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.

Kasey White

Now, Rejuvv is a full service luxury medical spa with five locations across Missouri and Kansas, including Warrensburg, Clinton, Sedalia, Marshall, and the newest addition in Overland Park, Kansas. The spa continues to expand its offerings, helping clients feel better and look their best. Rejuvv’s commitment to quality care and customer satisfaction makes it a standout in the medical spa industry. Read more>>

Grant Nelson

When I got home from the trip, I did some basic editing of the image and posted it on Instagram (which I rarely do anymore). Within a couple of days, I received a message from an interior designer in Tokyo. He told me that he was putting together a design for a bar in the Roppongi District and that he wanted to use my shot as part of the design. Long story short, a huge print of “Tatanka” is now prominently displayed at the One-Eyed Jack Lounge in Tokyo. Read more>>

Kyle Walker

As a way to keep myself interested and on track, I started The Back of the Pack Podcast. A running podcast for non-elite runners. At the time, I had twelve years of running experience and felt like I could help other runners out with my knowledge I had gained over the years. Our un-official slogan of the Podcast is that “We make the mistakes, so you don’t have to”. The podcast talks about tips and tricks, race reviews, and previews. The podcast has grown in these three years now. We wen from a dozen listeners to now about 1200 weekly listeners. We grow a little more every week.  Read more>>

RaeAnn Walters

I started shooting less and less. At first, I was all alright with it because nothing was happening outside. I was hyper-focused on growing professionally, but once 2022 rolled around, I was itching to create again but still struggled to pick up my DSLR, so I committed to my Instax camera instead. That revived Instaxsatisfaction, an Instagram page I made in 2016 to post Instax photos I captured while visiting my parent’s homeland of Guyana. This mini-side quest brought me so much joy. I took that camera everywhere, even if I was just stepping out to go over to a friend’s house, and while this side quest burnt out at the end of 2023, it left me wanting to jump back into creating fully. Read more>>

Miya Guggs

Well.. I’ve always loved music. it truly has been there for me in all aspects of my life weather it’s gospel, break up music, or simply music to hang out with your friends. music has always been there. When i was met with a choice to choose college basket or music it was a hard yet simple choice to make. After. I started vocal lessons and worked on my voice and understanding it for a year. I guess it’s something like a domino effect. it sorta fell into place. Read more>>

Abigayle Saint Vincent

I married my high school sweetheart, and we recently celebrated 16 years together—half of our lives. Together, we have three little ones and a white lab. When I look back at everything—the moves, the milestones, the growth—I realize this is what inspires me. The journey, the people, the moments in between. Lifestyle Photography. Maybe that’s why capturing other people’s stories feels so important to me. There’s something so powerful about freezing a moment—the glances, the laughter, the quiet in-between that says everything—and then being able to relive it through photographs. Read more>>

Audrey Lockwood

I’ve been designing clothing since I was able to draw. Not always super well, but always vivd ideas in my mind for clothing. I started to sew in middle school and soon after I was selling headbands at ballet class and upcycled denim shorts on Etsy. I decided to pursue a degree in Fashion Design and Product Development at Stephens College, as well as studying abroad at London College of Fashion. I knew from my experience in college and through internships that I did not want to work in a corporate design environment. Upon graduating college I started Devil Doll, with a showing of my first collection at KCFW. Since then I have shown collections around the KC metro area. My brand breathes loud color and vibrant textures, with a strong vintage and pop culture inspiration. I have been developing Devil Doll for 7 years and have exciting new collections coming out soon! Read more>>

Kendra Perez

Starting a business from the ground up—while juggling the rest of life—has been anything but easy. There have been moments of doubt, financial strain, and the overwhelming pressure of feeling like I had to figure everything out on my own. Balancing the business side with staying creative and true to my vision has been a constant learning curve. But with every challenge has come growth, and with every small win, I’ve been reminded of why I started this journey in the first place. Read more>>

Abby Barker

I am also a wife to a wonderful hubby & mom to 2 amazing girls. The struggle to do all the things while being a working mom is real! Post this, capture this, content, remember to respond to clients, do inventory and let’s throw anxiety into the mix. All while doing the parenting thing can be a lot. Finding that balance can be hard, I go through phases of it being easy and it being harder. Thank G for my husb, I couldn’t do it with out him! I think we can all relate to this on some level, whether you’re a working parent or not. Read more>>

Ramanda Hicks

While I was working on rebuilding poetry, my actual family was falling apart. Afer over a decade of marriage, it was time to move in a different direction, one which I neither wanted nor was prepared for. This season of grief was when I began to journal in a totally different way than I ever had before. I felt deeply that God wanted me to share the raw esperience of what I observed, so that others could understand how he was yet present. So, I joiurnaled for a solid year and during this time, new poetry was birthed. The next year, I was led to type it up and prepare for publishing. Read more>>

