Pennsylvania’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.

Dr. Cheryl Jones

Dr. Cheryl Jones, LSW,LADC,LBSC,MAC,CCDP-D,CADC-G Is a native of Newark, New Jersey. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from The Evergreen State University, Master of Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma, Master of Social Work from Widener University and Doctorate in Human Services from European American University. Read more>>

Kathleen Sikora-Arnold

My journey into financial advising began at a career fair at Penn State University. I was recruited there by American Express Financial Advisors, which is now known as Ameriprise Financial, and as they say, the rest is history. Read more>>

Mike Zappitelli

I’m a second-generation builder, my father started in construction, so I was exposed to the trade at a young age. Some of my earliest memories are being around job sites with him, seeing firsthand the work, the discipline, and the pride that goes into building something the right way. Read more>>

Zeynep Alagul

My Story I am a mother who overcame cancer at a young age. That experience taught me how precious life is and how strong we can truly be when we refuse to give up. It changed my perspective on life and gave me the courage to follow my dreams with determination. I am a dreamer, but at the same time I am very realistic. Read more>>

Stephanie Ellis

The foundation began a few months after my husband, Tommy, passed away suddenly on July 1, 2024, from a brain aneurysm. His loss shook our family and our entire community. Tommy was an incredible person — a huge presence in our small town and especially in the wrestling world. He poured himself into local sports and into the lives of young athletes. Read more>>

Dan Moore

My name is Dan Moore and I am proud to own the School of Rock South Hills and School of Rock Wexford franchises in Pittsburgh, Pa. I’m a Pittsburgh native and started my musical journey back in 1975 with private piano lessons. Read more>>

Tara Stoop

Long before I launched my nonprofit, I was committed to performing random acts of kindness. I instilled this value in my children and now my grandchildren, ensuring it becomes a legacy of compassion. Throughout the years, I witnessed many individuals facing challenges—often trapped in a web of bureaucracy—unable to see the possibilities for improvement while in survival mode. Read more>>

Jesse Hoffman

In 2023, Jesse Hoffman had a dream to start his own business. Working a full-time job at a church, he decided he wanted to start a side hustle to help supplement his family’s income and build something he could call his own. Read more>>

Jennifer Witmyer

The person behind the company I’ve never had the energy to be anything other than what I am. I say what I mean and mean what I say. I y’am what I y’am. I’m detail oriented and if my towels aren’t folded the right way, I can’t sleep at night. I’m still friends with the kids I went to pre-school with. Read more>>

Tabetha Super

Dr. Super began Dr. Super’s House of Health in September 2021. With just $120 and the equipment she had bought over the years, she started seeing patients for home visits. She saved until she had enough to rent a small office in the Berkshire Mall and brought on a few employees. Since then, Dr. https://voyagepennsylvania.com/interview/rising-stars-meet-tabetha-super-of-reading Read more>>

Jared Castaldi

Steve and I began homebrewing in the kitchen of my Philly row home around 2012. Our first batch of beer was one gallon and it took 9 hours. We have come a long way since then and now brew on a 7 barrel system. We decided to start planning on opening the brewery around 2017. Read more>>

Alexis A. Hendrickson

Working in the beauty industry was a field I always wanted to work in. Years ago, I received an insert in the mail for Esthetician school but as a single mother, I didn’t have the ability at the time to drop everything I was doing to attend school full-time while also tending to my other responsibilities. Read more>>

Eunice E. Curry

My path into counseling really began with a broader interest in human services. Early on, I was drawn to work in early childhood development and roles that supported growth and development. While I was an undergraduate, a director from a local rape crisis center came to speak to one of my classes about volunteer opportunities. That presentation had a significant impact on me. Read more>>

Diane Herbert

The growing mental health crisis effecting our communities, particularly young people, drew me to rebuild my career and focus from that of technology and business to mental health care. Read more>>

Heather Olsen

I’m Heather Olsen, founder of Tru Healing Center in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. My journey began with a traumatic upbringing and a life-changing brain injury at 23 from a car accident. After years of therapy and medication with limited change, I turned to holistic healing. As I continued to heal I went to school to become an esthetician. Read more>>

