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.
Ross Manders
My wife and I moved our family from Minnesota in 2012 to start Restoration Church. We had some connections in lower Bucks and saw the need for more churches so we started the process of starting Restoration. A church in Levittown closed their doors in 2013 and we agreed to take the building from them. We renovated it and made it our home base. Read more>>
Kiana Bangura
Growing up in West Philadelphia taught me resilience early on. I attended the School of the Future and was part of its very first graduating class, which was a unique experience that really shaped how I see growth, change, and opportunity. At 19, I stepped into the airline industry, looking for independence and a way to build something for myself. Read more>>
Kyle Taylor
I grew up in a time when wood and metal shop were being pulled out of schools, and parents were guiding their kids away from the trades, toward college degrees and desk jobs. So picking up tools, for a long time, wasn’t a big part of my life. At the same time, I can’t say the influence wasn’t still there. Read more>>
Daniel McCrossin
Back in the winter of 1997, I had just returned from an annual hockey trip with my team and life felt well within my grasp and my confidence was riding high. Little did I know that this would be the last time I would be gracing the ice for some time. Read more>>
Hope Mackenzie
My name is Hope Mackenzie! I graduated from Oral Roberts University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Applied Theatre. During my final year of undergrad, I knew I wanted to pursue a full time job in theatre. I attended UPTA (the Unified Professional Theatre Auditions) in February of 2024. While there, I met Clark and Melissa Nicholson, co-founders of Gamut Theatre Group. Read more>>
George Mercurio
I stumbled into counseling through my own struggles. I saw how important counselors had been in my own story of recovery, and I knew I wanted to be able to help people in the way I was helped. In 2016 I was hired as a drug and alcohol counselor. Two years later I returned to school to get my Master’s degree in counseling. Read more>>
Ashara Shapiro
I would say that my purpose is to be an advocate for myself and others to live a creative life. I have been a dynamic and holistic force within the artistic community by being deliberate in the goals I have created at ArtWRKD, aligning my actions with my artistic vision. Read more>>
Bethlehem Barrel & Drafthouse
Our Restaurant & Bar is proud to be part of Aramark Sports & Entertainment, a division recognized for delivering exceptional food and beverage experiences in some of the most exciting sports and entertainment destinations. Conveniently located in the outlet mall adjacent to the casino and events center, we serve as a welcoming gathering place for guests before and after concerts, shows, and special events. Read more>>
Christopher Stager
Absolutely. My path into real estate wasn’t traditional, but looking back, it makes perfect sense. Before getting into this business, I spent over a decade as a PGA Golf Professional. I was competing, coaching, and really learning how to perform under pressure. Read more>>
Patricia Salome
My youngest daughter was 9 when we learned that she was dying of a congenital heart defect. She received a heart transplant 19 days later. She discharged with many restrictions on her new normal. As she grew from a 9-year-old to a teenager she adapted to every challenge before her. She managed all of her care with me as her parent and advocate. Read more>>
Lauren Baker
I applied for my LLC for my own private therapy practice when I was 8 months pregnant with my first child. I had decided that I wanted the flexibility of being my own boss going into motherhood as well as challenging myself in my career to make a leap that I never thought I could make. Read more>>
Adam Lawrence
I’ve always been drawn to adventure and to helping people solve problems that matter. After graduating from Virginia Tech as an Industrial Engineer, I started my career in North Carolina with Thomasville Furniture, part of Armstrong World Industries. That chapter turned out to be life-changing in more ways than one. I met my future wife there, and 35 years later, we’re still going strong. Read more>>
Sarah Tolvaisa
I’ve always been fascinated by the human mind and subjective experience, and how those experiences thus shape our perspective and reality. After graduating with my Masters in Clinical Psychology in 2011, I worked on the south and west sides of Chicago providing outreach therapeutic services to homeless folks; work that is so undervalued but work that I truly loved. Read more>>
Valerie Kendrick
Growing up, I had no idea what I wanted to be. I never felt confident in myself or my abilities, and constantly doubted my intelligence. I did not believe I had what it took to get through college, but with the push and guidance of my parents, I attended. Read more>>
Karina Owen
My path has been built on relationships, consistency, and a deep-rooted connection to the cigar industry that began when I was a little girl traveling alongside my father in a family business built on a man, his phone, and a dream. Read more>>
Rachel Adams
When I was in college for Environmental Science, I got a part time job at a crepe cafe and I absolutely fell in love! I decided THAT is what I wanted to do, but in my own hometown of Lancaster PA. So I came back home and got to work to open my own cafe! That was 20 years ago! Read more>>
Stacey Keefer
My Journey to Soul 2 Soul In 2017, my life shifted in a way I never expected. I was struggling deeply with my health, searching for answers through traditional Western medicine—but nothing seemed to truly help. I felt frustrated, disconnected, and honestly, a bit lost in my own body. I knew something wasn’t right, but I wasn’t being given the answers I needed. Read more>>
Hitesh Godhani
I grew up in a small town in India where access to dental care was limited—patients often waited months just to be seen. I remember watching my grandmother struggle to eat because she had lost her teeth. That moment stayed with me. It wasn’t just about dentistry—it was about dignity, confidence, and quality of life. That’s when I knew this would be my path. Read more>>
