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.
Christan Schiefelbein
Rebuilding a business from the ground up is never a smooth road, but I have had a lot of support from the office at Mason Chiropractic Health & We’llness, the Pure barre Franklin studio im part of and from great family & friends that I’ve built along the way. People telling people has been and has always been the best way for me to grow a business. It’s the kindest & truest compliment when someone shares your business with others. It’s been a slow grow for me and has humbled me as my name gets out there but I’m seeing the fruit of quality work. Read more>>
emily phillips
That changed in 2016 when an old boss called and asked if I’d help him design a shirtdress. Neither of us really knew what we were doing, so I called every woman I knew and said, “Can I come over and measure you? I’ll give you a free dress.” Many of those early versions weren’t even free-dress-worthy, but after measuring hundreds (literally hundreds) of women of all shapes and sizes, a pattern began to emerge, and so did my confidence… a design was born. Read more>>
Candice Storley
After high school, I got an offer to waterski professionally and I pounced at the opportunity. I spent every moment I could on the lake training, practicing and performing. The cool thing about the ski show I worked on was that half of it was a waterski show and half of it was an acrobatic style circus show. Long story short, I made friends with the circus performers, had so much fun learning and playing on different trapeze apparatuses, so I decided to pursue a career in circus performing as an aerialist (someone who performs on pretty much any apparatus that hangs). Read more>>
Susan Hyatt-Birnholz
In 2018, I opened my private practice, and since then, I’ve worked with hundreds of couples and individuals from all walks of life — from touring iconic musicians and NFL players to adolescents with ASD and families. Today, my practice blends therapy, coaching, and wellness. Since COVID, I’ve transitioned to primarily online sessions, giving clients the comfort and privacy of connecting from home while maintaining in-person sessions at my office in Brentwood exclusively on Wednesdays. Read more>>
Denise Nicholls
I’ve learned that it’s never too late to start over. Helping others is always worth it! My journey is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the power of purpose. Through every challenge, I have turned personal hardship into public service–making the complex feel simple, and the overwhelming feel manageable Read more>>
Anthony Lena
When I was 10 years old, my mom and dad, David and Kari Lena, gave me a balloon kit for Christmas. and that is what got it all started! My neighbor, Melody Myers, was a year younger than me and she got a balloon kit after seeing mine, and it started a friendly competition between us. We would constantly try and improve our twisting skills. Read more>>
Bayan Jalalizadeh
Long before I became a physician, I was drawn to the creative spark and emotional depth of young people. I’ve always found joy in creative projects—from composing music to building board games, writing children’s fiction, and contributing to a national youth ‘zine. Read more>>
Lisa Stewart
My first solo was in church when I was 6 years old. It was an “ah-ha moment” for me. I got involved with our local Little Theater, too. Fast forward to receiving a scholarship to study music at Belmont U in Nashville. My senior year, I inked a deal with BNA/RCA. My music career opened the door for a career in film and television. Read more>>
Chris Kelley
My name is Chris Kelley and I am a Nashville Native. Was born downtown in 1986 and from a young age, I have been an artistic guy. I’ve done everything from graffiti, murals, tattooing, and bartending to restaurant management and Project Coordination. Read more>>
Riley Cox
I began my career in law enforcement, where I developed a strong sense of discipline, structure, and service. Over time, I started to feel drawn toward a new path that allowed me to create, build, and work closer to nature. That turning point came when I was gifted a mead making kit. Read more>>
Josh Davis
My college education started at a small school in Georgia playing soccer on scholarship. However, at the end of that year, I decided that I needed to get serious about what I wanted to do for a career, so I transferred back to my home state and to the University of Tennessee to go to school to become an Architect. Read more>>
Bailey Koozer
I moved to Nashville in 2020 to study Music Business at Belmont University, where I discovered how powerful social media can be for helping artists build real connections with their audience. During my time there, I worked alongside multi-platinum artists and top music marketing agencies, learning how great strategy and storytelling can turn a song into a movement. But I also saw a major problem. Read more>>
