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.

Elisabeth Marsch

Unfortunately, it’s incredibly hard to make a living as an artist. Small businesses are already difficult with high overhead, small teams, and heavy self-employment taxes. And a greater issue is that everyday people in America often don’t feel welcome in fine art circles AND don’t invest their money in fine art. It’s a vicious cycle. So it takes an incredible amount of networking, promotion, and public education to get your work out there and to encourage people that art can and should be a part of their lives. For every one amazing client who values your work and pays for it, there are hundreds who ignore it and dozens who admire it but never buy anything. Read more>>

Olin Wallace

I grew up in a small town in Minnesota called Orr. I have always had a passion for music l, but initially never saw my self as an artist. I moved to Nashville in 2016 to pursue a career in audio engineering and in late 2019 found my self on stage instead of back stage and never looked back from there. Read more>>

Kelcie Silva

My passions and therapeutic processes have shifted and evolved over the past decade. My desire as a therapist is for my clients to learn that holding space for difficult emotions and experiences can bring about healing, that they can have deep connection to self and others, and that having secure relationships is possible. I am grateful to be a therapist, to witness people doing the hard work to find healing, and to hold space for the messiness and beauty of being a human. Read more>>

Patrick Hern

The first four or five years I worked 7 days a week(90+ hours a week) every week. I didn’t want to rest until I had a strong and stable business. Once I achieved that goal I haven’t stopped working to maintain it. In an ever changing industry it’s important to stay ahead of the curve, especially with how the world is becoming more digital by the day, it would seem. That’s why even now I’m working hard to share my passion with more people than ever before. This is why I’m stepping into the virtual realm to a greater degree, with my “fitness for everywhere” programming. Read more>>

Lekita Sims

There were many challenges on this journey: surviving a childhood marked by dysfunction, constant uprooting, carrying the burden of keeping my siblings together when everything around us was falling apart, becoming a mother right out of high school, lived through a house fire, church hurt, and a long list of silent battles that never made it into the testimonies people clap for. But I said “YES” to God. This meant seeing myself through God’s eyes, not through the lens of failure or shame. I didn’t come out of that season empty-handed; I came out with clarity, conviction, and calling. Read more>>

Ginnie Maxwel

10 years ago we decided to join a running program in Hendersonville, TN for our boys 4 & 6 at the time. We decided after that running series we would bring the program to Mt. Juliet. We started in 2015-2016 season we started Healthy Kids Running Series. Last season was our last season we have turned it over to a new community coordinator and it is going to be continuing forward. We started the program to an opportunity to the special needs community to have a place to be active and for children to learn to love the sport of running. We served over 3000 families during this time. Read more>>

Kenton Sitch

I chose to make this move because my writing began to resemble that type of format and the stories I was sharing on paper, rather, the concepts of the songs seemed to pair nicely with that modern country flare (From my perspective with a twist of rock and always guitar-focused). You see, it was my observation that after rock began to fall off in the late 90’s, country began to take on a different sound. What was once classic Americana rock and roll….on paper has found its way into modern country music. I recorded my first country original tune in Nashville in 2014 and that song continues to have a special place in my heart. Read more>>

Kiara Magee

Cameras and video equipment were always around in my family, but my personal journey into media began unexpectedly—through sports. I started as the Head Student Manager for the Alcorn State University Men’s Basketball Team, a role that taught me discipline, leadership, and attention to detail. My dedication led to an opportunity to return as a Graduate Assistant, where I quickly recognized a major gap: our team had little to no media presence. Read more>>

Kaylah Alarcon

Spirit Seeker Society started with a simple idea: what if we could combine our love of the paranormal with community and storytelling? A few of us who shared that same curiosity decided to get out there and investigate, and it grew into something bigger than we ever imagined—a group of women exploring haunted, historic locations and sharing the real, raw experiences that happen when you let yourself be open to the unknown. Read more>>

