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.
Marco Yaquinto
I started my YouTube channel The Scratch Golf Show in April of 2024 because I wanted to have an outlet to talk about golf. My wife famously told me to STFU and start it arleady because I was always talking about starting it. Learning YouTube is very difficult but very rewarding. Read more>>
Stacey Brown
My journey has been anything but traditional. I became a teenage mother and left high school, but I was determined to create a different future for myself and my family. I earned my GED, became a registered nurse, and spent more than 35 years in healthcare, eventually serving in leadership for one of the nation’s largest healthcare organizations. Read more>>
Destinee Rosemurgy
I’ve loved creating for as long as I can remember. The disposable cameras and art sets I carried around as a kid eventually turned into a real love for photography in high school, when I saved up for my own camera and started working alongside a local photographer. Read more>>
Allison Paradise
When I was three years old, I told my parents I was meant to be a teacher. They responded with a stern ‘no’ and told me that I had two options: be a doctor or a lawyer. After nine years of trying to convince them otherwise, I gave in and decided I would become a doctor. Read more>>
Taris Smith
I’ve always been passionate about storytelling and helping people bring ideas to life. That passion led me to earn a degree in Media Communications and Family Studies from Western Michigan University and eventually start Smith Transition Productions LLC. Somewhere along the way, I realized I genuinely enjoy talking about branding… which sounds a lot nerdier than it actually is. Read more>>
Rachel Smalley
Smalley Social was built from my passion for creating content that not only looks good but also drives real results. With a background in Communication Design from the College for Creative Studies and professional experience managing social media for nationally recognized brands, I saw firsthand how powerful authentic storytelling and strategic content can be. Read more>>
Candi Gonzalez
I a full-time OB/GYN nurse, and a few years ago I found myself navigating a major life change after a divorce. To rebuild financially, I picked up a second job as a corrections nurse, but I realized I was missing something creative and fun. That’s when I discovered spray tanning. Read more>>
Lakeita Mitchell
I started as a new mother searching for the best way to positively influence my daughter’s life. At first, my goal was simply to increase my weekly income. What began as a second job soon became a window of opportunity that would completely change the direction of my life. Read more>>
Brian Kung
I’ve been a franchisee of Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea since 2021 with 3 locations. I had worked at Sweetwaters as a Barista in High School for several years before going to college at Grand Valley State University, where I graduated in 2011 with a degree in Film Production. Read more>>
Krissy Huffman Carter
I knew I wanted to be an artist when I was six years old. My grandmother was a talented quilter and knitter, and while my brothers played with toys or watched television, I sat beside her, fascinated as she stitched. One day she looked at me watching her work, smiled, and said, ‘Come here. Read more>>
Ashley Elliott
I have always been passionate about pet care, that is why I started my own pet care company that focused on pet sitting and dog walking. While planning my own wedding, though, I started noticing a beautiful, rising trend in the wedding industry: couples wanting to include their dogs in their big day. Read more>>
Beverly Beal Jr. Beverly Beal-Hogan
Detroit Brew-ti-ful Coffee House is truly a family dream. My mom and I have always shared a passion for bringing people together, and we wanted to create more than just a coffee shop—we wanted to create a place where our community feels seen, welcomed, and inspired. Read more>>
Allison Barrick
When I look back on my career, I think it’s practically a miracle – not only because I am fully self-employed, but I never expected to end up in graphic design and marketing! When I chose to major in communications (with a concentration in radio and television) in college, I thought I would end up as a news anchor for a television station. Read more>>
Sonja Richards
Our farm is one of the original homesteads on Old Mission Peninsula. We have personally been there for about 35 years. We started with a small nursery and added lavender about 20 years ago. We still operate the nursery with annuals, hanging baskets, perennials, landscape mulch, and small shrubs. Our lavender farm is one of the largest in Michigan with over six acres of lavender. Read more>>
Travis Mines
