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.

Brad Kolowich Jr

From about 2008 to current, I’ve developed two brick and mortar fitness studio locations in both Atlanta as well as Lake Oconee, Georgia with a staff of 13 team members. We have the great honor of working with so many wonderful clients daily towards achieving their ultimate health and fitness goals. There’s truly nothing like working a career that’s truly fulfilling in so many ways. Don’t get me wrong, there are tough days indeed. But, in the end, I believe that if we choose a career path’s that enjoyable, the financial reward as well as true satisfaction will come. Read more>>

Ingrid Jordan

The journey has certainly been far from smooth. The entertainment industry is not for the faint of heart; it will challenge you in ways you never imagined. You’ll hear far more “no” than “yes.” You may witness others who seem to take their careers lightly still landing major roles or securing top agents, despite not putting in the same effort that you do. It’s crucial to remember that your journey is unique, and not everything will unfold for you as it has for someone else. Read more>>

Maria Oleaga

After graduating, I moved to Miami and took some freelance gigs in both UX Design and Illustration before becoming a remote contractor for Ditch, an Atlanta-based FinTech Startup. Shortly after, I was offered an Experience Design Internship at VML and moved back to Georgia for the summer of 2023. This internship evolved into the full-time UX Designer role I hold today. During the time I’ve been at VML, I’ve learned and grown immensely, working with clients like Coca-Cola, First Horizon Bank, BASF, amongst many others. I’ve even gotten the opportunity to flex my illustration skills for storyboarding and continue developing my 3D design abilities as well. Read more>>

Lerae Funderburg

The turning point came when I embarked on the Sacred Woman journey with Queen Afua. That experience cracked me open in ways I never expected—it wasn’t just about wellness, it was about remembering who I truly was. I healed deep wounds, reconnected with my divine self, and found my purpose in guiding others to do the same. That journey led me to become a nationally board-certified health and wellness coach, a somatic healer, meditation facilitator, and sound healer (among other things). Read more>>

Nicole Salas

I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where it was always just my mother and me. I am a proud Peruvian-American and a first-generation college student, currently attending Georgia State University. This May, I will be graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Read more>>

Mike Ramy

My childhood and teenage years were a great adventure, as I spent all my summers, holidays and available weekends at my Grandfather’s ranch in Ocala, Florida on the Ocklawaha River or my Great Uncle’s farm in Fort Gaines, Georgia on the Chattahoochee River. These two locations offered nature, wildlife and river life at its best. The Natural World today is shrinking at an alarming rate. Many of the locations that I explored as a teenager and young adult in the 1960’s and 1970’s are no longer the pristine natural environments that I once enjoyed. Read more>>

Chas. Becker

I’m not sure that anything worth doing is completely smooth. There have been some mountain tops and some valleys, for sure. I’ve recently had a project come to fruition that has been several years in the making. Victories like that, and reminders that I’m doing what I’ve been called to do are the factors that keep me going. Read more>>

Andre Bridges

It was definitely not a smooth road. After graduating from school, I was promised a job working for Ludacris. However, he already had an engineer who was preparing to leave for LA, which meant I had to learn everything that school couldn’t teach me, and I had to learn it in real time. I had to quickly master recording at a fast pace, mixing songs down, creating innovative effects, managing files, and understanding proper studio etiquette. It was an intense learning curve, but it pushed me to grow and adapt rapidly in a high-pressure environment. Read more>>

Haley Roos

I felt internal and external pressure to use my degree, but deep down I knew it wasn’t what made me happy. It also did not allow me to spend the precious moments I wanted to with my 3 young kids. I knew there had to be another way. To dip my feet in the water, I started training for a company that ended up taking 50% of my profit. I knew there had to be a better way so I finally made the decision to start my own business. It has been so challenging with 3 young kids at home (ages 5, 3, and 2) but I continue to get up early and stay up late putting in the hours to really further my career and passion. Read more>>

Emily Burke

After growing up in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, I attended Georgia Southwestern State University. In 2020, I received my BFA in painting. When I graduated, Covid was raging. I moved back home and worked various jobs while the world was under lockdown. Once everything calmed down I began to focus on my art again. I started doing ceramics. From plaster molds, I make jewelry boxes and other vessels. I paint on these, making each one a bit different. I sell my boxes at markets with lots of other artists. Read more>>

James Botsford

With plenty of free time to record, I reached out to my old friend Billy Hume who is now a Grammy Award winning producer and together we crafted several singles and my debut album. Billy also plays guitar and sings in my band, Tokyo Teens. He’s my secret weapon! And he is also a dear and devoted friend of mine. There is no way I could thank him enough for all that he does for me! Read more>>

Ameerah Dechabert

My parents have always invested in and encouraged my pursuing of art as a career, and being an artist. That is something I am forever grateful for. My sisters are so cool, and I admire their journies, as well. I went to a great high school– Dekalb School of the Arts. I studied at thee Howard University, made great friends at both schools that relate and support and am blessed to be constantly inspired. Read more>>

