ATL’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.

Nyeisha Mitchell

Atlanta is interesting. im born and raised here and i can say ive seen atl change in so many ways. from the people to the atmosphere. its like its a whole different place than when i grew up. i love it though for what i know it as. what i like the least is all this gentrification. honestly i have to be the one to say it. they are pushing the culture out more and more. Read More>>

Ashé Kennedy

Throughout her career, Ashé has worked with industry luminaries like Terrence J, LaLa Anthony, Jasmin Brown, and the Whittley Agency’s Dora & Mike Whittley, underscoring her credibility and influence in the entertainment world. Her career has been guided by the mentorship of Frederick Whitaker, a seasoned talent manager and entertainment executive, whose insights have played a crucial role in shaping Ashé’s path. Read More>>

Vina Williams

I told myself I wanted to be on the other side. I never wanted a person to feel the way I did. So I decide to make a change and help as many people that i can help to find a rental or Home and not be scammed. So I decided to become a Realtor changed my life and I was able to have finianical freedom for me and my kids. I LOVE working with clients and helping them find a home that they love. To see the face of my clients when they closing on a home that they never thought they come ever have has given me so much joy. I’am Blessed to be a blessing. Read More>>

Jasmin Warnock

I grew up in Mississippi with a mom who was always a hobby artist. I shared her talent and creativity and did art throughout school up until around high school. During high school my sister and I moved to Georgia with my dad, where I was swayed to play soccer and have a more realistic outlook on what I should do with my future. Having spent most of my life in small-town Mississippi I was surprised to find a lack a diversity in my new school in rural Georgia. This led me to pursue a degree at Georgia State- a campus that thrived with diverse populations.  Read More>>

Sonia Mendoza

When I arrived in the United States in 2018, my life wasn’t easy. I worked various jobs, from construction to cleaning and customer service, until I found my true passion: caring for children. It was during this time that I realized many children had sensitive skin, just like me. However, I was surprised to find that high-quality products for sensitive skin were incredibly expensive. Read More>>

Dreshawn Scott

So I did what most of us have to do “ start over “ I felt like a failure , not knowing where to start , or how … but it’s true what they say “ what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger “ so I chose to fight . I refuse to give up, when my next answered prayer is inches away & neither should anyone else. Life is full of obstacles but it’s up to us to make it through & with prayer I know we will make it. Read More>>

Meghan Melia Kindsvater

During COVID, the industry essentially shut down. Immediately before losing half of my income I had been contemplating what the future of being a wedding photographer meant for me. How much longer was I going to be relevant or want to stay in the profession? I was quickly reminded how much I loved working weddings when there weren’t any weddings to work. Being a part of a wedding day is truly a gift, and I missed it. I realized how it fueled much of my creativity and inspiration. Read More>>

Shekierra Jones

Being a business owner isn’t easy especially if you’re a small business. You have to be everything the promoter, the inventor check person, the person that checks emails , and so on. So of course it hasn’t been a smooth ride, but I prayed for times like this so who am I to complain about being busy. One incident I did have with my vendor is them sending me the wrong inventory and it caused me to have to spend more than I anticipated but I handled it with patience. Read More>>

Alison Jones

I did a year-long fellowship with Broward Health as an Administrative Fellow because my long-term goal was to become a hospital CEO. Typically, these fellowships lead to permanent positions, but God had other plans for me. After applying for various jobs, I had an interview with Grady Health System for a position at the Poison Control Center. Let’s be honest—most people, including myself, don’t know their state even has a Poison Control Center until they need to call it. I went for the interview, but unfortunately, I wasn’t chosen for the position. Read More>>

Aren Gray

Prior to launching AG AV, my passion to understand and learn about the industry was unparalleled. I wanted to be able to master the art of technology, as well as my passion for entertainment and how it could co-exist collectively. I started working alongside my father with his business fixing computers while perfecting my love for the arts. At this point, the spark was ignited. My passion for technology and his passion for music started to develop. Read More>>

