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.

Tierra Freeman

The road was not smooth at all. Funding is probably the biggest blocker as to why most people do not start a business, let alone follow their dreams of having a business. Although my business is small and I’m gaining traction obviously I don’t expect to be a millionaire but I do expect to make food that can reach people and make people feel good. Read more>>

Sascha Illyvich

It’s a longer story than we need to go over again, but the short, clean version is persistence and a desire to succeed. Being at a disadvantage with vision impairment hasn’t really been a roadblock, but it has made life more difficult. Before I was married, I had to live in in area with solid mass transit, for simple things like groceries and getting out. Read more>>

Brooke Stone

In 2017, I shot my first wedding as a second shooter with my then boyfriend, now husband, and it felt so natural to pick up a camera. I have since shot 100+ weddings and countless couple, motherhood, and family sessions. Documenting couples in all of their seasons of life has been so incredibly sweet. Read more>>

Rob Gilmore

Three years ago, a chance encounter at Atlanta’s very own MultiverseCon changed my life. It was the first year I got to work a convention I’ve been a part of since its inception, and it started me on a wild journey into writing. Read more>>

Chantelle Catania

My professional story is one inspired by the words, “If they can do it, why can’t I?” … followed by years of making sure I don’t actually eat those words. I was working for a small marketing agency and the office culture had turned toxic. I loved the work I was doing, yet I dreaded going into the office. Read more>>

Alexia Burgos

I started my career in the era of social media meaning everything when it comes to the art world, or at least that’s what it felt like to me. I didn’t have much of a connection to the tangibility that the art world offers through galleries, open studios, festivals, etc. Read more>>

Sharteria Long

Growing up in the projects, you don’t just learn how to survive; you learn how to create something beautiful out of necessity. As the oldest of four girls, my sisters & a few of my childhood friends were my first ‘clients’ and my constant inspiration. In our household, hair wasn’t just about vanity; it was a bonding ritual. Read more>>

Whitney Price

I started with a cute house that had everything wrong behind the walls – I ran into all the traditional and all too common contractor problems being a single woman – the price went up overnight, overselling, inappropriate comments etc. Read more>>

Brian Gay

As a radiologist, I’ve always loved MRI, which is awe-inspiring technology that allows us to see with incredible detail inside the body. Also, it is very safe, with no ionizing radiation like x-ray or CT. Without a doubt, MRI is the medical miracle of our time. Read more>>

Patricia Joseph

Real estate has always been more than a career interest for me—it’s been a lifelong fascination. Long before short-term rentals became mainstream, I was drawn to the idea of *homes as experiences*, especially vacation homes. Read more>>

Kassandra Davis

I have always loved art of any sort so photography was a natural expression for me. I started in family photography but after a friend talked me into doing a boudoir photoshoot when I was getting married in 2009 and I fell in love with it. I grew up very insecure and always felt out of place in my body. Read more>>

Amanda Neeley

I’ve been photographing for nearly 30 years, with experience spanning everything from weddings and newborns to engagements, senior portraits, events, performances, real estate, and sports. But dance has always been at the heart of my work. I began as a dancer myself—dancing with the Georgia Ballet—and later became a ballet teacher at just 19. Photography dancers naturally followed. Read more>>

Amy Odeneal

The writing was on the wall for me when I was very young that Interior Design would be my path. I’ve always had the urge to make things pretty and found myself constantly rearranging my room. 8-year-old Amy would sit on the bedroom floor (for leverage) and push around the furniture with her feet to move it to a new spot when she was bored. Read more>>

Terry Jones

I’ve always been drawn to creativity, storytelling, and the energy that comes from bringing people together. I started my journey by earning a degree in Public Relations from Clark Atlanta University, where I learned how powerful communication and brand storytelling can be. Read more>>

Zorae Tomlin

I’ve been obsessed with cameras ever since my freshman year of high school, whether it was cinematography or photography, I knew I wanted to be behind the camera. I graduated from Georgia State University with a double major in film/media and journalism in 2021. Read more>>

Christina Daly

Back when I was in nursing school in Chicago (over 20 years ago) I needed 2 more credit hours to be a full time college student. There was a class called “weight training” that I decided to try since I liked to exercise. This class made us do a basic circuit on some machines to earn a passing grade. Read more>>

Jyoti Osten

I started in Georgia real estate the classic way: buying residential homes, fixing them up, and renting them out. I enjoyed the hands-on rehab work—updating kitchens, bathrooms, landscaping—and seeing the properties become better homes for tenants while generating steady cash flow. That built my foundation and taught me a lot about value-add investing and property management. Read more>>