Theresa Orendi
I was called by God in Aug 1997, as 39 years old working mom. We moved the family from Pittsburgh to Central PA in Jan 1998. After 2 years in our new location, God revealed that we were to begin an outreach program called Bountiful Blessings, which would provide nonfood items to families in need. Read more>>
Kathy Moore
It took three beginnings to arrive at the right one.” The Moore Resilient Group represents what I see as my final and most meaningful career chapter—a culmination of everything that came before it. My professional path has been anything but linear. I built a diverse careers across human resources, sales, marketing, recruiting, real estate, and team development. Read more>>
Jason Rusman
I’ve been a counselor for about 10 years, with a particular passion for group therapy. About five years ago, I went through a divorce, and one of the things that stood out to me during that time was how little support I had from other men who were going through something similar. Read more>>
Dr. Shelly Shell Williams
My journey didn’t start with a title it started with exposure, curiosity, and being in the right place at the right time, as my introduction into media. At a young age, I had the opportunity to work as the Executive Assistant to Dorothy Brunson, a true pioneer in broadcasting. Read more>>
Rick Warner
Well to start off with I’m a man of many hats. I’m currently the Executive Director for ERC- Extraterrestrial Research Center and I’m also the lead Investigator for Phantom Detectives Paranormal Research Team. I’m also the Tech Manager and the Director of Client Relations for the organization. I’ve always loved to investigate and I started out investigating cases that involved UFO’s/UAP’s. Read more>>
Melissa Rose Marion
I grew up constantly adapting—I attended four different high schools, which taught me early on how to adjust quickly to new environments and challenges. No matter where I was, I found my place through the performing arts. I was deeply involved in marching band, performed as a jazz vocalist, participated in theater, and played volleyball, all while maintaining strong academics and graduating with honors. Read more>>
Jer-Z Mason
I didn’t start on a big stage I started sitting next to one. As a kid, I used to go to choir rehearsal with my aunt, and she’d let me sit by the drummer. I didn’t know it then, but that seat changed everything. Watching, listening, feeling the rhythm up close… that’s where it all began. Church was my training ground. Read more>>
Jamie Shirey
I didn’t set out to build this kind of practice. I started as a Nurse Practitioner working in pain management, doing what I was trained to do. But over time, I started noticing something that I couldn’t ignore. The women I was seeing weren’t just in pain. They were exhausted. Gaining weight without understanding why. Struggling with brain fog, low motivation, poor sleep. Read more>>
Karina Gonzalez
I started my journey at the age of 13, doing curls for baptisms and parties for family members. At 19 I attended beauty school, by the age of 25 I had opened my first Salon in harrisburg, PA. I was a winner for Vidal Sasson beauty changes lives shortly after which was an amazing experience. Read more>>
Jack Baccellieri
I grew up around healthcare, coming from a family of dentists, which gave me an early understanding of what it means to serve people and truly impact their lives. That foundation led me toward a career where I could help others heal, but I wanted to do it in a way that went beyond simply managing symptoms. That’s what drew me to chiropractic. Read more>>
Madison S
After graduating from Middle Bucks Institute of Technology in 2020, I went on to establish my own LLC and build a strong personal brand within the industry. Four years ago, I was invited to return to the technical school as an instructor, where I now teach eyelash extension classes on Tuesday evenings. Read more>>
Salvatore Sciorta
I was born in Staten Island, New York, and moved to New Jersey when I was about nine years old. My parents are both from Brooklyn, so I grew up around that tough, no excuses mentality from the start. I started working the day I graduated high school, but my work ethic started long before that. Read more>>
Ivonn Reyes
I moved to the U.S. as a teenager and eventually settled in Reading, where I finished high school. Those early years taught me how to adapt quickly and stay focused, qualities that would later shape my approach to business and life. Transitioning into real estate was a leap. Read more>>
Bethany Arnsparger
I found my way into the salon and spa industry at just 16 years old—almost by accident. Without much family support, I didn’t have a clear plan or guidance for what came next. But something about this world pulled me in. I became completely fascinated by the people, the energy, and the environment. It felt like this beautiful blend of creativity, wellness, connection, and care. Read more>>
Karla Cayllahua de Wilder
My journey into event styling actually started long before I had a business. I grew up seeing my friends and family working and hustling to make things happen. I have always been crafty and I have always loved doing decor and events. Even while I was in the corporate world, I was the one planning the company events and decorating for our big milestones. Read more>>
Jamie Roda
I was always interested in the mind, but never really knew that I would work in this field as a career. In fact, when I first went to college I was an art major and I minored in psychology. My first degree was a BA in art with a minor in psychology. Read more>>
Rachael Garrett
I didn’t realize it at the time, but my relationship with alcohol started long before it ever became a problem. As a teenager, drinking felt like connection, like belonging—like a way to quiet the noise inside me. What began as something casual slowly tightened its grip, and by the time I got to college, everything escalated. At Penn State, the party culture was everywhere. Read more>>
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>>
