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.

Jimmy (Stoney) Jordan

People often think barbering is just about cutting hair, but for me it’s always been about building relationships and creating community. I started cutting hair in 1988, and what began as a skill eventually became my life’s purpose. Originally from Florida, I made my way to Atlanta with a dream of building something that would outlast me. Read more>>

ASHNA MALIK

I was born and raised in New Delhi, India, and attended a school with a really strong arts programme. It was there that I first developed an interest in art and gradually became more and more invested in my art classes. We were trained quite technically, and through that process I realised I had a genuine knack for it. Read more>>

De’Lisa Hollis

I went to Georgia Career Institute for Massage Therapy from November 2011 to September 2012. After passing a certification test in October 2012, I received my license on December 31st, 2012. Early on, I told myself that I wanted to remain an employee; I had absolutely no desire to own a business. Read more>>

Joan Braga

I’ve been a creative person for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my dad used to draw comics for me, and that inspired me to start drawing myself. Music was also always a part of my life. I was a vocalist from an early age, although learning to play instruments came much later, and only after several failed attempts! Read more>>

Freedom On the Beat

Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, and moved to Georgia when I was 7 years old. My journey into beauty began in 2015 after seeing Kim Kardashian’s viral “baking” makeup moment which inspired me to try it on myself . and from that moment, I truly believe makeup chose me. What started as curiosity grew into a career, a brand, and a purpose. Read more>>

Charlie Hill-Henderson

My journey began at 17 with a love for fashion, creativity, and the belief that I could create something meaningful with my own hands. I’ve always been drawn to clothing and design, and over the years that passion grew into a career that has allowed me to combine fashion, education, entrepreneurship, and mentorship. In 2010, I founded Chuck B. Read more>>

Jade Gonzalez

Since I was a young girl I’ve always been drawn to doing hair. while I was in college pursuing a career in business, I wondered if the traditional path was for me, Once I realized the beauty industry was my true passion I changed my course and decided to attend cosmetology school. Read more>>

RapGame Will

Originally born in Bainbridge, Georgia from the east side of water street to be exact; I’ve been musically inclined since I was about 12 years old, specifically with an affinity for hip hop. Throughout my adolescent and teenage years I was one foot in and one foot out of the music. Read more>>

Carlos Ranzani

I am deeply honored to receive this invitation — and it comes at a particularly meaningful moment. I am currently writing my autobiography. I have learned how gratifying, important, and enriching it is to reflect deeply on one’s own journey. My great-grandfather, Dionísio Ranzani, was born in Italy in 1863, in the small town of Occhiobello, in the Veneto region, about an hour from Venice. Read more>>

The Warsaw Clinic Austin Robb

The Warsaw Clinic started in 2014, with Eli Browder (lead guitar/vocals) and Austin Robb (drums), writing music and riffs in a small 8’x8’ bedroom. Being best friends for 27 years, the process was organic and the music flowed. After several months of working on material, life long friend and bass player, Chris Parker, joined the band. Read more>>

Ama Ka’rin

I was born and raised in the Netherlands, but my family is originally from Ghana, so I’ve always felt like I had the best of both worlds. Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up singing in church choirs and always knew, deep down, that I wanted to be an artist. Read more>>

Maleeka Alease

People often see the books, the speaking engagements, or the self-reflection experiences first, but my journey really began with learning how to sit with my own story. I’ve always been drawn to people and their stories. Read more>>

Jay Amor

Welcome to Amor Armada, founded by Jay Amor—an artist, producer, engineer, songwriter, model, and entrepreneur. A rockstar who’s still rising and evolving, Jay Amor hails from El Paso, Texas, and spent much of his life in the southern United States. After living overseas for four years, he was deeply influenced by pop culture, R&B, and EDM. Read more>>

Buku Abi

I’ve been creating ever since I can remember. I grew up in a house full of creativity. It’s really all I know. When I was around 13 years old I decided to take music and my creativity seriously. I ended up joining and after school program called School Of Rock. Read more>>

Ricky Zero

I started playing music as a teenager – just for fun. I got more serious after high school. By my late 20s, I was playing music as my full-time job, recording music that I’d written and touring around the United States. Read more>>

Corey Reese

My journey has been anything but traditional. Growing up, I dreamed of playing professional football and earned a full athletic scholarship to college. Although the NFL was not ultimately where my path led, that experience taught me discipline, resilience, and how to keep moving when life takes you in a different direction than expected. Read more>>