Allison Diamond

The Clean Collective started from a very personal place and from a few different chapters of my life coming together. I have a background in business and spent years working in corporate marketing. While it was a valuable experience, I didn’t find it fulfilling. I wanted my work to feel more human and more connected to people’s real lives. Read more>>

Leslie Griffin

Wild Things Mobile Veterinary Clinic began in 2002, shortly after the birth of my second child, and at a moment when I realized I wanted a veterinary career that allowed me to care for animals and be present for my growing family. I started my veterinary career in 2000 and worked in zoo medicine and wildlife rehabilitation, general practice, and even some ER shifts. Read more>>

Renard Beaty

I was looking for an activity that would help my daughters grow into competent, disciplined young women with self-defense skills, and that I could also participate in their development. We took lessons at the local YMCA. Read more>>

Michelle Pierre

For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt a deep, quiet pull toward animals—a need not just to be near them, but to care for them. My heart has always understood their unspoken language, and over the years, that compassion has only grown stronger. I didn’t set out to start a nonprofit. Read more>>

Kira Underwood
2

I grew up playing sports, including varsity volleyball, and continued playing intramural volleyball through my twenties. My dad was a chiropractor, so healthcare and movement were always part of my world. I was interested in physical therapy early on, but a college guidance counselor discouraged that path due to my grades at the time. Read more>>

Fredric Nutter

After retiring from the US Army is 2019 I wanted to do something fun and exciting. Ive always enjoyed a good cigar and absolutely love the culture surrounding it. I began with a brick and mortar inside of a lounge but soon found the restraints to be overwhelming. Read more>>

Kierra Merriman

My path to founding ScrubMAX Cleaning Services was not exactly linear, but looking back, every step made sense. In 2019, I jumped into a coding bootcamp because I loved building things and understanding how systems work. That led me into consulting and eventually technical recruiting, where I spent several years working closely with people across many different roles and industries. Read more>>

Ericka Means

I’m a mother of two sons, and I have a beautiful 8-year-old granddaughter who is just a ball of energy. She’s actually an aspiring chef herself, so spending time with her is a gift. Whether it’s a quiet movie night with a bowl of kettle corn and some Red Vines or a trip to the mall. It’s the simple things that makes it joyful. Read more>>

Lanzel Smith Jr.

My name is Lanzel Smith Jr. and I’ve been blessed to collaborate with major companies such as Netflix, Marvel, Disney, Paramount, Amazon, Starz, Tyler Perry Studios and more. However, the work itself has always been about something deeper than the credit. It’s about intention. Read more>>

Steven Braun

Growing up in Miami, Florida, weekly beach visits usually meant walking by the Art Deco buildings that line Ocean Drive. I loved their forms, massing, and style. I was there in the 80s while they were being renovated with Gloria Estefan leading that charge. Read more>>

The Vestments Group

The Vestments Group was founded by Allison Behring and Marcus Allen as a wardrobe atelier working across film, television, red carpet, and private life. The practice applies production-level rigor to costume design on and beyond the screen, supporting clients across personal and leadership roles, weddings,international engagements, and long-term public visibility. Read more>>

Ton Tran

The seeds of our journey were planted in 1999 when my mother and I opened Little Saigon Cuisine, the first Vietnamese restaurant in Times Square, New York City. During the five years time frame of working with my mother, it ignited a passion for the culinary arts and vision to elevate Vietnamese cuisine. Read more>>

Cheryl Zuckschwerdt

I come from a family line of farmers, so the rhythm of the land and the value of hard work have always been in my blood. From a young age, I knew I wanted my very own farm one day. Right out of high school, I joined the Army, carrying that same drive, discipline, and determination I’d inherited from generations before me. Read more>>

Jocilli Walton

My journey into healthcare began with a strong desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. My academic foundation has played a significant role in shaping my practice and leadership approach. Completing both my undergraduate and graduate studies at Emory University in Atlanta provided me with a strong clinical and theoretical framework grounded in evidence-based practice, leadership development, and population health. Read more>>

Lela Randle-Wells

My journey to being an Accountant started after I saw the movie ‘Look Who’s Talking’. I was intrigued by the family talking about taxes and the calculator with a tape roll. I wanted to be an Accountant since the age of seven. I was so happy to get my first full-time job as an accountant in 2011 when I moved to Georgia. Read more>>

