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.

Branden Hunter

Like I tell everyone the store is growing. It grew so much it got smaller lol. As it grew we started to get more inventory and more accommodations, what was once a spacious store is now filled with stylish inventory to better serve our growing customer base. The main struggles were just continuing to believe that this will work and the right people will find us and we will find them. Sales fluctuate and so when they go down we as a team have to keep our spirits up. Read more>>

Phantom Pesos

Hello, my name is phantom pesos, I am a Musician, producer, Talent Scout & Manager, I’ve been doing music my whole life, I started my artist development program to help all upcoming artists get educated about the music game. My program consists of vocal training, informational packets, free feature from myself & many more resources. I started music when I young going through a hard time mentally In life, I always wanted to change life for myself & others. Read more>>

Paige Albert

Every step of the way, my goal has been to build businesses that make people feel confident, seen, and celebrated – whether they’re finding the dress or the perfect hat. One of the most meaningful parts of this journey is that I get to do it alongside my sister, sister-in-law, and mom. Working with my family has been such a gift. Each of us brings something different to the table, but we’re all grounded in the same values: service, style, and heart. It makes the highs even sweeter and the challenges easier to face together. Read more>>

Faith Prindle

What I didn’t expect was how much there was to KC I never knew! We started stumbling on hidden gem parks, whimsical walking trails, local businesses & creators, and colorful play spaces that made our kids’ eyes light up. They would get so excited about each new park as if I took them to Disney or something. I started sharing all of these places we would find on Instagram not to build a following at first, but simply to document our journey and share with others. (I honestly didn’t even realize other pages were doing the same thing and had been for years… Apparently I was living under a rock!) Read more>>

Hao Quach

I didn’t realize it at the time, but embroidery was one of the first ways I saw creativity and entrepreneurship in action. My mom ran a small machine embroidery business out of our home, customizing uniforms, towels, and gifts for people in the community. She often worked late, managing orders and stitching everything herself with incredible attention to detail. Years later, I got curious and bought a machine of my own. What started as a fun side hobby quickly turned into something more, I found myself using embroidery to tell stories, reflect on identity, and add a bit of humor into everyday things. It’s become more than a creative outlet, it’s how I connect with others, build community, and carry on something I grew up with, but reimagined in my own voice. Read more>>

Heather Versfeld

We’re a local family who believes in building spaces that bring people together — to share meals, make memories, and feel known. Prima Facie Bistro and Market was born out of a love for hospitality, a fascination with food , and a vision to create something lasting in our community. Every detail, from the interior design to the menu, has been personally shaped by our family and team. We’re proud to be a scratch kitchen in a time when that’s increasingly rare. Proud to honor the beauty of restored history in our building. Proud to serve dishes that are both approachable and exceptional. And most of all, proud to create a place where people feel seen, welcomed, and well-fed—in every sense of the word. Read more>>

Jada McClintick

As I began writing He continued to urge me to organize my words and stories. Before I knew it, I had a title to a book, “54:10” from the verse in Isaiah that God had spoken to me many years before, through the voice of Whitney Houston of all people, singing “I will always love you”. I thought when God gave me that message and that verse decades ago that it was just for me. Something personal between us that let me know that I was chosen and loved by God. And that was enough for me. Read more>>

Ally Conner

That realization led me to pursue the most advanced color analysis training available. In May 2024, after 6 months of rigorous testing and training, I became a Certified Personal Color Analyst through True Colour International in Australia, where I learned the TCI Method, a sophisticated 12-Tone system that blends full-spectrum light theory, Munsell color science, and an understanding of human physiology and psychology. This method allows me to guide clients toward their unique palette of 65+ colors that truly honor who they are, from wardrobe and makeup to home design and branding. Read more>>

Tia Thomas

Embracing a mixed-media approach, I revel in experimenting with various acrylic colors and materials. Like the legendary Bob Ross, I believe in the beauty of serendipity, finding joy and liberation in the unexpected twists and turns of the creative process. His philosophy of embracing imperfections and discovering flow amidst the chaos deeply influences my work, infusing it with a sense of freedom and spontaneity. Read more>>

