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.

Stephanie Franklin

It was fun and a great learning experience. After that shoot, that same production company hired me on a handful of other shoots over the next couple of years. They were all small crews and I was able to learn something about every department, since you kind of lend a helping hand across the board on those small shoots. One shoot in particular that stuck with me even today, was for this digital segment called B Real for ESPN and that episode featured the first African American female tire changer for NASCAR. Brehanna Daniels was such a cool person to meet and she loved her job. She is such a bad ass. Read more>>

Madison Hoover, Jaime Lucero Jr.

Nightmarish is a horror anthology series designed for vertical viewing, which we’ve been producing since November of 2024. Each month, we choose a theme, write four scripts (each 90 seconds or less), and release them weekly. With the explosion of vertical content, we saw a gap in the market for horror fans and decided to fill it. The response has been exciting—Nightmarish has been gaining traction within Atlanta’s indie filmmaking community, allowing us to collaborate with incredible filmmakers and storytellers who share our passion, especially during this slower period in the industry. Read more>>

Robert Drake

It has not always been a smooth road. Stage Door Players hired Robert Egizio as Artistic Director and he did amazing work for that theater for many years. That allowed me to help Blacktop Circus reach its heights and broaden my concert experiences. I worked for Sambuca Jazz Cafe for many years, but there were circumstances that led me to walk away. Each time I’ve walked a way from an organization, I’ve found new adventure and opportunity. The improv moniker of ‘yes and’ makes all the difference. Read more>>

Nadejeh Minerva

After graduating high school, I went on to earn my degree from the illustrious Hampton University, followed by an MBA, and I became a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. There wasn’t one big “ah-ha” moment that started it all. Instead, each business within The Minerva Brands grew out of my personal experiences and challenges. They are extensions of my identity — each one representing a piece of my journey. Read more>>

Taylor Torres

I work in film. I started, and continue, as an actor. While in this industry, I have found such a passion for directing, producing, and writing. I think what sets me apart from others is my intense love and passion for the craft, from my independent to national works. Read more>>

Mary Ann Goulding

Over the past 10 years, I’ve had the honor of supporting mission-based organizations committed to serving their communities and creating lasting change. I served for six years on the Governing Board of a $1M prolife nonprofit, deepening my understanding of nonprofit leadership and operations. Read more>>

Chelsea Brittle

All in all, it’s been an incredible journey—one filled with rewarding moments and natural business challenges. Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve faced obstacles, from finding reliable staff to learning how to scale the business in order to reach the luxury wedding market. One of the biggest learning curves has been identifying and attracting our ideal clientele—couples who value quality, intentional design, and a personalized experience. A huge part of that growth has come from the incredible relationships we’ve built with wedding planners.  Read more>>

Kori KIngg

Those principles became my compass. They carried me from humble beginnings to producing television on the biggest stages, winning multiple Emmy Awards, and breaking barriers as a Black woman in this industry. The journey hasn’t always been linear, but staying grounded in my core values and leading with authenticity has opened doors I never could have scripted. Read more>>

Bishop Ron Stringfield

Here’s the simplest way I can put it: imagine a customer in Nigeria who sells to the end consumer and a manufacturer in Germany who makes the goods. I’m in America, and I “speak” both German and Nigerian — not literally, but digitally. The Nigerian sends me an order, I translate it into a format the German system can read. The German manufactures the goods and sends me a shipping notice in his format. I translate it back so the Nigerian understands. Payment requests, order confirmations — all of it moves without either party having to change their language, culture, or technology. That’s the power of EDI. Read more>>

Micah Cadwell

I grew up in Florida and started playing guitar when I was about 12 years old. I got in my first band in high school and had so many amazing experiences playing shows, traveling, and making records. As I got older, my musical tastes changed but my passion for playing guitar only grew stronger. I moved to Atlanta in 1999 and I have been a full-time performer and guitar instructor for the past 22 years. A life in music hasn’t always been easy but it’s been remarkably rewarding. Read more>>

William Wallace

At the same time, I had a passion for music; especially sound engineering and choir music. I sing a bit myself, and while I’m naturally a worshipper, there’s something about choir music that has always moved me. The harmony of voices, the layering of sound, the way every part matters to the whole… it shaped how I see people and ministry. Architecture taught me to build structure, music taught me to build harmony, and together they gave me a vision for creating environments where people can be strong individually and powerful collectively. Read more>>

