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.

Pragya Jain

Wanting to expand my perspective, I moved to the United States to pursue my master’s degree. Living and studying between two cultures fundamentally reshaped my approach to design. I began to see my work as a fusion of influences, what I like to call a TACO moment in a world of plain tortillas. A mix of cultures, textures, stories, and intent coming together to create spaces that feel both functional and emotionally resonant. Read more>>

Eddie “Leo” Marshall III

I’m Eddie “Leo” Marshall III also known as King Leo and my journey has been a mix of faith, consistency, and creativity that kept evolving into bigger rooms and bigger responsibilities. I started as an artist and storyteller with something to say, and music was one of my first real foundations. Read more>>

Krutika Desai

Chiropractic found me. I started out pursing an education in science with the aim of entering the medical field. As a child I knew I wanted to be a doctor. I started out pre pharmacy and hated it. Upon nearing completion of my bachelor’s degree in biology I thought I would go the research route and eventually get a PhD. Read more>>

Jennifer Heusing

When our oldest son was diagnosed with autism as well as his brother not long after, everything changed for us. After the initial shock, I rolled up my sleeves to get to work. That’s what we do as moms, right? We do whatever it takes for our children. Read more>>

Morgan Cavender

I traveled the world as a nanny for professional surfers for 7 years and one day my dad called me and told me that the thought the town they lived in, in GA, would be a great spot to have a bar. Read more>>

Rachel Johnson

I am a Texas Native with a love for humanity, culture, and service. I hold an Associates, Bachelors and Masters Degree in Social Work. I have 10 years of experience working within the Child Welfare System including mental health, addictions, family issues, Intimacy issues, trauma, etc. I am a dedicated professional in helping others find themselves, heal and grow. Read more>>

Kim Jenkins

I was working as a speech therapist in the school system when a teacher I worked with referred a friend’s child to me for private speech therapy. That single referral became the spark that started my business. Read more>>

Kobie Williams

I was born a southern boy, surrounded by trees and isolated by people. As a young man, I often reflected on what makes me feel fulfilled—games, food, Rihanna, and others. However, nothing captivated me like fashion. I would practice runway walks in my room’s mirror, using satin sheets folded to mimic clothing. Read more>>

Courtney Pyles

Movement has always been part of who I am. I grew up with a dance background, and for a long time, health and fitness have been a passion of mine. In 2023, I became a certified yoga instructor. Not long after stepping into that new chapter… life shifted in a way I never expected. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Read more>>

Dr. Crycynthia Gardner

I’m Dr. Crycynthia Gardner, a cultivator of minds. I’m a leader among learners and a learner among leaders. Over the course of my 26- year journey in education, I have served in diverse instructional and leadership capacities spanning the classroom, campus administration, higher education, and district-level leadership. These experiences have provided me with a comprehensive understanding of education from multiple vantage points. Read more>>

Cristian Herrera

As a kid i always was so intrigued with insects and animals growing up. In my head I thought I’d become either an Entomologist or a Zoologist, but as time went on that idea changed to becoming a Professional Athlete. In high school I was playing Baseball, Basketball, and Soccer. Out of the three, baseball was the one I was mostly gifted at. Read more>>

Tyler-Leah Jackson

My story is a little bit conventional and unconventional. as a daughter of an educator it was instilled in me early on that I would seek out higher education and I always knew I wanted to do something that would help others I just couldn’t figure out which pathway I was going to embark on. Read more>>

Jeff Lott

Flowers and designing has aways been a huge passion of mine. I starting designing flowers while attending high school in Monroe, Ga. I started working at a local florist after school each day and this job quickly lead to my life long career choice. Read more>>

Maximillian Polhill

I’ve been drawn to computers for as long as I can remember. My grandmother gifted me a laptop when I was very young, and I was fascinated by the little games and worlds that lived inside it. By the time I was around ten, I was constantly imagining my own games. Read more>>