My journey as DJ Sphin6x began in 2009 with a passion for music and the ability to create unforgettable experiences through sound. What started as a love for DJing quickly evolved into a career that has allowed me to perform throughout Michigan, Atlanta, and even internationally, entertaining diverse audiences and adapting to different cultures and music styles. Read more>>
Juelz Denim House
I’ve always believed denim deserved more respect. Somewhere along the way, people started treating it like basics… I saw artifacts. I’m Juelz Denim House, and I create one-of-one wearable artifacts rooted in Detroit culture, craftsmanship, and imagination. Every stitch has intention, every detail has a reason, and every piece is designed to live far beyond the moment it was created. Read more>>
Ayana Hall
My journey began more than 20 years ago in the beauty and fashion industry, but entrepreneurship became much bigger than simply building a business for me. It became a journey of creativity, resilience, reinvention, and learning how to turn my experiences into something that could serve others. I’ve always had a natural interest in beauty, fashion, branding, and creating experiences that make people feel confident. Read more>>
Aslyn Oestreich
I loved taking photos as a small child. My parents seemed to have an endless amount of film and disposable cameras to take to the store to have developed, most of which contained snaps I had done. Read more>>
Alexander and Catalina Petok
Our journey began in 2015, when my wife and I first met while working in the hospitality industry. From the beginning, we shared a passion for great food, exceptional service, and creating experiences people would remember. Together, we bring decades of experience in professional kitchens, hotels, restaurants, and customer service. Read more>>
Tiffany Straughter-Sturgis
I’ve started my non-profit as a way to give back to the city that has given me so much. I’ve lived through mistakes as a teenager and grown and progressed with the guidance of another non-profit. I’ve always said if I am ever able to start my own non-profit, I would do what was done for me. Read more>>
Matt Tagget
Raised on a Christmas tree farm, I followed in my dad’s footsteps bowhunting at a young age. Growing up, the ability to walk out the back door and climb up a tree shaped me into a bowhunting fanatic. Read more>>
John Italiano
I knew I always wanted to become a family doctor since I was in grade school. I was inspired by my own doctor who I looked up to and made me feel cared for. As I got older I learned to love the sciences, and in high school shadowed some family doctors and knew I wanted to go to medical school. Read more>>
Mangete Christian
My name is Christian, and I am originally from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. I have been living in Cape Town, South Africa, for the past six years. During this time, I have worked hard to build my experience, especially in the hospitality industry, where I developed a passion for customer service and bartending. Read more>>
Natalie Bycraft
As a kid, I drew and painted constantly and I loved writing stories. So naturally, in adulthood, when I first started considering doing freelance work, I gravitated toward things I knew I could do and that I’d enjoy; making art and helping fellow writers along their publishing journeys. Read more>>
Felicia Bryant
My story? Well, in high school I was “anti-girly” haha. But, by the time I moved on campus for college I found myself curious about makeup and beauty. I also reignited my love for animated shows and started watching Batman The Animated Series. As I watched that, I thought “I want to be Joker” and decided to look up Joker inspired makeup looks. Read more>>
Ashley Crowder
My entrepreneurial journey started with a simple idea and grew into something much bigger than I ever imagined. By day, I’m a full-time medical sales representative with RHB Laboratories, but I’ve always had a passion for creating meaningful experiences and building community. Read more>>
Veta McFall
Veta McFall – VETAART – Artist Statement: My work begins where certainty ends. It is an exploration of what happens when we release control and allow something new and deeper to emerge. “I just keep layering until I love it. Until I like it enough to stop. Read more>>
Ashley Perry
Art has always been an early memory for me; it has always been a part of me since I was a kid until now. I remember painting, drawing, writing, or DIY-ing something whenever I could because it allowed me to just be present and authentically express myself in that moment. Read more>>
Sara Scharff
If you had asked me ten years ago if I would own a flooring store, I probably would have laughed. The funny thing is, though, flooring has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My dad has spent his entire career in the flooring industry. Read more>>
Mycha Garrett