Kelly Lisette Ramirez

I decided to go all in, got trained, and immediately fell in love with the process. What made it even more perfect was that it allowed me to work closely with clients without the pressure of constant conversation, giving me the chance to gradually build my confidence. As I continued exploring the beauty world, I found needle-less lip filler, and I was captivated by how it could enhance a client’s confidence instantly. Seeing beautiful women walk out of my establishment feeling more secure in themselves is truly the best part of my job. I’ve since expanded my services to include tooth gems, which pair perfectly with teeth whitening. Read more>>

Heather White

Since launching Tailleur in early 2020—set in a beautifully restored 3,800-square-foot historic building at 3933 Main Street—Heather has been shaping immersive spaces where guests feel transported. With soaring ceilings, antique details, and equestrian flourishes, her signature style infuses every room with timeless elegance. Her vision extends into the culinary experience as well, where Chef Jeffery Workman leads the kitchen in a “Modern French Movement”—merging classical French technique with contemporary flair. Read more>>

Houston Smith

Soon after, I began studying drums and percussion instruments under master educator, Mr. Leon Brady at Brady Music Studio in Kansas City, KS. Given that my parents were also musically inclined, (my mother a gospel pianist, vocalist and choir director & father a gospel & contemporary bass player), I was always exposed to and immersed in various styles of music from a young age. At the age of 6, I assumed the drum chair at our local church and played weekly services regularly, eventually serving on other instruments (piano/organ/bass) as I got older and expanded my musical knowledge. All of this supporting experience happened in conjunction with my private studies & yearly Mid-America Music Association (M.A.M.A.) drum competitions through Brady Music Studio. Read more>>

Sam Roberts

This is Kansas City’s first self capture photo studio. I believe it is a modern streamlined take on photography that takes the anxiety out of it. We offer a semi private photography studio, with all the necessary equipment, that you can book and capture yourself in all your glory. Our brand is just starting but I want the brand to embody inclusivity, people of walks of life can come utilize the studio and capture themselves. One of our slogans is “who can capture U, better than U” and we everyone to come capture themselves in a comfortable space! Read more>>

Brenna

I don’t know if any business owner has a smooth road. There are so many things to learn along the way. With photography it can sometimes be hard to find the area that you’re really passionate about. It took me a long time before coming across boudoir and realizing that is the area I love most. It can also take a long time to really find your style and learning how to master it. Read more>>

Javin H Guzman

When it came to content creation, turning an idea and vision into reality was one of the biggest challenges. The small details—refining, optimizing, and improving—took time, patience, and relentless effort. But I learned that success isn’t about figuring it all out alone. Studying the best, finding mentors, and analyzing what works made the process easier. Read more>>

Angelea

I still enjoy laughing with my Italian grandma over which cousin has the rockiest relationship, and I cling to the stories of my artistic Portuguese grandma’s life before she immigrated to America. Sunday dinners after church still revolve around Mexican-Italian-Portuguese foods, cousins running around, and friends laughing with joy at the mess of it all. Read more>>

Jaz Brewer

I started recording in high school with a tape deck and a radio shack mixer, and portable cd player with my brother Joe Good. I built a computer in college and began recording with digital software. I got good at editing and recording by doing step show edits for all of the black greek organizations and recording artists on campus. I graduated college and began recording in my mom’s dining room. In October of 2003 my guy Tommy lift approached me about a building on 17th and summit. I got a job at Pfizer to finance the buildout of the studio, and Ive been here recording for the last 23 years.  Read more>>

Shelby Vasko

The first two years were insanely busy. The wedding industry as a whole was playing catch up from the 2020 COVID wedding cancellations. Business was good but it was exhausting, by the time we hit 2023 business has settled down and we could figure out what a normal year was. I have struggles as a business owner like anyone else but I have amazing clients and I love working with the Kansas City wedding industry. Read more>>

Melanie Martinez

Ever since I was young, I’ve always been drawn to photography and admired the work of photographers. I found myself fascinated by how they could capture moments and tell stories through images. However, as I got older and started a family, I didn’t have the means to pursue photography right away. But the passion never really left me. Eventually, I was able to invest in a camera, and as I started practicing, I immediately fell in love with it. What really resonated with me was the ability to work with individuals and families, capturing those special moments that hold so much meaning. Read more>>

A’Lexus Jones

Embracing the emotional and physical demands of supporting families during some of life’s most transformative moments can be both beautiful and heavy. There have been moments of self-doubt and exhaustion, but the purpose behind Sacred bEARTH has always kept me grounded. Staying committed to advocacy, continuing education, and creating inclusive, affirming spaces has made the challenges worthwhile. Every family I’ve had the honor of supporting has reminded me why this work is so essential. Read more>>

