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.
Ryan Anderson
Since I was 4 years old with a Fisher Price camera and some toys, I have known I wanted to tell stories visually. Although others may have had a hard time following the narrative at the time, I had it in my head. My interest in storytelling had bounced around over the years. Read more>>
Cedric Smith
I grew up in Lansdowne, right outside of Philadelphia. Penn Wood School District, I played football, typical DELCO youth. During the summer I was always looking for a way to make some extra money. My older brothers worked for an Electrostatic Painting company that had a garage right across the street from the house I grew up in. Read more>>
Jennie Groff
At the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe, our hope is to bring our values of faith and family together for an amazing experience for everyone who comes out for a treat. We keep our shop family-centered by featuring sweets that will make you smile, no matter how old you are! Jonathan and Jennie Groff own the Lancaster Sweet Shoppe and are also owners of Stroopies, Inc. Read more>>
Charlene Rose
My name is Charlene Rose and I have been a nurse for 13 years. Before diving into aesthetics and functional medicine 3 years ago, my core foundation of nursing was cardiac care and home health. I started aesthetics as a “fun” job and honestly because I just wanted to learn more about how to take care of my own skin, and age in reverse. Read more>>
Wendy Jamison
I’m the oldest of three children, and growing up, home was wherever my dad’s sales career happened to take us next. By the time I was 11 years old, I had attended six different schools. Every move meant being the new kid all over again. Some schools welcomed me with open arms. In others, I was the popular kid. Read more>>
Juan Zayas
I started working in a kitchen when I was 14 years old, and from the moment I stepped behind the line, I fell in love with cooking. My journey wasn’t always easy—I went through some rough patches in my life that could have defined me, but I made the decision to change my life for the better. Read more>>
Carey DuRand
After we bought our property, of now ten acres with a barn and fields, we realized that we should probably think about what animals we wanted. My husband added that he now has a lot more acres to mow and a full-time job, so to consider that these critters would be physically and financially more my and kid’s responsibility. Read more>>
Tiffany Bauer
My journey to becoming a live event artist wasn’t something I ever planned it found me in the most unexpected way. Before launching SLM & Design Co., I worked as a Physical Therapist Assistant. During my time in the clinic, I started creating seasonal chalkboard signs to brighten our waiting room. Read more>>
Earl Metzler
In 1976, after graduating from West Chester State College with a B.S. in Physical Education and Health, I made two of the most important decisions of my life. On July 1, 1976, I opened Metzler’s Gymnastics in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. The second was marrying my wife, Pam, on July 31, 1976. Read more>>
Zamarie Navarro
My journey began when I moved from Puerto Rico to the United States in 2001. I still remember the frustration of not understanding English or being able to communicate. My sister helped me get a job as a teacher assistant in Passaic, New Jersey, but the language barrier made every day a challenge. Read more>>
Karen Lincoln
It all started when my daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her oncologist referred her to a local organization that provided free wigs, head coverings, and other supportive services for individuals undergoing treatment. When we visited, I noticed that the front of the building was a thrift store. Every purchase made there helped fund the services they provided for breast cancer patients. Read more>>
Melissa Maldonado
Beauty Nightmare Boudoir was born from the idea that women and men deserve a safe space to feel confident, even from the shadows. It started as a way to create the kind of experience I wish more people had: one where they do not have to be perfect, polished, or fit into anyone else’s mold to feel beautiful. Read more>>
Staci Conrad
I earned my ACE personal training certification in 2018, and became a licensed massage therapist in 2019. I immediately formed Wellness Lifestyle, providing mobile massage and personal training services in Southern NJ, where I had lived my whole life. I became involved with the local MS (Multiple Sclerosis) community, providing massage therapy for the Maressa Foundation for several years. Read more>>
Ashley Stafford
I started my private orthopedic massage practice in fishtown philadelphia in 2013. Prior to that i spent 4 years training under various professionals such as Ann Wilkinson PT, Dr. Lipton D.O, and Beatrice a reiki master and founder of the Dojo Tao in Gto. Mexico. Those years laid a strong foundation for my practice. Read more>>
Evan McIntyre
My career started on the production and post side, so I learned the craft first. I was editing, shooting, producing, and building that foundation by actually making the work. That experience shaped a lot of how I approach creative leadership now because I understand the full process, from the first idea to what it takes to execute it and get it across the finish line. Read more>>
Leroy Robinson
I am a third generation Barber/Teacher. And businessman. Just as my father was. Not only did we own barbershops, but we also owned arcades produce shops and we even sold cars and much more. So it was only natural that I followed in his footsteps. And I’m proud that I have. As of today I still own a barbershop. Read more>>
Brian Phillips
About Brian I never set out to become a real estate photographer. In fact, if you had asked me ten years ago what I’d be doing today, owning a real estate media company would have been the last thing on my mind. Today, I’m the owner of Brian Phillips Photography, where I help real estate professionals throughout Pennsylvania showcase properties through exceptional visual storytelling. Read more>>
Brianna Lyle
I started Zadie’s Gourmet in the spring of 2023 after working as a ghostwriter and editor throughout my twenties. Zadie is one of my dogs and was named after the writer Zadie Smith. (Our other dog is named Roux.) At the time, I was a pretty serious home chef and swore I’d never go into the food and beverage industry. Read more>>
KImmo Daniel