Diamond Jenrette

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been the one planning and decorating parties for friends and family. Elevating simple gatherings and creating beautiful experiences. Eventually, I noticed that there was a big gap in Atlanta’s event market. Not many event companies were really catering to weekend party planning for bachelorettes and birthday getaways. The large one day event or wedding was most popular. Within two weeks of the initial thought, I had the name, logo, and website ready to go. Read more>>

Aisha Adams

And that same commitment shows up in my work as a consultant, trainer, and coach. I help people and organizations move from awareness to action, bridging the gap between storytelling and real change. The lessons in the book are not just personal—they are the very tools I use to guide transformation in business and community spaces. Read more>>

AJ Mize

My new album, COEXIST, has been years in the making. It was actually completed a while ago, but after losing close family members and navigating my career as an educator, I needed time to heal and regroup. Now, I’m in a place where I can share this project from a space of truth, strength, and alignment. COEXIST is about embracing all the hats I wear and allowing every part of myself—artist, educator, fitness trainer, model, human—to exist in harmony. My hope is that it inspires others to feel empowered to do the same. It’s a genre-blending story rooted in connection, reflection, and self-acceptance. Read more>>

K’AO

I was born with creativity flowing through me, but I didn’t fully realize it until middle school in Ewing, New Jersey. That was where I first picked up the oboe, an instrument that challenged me and taught me discipline, patience, and how to express emotions through sound. Sitting in the band room, learning to breathe correctly, and turning notes into melodies, I discovered how music could be more than just entertainment—it was a language, a story without words. Read more>>

Tiarra Shaw

The inception of my own candle line became the first tangible manifestation of that vision, igniting an unforeseen creative renaissance within me. What commenced as a singular endeavor burgeoned into a cascade of opportunities—cinema, television, editorial collaborations, real estate, and bespoke creations for the home. The entrepreneurial mantle suited me seamlessly, so much so that it not only amplified my gifts but also attracted recognition, encouragement, and advocacy from those who witnessed my evolution. Read more>>

J Paige Hilton

In 2021, I returned to Virginia to pursue a double master’s in Shakespeare and performance at Mary Baldwin. In 2024 I proudly graduated, for the second time, with a master’s of literature and a master’s in fine arts. SInce graduation, I have worked with several universities with their undergraduate theater departments, cultivating young artists in these higher educational spaces, and continued my work as a freelance stage manager across the eastern seaboard. Read more>>

Bob Reddish

I have been doing home repairs and installations for more than 20 years–for myself, neighbors and many others. I have finished basements, laid flooring, painted, repaired drywall and put together a lot of things. I like using my hands and am known to be very meticulous with my work. I believe how I do one thing is how I do everything, so I take pride in doing things well. Read more>>

LaToya Howard

When I was 14, my mom moved my siblings and me to Tulsa, Oklahoma. We moved in with one of her church friends that she met online, but months later we were kicked out of her house. After that, we were bouncing from shelter to shelter. It was a very unstable time for me. I had the option to stay with my dad’s side of the family, but as the oldest, I felt like I needed to be there for my mom and my brothers and sister. I knew she needed me, and I wanted to support her through it all. Read more>>

Christopher Brooker

My story as a musician and audio engineer started at the age of 4 when my grandma first began giving me piano lessons. I eventually started playing guitar at 9 and then bass at 12. I took an electronics class in middle school and then built my own custom guitar effects pedals in highschool. From there I began getting into electronic music production and eventually moved out to Portland, OR for college. I studied music and audio engineering, and began my solo musical explorations after years of being in bands and other projects. Read more>>

Carol J. Dornelles

Over time, our services have expanded. What began with waxing and facials has now evolved into premium waxing, advanced facials, and laser hair removal with state-of-the-art technology. Today, we proudly serve over 500 clients each month, and we’ve been honored with multiple recognitions, including Best of Georgia and Best Customer Service. Read more>>

Jenn Pierce

It’s the natural doubts of just about any artist but it can really take a toll on you. After noticing that I went through this cycle every year I finally decided to trust the process. I now take that slower time to dive deeper into my craft, either taking a class, studying other artists, or learning a new photography related skill. The busy season of fall always comes back and now I feel refreshed and ready to take it on when it does. Read more>>