Vanessa Gale

Despite all of those experiences, I kept asking the same question: What actually allows people to thrive? I wasn’t just interested in stronger bodies. I wanted to understand why some people seemed fully alive while others felt stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected despite doing ‘all the right things.’ That search led me to chiropractic and eventually to NetworkSpinal. The first time I experienced it, something clicked. Read more>>

Marie Roy

Intermission Atlanta was born from a simple belief: when people feel regulated, supported, and connected, they perform better, lead better, and live better. My co-founder, Dorothée Rechenberg, and I are both French professionals who followed different paths before meeting in Atlanta. Read more>>

Jafar Graves

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble began long before we ever thought of ourselves as a professional band. We are brothers from Chicago, sons of the late musician, composer, educator and cultural visionary Kelan Phil Cohran. Music was part of our everyday life growing up. Read more>>

Marc Appe

I started in radio and television. I spent years in senior marketing leadership at CBS Radio and then Clear Channel, running departments responsible for reaching millions of people across some of the most competitive media markets in the country. Broadcast teaches you something most industries never do: the ratings come out every week, and you either held the audience or you didn’t. Read more>>

Lily Collins-Sak (Founder of The Daily Pilates) and Reine Cook (Owner of The Daily Pilates East Cobb Studio)

Lily Collins-Sak, Founder of The Daily Pilates: For me, the journey to founding The Daily Pilates started after graduating from Arizona State with a degree in Exercise Science. I moved back home to Atlanta and immersed myself in the fitness industry. I worked as a personal trainer, physical therapy technician, and Pilates instructor at homes, clinics, and gyms. Read more>>

Julie Kitsulie

As a kid, I was always creating, drawing, putting on performances and finding new ways to entertain folks. I’ve always been drawn to bringing ideas to life. My passion for storytelling never left-it has evolved into different creative outlets over the years. Read more>>

John Hartman

After the results of the 2024 election I decided to get more involved in politics to help my community and be an advocate for those who felt scared to speak out due to potential backlash. As a veteran, my willingness to serve and protect didn’t end when I left the Army, but continues today through my work in politics. Read more>>

Barbara Nwaehi

My journey has never been about following a straight path, it has been about answering a calling. Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about helping organizations, leaders, and communities move from vision to execution. Whether working in nonprofit leadership, program strategy, project management, or executive coaching, I’ve always been driven by one question: How can we create systems that help people thrive? Read more>>

Adonis Blackwood

I started a full service production company in 2018 called Donis Studios that has now been rebranded to Frame Lock Media. Over the years of developing this company it has grown exponentially offering a wide range of services to include but is not limited to short films, documentaries, social media content, events, music videos, commercials, government contracting and much more. Read more>>

Jeremey Johnson

I started doing hair when I was 13 years old. I tell people it all started from being nosey and all up in grown folks’ business. My mom and her best friend were hairstylists, and I’d sit there watching them, picking up how to do things just by seeing it. Read more>>

Lauren Ashley

I grew up in Orange County, California, and over the years I’ve lived in four different states while working as a fitness instructor before eventually settling in Dallas. I’ve always been drawn to social media and digital storytelling. For several years, I managed social media for brands while posting content on my own platforms alongside my full-time job. Read more>>

Samantha Fanning

Hello, my name is Samantha Fanning, pronouns They/Them also known as Mr. BunHi. I’m 34 years old, originally from Louisville, Kentucky. I spent about eight and a half years in Atlanta, Georgia, and I’ve been in the DMV area for the past two and a half years. My career has grown through event production, performance, and community work. Read more>>

Darnell Clark

My story has never followed a perfectly straight path, but every chapter has helped shape the work I am doing today. I am originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and now based in Atlanta, Georgia. Over the past two decades, I have built a career across public relations, marketing, advertising, publishing, creative design, workplace operations, and business development. Read more>>

Luca Barolli

I was born and raised in Parma, Italy, where food is deeply connected to family, culture, and tradition. I later moved to Atlanta and began building my career as a private chef, sharing authentic Italian cuisine through intimate dinners, cooking classes, and pasta-making experiences. My background in Cultural Heritage Conservation also influenced my approach. Read more>>

Stoopidbeatz Brince Elam

I started music as a kid in school . I played drums from middle school to high school marching band, it grew from working with other upcoming artist from my hood .I had a mentor for a few yrs who was very heavy in the industry making me his protégé , intern , and assistant . Read more>>