Alysa Morton
Since a child I knew I wanted to be in the beauty industry either from designing clothes, styling hair, makeup etc.. But throughout my childhood & high school years life wasn’t so great. Read more>>
Jedi Bishop
From the start, I’ve always been drawn to creativity. Growing up as the typical theater kid, dance kid, and with martial arts training, I spent countless hours honing different crafts — yet still felt a lingering disconnection. When I was 15, YouTube was becoming huge. While many of my friends were diving into memes and funny videos, I found myself captivated by filmmaking tutorials. Read more>>
Raphael Cosme
I started loving movies since my dad showed me Raiders of the Lost Ark when I was 5. Then he helped me set up my YouTube account in 2013 ‘Kaijuzilla621’ in which I made little fan-films of Godzilla, Jurassic Park, and Five Nights at Freddy’s. I gained a decent following of 93,000 subscribers. Eventually I took filmmaking more seriously when I got to Jacksonville University. Read more>>
Arthur Williams
State of the Art Security LLC started after I completed 10 years in law enforcement and corrections. I always had the passion for helping others so in light of leaving law enforcement, I wanted to continue serving within Security. Read more>>
Jenni Hollingsworth-Evras
During the pandemic I started my own small business where I would hand craft wooden signs. I hand designed and painted them. I did some shows and markets where I attended the Smyrna Depot Farmers Market. This Market is powered by Carpé Artista Arts Academy, a local non-profit organization for the arts in the community. Read more>>
Renee Waniolek
My story has always been rooted in creativity and connection. I’ve always loved bringing ideas to life — whether that’s curating a brand’s online presence, capturing the behind-the-scenes energy of a wedding, or transforming a space through design and decor. Read more>>
Tish Owen
I grew up in a house with my Irish granny who was psychic, She taught me it was okay to see and hear and know the things that I di. I visited New Orleans and found a place called the Bottom of the Cup. They had tea and tarot. Read more>>
Kentucky Music Mafia
Shannon Joe back in 2017 came up with the idea of bringing a lot of artist together and came up with the name Kentucky Music Mafia. Which was form to be a label/crew of artist formed into a trio group when we started releasing music and doing shows together. Read more>>
Mikey Denton
Honestly, I fell into the hair industry by accident. I didn’t grow up cutting hair or have any background in it — it just looked fun and creative, and I figured it’d be a cool way to make money doing something different. Once I got into it, I realized how deep it really goes — the technical side, the psychology, the people. It hooked me. Read more>>
Gretchen Mayer-Yeh
I began playing the piano when I was five years old. I remember that in my first lesson, my teacher asked me to identify which hand was my right hand. I couldn’t remember which one was which, so I guessed and raised a hand. She said, ‘Yes, that’s right!’ and that was just the beginning. Read more>>
Andrea ‘Dre’ Hartley
I’ve always been a rebellious, creative middle child with a lion’s heart and an adventurous spirit. Life experience has shown me, time and again, that we are meant for freedom — just as a spark of light is meant to shine from the soul. My path has been anything but linear. Read more>>
Dr. Keisha Bean
Dr. Keisha Bean began her academic journey at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Unsure at first of which direction to take her degree, she was inspired by a mentor who encouraged her to pursue advanced education to expand her impact in the mental health field. Read more>>
Matthew Kulak
My name is Matthew Kulak, and I am the owner of Kool Vision Media, a real estate media and marketing business located in Clarksville, TN. Kool Vision Media was originally created in New Jersey back in 2018. Originally named Kool Vision Photography, it was the name I used as a private contractor working for a few local companies. Read more>>
Erin Orstrom
My story, like many over the past few years, has its roots in an unexpected time, but the creative spark goes back further. When I was younger, I enjoyed drawing and other creative expression, but as I got busy with schoolwork, sports, and life, that interest waned. Additionally, I never felt I was ‘naturally’ good at art. Read more>>
Dayana Weffer
I started You Heavenly Dog Grooming (A Division of Fairview Dog Grooming LLC) with a pair of clippers, a big dream, and a heart for dogs. What began as a one-woman operation in Fairview has grown into a full-service grooming salon known for its loving care, gentle care environment, and heavenly transformations. Read more>>
