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.
Borneo Sedeu Nishevikj
Since then, I’ve been working full-time in the film industry as a first assistant director and director for film and television across the nation. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate on projects for networks such as Hallmark, Lifetime, Prime Video, Hulu, and ABC, among others. Some of the movies I’ve recently worked on include From Shattered Vows (2025), Murder at the Derby (2025), and Just Breathe (2025). Each project has continued to deepen my appreciation for collaboration and the art of bringing a story to life on set. Read more>>
Kim Ortiz
I had this overwhelming feeling that it was time to lay the foundation for a vision that was given to me in 2014- a vision to form my own organization dedicated to empowering youth with vocational skills, career readiness, and exposure to the arts. Well in 2023, the L.O.V.E. Academy was formed and to date, it is without a doubt my greatest contribution to the world. This is the part of my story that I’d love to focus on – the part that makes me feel whole. Read more>>
Paige Allen
My story as a creative and one who is passionate about seeing others walk in their purpose starts at the age of 3. My dance journey started with one ballet class at a small daycare and quickly grew into becoming a professional studio dancer for over 20 years. The freedom to express myself in movement & choreography is truly a gift only God could have given me. In excellence and grace I am striving to use my gift of dance to proclaim the name of Jesus. Read more>>
Jade Dominique
We wanted the experience to be better from start to finish. Trustworthy, transparency, licensed, insured, design team available for clients, and incredible attention to detail. We also wanted to be transparent so that clients knew they were getting great work and great value. I’m so happy that Brandis kept pushing me and we made the jump! Read more>>
Kristen ‘Dinzy’ Dinsmore
Heart on sleeve, sleeve on fire, I was ready to leave it all on the floor. From Kristen Dinsmore-a little girl daydreaming of being a chart topping pop singer, to a true theater kid, I found myself rocking the Whiskey A Go Go and ended up in Nashville’s Basement as local rock Artist ‘Dinzy’. Read more>>
Jacquelyn S. Dalton
I’m a Middle Tennessee native who used grit and determination to jump-start my career as a public health strategist at a national nonprofit. At a very young age, I showed leadership qualities. I was a middle child with firstborn qualities. Read more>>
Shavonna Bush
I’ve been writing since my teenage years, back when I contributed to the teen section of our local newspaper and realized storytelling came naturally to me. From there, I went on to write articles for various magazines, newspapers, and community publications, always finding new ways to connect with people through words. In 2015, I began editing for self-published authors. Read more>>
Sterling Goller-Brown
I was always interested in drawing and copying cartoons when I was a kid but I don’t remember being very remarkable at it. Art was always my favorite class through elementary school but after that I didn’t take another academic art class until college. Read more>>
Ricky Johnson
My journey really started long before I ever became a REALTOR®, accountant, or credit specialist. After serving in the Army, I carried those values of discipline, service, and resilience into my professional life. I began in tax preparation over eleven years ago, which eventually led me to build my own tax and credit restoration business. Read more>>
Elizabeth Gombert
My partner Jay and I met in college both studying art in 2011 – we had a chance to work together in a picture framing shop during our time in school and both really enjoyed the reward of hands-on work. After graduating, we separately pursued careers in the trades – Elizabeth in a cabinet shop and Jay working for a painting company. Read more>>
Elsie Chao
started my esthetician business in 2019 in California. At the time I was still working another job, so the only way to build my studio was to work every single day for four months straight from January to April. That level of commitment helped me build a fully booked business through sheer consistency and care. Read more>>
Dr. Kyle Celestine
My journey into this amazing profession began just over 10years ago. I was born and raised on the beautiful Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago and in 2014, I moved to Washington DC to attend the illustrious Howard University to play Division 1 Soccer. While at Howard, I attained a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Human Performance. Read more>>
Pamela DiMaria
My love of dance started at about age 4 when my mother put me in ballet class. Both parents and my dad’s family loved music and dancing! In grade school, ballroom lessons were offered and in junior high level there were sock hops in the gym at lunchtime. My dancing continued at teen nightclubs in high school. Read more>>
