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.

Beatriz Santos

I was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, and have always had a passion for visual media. I always knew I would never have a traditional job because I can never sit still and dislike the routine that comes with a 9-5. When I was 12, I found out about editing, specifically those on Instagram and now TikTok. Read more>>

Zandra Hurt

My name is Zandra, I am from Augusta, Ga. I first got into photography in the late 90’s. I started doing portraits, weddings, graduations, proms, etc. When we decided to sell our home, and move to the Atlanta area, our agent, Chris Still, encouraged me to photograph my home for the listing. That experience opened me up to a whole new category of photography. Read more>>

Taylor Cohen

My path to financial liberation and education wasn’t a straight line. It was more like a painstaking series of learning, failing, resetting, and eventually, seeing the light. I’ve been working since the ripe ol’ age of 14 and always considered myself “good with money” (whatever that means). In my early adulthood, I was a solid saver. Read more>>

Jason Rowland

I did not start with a master plan. I started with a sense that people mattered more than systems, titles, or outcomes. That conviction has guided every step since. My early years were shaped by ministry and community work, often in spaces where resources were thin and expectations were high. I learned quickly that leadership is not about being impressive. It is about being present. Read more>>

Mohammad Ibrahim

I started training jiu jitsu about 17 years ago. I opened up my own jiu jitsu school inside of a weightlifting gym in June of 2023. It was amazing to be living my dream of helping people through jiu jitsu. Read more>>

Corryn Goldschmidt

I studied photography and became a visual storyteller early in life, shaped by a childhood rooted in travel, resilience, and a deep connection to land and community. My parents documented bicycle routes across the United States, and from a young age I learned to listen to people’s stories and observe how humans interact with place. Read more>>

Korre Trimble

I graduated from high school back in 2019 and went off to college to study film. Read more>>

Deborah Sheppard

My Road to Entrepreneurship (My Story) I truly believe my life started with purpose—because the Word says in Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee…” And I’ve lived my whole life feeling like I was called before I was chosen, and chosen before I ever arrived. Read more>>

Sarah Maslowski

After graduating from college with a degree in marketing during the height of the recession in small town south Georgia, I was laid off from my first two jobs out of college due to the market. Read more>>

Themba Mafico

As I reflect on my role as a spiritual pilgrimage leader, I am convinced that God called me to this role from childhood. To be a spiritual man, God provided me a mentoring mother, an avid reader and expositor of the Bible, and a prayer warrior. Read more>>

JEFREDA PRE$HA

I’m from Trenton, New Jersey, a city where fashion, art, and nightlife are really starting to collide. It’s one of those places where people take pride in how they look, how they move, and how they express themselves, even when resources are limited. Being surrounded by that energy played a big role in shaping my creativity and my drive. Read more>>

Jenna Smith

I grew up connected to two worlds. While my family is from the metro Atlanta area, my father worked for a company in Saudi Arabia, so that’s where I spent much of my childhood. I returned to Atlanta in the early 2000s to finish high school and later earned my BA in sociology from Georgia State University. Read more>>

Ciara Pierce

My career path has been shaped by a sustained interest in people, systems, and how meaningful change occurs. I began my professional journey studying political science, international studies, and Pan-African studies, which provided a strong foundation in understanding power, culture, and historical context. Pan-African thought, in particular, grounded my work in Atlanta’s social and political landscape and reinforced the importance of community-centered, culturally responsive approaches. Read more>>

Jenaila Bannerman

I have always been drawn to everything beauty. As a little girl, my mom put me in pageants and I fell in love with the process of getting ready. In high school, friends would come to me for hair and makeup, and that naturally continued through colleges During the pandemic, I spent more time behind the camera experimenting with makeup and developing my artistry. Read more>>

Teresa Martinez

Buen Provecho had been something I daydreamed about for two years, before finally going for it. I was the district manager for two local coffee shops, and had been with the company for nearly seven years. My life was in a routine. Most days began at 4:30am and I had a pretty good idea of what a day’s work would consist of. Read more>>

Tameria Campbell

I entered the business world in 2019 following a life-altering experience. Just four days before Christmas in 2018, my home was broken into. My children’s Christmas gifts were unwrapped and stolen, their piggy banks emptied, and personal items—jewelry and belongings I had worked hard for—were taken. Read more>>

