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.

Don Trunk

I can send him songs i produced and he will go straight to the booth to record them the same day. Sometimes you not ready for the blessings you truly deserve, you gotta earn them so don’t expect anything to magically happen for you just cause you meet somebody for the first time. It took me years to build a relationship with Dru Hill and if it wasn’t for Nokio, my brother L and my Brother Jay Funk seeing a spark in me back then, i would have never got a chance to work with Dru Hill and my beat cd would still be crushed on the side of the road. Read more>>

Indica Elizabeth

I started Girlidiot Images in September of 2022. Originally I was just an artist who loved to create, but one day someone asked to buy a painting of mine. After that moment I decided selling my creations is what I’m meant to do. In 2024 I branched out in making apparel. I started making custom clothing such as custom shirts and tights for people. I made stage close for singers and drag queens to perform in. It’s been an honor crafting custom pieces for people, and I love seeing and helping their ideas come to life. Jewelry and clothing are now my main selling points and there’s nothing I’d change about that. Read more>>

Elisha Akram

It hasn’t necessarily been a smooth ride—it’s been a journey of discovery and continuous learning. When you step into something new, you don’t always have all the answers, and sometimes, the people in your immediate network may not have the knowledge or experience to guide you. That has led to plenty of obstacles along the way, from figuring things out on my own to navigating challenges without a clear roadmap. But each challenge has been a lesson, shaping me into the creative entrepreneur I am today. Read more>>

Jocelyn Hammond

Throughout middle school, I would question a lot of things about myself. The names and teasing would slowly become the truth in my adolescent mind. With my mother and father working non-stop, and a brother who was out being a teenager, I felt alone even in the comfort of my home. I would always ask what was it that was so wrong with me? I was a teenager going through emotions and thoughts that circled my mind like a broken record. I found myself going to school with long sleeves and hoodies; even in 90-degree weather. I tried hiding my self-inflicted scars on my body, but little did I know God would heal my heart; and show me to embrace them in ways I would never fathom. Read more>>

Noah Beich

Drawing and making in general was something I always enjoyed doing. I have a lot of fond memories of learning to make duct tape wallets and going on to make them for my whole class as gifts. Then getting different colored rolls and making a top hat with a gold stripe, I thought it was the coolest thing ever and even tailored it to my giant Beich head! It wasn’t until my freshman year of high school that I got this new sense of fulfillment after making a drawing. Previously drawing was enjoyable but didn’t fill me with purpose. It was just something fun to do and pass the time, in the same way video-games or playing outside was. Read more>>

Jasmine Cyprian

My journey into real estate is a remarkable testament to faith and perseverance. Starting in 2022, while balancing a full-time job at a credit union, I sought to secure a more stable financial future for me and my husband. It was through divine guidance and inspiration that I discovered “Shakrealtor” on Instagram, a young real estate mogul whose success resonated deeply with my aspirations. Read more>>

Antonio Cleveland

Antonio Cleveland spent his first five post-collegiate years as a Graphic Designer in the non-profit space, hailing his gifts to branding and packaging Audio-Video, books, conference marketing and training manuals. Alongside this traditional career, he entrepreneurially supported small businesses with his gift, through his first business Divine Expressions Photography and Design. With his BBA in Marketing degree in hand he pivoted into IT and traveled abroad for 12 years as a Global IT Project Manager. During his travels he garnered an MBA from Columbus State University, however he felt a void in not exercising his creative side and turned to fashion as a way to flex this dormant muscle. Read more>>

Kaylyn Stone

Another challenge was investing in myself. As women, especially moms, we’re so used to pouring into everyone else that it feels selfish to put money or time into our own dreams. But I had to shift my mindset—investing in myself wasn’t an expense, it was a necessity. And once I embraced that, everything started shifting. Read more>>

Thomas Jones

At TargIT Creations, every design, photograph, and dessert tells a story — a story of resilience, creativity, and purpose. The name “TargIT” was born from an experience that turned frustration into inspiration. After being wrongfully targeted during a routine stop, I refused to let that moment define me. Instead, I created the #ImNotATargIt movement, turning a negative experience into a powerful statement. Read more>>

Crystal Daniel

Accountability Plus Tax Service, located in Douglasville, Georgia, offered me a young, eager, and driven individual with the potential to excel. I quickly became one of the top earners in the company. My passion for learning and my willingness to seize opportunities led to my continued success. After several years of growth, I made the decision to leave Accountability Plus Tax Service. Read more>>

