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.
Sarah Walls
Make Your Day Design really started with friends and family. We had always been gardeners, and Mike has a background in horticulture, so flowers and plants were already a big part of our lives. We began helping with florals for friends’ and family weddings and quickly discovered how much we enjoyed combining growing, design, and the excitement of being part of someone’s special day. Read more>>
Edmund Stanback
In 2015, I came home after being incarcerated for three and a half years. One of the first things I wanted to do was rebuild the relationship and bond I had with my children. During my incarceration, I had a lot of time to reflect, and I came to understand that life isn’t just about money. Read more>>
Lori Oberholtzer
Design is in my blood-I come from a long line of extraordinary creatives, and studied Interior Design in school. After marrying a real estate agent, we began to daydream about what it might look like to flip houses together. After a few successful high-end flips, my husband and I married our passions for real estate and design, and launched a business called Plumb and Fig. Read more>>
Mirelis Sanchez
I’m originally from Puerto Rico, and when I moved to Pennsylvania, I knew I wanted to build a business like I had envisioned back home. At first, however, it was challenging because I didn’t have the knowledge or experience I needed to navigate the process of starting and growing a business in a new place. Read more>>
Keri Trbovich
I started my baking business in 2020, during the pandemic. Shortly after the pandemic began, my mom was diagnosed with cancer. Because I no longer felt comfortable going into people’s homes for my homecare job and potentially exposing her to further complications, I turned to baking as a creative outlet and a new way to earn income. Read more>>
Karith Gingrow
The story of Nimble Craft didn’t begin with a commercial lease or a grand business plan—it started at my kitchen table after having my son, Brixton, the second of our three kids. Read more>>
Abby Doyle
Website Building and Design have always been the first love that I never quite got over. Although our story was mixed with countless twists and turns, I always seemed to find my way back where it had all begun. Read more>>
Taylor Liggins
It all began after I had my first son during covid. I was struggling with Postpartum Depression, Anxiety and OCD. I knew after going through my own struggles I wanted to specialize in perinatal mental health being a licensed psychotherapist. I received my training through Postpartum Support International and received my certification thereafter. Read more>>
Tabitha Kardelis
I’ve always known I wanted to create. When I was in middle school, I would draw life-size floor plans with chalk in the driveway, creating walls, entryways, furniture, lamps, and rugs. My friends and I would then play house in the spaces I designed. Looking back, I realize that my passion for design started long before I even knew it could become a career. Read more>>
Tariq Thomas
I started my real estate journey more than 20 years ago, initially drawn to the idea of using real estate to build long-term financial freedom. Like most investors, I learned a lot through experience; buying, renovating, wholesaling, and selling properties through different market cycles. Read more>>
Isabel Anderson
I bought my first camera at a used camera store in 2011, during a dark time in my life. I started taking photos of everything I could: trees on walks, the local river, ducks, my kids, and my then-boyfriend’s soccer games. Photography gave me a reason to get outside and notice the little things around me. Read more>>
Giuliano Rodrigues
My story has always been driven by the desire to turn ideas into worlds. I was drawn early to music, image, performance, and the emotional power of creating an atmosphere that people can step into. Over time, that curiosity became a practice: learning, experimenting, taking risks, and gradually finding a language that felt unmistakably my own. Read more>>
Brooke Chhina
I have been in the beauty industry for 17 years as both a licensed cosmetologist and cosmetology educator. Hair extensions have actually been part of my career for much longer than most people realize. I began offering them only two or three years into my career, working with the glue-in extension methods that were available at the time. Read more>>
Obinna Okafor
I originally moved from New Jersey to Philadelphia back in 2019, right before the pandemic. That was the pivotal moment I decided to leave corporate life and start working for myself as an event space manager. I ran that original space for about two years, but when COVID hit, I had to pivot. Read more>>
Bev Weinberg
My story actually starts when I was a little girl wearing orthopedic shoes with metal braces that went all the way up my legs. I remember Mondays were gym days. The other kids would run and play, and I was often the kid on the sidelines, watching. I knew what it felt like to be different. Read more>>
John Nguyen
We discovered our passion for craft cocktails during the pandemic, where when we were quarantined at home, learned how to build a cocktail and grew an understanding for how to tweak ingredients to suit our tastes. From there we then began serving our friends and discovered our passion for serving well balanced drinks and entertaining! Read more>>