Kimberly Holder

Through that hobby, I learned the basics of running a business. This is where I first fell in love with design and marketing, from creating my own logos and websites to deciding how I wanted to present myself to the world. After college, I became the Director of Marketing for a local financial firm and took on freelance marketing and design clients. Over time, I realized my passion for empowering women entrepreneurs and providing them with high-quality, intentional marketing services. Earlier this year after the birth of my daughter, I left my job to become a full-time mompreneur. During nap time, you’ll find me working on projects for incredible women running their dream businesses. Read more>>

Alyisa Owen

I do however, always seem to find a spark again. After covid settled down, I began consistently working side by side with my friend and studio-mate, Bernadette Emerson. She is also a newborn photographer and we have been working on more projects together. This has been exciting for both of us and we have learned that we are better, when working together. We do almost all of our newborn sessions together and we have also recently taken on a handful of local preschools together. We both have lots of goals for the future of Third Street Studio. Read more>>

Dave Brick

We started in 2017 when I was moving back to KC from Oakland. I connected with Chris Hazelton, and we quickly bonded over the vision of a soul band fronted by three female singers. We never thought it’d come together as quickly and easily as it did, but before too long, all nine of us were getting together writing what would be the tracks for our first album, Freedom is Love. We had some success with licensing some songs from that album to some big TV shows and ad campaigns: an Apple iWatch ad, a Netflix Series, Bel-Air, and a few other spots. When things started to pick up again after COVID lockdown, we started writing our second album inspired by a lot of the soul music from around Memphis in the late 60s and early 70s. That self-titled second album came out this last May. Read more>>

Mackinze Tabor

Now almost 9 years in business, we were able to expand and rebrand. We started with a 3 service room facility and now our new spot has 7 service rooms, hairstations and a private party room/ conference room! We host little girl spa parties on the weekends! We are a full service medspa and salon that offers everything but nails! The best part of our M-Power community is that we see multiple clients at least once a week for a different service! Its very special to see clients get their hair, facials, botox, etc done at M-Power! Read more>>

Stanley Taylor

On top of that, anyone who’s ever tried to coordinate an event with thousands of people knows it’s a massive logistical puzzle. Getting everyone on the same page and making sure everything runs smoothly is always a big hurdle. But those were really our two biggest challenges: managing finances in the early days and tackling the logistics of a big, beloved event as it grew. Read more>>

Jessica Schroeder

In the early days, there was nothing formal about it. We’d meet wherever we could — in each other’s living rooms, tucked away in quiet corners of local libraries, or gathered in one another’s offices…even Olive Garden! We’d share our challenges, celebrate small victories, and encourage each other when the learning curve felt steep. Those meetings became a safe space, much like the secure attachments we were learning to help our clients build. Read more>>

Nicholas White

The journey to create the perfect chai began when Joshua suggested their weekly gatherings over a cup of tea, needed a spark of excitement, A hand crafted chai tea latte. Each friend brought their own unique skills and taste preferences to the table. Joshua insisted on using the finest loose-leaf tea, while Austin and Jacey argued for precise measurements and boiling times. Nicholas, with his creative flair, wanted to experiment with ideas. they worked with the spices, adding cardamom, ginger, cinnamon and even a hint of vanilla. Read more>>

Erica Morrison

In a world where images hold the power to convey stories, emotions, and truths, I find myself standing on the fringes of a craft that both intimidates and inspires me at the same time. My journey as a self-taught photographer started about 15 years ago. From the moment I picked up a camera, I was captivated by its ability to freeze a moment in time, to capture fleeting expressions that often go unnoticed. The path hasn’t always been smooth. Countless hours spent in trial and error, learning from missteps, have shaped my creative vision. Each photograph became an extension of my thoughts, a canvas for my emotions. Read more>>

