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.

Courtney Rutledge

I’ve always been obsessed with making things look and feel “right”, even when I had no clue that design could be a career. I was the middle school girl rearranging her room for the tenth time, teaching myself to edit homemade videos, and spending way too long customizing PowerPoint presentations for 8th grade Georgia history class. Design felt like the natural throughline, but it still took me a minute to figure that out. Read more>>

Deidre Goodwin

I pictured in my head what later became what I named HALTZGLOVES. For 2 years I worked on the prototype. i had no manufacturing experience and at that time, there were fewer resources to find specific help. after completing the porotype, I search for 1.5 years for a manufacturer. It is still true for today, large manufacturers are not interested in making small quantities. They want you to start out at 100,000 units and sometimes million units. Read more>>

Zopi Kristjanson

The space at Olive & Pine came up and we liked the Bohemian feel of Avondale Estates. There are artist studios and practice spaces all around there and it’s not as developed as the rest of the city. The space was just a concrete box, so we were able to design it from the ground up with acoustics in mind. I wanted to add quilts to give to a homespun feel and Chris added some African fabrics. We consulted with Klipsch on the speaker placement for the AK6s we got and decided on a JJ tube amp from Slovakia to power them. Chris designed the DJ Booth of his dreams, while Dorothy Stucki added finishing touches with custom murals. The room is very cozy yet elevated and people seem to feel at home when they come in. Read more>>

Jim Fielding

We consulted and advised on Experiential Retail and Branding for companies like Nearest Green Distillery, WildBrain, and the Los Angeles Clippers. In fact, our team designed, constructed, and did the product for all of the new Retail Spaces at the Intuit Dome, the new home of the Clippers. In 2024, I returned to school at Emory Goizueta Business School and got 2 graduate certificates in Coaching. Since August 2024, I have become a full-time Executive Coach, Author, and Public Speaker. My first book, All Pride, No Ego: A Queer Executives Journey to Living and Leading Authentically was published in August 2023 and hit the best sellers list that Fall. I am thrilled to be building a life in the ATL with my parter, Joseph, and our 2 dogs, Olive and Cricket. Read more>>

Shantey Jeffers

Retail is a competitive industry. I didn’t realize the truth in that statement until year one passed, year two, year three, now I am here at the beginning of year four. The brand STJ-Fashions has grown in the areas of public awareness and social media presence. These two areas were my primary focus when I began in 2001. Now some 51,000+tweets later, 10,200 Instagram posts, and over 6,000 posts on meta I believe that those two goals were met and surpassed. However, popularity and profit do necessarily go hand in hand. Read more>>

Cuban

I’ve always loved getting my nails done or painting them myself as a kid. All the glitter, bling, and sparkly things have been my obsession for as long as I can remember. Every time I went to traditional walk-in nail salons, I left feeling disappointed, like my vision was never fully brought to life. That’s what got me into nails to begin with. I wanted to create the kind of defined and detailed designs I’d always dreamed of. Read more>>

Lionel Johnson

With permission from my wife off I went to build the best studio ever and I did that with 4 core values. Safe, Diverse, creative, Vibe. I rallied up a group of 4 professional people and gave them the title of my advisory team to help me with my vision. They all told me the same thing, not going to happen, you have no experience in this industry, Atlanta is going to swallow you whole. After hearing those words for over 6 months, I dissolved my team of professionals and stuck to my guns and continued on to build this amazing studio. Read more>>

Hakim Asadi

Eventually, I started a private practice part-time, expanding into public speaking, writing, and hosting workshops. When I moved to Atlanta, I struggled to find full-time work despite many applications and rejections. That turning point pushed me to go into private practice full-time. Still, I missed being in direct community work, which led me to NAESM Inc., where I now serve as a behavioral health clinician. Read more>>

Brandyn Thompson

Financially, I funded my business with savings from my previous employment, making the decision to leave my job a pivotal moment; it was truly an all-or-nothing commitment. This background not only fueled my determination but also taught me the importance of resilience and adaptability in navigating the complexities of running a business. Through these experiences, I’ve developed vital problem-solving skills and a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed in the endeavor. Read more>>