Kathryn Blandin

We have built new barns with donated wood, tin. We created a Christmas event in hopes we could give people joy for the Holidays. The first year we felt so blessed to have 365 people join us. The last two years we have had over 4,000 attend. Again what a blessing it is that people want to come visit and even make this a family tradition. Read more>>

JUST ANGEL Angel Te’L

I am Just Angel. Also known as Mom, and Auntie. I am autistic, ADHD, I have progressive glaucoma so sometimes I am blind. I also have a hearing aid in my right ear. This is my second time as a college student, this time at the UMKC Conservatory, as a future Music Therapist. This is my first time being excited about a degree! I will be 48 Christmas Eve. I am the oldest out of 3 biological siblings ( little brother, Thuston, 41 , baby sister, Jonnet, 39). We were created from parents that have been married since 1975. Two years before they had me. I’m, conveniently, seen as a PK (pastors/preachers kid). My dad didn’t accept his call to ministry until my first stint in college twenty years ago. He started pastoring 2002. The same year I graduated from Columbia College. Read more>>

Robert Galicia

We acquired our first bus 11 years ago. We mainly used it for Chiefs Tailgates with friends. As people started requesting private rentals, we slowly began to see a need for a business. Over the past 2 years we launched the official brand and have started making waves. We pride ourselves on customer service. We are a unique twist of Party Bus. We do it all, not jus transport, but also tourism, special event, tailgate packages, etc Read more>>

Forest Kinsey

In my first semester of film school, I didn’t quite fit in. I found it difficult to speak up or fight for ideas; subsequently, I was told I probably was’t cut out for this field. As harsh as it felt to be told this, it was, in its own way, motivating. I learned early on that, while I knew how to write, it doesn’t matter as much what I say than how I say it. I’m still not much of a forceful voice, but I feel like my work tends to speak for itself. Read more>>

Morgan Hobbs

In 2013, I moved from Kansas City to Philadelphia to attend graduate school at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA). Although the graduate program at PAFA is now defunct, both the program and Philadelphia were excellent choices for me at the time. By the end of the program, I had amassed a long list of professional experiences that were available to graduate students, and a group of my classmates and I started AUTOMAT Gallery, an artist-run curatorial collective (which turns ten years old this year!). Later that summer, PAFA hired me to work in the Student Services office, where I worked closely with students for almost five years. Read more>>

BITE! THE BAND

After years of having a mutual love of music writing together, Ethan reached out to Merrick Makowski as the final member, and lead guitarist for the group. Ethan knew Merrick from high school, where they played in several bands together over the years. Merrick began his music journey as a bass player in a 2-man power-group in 2015 and went on to play in numerous bands and change instruments to guitar, eventually crossing paths with Ethan. Read more>>

Quentin & Megan Harrison

When we first started Date Night KC we were both in graduate school. Megan was a full-time student, and Quentin was working a full-time job and a student for graduate school at the same time. Because of these busy schedules, finding any time to create content was often hectic. We felt like everything really solidified after we graduated. Since then, we have had much more time to dedicate to the brand, and because of this, it has grown immensely. One of the biggest challenges with this has also been the learning curve that comes with doing anything new. From editing and voicing over the videos all the way down to the hashtags on Instagram and TikTok it has been a lot of learning. Read more>>

Dana Satterwhite

In hindsight, I feel like my journey was fairly easy, but in the beginning, I had no idea where or how to start. As much as I can, I want to be an advocate for any and all who desire to choose art or anything art-related as a profession. I want to be a voice and an inspiration for those who are often dissuaded from this direction for fear that they’ll end up starving artists. I’m here to encourage kids to lean into that weirdness and individual expression. Breaking into advertising or any creative field can be daunting, particularly for people of color and especially now with the advent of artificial intelligence. Still, it can be both liberating and fulfilling, so it gets my strong endorsement. If you’re curious, motivated, persistent, and committed to excellence, there will always be a home for you. Read more>>

Brittany Kelly

I got to work! I dedicated a lot of time to writing and researching the publishing process and was fortunate to connect with a publisher who believed in the story I wanted to convey. I also found a talented illustrator who helped bring my vision to life on the pages. This journey has been a deep learning experience filled with late nights, complete dedication, trusting the process, and I can hardly believe my first published book is on the way! Read more>>

Yashi Davalos

It has definitely not been a smooth round. If 17 year old me could have mapped all of this out in Atlanta, I would have never left home. I’d say the most difficult part is balancing the way I’d prefer to navigate institutions, stay upwardly mobile without weaponizing dominance, honor artist development as a transplant, all while being responsible for representing to other landscapes the real culture, and not the tokenized aspects of the places I’ve worked. I spent a lot of my time early on in this journey frustrated and misunderstood. However, the further along I get in my career, the more pride I have in the relationships I’ve built, and the capacity I build out of projects. Read more>>