Shandla Walker

My journey has never followed a straight line, and that truth is central to the work I do today. From an early age, I learned that leadership begins with ownership—of your choices, your growth, and your faith. Long before I had the language for it, I was learning a principle that now anchors my work and message: you are the CEO of your Lyfe. Read more>>

Jason Hawker

My father started in carpet installation back in the early 80’s. He noticed that carpet repair was a specialty that he excelled at. From there, he grew his business into carpet cleaning. Back in those days, because of the kind of equipment they used, companies started getting into the water damage industry. Read more>>

Chanelle Miller

Creativity has always been at the core of who I am. I was raised in a family of craftsmen, artists, and musicians, where creating wasn’t just encouraged—it was a way of life. From an early age, I gravitated toward photography, fashion, drawing, painting, and music, often weaving these art forms together as a natural extension of self-expression. Read more>>

Chelsea Esslinger

I didn’t start out planning to become a photographer — it found me during a season of major change in my life. My photography journey officially began with a family session at our family farm, a place full of history, stories, and everyday beauty. That experience shifted something in me. Read more>>

Dr. Alan Behrman

There have been many challenges like dealing with insurance companies, COVID, and making sure we were finding quality therapists that represent our practice well and who can serve the needs of the people that entrust their mental health to us. However, we look at the challenges as opportunities and embrace them and look for ways to make us better. Read more>>

Kenneth Shider

My journey in Real Estate began with a clear vision and a deep belief in ownership, legacy, and service. I officially obtained my Real Estate license in January 2016, and quickly immersed myself in learning every aspect of industry from client advocacy and negotiations to market strategy and community impact. Read more>>

Tiffany Bates

At the end of 2017, after the passing of my father, I felt a deep need for change—both emotionally and financially. At the time, my husband and I owned two stores on the square in Covington, Georgia: a home décor shop, Jaymes & Co., and a clothing boutique, Sweet River. Jaymes & Co. Read more>>

Kayse McCanne

Bridgeway officially launched in 2013, but our work actually began a couple of years earlier, in 2011. We are a faith-based nonprofit located in Henry County, Georgia, and interestingly enough, I never set out to start a nonprofit. It wasn’t part of some long-term plan. It unfolded organically, one step at a time. Read more>>

Deionna Jackson

My journey into finance began in Warner Robins, Georgia, and eventually led me to the University of Georgia, where I earned both my Bachelor’s and Master’s in Accounting. I’ve been working in taxes for eight years now, and I’ve stayed in this field because I genuinely enjoy the work. Read more>>

Tristen King

I got my first camera as a graduation gift after high school. I learned how to use that camera until a friend gave me the opportunity to photograph her wedding. My first wedding was in 2019, I found my self super busy with college and did not have time to purse my photography. Read more>>

Abstract C.I.M

My mom always encouraged me to embrace my creativity and performance art. Whether it was years of ballet classes or making me audition for the finest fine arts magnet school in the CSRA, or testing me for the gifted program, she always saw something in me way before I could. Read more>>

Eric Turner

I was 28 when I started plumbing. I went to college and have a bachelor’s degree in Literature – so it was hard for me to find gainful and meaningful employment. I joined the carpenter’s union in 2014, but union work in the South is tenuous. So once we got done with a job, we were laid off. Read more>>

Monica Tookes

Raised in an Air Force military family, my childhood unfolded between my mother’s roots along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and in New Orleans and my father’s family from Oglethorpe, Georgia, where he lived in Atlanta. Before my parents’ separation, we lived in Atlanta until I was about five. Read more>>

Twanda Collins

Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, my life was shaped by the duality of a city that offers both beauty and danger. Raised by my grandmother—a single, tireless woman who stepped in when my parents could not—I learned early on what strength looked like in the face of adversity. Read more>>

Shirsten Dreyer, Licensed Professional Counselor

As an empty nester in my mid-forties, I began thinking through what my next chapter of life would entail and then made the decision to pursue a graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of North Georgia. Read more>>

RaQuita Weathers

I’m RaQuita Weathers, a working mother of two, married to the most supportive husband, and creativity has shaped every chapter of my life. Outside of home, I step behind the lens as a photographer and creative strategist, helping women feel confident, visible, and fully seen. Empowering women, especially women of color, has always been deeply personal to me. Read more>>

Cliff Biggers

I’ve been involved in comic books since I was six years old, when my parents bought me four comics to give me something to read as I recovered from a tonsillectomy. As I grew up, my love for the art form never went away. As a teenager, I became involved with comic book fanzines–amateur and semi-professional magazines about comics, produced by fans of the medium. Read more>>

