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.
Matt Smithmier
As a lifelong musician, I grew up playing piano, later the trumpet through college, then mandolin and guitar in various bands. While clearing out my old band’s practice space, I couldn’t bear to throw out that abandoned century-old piano and lose the gorgeous wood under all that dust. Read more>>
Jacob Gaytan
The story of GTN starts in Mexico. I grew up in a small town called Nava, Coahuila, and was studying Software Engineering at university when I started working at a print shop called Impresos Monterrey. I spent a few years there learning about design and digital printing. In 2022, I had the opportunity to move to Kansas. Read more>>
Daniel Lisztwan
Building has always been a passion of mine, from building tree houses as a kid to renovating my own real estate throughout the years . My career began in the oilfield in the foothills of Canadian Rockies as a young engineering graduate. Read more>>
Esgar Guarin
I didn’t set out to become a “vasectomy surgeon.” I trained as a Family Medicine physician because I believed in comprehensive, community-based care. After medical school in Colombia and residency in Baltimore, I completed a fellowship in Maternal and Child Health and earned a Master of Public Health. My early work focused on women’s health, reproductive health, and systems-level improvement. Read more>>
Simi Avidan
I started in the fashion industry many years ago, which led me to the interior design business I’m in today. I truly love what I do, mainly because the people I work with, also known as my clients, are always more than satisfied with the results my company provides them with. Read more>>
Nick Exposito
My wife and I are big fans of Japan. During one of our visits to the country, I became obsessed with capsule toys known as gachapon. These Japanese toys are high quality, detailed collectibles, so much nicer than the cheap capsule toys that we’re used to seeing in America, and I wanted to find a way to bring them to KC. Read more>>
Timmy Gibson
I officiated my very first wedding in 1999, making this my 27th year as a Wedding Officiant. I grew up in the Kansas City area, attending Shawnee Mission West High School. Immediately following graduation from high school I went on to attend Seminary. I earned my degree and spent the next 30 years honing my public speaking skills as a Christian Pastor. Read more>>
Cierra Dillard
My journey into owning my own practice really grew out of a lifelong passion for health and wellness and helping people feel their best. I began my nursing career in 2002 working in pediatric care before earning my Family Nurse Practitioner degree in 2009. Read more>>
Anna Fosberg
My love for animals started when I was a little girl. I was the kid who brought home strays and dreamed of becoming a zoologist one day. Even back then, caring for animals felt natural to me — it was where my heart felt safest. My childhood wasn’t easy. Read more>>
Jackie Broom
Ever since I was little I have had a passion for dogs. Read more>>
Bonnie Still
I started volunteering at Wayside Waifs in 2009 by walking small dogs. I would always spend time with the cats in their area afterward. I started to spend more and more time with the cats. The very first cat I interacted with was not happy with me and swatted to let me know. Read more>>
Brian Martveli
My career with dogs started at a dog daycare. I was unsure where i wanted to go career wise. My parents one day asked me about dog training. From there i found an internship program and dove head first into dog behavior. Read more>>
Xiao Faria daCunha
Chaneryna and myself met for coffee and yapped about how nice it would be if Kansas City had an artist collective focusing on Asian American artists. Sometimes that’s really all you need to start something that will make an impact. The structure of the collective, and its labor sharing nature was determined quite quickly and easily. Read more>>
Gabby Wallace
I started my career as an English (as a Second Language) teacher, but I didn’t set out to build a global company. I was simply trying to solve a problem I saw over and over again, incredibly capable adults being underestimated because they lacked confidence speaking English. I began creating free lessons on YouTube, with no team, no outside funding, and no clear roadmap. Read more>>
Shilo Carr
Slow Grown Acres began as a means to an end. In 2020 our four children were 6 and under, my husband was working 50-60 hours a week, I was working part time an office job, and I was feeling pretty desperate for a change. Read more>>
Karina Urena
The It Press LLC began with a love for creating and a passion for turning ideas into meaningful, custom pieces. What started as making items for family and friends quickly grew as I realized how much I enjoyed helping others bring their visions to life. From gifts and special events to local business needs, I loved creating designs that felt personal and intentional. Read more>>
Elizabeth Bellew
We started off our business because pat was told he needed to find a way to support his cigar habit. Since he loves cigars we put together some flyers and we visited all the bars and resorts around the Lake of The Ozarks and asked if anyone would be interested in offering their customers a Cigar bar . Read more>>
Marissa Carter
I was first introduced to the business by a coworker when I was working as a server and bartender. I kept noticing that she was losing weight, had more energy, and was making extra money on the side. It caught my attention because at the time I was feeling really unhappy and unfulfilled in my own life. Read more>>
Anastacia Drake
I’ve always been creative, but I didn’t grow up with a clear roadmap for what an art career could actually look like. Like a lot of artists, I discovered early on that creativity was how I processed the world, and it became a constant thread through my life. Read more>>
Carli Reith
