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.
Shamaar Coates
I always loved to draw. Drawing picture was my get away and it always made me feel so comfortable. Since I could remember I always had a pencil a pen a couple pencil or even a paint brush in my had…The freedom I have to create whatever I wanted Since I enjoyed art so much why not do it for a living. Read more>>
Tim Tepes
I found several strong public references that support and strengthen your story. I could not locate a meaningful **Intervest.com profile specifically tied to you**, so I would not use anything from that site unless you send me the exact page. Your own website, GLVR, Homes.com, Zillow, Realtor.com, Marquis Who’s Who, and other public profiles provide plenty of verified material. Read more>>
Melanie Hoover
In a lot of ways, I was born into this industry. My family has deep roots in Pittsburgh hospitality. My grandfather ran the local Hotel and Restaurant Union, my grandmother worked in the industry, and I grew up around people who believed very strongly in taking care of both the people you serve and the people you work alongside. Read more>>
Cedrick Dehaney
I began my journey into professional photography while studying for my Master of Science in Entertainment Business at Full Sail University. My courses, like Business Storytelling, Brand Development, and Digital Marketing, required me to create visual content. This involved capturing footage and producing images that told a story and represented a brand. Read more>>
Sarah Kuchta
I started Nittany Nannies in January 2024 because I hit a wall a lot of parents here know all too well — I couldn’t find childcare I actually trusted. As a local mom, I was stuck choosing between Facebook groups with zero accountability and national platforms that leave all the vetting work to you. Read more>>
Chris Dickerson
Photography and videography began as a way for me to document family vacations and everyday moments with my daughters. During the pandemic, I helped a friend by filming a wedding, and that experience inspired me to pursue the craft more seriously. At the time, I was working as an elementary school principal. Read more>>
Jamie Sweger
Center Cut Deli was born from a passion for quality and a desire to serve the Beaver County community. The initial dream of opening a specialized deli, offering delicious sandwiches with both quantity and quality, predated the pandemic. While the perfect location remained elusive at first, fate intervened shortly after the onset of COVID-19 when an ideal spot became available. Read more>>
Angelica O’Neill
I started Raiz Beauty in 2021, shortly after COVID. At the time, the company I was working for changed its pay structure, and it made me really think about what I wanted for myself. I remember thinking, if I’m going to put in the work, I’d rather take a chance on myself and build something of my own than continue building someone else’s business. Read more>>
Tanya Stroh
I’ve been in the fitness industry for more than 20 years, but it’s actually my second career. I started my professional life as a television producer, and in my 40s I made a big change and went back to school full time to study fitness. Read more>>
Ross Garza
Ross Allen Design is a premier interior design studio specializing in bespoke design and rendering services. Founded by Ross Garza, a Pennsylvania native with over five years of industry experience, the studio has worked with clients across seven states in North America creating refined, highly personalized interiors that reflect both style and functionality. Read more>>
Max Meano
Max Meano was born in Plainfield NJ and moved to Bethlehem PA at the age of 5. He always had an interest in the arts, showing a passion in all artistic forms of expression in the hip hop culture. From break dancing, DJing, MCing and graffiti, to producing beats, recording and mixing. Read more>>
Zachary Hoppaugh
So my background isn’t marketing at all. I spent 14 years in restaurants. Started as a busboy and worked my way up to general manager. That’s where I learned how a business actually runs, managing people, dealing with pressure, and figuring out what makes a customer want to come back. Eventually I burned out on it. Read more>>
Erin Jensen
I always laugh when people ask how I got into photography because it was never part of the plan. Growing up, I was incredibly driven and had my future mapped out. I was determined to become an elementary school teacher. Read more>>
Ryan Leckey
My story really starts with a love of storytelling, people, and community. I spent two decades in morning television including 18 years at WNEP-TV (ABC) in Pennsylvania. I worked as a host/producer of my own segment called Leckey Live which included special projects, behind the scenes of TV shows, community happenings and more! Read more>>
Ray Sheehan
I’m a proud graduate of Temple University, so having the opportunity to share my story with a Pennsylvania audience makes this especially meaningful. My career has taken a few interesting turns. Before Old City Media became what it is today, a big part of our world was producing large-scale, world-class events at Major League Baseball ballparks and other venues around the country. Read more>>
Ashley Stafford
