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.
Jules Smith
Born in Shreveport Louisiana, I spent my life chasing acceptance, battling body images, bullying, and enduring the unimaginable loss of my daughter at 21yo. Through that heartbreak I rebuilt myself, shedding over 100 pounds, finding strength in CrossFit, and stepping onto runways from New York to Los Angeles. Read more>>
Tony Teal
Growing up as a native Nashville artist, my world has always been defined by the urban landscapes of this city. My story actually started back on the East side, where my grandfather grew up. My mother caught on to my interest early when she saw me copying cartoons from the newspaper and encouraged me by enrolling me in art classes. Read more>>
Morgan Hearn
My journey into floral design has been a full-circle story rooted in family, creativity, and a season of unexpected transition. I grew up in the greenhouse business my parents owned, and some of my earliest floral memories are of watering mums with my great-grandmother on warm summer mornings. Read more>>
Jackson White
I grew up surrounded by music—my dad, Bryan White, is a country music artist, singer-songwriter, and producer, and my mom, Erika Page White, is an actress. They’ve each had their own successful paths, and having them to look up to has been one of the biggest blessings while going into the arts myself. All growing up, I played basketball, soccer, ran track, and cross country. Read more>>
Douglas Barry
As a photographer, I started taking photos of custom car shows at age 8. My parents had a custom van and we went all over the midwest to these shows. By college I began to take photos of live bands and some landscape. When I moved to Nashville there was an under ground indie fashion scene here that was tied to the music scene. Read more>>
Raymund Scates
My story is that I landed on being a Reiki Master after looking for what African Americans practiced before Christianity. I ran into many other practices, Reiki stuck with me. I had the opportunity in 2018- 2019 to have my first Reiki experience. Read more>>
Song Watson
I started during Covid as a skincare influencer, working with brands creating ad’s for different products, and eventually shifted as our family grew and started sharing more about my real life as a pregnant mom of 5! Read more>>
Gabriela Lira
I started my career in business strategy, working in biotech and pharmaceutical markets across the country—from San Francisco to New York. That experience gave me a strong foundation in data analysis, negotiation, and navigating complex, high-stakes decisions. Read more>>
Scott Freeman
Honestly, it didn’t start with the world or the science. It didn’t even start with Lanell the way she is now. It started way back when my wife and I were first dating. We used to lie outside under the stars and tell each other stories. One of us would start, the other would pick it up, and we’d just keep building it together. Read more>>
Elinor Balboa
Donelson Animal Hospital, built in 1953 by Dr. James Evans, is the oldest veterinary clinic in all of Nashville. Read more>>
Joni Downey
I was working in an elementary school in Grayslake, Illinois as a Teaching Assistant on the Reading Team. The principal submitted the characters as a pilot program and they earned a National Promising Practice Award through the Character Education Partnership in Washington D.C.! Only two schools earned this high honor and ours was one of them. Read more>>
Jason Campbell
JCFilms Studios: A Movement Built on Faith, Film, and Purpose Now Expanding Through Strategic Partnership in Nashville. JCFilms Studios has grown from a grassroots vision into one of the most active and impactful faith-based film production companies in the country. Read more>>
Paige Zen
I’ve been creating experiences for over 15 years now, though I don’t think I would have called it that when I first started. In the beginning, it was much simpler – I just wanted to bring people together. I was drawn to community, to spaces where people could feel something real, and to the kind of connection that doesn’t happen in everyday life. Read more>>
David Gibbs
I began my practice in August of 2018, so I’m approaching eight years doing this work that I truly love. What brought me here were the challenges I faced growing up and my own personal journey toward financial literacy and freedom. Read more>>
Kelly Butler
I started in the guitar industry in 1995 at an entry level position at the Gibson Custom Shop. I did numerous repairs, custom built show pieces, artist customs and designed new models.I was there for anumber of years until I was recruited by a company in Boston called First Act. First Act was primarily know for entry-level guitars sold at mass retail. Read more>>
Ebony tha GODDESS
Ebony Bradley, artistically known as Ebony ‘tha GODDESS,’ is a multifaceted creative—Spoken Word Artist, Poet, Singer, Author, Podcaster, and Plus-Size Influencer. Born and raised in Moss Point, MS, where she still resides, Ebony is known for her passionate, thought-provoking performances that take audiences on an emotional journey. Her words are raw, reflective, and deeply personal, leaving listeners in awe of her transparency. Read more>>