Kevin Griffith
I grew up dreaming about owning my own business. From selling Creepy Crawlers to friends in grade school, Grit newspaper to neighbors in middle school, and learning business from the inside out at Junior Achievement in High School, I became convinced having my own business was my destiny. The direct path toward that opportunity came while in college. Read more>>
Dusty Mahan
Hello! My name is Dusty. My musical journey started at a young age the first time I found Garth Brooks. I remember getting a CD player and Garths ‘Greatest Hits’ for Christmas and I was hooked. 90’s country and southern rock pretty much ruled my world until 6th grade. That’s where a class mate let me borrow a KISS cd. I was instantly hooked. Read more>>
Malika Williams
In a world where grace and compassion are needed more than ever, Malika Sabän Williams stands as a radiant voice of civility, resilience, and purpose. A Master Certified Etiquette Consultant, author, and public speaker, she is the founder of Excuse Me, Please Etiquette Company, where she empowers children and adults to walk in confidence, kindness, and polished social presence. Read more>>
Izak Blanke
Since I’ve been younger, I’ve always been creative. I started off drawing, sculpting, & painting— it was always an escape for me. I was inspired by movies and that’s what I tended to draw from. As I got older, I leaned more into color realism and it was something that I felt tested my skills the most and felt the most rewarding. Read more>>
Ainsley Donegan
I was raised in music, and both of my parents are musicians. I was singing before I was talking. I’ve always been fairly comfortable on stage. From a very young age, I was bringing waters to my parents from the crowd or singing background vocals from a few feet below them. Read more>>
KJ Davis
I started performing at a young age , whether that was dance, acting, gymnastics , singing, cheerleading , karate , ice skating. I always found a joy for moving my body, working hard, and ultimately making people feel an emotion from watching me do what I love. Read more>>
Bryan Majors
I want to start off by saying Thank You to my support system who have assisted in more instances than one God first and foremost, My beautiful wife, my father and mother and My two brothers all which have supported me through this journey. My story started as early as sophomore year in 2006. Read more>>
Jasco Duende
Sure — my journey really started with a deep love for the guitar and the way music connects people. I picked up a guitar when I was a kid and was hooked instantly. Over the years, I’ve explored everything from blues and rock to funk, jazz, and even flamenco. I’ve always been fascinated by how different styles can blend together to tell a new story. Read more>>
Rebecca Ray
Peyton’s Place at the Seven Rays Ranch was founded by my husband, Chad and I with a vision to create a place where children with autism and other special needs can experience the joy of animal-assisted activities while their families find support, connection, and a sense of belonging. Read more>>
Katelin Schutt
I’ve had many professional roles in my life—mushroom farmer, teacher, baker, cook, and mother (which I absolutely consider a professional-level role). Through all of those seasons, I was always an artist. My practice lived in the margins for a long time—first in the margins of my school notebooks, and later in the margins of early motherhood. But something changed after my second child was born. Read more>>
Katie Pederson
International award winning songwriter Katie Pederson is a pop-piano songstress with Michigan roots. Having toured the country with her lyrical and vulnerable songwriting on display, she has shared the stage with artists such as Ben Folds, Mason Jennings, and Will Dailey. Read more>>
Tammy Key
My business journey began in 1973 at the age of 10 with a humble lemonade stand,where I sold homemade Lemonade at 10¢ per cup This initial venture sparked a passion in me,leading to subsequent endeavors, including selling girl scout cookies crafting refrigerator magnets and selling them to family members,teachers and neighbors.By the age of 13 I had expanded my offerings to include blow pop suckers and now&later candies which I sold at school for a profit. Read more>>
Rebekah Anthony
Every home has a story, and mine began with a simple appreciation for spaces that feel thoughtful, gracious, and genuinely lived in. Over time, that early love for creating calm, meaningful environments grew into Rebekah Anthony Design — a studio where I help families shape homes that feel both welcoming and beautifully collected. Read more>>
Casey Dane
My story really began with my love for serving others. I always knew I wanted to be part of the wedding world somehow—somewhere creative, meaningful, and connected to people’s most cherished moments. When I discovered pressed flower preservation, it instantly felt like the perfect blend of everything I loved. What started as a simple creative outlet quickly became something much deeper. Read more>>