Maggie Brady

I started my career as a consultant supporting organizations through significant change and transformation. That path led me into HR and leadership development, working inside of organizations to shape and execute talent and culture strategies. I’ve had the opportunity to work in different industries and across Fortune 500, private equity, and venture capital backed companies. Read more>>

Lisa Kaufman

Lisa Kaufman is the Principal at SeniorCare Options of Atlanta, Ltd., which she founded in 2001. She joined the Aging Life Care Association in 2002 and is an Advanced Professional Member and a Fellow of the Leadership Academy. Lisa has a Master of Science in Recreational Studies. Read more>>

Kalyn Romaine

I was tired of dealing with bureaucracy and work politics, so I went home one night to start my first business. I worked in-house full-time, attended graduate school full-time, and grew my business simultaneously because I knew my career deserved more. My goal is and has always been to experience the freedom of owning my results, my style, and my methodologies. Read more>>

Allison Comer

I am a clay artist living and working in Roswell, Georgia making brightly colored pieces of ceramic art that often tell a story. Horses, flowers, birds, and nature are recurring themes throughout my body of work which tends to have a feeling of childlike wonder filled with lots of details. Read more>>

Vanessa Grigsby

I’m Colombian, but I grew up in China for 17 years, which gave me a very global perspective from a young age. Moving between cultures and speaking three languages fluently shaped how I think about communication and design. Read more>>

Mandi Phillips

Over the years, I’ve been asked countless times, “How did you get into tattooing?” While there are many traditional paths into the industry, mine truly began with something much simpler: it kind of fell into my lap. Like many artists, my love for creativity started early. Read more>>

Rafi San Inocencio

I got started in music through a mix of curiosity and obsession with electronic music. Early on, I gravitated toward Ableton Live and began teaching myself production, DJing, and audio engineering while experimenting with different styles. Read more>>

Sri and Aruna Giridharan and Sankaranarayanan

Prana Kitchens is a spice business built on the belief that mindful eating, conscious living, and supporting our farming communities are vital for a thriving lifestyle. The spark for Prana Kitchens came about during a hike in the Grand Canyon. We have always shared a deep love for nature and an awareness of the implications of our lifestyle choices on our bodies and the planet. Read more>>

Maya Cramer

I played soccer for most of my life and competed collegiately at Young Harris College from 2022 to 2024. When I stepped away from the sport, I suddenly found myself searching for something to fill the space it had always occupied. I’ve always thrived in seasons of busyness, and without soccer, I felt the need to channel my energy into something meaningful. Read more>>

Dr. Jennoa Graham

I started Utilitarian Financial Consulting to help individuals and small business owners with their tax filing needs to supplement my income after relocating to Georgia from Illinois. As a Hoosier born in Indianapolis, Indiana I spent my college years and early stages of my career helping friends and family file their taxes in my spare time. Read more>>

Rachelle Norton

We strive to make the arts accessible and meaningful to people of all ages and backgrounds. We help provide community beautification, drive economic development, share cultural diversity, encourage artistic expression, and ultimately, bring joy to our community. Programs & projects span all aspects of the arts & are designed to include all citizens in our community. Read more>>

Sharon Mae King

I started SharonKingWorldWide with a clear mission: to inspire and empower children with special needs to become authors of their own stories. As a mother to a child with ADHD and extreme agitation, I experienced firsthand the challenges parents face navigating education, healthcare, and advocacy. Read more>>

Ethan King

I didn’t start with a master plan. I started with curiosity. Creativity. And honestly, a lot of trial and error. I was an art major in college. I loved ideas. I loved design. I loved figuring out how things could look and feel better. But I had no roadmap for how that translated into business. While I was still in school, I co-founded stuff4GREEKS. Read more>>

Plaxedes Mandibaya

I remember well at the age of 7, walking into a hospital and genuinely felt at home. The scent, scrubs, call lights, and chaos of the hospital brought me joy and peace and I felt right then and there that it was a calling. Read more>>