I started doing hair in 2012 and quickly realized it was about so much more than just the services — it was about relationships. Over the years, I built my clientele with a focus on intentional, personalized sessions where women feel seen, heard, and confident. Read more>>
Meagan Jacoby
The idea for Wild Bloom Art Company was born out of a love of nature and wanting to be more creative. Growing up, we always had a garden and a big yard with flowers. Now, I live in Smithville where I have some land and access to these beautiful nature trails around the lake. Read more>>
Kristen Daschke
With more than 15 years of experience in massage therapy, aromatherapy, and sound healing, Kristen is a highly regarded wellness professional dedicated to supporting individuals, groups, and organizations in cultivating well-being and self-care. Her work empowers others to connect, restore, and become their best selves. Read more>>
Angela Walters
I started my quilting career many moons ago with the help of my husband’s grandpa. He patiently taught me the art of quilting by helping me make my first 9-patch quilt that’s still on my bed today! In the years since then, I’ve added author, teacher, and fabric designer to my resume. Read more>>
Kaelani Orrick
Nearly 8 years ago, photography started as something simple — just a mama who loved taking photos of her babies. I was always the one with a phone or camera in hand, capturing the little moments… messy faces, big laughs, tiny hands wrapped around mine. I’ve always loved photographing people — the connection, the emotion, the realness of it all. Read more>>
Robert Gaither
I always wanted to be an entrepreneur, so out of college, I decided to buy into a Franchise. I started with Schlotzsky’s Deli. I actually put together, packaged, and submitted my SBA Loan Application and got it funded through Boatman’s Bank. That was my first experience in Commercial / Business Lending. Read more>>
Lisa McConnell
A good themed party with decor is the key to my heart! I grew up celebrating all of life’s moments and continued that tradition with my kids. I left the corporate world December of 2021 and decided to give it my all and focus on growing this business full time. Read more>>
Tyler & Jamie Cindrich
Tyler was working for Specht Construction, owned by friends of ours, when we started to receive requests for him to do some projects on his own in 2022. We had talked about owning our own business and ultimately, we knew that was where Tyler wanted to land. Read more>>
Rohith Vodapally
My journey into technology started with curiosity. I was always interested in understanding how digital systems worked behind the scenes and how businesses rely on technology to operate and grow. That interest led me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, where I built a strong foundation in networking, systems, databases, and software development. Read more>>
Kiran Ledford
I first started baking as a way to have fun and be create while in college studying Urban Planning. When COVID hit and we all moved online, I started to bake more consistently and discovered my passion for pastries. More specifically, I fell in love with the process of lamination. Read more>>
sydney Adams
I started Toasté with a simple goal of creating a spray tanning experience that felt elevated, intentional, and genuinely client focused. I was already working in the beauty industry and loved the confidence a great tan could give, but I felt there was room to do it better with more attention to detail, consistency, and overall experience. Read more>>
Shawn Derritt
My journey into life coaching began with a different career path in mind—I originally aimed to become a psychologist. I pursued my passion and earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, fully dedicated to helping others. However, my career took a turn when I found myself working in higher education. Read more>>
Katie Mann
I’m a Kansas City transplant who has completely fallen in love with this area. My husband Jeff and I have moved our three kids to four different cities over the years, so reinvention has been a consistent theme in my life. Every move required rebuilding community, reestablishing identity, and often rethinking my closet right alongside it. Change has shaped me more than anything else. Read more>>
Kristian Corliss
I think my journey started when I took a photography class in high school, ever since then I’ve had such an admiration for the art. Then in 2022 I met an amazing photographer who became my best friend and eventually my mentor. Read more>>
Mark Exline
Yeah! I grew up in Central Florida, so I did what every gay kid who grew up in the shadow of Disney does – high school theatre. I figured out pretty quickly I didn’t want to be onstage, but I was already deep into art classes, so I found myself designing and painting instead. Read more>>
Justice Horn
I was born and raised right here in Jackson County. I grew up in government housing in Independence before moving to Grain Valley to live with my grandmother. That’s where I learned resilience, discipline, and the value of community. In Blue Springs, I competed in track and wrestling, helping bring home back-to-back championships. Read more>>
Theresa Delarosa
I’ve always had a heart to serve and love others well. As I got older the jobs I had mirrored that. I started my wedding coordination business in 2019. Read more>>
LaToya Adams
I started beacuse of the medical issues I was having and was not getting the answers I was looking for. I knew it was something better than what they were telling me. That is when I did my research and found Yoni Steaming. Read more>>
Emily Levine
I’m a relatively new player to most, but I picked up the game fast. I was taught by my mom and sisters. Once I learned I was hooked and knew I would love to teach others! Read more>>
Henry Scamurra
I started playing the saxophone when I was 10 in Saint Joseph, MO and very quickly grew attached to music as a form of expression and curiosity. I studied privately while attending Central High School with Bob Long and Adam Larson where they encouranged my study into classical and jazz music. Read more>>