When I was first featured by Voyage Michigan, By His Spirit Styling Company was known primarily as a personal styling business. Today, I see it as the beginning of something much bigger. What started as helping women get dressed has evolved into helping women rebuild. Read more>>
Selena Norinh
I actually didn’t start in social media. I started as a medical assistant! When COVID hit, everything had shut down the world felt so heavy, but I was still one of the people that was going into work, even putting in the overtime hours. I remember thinking about how I would someday explain this to my kids. What do you even tell them? Read more>>
Marissa Solnik
My journey as an artist began in high school, where I first started experimenting with spray paint as a medium. At the time, I primarily created abstract and cosmic-inspired pieces, and it didn’t take long for me to realize how much I enjoyed the unique possibilities that spray paint offered. Read more>>
Jasmine Swain
I’ve always been a storyteller at heart. Long before social media became a career, I was the person documenting experiences, planning events, and finding creative ways to bring people together. As a former pageant queen, I learned early on how to connect with people, communicate with confidence, and show up authentically—skills that would shape both my career and the life I’m building today. Read more>>
Amy Rajsky
I’ve always been a crafty kid, so the name Amelia Craftypants for my cosplay work was only natural. It started off as a joke, but it actually feels very genuine. I don’t consider myself an “expert” in any particular skill, but I do excel in combining techniques and mediums with creative problem-solving. Read more>>
Raven Wright
Author Bio: Raven Wright is the Founder and CEO of the Detroit non-profit organization, Urban Nature for Kids. Raven founded Urban Nature for Kids five years ago while attending Urban Planning graduate school at Wayne State University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and a Master’s in Urban Planning. Read more>>
Kid Juice
I started making music 6 years ago at the height of the pandemic. My love for music has been there since I was a little kid, growing up with older school parents; rappers like Pac, Biggie, and Nas were always constants in my household. Listening to those phenomenal MCs really grew my love for the genre and art. Read more>>
D’Andre (Dre) Thomas
Before I share my story I would like to start with a prayer for anyone who may read this. In this interview, I have the privilege of discussing the ‘why’ behind my work. More than just a creative path, this vision is rooted in my relationship with Jesus Christ. Read more>>
Joshua Reed
A little more than 12 years ago I was working on the tech (Lighting and sound) side of a musical for a local middle school. During the process I realized that the local kids only had one maybe two opportunities to perform per year versus year round sports and I didn’t think that was fair for kids interested in the performing arts. Read more>>
Sharyn Steele
My journey has been anything but easy. Before trading, I spent over 25 years working as a caregiver, dedicating my life to helping others. Along the way, I faced personal setbacks, financial struggles, and seasons where it felt like everything was working against me. Instead of giving up, I chose to keep learning, growing, and trusting that my story had a greater purpose. Read more>>
Emmalee Russell
I’ve always been someone who has felt called to help others. Even as a child, I was constantly thinking about how I could make a difference in someone’s life. Whenever people asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answers were always centered around caring for people, whether that was becoming a counselor, teacher, nutritionist, or occupational therapist. Read more>>
Tiera Williams
I began my journey in the beauty industry in September 2017, but makeup was not originally part of my career plan. At the time, I was a plus-size model learning how to do my own makeup for photoshoots. The more I practiced, the more I fell in love with the creativity and transformation behind it. Read more>>
Sarah Gelinas
I knew from a young age that I wanted music to be a big part of my life. Growing up, my dad was in a rock band, and every night he would sit down to write lyrics for the songs his band would eventually record. Some of my favorite memories are sneaking out of bed to write lyrics with him. Read more>>
Giovana Gogola
I’ve always loved studying the English language, so my journey began when I decided to pursue a degree in English Linguistics and Literature. After starting university, I began teaching English at language schools in 2018, and I quickly fell in love with teaching. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, we had to move our classes online and record video lessons for our students. Read more>>