Rowaiye Olanrewaju

I started this journey, after traveling to 5 African countries in search of a better place to start my garment factory. I realized the fashion industry of Africa has been affected due to the influx of used clothes and low quality clothes imported into the continent. This was what geared me to want to solve this issue. Read more>>

Dino DiFrancesco

Opened in 1982 named after the year Italy won the World Cup in 1982. Berardino the original owner who still owns it today has built a strong reputation. From providing great food, great service Coppa 82 in the area is a staple. We still operate this business the same way since opening. We are still cash only, we have free ATMs for customers to use. Read more>>

Dr. Katharine Thompson

I grew up on a small farm in rural southeastern Pennsylvania, where I developed an early fascination with how closely the well-being of families (like mine) is tied to the ecosystems around them. Our daily life was shaped by wildlife and natural cycles. Deer wandered through (and frequently devoured) our gardens. Read more>>

Katia McGuirk

I am the Executive Director of the TileWorks of Bucks County in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. In April 2021, I formed a nonprofit organization to assume operations of the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, the purpose-built tile factory of America’s Arts and Crafts tile maker Henry Chapman Mercer, established in 1898. Read more>>

Evan Griffin

The truth is, I didn’t know what I wanted to “do when I grew up” until I was 25 years old. Read more>>

Ina Gould MS, LPC, CCTP

My professional career began as a teacher in Bronx, New York. I taught elementary and middle school for seven years before moving to Pennsylvania in 2008. I had a tremendous passion for working with inner city youth and often would spend time helping them through social and emotional issues during my lunch hour and breaks. Read more>>

Jennifer Urezzio

I began my journey studying photography, only to quickly realize I also enjoyed eating—so I transitioned into marketing and PR, where I rose to the top of my field. I became known for my ability to serve the media, to help them access truth, clarity, and the answers they were seeking. Read more>>

Taja Morris

Your journey as the founder of Sisters With An Agenda (SWA) reflects a deep commitment to youth and women’s empowerment, rooted in personal experience and community service. Since its inception in 2008, SWA has evolved from a youth program focused on self-awareness, community service, and sisterhood into a multifaceted organization supporting women in service fields and women entrepreneurs through personal and professional development. Read more>>

Tracy Rappold

Ever since high school, when I took my first psychology class, I have been interested in psychology, interested in therapy, and interested in learning more about psychotherapy. I wanted to help people feel better in life. Read more>>

Patrice Renee

My Story: I’m Dr. Patrice Stephanie Renee, and I help entrepreneurs build smart businesses, not just busy ones. But that clarity didn’t come easy. It came from loss. From mistakes. From rebuilding a life I didn’t recognize anymore. In November 2019, I stood on one of the highest moments of my life, earning my doctorate degree. Read more>>

Liz Tankel

Like all good stories, mine started with the challenge of my lifetime: My eldest son, Eric, became addicted to prescription opioids in 2002 and then to heroin around 2005. At that time, the internet was young; the stigma of addiction was great; and treatment options were in short supply. I immediately jumped into network mode. Were other families going through this? Read more>>

Sasha Phillips

I never thought of art as something decorative or something meant simply to hang on a wall. It has always been everything but that. Art has been a language, a tool for understanding, a form of prayer, an advocate for what could not be spoken, a message carried across time, and, at times, a quiet and steadfast friend. Read more>>

Desiree Sanders

My name is Desiree Sanders, and I am a Board-Certified Art Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, and lifelong student of life who embraces many roles—mother, artist, daughter, friend, community advocator, etc. My evolution from artist to mental health professional and community advocate has been a deeply enriching, challenging, and purpose-driven journey—both inspiring and humbling. Read more>>

Hailey Gaskill

My journey into skincare and esthetics began in 2021, but my passion for it started much earlier. I struggled with acne from a young age, and I understand firsthand how deeply it can impact your confidence. That experience is what inspired me to learn more about the skin and ultimately pursue a career in esthetics. Read more>>

Morgan Staffaroni

Wow…ok.. I guess story short would be I didn’t like college, worked in restaurants, worked for an amazing boss that taught me anything I wanted to learn, and after 3 years I bought the restaurant from him. Long story: I attended Colgate University but realized I wanted to work with my hand. Read more>>

