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.

Johnita Collins

My experiences in that environment significantly impacted my view of the Church. I not only saw the church members in the church, but outside of it—where they drank, smoked, cussed, partied, and did everything else. They were one way in the church and another outside of it. They were on the usher boards, serving as deacons, and holding other positions. As a young believer, seeing this up close and personal helped me come into the understanding and realization that people may have been in the church, but they were not IN Jesus Christ. Read more>>

Shay Reneé

On the personal side, I’ve walked through betrayal, loss, and health struggles. Most recently, I’ve had to step into an even greater level of responsibility as a single mother of two young children under 10, one of whom was recently diagnosed with autism. That reality requires a different set of skills: balancing advocacy, care, and strength every single day. But it has also fueled my passion for creating systems and communities that don’t just talk about equity but truly live it, where families like mine are supported and seen. Read more>>

Kenniese Franklin

Within 5 years of leaving home, I’d lived in 5 different apartments, each one decorated to reflect my growth. Since I was a kid, I intuitively knew curating your home space to complement your lifestyle was immensely important. Through my college years I cultivated my own design philosophy that grew into a design studio and decor shop named Spatial Therapy. Between my visual art practice and my design studio, I have robust offerings that feed me, my family and my community in a multitude of ways. Read more>>

Shanaevia (shay) Taylor

You know there can be some subjects you choose to study a little extra just to make sure you are obtaining and actually learning the material. But , I noticed the material that was being taught was just sticking without having to study as much . I felt true excitement every time I would go into that class room lol. I know it may seem extra lol but it was – what it was! So I knew then that when I graduated highschool I had to find a way to incorporate business and creativity together! Which was very reassuring to my dreams as a kid . Read more>>

Allison Gomes

Over the next year, I took many classes and workshops and earned certifications from KCCA (Korea Candle Craft Association) and CLAB (Craft & Design Lab), both based in South Korea. Because we were both busy individuals, my mother and I decided to start with hosting workshops of our own instead of focusing on retail production. After moving to the metro Atlanta area, the very same workshops helped us to connect with this big, bustling city, slowly helping us to acclimatize and make this our new home. Read more>>

marge nellis

I lost my job due to elimination, and at 59 I found myself at a crossroads. Instead of letting that moment define me, I decided to create something new—my YouTube channel, Imagine Over 50. The channel is all about reconnecting with your inner child, because that’s where we find peace, joy, hope, and the ability to rebuild our self-esteem. Read more>>

Monty Garside

Confectionist Bakery’s origin story begins with my paternal grandmother (Ruth Burns Garside). She cooked and baked for every family holiday and special occasion. She was known throughout our family, church, and community for her skills in the kitchen. She was a hood legend! Food was her love language and she was FLUENT in it! Read more>>

Isabel Flores

I’ve always had a passion for helping people—it’s the thread that’s woven through every chapter of my journey. When I was laid off from a previous job, I used my severance pay—along with a little help from my godmother—to enroll in a certified nurse assistant (CNA) program. Looking back, that decision was the beginning of an entirely new world for me. Read more>>

Caleb Holland

I quit college and began Iron Wolf Academy in July 2014 with 25 students and are now at 170. We offer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and TangSooDo as martial arts options for students to participate in. We are a faith based program with the intent to positively impact every person who comes through our doors. Read more>>

Andjoua Williams

Hey! My name is Andjoua. Pronounced (On-Ja-Wa). One of my greatest achievements has been stepping out on faith and starting this business! I’ve always had a passion for decorating, an eye for beauty, and a heart committed to providing excellent service. For over eight years, I’ve worked in the mental health field, walking alongside people in some of their most intimate and challenging moments. Read more>>

Yusuf Muhammad

Yusuf Muhammad has overcome many early life challenges that strengthened his faith and kept him close to Allah (God). He is the middle child of three siblings, with an older brother and a younger sister. Read more>>

Elizabeth Uhles

I’ve been a therapist in private practice for years, and I kept seeing the same pattern: patients leave a doctor’s appointment with a new diagnosis or treatment plan, but without the tools to manage the mental health side of it. Anxiety, depression, even PTSD often go untreated, and the lifestyle changes feel overwhelming without real support. Read more>>

MARGARET SMITH

24 years ago I saw the most beautiful Victorian house with 16 acres on Lake Allatoona. It also had an amazing Civil War history. i fell in love with the home . My husband brought me back down to Earth with the realities of purchasing such a property. Read more>>