Helen Rogers

I’ve been making art in some form all my life. I was told when I was young that I had natural talent, and was urged by well-meaning teachers to pursue art as a career. But, I just didn’t feel that I could support myself as an artist. So naturally, I did the next best thing, and became a scientist. Read more>>

Rafael Jaime

In the summer of 1979, my brother and I came to US, and I began working to achieve the American dream. My restaurant career began in Chamblee, GA when I started as a dishwater at the popular Mexican Restaurant, El Toro. I loved the customer service experience, and was a go-getter, working in every job possible. Read more>>

Christopher Boykin

I started Foresight Home Inspections LLC with a simple but deeply important goal: to help people make confident, informed decisions about one of the biggest investments of their lives—their home. Before starting my business, I saw firsthand how overwhelming the homebuying process can be, especially when buyers don’t fully understand the condition of a property or the implications of what’s in an inspection report.  Read more>>

Megan Harwell

I grew up in the spa industry, with a mother who was a massage therapist of 20 years. I spent lots of time in and around spa’s growing up and always wanted to be a makeup artist. I started esthetics school with the plan to focus on makeup, however once I opened the textbook I fell in love with the science aspect of skincare. Read more>>

Tom Kim

We are a mental health organization that provides counseling, consultation, and educational services to the community. We were burdened by the mental health needs of community members in the metro Atlanta area suffering in silence and recognized the need to find an innovative approach. We realized that we needed to find a more creative and culturally responsive way to healing. Read more>>

Greg Garza

Soccer shaped who I am—far beyond just the game itself. As a former professional soccer player, I learned that success isn’t just physical. The most important lessons came from the mental side of the game: confidence under pressure, resilience through failure, leadership in tough moments, and belief in yourself when it matters most. Those lessons didn’t end when my playing career did. Read more>>

Jennifer McClellan

I’ve always had a strong desire to help others, though early in my career, I wasn’t sure exactly how I wanted to do that. As a young person, I loved volunteering and engaging in my community—it was always a source of fulfillment and purpose. Read more>>

Cathy Green

The Acworth Arts Alliance’s ‘Art House’ opened in December 2017. Our non-profit was established in 2017. We are located in a historic home in Acworth owned by the city of Acworth. Sharing art with the community, through art education and art exhibits, is our main mission. Read more>>

Jesus Fernandez

Bearly Awake started from a simple dream from an immigrant. Jesus one the owners, does not have the freedom to pick his pathway in life. Controlled by the few options immigrants are given in his position. It was either create something for yourself, or be stuck working for someone else. Read more>>

Celestine Chukumba Ph.D.

InterSearchMedia began before I ever started an agency. While I was a professor at Penn State, I launched a website that quickly gained traction and built a real audience. At the same time, I started a music consulting service, promoting events, building demand, and learning firsthand how people discover, engage, and respond to brands. Read more>>

Abisola Olorunnishola

Abikeiyaileke was born out of necessity during a difficult period for our family. At a time when we were facing bankruptcy, my mother came home one afternoon with an idea that would change our lives. After watching a woman at the market making beads and wirework, she said, “Handwork never deceives.” That belief became the foundation of our journey. Read more>>

Lakishia PATTON

My journey into the Paternity DNA and Mediation space almost 2years ago actually began with a simple observation of hearing and seeing those I knew and don’t know try to navigate getting Paternity DNA tested and what to do once results are given: I suddenly realized a DNA result is rarely just a piece of paper; it’s a life-altering event. Read more>>

Kortni Sheffield

My professional journey in workforce development began with a desire to help people not just find jobs, but build sustainable careers. Early on, I realized that many individuals needed guidance on how to prepare, interview, and navigate the workforce, which inspired me to open my first organization, First Step Staffing, in Fairfield, Alabama. Read more>>

Brandon Bykowski

The journey that brought me to where I am today was a long journey of sweat, blood, and pain. A journey to calm the mind and get back in touch with myself. After finishing high school I didn’t really know what I wanted out of life. I tried the college path, but it wasn’t for me, as it was to expensive. Read more>>