Alex And Della Henry

When we first got into real estate, we realized people weren’t just looking for a place to sleep. They wanted an experience, a space that felt intentional, welcoming, and stress-free. That’s what inspired us to create Be Nice Properties. We wanted to provide thoughtfully designed co-living spaces, long-term rentals, and vacation getaways that make people feel at home the moment they walk in. Read more>>

Meg Puryear

I began working in Law Enforcement in 2016. While I’ll always support all of the good officers, you can imagine, the job itself is just not fun. It caused a lot of turmoil in my life, mentally and emotionally. In 2020, in the midst of COVID with not one plan, I up and decided I could no longer stay in a field that was causing me so much trauma. It takes a special person, and unfortunately that just wasn’t me. Read more>>

Taye Martin

It’s not an amazing story of how I became a Dj. Music has always been my saving grace! During bad times, I would play music, During good times I would play music. Anytime I was invited anywhere, everyone always wanted me in charge of the music. All I had was a Bluetooth speaker and a IPad. I was getting so many request to play music, I figured, I might as well become a Dj. I know God lead me on this journey, after all l knew nothing about being a Dj. Read more>>

Edward Sun

Definitely not a smooth road. Struggled to pay rent, neglected my health, damaged all kinds of relationships, and overworked before finding a stable job I loved. Even after that point, imposter syndrome was often paralyzing and self-sabotaging. If I didn’t have a church community of non-creatives—people who didn’t care about what I did for work—to ground me, to love me regardless of my work, and to challenge me to grow in my faith, I wouldn’t have made it through. I’d still be struggling to survive today! Read more>>

Jenny Jones

I am a native of Newnan and Coweta County and a graduate of Newnan High School. I am a member of the Unity Baptist Church of Newnan, and the Newnan Coweta Art Association. After working for Newnan Utilities for 26 years as the Utility Billing Manager I retired in 2009. My two daughters, Aimee and Sarah, and grandchildren Jones, Lilly, Alana, Lucy, and Gracie are also Newnan Natives. Read more>>

Khaiah Arrington

After school, I was fortunate enough to secure my first suite in Riverdale, where I averaged about three clients a month. Though the early days were slow, I remained determined and didn’t let that discourage me. Eventually, I made the move to Sharpsburg, and that’s when my business truly began to flourish. Now, I’m blessed with a loyal clientele who trust me with their hair, and I’ve built personal, meaningful relationships with each of them. It’s been a journey of growth, resilience, and passion for the craft. Read more>>

O’brian & Taricka Russell

In December 2011, Taricka and O’Brian both graduated. Taricka obtained a middle school education job at the beginning of 2012 and entered into her Master’s program for Early Childhood Education. In August of 2012, Taricka obtained her first official teaching position in her field. From an education standpoint, Taricka acquired her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Specialist degree in Leadership: Curriculum and Instruction, and her Doctoral Degree in Leadership: Curriculum and Instruction. In regard to her career, Taricka worked as a fourth grade teacher for 3 years, instructional coach for 2 years, and a middle school principal for 3 years. In 2020, she retired from working in education and joined working in their trucking company full-time. Read more>>

Rileigh Russell

I first fell in love with the art of stained glass and candle making at my alma mater, College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri. This school is unique in that it is a work college, where every student is assigned to a workstation and required to work 15 hours a week. This work model covers the cost of tuition, which is an incredible blessing! During my sophomore year, I applied to work in the campus’s stained glass and candle studio. Read more>>

Chanel Davis

I was literally doing locs for $40-$50 full service . My name start getting mentioned from other client of how fast cheap efficient I was. I traveled to clients and also worked late hours to get as many clients as I can to pay my rent and car note. The pandemic hit and I was devastated because I had no clients booking, but shortly after in 2022 everyone started the loc journey and I gained massive clients and it went up from there! Now I am s 6 figure business owner who started from the bottom and never gave up , I perfected my craft . I now teach master 1 on 1 loc classes teaching others how to learn my techniques and skills. Read more>>

Eric & Pamela Hampton

We started calling the group the collective awareness group. After a couple of years and many personal conversation and revelations within the group. My wife and I discovered we had a love and a passion for sharing what we had learned. That’s when we founded Meditateology. We created the name to represent a fusion of meditation and psychology. We wanted our clients to learn how to deal with their daily stress and “life problems” by tuning inwards for peace and guidance using a very strategic and intentional approach. Now we are please to see how we are touching people lives and how blessed we are to discover a passion that we both share. Read more>>