John D’Attoma

We helped 3 families with 6 kids with an average grant of $312. In 2010, we raised a total of $3125. As our donations grew, we were able to help more families and kids. Our first big breakthrough in fundraising came in 2013, when some friends offered to host and wine and art auction at their home. As my wife and I were running sacred as volunteers, I had a full-time job in the wine and spirits industry. I was able to secure some nice auction items and raised enough money so that, in 2014, we had enough revenue to help 26 families with 65 kids with an average grant of $1128. Our revenue in 2014 was $47,343. Read more>>

Sarah Cline

As the world opened back up and immersive experiences started to take off, I discovered a space where many of my passions could coexist. I continued creating fantasy content about immersive experiences I was passionate about, but also was able to return to live theatre and start posting about my first love: Broadway and Theatre again. I found myself building genuine connections with both fans and creators in the entertainment world. Read more>>

Cassidy Drury

What started with a few weddings for friends quickly grew through word of mouth. I realized I wasn’t just passionate about taking beautiful photos—I cared deeply about the experience my couples had along the way. That’s when I started treating photography like a business. I invested in education, built systems that allowed me to serve clients well, and focused on creating work that felt timeless and intentional. Read more>>

Brittany Foley

I was born and raised in the small, close-knit town of Taylor, Texas, a place where the streets hold stories, everybody knows your name, and dreams sometimes feel like they’re just out of reach. My parents, Shumeka Johnson and Larry Foley, gave me the foundation: a love of reading, a heart for service, and a deep belief that doing your best is not just expected, it’s sacred. But the woman who truly shaped me, the soul who breathed resilience and fire into my spirit was my grandmother, Linda Gail Johnson. She was more than my caregiver; she was my compass. Read more>>

Carnecia Robertson

That is how Urban Brim Company was created. I have put my heart and soul into creating a warm and welcoming experience when people interact with the Mobile Hat Bar. It is not just shopping it is a interactive retail experience that pushes your mind to the limits for creativity. Knowing that you will be wearing this to show who YOU are. We wear our PRIDE at Urban Brim Co.! I’ve woken up late nights with ideas to make my business better and spent countless hours at pop-ups. Creating marketing and branding for my social media platforms. I’ve done so much networking in my community and invested countless days preparing for events, and finding any way to make my business the best it can be. Read more>>

Richard Renner

In 2008, after moving back to Lawrence and seeing the potential of downtown as a stage, I founded the Lawrence Busker Festival. What started with a $2,000 budget has grown into a beloved event that’s been running for over 17 years. We bring in local and international street performers, and the community’s love for the offbeat—sword swallowers, fire eaters, contortionists—continues to fuel its success. Read more>>

Josh Rathbun

it has not been smooth, I dint go to culinary school. I like to say I went to the school of hard knocks, often having to learn from the mistakes I made along the way. I struggled mightily at many points in my career, learning first how to cook, then how to manage a staff, and then how to manage a business. My kidney disease has really been the largest challenge. I am thankful for it because I would not be where I am today without it but it has provided many setbacks along the way. Read more>>

Josh Hobbs

As childhood friends, we grew up playing music together in middle and high school. We also played in a youth church band together. This lead to the bands official formation in 2009. Our first show, oddly enough, was at the Kansas City public library teen music showcase. At that point, we had already recorded our own demos and our first album ourselves. We continued to write, record, and produce more music “DIY” style ourselves, and with the help of our peers in the music scene. Read more>>

Summer Serrano

Post-high school, I felt adrift, like a sailboat without a wind. Then, a colleague mentioned esthetics school. Esthetics? What on earth was that? It sounded utterly fascinating, and frankly, a perfect solution to my own battle with cystic acne. It was a serendipitous moment, like finding a perfectly ripe peach on a hot summer day. Read more>>

Devaughn Goodlow

With three singles already available, I’m preparing to release a new album exploring the ups and downs of love and relationships. Growing up around great musicians has pushed me to make music that gives both musicians and casual listeners a blend of technical prowess and heartfelt emotion. I started in church, and now I get to spread love and creativity all across the city. Read more>>

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated Alpha Epsilon Zeta

The chapter has received numerous awards and recognitions from the local community level to the international level. The chapter’s charter was officially updated to reflect the service areas of Wyandotte County, Johnson County, Leavenworth County, and Linn County. The chapter has held true to the founding principles of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood and Finer Womanhood, as we sought to make an impact in the communities we serve. Read more>>

Drew Clausen

Beneath the surface of my day-to-day work, I’m a highly observant person, fascinated by the way people think about and experience the world. This curiosity has been a common thread throughout my personal and professional growth. From my days playing little league baseball to my early career, I’ve always embodied the classic Midwest mindset of being diligent in my work while also closely observing the leaders around me and how they were received in different moments. I am using the things I observed, as well as the way I was made to feel in various moments every day as I navigate the world. Read more>>