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.
Jason Jones
I grew up in Indianola Iowa with parents who got involved with hot air ballooning helping run an event in my hometown. Once my mother got a ride, someone has been flying balloons ever since. I received my license in 1992 and have been flying for fun and for hire ever since. Read more>>
Ye Ye Iyalode OKIKIOLA The Mystic Diva
Ye Ye is Psychic, Medium, Ifa Priestess, Astrologer, Mentor, coming to you with 30 years of studied experience. Ye Ye has dedicated her life to creating a sacred space for clients and spiritual family, bringing a truly unique blend of wisdom, hope, while inspiring clients all over the world. Read more>>
Cindy Sartain
I was born and raised in Overland Park, Kansas, and after graduating from the University of Kansas, I started my career in advertising before moving into creative design work with Hallmark Cards. When my family moved to Ohio, I balanced life with three young kids at home and began freelancing in the creative space. Read more>>
Beth Potter
Growing up in Northwest Missouri, I was raised by my father after losing my mother to breast cancer. My father was a successful realtor and small row-crop farmer, and I spent much of my childhood outdoors as a proud “daddy’s girl.” At the age of 23, I became one of the youngest women in the United States to undergo a double prophylactic mastectomy with reconstruction. Read more>>
Anna Hickok
Back in the 1980s, my grandfather built a small chapel on the grounds of our apartment complex, Pinegate West. His goal was to make the property feel like a true small town in Western Kansas, with spaces that encouraged people to gather and feel at home. When I joined our family business in 2020, I kept coming back to the chapel. Read more>>
Kristi Unick
From my very first job at age 12, I discovered I had a natural ability to solve problems, accommodate others, and create positive experiences. Some might call that “people pleasing,” but I’ve always viewed it as being client-attuned—the ability to read what people need, anticipate concerns, and ensure they feel genuinely taken care of. That mindset led me naturally into Hospitality and Tourism. Read more>>
Carey Weir
I’ve been in the food world for most of my adult life. I started cooking professionally over 20 years ago, and over time I worked my way through catering, large-scale food service, private clients, and leadership roles. Food has always been the constant for me, but the way I express it has evolved as my life has. Read more>>
Sam Mitchell
My fitness journey started as a way to increase my performance as an athlete. I was a pretty skinny teenager and needed to put on some weight if I wanted to have a chance to play basketball in high school and beyond. I worked hard in the weight room and in the kitchen to do everything I could to make that dream a reality. Read more>>
Denis Blidariu
It did not begin with a business plan or a brochure. It began with a journey. In 2008, Harold Phillips arrived in Romania during a season of sabbatical, carrying a simple but profound goal: to experience what it feels like to be a stranger in a strange land. Read more>>
Steffanie Long
I lived with anxiety for as long as I can remember, always feeling like it was something I had to manage rather than heal. But deep down, I knew there had to be a way to truly change it not just cope. That knowing led me to explore modalities that calm the nervous system, practices that taught my body it was safe to slow down. Read more>>
Kimberly Reece
Founded in 2006 with the hands‑on experience of building our own personal home, our company grew from a single project into a passion for craftsmanship and thoughtful construction. What began in the Branson, Missouri area—where we spent years creating custom and spec homes—evolved significantly in 2013 when we relocated to Kansas City and shifted our focus to multi‑family commercial work. Read more>>
Michael Kennedy
My name is Michael Kennedy and I own Nerd Nation, a video game, trading card, and collectibles store in Shawnee, Kansas. Our business journey is a little backwards. Most retail businesses open a brick and mortar storefront, then eventually expand to include online sales. In our case, we sold online for 4 years before I realized we’d grown too big not to open a storefront. Read more>>
Makenzi Rockers
I’ve been in the events industry for 12 years, starting young as a bridal hair and makeup artist. During a stint doing event rentals, I discovered my true passion for planning and design. From there, my love for creating memorable experiences just grew. Read more>>
Jody Troyer
Our business was formally incorporated in 2017. Construction began in September 2018, and during the interim, my husband reclaimed wood from historic Kansas barns to be used throughout the building. In May 2019, our daughter and her husband became the first couple to be married in the completed barn. Today, the venue features reclaimed wood sourced from seven different barns across Kansas. Read more>>
Ione Angilan
Finger painting in kindergarten opened my eyes to the world of art. My reality was never the same after that. From earliest years, I absorbed all things art, nourished by parents who were creative themselves and fostered that in me. Music, poetry, and creative ideas flooded our home, and were a part of daily living with ample encouragement from my mother especially. Read more>>
Brian Kraemer Nic Aguero
Both of us have been around music for the majority of our lives. We were exposed to it early through our parents, and that early influence shaped not only our love for music, but our respect for the craft, the discipline behind it, and the idea that music can be both creative and meaningful. Read more>>