Trista Parker

If you told the girl at the 1991 Scholastic Book Fair, the one buying Lamborghini posters to use as backdrops for her kitten’s ‘glamour shots’ that she’d one day own a professional portrait studio, she probably would have believed you. She had the vision; She just didn’t have the gear yet! Read more>>

Nelson Moyet

Our story began with a shared dream to bring the authentic flavors of Puerto Rican cuisine to Stockbridge and the Southern community. Founded by a proud Father, and a loving Grandmother, our catering service, Eny’s Catering, was inspired by the desire to share the warmth and richness of Puerto Rican culture through its beloved dishes. Read more>>

Alex Garcia

Madre Garcia’s is an homage to my mother, who raised me as a single mom. She was the funniest, strongest, best person I ever knew who absolutely loved entertaining. And since we couldn’t afford to travel back to Puerto Rico, she brought Puerto Rico home for me and for all our friends. Read more>>

Farrah Spearman

Farrah Spearman, CPA – Founder & Global Tax Strategy Leader I began my career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where I developed a strong technical foundation in income tax reporting, audit coordination, and corporate advisory. That experience provided deep exposure to ASC 740, global provision processes, and the connection between financial reporting and executive-level decision-making. Read more>>

Sky Coffee

I am originally from Jackson, Mississippi, and my journey began at the age of 14 through choreography and dance. What started as a creative outlet quickly became my purpose. Dance opened doors for me into music videos, magazines, fashion shows, and television, and it taught me discipline, storytelling, and how to command a stage. These skills continue to guide me today. Read more>>

Deb Hughes

My story really begins with my son, Daniel. Like many parents navigating a journey that requires intensive therapy, I spent a lot of time in and out of various clinics. However, early on, I felt a recurring sense of disconnect. It often felt like Daniel was just a number on a chart or a time slot in a schedule. Read more>>

Andrea Buchanan

I owe the beginning of my photography journey to my dad. He recognized from a very young age that I had a creative eye and a deep love for visual storytelling. When I was 15 years old, he surprised me with my very first DSLR, a Canon 5D Mark II. Read more>>

Karin van Niekerk

I have always had a very strong administrative background starting out as an administrative assistant in 1995, becoming a secretary to managers and eventually a personal assistant to CEO’s etc. My willingness to do favors for others, a constant desire to please and readiness to be helpful made this career path seem to be a perfect match. Read more>>

Aline Elmurr

My story is one of bridges—between cultures, languages, and continents. While I was born and raised in the United States, my family’s roots are in Lebanon. In the 8th grade, my life took a pivotal turn when we moved back to Beirut. Read more>>

Domenique Ross

As a child, I would have described myself as rhythmless, yet I always had a strong desire to move. At eight years old, I took my first real step into dance through an after school program, never imagining where the journey would take me. Read more>>

Angie Melissa González Chaverra

I am an Afro-Colombian woman from Chocó, one of the most marginalized yet culturally vibrant regions of Colombia. I am passionate about dance as a language of survival, resistance, and empowerment. My life and work embody the inseparability of art, education, and social justice. These are not simply academic interests for me; they are the core of my existence. Read more>>

Erin Brown

In 2012, I made a decision that completely changed the trajectory of my life. I left the security of my previous practice and stepped into entrepreneurship with no guarantees. I didn’t have investors or a big launch plan. I had a medical license, a truck, determination — and children depending on me. Read more>>

Nikki Smit

I didn’t always fit neatly into what was expected as a child. I was curious, sensitive, and attuned to the world around me, and I learned early that people move through life in very different ways. I was fortunate to grow up with parents who helped me understand that difference as part of who I was, not something to correct. Read more>>

amyn mukadam

I started tennis at nine years old, and honestly, I did not like it. I was skinny, asthmatic, unathletic, and low on confidence. Tennis felt hard and intimidating. If natural talent was the requirement, I did not have much of it. My mom enrolled me for two reasons. Read more>>