I run an Orthopedic Massage Therapy practice and wasn’t able to afford a website developer or marketing team. A few friends reminded me that I know enough html to build a wordpress site and even helped me when I ran into issues. I built my own site, learned SEO, and taught myself as much as I could. Read more>>
Cecilia Eligio
I was born and raised in small-town Washington, GA. I always envisioned myself leaving small-town life and finding something more exciting. I was always drawn to being on stage and performing for people, so with the help of my incredibly supportive parents I studied at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) from 2014 to 2018. Read more>>
Dillon Conrad
Our story really goes back to 1991, when my father, Grand Master Scott Conrad, originally established the school. So martial arts has pretty much been part of my life from the beginning. We joke sometimes that I was “born into karate royalty,” but there is some truth behind that because I grew up surrounded by martial arts and some incredibly talented people. Read more>>
Angelica Daniele
Angelica Daniele is a Philadelphia native who earned her M.A. in Arts Administration from Goucher College in 2012. She graduated in 2009 from Goucher with her B.A., summa cum laude, in dance and psychology with concentrations in both arts administration and dance therapy. Read more>>
Abigail Jerri
I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pa. I have always known that I wanted to do something special with my voice. I would write songs in my journal when I was very young and I was able to bring them to life at my first professional studio session when I was 14. Read more>>
Saramelia Murray
I started my career as a hairstylist in 2012 and spent years behind the chair developing my skills and love for working with people. When I decided I was ready for a career change, I went back to school through Paragon Pet School and discovered that so many of the haircutting skills I already had could be applied to dog grooming. Read more>>
Matt Scoletti
There was a time in my life when I was more than 50 pounds overweight, struggling with alcohol, and not living anywhere close to the person I knew I could become. Getting sober changed the trajectory of my life. It forced me to take responsibility for my decisions, my health, my mindset, and ultimately the person I wanted to be. Read more>>
Dylan Loeffler
My journey into physical therapy and performance began with my own battle with childhood obesity. After losing 60 pounds during my senior year of high school, I discovered a passion for fitness, human performance, and helping others transform their health. That passion led me to Slippery Rock University, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Read more>>
JP Hepp
My story began in Belgium, where exceptional chocolate is part of the culture and where I developed an appreciation for the craftsmanship behind it. My first professional path, however, was in science. I earned a PhD in biology and spent 23 years working in the pharmaceutical industry after moving to the United States. Read more>>
Caitlin Bruce
I was born in New York City, and grew up in upper Manhattan surrounded by all of the energy and art and culture in such a place. Read more>>
James Dohner
in spring of 2017 i was opening a new chapter in my life. like the many times in my life i was starting over again with almost nothing. My resources were limited. I reached out to my brother Joe who had recently just return to Lebanon, PA from California and he also was starting over from next to nothing. Read more>>
Stephanie Helsel
Our Story At Soothing Suds by Steph, we are dedicated to harnessing the power of natural ingredients to create the best handmade soaps. Stephanie, who encountered difficulties in finding soap with clean ingredients for our son and family, immersed herself in the science of soap making and natural skincare. Read more>>
Fran Isaacson, CKBR
I originally got into kitchen and bath design and remodeling because I love seeing the transformation of a space. There is something incredibly satisfying about taking a kitchen or bathroom that isn’t working for someone and turning it into something beautiful, functional and completely different. Working with clients to achieve their dreams is just as rewarding. Read more>>
Trinka Ravaioli
I’m a Northeastern Pennsylvania native, and creativity has always been the thread connecting the different parts of my life. I built my professional career by founding Grapevine Design, a boutique graphic design and communications business. Through that work, I’ve helped regional businesses and nonprofit organizations tell their stories, strengthen their identities, and connect more meaningfully with their communities. Read more>>
Joseph Martin
I started out as a U.S. Army veteran who was medically discharged after a training accident left me with chronic back pain. When I went to the VA, the response was basically a black book of symptoms and a stack of prescriptions. I left with five or six new bottles and almost no answers about the actual root of the problem. Read more>>
Aprilynn ‘April’ Artz
If you are a person who likes context and/or history and/or just likes information, then this section of our website is for you. I never intended to start a private practice (hopefully you don’t stop reading here). In fact, I never intended to be a therapist at all (again, hear me out-keep reading). I went to undergrad at Pitt for creative nonfiction writing. Read more>>
Melissa Allis