Chuck Allen

Chuck co-founded ClearPath Counseling Network, which makes mental healthcare accessible through 250+ licensed therapists. Through ClearPath, our clients qualify for significant financial assistance and receive a free thirty-minute assessment with a licensed therapist to help partner them the the ideal therapist for them. The key is accessibility. ClearPath makes it simple. Just complete a brief assessment online at clearpathcounseling.org, select a date and time for your free assessment, and ClearPath will provide several options for you to see a therapist, typically within two weeks, and discover a therapist who accepts your insurance and has an affordable scale to help anyone. Read more>>

Mason Joyner

We are HellHounds, an Atlanta based metal band. We specialize in making a blend of Nu-Metal/Metalcore music. What we are most proud of at the moment is our second show selling out, and racking in big numbers off our streams on music stores. There’s nothing that really sets us apart from other bands. We are just here to bring the energy, madness and heat to the floor. There’s a lot of love that we give and receive from many other bands and musicians in the Atlanta area, and even outside of Georgia, and the states. Read more>>

Tivoli Suresh Chhabriya

So I am a Chartered Accountant by qualification and work as a Business & Operations Controller at Elekta. It’s an incredible company whose mission is to provide hope for everyone dealing with cancer. But I am also a published author as of November 2024. I self-published my first book called ‘Metamorphosis’ recently and it is a series of short essays exploring life’s questions and lessons. It’s been a labor of love worked over many years and gives me immense joy to have accomplished this goal. This is definitely an accomplishment I am very proud of, simply because it took a lot of digging deep into my soul and I wasn’t sure if I could reach the end at times. But with a lot of honesty and courage and soul-searching, I made it! Read more>>

Cecil Carter Jr.

Offering Cool Gifts, Prizes, Championship rings and Trophies yearly, Weekly trivia, Real life award payouts and League award payouts, with an end of season award show, Jerseys, Yearly League T Shirts. The amenities we offer are endless, not to mention a pot of $1,000 to the winner. We offer (fantasy leagues in) all sports from NBA, NFL, MLB, NCAAF, NHL and FIFA. With the option between Dynasty or Keeper league. For our more competitive gamers we also offer Esports. While also sponsoring Esports streamers. For individuals interested in media and podcasts we created a weekly league news and recaps show “All Bros Media”. Read more>>

Olivia (Livv) Smith

Entrepreneurship for me has been a rewarding but not very easy road. It takes a lot of work to run a business. My biggest obstacle being an entrepreneur was imposter syndrome. I used to always be afraid if change and success but I realized that you just have to do it and believe in yourself and believe that your are capable and worthy of earning success and the rewarding feelings you’d have not only for yourself but that people that believe in you and your business and learning along the way about yourself in a deeper level. Read more>>https://voyageatl.com/interview/inspiring-conversations-with-olivia-livv-smith-of-my-business-is-called-livvdohair

Mychal Payton

I do photography, some videography and really want to get into cinematography. I would say I specialize in portraits. I don’t really know what I’m known for I should really start asking what people think and how they found me. I would say I’m most proud of just starting the journey and meeting and talking to people. Was not really a people person and still kinda anti social but I’m better at socializing when I’m shooting. What sets me apart from others would probably have to be me as a person. That’s something else I would have to take a survey on cause I wouldnt really know. I think I’ve heard quality before and how I’m willing to work with people. Read more>>

Trina Ko

Too often, when we told others where we lived, we were met with puzzled looks or skeptical reactions. Clayton County has long battled negative perceptions, and while those views still surface from time to time, our personal experience has been quite the opposite. We’ve enjoyed countless uplifting moments here and felt compelled to share them with the world. Read more>>

Mayson Ackerman

It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road—there have been plenty of challenges along the way. One of the biggest has been balancing everything: school, work, creative projects, and personal life. I’ve worked early morning shifts starting at 4 a.m. while still trying to keep up with film productions, editing, and club responsibilities. Time management became a skill I had to master quickly. Read more>>

Junior

My journey began as the child of Haitian immigrants who instilled in me a deep appreciation for opportunity and education. I was one of only two students identified as “gifted” in my elementary school and had to be bused to access STEM resources not available in my community. That early experience left an indelible mark on me—it lit a fire not only to pursue a career in technology but also to ensure that others had better access than I did. Read more>>