Leonel Esquivel

United Seal Coating and Striping was built on a vision that began more than twenty years ago. Our father, Leonel Esquivel Sr, started his journey in the industry as a warehouse foreman, where he learned the business from the ground up. Through years of hands-on experience, he gained a deep understanding of seal coating, striping, and what it truly takes to deliver quality work. Read more>>

Tejal Shinde

I’ve always been a storyteller at heart, and creative direction became my language for telling those stories. I began my journey in advertising, earning both my undergraduate and master’s degrees in the field, where I developed a strong foundation in concept, strategy, and visual communication. Read more>>

Carolynn Bae

I’m a mum of three, and if you told me a few years ago I’d be leading Secret Sunrise Singapore, I would’ve laughed because I was just trying to survive life with little kids. Read more>>

Rylie Powell

UnCommon Fashion is a wholesale apparel showroom and marketing agency founded in 2008 by Blake and Alexis Rayon. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with representation in New York and Miami, and a dedicated road team traveling throughout the East Coast. We connect retailers with a curated portfolio of contemporary women’s fashion brands. Read more>>

Charlene Garth

This opportunity is a pleasure. Thank you for allowing me to share my success story with the world. I’m what most people refer to as a military brat, my father served this amazing country. My mom and I traveled a lot throughout my childhood. I’m thankful for the trips, and exposure to different cultures growing up. Read more>>

Quenton Colby

I’ve always been an artist but specifically since second grade winning second place in a drawing contest. After that I was selling karate pictures in seventh grade for 50cents. Read more>>

Lauren Halperin

I was born in Boston, and grew up mostly in Ft. Lauderdale. I always knew I wanted to be an actor… always. I remember watching movies as a kid with actors like Robin Williams and Eddie Murphy, and seeing how much joy they brought into our house. I remember thinking, ‘That’s it… I want to do work that makes people feel joy like THAT. Read more>>

Iesha Wyatt

My journey as a hair salon owner humbly began in my childhood dreams. As a young child, I would watch my mother braid, twist, and press hair right in our living room. She was always friendly and something about hairstyling made me feel warm inside. Growing up I eventually began to practice and perfect my technique using my mother, sister, and friends as willing models. Read more>>

Keisha Strozier

Hey! I’m Keisha, the owner and wax specialist behind K Xsthetics Wax and Beauty-your go-to-girl for smooth skin and good vibes. I started my beauty journey as a makeup artist, but after one waxing experience changed everything, I knew I had found my lane. After my daughter graduated and stepped into her next chapter, I decided it was time for me to do the same. Read more>>

Jerry Simmons

Unfolded begins with a simple image: a crumpled piece of paper. Over time, we are all pressed down by our ideas, perceptions, and beliefs about who we should be in our field of interest. We learn how to fold ourselves in ways that help us fit. Read more>>

Damishia Evette

My journey began in the kitchen at a very young age, guided by the love and patience of my mother, my great aunt and both my maternal and paternal grandmothers. They welcomed me into their kitchens early on, teaching me not just how to cook, but how food can bring people together. Read more>>https://voyageatl.com/interview/meet-damishia-evette-of-decatur

Jonnielle Edmond

My journey started with a simple truth: I’ve always had a heart for children. Long before I became “Mrs. J the Daycare Lady,” I was the person families trusted to nurture, guide, and love their little ones. After years of working in childcare, I stepped out on faith and opened Kiddie City Daycare from my home. Read more>>

Lisa Rae Bowman

I’m a kid from the desert which you’d never guess from the scorpion and cow skull tattoos I now sport. Growing up out west taught me two things I realized a little over a year ago that I’d kept with me: there are endless opportunities in life, and you’ve got to survive to get there. Read more>>

Rick Sanford

The Instruments 4 Kids Charity mission is to provide musical instruments and lessons to underprivileged/underserved children living in shelters around metro Atlanta for free. It was founded by Rick Sanford and the talent team at A Blast Bands And DJs®/The Blast Band® as a way of giving back to the community it has so gratefully served for over 25 years. Read more>>

Miguel Caraballo

My wife Anna and I met in college almost 30 years ago. Early on we wanted to work together but life took us on different paths and we put our dream on the back-burner. When COVID hit, like many others, we found ourselves at a fork in the road. Do we keep working for others or do we bet on ourselves? Read more>>