Myrtle (Wanhong) Li

I am a female filmmaker, and I am currently focusing on working as a Director of Photography. The first time I thought of making films was in high school. Because of the intense academic pressure in China, I would escape to the cinema whenever I had free time. My favorite thing was sitting alone in the second-to-last row, nestled in the corner, enjoying those ninety minutes of being immersed in a film. I was deeply fascinated by the moments when I could emotionally connect with a movie’s dialogue, music, and visuals. Read more>>

Jaminique Ellis

Another challenge is finding the right balance between growth and personal time. As a business owner, I’m constantly juggling tasks—from managing clients to handling day-to-day operations. It can feel like there’s never enough time in the day to do everything I want. But I’ve learned to delegate more and trust my team (and future team) to take on the load so I can focus on what I do best—curating amazing travel experiences. Read more>>

Ayanna Mincey

With any business it has its pros and cons along the way. It was more challenging In the beginning because being a candle maker you’re learning different wax mixtures, fragrances, which type of wicks to use, Burning temperatures anymore. All of these things become overwhelming and it’s always something new to learn,even now I’m still learning about things to improve. I’m on a smooth road with the information I’ve gathered through trial and errors, as well as testing my candles and learning what works for me and my brand. Read more>>

Diana Nava

At the party that I mentioned, he reached to me and showed me this beautiful girl, looking so athletic and with impacting abs, but she looked so feminine, I felt like if I was seeing myself in the mirror but not in the real mirror of my bathroom but the one in my mind. Read more>>

Asia Wright

I’d go to war for everyone but me. I had to really sit back and let my own mind speak for me. I had to spend countless months in silence to truly hear my own voice. When I had the words, I wasted no time in formulating a melody others could follow. Writing is like all art forms and is up for interpretation through personal experience, however, I feel like when you add a melody, the words grow in power and understanding. I think about how my ancestors would sing through their struggles and in my mind they were expelling any negative energy willed upon them. The love of the arts has allowed me to find freedom in myself as well as transcend trauma and memory. Read more>>

Valarie Sieh

As a stylist, I work with a variety of textiles and fabrics, but I also recognize the impact of consumer waste. That’s why I’ve embraced digital content creation, which has helped me lessen my footprint in landfills. My work as a professional organizer also opened my eyes to the cycle of overconsumption—people often buy the same things repeatedly without realizing it. By helping clients organize their closets by color, size, and frequency of wear, I’ve found that it encourages a more mindful approach to shopping. Instead of impulse buys, people start asking themselves: How would this look in my closet? Do I really need another bag? How many items did I discard last year? Read more>>

Danny Schnitzlein

I moved to Atlanta in 1993, working as a freelance writer/producer for television. I began writing for GPTV children’s television, including “Salsa” a show that teaches Spanish, and “Irrashai” which teaches Japanese. I wrote the manuscript for “The Monster Who Ate My Peas,” based on my childhood loathing of peas. It was rejected by over 30 publishers before Peachtree Publishers in Atlanta decided to publish it. At that time I never imagined what the future had in store. Apparently lots of people can identify with food phobia!  Read more>>

Renee Goodman

Born and raised in the Smyrna GA area, I am an Atlanta native! After graduating from Campbell High School, I attended SCAD in Savannah, GA. I then moved to Virginia (a few locations around DC, but always in Virginia). After a few years away, I moved back to Atlanta, and settled back on the side of town I was familiar with (currently in Austell). I would love to live closer to the store, but I really enjoy the benefits of living close to my parents, as family is the most important thing! Read more>>

Taegen (Fever Fawn) Dawkins

I started writing songs when I was beginning high school in 2012. Songwriters like Lana Del Rey and Marina Diamandis heavily inspired me at the time. I picked up guitar around the same time and began to compose. In my sophomore year of high school I started a music technology class and it spawned an interest in music production. Ever since then I’ve been working to further my craft. I’ve done an internship at a recording studio, got my degree in audio engineering, and formed a band to play my songs live. It’s been a long journey but I feel like I’ve got my process down to a science now. I don’t think there’s any substitute for patience and hard work. Read more>>