Joshua Ore
I’m Yxngj.o, real name Joshua Ore, a music artist and media entrepreneur building my sound and brand from the ground up. My journey started with a deep connection to music as a way to express myself and tell my story. In the beginning I was experimenting, finding my voice and style, staying consistent and pushing to improve. Read more>>
Tony Johnston
After 6 years working in the food industry with a Master’s degree, I returned to graduate school and earned my Ph.D. in Enology and Viticulture in 1995. I was hired by MTSU and began teaching a range of courses in the School of Agriculture, including wine science (Enology), wine appreciation, and grape production (Viticulture). Read more>>
Mila Tung
Silence d’Or began from a very personal place after I experienced gender-based violence and found myself rebuilding my sense of self, confidence, and beauty. I started with handmade leather handbags and accessories, and what began as a creative outlet quickly became a way to transform pain into something intentional, elegant, and empowering. Read more>>
Brant Lyons
I’m Brant Lyons, founder of OnBrant, a Nashville based social media marketing and content creation agency built at the intersection of real estate, design, luxury homes, and personal branding. What began as a creative eye for storytelling has grown into a full service marketing agency helping real estate agents, builders, designers, and developers across Nashville and Middle Tennessee turn their work into influence. Read more>>
Anna Paiva
It all began in a social circus project, where we met and, almost without realizing it, we built a very strong connection through art. That’s where we took our first steps. During the project’s break, the desire to keep going was overwhelming. Read more>>
Brittani Washington
I started playing in church at six years old, performing multiple services each week. That environment gave me discipline, consistency, and a deep connection to music early on. From there, I grew into a professional touring musician, working with artists like Beyoncé and CeeLo Green, and spending years performing on stages around the world. Read more>>
Tianna DeNunzio
I’ve always been a creative person in some way. From sewing my own jeans, to painting, designing and rearranging spaces. I spent about five years working in interior design, which really shaped how I see art in a space and how it can completely change the feeling of a room. Artwork is always the star of the show. Read more>>
Alissa Reese
As a young woman from Oahu,Hawaii – I started my journey wanting to build a life that truly aligned with who I am. That led me into the legal field, where working as a legal secretary deepened my interest in law and helping others navigate complex situations. Read more>>
Jessie Magusen
I started Muay Thai about 20 years ago because I was looking for something new to try in my life. I took my 1st class and fell in love and after a month had my 1st fight. I had 56 fights in total as an amateur and professional and won 3 titles in 3 different weight classes. During this time I was also coaching. Read more>>
Maggie House
I’m from Nashville – grew up in Madison! Even though I originally went to school for architecture, I was always interested in affordable housing, and how I could use my skills to contribute to Nashville. After interning with local affordable housing developer Urban Housing Solutions, I was connected by my former supervisor with Rebuilding Together Nashville, and I have been so thrilled to be here. Read more>>
Jae Tron
I got started playing the guitar fairly young- my tried showing me a few chords when I was about 8 years old. Read more>>
Ekaterini (Katie Kay) Koufalis
Hailing proudly from the heart of Queens, New York, Ekaterini “Katie Kay” Koufalis always had a vision—one rooted in storytelling, media, and the power of visuals. What started as a simple love for photography soon became a life mission to amplify voices, preserve legacies, and give creatives the space to shine on their own terms. Read more>>
Michelle Renae
I grew up with a music-loving mother. She taught me how to play piano, got me in voice lessons, sparked my love for it. I started songwriting when I was 13 and knew then that music was what I wanted to do! So I graduated high school, went to college for music, had a real rough time. Read more>>
Melanie Waldman
My life was radically restored by God more than a decade ago. Today, my husband Scott and I travel the world to tell what God has done. Read more>>
Mario Burns
My name is Mario Burns, I am the Pastor of Soul Life Church located in Hendersonville, Tennessee. I was born in 1981 in St. Louis, Missouri, where I was raised primarily by my mother as the youngest of her four biological children. Read more>>
Dr. Weslie Etienne Pierre