Catalina Gomez-Beuth

For over 15 years, I’ve been painting, primarily portraits that capture emotions and intimate moments. But my love for art isn’t limited to my own creative pursuits. I’ve also had the joy of sharing my experience and passion with others through teaching art classes to students of all ages, from young people to seniors. Seeing my students grow and develop as artists is one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. Read more>>

Patricia Estrada

I was born in Madrid and grew up around a lot of movement — rhythmic gymnastics, dance, and moving through different places and experiences. I moved by myself to Atlanta as a teenager to study Engineering at Georgia Tech. Now I work in media and decision science. I’ve always been switching between creative and analytical spaces. Read more>>

The Junction Playhouse

Our story began as three friends (Anna Giovingo, Gavin Cleckler, Brittany “Faith” Gilbert) with a shared desire to live creatively fulfilling lives and create meaningful art along the way. With Anna and Gavin’s theater backgrounds and Faith’s experience in film, we produced a free staging of Daddy Long Legs in May 2024. Gavin and Anna acted in the two leading roles, and Faith was stage manager extraordinaire. Our one-night-only performance drew in around 100 people, a number we were pleasantly surprised with. It was truly a passion project, and that made the turnout that more special. Read more>>

Maggie Lamb

Before covid, I was the manager and assistant buyer for the boutique. After leaving Wildflower, I became a Neurofeedback practitioner for 4 years. 3 of those years I was at my own practice. I never fully left Wildflower and the fashion world behind though. I would work there on Fridays when my office was closed. The owner of Wildflower, Genevieve, and I became great friends through the 6 years Wildflower was open. When she was ready to move on to the next chapter of her life she passed the storefront space onto me and Fever Dream was born. Read more>>

Janeen Sizemore

I was born and raised in San Francisco, California, where my story began with resilience and vision. At just 15 years old, I became a teen mom, and by the age of 19, I made the bold decision to relocate to Atlanta, Georgia with my four-year-old son. I carried with me big dreams of success as an R&B artist and the hope of building a prosperous life for us. That leap of faith was fueled by courage, determination, and an unshakable belief that we were destined for more. Read more>>

Josh Davis

In 2009, I accepted a position at First Step Physical Therapy in Fayetteville, GA. First Step specializes in the treatment and recovery of patients with neurologic disorders, including spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, vestibular dysfunction, cerebral palsy, and many other neurological conditions. In 2014, I became a partner and Clinic Director of the Fayetteville office. That same year, my partner and I opened a second clinic in Roswell, GA, also specializing in neurologic physical therapy. Read more>>

Briana Pichardo

At 18, I joined the military myself, and while it was an invaluable experience that gave me discipline and resilience, after three years I realized I had a bigger purpose and a drive to create something more. Over time, I discovered a passion for the creative side of business, especially storytelling and branding. Read more>>

Kelli Wilke

I began my career as a commercial photographer in the mid-1990s after graduating from The Portfolio Center, a well-regarded advertising school in Buckhead. Early on, I was fortunate to apprentice with some of the top photographers in the region, an experience that allowed me to refine my craft and gain invaluable industry insight. Read more>>

Patrick Hill

With women always playing an influential role in my life — especially thinking of my mother and sisters — I was motivated by an older lady I was dating monetize my looks and skills to create opportunities that were meaningful, empowering, and sustainable. At 26, I launched Pluto Enterprises, my own multi-faceted business, which includes mobile detailing, roadside assistance, and auto care. Read more>>

Cash Carter

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, I grew up just outside of Detroit, Michigan. I originally developed my gift in hair and makeup while attending Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. At the same time I also became involved in the Midwest ballroom scene around 1992 and eventually retired as a Chicago Escada Icon in 2008. Eventually after owning and operating several businesses in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Miami, Florida between 2102-2016, I eventually returned to Atlanta, Georgia in 2025. Currently, I’m working to expand my businesses by developing and opening upscale grooming lounges for men. Read more>>

Jabria Lawrence

What started with Dollar Tree table covers in my one-bedroom apartment has grown into a passion and business I never saw coming. About two years ago, I was running a resale business called JabRESALE and needed photos of models wearing my inventory. I decided to turn my living room into a makeshift studio, setting up a backdrop with table covers, adding props, and capturing the look I wanted. Read more>>