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. Emma Smith
When I moved to Nashville, I knew exactly two people. Neither was in the mental health field. I had built my entire professional reputation in Washington, D.C.—a city that thrives on intellect, policy, and ambition. Suddenly I was starting over in a place that hums with artistry and heart. Read more>>
Jenna Weidner
Yes absolutely! My is Jenna Weidner. I’m originally from a small town called Evergreen, CO. My whole life I grew up singing and performing. Throughout my childhood, I was involved in choir, dance and musical theater. No matter where I was or what I was doing, I was always humming a tune in my head, and still do to this day! Read more>>
Frederick Breedon
I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida in a very Christian home and it was there I developed a love for the arts. Like many others who grew up in the 1970s and ’80s I would go to church on Sunday and I spend much of the rest of my week collecting comic books . Read more>>
Steve Creech
I am a lifelong enthusiast of sound and music. My brother and I were always very critical listeners and musicologists. We studied the nuances and variables within recordings and appreciated them—not just intellectually, but emotionally—enjoying music from the inside out. That served me well going forward because I discovered musical skills that deepened my appreciation for what was to come. Read more>>
Daniel Kim Ethridge
I grew up in Long Beach, California, technically Lakewood, in a house where music was always part of daily life. My mom’s a great piano player, and my dad’s passion for music meant I grew up listening to everything from the Beatles and the Stones to the Beach Boys and the Eagles. Read more>>
Bobian Demce
Dua Kafe really started from a mix of passion and nostalgia. I grew up with a strong sense of hospitality and community, and when I came to New York, I wanted to bring a little bit of that Mediterranean warmth here. Read more>>
Jim Massey
Fugitives beginnings: I come from a long line of Tennesseans who believed in hard work, heritage, and the land beneath their feet. My family on my father’s side were among the first European settlers of Lincoln County, Tennessee, arriving in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Read more>>
Jacob Fleming
Growing up in Tampa, Florida, I picked up the guitar somewhere around age 10. Open mics / writers nights gave me my first chance to play for an audience. Songwriting became a favorite activity soon afterwards and by 16 I had started a band with some friends from high school. Read more>>
Zach Rovito
As a kid I always enjoyed music and played in the school band. My dad and grandma exposed me to a very diverse and vast library of music and it all resonated with me. One day I finally picked up the guitar in the corner of the room and the rest was history. I fell in love. Read more>>
Danielle Larson
I always say my life has been a mix of grit, reinvention, and choosing to rise even when the ground feels shaky. I started my career in education and HR because I genuinely care about people—how they work, how they grow, and how their lives outside the workplace shape everything they bring to the table. Read more>>
Rico Buchanan
Well how I got started rapping is I used to watch my older brother do it when I was around 12 at the time I was into dancing. I listened to a lot of music though and as I got a little older I didn’t wanna dance anymore I wanted to rap too. Read more>>
Steve Bridgmon
Music has always been my lifeline, the thread that pulled me through some tough beginnings and gave me a sense of purpose. Growing up, I faced more than my share of challenges, but faith and music kept me grounded. Every setback became another verse in my story, shaping the sound and soul behind what I do today. Read more>>
Chloe Jayne
My story starts in Bournemouth, England, where I was born on November 16, 2001. Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mom, Samantha LaDeaux, was a recording artist and showgirl in England, and that’s where she met my dad — a California boy who grew up on country, rock, and everything in between. Read more>>
Wayne Treanor
Originally from Brooklyn New York. I moved to Florida and after high school I joined the Navy and served 8 years as a avionics technician. After the Navy I started working as a computer tech and later got into restaurant management. Ive been married for 37 years and have 2 grown kids. Read more>>
Jennifer Fleischer
My journey started over a decade ago in New York, my hometown. After college, I was feeling lost and looking for an artistic outlet. My family introduced me to a friend of theirs who worked as a professional weaver. I reached out and ended up taking a year long apprenticeship with her and the small company she worked for. Read more>>
Dr. Lynn Duhe
Absolutely — my journey into Functional and Integrative Medicine began from personal experience, not a textbook. In 2017, after more than 13 years as a Registered Nurse, I woke up one morning with excruciating back and hip pain, vertigo, and my first migraine. I could barely make it up the stairs at work — something I had done every day. Read more>>
Ashley Blanco
I’ve lived in Nashville for 10 years now! I moved here straight out of college in Florence, AL; that’s where I met my current producer and dear friend, Philip Towns. I’ve dipped my toes in various parts of the music industry (different genres and endeavors), but finally feel like I’ve found my lane. Read more>>