Derek Walker
I am originally from a small town in Northwest Ireland called Donegal, and moved to Nashville in 2013. My passion for woodworking began in my childhood, helping my grandfather in his garage and crafting my first birdhouse at the age of 9. While in high school, I honed my skills at a local woodshop, crafting everything from stairs to windows. Read more>>
Portia Tharpe
Im not a Nashville native, but i have been here 21 years. Read more>>
Dr. Cassandra (and also possibly Josh) Bates
Growing up, I always knew I wanted to become a veterinarian. When my cat was sick and we would take him to the vet, I knew that I wanted to be the doctor that would help animals when they were sick. So I worked hard throughout high school and college to get into a very competitive veterinary school at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Read more>>
Elizabeth Perkins
My husband and I moved to Nashville in ’94 for his music. In early spring of ’95, we met one of the gallery staff at a music-business dinner, and they introduced me to Bess Bennett and her son Bill, who ran the gallery together. Read more>>
Haley Gomez Sanchez
At Nashville Candle Rentals, we specialize in crafting memorable, glowing moments for your event. Our wide selection of customizable candles and accessories is designed to create the perfect atmosphere for any occasion, from weddings to corporate events. Let us help you turn your vision into reality with our premium candle packages. About Haley Hi, I’m Haley, the founder of Nashville Candle Rentals. Read more>>
Claire Ernst
I come from an extremely musical family, born and raised in Hightstown New Jersey. My dad is a jazz pianist, my mom is a singer and they met on tour so music has definitely always been at the forefront of our family, and my mind. Read more>>
Scott Guidry
Sure, I would be happy to. Let’s see how far back I should take you?! My story really starts with a simple realization I had early in my career. I loved architecture, but what I loved even more was the way it could influence people and improve their lives. Read more>>
Faith Alene
I started early on in life when I started doing musical theatre in elementary school. My love for singing and performing grew from there and eventually made its way over to writing. During the boredom of Covid I borrowed my brother guitar and taught myself how to play using online resources like YouTube! Read more>>
eva f
While I loved creating art as a child and teenager growing up in Oklahoma, I truly began my art journey in 2020 as the pandemic hit New York City and the storefronts were boarded up and I spontaneously started creating cheerful drawings on them in chalk, hoping to bring myself and others a bit of joy in the challenging times. Read more>>
Lynn Conlin
My story is about building connection and purpose, whether in workplaces or communities. Through years of leading employee engagement initiatives, I learned how recognition, storytelling, and shared experiences transform culture. Read more>>
jeremy Gill
First off, I am not a very good writer but I am good at telling a story in person. I tried to start writing something but I was taking up to many words. Ha! So I will bullet point and let the proffesonals do the writing. So here are bullet points. Read more>>
Ashlee Kaye
My story began all the way back in high school when I bought my very first ever digital camera – A Canon Rebel XT. You can even see me holding that camera in my senior photos. I fell in love with the art of capturing the moments of the everyday. Read more>>
Logan Thompson
My story started just like most people in the wedding industry but my love for weddings and love is something that I have carried with me for my whole life. Between being a single mom who needs a somewhat flexible schedule and wanting a job that I love, I thought I could totally do that. Read more>>
Ali Garner Noel
I grew up immersed in real estate, but my career began in the sports and entertainment world, where I worked with athletes in fast-moving and high-pressure environments. That experience shaped everything about how I serve clients today. It taught me the importance of discretion, anticipation, clear communication, and delivering a level of care that feels both elevated and deeply personal. Read more>>
Zach Ford
Hey! My name is Zach Ford I’m the founder and CEO of Entersquare, a social media content agency that helps businesses and creators (Charity:Water, Dave Ramsey, Kingdom Story Company, Chris Tomlin, The Aspen Group and more) grow through strategic content, social media management, and creator tool development. Entersquare offers services like short-form and long-form video content services, paid advertising, DM automation, and original IP creation. Read more>>
Dallas Jack
Music has been the backdrop of my entire life. I started playing violin at three years old, then guitar at eight, and I’ve essentially lived in studios ever since. At 12, I helped build a recording studio for a project in my hometown near Seattle, and that was the moment I realized I cared as much about the impact of music as the craft itself. Read more>>
