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.

Damir Nickens

I started out as a 14-year-old girl in the heart of North Minneapolis, Minnesota, coming from a marginalized community with only so much around me to draw inspiration from and wanting so much for myself. I’ve always appreciated beauty, whether I was helping a classmate fix their look or perfecting my own. Read more>>

Dr. Alieizoria aka DrA Redd

My journey has always been rooted in the belief that people, organizations, and communities can heal, lead, and thrive when met with both compassion and accountability. I began my career as a social worker and clinician, working alongside individuals and families navigating trauma, mental-health challenges, and significant life transitions. Read more>>

Ryan Atkins

I was born in Manhattan and raised in New Jersey, and my journey has been anything but conventional. Like many people, I’ve experienced seasons of heartbreak, disappointment, and having to rebuild my confidence. Looking back, those moments became the foundation for who I am today. They strengthened my faith, taught me resilience, and inspired me to create work that encourages others to keep moving forward. Read more>>

Haz Musa

I founded Royal Teeth Lab as a true dental laboratory, combining dental technology with fine jewelry craftsmanship to create custom grillz that fit with precision while pushing artistic boundaries. Over the years, Royal Teeth Lab evolved from a specialized dental lab into a nationally recognized luxury jewelry brand known for innovative grillz, custom jewelry, and one-of-a-kind wearable art. Read more>>

Rickie Tang

Fashion fascinates me because it can communicate without speaking. I studied Fashion Design at SCAD in Atlanta, where I developed my perspective as a designer and began shaping the foundation of RICKIETANG. The brand is built around contrast: raw and refined, strength and vulnerability, destruction and beauty. I use clothing to explore identity, emotion, and the parts of ourselves we do not always reveal. Read more>>

Nina Mack

My journey started in Buffalo, New York, where I began building my foundation in photo and video production. What started as a passion for storytelling quickly grew into a deeper purpose: creating, capturing, and amplifying stories through different forms of media. After relocating to Atlanta to pursue bigger opportunities and bring my vision to life, I began expanding beyond traditional photography and videography. Read more>>

Jamal Gordon

My journey has always been driven by a passion for people, leadership, and creativity. I started my career serving in customer service, operations, and fitness management, where I discovered my ability to build high-performing teams, develop talent, and create exceptional experiences. Read more>>

Autumn Rainwater

I started singing when I was very young. I was in chorus in school, praise and worship choir ministry at church and I also had a heavy musical influence within my family. I was very inspired by the blog and mixtape era, to the point where I started recording my first songs on a Gateway computer and USB gaming microphone. Read more>>

Lexi S. Brunson

While pursuing a degree in Interior Architecture & Design at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, in a Liberal Studies writing course, Alexia S. Brunson was asked to create a piece that reflected things that inspired her, in a way that surpassed a scholarly essay. At this time she produced a body of work that was presented in a magazine format and called it: CopyWrite. Read more>>

Danae Marks

My story starts at the age of 8, making my sister and anyone who would participate in creating short videos on my family’s camcorder. Those small videos turned into my passion for filmmaking, that was then reinforced in my high school years leading me to taking audio, visual, tech classes, to getting my Bachelor’s at Georgia State University. Read more>>

Fangzi Luo

Hi! My name is Fangzi Luo. I am a Chinese visual artist based in New York. I am also the founder of FIE Studio LLC and a recent graduate of the School of Visual Arts, BFA Illustration program. As far as I can remember, my life has always revolved around art. Read more>>

Vanessa Henderson

I started as a fashion designer. In the early years. I was about 5 or 6 years old. My mother was a sewer that dd everything on her hands.. I continued to make strides. Iwas married early so I did everything for my family. Now 50 plus years. I look forward to seeing the education needed for my young people.. Read more>>

Vikki Johnson

Following my north star is how I got here. From a young girl dreaming. to now a grown woman living those dreams and more, life has been a beautiful journey. I can honestly say I have done everything I’ve wanted to do. After donating a kidney to my cousin 16 years ago, every day since then has been a bonus. Read more>>

Prince E. Mayes-Sullivan

I grew up in Detroit, Michigan, before moving to Georgia. From an early age, I fell in love with storytelling, comedy, and entertainment. Today, I’m a writer, actor, and producer working toward building a career creating television, film, and live productions that entertain audiences while creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds. I live with cerebral palsy and use a power wheelchair. Read more>>

Ashley Skelly

I began my career in beauty as a hairstylist and makeup artist, which taught me how powerful transformation can be. From there I expanded into wardrobe styling, photography, set design, creative direction, and eventually live performance. Over time, I realized I wasn’t just interested in making people look beautiful, I wanted to create experiences that transported them into another world. Read more>>