Molly Kramer

My journey to becoming a child psychologist feels almost inevitable in hindsight. As the oldest daughter in a blended family of six siblings, I was surrounded by children from the very beginning. My formative years were spent babysitting, camp counseling, nannying, and tutoring—experiences that immersed me in the diverse worlds of children and families and established the foundation for my career. Read more>>

Dr. Alyssa Jones

I was Raised in Beaufort, S.C., where I watched my grandmother mix plants and herbs in her kitchen to heal skin, hair, and body aliments for her neighbors and family. Read more>>

Dr. Catherine Pinkard

I am one of five children. I am a graduate of Syracuse University. I was blessed to travel abroad to France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, London, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia, Mexico, Jamaica, Bahamas, etc. I obtained my Bachelor’s in International Relations. Then I went on to obtain a Master’s in Elementary Education and a PhD in Clinical and Christian counseling. I taught for 10 years. Read more>>

Beau Elkins

I moved to Atlanta at 22, shortly after earning an audio engineering degree from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. For several years, I interned at recording studios, gaining experience but not a paycheck. To make ends meet, I started working in restaurants, and over time I realized I preferred the pace and the people to long nights in a studio. Read more>>

Mr & Mrs Andre Thomas

Andre and I first stepped into the insurance world in November 2013, right at the rollout of the Affordable Care Act. We began working as customer service representatives with Connect for Health Colorado, part of the state’s Health Insurance Exchange. Those early years gave us hands-on experience helping individuals and families navigate new healthcare options, and it sparked our passion for serving people through insurance. Read more>>

Kristal Elise Givehand

At the heart of Atlanta’s legal document services and business compliance industry is Kristal Elise Givehand, a Southern California native who has built her career on people management and a passion for empowering entrepreneurs. Kristal’s journey started in Los Angeles, where she earned her B.S. in Business Management from California State University, Los Angeles. Read more>>

Young Gank

I first started out as a rapper, but when I stepped away from that I still wanted to stay connected to the hip hop community. Around 2015 I met Young Thug’s photographer Don Veedoe, though at the time I did not realize he worked with Thug. Read more>>

Billie Liao

I sure can! I always remember being an artist. There was a short while when my parents let me cover our apartment living room’s walls with drawings on loose leaf paper. Growing up, as a Chinese American there was an expectation that I would study math and science, but I was allowed room to pursue art as well. Read more>>

Jacob Hunter

I grew up in Atlanta, then moved to Washington, DC to open and run restaurants—that’s where I met my wife and we had our first child. I launched a food truck business and eventually sold it, then we relocated to Charleston, SC, where I met my current business partner and our second son was born. Read more>>https://voyageatl.com/interview/conversations-with-jacob-hunter

Marcus Jones

I am a graduate from the University of Central Florida, and although I did not pursue a degree in zoology or marine biology, I’ve always have a love for animals and wildlife conservation. When I was a child, my teacher wanted us to create a brochure of our dream job. Mine was about the aquarium. Ironically, I have worked at two aquariums since. Read more>>

Kadeem Hill

I have always been entertaining since the age six years old. I would always compete in talent shows impersonating my favorite artist; Michael Jackson. I have won many talent shows wiht dancing and entertaining. I slowly grew into recording music. I had a passion for writting poetry and that transcended into writting songs. Each step open more doors for me. Read more>>

Elina Otero

I’m of Puerto Rican and West Indian heritage, raised between Puerto Rico, Orlando, and Atlanta, where I’ve spent most of my adult life. Growing up, I was introverted and struggled with self-image, later facing childhood trauma, an abusive marriage, chronic health challenges, and only recently learning of my ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. Read more>>

Myss Shan

I started out simply as a writer who loved telling stories. Writing gave me a voice when I didn’t always feel heard, and it eventually grew into a career where I published over 30 books and built a loyal audience. Read more>>

Luay Sami

TMy journey with the Clarkston Community Center began back in 2011. At the time, I volunteered whenever I could, helping out with programs and events because I felt a strong connection to the community. Over the years, that volunteer work grew into something more — a real calling. I became deeply involved in creating programs that reflected the needs and voices of Clarkston’s residents. Read more>>