Kawthar Salma Naiga

No it has not. I have faced some challenges when it comes To finding credible/reliable photographers to work with. Some jobs that you book online are scams. I have signed to agencies that make you pay to be apart of them(scams). As a petite model, it’s harder for us to be on the runways so being turned around by designers at casting calls due to my height despite them loving my walk and look. Read More>>

Lou Simón

The film industry is brutal with everyone, but especially with independent filmmakers. I had to sue one of the distributors in federal court and battled it out for four years before finally settling the case. And with streaming having become the norm, the entire industry is in flux. In addition, all art is subjective. So you’re just working hard and trying to make the best film that you can make. Ultimately, it’s a leap of faith. Read More>>

Arlando Usher

I was a kid that played all sports and had big dreams of making it as a great Athlete. After things didn’t go so well in those directions, storytelling and the arts became my new passion. I have always loved storytelling because I could get lost in new worlds and give the world insight on what goes on in my mind lol. My mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa gave me so many lessons about life and had cousins to mentor me as well. I was a theatre major at Georgia Perimeter/Georgia State and began to push my acting career forward. While enrolled I was booking independent roles as well as extra parts in Tyler Perry Productions. I was so excited for every opportunity.  Read More>>

Terrika Currence

I started Beyond SKN Deep, because I wanted to find a way to take care of myself, to reclaim my sense of self-worth. I wanted to create something that would make self-care easy and accessible for everyone, even when you don’t feel like doing it but may just have a little of energy. That’s why I developed our exfoliating cleansing pads and toner pads – they’re pre-soaked and ready to go, so you can take a moment for yourself, even on those really difficult days. Read More>>

Kenlee Kundert-Gibbs

I already had 3-4 years experience but never truly had use for this experience. We quickly began making songs left and right. This also shaped my career into Audio Engineering. At the time we didn’t know much about mixing but I quickly started to learn how to despite the knowledge I had. We began doing shows at house parties and then even making it into clubs in Atlanta. Thought I would add this background because this journey wouldn’t be nothing without this start. Read More>>

Kasi Reilly

There are definite struggles along the way but I have learned art is subjective. Not everyone is going to like what I do but I have learned that is ok. Me- five years ago-thought everyone needed to like my art. Also comparison is the thief of joy. With social media, it is so easy to compare and honestly feel resentful but I have come to realize if another artist is successful then I can be successful too. There are plenty of walls that need art:) Read More>>

Paul Stonick

His work has been recognized by industry leaders, media outlets, and prestigious organizations like Forrester and L2 Gartner. Paul’s work has appeared on national television, industry leading podcasts, Apple’s WWDC keynotes, and Super Bowl 58. His deep expertise and unconventional approach have made him a sought-after advisor, mentor and speaker. As a frequent podcast guest, he brings depth and authenticity to conversations about design, leadership, innovation, and creativity. Read More>>

Christine Craig

As my practice deepened, my confidence grew, and I began to understand the transformative power of yoga. That inner voice pushed me to pursue Yoga Teacher Training, even though I was terrified. I wasn’t the “typical” yoga teacher; I struggled with poses, and self-doubt loomed large. But I followed my instincts, knowing I needed to understand why yoga had spoken to me so deeply. Read More>>

Taylor Thomas

My biggest obstacle has been balancing a 9-5 lifestyle with something that I have now found passion and joy in. Office life is draining and robs me of my time and creativity. I’ve had to take a leap of faith knowing that this work is bigger than myself. I realize how much of an impact and how important this work is for my community which is why I’ve chosen to leave Corporate America and become a full-time entrepreneur. The next biggest obstacle is just getting the word out that this work is being done and we don’t have to be in the fight between life and money forever. There’s a game being played by the 1% that we can get in on too. Read More>>

David Mathews

Began with a head on crash in 2011 on my bicycle ride, then a year later Paul Taylor was killed near my home and I made my first of 132 ghost bikes for him and understand the island these families are out on by the way we have allowed people to use our roads in a unsafe manner that endangers anyone else on the road and their lives!! It’s a mission to create safer streets for all to use! Read More>>

