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.
Christine Betances
I started teaching Pilates because I experienced firsthand how powerful mindful movement can be — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Over time, my relationship with movement shifted from focusing only on exercise to understanding how movement can help people feel more connected, supported, and at ease in their bodies. Read more>>
Kiara Brown
I was originally pulled toward the mental health field when I was 12 years old. I spent a lot of time helping my friends through difficult situations and just being there for them. Read more>>
Eric Winegardner
I was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island, and honestly, I had a pretty wild early life. Because of decisions and consequences of my own, I ended up in Northeastern Pennsylvania in 2013 looking for a fresh start. When I came here, it was a complete reset. I had no money, no real network, and no clear plan. Read more>>
Alexis Kovacs
I’ve been tattooing since 2000. I graduated Kutztown university in 2003. I opened electric cheetah tattoos and permanent cosmetics LLC in 2011. Read more>>
Christina Miller
I’ve always found peace through my creativity. Working on art projects has been a lifeline throughout my life and helped me through some really dark times. I believe there is much to gain in letting your mind wander and working with your hands. Read more>>
Tasha Cressler
I did my first escape room with friends on July 14, 2016. I had heard of the concept but didn’t know there were any around me. I was instantly hooked. Then, I found a job posting for Hershey Perplex in the fall of 2016. I began working as a Game Master helping players navigate the puzzles and activities in our rooms. Read more>>
Kristi and Shaun O’Rorke
There are brands born from strategy. And then there are brands born from survival, artistry, heartbreak, and soul. CHICCRETE was born from survival. Just months after purchasing their home, Kristi O’Rorke and her family faced an unexpected disaster when their basement flooded. What should have been a season of excitement quickly turned into uncertainty, financial stress, and heartbreak. Read more>>
Grand Khai
Just a kid from Queens, NY. The youngest of 5 brothers, inspired by them simply through the privilege of watching them navigate life. Being the youngest had its perks — it built tough skin and a different kind of discernment, drive, and hunger. I always felt like I had something to prove, and that became the fuel behind everything. Read more>>
Bryan Majors
I started my journey through sports leadership and entrepreneurship. Growing up I learned early that preparation discipline and resilience could change the direction of your life. Basketball opened many doors for me and eventually led me to play professionally including time with the Harlem Globetrotters organization. Through every level of my journey I realized leadership and mindset were just as important as talent. Read more>>
Jamar + Meligenia Williams
My wife and I began our coffee journey learning about coffee from associates in the Dominican Republic. We started by exporting coffee from the DR to America and selling from our website online. That did really well, so then we decided to open a small coffee shop in the Lehigh Valley of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Read more>>
Andrew DePalma
Back in 2016, my father (Andy DePalma) was a maintenance manager at a high rise apartment building in Harrisburg City. They were receiving bad service from a Junk Removal Vendor at the time and he mentioned to me about taking the account over. Read more>>
Keyliz Nunez
I started as a content creator in 2020. Creating content was actually my first dream before entrepreneurship ever entered the picture. I grew up loving fashion, beauty, femininity, and storytelling. I was that little girl who loved pink, princess dresses, heels, and admired confident women on magazine covers. Read more>>
Colleen Master
AlchemizMe began when I left a corporate career in my 40’s. But it really started much earlier. I lived in hypervigilance, anticipating everyone’s needs and living almost entirely in my head. I did years of traditional therapy and made real progress. But no matter how much work I did, my body’s physical response did not change. And my health had taken a toll. Read more>>
Chris Quinn
I worked at a medium sized ad agency that was owned and mismanaged by family and friends. It is no longer in business as it closed a shortly after I left. That firm was obsessed with charging agency commissions, promoting themselves, and enrolling clients in expensive ‘Brand ID Packages’ (whatever that means). Their sole focus was themselves and not their clients. Read more>>
Jorge Gallardo
As an immigrant from Ecuador, I never imagined that one day I would own my own business. After the pandemic, when everything was shut down, I decided to start Dos Manos Massage. During that difficult time, I reflected on ways to help individuals who were struggling with personal challenges and uncertainty about the future. Read more>>
Kait Lehmann
I started as a member of CrossFit Fairmount 10 years ago never having picked up a barbell. I met Goose through a mutual friend and immediately clicked. I loved the challenge of learning new physical skills and seeing myself progress quickly with the help and recognition of Goose along the way. I was completely committed to showing up every day to improve and learn. Read more>>
Vincent DiFrancesco
Vince has owned the business since September 1984 and has worked for 39 years by himself, six days a week. He knows almost all the names of the people who come through the doors. It is a small, family-owned optical store that carries over 900 frames at any given time. Read more>>
Jacquie Pershing, LCSW
Whew, big question. Honestly, my path into this work is deeply personal. I often say I didn’t choose grief work as much as it chose me. Grief has been a quiet companion in my life for a long time. I grew up watching both of my parents live with chronic illness. I experienced my dad’s death, and later, my mom’s death after years of Alzheimer’s. Read more>>
Heather Grayberg
I’ve been in the performing arts for as long as I can remember. I started performing at five years old and was choreographing professionally by the time I was fourteen, so storytelling and creative leadership have really always been at the center of who I am. Read more>>