S. Orinthia Duncan

I’m S. Orinthia Duncan; Mother, Wife, Daughter, Sister, and Boss Lady, born to hardworking Caribbean parents who raised me with a strong foundation in faith, family, and entrepreneurship. From an early age, I watched my parents turn ideas into income with limited resources but limitless vision. That planted a seed in me that would eventually blossom into a deep passion for systems, strategy, and service. Read more>>

Kelley Hanada

It is hard to say where my journey as a naturalist began, probably being able to play in the woods when I was growing up. How I got to where I am today was by always being curious about the world around me and finding ways to participate. I am the nursery manager for Georgia Native Plant Society’s Stone Mountain Propagation Project. Read more>>

Tiffany Ellis

I didn’t set out to build “just another party place.” I set out to build a place where screen time meets real-time connection. Before Controller Game Lounge, I spent years in banking—lending, cash management, the whole alphabet soup of accounts and approvals. Read more>>

Leah Grace Craig

I am a figurative painter born in Highlands, NC, nestled in the Appalachian mountains, and now based in Atlanta, Georgia. My path to becoming an artist has been anything but straightforward. After beginning in set design for theater and television, I faced the closure of two different programs at two universities. Those setbacks ultimately pushed me toward my true passion, painting. Read more>>

Kenyata Bird

My journey has never been a straight line it’s been about resilience, curiosity, and the courage to step into new opportunities even when the path ahead wasn’t clear. I began as a business owner in the credit and notary space. At first, it was about building stability and carving out a career I could call my own. But what I discovered was so much bigger. Read more>>

Stephanie Winter

My path to wellness began in 2012 when I first discovered yoga. That practice quickly opened the door to a new passion: sound healing. Read more>>

Janae Clark

I’m Janae’ Clark, founder of La de Fleur, and floral design has been a part of my heart long before it became my profession. While pursuing my master’s degree in Mental and Clinical Health, I discovered how much peace and joy flowers brought me and how much I wanted to share that feeling with others. Read more>>

Kelly Hillis

I always loved the beauty of nature and how it speaks to me through flowers and the art of floral arranging. However, this was not the career I chose initially. I spent most of my life working as a Certified Public Accountant, and quite frankly, I hated it. Read more>>

Nate Wilder

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to fixing things. As a kid, I was the one taking apart toys just to see how they worked and putting them back together—usually better than before. That curiosity grew into a genuine love for making things function the way they should. Read more>>

Richauna Kidd

I moved to Atlanta from Franklin, Tennessee in 2017 to start my career in accounting. After grad school, I was ready for a new scenery and new experiences. I knew Atlanta was where I needed to be because of the wealth of opportunity as well as the plethora of examples of black success. Read more>>

Erin Price

Screen Early. Live Fully. screensaver.LIFE was born from a simple but urgent question: Why are 85% of eligible Americans still not getting life-saving cancer screenings? After decades in healthcare and MedTech, our founder, Erin Price, saw a glaring gap that most innovation focused on managing patients after diagnosis, not preventing cancer in the first place. The system is reactive when it needs to be proactive. Read more>>

Xuyu Cai

When I was a child, I was always drawn to puzzle books filled with shapes, numbers, and patterns—I loved analyzing the clues and figuring out the answers. That habit shaped how I face challenges: I prefer to confront problems directly and explore different ways to solve them. This mindset naturally led me to study mathematics in college, where I honed my logical and analytical skills. Read more>>

Cara Ginnel

I started off in 2019 as a postpartum doula to support a young mother I knew personally. She had asked me for help with her pregnancy and we knew that there could be a great impact on her mental health postpartum. Read more>>

Eric Jepson

Absolutely, first of all, thank you all for having me. I’ve been a huge fan of VoyageATL for a while, so it’s great to be able to connect. Where I currently am today is that I really feel like I’ve been able to gain momentum in my acting career over the last few years. Read more>>

Anna Stoller

My name is Anna Baker Stoller. My maiden name, Baker, is the inspiration behind Beads by Baker. I’m a mom of two and a school nurse, and I started beading in August 2024 as a creative outlet during a time of immense sadness after the loss of my father, Tom Baker. He had a strong entrepreneurial spirit and was deeply committed to his many endeavors. Read more>>

Shawna Verhine

I grew up in a Family Owned Business called Ray’s Wholesale Meats. I was also fortunate to grow up in your typical American Christian Household, by the most wonderful parents God could’ve ever blessed me with, Johnny and Cathy Kown. My Daddy was and always will be my hero. My Parents started teaching me about every aspect of our family owned business. Read more>>