Kyle Holbrook

I began building real momentum in Atlanta in the early 2000s. The city was expanding creatively through music, film, sports, and entrepreneurship, and I stepped into that environment ready to create and build something meaningful. I launched my clothing lines KH Designs and Street Oligy, blending wearable art with street culture and custom design. Read more>>

Dr. Susan Morgan Roberts

My story didn’t start with a mission. I started with awareness. I was raised by strong, steady parents who modeled resilience, responsibility, and integrity. What I learned early not because something was wrong, but because I was deeply observant is that children often feel things long before they have language for them. Read more>>

Nephateria Covington

My journey into entrepreneurship didn’t start with a perfect plan — it started with purpose and resilience. I’ve always had a desire to build something of my own, something that created both financial freedom and impact. Over the years, I’ve worn many hats, but each experience taught me discipline, leadership, and the importance of betting on myself. Read more>>

Jayne Jones

Jayne Jones — now commonly and popularly known as America’s No Sugar Baker — did not set out to start a sugar-free revolution. She set out to survive. After two life-threatening hospitalizations caused by diabetes-related complications, Jayne found herself in a hospital bed facing a sobering truth: the very system designed to heal her was feeding her food that was making her sicker. Read more>>

Makiko Kobayashi

Professional Dancer / Choreographer / Dance Instructor I am a professional dancer, choreographer, and dance instructor with over 15 years of experience working across Japan and the United States. My dance career began in my teenage years when I performed as an opening act dancer at a-nation ’10, one of Japan’s largest music festivals. Read more>>

Zhanae

I’m a creative director, host of the podcast: The Power Is Mine, and a songwriter/entertainer. I go on journeys of self development to assist my audience in overcoming perfection paralysis, finding inner power, and building self love. Read more>>

Chavaza D. Brown, MBA, CPL

Well, I regularly spent a lot of time in California up until I was about 14 years old. A large portion of my dad’s family lived out there. Although, the bulk of growing up was down south; California and the Bay Area greatly influenced me and singlehandedly shaped my social perspective and outcome in life. Read more>>

Jon’tue Cushion

“I started my journey as a master cosmetologist and opened Salon Jon’tue Jeanene, where I focused on helping clients feel confident and beautiful through personalized hair care. My passion for wellness and beauty inspired me to expand into other ventures, including Vita Beauty Labs, which offers vitamins, supplements, and products to enhance hair, skin, and overall well-being from the inside out. Read more>>

Abigail Rodriguez

As a teenager, I was drawn to the idea of being my own boss — building something that represented me and could grow into something bigger than myself. I never wanted to feel confined to an office or overwork for a place that didn’t respect my time and effort. Read more>>

Joely Jimenez

I started working at 14 years old, and from a young age I carried the mindset that if I wanted something, I had to work for it. Nothing would simply be handed to me. Read more>>

Terence Stewart

I started making music/ Building Frozen Records ( Record label ) as a way to process life before I ever thought about an audience. Early on around age 11, it wasn’t about numbers or attention, it was survival, expression, and finding clarity in moments that felt heavy or uncertain. Music gave me somewhere to put pressure so it didn’t turn inward. Read more>>

Devante Jones (DJ Croft)

I am a social media influencer, published cosplayer, and model. I started my journey back in 2016 when I learned how to handmake my own costumes and looks from scratch and I always wanted to be a main character in front of the camera and I had a passion for always seeing myself portraying lead characters from video games, movies, and superhero comics. Read more>>

Paco

How it got started: Paco Tacos ATL began in 2021 as a food truck driven by a passion to bring authentic Mexican street tacos to Atlanta. The business was launched by brothers Chris “Paco” Cunningham and Hosea Cunningham, who brought family-inspired taco traditions from California. Their food truck quickly built a loyal following thanks to fresh, high-quality tacos and other street eats. Read more>>