Schinequa Alexis

Leapling Radiant Body Care started unexpectedly. I was simply looking for a hobby to help manage my anxiety and wanted something creative that would keep my hands and mind busy. I became curious about soap making and quickly fell in love with the process, especially blending essential oils and discovering how each scent could create a different experience. Read more>>

Melanie Reeves

RiverLife was an idea 20 years in the making. My husband, Bill, and I met in seminary while preparing for ministry. Over the years, we had the privilege of serving in several churches while raising our family. During that season, God cultivated in us a deep passion for equipping the Church to become more than a place people attend on Sundays. Read more>>

Justin Hudson

I’ve loved retro games since I was a toddler, playing Sonic 1 with my dad and uncles. That early love for gaming stuck with me, and years later a friend on Xbox suggested I share my knowledge of video games — and beyond — with a wider audience. That’s how Retro Pioneers was born in late 2024. Read more>>

Tochi Medinus-Alegbe

Storytelling has always been at the center of who I am. My passion for writing and sharing stories eventually led me into broadcast journalism and brought me to the United States, where I built a career in television news. I spent more than 14 years working in broadcast journalism, beginning as a freelance Production Assistant at WLTZ NBC38 in Columbus, Georgia. Read more>>

Barb Carbon

At 45, I’m in the middle of a major career transition that I didn’t anticipate or want, but I’m swiftly coming to the realization that the universe is ushering me into a new season that already feels more genuine, liberating, and grounded. I started playing guitar in my teens, inspired by my two older brothers who both played a bit. Read more>>

Camille Genae

I’ve always been in love with art and creating. Honestly, it all started with my obsession with shows like That’s So Raven, Hannah Montana, and iCarly. I would memorize scenes and perform them for my family every single day. I had absolutely no fear back then. Acting was the dream. Television was the dream. But elementary school changed a lot for me. Read more>>

Nia George

My journey has never been a straight line—it has been one of resilience, service, and constant reinvention. I’ve spent much of my career helping people build better lives, whether through real estate, community leadership, health and wellness, or education. Read more>>

Zachary York

It really started in our kitchen around 2020. My wife and I both come from food industry backgrounds, so we’ve always been particular about what goes into a meal, and that naturally extended to what we were feeding our dogs, Oatmeal and Alfredo. We started dehydrating chicken breast at home, and the reaction was immediate. Even Oatmeal, who is notoriously picky, couldn’t get enough. Read more>>

Ana Catali

My life began in circumstances that required resilience from an early age. After a tragic event, I entered witness protection and later moved through the foster care system. During that time, music and art became my refuge that calmed my nerves and gave me a sense of escape, expression, and safety. Read more>>

Jennifer Bellamy

Jennifer Bellamy is an award-winning anchor at 11Alive in Atlanta, where she anchors 11Alive News at 5, 6 and 11 p.m. She joined the station in 2015 as a reporter and has since become a familiar face to viewers across the Atlanta market. Read more>>

Tajere Hightower

My story’s rooted in a house where music was a constant. All the greats of Old School Rap and R&B ,all that really shaped my eat. I was a kid writing poems and little rhymes before I even knew what songwriting was. Fast forward to around 2019 right before the world slowed down, I made the conscious pivot from casual creativity to professional focus. Read more>>

Alexis Carr

My story is actually very surprising to some. When I was younger I was very outgoing but I never really liked to be in front of the cameras like I always am today. I was often insecure about myself and I would hide my true talents from the people around me. Read more>>

John N. Dixon

Ever since I was a kid… I always knew I wanted to be an actor, musician, or entertainer. It was a calling I couldn’t ignore. I started my training in acting at a young age and was fortunate enough to have the support of my family as the hobby grew into an undeniable passion that eventually blossomed into a career. Read more>>

Troi Hawkins

I started out as a Makeup Artist for MAC Cosmetics where I worked my way up from cashier to Assistant Manager. I managed Several of NYC top Stores. MAC Times Square was where I thrived helping bring in over 14 million with a team of 10 managers and over 80 artists. I was their go to for customer service and became their Ambassador. Read more>>

Nichole Pointdujour

My journey has been anything but traditional. I graduated from Virginia Union University, a proud Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and later earned my Master of Business Administration (MBA). Those experiences laid the foundation for a 21 year career on Wall Street, where I built my expertise across investment banking, equity trading, operations, program management, and national partnerships. Read more>>