Sumer Blige

Healing didn’t happen overnight—it was a long and often difficult process. Even amidst the chaos, I remained committed to my education. I graduated high school on time while taking dual enrollment classes, and went on to spend four and a half years earning a bachelor’s degree in criminology with a minor in psychology. During my junior year, I became pregnant, and though the road was challenging, I didn’t let it stop me. I gave birth, became a single mother, and still managed to graduate with four A’s and one C+. I also worked 2 jobs all while being a mom and getting my degree on top of having my loc business on the side. Let’s talk about a hard working mama. Read more>>

Marcus Johnson

We are a catering company based out of Laurens South Carolina. We specialize in smoked meats such as ribs, chicken, pulled pork you name it. What sets us apart I would say our signature sauce and seasonings, because we pride ourselves on cooking with love and from inspiration. When I say inspiration is because sometimes we have an idea of a sauce or particular seasoning for a dish we are preparing and it goes well and the people love it! We always offer top notch service, quality and flavor! Read more>>

Lafayedra Siler

I have a myriad of talents and interests. I’ve dabbled in modeling runway, and I’m passionate about singing, acting, drawing, makeup, hair, nail art, designing business cards, creating YouTube intros, photography, and filming YouTube videos. These creative outlets not only bring me joy but also allow me to express myself in unique ways. Why reality TV, you may ask? For me, it’s about creating a better life for myself and my daughter. Financial success is crucial for our present and future, and I see reality TV as an opportunity to make a positive change. Whether it’s through acting, modeling, or content creation, I’m ready to seize any opportunity that comes my way to ensure a brighter tomorrow for us both. Read more>>

Philip And Heather Aka Pheather

Although Heather was slightly apprehensive, Philip successfully convinced his wife/best friend to join him on unknowingly the biggest change in their lives. From that point, Philip and Heather merged together like a Power Ranger Megazord, calling themselves Pheather and naming their company after their beloved chihuahuas, Applehead. Subsequently, Applehead began photographing willingly random strangers who’d pay a few bucks for a short photo session. It was in those brief thirty-minute photo sessions that they intricately developed their skills to manually manipulate the camera’s functions in a very fast-paced setting. Read more>>

Veonne Anderson

The book was called My Christian Love Life Sucks, inspired by a moment when I saw a stranger who seemed hypnotized in puppy love but was clearly seen as a one sided romance. That interaction reminded me how many people suffer in silence, and it pushed me to write encouragement that I didn’t ever get the chance to verbally express to her. Publishing that book showed me I could help others tell their stories too… stories of wisdom, pain, hope, and healing. Read more>>

Asyria Daniels

It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I’ve always had strong community in real life with my friends, my family, my work circles, they’ve always held me down. But building community on social media? That’s a whole different story. It’s tough trying to show up online consistently, especially when you’re balancing real life, being a mom, managing your health, and just trying to stay inspired. Read more>>

Victor Nguyen

I’ve led initiatives to streamline procurement, integrate real-time supplier performance tracking, and optimize our pricing strategies based on market shifts. What’s kept me motivated is our ability to balance commercial success with environmental responsibility, move markets, and the understanding that to fully help out the seafood industry, I must be patient and continue growing. We’ve built systems that not only drive margins, but also reward transparency and sustainability. Read more>>

Jeremiah McCoy

On the visual side, I’ve built with my brothers Mark, Shannon, and CASSO—some of the dopest people and artists I’ve ever crossed paths with. They not just a collaborator, they are my biggest inspirations artistically—they remind me to go after what I want, my way. And artists like Distortedd? She continues to inspire how I see the world creatively. She’s amazing. All of them—I love for life. Read more>>

Reginald Gholston

My journey into real estate was equal parts strategy, vision, and faith. While I was still working in corporate America with a background in mechanical engineering, my wife and I made a bold move by investing in a home staging franchise, Showhomes. At the time, it was a side venture, but the goal was always bigger: I wanted to leave corporate America behind and fully immerse myself in the world of real estate. Read more>>

Ayanna Bozeman

Now, I serve as an Influencer Marketing Manager at EBY, a womens intimates brand that empowers women out of poverty and into business through microloans. What sets me apart in this space is my dual experience—I’ve lived the creator journey while also learning the ins and outs of the business behind it. That combination allows me to create authentic, results-driven partnerships from both sides of the table. Read more>>