Jenae Ferguson

I started in fashion at a very young age. I decided retail was going to be ideal for getting my fresh start in the business. Starting off a an Assistant Marketing manager at 2 of the largest retail chains in the US. I learned a lot throughout my 10+ year tenure. I learned how demographics and location can make or break a vision. I went to school for Business Marketing at FAMU, whom also trained me on the business side of my career. Once I had my daughter, I decided to make a career change to becoming a young professional. I worked as an Associate with big named companies that were considered, to be top of their game at the time. Read more>>

Autumn Wood

What sets Events by Autumn Wood apart is our commitment to personalized service and exceptional attention to detail. Whether it’s an intimate gathering, a vibrant children’s birthday party, or a high-energy corporate event, we ensure every detail reflects our clients’ desires. We take pride in transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences, handling every aspect with precision and passion. Read more>>

Melanie Rickert

Some of my most cherished Disney memories include my very first visit to Walt Disney World with my family when I was 8 years old, marching down Main Street with my High School Marching Band, as well as the magical moment when my daughters first saw Cinderella Castle. Recently we’ve had the privilege of experiencing Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa on the beautiful Island of Oahu, which was unforgettable. Read more>>

Iris Brimm

During this time, I returned to the job market and found my current position as the Social Media Manager at Buckhead Law. This position presents challenges, calls for creativity, and allows an opportunity to apply my degrees training in Mass Communication, Journalism, and Marketing as well as incorporate the experiences I have gained along the way. Everything I could have ever hoped and dreamed of in a job are at my fingertips. The journey to this position has been taxing to say the least, but the experiences along the way allowed me an opportunity to develop skills and attributes that will serve a lifetime. Read more>>

Kelsey Dennard

Oof- Im not sure that any “road-less-traveled” is smooth but it’s been 100% worth it. We ran into some challenges pretty early on with a disgruntled previous employer. We both grew our families and welcomed three babies in just a year and a half, while trying to learn how to run and grow a business. We both ran into pregnancy challenges and Lauren has even since been diagnosed with Lupus. All in all, though challenges have definitely been present, I’m grateful for the careers we have carved out for ourselves and how well we have worked in a partnership to support each other during those times. Read more>>

Toni Bynes

I decided to get my esthetician license back in 2017, so I’m also a licensed esthetician. I care about the health of my clients’ skin just as much as the final look. I moved to Atlanta in 2020, towards the end of the pandemic, and I’ve been here ever since, slowly but surely building my clientele. I do makeup for weddings, photoshoots, everyday and glam looks, and I’m working towards creating more intricate, character-inspired looks. I really love what I do and the relationships I’ve built while doing something that brings me joy. Read more>>

Roxanne Spencer

My practice accepts most insurance plans so the credentialing process to get set up was challenging. There are a lot of rules and regulations that a practice must follow to be in compliance. Although it can be challenging, accepting insurance provides affordability for so many seeking support through their insurance benefits. Read more>>

Sunna Raja

With a background in sales, I’ve always been passionate about customer experience and helping people feel their best. Taking over SAHA was the perfect way to merge that passion with a growing industry centered on confidence and self-care. Since then, I’ve focused on refining our services, curating high-quality skincare, and building a team that shares my vision for excellence. It’s been an exciting journey, and I look forward to continuing to grow SAHA into a premier destination for skin health and aesthetics. Read more>>

Staci Gibbs

We eventually outgrew our old location, which led us to our new and improved space in Johns Creek—a major upgrade for both our lounge and our customers. Our expanded humidor and bar have allowed us to curate an even better experience for cigar enthusiasts. Cigar lounges have become a haven for smokers, especially as places to enjoy a good cigar are becoming harder to find. At The Chateau, we take pride in creating a welcoming environment where no one stays a stranger for long. Read more>>

Anthony (Tony P) Printup

When the movie played a scene or a song that he liked, he would rewind that part 26 times before we could move on. It was this specific practice that taught me the patience needed to eventually become my own audio engineer. After my father’s passing I went on a quest to find beats, so I could express myself. My first dilemma was that people wouldn’t just send me the beats, to had to pay for them. My friend Martin Lankford showed me a program called Fruity Loops. From that point on I was my own producer. When I got to college my friend Kash showed me how to sample. That was the final key I needed as a producer. From that point until current day, I have become a one stop shop for an artists. Learning and perfection skills in 4 of the 5 elements of hip hop. Read more>>

Brandon Rashad Clayvon

Throughout my life, I’ve always been a creative person. I was the bright kid that was a lazy student, because traditional schooling wouldn’t hold my attention well enough. I would tend to act out, until my parents were able to find classes, programs, and sports that were able to challenge my mind. I also naturally found a way to challenge myself by falling in love with art. Doodling turned into a love for drawing more complex things, and a fascination with the music industry becoming more digital turned into a love for creating music. Read more>>

Kady Morgan

My healing journey started young out of necessity as I had many waves of trauma throughout my childhood. I began to learn about my health during my ten year journey with Chronic Lyme disease. I learned about healing the soul after experiences of abuse. When a close friend of mine was diagnosed with Leukemia in college, I began to learn about herbalism as a way to naturally heal the body. Read more>>