Elizabeth Fitch

My entrepreneurial journey began in hospitality and luxury events, where I built and led a brand focused on elevated client experiences. That chapter taught me structure, branding, and the power of systems. Over a decade ago, I founded Nice & Trim. What started as a weight management platform gradually evolved as my own health journey deepened and as I supported family through serious medical transitions. Read more>>

Nathan Bufford

My journey began early, rooted in discovery and an instinct to build. In high school, I launched a T-shirt brand my first lesson in ownership, branding, and market demand. That foundation evolved into the music industry, where I became a certified Audio Engineer and led operations for independent record labels, mastering both creative direction and business infrastructure. But I’ve always been wired to think bigger. Read more>>

Marcus Brooks Jr.

I always wanted to do game development from an early age. I even did a summer camp at Emory that taught you how to make games. I did take a detour to explore other things like IT, Theatre, and comics, but all of that shifted when I started to work on my first video game as an adult. Read more>>

Cassandra Ingram

Urban Grind blends the energy of the city with the serenity of a neighborhood nook. The walls are adorned with local art, creating an atmosphere that’s as rich as the coffee it serves.The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the lively hum of conversations. Read more>>

Valerie Deroy

I began my career in Paris, working in the world of haute couture, cosmetics, and home décor — industries where craftsmanship, detail, and artistry are not luxuries, but standards. Paris shaped my eye. It taught me reverence for proportion, materiality, and the quiet power of beautiful spaces. Read more>>

Dinika Johnson

In 2012 as my Grandmother Eva Mae dementia was progressing I had the thought to do something to continue to carry her name. Both her and my Grandmother Christine. After making a cake for one of my friend’s birthday I had the thought that baking could be something I do to call their name and talk about them to people. Read more>>

Bryan Galgano

My journey into photography, and eventually pet portrait photography, started about nine years ago when my wife, Meg, and I moved to Atlanta with our two rescue dogs, Hula and Bean Sprout. We moved for Meg’s career, and I suddenly found myself with a lot of unexpected free time because I was unemployed. Read more>>

Alexis Day

When I was in kindergarten, I wrote that I wanted to be a teacher. At the time, it felt like a simple childhood dream, but it became the foundation of everything I’ve built. Education, to me, has always been more than instruction; it is about care, connection, and cultivating potential. Read more>>

Whitney Omidele, Katelyn Honore, Kennedy Honore

We’re three sisters and the founders of TriBarre Studio, united by a shared vision to bring a chic flair to studio fitness. Movement has always been part of our story, from gymnastics and competitive cheer to tennis, and we each discovered our love for barre at the same time. Read more>>

Joy Drake

I started building websites in 2003, when e-commerce was still new and most businesses were just trying to figure out what the internet meant for them. I earned my degree in e-commerce and jumped into design and digital marketing, working with brands like TGI Fridays, Texas Roadhouse, coaches in the John Maxwell community, and hundreds of other clients who needed marketing that actually worked. Read more>>

Brittany Foster Little Children of the World

Little Children of the World (LCW) is a non-profit organization based in Barnesville, GA, right outside of Atlanta, providing child sponsorships, educational support, and holistic programs addressing urgent needs for people experiencing extreme poverty in Dumaguete City, Philippines, with hopes of expanding to other places to truly be Little Children of the World and make a global impact. Read more>>

Timothy White

I returned to Georgia, continued bartending, and working in liquor stores for several years. By that time, a lot of people I grew up with were parents, had great jobs, careers, nice cars, money, children, and here I was a total loser. I was embarrassed at how little I’d achieved given my parents’ monumental efforts to make me a decent person. Read more>>