Haylee Whittemore

I grew up with opportunities, and while people assumed I had it easy and didn’t have to work for anything, they didn’t see the real battle going on inside me. I started drinking at 15 to numb the pressure and noise and to fit in. It got bad enough that my brother had to grab a bottle of vodka from my hands and throw it into a pond. That was my breaking point — the moment I realized I needed to change or risk losing myself. I still find myself going into spells and earlier this year went through some things with drugs and alcohol but life prevails and overcoming these things for good has made me a much stronger person. Read more>>

Tyrah Johnson

My story begins with a desire for freedom, purpose, and impact. I’m a divorced mom of two from Virginia who relocated to Atlanta in search of better opportunities and a fresh start. I knew I didn’t want to keep living paycheck to paycheck or feel stuck in jobs that didn’t fulfill me. I’ve always had a passion for beauty, creativity, and helping people feel seen and cared for and that naturally led me into entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Vanessa Patao

Vanessa’s success wasn’t without hardship. Her most significant personal challenge—overcoming addiction—transformed her professionally and creatively. With clarity and renewed focus, she returned to the fashion scene with an unstoppable force, setting a new standard of excellence. Sobriety brought not just personal growth, but an enhanced creative vision that fueled some of her most iconic work. Read more>>

Debaron Hughes

In 2012, I met a friend named Sebastian who had turntables, and that was the first time I had played on this in any way other than just looking at them. I visited his house several times and mentioned how cool I thought it was. Fast forward 3 months, he asked me if I wanted them. I said yes, and he sold me two turntables, a 4-channel mix, two speakers, and 60 vinyl records for only $250! So, of course, I bought them with no clue what to do next. Read more>>

Jewann Hunt

For me the struggle has been consistently getting my art in front of the right crowd. It has been an up and down road as far as selling my artwork goes. In some situations I do very well and in some areas I can’t move a t-shirt. I’m constantly trying to find that area where my artwork is consistently appreciated. I know my collector is out there and I will not stop until I find them. Read more>>

S.J. Salvatore

These ridiculous and humorous narratives became the foundation for my early blogs. To my surprise, they started to gain a bit of traction, and I realized I was not only enjoying the process immensely but also developing a genuine passion for writing. Over time, my focus shifted from those overtly comedic pieces to more serious short stories and poetry. While I still weave in elements of humor, it’s now more nuanced, a way for me to evolve as a writer and storyteller. Even in my work as a novelist today, I often incorporate touches of humor to provide comic relief for characters or within certain situations, adding a lighter dimension to my overall storytelling style. Read more>>

Jordan Alexa

My journey really begins with learning how to trust my voice. I’ve always been a creative person, but for a long time, I didn’t feel like my story or my way of thinking mattered. I was the quiet observer, always taking in how people created, connected, and communicated. Over time, I realized my strength was in seeing beneath the surface, helping others tell their stories while also understanding the deeper story they were living. Read more>>

Mone Burke

I began my journey at Paul Mitchell, where I earned my cosmetology license. Before completing school, I started working at a luxury barbershop called The Musa Lair as a Culture Concierge. I began by offering shampoo services and gradually expanded my skill set to include facials, braiding, and eventually barbering—learning under the guidance of several legendary barbers. Read more>>

DFJR

Now, everything I do—whether I’m behind a camera, directing a shoot, leading worship, or producing a live recording—is about making an impact and turning vision into reality. DFJR Studios isn’t just a business—it’s a movement, rooted in purpose and powered by creativity, faith, and community. Read more>>

Khadijah Campbell

I started my college journey right after high school at Clark Atlanta University as a music major with a concentration in music composition. Music was my first love, but somewhere along the way, I switched my major twice, searching for something that truly resonated with me. Eventually, I found my way back to my roots—my gift in the visual arts—and returned to what had always been in me: Fine Arts and Design. Read more>>

Shikha Choudhary

It’s good on the creative part, but as someone who’s out of job right now, it’s difficult to be able to monetize via unconventional creativity and specially if it is a niche section. Also, it’s challenging to put forth something ‘different’ in the field, and I have not always been totally in control of my overthinking regarding professional constraints, which gets overwhelming when things are not balanced in professional area. But it’s quite motivating if even one out of ten people who see my blogs are convinced with my thought process, and read a book I recommend. Read more>>