Tameka Ruffin,LCSW

My story begins with an inner voice. As a teenager living within deep family dysfunction, I became a runaway—not out of recklessness, but out of instinct. In the middle of the night, something within me said, leave now—you will be safe. I listened, and that voice protected me. Read more>>

Anna Parker

Ever since I was a child I was intrigued by art. Growing up I was drawn to paintings of sprawling landscapes, skyscapes, and seascapes. I was so fascinated by being able to capture nature’s beauty on canvas. I painted my first landscape in oil when I was 13. It was awful… but I didn’t let that stop me. Read more>>

Sarah Racine

Sustaining someone with good food and good hospitality is a spiritual calling, and a core part of who I am. Getting to do that not only as a hobby or special interest but as a career gives so much meaning to my life. Read more>>

darnell hawkins

I am a U.S. Air Force veteran who transitioned into the film and television industry after my military service, joining IATSE Local 479 as a scenic artist and craftsman plasterer. Over the past decade, I have worked on more than 30 film and television productions, as well as music videos and commercials, contributing high-end scenic finishes, plasterwork, and detailed surface treatments under tight production schedules. Read more>>

Veronica Dooley

I have always had a creative spirit and a natural love for seeing people happy. There is something incredibly rewarding about watching others enjoy something I have assembled or brought to life. Growing up, I was drawn to art in all its forms including theater, music, and design. I loved playing dress up, performing in plays, joining the band, and learning new instruments. Read more>>

Qolett Richardson

I didn’t set out to become a coach or build an app. I set out to understand myself. For most of my life, I was the responsible one. The high-achieving eldest daughter who knew how to hold everything together, perform well, and be emotionally aware, but still felt like something wasn’t clicking. Read more>>

Autumn Tapley

My mother worked at a historic theater in East Pennsylvania, which had many live shows and local films. I learned that people worked sustainably in the film industry, and was inspired to pursue film as my career. Read more>>

Kelly Sherard

I didn’t come into fashion through a traditional pipeline—I came through curiosity, instinct, and my hands. I’ve always been a maker, drawn to understanding how things work and how they can be transformed. Long before labels or collections, I was cutting fabric, experimenting, and trusting my eye. Read more>>

Maggie Jones

I graduated from the Atlanta School of Massage in 2005, shortly after high school, and quickly realized I had a deep passion for helping others—not only through hands-on care, but by understanding how injury occurs in the body and how true healing can be facilitated. Read more>>

David & Jess Marshall

Photography was just a hobby that turned into a full-time job. We started our photography business in 2006 in Pensacola, FL, mainly photographing weddings and family portraits on the beach. When we moved back to Atlanta (Jess’s hometown), we made a shift into headshots and events, while still photographing families and couples. Read more>>

Joy Jones

One summer, 10 years ago, I bought a one way ticket from California to Atlanta and told myself – figure it out! I had lost my job at Bank of America, my car was repossessed & I was back living at home with my parents. I really needed a change and decided to check out the A. Read more>>

Danielle Stringer

In 2009, I experienced a horrific car accident that left me with left-side paralysis and a brain injury, along with several other minor injuries. At 21, I taught myself to walk again, returned to college, ran a marathon, and competed in a bodybuilding contest by 23. I proudly graduated with a business degree from the University of West Georgia in 2016 at 26. Read more>>

Gabriel Kingdom

I started with a deep curiosity about systems: how people, money, law, and opportunity actually work in the real world. Early on, I realized that many individuals and families were not lacking intelligence or effort—they were lacking legal access, structure, and someone willing to explain the rules of law clearly and advocate without intimidation. That realization shaped everything that followed. Read more>>

Faraz Zubairi

While I attribute the real start of my career to being at The Gap for many years during high school and college, I started my professional career working on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC and transitioning to a corporate law firm before helping start my first company 23 years ago. Read more>>

Yolanda Leaks

Greetings! I began my journey in accounting while I was still in high school in the Atlanta Public School System. I took an accounting course and quickly fell in love with the problem-solving aspect—figuring out what went wrong and how to fix it. That experience laid the foundation for everything that followed. After high school, I earned my B.B.A. Read more>>

Emmanuel Ronald Bertrand

After completing high school, I migrated to the United States to pursue architectural studies. I am a graduate architect who continues to produce art alongside his architectural practice. Over the years, I have worked with several firms in Miami and Atlanta, contributing to numerous projects throughout the southeastern United States. I also holds a General Contractor license, bridging design, art, and construction through a multidisciplinary practice. Read more>>

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>>