Every journey has a beginning, and mine started on the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a former British colony that I am proud to call home. It was there, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and a close-knit community, that I first learned to appreciate the beauty found in everyday moments. Read more>>
Abrar Al-Shaer
From a young age, I was fascinated by natural remedies and the healing power of food. I collected every botanical medicine book I could find and felt deeply connected to the wisdom of nature. Read more>>
Rocio Flores Aguilera
I’m originally from Mexico, and entrepreneurship has always been driven by my desire to create opportunities for my family while sharing a piece of my culture with our community. When we started Sunset Mexican Ice Cream Shop, we had a simple vision: to bring the authentic flavors and traditions of Mexico to Pennsylvania in a welcoming place where families could create memories together. Read more>>
Emilia McCormick
I was born in Bulgaria and immigrated to the United States with my family when I was eight years old. Like many immigrant families, we started over from scratch. No language, no family or support system, no money, no jobs lined up. Just me, my brother, and my parents. Read more>>
elisa cevallos
Photography has always been more than just taking pictures for me it’s my way of connecting with people and show them the beauty of life. Read more>>
Kara Clouser
My love for photography began when I was a teenager and has only grown over the years. That passion led me to study photography at HACC before transferring to the University of the Arts, where I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. After graduation, I worked as an advertising photographer for The Patriot-News while also freelancing with Conte Photography. Read more>>
Andrew Ward
Since I was a teenager, I have always been interested in finding interesting things at local flea markets and garage sales. I was thrift shopping way before it was fashionable to do so. I am an artist at a root level and Ultimately I have an eye for unique objects and aesthetics. Read more>>
Emily Funte
my husband and I had a love for excellent coffee and a desire to help and know our neighbors. In 2017 we stared our roasting business and that quickly led to us opening our shop, as it allowed us to facilitate relationships through the medium of great coffee. Read more>>
Valor Boyer
I started training Jiu Jitsu in 2013. I really enjoyed it, and I competed locally early on and knew I wanted to take it seriously, but I didn’t have the vision of how to make it possible. Shortly after I became a Brown Belt, the rank right before Black Belt, I was close to opening a gym in 2019. Read more>>
Sandy Bialek
I am a lifetime learner and fun seeker who has always had a love for beer and adventure. After raising three kids then taking on the corporate world, I decided to pursue my lifelong dream of founding a small business – Fat Bat Brewing Company. My Brewer is my baby brother – younger by 21 years. Read more>>
Kate Proto
This year, I’m celebrating 20 years of Taproot, and it’s incredible to look back at how much it’s evolved. When my doctor told me I likely wouldn’t be able to have children, I figured I’d pour my heart into starting a photography business instead. Surprisingly, a month later, I found out I was pregnant with my son. Read more>>
Summer Sharkey
The HVAC Shark was built on a simple belief: treat every customer the way we’d want our own family to be treated. My husband, Patrick, has worked in the HVAC industry for over 15 years and always dreamed of building a company that put honesty, quality workmanship, and customer service ahead of sales. Before starting our business, I worked as a NICU and pediatric nurse. Read more>>
Lynn Conrad
I began as a long-term substitute for high school sciences for over 8 years. When full-time positions were difficult to get locally, I began volunteering for the Rail-Trail Council of NEPA (in 1993). I organized the first Trail Day event. That led to a part-time position as a project manager. Read more>>
Eve Jolo
I am a West African immigrant that came here with my family in 2002. At a young age we moved here from Guinea. My family is Liberian, I had to adapt to the American culture and society from school, social groups and everyday living. I knew at a young age I was interested in the arts and entertainment. Read more>>
Patrick Schober
I started my career as a B2B journalist, with an emphasis on company finances (Accounts Payable & Payroll). Writing about accounting and regulations gave me a crash course on how to run a business, and it ended up being invaluable as I transitioned into the agency world back in 2017. In the summer of 2018, I started Poetica Marketing. Read more>>
Sydney Emershaw
My name is Sydney and I am better known as the Wilkes-Barre Tooth Fairy! My business started completely on a whim not really sure what direction it would take. It started when I got my first tooth gem years prior from my tattoo artist SlinkSkull and I fell in love with that tiny extra bit of sparkle it gave my teeth. Read more>>
Karen Hunter McLaughlin
I’m not one who moves. Literally. I’ve lived in the same place, more or less, since I was 3. I share my childhood home (where my studio is) with the boy I loved at 14. All my moves are figurative; my work is how I move. Often in the past they’ve been quick bursts of series through styles, mediums, colors, moods, environmental and existential crises. Read more>>
salvatore castaldi
I been a barber for 26 years I started cutting hair when I was 15 years old in the Bronx New York in the little italy area in the Bronx . Read more>>
Kate Tuttle
My journey into beauty started in my aunt’s salon, where I spent years watching women leave feeling more confident than when they walked in. That experience sparked a love for beauty early on and eventually led me to train at Makeup Designory in Burbank, California. Read more>>
Sheila Dugan
Pottstown FARM (Farm & Artisan Regional Market) was created 11 years ago by several local community members who hoped to bring fresh foods and artisan products to the area. Read more>>
Jacquay Hosey
My Story I’ve always been a creator at heart. Long before I started building businesses, music was my outlet. As a songwriter and artist, I used music to process life’s challenges, pain, lessons, and victories. Many of my songs come from real experiences and represent my journey from confusion and struggle to self-awareness, growth, and enlightenment. Read more>>