Reghan Bandy

I started off as a student athlete, running track for 7 years and playing basketball for 2 years until I graduated high-school. When I was around 17, I realized that I had a genuine passion for fashion. Though, I was always considered a Fashionista ever since I could remember. My mind was first set on running track professionally and being an entrepreneur. Read more>>

Phillip Blume

Blume Photography officially began in 2008, shortly after we were married, but our story actually started a little earlier. I photographed a wedding for a friend, people loved the images, and word spread. Eileen built our first online portfolio, inquiries took off almost overnight, and within our first year we left our full-time careers to pursue photography together. Read more>>

Gwen Goodman

My story really begins with my mother. As we were growing up, she visited the sick and the poor and would pray for them and take them food and clothes or whatever they needed. So I grew up going with her on these visits. Fast foward, around 2005, I started working with a durable medical equipment company. Read more>>

Tiffany Mims

I’ve always been a creative person, but everything changed in 2018 during my own spiritual journey. I wanted my outward appearance to reflect who I was becoming, so I started making jewelry inspired by culture, spirituality, and natural materials like crystals and copper. What began as a creative outlet quickly turned into a business after people started asking to buy my pieces. Read more>>

Nailah Copeland

I started my company Asha’s Salon & Spa, llc in August 2006. I found my first salon location in Decatur GA 2007. It seems like yesterday. I am honored to still be in business 20 years later. The hair industry is constantly changing and moving forward. I believe my willingness to grow and learn has allowed me to stay relevant. Read more>>

Jasmine Skeete

I am wife, mother, Jesus follower, artist, graphic designer, and former art educator who felt the call from God to start homeschooling our 4 children. Within the first few months, I started my baking business after making a cookie cake my daughter’s 1st birthday. People kept saying I should sell baked goods because they taste great and you can’t tell it’s vegan. Read more>>

TAZMEENA HAQUE

I grew up in a small city in the UK in a conservative South Asian household, where the idea of building a career in entertainment, particularly as a woman, felt impossibly distant. The world around me valued certainty and convention, but I was drawn to creativity, storytelling, and the power music has to connect people across cultures. Read more>>

Kristi Mebane

My story began long before 108 Wellness ever existed. I was adopted as a child, and when I was six years old, I lost my father to suicide. That kind of loss shaped the way I moved through the world. For a long time, I carried abandonment, grief, and the belief that I had to earn love and acceptance. Read more>>

Jeniffer Chow

As I was growing up, I always had this vision that no matter what I did, I needed to feel love and passion for it. At times, things got hard, but I knew I did not want to limit my ability to make a difference. It all started at home. From a young age, my parents were stellar examples of who I wanted to be. Read more>>

Victoria Raji

I’ve always been drawn to creating beautiful spaces. As a child, I loved art, nature, and building things with simple materials, often rearranging rooms and imagining how a space could feel different with thoughtful changes. That creative curiosity stayed with me, even as my career took an unexpected path. Read more>>

Mel Keith

I started with a passion for creating experiences that bring people together. Over the years, I’ve worn a lot of hats—from working in hospitality and restaurant management to building my own businesses and creative brands. Those experiences taught me leadership, customer service, and the importance of creating memorable moments. Read more>>

Ella Bope

I started photography when I was 15, taking photos for Hide and Seek Day Camp. I had no idea what I was doing at first, I was just learning my camera, taking pictures of the camp, and figuring things out as I went. Even then, I loved how a photo could freeze a moment of joy in time and make someone smile. Read more>>

Emily Ferrara

Ever since elementary school, I knew I wanted to be a therapist. Growing up, my mom would play 2 main types of shows on the radio: Dr. Laura or Dave Ramsey/Clark Howard. While my peers were listening to New Kids on the Block, I was listening to Dr. Laura teach a caller about her codependency patterns or Clark Howard offering budgeting tips. Read more>>

Michelle Silver

I’m (Michelle Silver) a painter and my husband (Bradley Silver) is a tattoo artist. In 2019, after having our first child in Brooklyn, we moved to the Hudson Valley, NY to be closer to family and nature. I continued my painting practice in our home studio and Bradley commuted to Manhattan to tattoo. Read more>>

Kendyl (KC) Taylor

I’ve always loved the act of making and creating something from nothing, only employing my hands and my mind. In 2022, I had a rough year and found woodworking as a way to express what I was going through and work through the feelings I was having. Read more>>

Robert Cappuccio

I grew up in Coney Island, which was an interesting place in the 1980’s. I was born with facial deformities that made me feel to put it politely, different from a very early age. While that was painful, it also made me deeply sensitive to anyone who felt different themselves, on the fringes, or even as though they didn’t quite belong. Read more>>