Triumfia Houmbie Fulks

Not at all. The road has had more potholes than pavement. I started CodeAlgo with a deeply personal mission: to give underserved Black and Brown youth the skills, access, and confidence to step into tech careers. But turning that vision into a sustainable business meant facing the same barriers I encountered when I first came to the U.S.: limited networks, underestimation, and having to prove myself at every turn. Read more>>

Sierra Marie Bonn

Through building Let’s Go Full STEAM Ahead!, I learned how to turn my own passions into a platform for empowering others, and how the right blend of vision, structure, and support can turn a spark of inspiration into tangible change. Those lessons inspired me to launch ImpACT Consulting, where I now help individuals, organizations, and community leaders bring their own ideas to life with clarity, strategy, and purpose. Read more>>

Kristen Edwards

As busy parents wanting to give our children the best start possible, we found it to be quite a challenge to find everyday products that were legitimately non-toxic and sustainable without a lot of research before purchasing. It felt like a losing battle for my husband, Cory, and me, but we kept trying not to give in and buy what large corporations offered. One day, we heard that soap refill stores were becoming popular in Europe and started to pop up in the U.S. After some excitement and introspection at the idea of having a refill store near where we live, we realized we were at a crossroads: wait for someone to open one in the Northland or do it ourselves. Four years later, and we’re still here selling truly green products. Read more>>

Chelsie Cox

On August 31, 2021 our youngest child, Amelia “Millie”, was diagnosed with leukemia. We were completely unaware of what this diagnosis would mean. You often see cute bald children going on make a wish trips, or smiling and playing. We started at children’s mercy Kansas City and was immediately told Amelia has leukemia, she would need chemotherapy, and for HOURS, we sat in the room playing with Millie. We were devastated, we have another child at school, and our lives have just been flipped upside down, shaken, and tossed around! Millie had just turned two in April, and was the LIGHT of our life. Read more>>

John Mayes

When we started U Toss We Haul, we had no equipment, no loans, and no roadmap. We paid dues out of our own pockets, rented trucks and trailers, and borrowed equipment wherever we could — even using John’s dad’s trailer at one point. Once, instead of receiving payment, a client gave us an old trailer they didn’t use. That became one of our first real tools. Read more>>

Talya Groves

That is what I was doing up until I decided to change course, post-pandemic. It was then that I came back to my hometown and started paving my own way with my own act here in Kansas City. So, when I’m not singing lead on a cruise ship or doing an occasional regional theater gig, you can find me at live music venues all over the metro area. I’m at The Phoenix every Friday 4:30-8:30pm with my band, Talya & Her Boyfriends; as well as periodically seen at Gael’s Public House, Voo Lounge, and Night Hawk! You’ll have to stay tuned for more exciting venues to come… Read more>>

Jamie Squire

They held workshops and were instructors at all the main conventions at which people would come to learn their style. During school I worked with Denis Reggie, a celebrity and society wedding photographer who literally started the wedding photojournalism approach that so many of us now use today. Denis counts clients like Vera Wang, Tory Burch, Mariah Carey, James Taylor, and the Kennedy family among the many others he has photographed. The two styles couldn’t be more opposite from each other. Read more>>

Allison Mendoza

As for my photography, I do not remember a time being without a camera. It was almost like a forcefield I could use. To be involved without having to be noticed. If we were out of school on a sports day, I would document everything. I was more worried about getting candid shots of everyone than the actual event. Eventually I decided to have enough confidence in my abilities to pursue it as a major in university. Read more>>

Jordyn Polson

In any industry, starting out inevitably comes with its share of challenges, but it’s all about how you confront them head-on. Every day has been a valuable learning experience, and we are immensely grateful for the amazing individuals we’ve encountered along the way who have offered incredible insights, support, and encouragement. We thrive in collaboration with others who share our passion and are equally dedicated to mutual success. Read more>>

Grace Mauzy

I started out working in communications and marketing for state agencies and nonprofits, gaining experience in everything from branding and social media to event promotion and large-scale campaigns. Over time, I realized that the same strategies I was using to reach thousands of people could be scaled to help small businesses thrive, too. Read more>>