Vivian Jaber
I always knew that someday I wanted to have my own business. I just didn’t know it would be now, or that it would be chocolate! I got let go from my corporate job back in January, and while I was searching for a new job, I started picking up new hobbies. One of them was exploring the kitchen and testing recipes. Read more>>
Vinyal Crookz
My story starts in Detroit, MI. Known as the Motor City, birth place of Motown, and a hub for some of the greatest musicians in the world. From Gospel, to Soul/R&B, and Hip Hop/Rap Detroit is known for pushing boundaries. As a young kid I knew Music was my niche. At 2, I knew I found my love. Read more>>
Shaykh Anwar A M. Muhammad
When I moved to the Greater Philadelphia area 13 years ago from Central Pennsylvania—Harrisburg—I noticed something almost immediately. There was a void. Coming from Harrisburg, I was accustomed to having access to Black culture, Black history, Black literature, and spaces where our community could see itself reflected. Read more>>
Amanda Vavra
Amanda’s journey into the world of wellness began in the kitchen. A Culinary Arts graduate raised on the Standard American Diet, her culinary education broadened her palate but also highlighted a much deeper need: healing her relationship with food and with herself. For a large part of her life, Amanda navigated profound personal challenges, battling anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and physical health issues. Read more>>
Dutchy
I started crocheting in 2024 to help me navigate the grief of losing my mother to cancer. After crocheting some hats and a blanket, I discovered amigurumi in 2025. I taught myself how to read patterns and soon learned how to put my artistic twist on existing patterns. Now I create unique plushies that are eye-catching and a little bit different than your regular plushies. Read more>>
Alina Rodgers
My story has taken a few unexpected turns ~ which, looking back, is probably why I’m so passionate about helping people navigate transitions. I was born and raised in Transylvania, Romania, and my first professional chapter was in medicine and dentistry. Read more>>
Keely Childers Heany
We were hosting a Saint Patrick’s Day party when we got the phone call that our offer on the property that would become Pineapple Manor, was accepted. Our lucky day! We moved in April of 2017, so we’re coming up on 10 years of living this crazy dream next spring. Read more>>
Cara, Taylor, Chelsea, Talia Bonner, Kohl, Kirby, Sabatini
Four Hearts Pediatric Therapy really started with the four of us—four sisters, two speech-language pathologists and two occupational therapists, who have always wanted to work with kids. We’re one of six siblings (we have two brothers too!), and we grew up incredibly close. Read more>>
Kristin Thelen
My story really started with my own health struggle. I was dealing with a fertility issue and the conventional treatments I tried with my OBGYN were unsuccessful and left me feeling like not like myself. It wasn’t until I started working with a clinical nutritionist and dug into what was actually going on in my body that we found the real root cause. Read more>>
Jason Langheine
My interest in photography started in high school where I took a film photography class. We learned the basics of exposure and also how to develop film in a darkroom. Read more>>
Grace MacDonald
Design is a second career for me. I suppose, in a lot of ways, it’s something I’ve been doing passively with my own spaces for years, but it wasn’t until I sold my ownership stake in my prior marketing business and made the decision to transition out of the corporate marketing world that I got into design full time. Read more>>
Sean McCormick
Ive spent 15 years working in the trades, and over that time I developed a real appreciation for quality craftsmanship and taking pride in the finished product. My father had a painting business while I was growing up so a lot of my Winter/Spring/Summer breaks were spent working for him. Read more>>
Maria Gregg
Here’s a short bio: Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Maria Gregg has always had a natural passion for caring for others. With over 15 years of hands-on experience in the field, she knew it was time to turn her lifelong dream into reality by founding SKYMA Living Solutions. Maria’s journey in caregiving has been both personal and professional. Read more>>
Summer Wise
Introducing So So Trendy — 20 Years of Style, Fashion & Community! For 20 years, So So Trendy has been helping women look and feel their best, bringing affordable, on-trend fashion and a fun, welcoming shopping experience to our communities. Read more>>
Ashley Lopes
I started PA Family Adventures because I’m a busy mom of four who knows how hard it can be to find fun things to do as a family. I wanted a place where I could share the adventures we were finding around Pennsylvania—family-friendly places, events, restaurants, hidden gems, and experiences that are actually worth getting out of the house for. Read more>>
KRISTLE SMALL