Mary Slowey

I then moved to Nashville in February of 2020… so you see where this is going. I was both unemployed and concerts weren’t happening, so I went back to the safe space that I always had since I was 4 years old, Irish dance. When the Irish dance World Championships that year were cancelled, I did a photoshoot giveaway so a handful of the dancers who had trained were still able to celebrate their hard work, just a little differently. By this point it wasn’t the first time I had worked with Irish dancers or ventured in to portrait photography, but it was the first time that my skill had finally progressed to match my taste and the dream felt attainable. Read more>>

Jess Knoble

I grew up in Nashville and was constantly surrounded by music. I started playing piano by ear at the age of four, and by middle school I was getting my hands on any instrument I could. I took piano lessons, taught myself ukulele and guitar, and learned saxophone through my school band program. I marched for 5 years in fall marching band and indoor drumline, a total of 10 seasons consecutively, and one additional season of indoor drumline with an independent group my first year of college. Music was not only a constant in my life, but something I was very good at. Read more>>

Taylor Loeffel

My story is simple and rooted in a deep passion: to create meaningful moments for other moms and families. There’s something sacred about dressing your baby in a garment that once belonged to you—an outfit saved for years, filled with memories and love. I call these “This Was Mine” moments, and they have inspired every step of this journey. I didn’t have a detailed plan—just a vision. I started small, learning embroidery from scratch: how to design on my computer, merge files, and bring ideas to life. I built this brand from the ground up, pouring my heart into every piece, every post, and every stitch. Read more>>

J.C. Koudelka

At the end of that season, they surprised me with a budget model harmony strat. It had a warp in the neck and the noisiest pickups ever, but I didn’t care I could make sounds with it and I was so excited. My parents signed me up for weekly guitar lessons at the same music store and I began practicing everyday after school. I enjoyed video games and other regular kid stuff, but that all slowly took a back seat to guitar. I had friends but I wasn’t super social growing up and most of my free time was learning and jamming. This was my life pretty much through school. Read more>>

Matthew Johns

The name Francis and Adeline was taken from my grandmothers first name and her sister Adeline who lived on our family’s farmhouse, formally known as Libery Hill in Smyrna TN, built in 1806, which still stands today ! My father who is passionate about his family history and devoted the last few years writing a book about the Johns Family, inspired me to use the their names, as a reminder to lead with kindness, and always look out for others, thought my work, I hope to bring southern hospitality and joy to your family, from ours. Read more>>

Mia Garcia

During the pandemic was really when I found my passion for watercolor! I had never really painted before (only in elementary school art classes) and happened upon one of my old crayons watercolor palettes. I decided to try it out since I couldn’t really do much else and fell absolutely in love with the medium and all that I was able to create! Read more>>

Grace Edwards

I started my career in private service at 16, I worked during the summer and after school hours to help a busy family keep their life under control. I did lots of cleaning, laundry, organizing, meal prepping and nannied. It was a job that I loved and think back on often on how far I’ve come since those early days. From there I took a job as a professional nanny which eventually lead me to where I am today. It was a bit on accident I stayed in this industry. And yes I’ve tried to leave a few times only to realize this is my calling. Atworth was founded in 2022 and today we are a rapidly growing company with 2 services for families to choose from. Read more>>

Kendall Crookston

I run a wedding planning and content creation business—which basically means I’m the calm in the chaos, (also proven by the fact I’m a 2nd grade teacher in my spare time). I help plan weddings big and small (seriously, I’ve done everything from 10 to 400 guests), and I through content creation capture all the behind-the-scenes moments that couples usually miss while they’re busy, you know, getting married. Read more>>

Tanya Macks

I earned my photography degree at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), where I built the foundation for the artistic and professional approach I bring to every wedding. One of the most magical parts of this journey has been seeing my little cousin follow in those same footsteps, earning her own photography degree from MTSU and joining my team seven years ago. Working alongside her has been such a gift—our shared vision and bond, and love for this craft make what we do even more special. She can read me like a book just by looking at me, she’s so dedicated and awesome, and we work so seamlessly together. Read more>>