Jazmin Bustillos Manuel Rivas

I started creating personalized calorie- and macro-calculated meal plans for friends and family who wanted to lose weight, gain muscle, or simply take control of their nutrition. Jazmin brought those plans to life, pouring her passion for cooking into every dish, pairing clean, balanced recipes with layers of rich, satisfying flavor. For her, the kitchen wasn’t just where food was made; it was where discipline met creativity, and where “diet food” became something worth savoring. Read more>>

Julie Rudman

If there is a struggle, it’s a personal one. I’m very passionate about the work I’m doing, so sometimes I have a hard time turning it off. I have to remind myself that my actual job is to do everything I can to stay healthy, because unfortunately cancer can come back. Every day I need to make space for exercise, healthy food, personal relationships and plenty of sleep in order to minimize the issues caused by my cancer drug and lower my risk of recurrence. I had good practices in place before all this, which is helpful. Read more>>

Joann Schermerhorn

That moment showed me something profound—pets, just like people, crave energetic balance, safety, and calm. It planted the seed for Tending Pets, and not long after, another experience confirmed it. I set up a full sound bath for three cats, and again, each one responded in their own way. I filmed the session and shared it with their guardians—my friend, Saturday Night Live star Heidi Gardner. Heidi was amazed at the transformation in her cats, and when she shared the videos on Instagram, people began reaching out, curious about the idea of sound baths for pets. Read more>>

Khristian King

A huge struggle was actually getting comfortable with myself in regards to putting myself out there. I strangely had a thing were the older I became, I was kind of shy with me singing and having other people know that I can sing. It took me years to get over the fear. I never had stage fright when playing basketball or even acting in front of a huge crowd, but for some reason I cared so much about what people would potentially say to me or about me when it came to me singing. That was an insecurity of mine that I had to grow out of. There was only a handful of individuals who knew I could sing….mainly some family members and a few of my lady friends of course. But one day, I told myself that enough was enough and I put myself and my talent out there for the world to see. Read more>>

Joshua Dean

This fashion show marked the official beginning of my photography journey – I didn’t even have my own camera yet, I shot the whole thing on rented gear from a local studio in Columbia called VidWest and spent the entire morning of the show figuring out how to use the thing (shoutout YouTube University). The week after I shot the fashion show, a local music artist was working on finishing up her first album and asked me to shoot the cover art for it. I slowly started shooting more portraits with my friends to help me learn how to work a camera, its setting, lighting, and editing especially. Read more>>

Steve Lewis

During those years, I saw a need for professional performance opportunities for music students and recent graduates. With help from a carefully chosen group of supporters and fellow musicians, I began the Midwest Chamber Ensemble in 2012. MCE prepares its members for future career opportunities by creating a professional environment, providing networking opportunities, and programming a wide variety of classical orchestral and chamber repertoire while simultaneously presenting its audience with quality concerts. Read more>>

Rick Stasi

Wanting to draw, to tell stories, dictates a need for formal teaching and community. I had neither. The day after I graduated high school I took the mocwy I had saved as a paper boy, a janitor and later as a truck driver and “moved” to New York. I wanted to work for DC Comics, publishers of Superman and all his caped companions. Marvel Comics was also in NY. Read more>>

Malorie Colby

AFWA specializes in monthly events with chapter members and non-members to provide a safe space to share opportunities, struggles, wins, work stories, life success and challenges, and most of all, learning together. As a chapter, we enjoy socials, getting to know new members, and our community outreach activities Read more>>

Melanie Webb

Entrepreneurship is never an easy road. However, it is the most fulfilling thing I have ever done in my life, outside of having children. It’s been such a complete labor of love, this journey has brought me to my knees in tears. I have cried for all the small wins and large. I have cried when I feel I can’t go on, but ultimately this has taught me who I truly am. Stripped from all else I knew before, starting “alone with a cause” forces you to dig DEEP. I feel you cannot fully grow if you are not tested. You cannot fully feel courage without fear. These facts drive me through the hard obstacles that running a business inevitably throws your way. Read more>>