I exceled in math and science in high school and was steered towards engineering in college. I really had no idea what careers were out there and I thought I would like the creativity and teamwork aspect of engineering. I graduated with a mechanical engineering degree and worked in the engineering field for 2 years. Read more>>
PJ Dortone
In childhood I used to mix different flavored sodas together and my grandparents house during sunday dinner and hand out to all of my cousins. I went on to work in restaurants and bars in college to pay my way through at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Read more>>
Courtney Gondringer
After more than 15 years working in the admin side of healthcare, I reached a point where I knew the corporate world was no longer where I belonged. It wasn’t always kind to me, and I realized that if I was going to work hard, I wanted to work hard for myself. Read more>>
Mikayla Geffert
I moved to Carlisle in 2019 and found myself needing a creative outlet to make up for my boring corporate job. I always enjoyed fun earrings and often found myself on Pinterest looking at jewelry. One day I went on Etsy and purchased a little mold to make some little succulent earrings for myself. Read more>>
Jennifer DiLucia
Hi I started my Podcast called ‘Spill with Me Jenny D.’ in January 2022. I decided after Covid it was time we talked about topics many of us are keeping silent. I know I was struggling with my own struggles of depression and feeling alone. Read more>>
Carmen Bedolla
It all started with my passion for thrifting. I always loved visiting thrift stores and searching for unique finds to decorate my home and find clothes for my children and myself. Over time, I started reselling some of the things I found, and what began as a hobby slowly grew into a passion and a vision for something bigger. Read more>>
KARLIN MANLEY
I TOOK OVER THE FAMILY BUSINESS BACK IN 2012. Read more>>
Lindsey Henzy
Home&Hue really began with a love for creating beautiful, meaningful spaces and a belief that a home should feel deeply personal to the people who live there. What started as a passion grew into something much bigger than I could have imagined. Read more>>
Koby Ben
That’s a lovely image. So if we keep it short and sweet, it could be something like “Kobe’s Creekside Grill, opened in 2023 in a space with decades of local history, reimagined as a farm-to-table Israeli-style grill. Set right on the water, the restaurant pairs locally sourced meats and produce with a breezy, vacation-like vibe Read more>>
Rachel Mento
I never felt very fashionable. After having kids, I honestly got in a rut of wearing the same old clothes week after week. During that time, influencers became popular on instagram. I started following a few and was influenced by their products and started shopping more for myself. Read more>>
Dion Dupree
My journey through the music entertainment business began in 2012 when I started Grind Mode Management LLC. I began as the President of Nick Nice Productions managing DJs in Pittsburgh, Pa. My company began to evolve and expanded into the development of multiple companies that was designed to fill voids in the entertainment industry in Pittsburgh. Read more>>
Harry King
My journey to Kingdom FIT really started long before I ever opened the doors to a gym. Fitness has been a major part of my life for years, but over time I began to realize that it could be about much more than working out. Read more>>
Kwang-suk Choi
I performed as a principal dancer with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre until the age of 40, while contemplating my life beyond that stage, I decided that my goal for the next chapter of my life would be to support students aspiring to major in ballet. Consequently, I founded the Pittsburgh Ballet House in September 2005 and have been running it for 22 years. Read more>>
Rachel Moyer
My goal with Happy Go Creative has always been simple: to give people a place to connect. Making things with your hands has this amazing way of taking the pressure off of socializing. It cuts through the social jitters and brings back a sense of playfulness. Read more>>
Regina Burhop
My photography journey really started with a love for capturing memories. Growing up, my dad was always the one taking pictures, and after losing him, those photographs became even more meaningful to me. They showed me just how powerful a photo can be—it can bring you right back to a person, a moment, or a feeling you never want to forget. Read more>>
Hannah Stock
It all started when I was going into my second year of college and unhappy with my intended major of early education. Less than a week before the start of the semester, I was out on a walk with my mom. Read more>>
Emily Hiles
I have been a licensed Massage Therapist since 2007. I was a certified nurses aid for several years before that, working mostly in the nursing home and for a couple years in the hospital on the cardiac care/med surge floor. Originally, I wanted to be an RN and was accepted into a great nursing school right after high school. Read more>>
Dianna DeStefano
My story with Pine + Quill began in 2020 with a dream that had been brewing for quite some time. I’ve always been one to take a risk and an opportunity landed in front of me that couldn’t pass up. After a short search, I found the beautiful storefront in West Chester that I call my second home. Read more>>
