more>>

Leslie Treece

I am a pediatrician and I have an artistic side. I have been in private practice for over 23 years. My children are grown up and I have been looking for ways to give back and to keep my mind stimulated. So I started an Instagram, TikTok and YouTube accounts last year to help young parents with their babies. I am growing my following and have wonderful audiences there. It has been awesome learning about making and editing videos and using all of the technology. I have built an online course for parents preparing for a new baby and have several digital downloads available on my site, leslietreecemd.com. Read more>>

Cody Cothron

I was working at the fire station and a call came in for a baby not breathing well. After our initial assessment we called for the helicopter and I have been in love ever since! We have two amazing kids that love Jesus, Caylee 16 and Carter 9. We love serving Jesus and lead a marriage small group as well as coach small group leaders. I also serve on the board of directors for Big Time Ministry. Read more>>

Jessica Parham Lynette Womble

When we outgrew that space, we moved to a rental space that was a little larger across town. In September of 2024, we finally moved into our own and current location at 206 Lane Parkway. We have maintained three injectors and added two aestheticians to our practice over the years. Each provider at the skin project is passionate about helping patients reach their individual skin care goals and to feel confident in his or her own skin. Read more>>

Terri Watson

My love for photography came about when my only son decided to join the high school marching band in the 9th grade. I of course being the proud mom started capturing him in action playing the sousaphone during competitions. I also made sure to get photos of the other musicians in the band as well. I had a blast and started branching out capturing not only the marching band, but photographed the football games, basketball games, soccer and other sports at my son’s school. I was also shooting theater, cheerleading and other extracurricular activities. I didn’t want to leave anyone out and showcase as many students and their talents as I could. Read more>>

Zach & Lyndi Knowles

Overall, we have been extremely blessed to have the opportunities we’ve had, and the Lord has definitely had his hand guiding us. But, just like starting and growing any business, it has taken a ton of work and had its fair share of challenges. As is usually the case, finding the right employees was one of our biggest challenges but we have the best team possible in place now and absolutely owe our success to the job they do on a daily basis. Read more>>

Scott Greenblatt

I also realized that sharpening my skills as producer and engineer would increase my chances of success in an ever-changing industry. Rather than relying solely on performing, I could offer value in other ways by helping artists bring their music to life. So after graduating with a degree in Television, Radio and Film—and recording a solo project along the way which taught me the nuances of developing a record—I stayed at Syracuse for one more year to hone my skills in the recording studio and earn my Master’s degree in Audio Arts. Read more>>

Anne Marie Noll

I strive to source all natural fiber clothing such as silk, wool, linen, and cotton. Natural fibers are more breathable, comfortable and better for your overall health. Additionally, not only is buying second hand more cost effective, it is better for the environment. I also think it makes a closet or a home more interesting and beautiful. Almost all the materials I use for my textile based projects are purchased through Turnip Green Creative Reuse, a local organization diverting usable material from our landfill for creative endeavors. Read more>>

Hunter Walden

What I’m most proud of is our “Pay What You Can” initiative. We believe beauty should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances. While our services reflect an advanced level of education and expertise, one day each month we offer guests the opportunity to pay more or less than the listed price—whatever they can afford. The proceeds from those days are donated directly to the Oasis Center here in Nashville, an organization doing powerful work for youth in our community. Read more>>

Owen Kattenbraker

I struggled with my weight and didn’t understand how much of a role nutrition played. By my senior year of high school, I had built a solid foundation in weightlifting and training, but I realized that without getting serious about my nutrition, I’d keep spinning my wheels. So I made a drastic shift and ended up losing 80 pounds in just a few months- an experience that taught me a lot, both good and bad. It was far too fast, and I learned firsthand the importance of doing things in a sustainable, healthy way rather than chasing quick results. Read more>>

Andrianna Hampton

As a born and raised Nashvillian, at just 19 years old, I started a lip gloss business called Andri Gloss and shipped my products all over the world. Creating each gloss was a messy and time-consuming process, and the profit margins were slim. I decided to get a “real job” at Kroger to help fund my business, but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the workload became too much. I ended up quitting and deciding to further my education instead. Read more>>

Chris Madison

I knew that I had a special skill that most did not have and I also learned that I had a love for the construction business. Once getting my real estate license and beginning to find properties, I quickly took on managing and executing full home renovations as an investor. This was a great new business and it drove me to study to get my General Contracting license so that I could share the joy of creating beautiful spaces not only for myself, but for others. There really is nothing like creating a safe space for individuals and families to share their lives in. Read more>>

Cindy Newman

My journey started back in 2006, while serving in the military, when a friend showed me her crochet work and taught me a few basic stitches. My very first project was a lopsided scarf (which I still have!), and that small beginning sparked a lifelong love of making things by hand. Over the years, I made blankets, scarves, and hats here and there, but it was more of a hobby—until the summer of 2024. Read more>>

Shontoya Richardson

We have come along way in the past 3-4 years, from meal prepping, catering, opening up new businesses and more. There has been multiple ventures in which has seemed promising but turned out to be just a steeping stool for the next chapter God has aligned for us. It is a joyous feeling to finally call something ours. Read more>>

Andrew Cook

Elegy began in 2020 at the peak of the pandemic. We turned what was originally meant to be offices into a to-go coffee shop that offered a walk-up window for folks who just wanted to “grab and go,” or didn’t feel quite comfortable going inside businesses yet at that point. We started with the same approach we used for The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club; offer a superior product and serve it with top-tier customer service. We have always assumed that if you start there, then you already have a leg up, and something of fundamental quality on which to build. Read more>>

Spencer Smith

Definitely not! I think starting and/or owning a business is one of the hardest things anyone can do, but I know from personal experience that owning a CrossFit gym is a particularly difficult endeavor. Our biggest struggle has mostly been achieving the growth that we need. We’ve almost closed our doors on at least one occasion, but have managed to survive and grow, thanks in large part to our amazing mentors at Best Hour of Their Day, a CrossFit-specific business coaching company (even coaches need coaches, right?). We’re still facing struggles on a regular basis, but each day is an opportunity to learn, adapt, and improve. Read more>>

Megan Eggers

Since moving to Nashville, we bought a house, had a baby and have changed jobs a few times. All of those situations have caused bumps in the road for my brow business but only temporarily. I always tell my apprentices to just keep going no matter what. No matter what your imposter syndrome tells you it is ok- keep posting and keep practicing. Read more>>

Holli Ellis

Through working in foster care, community mental health in a rural area and inpatient addiction treatment, I formed my private practice in Hendersonville. Through my own healing work and professional interest I found myself at the intersection of the thinking brain and the experiencing body. Each day I choose intentionally to live in devotion to myself for balance of the brain and body. It allows me to offer that to clients as they make that choice, too. Read more>>

Kenadi Sherril

I am Kenadi Sherril, I’m 22 years old and I’m from Murfreesboro, TN, Born and raised. I have been obsessed with the media industry ever since I was 12 years old and put out my first youtube video. I loved creating content and entertainment as well as just being myself. I say this because it influenced my decision to major in Communications Media with a concentration in Production at my Illustrious university, Alabama A&M, where I just recently graduated from on May 9th. Read more>>