Kansas City’s Most Inspiring Stories

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.

Austin Campbell

I always get these random business ideas in my head, one day I was scrolling Facebook and a video popped up. This guy was flying this drone and it looked so cool to me! I did some research, set up my business, bought a drone, got my FAA certification to fly commercially and the rest is history. Read More>>

Sarah Waterman

Through marriage, three kids, loss, and general life, I’ve always come back to words as a way to keep me grounded and help me find peace. That is not to say writing and reading is always a peaceful act, but I always come away from words feeling humbled, more well-rounded, more grounded, and more empathetic. Read More>>

Victoria Logan

Boozy Baby Mobile Bar was born from a passion for creating unforgettable experiences and a love for bringing people together. Our journey began with a simple idea: to elevate the bar and beverage service industry by blending luxury, creativity, and seamless execution. With years of experience in hospitality and event planning, I acknowledged a glaring gap in Kansas City’s event landscape. While there were plenty of professional bartending services for weddings- local businesses, brands, and organizations hosting events often struggled to find a comprehensive, high-quality, and unique solution for their event’s Bar and Beverages. Read More>>

Candice Vaughn

My real estate journey began when I purchased my first home at 24 years old. I didn’t have a ton of money, but I knew I wanted to be a homeowner, and I knew that I would eventually want to rent it out to start my journey as a real estate investor. That experience is what inspired me to become a real estate agent. In 2016, I took a leap of faith and decided to pursue a career in real estate full time. I was drawn to the industry by the idea of helping people achieve one of the most significant milestones in their lives: buying and selling a home. At the time, I didn’t have much experience, just a drive to learn, a passion for people, and a determination to succeed. I started my career as a full-time real estate agent in my hometown of Huntsville, AL. Read more>>

Bailey Schneider

The summer before my senior year in high school my mom and I were looking for a photographer to take my senior pics. After getting suggestions from several people and looking at their style, we chose Photography by Tammy KC. We met in the Fall of 2024 for my senior session and we clicked immediately. Tammy said I was a natural in front of the camera. Her assistant said I should be on her modeling team. I thought he was joking but he wasn’t. She suggested that I apply for her promotional modeling team & I was selected. This year will be my second year on her team. Read more>>

Egreis Gjergjani

As my passion for design evolved, I launched By Egreis, a women’s clothing brand rooted in the idea that style should be inclusive, empowering, and accessible. By Egreis celebrates women of all shapes and sizes, offering beautiful, high-quality pieces that bring confidence to everyday life. This brand reflects my belief that fashion is more than what you wear—it’s how you feel when you step into the world. Read More>>

Christopher Music

While working in insurance, he discovered significant gaps between a contractor’s understanding of insurance claims and what insurance companies needed from contractors to approve bids. This lack of knowledge and communication lead to increased waiting times and decreased approvals. Chris thought that if there were a way to educate contractors on insurance claims, he could help homeowners get the service they needed at a quicker rate. Read More>>

Monique Lane

The journey during my career has by far not been smooth. At times, I’ve felt the emotional weight of representing my city or even my culture on stage or while performing. It’s not just about showcasing a dance form; it’s about carrying the expectations of my community and even my family. the responsibility of honoring the legacy I have created, and the pressure to ‘do it right.’ That emotional burden can make the road even harder, as the stakes feel much higher. Read More>>

Je Cornwell

Cornwell has a wealth of experience in publishing, having published over 60 books. As a music lover, he has a keen eye for talent and understanding of what it takes to succeed in the business. Through his work with the KCL Show, Cornwell hopes to spotlight many local original artists, giving them a platform to showcase their talent and connect with fans. His dedication to the music scene in Kansas City has earned him a reputation as a passionate advocate for local talent, and his work with Kansas City Limits has been widely praised for its quality and impact. Read More>>

Jimmie Patterson III

I suppose I’ve been a poet since I was a teenager. After crafting my ability to write poetry I naturally shifted over to writing music. I came up with the name Immij Nos (pronounced image knows) which is Jimmie Son backwards minus the “e” and started to write and record music probably around 2007 and have touched many studios and stages since then. In recent years I’ve stopped chasing super stardom and focused more on making the music that I like and trying to find an audience. Read More>>

Paola Tello

Now, as a cannabis photographer in Missouri and Kansas City, I get to work with amazing brands and dispensaries to create images that not only showcase their products but also tell a story. Whether I’m working with a cannabis marketing agency or a small local business, my goal is to help them stand out through creative and impactful product photography. Read More>>

Emma Fotovich

When I was a child my parents would encourage me to listen to music. My mom would play her favorite songs while dropping my siblings and I up from school, and my dad would sing songs from The Beatles when wishing us a good night. My parents always had a positive impact on me growing up. Read More>>

Amber Keltner

Growing up, I always had a spark, a vibrant spirit that could light up any room. But as I grew older, that light began to dim. When I was 16, I dated someone who was a bad influence in my life and started partying, which for me was a temporary escape from the pressures of life. The addiction crept in, and was a silent thief that stole all my dreams and aspirations over the next decade. Read More>>

Jamie Kostelac

Joining a business that mirrored the principles of sports reignited my passion. By 26, I had climbed to an ownership role. The early years were a steep learning curve, teaching me leadership and self-discovery. Leading a startup franchise demanded intense networking, working in the field seven days a week for a year, juggling diverse roles, and finding ways to succeed. As the business expanded, I mastered the art of teaching and delegating, allowing me to focus on strategic growth. These experiences have been invaluable, shaping who I am today, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Read More>>

Felicia Morgan

I have encountered plenty of struggles, including learning to trust myself again. That was a big one and one that I’m honestly still learning. Every day is a process. Being someone that believes in God, of course people will say, but you have to trust God, not yourself. but I’ve learned that in order for me to truly trust God that way I desire, I have to trust that I’m hearing Him right, I have to trust myself to follow the path He’s leading me down. when I lost confidence in myself to make decisions I hesitated on everything God was showing me. So learning to appreciate who I am, myself, the way God made me has strengthened me to know He does talk to me, He is speaking to me, and even if I take a wrong turn, He’s a loving God who will course correct me. and I can love myself unconditionally in that process, even when I make a mistake. Read More>>

Dr. Jackie Churchill

I always thought about becoming a chiropractor one day, but when I went to Avila University, I was focused on cheering all four years while earning my degree. Somewhere along the way, I learned about osteopathic medicine. It sounded similar to chiropractic but with the ability to prescribe medicine, and I thought, “Hey, maybe this is a more stable career path.” So, I went for it. Read More>>