Abby Kelly

I earned my master’s degree from Mississippi State in Agricultural Economics and started my career in accounting in Athens. During COVID, working from home was a great fit—but once we were required to return to the office full-time, I realized pretty quickly that I wasn’t meant to be behind a computer all day in a closed office. I missed people, creativity, and movement. Read more>>

Killian Knight

I started writing music as a joke. I went to a musical comedy set back in 2018 at the old Bakery, and thought that I was funny enough to write like that. (I’m not.) So that was the spark. I started writing music with my then-boyfriend and eventually started writing for myself. I wrote LINEN (the album) in 2020 in about 2 weeks. Read more>>

Dr. Cortesha Cowan

My story is rooted in purpose, perseverance, and lived experience. I didn’t start out with a grand plan to become a nonprofit founder or business coach. I started as a mother navigating systems that were difficult, fragmented, and often unkind to the very families they were meant to serve. Read more>>

Makensie Horton

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved content creation. From talking to my imaginary YouTube subscribers in my mirror while getting ready for school, to filming “day in the life” videos that only I ever watched. Storytelling and creating were always a big part of my life. Read more>>

Frank Cruz

I come from a large and close family. We would regularly have back yard barbecue’s, and I found myself always being the one t0 run the grill. I spent years experimenting with different seasonings and coming up with my own flavors. We are Puerto Rican, and both of my grandmothers were excellent cooks. Read more>>

Dr. Arlene Williams

My journey has never been about just one role or title—it’s been about service, problem-solving, and people. I started with a strong interest in leadership and community work, which led me to create Connecting Generations-STFCC in 2007. The goal was simple but meaningful: bridge the gap between generations by creating spaces where youth and seniors could learn from, support, and uplift one another. Read more>>

Misfit Minds Therapy

Misfit Minds Therapy didn’t begin as a business idea; it began as a reckoning. Our experiences inside and outside the mental health system made it clear that safety, integrity, and accountability aren’t guaranteed, they must be intentionally built. Before launching Misfit Minds, we worked within a group practice that looked stable from the outside but was deeply unhealthy behind the scenes. Read more>>

Nylah Jewel

My journey into content creation began in 2017 while I was in college studying business management. I started by posting on YouTube and Instagram as a creative outlet, sharing beauty, lifestyle, and everyday moments while learning the fundamentals of business at the same time. Read more>>https://voyageatl.com/interview/life-work-with-nylah-jewel-of-atlanta

George Janeira

My love for technology, mostly personal and family technology, has always been an escape and a passion. With the technology sector growing so rapidly year after year, there is always something new to ‘feed’ my curiosity and passion for tech. So, I learn, experience, and teach technology to those whose skills and knowledge exist on different planes. Read more>>

Tameeka Pigford

As an NYC public school teacher working in a Title I school, I learned early on that institutions often use specific colors to influence behavior and mood—such as in hospitals, prisons, and schools. While teaching 11th grade, I noticed my students were struggling with focus and behavior, so I began researching how color affects emotions, learning, and healing. Read more>>

Ryan Perry

I started my career in the electrical field back in 1995 as a helper, learning the trade from the ground up. Over the years, I worked my way through residential, commercial, industrial, automation, and telecommunications projects, gaining hands-on experience in just about every environment you can imagine. Read more>>

william Hunter

This business started simply by helping friends who needed support, guidance, and someone they could trust. What began as small favors quickly turned into a realization that this was something I wanted to build for real. Owning my own business became more than a goal — it became a personal mission, and I’m fully committed to growing it, no matter how long it takes. Read more>>

Rachael johnathan

Photography started as a creative outlet for me long before it became a business. What began as casually documenting friends and everyday moments quickly turned into something deeper when I realized how powerful photographs can be not just as images but as emotional time capsules. Read more>>

Linea

Vegan desserts and an instagram page is how it all began! My friend from childhood kept insisting that the vegan food I made was beautiful and deserved to be photographed well. So he taught me how to photograph desserts! Pretty soon, I was doing portraits and events. Read more>>

Amber Brannen

I started my journey back in college. I asked for a camera for my 21st birthday, just intending for it to be a hobby. I started by taking headshots and couple portraits for my sorority sisters, and quickly fell in love with the idea of making it a business. Read more>>