Tsechi Hsu

I started by making these fake film trailers using the IMovie templates with my cousins as many did. In middle school I had a short fiction project where the limit was 5-8 pages. I wrote 25. My teacher told me she would only read and grade up to page 8. She ended up reading the whole thing. I had classmates requesting I make more, and it really motivated me and revealed my passion of storytelling. I’m currently working on a short film, a collection of 50 essays, a book series, and screenplays. I do photography for fun on my IPhone. It’s so incredible what you can shoot with them. Read more>>

Christopher Jerry

On top of that, I had always been a very hands on, touch driven person so the manual therapies associated with chiropractic and being able to assess aliments with touch and movement I really love. After graduating Life, I hit the ground running, working 6 – 7 days a week between two very different clinics. The clinic that began my home was Perkins Chiropractic Clinic up in Loganville and as it was always my professional goal to open my own practice, when the opportunity presented itself, I jumped at it and Dr. Chris Perkins has been an great mentor through the whole process. So that how I ended up here at Peachtree Corners Chiropractic! Read more>>

Ryan Linning

Within our years of inception, we have become a full production company designing advertisements, product designs for multiple clients across the globe, thrown several events of different kinds, and branched out into different genres of entertainment that have all used my services. We also have our own fashion line, as well as helping other brands with their fashion designs. I am the Creative Director with Rapstar Energy Drink helping to cultivate their brand and design advertisements to visually communicate to the customer the benefits of drinking our energy drink. Jane Lyfe continues to thrive helping big and small businesses throughout the metro Atlanta area and worldwide. Read more>>

Jen Singh

Working in creative fields is deeply rewarding, though it has often been a financial challenge. Still, my greatest fulfillment comes from sharing my knowledge—whether through teaching painting workshops or mentoring emerging artists. I’m especially passionate about supporting women in the arts, knowing firsthand how tough it can be to establish yourself in the creative industry. While I’ve had many positive experiences working with men, there have been times when I felt overlooked or taken advantage of. Read more>>

Abigail Judd-Edwards

I attended college where I found myself more in love with entertainment and providing a source for others to both grow in their talents and aspirations in entertainment industry. I started out promoting local music groups, then parties and now myself as an Artist and Product manufacturer. I crated iCandi Productionz LLC as a platform for all artists whether it’s in music, fine & arts. I host Pop Up Shops to sell my Growth Oil called “iC Growth Hair Formula” along side attendance in local pop up shops. I also had my hair product placed in a beauty store in Fayetteville, Ga. Currently I’m seeking a store front to plant my business and more shows to perform my music! Read more>>

Arrington Foster

Arrington moved to Los Angeles in 2015 and started his film/tv career. After years of grinding in 2017 he got the series regular role of “Rio Duncan” in the hit BET and BET plus show “The Family Business.” The highly anticipated 6th season will be out in 2025. All seasons are now streaming on BET plus & Netflix. Arrington also can be seen in the lifetime holiday movie “A Very Merry Beauty Salon.” Arrington is super excited to continue to bust down doors in this entertainment industry and do more tv shows and movies. Social media you can find him @arringtonfoster on Instagram and X/Twitter. For bookings and appearances contact: theboiagency@gmail.com Read more>>

Youngmin You

Growing up in South Korea, I remember being in awe of my older sister. She looked so cool playing Chopsticks, that at 6, it became my life mission to play piano just like her. Only, my family didn’t have any money…My dad was a pastor of a small church, and both of my parents lived humbly and generously. I still remember the 50 sq. ft. apartment we lived in and the four of us sharing a bed each night. So I went on YouTube and taught myself how to play. Read more>>

Veronica D Deleg

This business is driven by my passion for Ecuadorian cuisine. Our recipes are intricate and require specific ingredients to capture the authentic Ecuadorian flavor. Upon discovering that these products were unavailable in Atlanta Georgia, I saw an opportunity to import Ecuadorian goods, which has become the foundation of our business. Read more>>

Tonie Mcelveen

I’ve been drawing all my life, basically since I’ve been able to hold a pencil. After high school I went to college at both Itawamba Community College and the University of Mississippi, graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. While there I started selling tshirts based around my comic characters ROADKILL in 2016. Since graduating from college, I’ve continued to create new merchandise and work alongside other companies to help build their brands. Read more>>

Nattalie Cornwall

Getting into the industry allowed me to see firsthand how powerful real estate is as an investment. But like so many others, the 2007-2008 market crash forced me back into corporate America. Even then, I stayed focused on my goal and started investing heavily in real estate. My long-term plan was to build enough passive income to retire early. Since the market was still down in 2010-2012, I was able to scoop up some amazing investment properties — and honestly, that decision changed everything. Read more>>