E. T.
I’m E.T., also known as ET Got Soul, an artist out of Nashville, on a mission to spread love, and positivity to the world through hip hop. My story didn’t start in a studio though, it started in basements in Louisville Kentucky, spinning on cardboard. Read more>>
Jake C. Young
As Far back as I can remember, I always had a big imagination. An imagination that was too big for all places that I was in. I’m fell in love with the idea of pretending in creating stories and craft when I was 13 I began to make I referred to as “backyard movies” from then on I dabbled an acting and filmmaking. Read more>>
Rhonda Pendergrass
I’ve always felt a deep calling to help others, which led me to earn my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and my Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling. My journey began at a counseling center, where I had the privilege of working with individuals and groups, helping them navigate life’s challenges. Read more>>
More Beatty
I started my photography journey nine years ago as a stay-at-home mom with a six-month-old baby and a $500 camera. I just wanted to take better photos of my son, but I quickly realized it wasn’t as simple as pressing a button. Read more>>
Christie Davis
I have a degree in business and spent years working in that world, but I never really loved it. When my husband’s job had him traveling often and we moved to Nolensville with our two young kids, I found myself at home in a builder-basic house that was about ten years old. Read more>>
Courtney Adair Johnson
I call myself a reuse artist because my work begins with the materials we already have. For years I’ve centered my practice on questioning consumption. How we use resources, what we throw away, and what possibilities open up when we choose to reuse. That philosophy has guided both my art and my professional life. Read more>>
Kieran Bailey
I like to say I built my career out of being a professional fangirl. I started running fan accounts, writing about pop culture, and basically living online before social media was even considered a career path. Somewhere along the way, I realized I wasn’t just obsessed with the artists and shows I loved; I was fascinated by why people loved them. Read more>>
Timmy Renz
Gluttony The Bigtop Butcher: A Chronicle of Chaos Wrestling is more than a passion; it is the ultimate vehicle for entertainment, and the squared circle is the stage I was born to command. My journey is a testament to dedication and, often, a bit of unexpected destiny. Read more>>
Bryan Maynard
I became a Licensed Professional Counselor as a second career after many years of doing spiritual retreats, workshops, and spiritual formation. It was a ‘traumatic crash’ during my early forties that led me to have to face the realities of a nervous system and brain shaped by childhood trauma. Read more>>
Natasha Larson
I’ve been in business for an amazing 15 years. I started as an hourly clerk at Kroger before getting my chance to be a floral shop manager. There, I had the opportunity to take a 6-week course in floral design. After I interned for a planner and learned more about the wedding business. From there, my first client came, and the rest was history. Read more>>
Samantha La Deaux
I’ve always been that person who sees a brand or website and instantly starts thinking, “Okay, here’s what would make this work better.” I started my career in the corporate creative and tech world, learning how strategy, design, and marketing all fit together to actually move the needle for businesses. Read more>>
Marisa Cali
Marisa Cali’s story begins long before “virtual events” became a buzzword. With roots in digital marketing dating back to 2006, she learned early how technology could amplify connection — not replace it. Read more>>
Holly Martin
Growing up, I was always encouraged to be my own boss. Both of my parents worked full time. My mom worked a high-stress corporate job in recruiting. My Dad worked for himself in construction management. I got to see what both of them experienced on a daily basis- when it was good and when it was really tough. Read more>>
Mary Ellen Pethel
When Dr. Mary Ellen Pethel first envisioned Nashville Sites, it began as a post-graduate project in 2017—a digital humanities exploration of Nashville’s historical markers. The idea was simple yet ambitious: to connect the city’s physical landmarks to an accessible digital world, where history could live in our hands, our ears, and our neighborhoods. Two years later, that vision became reality. Read more>>
Rod Newman