I’m a first-generation Haitian American woman, educator, and entrepreneur, and my journey with Wesleaf Designs & Decor really started from a love of creating spaces that make people feel cared for. Professionally, I’ve spent much of my career working in education and leadership, focusing on communication, community engagement, and building systems of support for families. Read more>>
Elizabeth Wanczak
In 2015, after a picture perfect pregnancy, everything that could go wrong in my delivery with my daughter did. I was in labor for 82.5 hours, sent home from the hospital twice, and after an indicated cesarean, was septic within 12 hours. Read more>>
Chelsea Leopold
I’m a 5th generation sewist and Native American artisan, so I’ve been raised from a little girl with pattern making, sewing, hemming, crafting, etc. As a child one of my first memories is my mom taking me to pick out fabric and letting me pick out a blue and gold cotton blend with horses all along it. Read more>>
Chell Foxx
My Name Is Chell Foxx (real name Michelle Foxx) Im an independent hip-hop artist and digital creator based in Nashville, Tennessee. Often described as an up-and-coming talent in the local Nashville rap scene, I Am known for her bold, unapologetic, and confident musical style. Read more>>
Trisha Bovell
Honestly, it started at my own kitchen counter. Long before Simply Charcuterie was a business, I was the friend who couldn’t help styling a board for a dinner party or a glass of wine on the porch. I’ve always been a wine person, that’s really where it begins for me, and a beautiful board just adds to that experience. Read more>>
Aron Kirby
I grew up in Middle Georgia, where country music was always a big part of my life. I eventually moved to Nashville in a camper with my brother and cousin to chase the dream of becoming a country artist. It wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me a lot about sacrifice, persistence, and how badly I wanted to make music my life. Read more>>
Nicholas Williams
The Lemon Drop Festival is a one of a kind cocktail celebration that brings people together through flavor, fun, and unforgettable vibes. What started in 2025 as a small festival in Memphis, TN has turned into a nationally known festival brand reaching over 15 cities in just one year. Read more>>
Diyoza
Hello, my name is Diyoza. I want to thank Nashville Voyagers for having me back and giving me the opportunity to share my growth and everything I’ve been building since my last interview. I truly appreciate the platform and the support for creatives in our community. Lets get to it! Read more>>
Natalie Meengs
I didn’t plan on being a therapist. This is actually my third career path. I graduated from a very competitive creative program at the University of Texas at Austin and, shortly after, bombed an interview for a copywriting position at my dream ad agency. Read more>>
Keyonna Garfine
I am a Cosplayer & Content Creator. I first started Streaming on Twitch in 2015 but enlisted in the Army in 2017 and stop for a few years as I could not stream while in training lol! I got back into in January 2021 while still serving active duty. Read more>>
Matt Kass
I grew up around music and ended up teaching myself guitar and piano pretty early on. That turned into playing in bands, touring, and figuring things out the long way, which honestly was the best education I could’ve gotten. I studied Human Development and Ethnomusicology at Cornell, which gave me a deeper interest in how people actually experience music, not just how it’s made. Read more>>
Maggie Sims
My name is Maggie Sims. I began playing guitar and singing at the age of seven and from that point on, it became my purpose and driving force in life. I wrote my first song at the age of ten and recorded it onto a CD. I remember having so much fun in the studio, even at such a young age. Read more>>
Hannah George
I started my journey in makeup about fourteen years ago when I was getting a college degree in theatre and working as a special effects makeup designer for a stage production. I absolutely loved the craft, the aspect of creation, and the idea of bringing art to life. Read more>>
Jenna Wolf
I never originally set out to build a wellness business. Honestly, I was just trying to heal myself. There was a period in my early adulthood when I was grieving, lost, overwhelmed, and deeply hungry for something more meaningful. I began reconnecting to myself through touch, ritual, beauty, and rest. It changed me. Not overnight, but slowly. Around that time, I had a dream. Read more>>
Natalie Mayes
I’ve always been drawn to design—the process of creating something beautiful from nothing. As a child, I was constantly gathering found materials and turning them into little works of art. Every few years, I’d ask my mom if I could redo my room, and for better or worse, she always said yes. Read more>>
Karen Robinson
Over the years, I built a career centered around leadership development, speaking, coaching, and helping individuals and organizations grow with purpose. For more than 35 years, I have worked with leaders, entrepreneurs, schools, churches, businesses, and communities both in the United States and internationally. Read more>>