Pottstown Area Artists Guild

The Pottstown Area Artists Guild was formed in 1960 by a group of artists whose vision was to allow people to express themselves artistically, to encourage art sales, and to promote art education and appreciation. The Guild has been fortunate through the years to have dedicated leaders to guide it through challenging and prosperous times! Read more>>

Rose Valley Chorus & Orchestra

Rose Valley Chorus & Orchestra (RVCO) started as part of the Rose Valley Arts & Craft movement. Beginning as residents getting together in neighbors’ homes, RVCO put on its first full stage production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s ‘The Mikado’ in 1907. As one of the longest running Gilbert & Sullivan groups in the world, RVCO has performed these operettas multiple times. Read more>>

Lucas McMahon

My brother bruce and I were talking one day about how it would be cool to start a family business together. Something small, passive, and easy. We were thinking maybe a car wash or a laundry mat. We wanted to do something together that ultimately require little work once it was up and running. Read more>>

Victoria Lugoro

I started Victoria Braiding Salon & Beauty Supply with a passion for beauty and a vision to create a space where clients feel confident, valued, and taken care of. What began as a skill I developed over time turned into a business where I provide professional braiding services while also offering quality hair products to meet my clients’ needs in one place. Read more>>

Jacob Hess

I grew up in Oregon and became a Christian at a young age. God has continued to display His faithfulness to me throughout my life; a journey deeper and deeper into grace. I received a Master of Divinity from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon and have ministered at local churches across the country with my wife and fellow Bible nerd. Read more>>

Ray Almir

I have always been passionate about technology in general, and especially about mobile phones and computers. This passion began to take shape back in 2002, when I first developed a deep interest in the world of tech. From that moment on, I dreamed of turning this passion into my career—making my work a reflection of what I truly love. Read more>>

Kayla Schoener

I’ve been in the hair industry for over 20 years. Started out as an assistant and nail technician to full time stylist. I attended BCTC for Cosmetology while in high school where what started as a passion quickly turned into a career I truly love. Over the years, I’ve continued to invest in education and evolving my craft, specializing in lived-in color, blonding, and extensions. Read more>>

Melissa Donnelly

I’m Melissa Donnelly – a parent, corporate sustainability leader, and Everland’s founder. While I had support around me as I was learning to be a mom, I still felt overwhelmed, stressed and like I was failing at times. Read more>>

Andrew Zang

I began planning Zang Physical therapy about a year prior to launch which was in 2016. I was becoming unhappy with the way in which care was delivered to patients. Trying to juggle two or three patients at a time did not allow me to spend the time desired with the patients I was treating. Read more>>

Noah Carroll

I created InSight to fill a void in our modern healthcare system. While psychology and medicine have given us many powerful and effective tools, I have long believed that in our fast-paced world, we have lost touch with ourselves, with nature, and with each other. My eclectic approach to therapy focuses on healing mind, body and even society. Read more>>

Kempton and Carlene Rimes

We were living in Naples, working high-stress jobs and looking for a healthier way to unwind. We had already stopped drinking years earlier because my husband is a type 1 diabetic, and alcohol just wasn’t working well with his blood sugar. We started exploring alternatives, ordering different products online that tasted good but never really took the edge off. Read more>>

Benjamin Conteh

My work, and my life journey, in general, are anchored to a cardinal aspiration, namely: making sure my talents, my abilities, my passions and my work redound to other people’s benefit. I have always nurtured a passion for public service. A distinguishing aspect of American sociopolitical organization is the promise of protection of political freedoms as a tool for availing people economic rights. Read more>>

Rossanna Gabriel

I began my journey with the Hazleton Integration Project just one month after the center opened, first as a volunteer. I enrolled my son in the basketball and reading programs, and, wanting to give back, I signed up to help in any way I could while also taking ESL classes. I started by supporting different programs, but soon I was helping in the office. Read more>>

Jay Hill

I originally got into electronic music back in California, where I’m from. I was working at a bar in Hollywood and was fascinated with the nightclub and rave scene – the culture, music and energy – everything it represented. One day, was having a chat with a local promoter who offered to give me DJ lessons, and I decided to take him up on it. Read more>>