Milan Danford

I grew up in a vibrant Caribbean household, with my dad from Jamaica and my mom from Trinidad, embracing the rich culture and traditions that shaped me. As the first-generation Canadian in my family, I was raised by such hardworking and loving parents who each immigrated to Canada independently. Together, they created an amazing life and childhood for my brother and me. Read More>>

Alex Lawn Service Llc

Alejandro has been in the lawn care industry for over 15 years, always had been working for other companies. In 2019, Alejandro and his wife Celerina, decided that it was time to start building their own company. Starting with small clean up projects that they would do over the weekends with the help of their two children, Susi and Alex. With word of mouth their business start to grow rapidly and making this Alejandros full time job. Read More>>

Elizabeth Kay Pinder

I took an online pre-license class in 2020 and took the big real estate salesperson exam in January of 2021. A good friend who is a Realtor with Harry Norman, Realtors introduced me to her Broker, Diane Smith, and I walked out of that interview enamored with my new career! Diane was instrumental in helping me reenter the workforce and she continues to inspire me on a daily basis to be the best I can be. I will always be grateful for Diane’s leadership and training, and I credit much of my success to her unwavering support. Read More>>

Sarah O’hara

That sparked an idea: what if we created our own content highlighting kid-friendly activities in the lesser-covered areas south of the city, like Henry and Fayette counties? From that small seed, our TikTok channel began to grow, expanding to cover day trips within a two-hour radius of Atlanta and even longer road trip destinations. Read More>>

Brooke Brown

During the pandemic, my salon job was very unpredictable and I had to take action on making money in other avenues in order to pay my bills. So I turned my fun little hobby/side business into my full time job online. I had experience doing pop up markets as well as selling online, and always got compliments on my outfits and the clothing I had curated for sale on my racks. That led me to start offering styling services as well. Read More>>

Shawnda Gray

I have suffered greatly in my life as a teenager, going into adulthood very early, having my first child at 20 years old, getting married at the age of 22, and still trying to find out who I was dealing with heavy depression and thoughts of suicide dealing with infidelity for years in my marriage my oldest daughter having epilepsy but God has graced me through it all my mom and dad gave me a strong foundation in God that has kept me all of these years my relationship with God is number one it is because of God iam still standing through it all! Read More>>

Kwasi El

Kwsai’s journey has been one of profound personal growth. A pivotal experience during his life was the seven months he spent in jail, a period that allowed him to introspect and transform. During this time, he read extensively, including the Bible, which helped him develop a new outlook on life. He vowed to evolve daily, seeking growth not just economically, but mentally, spiritually, and physically. Read More>>

Govanna Covington

Stepping out of my comfort zone, I decided to learn how to make custom cakes. I spent hours watching YouTube tutorials and worked at a bakery in Ohio, where I learned from talented bakers. Before long, I was being booked for weddings, baby showers, and graduation parties. Eager to continue my growth, I took a cake decorating class from an amazing baker who taught me the finer points of custom cake design. Now, after almost two years in Atlanta, I’ve been growing and learning every day, and I’m excited about where Tink Treats is headed! Read More>>

Shataya James

My journey has been deeply rooted in faith, and I truly couldn’t have come this far without my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It all started in 2019 when I launched Shaped by Shay, a business that was built on my passion for creativity, beauty, and helping others feel confident. I was blessed with the opportunity to bring my vision to life and provide high-quality nail services focused on self-care and luxury. Read More>>

Laron Gigger

Alongside my dance journey, I developed a love for filmmaking and videography, which I have seamlessly integrated into my role as a social media influencer. This self-taught talent is now part of my daily routine. I didn’t realize that as a kid, I was preparing myself for who I have become today. As social media evolves and algorithms constantly shift, my consistent practice in editing has made it much easier to navigate the new landscape. Read More>>

Jingkun Huang

I constantly challenge myself by working on a variety of projects, from documentaries to narrative films, and from commercials to music videos. Each project comes with its own unique demands, teaching me how to strike a balance between technical precision and artistic vision. As a cinematographer, I believe the most important thing is to always keep learning. With technology and visual storytelling evolving, I aim to improve continuously through practice and innovation. Read More>>