I started my professional life as a Certified Athletic Trainer. Graduated from James Madison University undergrad and got my Masters from University of Florida. Worked as a High School athletic trainer at local High Schools with Lipscomb Sports Therapy Center out of St Thomas Hospital. Then Head Athletic trainer at Tennessee State Univ from 1995-1999. Vanderbilt University as the Head Men’s Basketball Athletic Trainer. Read more>>
Evan Adams
The story of our band Pyramia started in 2019 with just myself and two of my old bandmates from Dallas, Texas. However, It wasn’t until late 2022 when I met Rocky Burger and Ellery Smith at college that the band really started to take off. By that point, I had an entire album written and demoed for them to add their magic to. Read more>>
Kevin Ray Lawson
My purpose on earth is to help empower others. Cedarstone School of Music is built on the foundation to “maximize your musical potential“. As a child, I showed advanced musical talent – so my parents put me in traditional music lessons. Read more>>
Yelismar Escalona
Silk Skin Studio Story My name is Yelismar Escalona. I was born in Valencia, Venezuela, and in 2017 I emigrated to the United States with a heart full of dreams and goals, three children by my side as a single mother, no English, little money, and no family in Nashville. Read more>>
Patty Young
After 20 years in Property Management, 3 kids grown and one 4 year old daughter in tow, I left Nashville, where I owned a home, worked and played music, while raising kids, I moved back to Colorado. Approaching age 50, I was rubbing my mom’s neck and my sister said, ‘ you’re so good at that, you should go to school. ‘ School? for this? Read more>>
Jordyn Elliott
Sure ! I have been managing about 15 years. I went to school for event management and graduated from Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. I am originally from Ontario Canada and moved here to Nashville in 2020. Read more>>
Tiffany Sweeley
Well, it started when my husband and I were having marital problems. After years of treating each other poorly we filed for divorce. As a Christian it just didn’t feel right. I knew that God designed marriage and he hated divorce. So I began to pray. And I prayed. After being separated for 6 months, a breakthrough. Read more>>
Ken Allen
I discovered my passion for storytelling in 1993, inspired by my deep interest in family genealogy and the untold stories woven through generations. When my own family’s history proved elusive, I turned my curiosity into creativity, crafting my first novel, McKenna’s Reckoning—a compelling work of fiction that explores the enduring ties of family, their struggles, and identity. Read more>>
Audra McLaughlin
I’m Audra McLaughlin — a Philly soul and Americana artist originally from Philadelphia, now based in Nashville. My sound blends soulful storytelling and rock & roll grit — think Janis Joplin meets Chris Stapleton and Bonnie Raitt — with the powerhouse vocal chops of Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, and Mariah Carey. Read more>>
Daphne Treadway
Now, I ride two to three days a week and spend my days creating fine art equine portraits that celebrate the bond between horse and rider. There’s something truly special about capturing the power, grace, and soul of these magnificent animals — and the quiet, unspoken connection they share with their people. Read more>>
Cassie Mccord
At the time, I was in an unhealthy marriage and searching for light in a dark season. Enrolling in the esthetics program was my leap of faith — the first step toward rewriting my story. After graduating, I left with nothing but my two children and an unshakable determination to build a better life. Through the generosity of friends, I found a safe place to start over, and soon after, a door opened at a local wax studio. Read more>>
Nick Curtis
I have always been involved in sport, fitness, and health. I grew up and completed my undergrad in exercise science in upstate New York before going on to earn my Doctor of Chiropractic and Masters in Exercise Science in Minneapolis, Minnesota. My work has been greatly influenced by my diverse, lengthy, and deep understanding of the health, fitness, and rehab industries. Read more>>
Lee Howard
I am originally from TN and completed a general surgery residency after medical school. After residency, I moved back to TN, with my family, and I quickly realized that I needed medical help as a 35 year old man. I knew that the medical system I was part of couldn’t provide that advice. Read more>>