Joey Vinegar
My name is Joey Vinegar. I am a singer-songwriter, originally from Canada. I’ve been performing and writing music for 25 years. I studied classical guitar and piano in College and University. I love Bluegrass and country music as well as rock and soul music. I have recorded several songs and EP’s. Read more>>
Robert Earl
My Story starts in Gary Indiana at the age of 7 when myself and my youngest sister were adopted by an angel named Yvonne Tate Long. Who loved on me unconditionally and raised me up in the way I should go so that I would not depart from it. Read more>>
Taylor Griffin & Susie Pratt
It all started when I, Taylor, began working at the Ivy Corner in 2020 for the previous owners. Over time, I completely fell in love with the shoppe— the charm, the customers, and the sense of community it brought. After a few years, my mom and I decided to take a leap of faith and asked the owners if they’d ever considered selling. Read more>>
Logan Freevol
Yeah! I started playing guitar when I was 7 years old following a lack of success in all sports and one pretty bad baseball incident. My parents have been super supportive all of my life, and have pushed me to keep growing and learning more. They’ve supplied me with all I’ve needed to keep learning and getting better at this music thing. Read more>>
Leah South
I created Leah Bajea’s Desserts while in college in 2017. My cousin and I took a decorating class that summer and I fell in love with “dessert artwork”! Since then, I have moved several times and kept this business close by. I love getting to make customer’s visions come to life! Read more>>
Alicia Brooks
Hi! Well, a little about myself, we have to start from the very beginning. I am born and raised in Nashville, yes… One of the few… And I grew up going to Opryland! Unfortunately, I was too small to ride any of the rides, but I was absolutely obsessed with their shows. Read more>>
David McMillan
I’m an active participant in therapy with my clients. I share my thoughts, feelings and opinions. Generally therapists are taught not to do that. I try to make therapy fun. I use metaphors and immediacy in my work. I often work with families invoved with the courts and I help parents and children reconcile. Read more>>
Byron & Brandice Morant
B’s Helping Hands was founded in 2024 by Dr. Byron Morant H.C & Dr. Brandice Morant H.C . BS Helping Hands was created in response to the growing number of residents in North and South Carolina as well as Tennessee experiencing food insecurity and homelessness. Read more>>
Bobby Black 615
I am music artist born and raised in Nashville Tennessee Read more>>
Cornelius Henshaw
I’m from Mississippi ‘Tha Coast’ to be exact I been up here a lil min now although I miss the crib some days; I feel like Tennessee is where I need to be at. I think both states molded me to being a dope videographer Read more>>
Lauren DeLeary
ve always been a storyteller at heart. I actually started my career in music — I was a singer-songwriter and toured for years, which eventually led to winning a Juno Award in 2019. But over time, my creative energy started pulling me toward new forms of storytelling — photography, podcasting, and content creation. Read more>>
Jesse Butler
I used to work in independent professional wrestling as a ring announcer, commentator, interviewer, and even occasional wrestler. Covid shut down the entire wrestling industry, so I was stuck without a ‘hobby’ or ‘passion project’, until one day I realized I was surrounded by movies I had been collecting. Read more>>
Donoven Rice
Honestly, my story started with something simple — I just really missed the McDonald’s SnackWrap. One day I pulled up to the drive-thru, filmed a funny TikTok asking for it back, and somehow the internet made it go viral. Read more>>
Svmvrie
I started music as a hobby during my childhood at age 9 just learning barebones production. I didn’t take music seriously or pursued it as a career until I was 19. Read more>>
Jason Stoltzfus
I moved to Nashville in 2005 and was immediately taken by the community of artists here. The best musicians, writers, photographers, and filmmakers I’d ever met, all in one place. It was inspiring to feel like you could make anything you wanted to make, and there would be a place for it in the greater creative scheme of things. Read more>>
Tamara Graves
Our journey began with TK Queen & Shears, a brick-and-mortar salon built on passion, creativity, and service. It was more than just a beauty business — it was a safe haven where clients came not only for transformation on the outside, but also confidence and encouragement on the inside. Over time, we began to see how the beauty industry was changing. Read more>>
Jeff Shicks
Jeff Shicks – Pastor/Executive Director – Nashville Youth For Christ Jeff first started serving as the youth pastor of Sunbury Christian Church in 1983 where he served at for 12 years. One of the most challenging times in ministry came while serving there when one of the students in the youth group was accidently shot by a gun. Read more>>
Emilie Frances Foote
I moved from AZ to TN with my husband late 2020 and we moved in our house in Pleasant View at the end of January 2021. Read more>>
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>>