Nicole tholmer

I often say I’m like the Harriet Tubman of emotional healing—because I don’t just sit with people in their pain. I help them find the way out. I help people move from emotional bondage to emotional freedom. From self-abandonment to self-trust. From surviving to finally living. Read more>>

Tammy McCall

In 2020, during a time when the world was experiencing significant change, I received my license as a professional counselor. During this time of uncertainty, God placed a clear vision on my heart to establish a counseling practice that would serve individuals in a meaningful, purposeful way. While continuing my role as a School Counselor, I began taking intentional steps in pursuit of that vision. Read more>>

Quinise Arnold

I’m a creative by nature and a builder by choice. My journey began with dance and self-expression and eventually led me to nails—where art, precision, and confidence meet. After years in the beauty industry, I realized I wanted to create something different: a space that honored both the client experience and the artist behind the work. That vision became Conceit Nail & Beauty Studios. Read more>>

Sophia Sarris

As a native of Atlanta, I have cared for children and families since 1991. First, as a Pediatric RN and as a Lactation Consultant since 2013. I started my private practice in 2018 to help women who want to breastfeed their baby. Helping mothers reach their goals for breastfeeding is what I enjoy most. Read more>>

Esther Mitial

My path into home care began at the bedside, where I witnessed how deeply families depend on trust, compassion, and dignity during life’s most vulnerable moments. As a nurse, I learned that meaningful care goes far beyond clinical tasks, it’s about presence, respect, and truly seeing the person behind the patient. Earning my Bachelor’s degree solidified my commitment to lead with both knowledge and heart. Read more>>

Tamara White

I spent 28 years in public education, most of them as a school counselor, helping students and families navigate some of the most important seasons of their lives. I hold an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, and while education was deeply meaningful work, I always carried a creative passion alongside it. Designing homes has been a lifelong love of mine. Read more>>

Zuzana McDaniel

I am originally from Bratislava, Slovakia and have lived in the United States since 2005. After relocating from the Outer Banks of North Carolina, I now call Atlanta, Georgia home. I studied Regional Development in Slovakia and spent time traveling before settling in the OBX, where I met my husband and started a family. Read more>>

Christy Walker

I have an MBA and found myself without employment for a short stent. During that time, my friend had lost a lot of weight and needed help with a closet cleanout sale. She asked me to assist, and I agreed if she would allow me to do it on live video. Read more>>

Chelsey Wilkes

Bloom was born out of the dreams of two sisters who knew something different was needed in the hair industry. My sister, Jana Tillman (20 years in the industry and American Board Certified Colorist), and myself (19 years in the industry and Haircut Specialist) both had some major life changes in 2010. She lived in Rome, GA and I was living in Woodstock, GA. Read more>>

Hoa Nguyen

City Nails 3 is our newest location, but City Nails actually started over ten years ago in Cartersville as a very small, family-run salon. In the beginning, it was just family showing up every day, often wondering when the next client would walk in. Through consistency, hard work, and focusing on quality service, we slowly built an incredibly loyal client base. Read more>>

Brittany Pope

Vintage Vineyard celebrated 5 years of business this past November. We are located on the Jackson Square in Jackson, Ga which happens to be one of the main filming locations for Stranger Things. Read more>>

Rashatta Daugett

My journey didn’t begin with a perfectly mapped-out plan or unlimited resources; it began with a calling and a willingness to say “yes,” even when I didn’t have all the answers. I started in ministry at a very young age, serving alongside my husband for over two decades as a pastor’s wife, leader, and helper to our community. Read more>>

Karron English

About me: I am an accomplished fashion designer and educator with a rich background spanning over 20 years in the fashion design industry, mostly in the New York City. Holding an Associate’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), a BFA from the American InterContinental University (AIU), and an MFA from the Academy of Art University, I bring extensive expertise to every endeavor. Read more>>

MAGIC MALLY

With my father being a musician I was basically born into music. He taught me key music factors at a young age, such as counting music, playing the keyboard & playing the drums. Playing drums became a hobby for me until coming across a mixtape by a friend “Dj Sha too fly”. Read more>>