Kenisha Beason
The real struggle has always been the fact I want to help everyone and include people when sometimes that blessing is only for you I used my past as a stair step into my career… with all my talents it was no way I could not beat the odds ! Read more>>
Miel Castagna-Herrera
I’m a first-generation Argentine American, born and raised in Northern New Mexico, shaped deeply by my father’s immigrant story and the tight-knit, culturally rich communities I grew up in. I spent fifteen years in the arts, running flamenco dance companies and schools, which taught me discipline, storytelling, and how culture builds connection. Read more>>
CHERYL WYRICK
I have been a groomer in waldo since 1988. Been a business owner since 1998. I have always had a staff of wonderful experienced groomers. I specialize in cats and pomeranians. My groomers do the rest. We focus on smaller pets. We also have a non profit rescue for pomeranians on site. Read more>>
Lisa Bergeson
I was always interested in working with children and at first thought I wanted to be a teacher for many years. I then talked with my Aunt who was a speech language pathologist. Read more>>
Caylon Umphrey
My journey with Heartland Special Needs Foundation began in January of 2025, just after the organization completed a meaningful rebrand from its original name, Special Needs Assured. Read more>>
Dr. Amber Block
My journey into leadership was shaped just as much by what I didn’t want to become as by what I hoped to be. I began my career in early childhood education working directly with children and families, and very early on I saw how profoundly adult behavior, systems, and leadership decisions impact the daily experiences of both students and staff. Read more>>
Craig Halicki
TopView Auto Detail officially started in Wichita, Kansas, in early 2020. What originally started as a hobby turned into a source of income once friends and family began asking me to detail their vehicles after seeing how clean I kept my own vehicles. In 2023, I had the opportunity to bring TopView Auto Detail to the Liberty, Missouri, area. Read more>>
Ryan Lee Chapman
I started my career in mortgages with a simple belief that people deserve a fair shot at homeownership and clear guidance through a process that is often confusing. Early on, I saw too many qualified buyers turned away because of rigid systems, poor communication, or a lack of effort to find real solutions. I knew there had to be a better way. Read more>>
Corley Transaction Services
Our story started with friendship first. Moxie and I built our relationship long before we built a business together. We both found ourselves working in real estate support roles, naturally becoming the people agents leaned on when things got complicated, emotional, or detail-heavy. Read more>>
Joshua Harden
I’ve always believed that a home is more than just a structure; it’s an investment in how a family lives. My journey into the world of construction and renovations didn’t start in an office—it started with my hands in the dirt and a tool belt on my waist. Read more>>
Christian Hinojos
I started making music out of curiosity and necessity. Music was always something I felt deeply, but at first I didn’t see it as a career — it was simply how I expressed myself and connected with others. I began learning instruments, experimenting with recording, and slowly teaching myself how to produce, not just songs, but complete ideas. Read more>>
Ricardo Martinez
My name is Ricardo, although most people know me as Rick, and some also call me Riko. I was born in Santa Bárbara, Chihuahua, and when I was six years old my parents brought me to the United States in search of a better future. Read more>>
Tommy Rebecchi, PhD, CSP
Tommy Rebecchi is an Environmental, Health, and Safety Professional with over 10 years of experience in environmental, safety, and emergency response programs, procedures, and regulations. Tommy’s introduction into the environmental and safety fields began in 2008 when he served as the Hazardous Material Site Manager for the 8th Engineer Support Battalion (8th ESB) in the United States Marine Corps. Read more>>
Cynthia Amano
I started my work in movement because I saw how deeply it could change people when it was taught with care, education, and intention. Early on, I realized I wasn’t interested in quick workouts or trends. I wanted to help people understand their bodies, move with confidence, and feel supported rather than judged. Read more>>
Teddy Van Gough
My story didn’t begin with a clear plan—it began with a need to express what I didn’t yet have words for. Early on, creativity was less about career and more about survival. I was searching for identity, stability, and a sense of worth during seasons where life felt uncertain and fragmented. Read more>>
Mariah Kelli Givens
Mariah Kelli “MK” has immersed herself in the local fashion industry for over 20 years. She is professionally signed with Exposure Model & Talent Agency in Kansas City in the Commercial Model and Actor division since 2017 and has been a member of SAG-AFTRA since 2020. Read more>>
Jose Guerra
From an early age, Dr. Jose Guerra knew he wanted to be in health care. His path, however, was shaped not by textbooks, but by personal experience. In sixth grade, he suffered a ruptured appendix that led to multiple hospital stays totaling nearly a month. A few years later, as a student athlete, he underwent surgery for a sports hernia. Read more>>
Spruce Home