Twontavis Cuff

With much prayer and the highs and lows of church experiences, Twontavis created FUTURE CEOs (Church Emerging Officers). In a business the CEO sets the foundation, the mission, and the standard for the business or organization. God is the church’s CEO and does the same thing in his word for this organism, the church. Twontavis believes if the youth and young adults are taught and guided through God’s word and exposed to kingdom leadership, the House will be in good hands. Read more>>

Aharon Weinstein

I started covering the protests that I went to. I started to work on not just practicing for class, but working on honing my talents as an artist not just as a student. To improve I showed my work off to a friend I had made when I volunteered at CineGear one year, RK. They work in the film and art industry full time and have always been there to offer advice. RK was ecstatic to review my work and always gave solid feedback. After I saw them seeing my improvement I decided to start building a portfolio using Instagram. Now I’m working on improving my photography. I shoot every week, mostly street but working on branching out. I make an effort to not just attend protests, vigils, and other activist events but to also cover them. Read more>>

Mackenzie Ayers

I make jewelry out of new and repurposed materials. Currently, I’ve gone viral on instagram reels for making necklaces out of vintage buttons. I think something that sets me apart from others is that I make things that appeal to a variety of different aesthetics or types of people. I also understand that financial stability is a thing of the past for most people so I offer a wide range of pricing options that anyone can afford- my $6 copper rings to my $40 stainless steel necklaces for example. Read more>>

Lindsay Jones

I was born + raised in Maryland but relocated to Atlanta, GA for my professional career in 2023. I work for the world’s largest power tool corporation and Fortune 500 Company. I started my cupcake business in high school and still bake 10 years later. During my Undergraduate Studies at Salisbury University, I won $20,000 cash at my University’s Entrepreneurship Competition. I used that money to obtain my 501(c)3 Nonprofit License through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance and started Cupcakes for Kindness, customized and tailored programming to our youth. Read more>>

Shanna Wallace

I’m Shan, and I suppose i’ve always been a bit of a “content creator.” When I was in in elementary school, I created a MySpace account (shh) and quickly become the go-to person if you wanted your picture overly-edited in the best way possible for that time period. By the time I graduated high school, I had amassed 13,000 subscribers (which felt like a much larger number in 2014) on YouTube for my hair tutorials. Read more>>

Sarah Strohschein

Another pivotal moment in my journey was my move to Atlanta. I wanted to live in a bigger city, so I made the bold decision to resign from my stable job, sell my condo, and move—all within a month. I took a role as a key account sales rep for a sports lifestyle brand, working with professional and collegiate teams and leagues. It was a great experience, but when COVID-19 hit and the sports industry came to a halt, I was furloughed. Read more>>

Dr. Braley Bourque

I started my career in corporate healthcare, but I quickly realized that I wasn’t meant to be confined to a system where decisions were often made based on profits rather than what’s best for the patient. After a year, I took a leap of faith and stepped into executive leadership, becoming the CEO of five clinics with over 35 affiliate locations and managing a team of more than 50 employees. It was a crash course in business, leadership, and resilience—and it proved to me that I was capable of much more than I had ever imagined. Read more>>

Shakthi Hari N V

I am an art director, multi-disciplinary designer, and illustrator from India, currently based in the United States. My journey into design has been anything but linear — I began as a chemical engineer, transitioned into a business technology analyst, and eventually found my true calling in graphic design. Today, I consider myself a design generalist, deeply invested in using design as a tool to tell meaningful and impactful stories for brands and individuals. Read more>>

Ashley J

I am humbled to have true fans/supporters who believe in the gifts and talents I embrace daily. As an artist, I have achieved amazing success from performing, speaking, releasing projects, hosting, and making appearances. My hands are in every aspect of the work, which makes me a visionary in every department. I show leadership and accountability in everything I do. My self-acceptance, self-knowledge, and self-expression come from me being genuine. I am honored to be an inspiration in the entertainment industry! Read more>>

Jerrell Hogan

From a kid, raised by a single mother, who has a heart of honor & Gold made me into the man I am today! Hard work & dedication is in me not on me! My Mom took care of me & my siblings with an addition of her niece! Working 3 jobs was something that stuck with me! And I knew when I got of age, I had to step up in a major way! Life would have taken a turn if my Athletic career happened, but life was lifing it was time to get in my bag of God’s gifts he gave me and use them! And now today, I am a Chef Read More>>

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>>