Kayla Borders

I started my career in the corporate world, where I gained a strong foundation in marketing, business strategy, and client management. While I valued the experience, I often felt constrained by the structure and wanted more freedom to bring creativity and heart to my work. Read more>>

Landy

For those that don’t know me, I go online by OkayLandy and by the time you finish reading this you will be like okay, Landy. I am a 25-year-old content creator and I have had the privilege to build my own community through social media. I create content about cosplay, gaming, travel and comedy skits of whatever I think is funny at the time. Read more>>

Cre Watts

First, thank you for giving me the space to share my story. I love the fact that you all shine a light on hidden gems, it’s dope, much gratitude! My journey began with a love for the beauty industry and a desire to create a life I truly enjoyed. Read more>>

Marlen Squires

I’m Marlen Squires, a clairvoyant, spiritual healer and holistic therapist who combines intuition with tools like biodecoding, Gestalt therapy, energy work, therapeutic tarot and spiritual tools. My path as a healer wasn’t a rational choice — it was a soul calling. Read more>>

Big Spyderr

At just 17 years old, I had the incredible opportunity to do makeup for Blue from Bad Girls Club (Jonica) for her interview with Kandi. She was my VERY first client. I posted the photos on Instagram, and only a few days later, life took an unexpected turn. Read more>>

Santiago Simms

I grew up in a normal healthy family environment. My dad is a doctor and my mother is a teacher so we always have really valued education as a household. When I was 12 years old I attended the Fay School in Southborough, MA which is a private boarding school and I think a lot of my character development started there. Read more>>

Erin Waxenbaum and Alyson Jarvis

In 2023, we had an idea that was simple but close to our hearts: Create journals and planners that are fun, easy to use, and meaningful for busy people who just want to slow down, prep and reflect, and make memories that last. It all started when we went looking for a daily journal for our kids. Read more>>

Kim DeRamus Lareau

Growing up with two parents in the medical field, I found myself drawn to helping professions and wanting to learn more about the human body and helping people. As a middle school/high school athlete, I thought that passion would lead me towards a career in exercise and sports science. Honestly, mental health wasn’t on my radar as a job profession when I started college. Read more>>

Sarah Cyrus

I moved to Atlanta in my early 20’s for a corporate job in media sales. I rented a studio apartment in Buckhead so small none of my furniture would fit. Everyone was buying and selling on Craigslist back then so I listed my furniture online, sold it and had my ah-ha moment. Read more>>

Jessica Reed

When I envisioned Bella Amour Skin, I wanted it to have a spa-like sense of luxury, serenity, and love. Inspired by my travels to Paris, France every detail from the beautiful ambiance to the indulgent luxury skin treatments was designed to be an escape where clients feel cared for, radiant, and renewed. Read more>>

Lauren Etzler-Johnston

I first started in the wedding industry in college. I needed an internship for business school and loved the idea of being involved in peoples favorite day. I worked along side multiple planners, coordinators, and a florist. I absolutely fell in love with the creative outlet of designing wedding florals and the look on brides faces when their bouquet was presented to them. Read more>>

Michael Dorio

My path into marketing actually started quite unexpectedly. I was working as a house manager for an affluent family in Buckhead. It was time for a change and to embark on a new growth opportunity in a different line of work. An old friend, Matt Rogers, had started and expanded SolutionBuilt in Marietta. Read more>>

Jacoby Ponder

Absolutely! I started my culinary journey over two decades ago, driven by a passion for food, hospitality, and the art of creating memorable experiences. Early on, I gained experience in both military and corporate food service, which gave me a strong foundation in operational efficiency, team leadership, and high-volume kitchen management. Read more>>

Robin Nathaniel

I started my career as a musician. While my classmates were submitting college applications, I was sending my demo tape to record labels. I had some mild success as a musician, including being featured on MTV and BET. I also lived in Paris for two years, promoting an international hip hop competition called ‘End of the Weak’. Read more>>

Kierstin Dickerson

Hi, I’m Kierstin Dickerson, but most people call me Kiki. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset, and right now, I’m running three businesses alongside my husband, Marty — two apparel brands and our podcast, Dickerson Table for Two: Wine Down Wednesday. We’re newlyweds, and we’re navigating the exciting journey of blending our families together. Read more>>