Spruce Home is a charming home decor and gift shop located in the heart of old Leawood. What started as a creative collaboration between four women back in 2015 quickly transformed into a thriving local boutique. Read more>>
Suzanne McCanles
I attended William Jewell College and majored in Elementary Education. I began my teaching career at The Barstow School where I taught 4th grade – I enjoyed coaching field hockey, as well as track and field. My passion and talents led me to grow and develop the school’s before and after school program, after school classes, and summer program. Read more>>
Brittany Phillips
Throughout my work life, I’ve held various positions, including banker, teacher, and financial manager, but my dream was to build my own business, while channeling my creativity. I have always enjoyed design, so when our community was in danger of losing the local flower & coffee shop, I took the opportunity to buy the business. Wanting a fresh start to the business, I rebranded the flower and coffee shop with my own vision as “Blooms on Main” with “Blooms’ Brews Coffee Cafe’.” Read more>>
Chris Steele
In 2011, my little sister passed away and I quickly realized how fragile life can be and that you only live once. She was 19 years old and in college at the time, and I always encouraged her to follow her dreams. Read more>>
Jenna Gerdes
I started my career knowing I wanted to help people – that quickly led to getting my Masters in Social Work. Read more>>
Sirel Rayburn
My story did not start with clarity or confidence. It started with survival. I became a mother young and learned early how to carry responsibility before I truly knew myself. For years, my life was shaped by reaction rather than intention. I moved through seasons of instability, addiction, incarceration, and deep identity confusion. On the outside, I learned how to keep going. Read more>>
Norma Donlon
Born in a tar paper shack at the Camp Jerome War Relocation Center in Denson, Arkansas during WWII, I began life with my family incarcerated along with 120,000 Americans of Japanese Ancestry in 10 relocation camps built across the United States. Read more>>
Max Muller
I grew up in the Kansas City metro. I have an awesome family and had a fairly normal childhood. My high school years were great for the most part, but that’s also when I started experimenting with alcohol and other substances. I didn’t realize it at the time, but drinking and using did something for me that it doesn’t do for everyone. Read more>>
Meigan Nettles
I discovered photography during the pandemic, shortly after the birth of my fourth daughter. During a period of significant personal transition and family challenges, I realized I was losing my sense of self. I picked up a camera initially to document my children’s lives, but it quickly became my way of reclaiming my identity. Read more>>
Bernadette Hursh
From my first disposable camera in the ’90s to now, I’ve always known my greatest loves to be nature, animals, and photography. I spent much of my childhood hiking the midwestern woods with my dog by my side and a camera in hand. By high school, I was signing up for every art and photography class I could fit into my schedule. Read more>>
Avery Poindexter
I originally thought I wanted to be a doctor or a physician assistant, but as I studied psychology and behavioral science, I became fascinated with the human side of science and health. That interest deepened when I was trained as an advocate for sexual assault survivors during my time as an undergraduate student. Read more>>
Yung English
Yung English is kind of like a record label but there’s no contracts. It’s a collaborative space for artists, comedians, poets, etc. The people apart of the group can choose to represent YE loudly or quietly. But we are here to help them in personal development as well as artist growth goals. YE is a movement and a statement. Read more>>
Angela Lovell
A Slice of British: How a Home Kitchen Became My Small Business When I moved to the United States over nine years ago for my husband’s work, I pressed pause on my own career. I’d left a veterinary office job behind and chose to stay home with our children, helping them settle in and navigate their early school years. Read more>>
Craig Thompson
Friends of Kaw Point Park (FOKPP) is a 501 c 3 organization established in 2006 to maintain and enhance Kaw Point Park in the Fairfax district of Kansas City, Kansas. Read more>>
Fernanda Reyes
Chef Fernanda Reyes Chef Fernanda Reyes comes to Kansas City to revolutionize the American palette and give Mexicans far from home a fresh remembrance of the classic homemade flavor of Comida Casera. Read more>>
Cory Jackson
Bridging the gap between today’s modern country and the timeless sounds of the genre’s golden era, Cory Jackson is an independent singer, songwriter, and entertainer whose performances combine faith, heart, and true country storytelling. Born in Jonesboro, Arkansas, in 1995, Cory’s rural upbringing continues to shape both his sound and his spirit. Read more>>
Ken McClain
Polly’s Soda Pop was brought back to life by Ken and Cindy McClain, who were inspired by the nostalgic legacy of the local soft drink originally produced in Independence from 1923 to 1967. Their journey began with a dream of reviving the brand, which led Ken to acquire a vintage bottling line which had originally been housed at Union Station bottling Fitz Rootbeer. Read more>>
Danyell Brown Victoria Weddle
Modern Arc Wellness started with a long friendship and a lot of conversations between the two of us. We met over ten years ago while studying psychology at Northwest Missouri State University and stayed close as we built our careers as therapists. Along the way, we kept noticing the same thing. Read more>>