Joshua Mastin

That changed when my girlfriend, Jessica, encouraged me to record my first outfit videos. I was overthinking everything, stuck in my head. But she believed in me and gave me that push to just start. So I did. I began posting style tips and GRWM videos right from our apartment—just me, a mirror, and a phone. I wasn’t trying to be an influencer. I just wanted to help regular guys like me feel confident in how they dress and show them that style doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated—it just has to feel like you. Read more>>

Angela Williams

From there, the journey shifted inward. I committed to my health—not just to lose weight, but to heal. I found an incredible trainer (Shannon Washington) and, just as importantly, a community that held me up. These women became my accountability partners, my cheerleaders, my safe space. We celebrated milestones that went far beyond physical progress. Together, we laughed, cried, lifted heavy (literally and figuratively), and reminded each other that we were worthy of showing up for ourselves. Read more>>

Silvi Santoso

She finished the top three in 2023 Prove You Are A Comic Competition (Absolute Comedy, Toronto). Performance credits include 2025 Atlanta Fringe Audio and 2020 World Fringe Perth (both for her one woman show Dishonour on Your Cow), 2019 Detroit Women Comedy Festival, 2017 We the Men (New York and Toronto Fringe), 2016 The Funniest Person in the World Competition (Laugh Factory Los Angeles), 2015 Rape is Real (National Canadian Tour), 2015 Yuks Yourself Competition (Finalist), 2014 Brantford Comedy Festival (Runner Up), and 2013-2016 NY She Devils Festival. Not bad for a woman just hoping to get her 8×10 hung up in a comedy club! Read more>>

Cell Tower

I take a lot of pride in being able to consistently craft these narrative soundscapes. I put a lot of thought into concepts and sequencing, which is reflected in how cohesive my projects are. Outside of that, I’m really proud of the fact that my music is part of peoples routine and their thoughts. Having people reach out and tell me how my music has played a role in their lives or anyone considering me for commissioned work is a honor that I didn’t think I would experience on this journey. Read more>>

Montre’

Ever since I moved to Atlanta I’ve been consistently building my brand and my name in various communities. I’ve always stayed true to myself and my style, and people who know me can a-test to that. I have been building a legacy that represents fearlessness, fierceness, creativity, and boldness. My journey in Atlanta has been magical, not easy, but magical. I’ve got to live out so many of my dreams and have grown in so many ways as a person. I’ve gotten to where I am today through hard work, persistence, and lots of sacrifice, and faith. I could on into so much detail about my journey in Atlanta so far but I’ll save that for my documentary coming out soon! (Wink) Read more>>

Jojuan Westmoreland

But the journey didn’t stop there. Photography started whispering to me — quietly at first, then loud enough I couldn’t ignore it. I began exploring life behind the lens, and everything clicked. My love for acting gave me a unique perspective on capturing emotion, light, and presence. That’s when PBS Photography was born e— a platform where I could merge the worlds of film and still imagery to tell stories that stick with you. Read more>>

Illia ( Elijah ) Silich

My story start in Ukraine, when I was 15 in 2009 I became huge pro wrestling fan and realize that I wanna become wrestler too. Feeling that i can be in a spotlight, perform and entertain the people give me goosebumps. I always dream about moving to USA, homeland of wrestling and be signed in big company, but before that I need start some wrestling trainings,,, and unfortunately there was no real wrestling in Ukraine, no ring, no schools and no coaches Read more>>

Spencer Nicks

When I could no longer stay up til 3am and then get up at 6am with the kids, I started looking for help from management. A huge company partnered with me and we tripled my income. After about 2 years I started realizing this company was actually hurting my brand by falsely advertising my content, which is never how I liked to do business, so I left and haven’t looked back. Now I’m mainly running things by myself, with a little help from others, bc let’s face it, to run an account with over 100,000 members, would be impossible to do yourself. Read more>>

Marquis Nolden

I had always been passionate about nature, finding joy and calm in nurturing plants and creating vibrant outdoor spaces. It began as a hobby, planting flowers and vegetables in my backyard with my grandmother. Eventually, my uncle suggested to redo our front garden. That small project blossomed into more referrals and suddenly, I found a growing client base. Read more>>