Archna Patel

Never in my life did I think I would choose a path in fashion. My background is actually in public health, and I recently started a doctorate program. The idea of Asmi began after I had my son and returned to work in 2016. Read more>>

Josh Lloyd

Our story really begins back in 2018, when Joe and I met working out at a local gym. What started as casual conversations about business and life quickly turned into deeper discussions about opportunities in real estate and finance. Joe brought decades of real estate experience — sourcing, structuring, and managing projects across different market cycles. Read more>>

Matt King

I grew up on military bases, so I was an army brat. Growing up mostly in bavaria region of Germany. I graduated high school in south Georgia. Where I found a great tech school for photography. I earned a commercial photography diploma from north george tech in 1996. My photography career truly started 1993 doing weddings and portraits. as my career progressed over the years. Read more>>

Carol Kelly

The truth is I had a dream to open a dog business. At this time there were no dog businesses that specialized in boarding or doggy day care. So, I looked into it and discovered there were no other dog business in McDonough or Henry County. So, I purchased one acre of land from the veterinarian next door. Read more>>

Joshua Bivens

Growing up yard work was either a chore or a punishment. My Dad would consistently ask me if I wanted to make some money doing yard work & I would always reply with ‘No thank you’. Every time he would return in no later than 10 minutes and make me do it for free. Every time. Read more>>

Melissa Graham

As a child, I always wanted to work in healthcare. I attended Georgia Southern University with the intention of excelling in their nursing school and seeing where that would lead me next. During my sophomore year, plans changed. Feeling truly stuck as I was reliant on the Hope Scholarship and other merits that I had earned, I was in a panic. Read more>>

Tabitha Trimm-Hooson

Growing up in rural Georgia, I always had pets. Dogs that we rescued or cats that claimed us, my love for animals has always been a driving force in my life. Back in 2009, my husband (then boyfriend) started work at this little doggie daycare buried at the intersection of Midtown, Westside, and Buckhead. Read more>>

Nicole Favors

Pretty Neat Boutique began in the pandemic during the covid shutdowns. With the world on pause, my husband and I turned uncertainty into opportunity. What started as late night conversations and small steps quickly became a vision: creating a boutique for women who juggle work, family, and everything in between,but still want to look and feel amazing. Read more>>

Emma Storch

Mike Stasny was moving out of his former studio about 4 years ago – it was recently post-covid. Although his plan was to retire from ‘BIG’ art, he was asked be the creative director at Underground Atlanta, and to move his studio to this location. Read more>>

Markgetta Jackson Langford

Our Background Langford Travel, LLC, is a boutique, Veteran-owned travel agency dedicated to crafting unforgettable travel experiences tailored to your unique needs. Founded in 2008, our agency has proudly served individuals, groups, corporate teams, faith-based organizations, and affinity groups with unparalleled expertise and personal care. Read more>>

Paul Oberman

Oberman Tutoring was founded in 2023 based on Dr. Oberman’s 34 years of educational experience. We believe that all students can learn, and having a caring, knowledgable adult working with you can make all the difference. We encourage active student learning and love when students are curious enough to ask their own meaningful questions. Read more>>

Kaitlyn Henderson

When I got married in 2020, I knew my two beloved fur babies, Waylon and Bluebell, had to be part of my dream day. I envisioned them trotting down the aisle in bow ties and flower crowns, posing for pictures, and sharing in the joy of my special day. But making that dream a reality was not a simple task! Read more>>

David Bies

I’m From Barnesville, GA…a small town an hour south. Grew up in Atlanta since driving away from Barnesville…but true to my roots & wouldn’t change a thing. Started in Kitchens as a young teen. Started taking it seriously in my early 20’s. Professional cooking career began in Charleston, SC, then back to Atlanta, Then Asia, Europe, Central America. Then back to ATL to open Ticonderoga Club. This October we celebrate 10 years in business. We’ve been recognized quite a bit over the years, we’re proud of what we do at The Club. Read more>>

Angela (Angie) Fair

My story really started in the kitchen. My husband and I often hosted holidays, our anniversary parties, and New Year’s Eve gatherings at our home — celebrations that were mostly centered on food, with just a touch of décor. Along the way, I found myself drawn to floral arrangements, sometimes selling them or gifting them for weddings. Read more>>