Emma Manning

Since then, my business and life have grown so quickly. I’ve had the pleasure of working with so many amazing people – beautiful couples in love, influencers, chefs, recording artists, and brands. Some of my favorite highlights so far include photographing Raelynn and Judah at the Grand Ole Opry. That opportunity actually led me back to my dance roots, and I’ve been working with Raelynn as a movement coach for her current show while she’s out on tour with Jason Aldean. It’s been such an incredible full-circle moment. Read more>>

Chris Cross

Exquisite Enterprise turns five this July, and we’ve grown a lot — now hosting not just music showcases, but comedy events, vendor expos, and mixed entertainment nights that bring all kinds of talent under one roof. At the heart of it, though, the mission is still the same: create opportunities, provide real industry resources, and help artists navigate this game the right way — with integrity, knowledge, and a vision for something greater. Read more>>

Jenn Fleischer

Nashville Nutrition Partners (NNP) started with a simple but powerful goal: to make high-quality, ethical, and individualized nutrition care more accessible. We saw a gap in the way nutrition support was being offered—too often centered around weight and body size, and not nearly enough on the person as a whole. The research is clear: that traditional, weight-focused model not only doesn’t work long-term, it can actually be harmful. Read more>>

Quanie Cash

I was raised in a poverty stricken neighborhood in East Nashville, at the time was considered one of the toughest neighborhoods known to locals as “The Bottom” . Surround by drugs and violence, as a teenager had brushes with the law but managed to turn my life around and use those experiences in a positive light. Read more>>

Noah Litton

But one day, my friend Riley found an old video camera and we decided we were going to make a movie. All the kids in the neighborhood came together and created The Greatest Movie Ever Made (I’m not sure if the record button was ever hit, maybe for the best). It was the best summer ever. This planted the seed for me and my brothers to start making movies in our basement. We would reenact masterpieces like Star Wars, craft new stories, but mainly, I remember smiling and laughing our days away creating. Read more>>

Montana Chambers

It has, and it hasn’t. Being a business that supports people who aren’t Christian or anything other than the norm, has definitely put me at odds with some of the locals. Although, there have been struggles I wouldn’t change what I have done for the community for anything. It has been a gift to support my people who needed it the most. Read more>>

Sandi Nicholson

Our sound is inspired by harmonic proto-punks such as the Ramones, fuzzy psychobillies The Cramps, Link Wray, Italian western soundtracks, 60’s beach movies and Japanese power pop that Sandi discovered while living overseas. The primary focus is using three or four chords to convince people to move their feet. Song themes tend to tackle the big questions – such as what would happen if a Beach party was disrupted by a volcano eruption and/or zombies. Read more>>

Dustin Williams

I got enough work that I quickly opened up a shop on Music Row on 16th Ave South. In four years we outgrew that space and moved into a much larger space on 17th Ave South. After eleven more years we built a custom building on Donelson Pike. This space has large show spaces, easy work areas for luthiers, six private lesson rooms, a small recital hall that is also a class room, and has plenty of parking. The past seven years have been good in the new building. Read more>>

Andrea Smith

Instead, He directed us to start a House of Prayer in Cookeville, Tennessee. I could not understand this because I knew there were already so many churches and ministries in Cookeville, so why would God want us to stay in Cookeville instead of go back to an unreached place like Thailand? But the Lord made it very clear to us that He was going to plant a House of Prayer in Cookeville, and replicate it in the nations. The nations still have our hearts and we love to travel in and out sharing the good news of our King Jesus. Read more>>

Dana Hartwell

Misha and I had started creating fun pieces out of what most would call “junk”—a chair destined for the burn pile became a planter, and an antique bed that had seen better days was rebuilt into a charming bench. One day while driving through her field, I joked, “I’m having junk visions.” She gasped, grabbed my arm, and said, “That would be the perfect name for an antique store!”We laughed about it at the time, because opening a store wasn’t really on my radar. But little did she know, that comment planted a seed. Read more>>

Jamie Dunham

No road is completely smooth. In my early years, women were not always excepted as brand strategists like they are now. I had a client early on who wouldn’t work with a woman. Oh, he got fired. I have often been criticized for the same traits that men are applauded for. One of the unbelievable honors I have received was the top advertising award in our market Since its existence, only a handful of women have won this distinction. Read more>>