I began my career in mental health at the early age of 23. I graduated from Temple University in 2011 with a masters degree in counseling psychology. I always had a passion for helping people with depression and anxiety as I have struggled with it myself in the past. Read more>>
James Whisner
I realize this is kinda lengthy. I trust your experience in this, use what you need. Thanks for the opportunity! I am Licensed Clinical Social Worker and recently established my private practice where I am the owner and sole employee. My starting point generally catches people off guard. My bachelors degree is in Landscape Architecture from West Virginia University (Cue Country Roads here). Read more>>
Missy Phillips
Nomad At Home began in 2017 when I was traveling from place to place in my 1989 Chevy camper van, working on many various farms and properties around the country caring for animals. Eventually I settled on really finding my calling in this type of caretaking work and turned the services I offered into an official business! Read more>>
Edna Cementina
My story has really been about growth, taking chances, and never being afraid to start a new chapter. I was born in the Philippines, raised in Queens, New York, and moved to Northeastern Pennsylvania in September 2001. NEPA eventually became home, not only for me personally, but also for my family, career, my business, and my connection to the community. Read more>>
Roberta Adamski
Id be happy too! The company started accidentally actually lol. I truly had no intention on it being where it is today. but, I’m very happy it is because it has been a 360 degree win for everyone all around and it has truly helped so many already! Read more>>
Emerson Abbey
My name is Emerson Ronnie Abbey. I am a 23-year-old father to an extremely adorable little boy named Sonder Dapriye Abbey-Kovacik. My fiancee Ellie Kikue Kovacik is the light of our lives. Read more>>
Cres Williamson
My journey into the beauty industry was born out of a season of heartbreak, change, and rebuilding. After losing my husband in 2021, I found myself having to navigate life in a completely different way. During that season, I began discovering that beauty was more than just outward appearance, it could be a source of confidence, connection, and healing. Read more>>
Bernis Ngwane
My journey into healthcare began with a genuine desire to care for people and to be present during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. I started my career as a registered nurse, spending several years in hospital-based care before becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner. Read more>>
Lilly Beltran
My story starts with always noticing clothes first; how someone carried themselves or what made them light up in an outfit. Becoming a mom changed that for me in a different way. I went through the stretch so many moms know, where you’re so busy taking care of everyone else that you lose track of what makes you feel like you. Read more>>
Moneek Pines
My journey with ARTrageous Brush & Flow really started with my love for creating and my belief that everybody is an artist. I graduated from Moore College of Art & Design with a BFA in Sculpture Studies, and I’ve always loved working with my hands and creating things in different ways. Read more>>
Melitta Szymanski
Sports have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and they shaped a lot of who I became. I competed in Division I track and field at Robert Morris University and later had the opportunity to compete at the 2008 Canadian Olympic Trials. Read more>>
Charissa Lauren
I started working very young, primarily in film, theater, pageants, and modeling. I knew I wanted to work within the industry behind-the-scenes so I really focused on gaining as much experience as I could. I worked for various talent agencies, including The Talent Group and Barbizon, and I took many opportunities with Mosser Casting to physically work on movie sets. Read more>>
Chad Repko
I am a filmmaker from PA. After going through film school I went into having a normal life, after an unsuccessful marriage and having a son, I got remarried and both my son and wife got me back into the creative world of filmmaking. Part of my family is from Ocean City Maryland, and my summers as a child were going down to OCMD. Read more>>
Terril Edwards
My journey started with a passion for creativity, storytelling, and capturing moments that people could remember for years. What began as an interest in photography and videography gradually grew into something much bigger. Over time, I began working on different types of projects, including music videos, events, weddings, photography, documentaries, promotional content, and live productions. Read more>>
Derek Zielinski
Tattooing was never really on my radar as a kid. I grew up drawing cartoons and logos and things like that. Redrawing popular characters, as well as creating my own. Throughout Elementary School and all the way through high school, I was actively involved in all of the elective art classes and contests. I won multiple awards through those years for drawing, painting and photography. Read more>>
Wellington Brito
I moved from Brazil to the United States in 1999, and my career here has really been built around hospitality, operations, and entrepreneurship. For about 17 years, I worked as a Director of Operations for Dunkin Brands, overseeing Dunkin’ Donuts operations. Read more>>