Cache Fanning

Hi, I’m Cache, the founder of Studio724 Interiors. I’ve always been drawn to beautiful, welcoming spaces and the way a thoughtfully designed home can influence how people feel. Over the years, that passion grew into a calling. I realized I didn’t just enjoy decorating—I wanted to help people create homes that bring peace, comfort, and purpose to their everyday lives. Read more>>

Jadah Quick

I’ve always believed that some of life’s best memories are made through travel. Long before Quick Trips became a business, I was the friend researching destinations, creating itineraries, organizing group trips, and making sure every detail came together so everyone could simply enjoy the experience. Read more>>

Jovana Daniel

Juli and I were employees at Chrysalis Salon & Spa. That’s actually where we met. There was one day in the summer of June 2016 when Juli and I went out for food and drinks. It was that day when Juli asked me about partnering up and opening our own business. I looked at her and said, ‘you’re crazy!’. Read more>>

Bianca Romero

Looking back, the common thread throughout my career has always been growth. I began in sales and customer service, where I learned how to build relationships, understand what people need, and help businesses grow. From there, my path expanded into marketing, graphic design, hospitality, promotions, and large-scale event production. Read more>>

Bree Nicola

Ever since I could remember, I have had two passions in life: Music and making a positive change to the world. I grew up in Pittsfield, Massachusetts with a very big musical family. Each family member had different musical talents and interests. My mom and dad both being musicians made it easy for me to naturally fall in love with music. Read more>>

Sara Masterson

I’ve always felt out of place when it came to figuring out what I wanted to do with my life. Every job or career path I tried to pursue felt like I was forcing myself into something that was never meant for me. For a long time, I wondered if I was just unambitious or lazy. Read more>>

Halahna Sewer

I didn’t grow up with a fixed idea of what I wanted to be when I was older. No childhood dream job to pursue until I finally made it, or ‘I always knew I wanted to become a photographer’ story. I got to college still figuring that part out, which brought some challenges but also gave me an opportunity to explore. Read more>>

Krista Burton

I was raised in Clayton County, Georgia, and my journey has always been shaped by the power of opportunity and access. Growing up on the south side of Atlanta during a period of significant community change in the early 2000s, I witnessed firsthand how quickly the loss of resources and community support systems can impact young people and their futures. Read more>>

Dan Fisher

When I first started American Axes, I thought I was building an axe throwing business. Looking back, I realize I was really learning how to build a community. Like many entrepreneurs, my path wasn’t linear. After graduating from Ithaca College and earning my MBA from Georgia State, I built a career in sports marketing before deciding to take a chance on something completely different. Read more>>

Sahana Turner

I started braiding hair at 15 in Douglasville, Georgia, getting clients off Craigslist ads. At 17, right after I graduated, I recorded myself braiding a client and sold it as a tutorial on Facebook. That was the first time I made money online from a digital product. Read more>>

Renee Fabrikant

Raised on Tybee Island, Georgia, I’m Renee Fabrikant – an artist, preservationist, and lifelong lover of the coastal South. My custom oyster shell décor is more than home décor; it’s a tribute to the tides, textures, and traditions of the Lowcountry. Read more>>

Kevin McRae

I was raised in Columbus, Georgia. I have always loved science. I knew from a young age that I was interested in Medicine. My father is a doctor but there was little to no pressure for me to go into healthcare. The cardinal moment that lead me to medicine happened during a summer while I was in elementary school. Read more>>

Desha Henfield

I started as a young woman with a desire to serve, make a difference, and build a better future. That desire led me to join the U.S. Navy, become the first in my family to serve in the military, and later become the first to earn a college degree. My journey was shaped by leadership, resilience, and a commitment to helping others. Read more>>

Jitarria Gilliam-Snow

My story is one of resilience, faith, and refusing to let my circumstances define my future. I’m a wife, a mother of 12, and an entrepreneur, and every part of my journey has shaped the businesses and the woman I am today. I didn’t come from a perfect background or have everything handed to me. Read more>>

Kameron Tauber

I grew up in Georgia, and my first introduction to dentistry came from my mom, who was a dental hygienist. She would come home and tell stories about her patients, not just about teeth, but about their lives. As a kid, I didn’t fully appreciate it, but looking back, that’s where I first realized dentistry is really about building relationships and taking care of people. Read more>>

Rochelle Hall

My journey to Meraki Holistic Wellness really began with my own life and health experiences. For a long time, I was very good at pushing through. I could show up for work, family, church, business, and the people who needed me, even when I was tired or my own body was telling me to slow down. Read more>>