Skye Peterson

My dad was a singer-songwriter who often gave me spaces to share my songs with people. He was also the one who sat by my side at the piano, showing me scales and teaching me the number system. I’d record videos of picking patterns he’d play on his guitar to learn alone, that way I could get frustrated at myself and not him when I couldn’t play it correctly. Eventually, I felt passionate enough about my songs to launch a Kickstarter (a fundraising platform) and record an EP, which ignited my legitimate love for making music and sharing it. I was fifteen at the time and made music through high-school before Covid hit my senior year. Read more>>

Asia Mathis

Fast forward to high school art class where I truly found clay. My high school had a large clay studio, and I could come and go as I pleased, and as I lived within walking distance this served me well. From there I moved on to college and got my Bachelor of Fine Arts in ceramics and a minor in painting. To be totally honest my education in college was not great, and it was through internships and workshops outside of school that I really began to find my own way with clay. If I have one regret it is not going to get my MFA after college- I felt so sick of school, and did not have great guidance on what to do afterwards. So I just started making work in the second bedroom of the small rental house my then boyfriend, now husband, moved into after graduation. Read more>>

Ben Wenk

When my friend and frequent collaborator Robert Leib made his way back to our hometown area, it spawned the most recent new enterprise, Guernsey Beat Records. It was something that was missing from our local music scene, so we joined forces with friend and lifelong prolific musician Dean Vaccher to start this new project that just celebrated our first year anniversary in May. In short, we’re out here in rural, agricultural Pennsylvania curating great experiences around apples, cider, agriculture, and live music by trying to glean off of the tourism economy in Gettysburg and trying to bring some of that business up into Northern, agricultural areas. Read more>>

Maxwell Sadler

I graduated high school, moved to Nashville and started honing my craft at Belmont University, where I studied Commercial Music and Songwriting. During that time, I started a my own band and named it “Maxwell & The Shakes,” after I drank too much coffee before my morning physics class. I wrote and recorded an album’s worth of songs and won Belmont’s “2023 Country/Americana Showcase” with the band. It later fell apart when some members found bigger gigs, others skipped town, and one broke my heart. I look back on that time and relish the fact that I got my own Fleetwood Mac experience – Fleetwood Max. Read more>>

Morgan Liska

I followed a pretty traditional path at first. I went to a four-year college and studied Communications and Journalism. After graduating, I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do long-term, but I ended up landing a job at a marketing agency. That role ended up being a pivotal chapter for me. I worked there for nearly three years, learned a ton, and realized I was really passionate about creative strategy and working directly with clients. Eventually, I started feeling this pull to branch out and build something of my own. So I took the leap, left the agency, and started completely from scratch. That’s how Social Hour Agency was born. Read more>>

Jay Whittaker

I have always had a passion for filmmaking for as long as I can remember. I started out editing videos for friends, creating gaming content to post on YouTube, and recording story-driven pieces even as a kid. I didn’t realize then that you could turn what I considered a hobby into a career. I went to Full Sail and studied, and now I am blessed to be able to work in film full-time! Read more>>

Julia Brown

It is a change-your-life program. Over the years I have witness countless members regain control of their health, through movement and nutrition, and spread that change outside of the gym. I love it when I see members become mentally stronger, and they begin to tackle issues outside of the gym with the strength and resilience they have developed within our facility. Additionally, I love CrossFit because it truly is for everybody! While we don’t have these programs yet, we hope to add kids and adaptive athlete programs in the near future. CrossFit Tullahoma is a big part of our local Special Olympics every year and we love to see athletes of all abilities push their limits and pursue better health. Read more>>

Verónica Thames

During my childhood, my mom would occasionally borrow tape and CD audiobooks from the library for us to listen to while we were in the car. The first time I was allowed to choose an audiobook from the library to personally listen to, I chose Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls, narrated by Anthony Heald. I vividly remember staying up well past bedtime on a school night, huddled under my covers with my walkman, listening to Heald bring the story of Billy, Old Dan, and Little Ann to life through narration. It was a performance I will never forget. Read more>>