Rafael Mayoral-Parracia

Spartan Public Adjusters started as a family conversation that turned into a business. Brothers Rafael and Michael Mayoral grew up around insurance — their father spent more than four decades handling claims — so they saw early on how confusing and stressful the process can be for homeowners when something goes wrong. Before launching Spartan, Rafael worked as an adjuster for major national insurance companies. Read more>>

Barnesha Anderson

I am a skilled and accomplished handywoman and a native of Decatur, Georgia, whose journey has been anything but ordinary. During the early years of my educational experience, I discovered a unique gift the ability to use my voice as a powerful instrument of expression. Read more>>

Nasser Nammari

My path has been anything but linear — this is probably my third or fourth career — and looking back, that “windy” journey is exactly what prepared me to build a business. Read more>>

larney sayasean

I got started in the summer of 2017. At the time I was a Jr accountant who was looking for a way to get out of my desk and into the automotive industry and work with my hands. I came across multiple Youtube videos about detailers who were making a living doing detailing and some even thriving doing something called paint correction and ceramic coating. Read more>>

Rosalind Shree Almond

I didn’t just wake up with a salon — I built it from passion, hustle, and faith. What started as doing hair with love, creativity, and a vision turned into purpose. Late nights, early mornings, learning, growing, perfecting my craft — all while balancing life, marriage and motherhood. I wasn’t just styling hair; I was building confidence, relationships, and a brand. Read more>>

Alli Reff

I discovered yoga when I was pregnant with my second child 11 years ago. During that season of my life, yoga became more than movement for me. It was where I found clarity, calm, and could center myself. It helped me feel grounded in the middle of motherhood and life’s demands. I slowed down. I listened to my body. I exhaled. Read more>>

Kamora Waller

I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. Music has always been a part of who I am. In middle school, I started singing the national anthem for games and special events, and I continued doing that all the way through my senior year. The last time I performed it was at my high school graduation. Read more>>

Jaqueline Reid Perry

As someone whose grandmother needed care it was overwhelming. The everyday exhaustion was real, until we found a caregiver name Dawn. Dawn was the perfect example of serving with grace and faith. She brought such calm and peace of mind to our lives. Grandma loved Dawn and she quickly became an extension of our family. Read more>>

Ricky Town

I always start at the beginning. As a young boy I was fascinated with the photography darkroom. Each time I saw the process in a movie or on television I said, I want to do that. They offered a media course in high school to include photography. Developing my first film and printing it put me on the path I have been on since 1974. Read more>>

Kendra Bauser

Three Peaches started with the goal of establishing a unique type of coffee shop. One that caters to people looking for a healthy twist on their coffee and deserts. Along with normal everyday coffee drinks we offer crafted lattes with ingredients like, Maca, Mushroom extracts, Beet powder, pink salt, raw cacao, butterfly pea and collagen to name a few. Read more>>

Tashika Holloway

At the same time, I transitioned into a career in business development at an Atlanta-area psychiatric hospital, where I developed partnerships between mental health and healthcare settings to connect psychiatric patients to higher levels of care. In this role, I learned the importance of marketing, networking, and collaboration in healthcare. Many of these relationships with local counselors and physicians helped me grow my practice. Read more>>

Paola Franchi

I never planned to become a business owner. I planned to teach, to move, and to help people feel strong in their bodies. Yet life had other plans — first in Chile, my country of origin, and later in the United States, where EQ Pilates was born, in a new chapter of my life. Read more>>

Salita Wynn

My story began in a small town known as Douglas, Ga located near Coffee County. There are so many roads my story can take but here I will focus on the road that lead to me becoming Dr. Salita Wynn. My dad has always told me I can be anything I choose to be, like most young girls, I believe it. Read more>>

Dr. Demetrius Moore

I was raised in the wellness industry, as both of my parents are—and remain—elite professional bodybuilding champions. My mother earned the title of British National Champion, and my father became a European Champion. Although wellness surrounded me from birth, my personal journey to health, discipline, and self-mastery was one I had to discover on my own. Read more>>