Mari Mayree” Edwards”
Under my creative moniker, ‘Mayree,’ I’ve continued to expand my work as a business consultant, social media and community influencer, and event curator. I operate primarily online, which has allowed me to support clients across industries and geographies. My approach is solution-oriented. I look at the core challenge, identify the operational or structural gap, and create a roadmap that leads to measurable results. Read more>>
Agam Saigal
I never planned on running a men’s spa. My background was in strategy and marketing, and like a lot of men, I hit my early 30s feeling burnt out while also noticing changes in my skin and body that I didn’t really know how to take care of. Read more>>
Christina O’Brien
The idea of Yoga Of Dickson began light one night in 2008. I took a legal pad and drew out the idea of owning a yoga studio and what it would take to succeed. From the size space that I would need down to the tiny details, including props. Read more>>
Diane Woodford
Big Dreams Born in The Motor City! My story began with Love and continues to thrive in Love. I was the first born of three daughters. I made my entrance into this world in the mid 60’s, born in the Motor City otherwise known as Detroit. I was born right at the threshold of Detroit erupting into the chaos of the riots. Read more>>
Tatyana Gann
After facing divorce and breast cancer and later losing my parents, even experiencing career changes, I decided to guide women to transform their lives and business by integrating mind and body and holistic practices. Developing an unbreakable core took years of my life, and it was not always easy. It took a lot of resilience and not giving up on my dreams. Read more>>
Meredith McKinney
Meredith McKinney and the Story of The Black Book Project I started the Black Book Project because I believe every child deserves to see themselves reflected in the books they read. Read more>>
Sam Gray
Bio: Sam Gray is an affiliate broker who’s quickly made his mark in Nashville’s fast-growing real estate market. Originally from Kansas City, he brings a mix of strategy, drive, and genuine care to every client he serves. Specializing in new developments and high-end homes, Sam views real estate as a way to guide people through big life decisions with confidence and clarity. Read more>>
Kelly TOP NOTCH Buchanan
Hello, My name is Kelly TOP NOTCH Buchanan. I am born and raised in Nashville Tennessee. My mother SHIRLEY BUCHANAN sang with Boby Jones and My uncle Robert Odum was the owner of one of the best clubs in Nashville during the 70s and 80s (SATUDAYS). MUSIC IS IN MY BLOOD.I have been DJING and entertaining for over 20 years. Read more>>
Jenna Gibbons
I grew up in a small town in southeast Michigan with a love for riding horses, learning about animals and exploring nature. In college, I initially went to Michigan State University to pursue veterinary medicine, but realized that was not quite the path for me! Read more>>
Laurie Davis
A creative person from a very young age; I started taking art lessons at age 9, was an Honors Art student at Clarksville High School, and I later studied oils, watercolor, drawing and metal sculpture at the University of Tennessee. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Merchandising melding art and marketing. Read more>>
Dr. Michael W. Gannon
I was a young man, recently moved from LA, where I grew up, to Maui, HI, and applied for a job as the regional director of a school-based drug education and intervention program for at-risk youth. I didn’t think I would receive the job, because I only had a B.A. at the time and every other candidate had an M.A. But the final question of the interview was asked, “What sets you apart from the other applicants and why should we give you the job?” My answer kind of shocked them, but I said, confidently, “Because you can’t B.S. a B.S.’er?” Read more>>
Lewis Head
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s been a fulfilling one. Somewhere along the way, I realized that in both business and life, I was often the problem ,but I could also be the solution. Every decision, big or small, matters. Read more>>
Drew Harrison
No comedy is a lot of nos and dead ends and opportunities that don’t pan out along the way, you truly have to be in love with the game to pursue comedy. It is true what they say the road is lonely but there is no better feeling than being on stage and having the crowd in the palm of your hand and it really makes the struggle worth it. Read more>>
Triple Dare Jazz Band
Gabe Feldman, Piano: This group is special, and is composed of 5 amazing people who love music. The idea when we formed this group was to start playing standards people know, only to add more obscure tunes to our ever-growing setlist. Now we have a whole arsenal of tunes, but we will look to add original compositions as well! Read more>>
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>>