Londa Adams

My journey started with creativity. One day I began writing on a popular storytelling app, and my first chapter unexpectedly took off. That experience eventually led me to becoming a published author in 2019 with my first book, Relinquish or Reposition. I later joined Toastmasters in Atlanta to strengthen my speaking and presentation skills. Read more>>

LaShondra Swanson

Beauty has been my passion since I was a little girl. I was styling hair for family and friends long before I became a licensed Master Cosmetologist. Throughout my career, from working behind the chair to managing luxury beauty brands and receiving advanced esthetics training, I realized my purpose was much bigger than providing beauty services. Read more>>

Sarah Donjuan

I started JJ’s almost eight years ago as a hobby. At the time, I was working a full-time marketing job and wanted a hobby that could also make me money. I had the idea for a flower truck in July, bought the truck in August, and opened in September, so everything came together very quickly. Read more>>

Dr. Yvette Gavin

This October, Yvette Gavin Consulting (YGC) officially turns 10 years old. Ten years! And if you had told the young journalist working at CNN, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and The Birmingham News that one day I would own a consulting firm serving organizations across the country, including the federal government and U.S. military, I’m not sure I would have believed you. Read more>>

Yanni Brown

My journey began selling adult novelty toys. I was a new mom and needed additional income. It was also something that came second nature to me. I’ve always been a lover of love. What I discovered once I dipped my toe into the adult novelty industry was that there were so many women who were missing what understanding, knowing and owning there pleasure looked like. Read more>>

Hyejin(aedin) shin

As a child, I loved copying manga, especially Japanese comics. I also enjoyed imagining my dream home and different spaces, then bringing those ideas to life through drawing. I wasn’t the most naturally talented artist, but I loved drawing enough to keep practicing. Over time, drawing became the thing I felt most comfortable doing. When I entered university, I majored in Fine Arts. Read more>>

Alexis Akridge

So my journey started in 2017. It was originally when I started getting into fitness, coming off of being a Division II athlete playing basketball, women’s basketball. Obviously, once the season ends, you know, you look for your next step in what you want to do. So I got into fitness for myself. I wanted to, you know, just become stronger overall mentally & physically. Read more>>

Warren Shepherd

(Taken from my blog.) They say the journey of a thousand miles begins with a sharp crack to the head… A little over three years ago, that’s exactly what happened, on a day that was to change the course of my future. Read more>>

Kimberly MCCoy

The idea was my mother’s (her name is Jean) Sweet Jeanius was started in 2015 at Prep Atlanta, which acted as a small business incubator. They helped with all things business… not only the space for the business, but also marketing, menu development. permitting and opportunities to sell. 2015 was really the start of explosion of food trucks in the Atlanta area. Read more>>

Lasheray Starnes

If someone had told me years ago that I’d one day own multiple businesses, manage commercial projects across several states, and mentor other entrepreneurs, I probably wouldn’t have believed them. My story didn’t begin with opportunity—it began with adversity. I grew up in poverty, where making ends meet was a daily struggle. Read more>>https://voyageatl.com/interview/rising-stars-meet-lasheray-starnes-of-atlanta

Marie

G. Marie Cleaning started with an idea, being raised by military parents I was always taught to take my cleaning and organizing to the next level. To do all things with integrity, and being a woman of faith I always do things as if the Lord is watching. So I never do rush jobs and always stand by the brands next level standards. G. Read more>>

Matt Mills

I never set out to fit into one industry. I’ve always been driven by one thing: creating opportunities for people and helping great stories get the attention they deserve. My journey started in entertainment, where I learned the power of storytelling, branding, and bringing people together. Read more>>

Selena Richardson

As a young teenage girl, I started out playing around with my friends hair at about the age of 14. I started doing hair in kenosha, Wisconsin in my neighborhood! It was something that just came naturally to me. I knew then that this was something that I really enjoyed as well.  Read more>>

TSCouture

I always had an eye for fashion. But I went to cosmetology school right after graduating high school. I did hair for yearssssss. Even worked with state board with grading other students to pass for their license. One random day a client/friend of mine said she saw a vision on me with clothes. But more like owning a boutique. Read more>>

Jessica Saint Louis

Just an Island Girl with Big Dreams I’m just an island girl with a big dream. My journey into the beauty industry began with one simple question from my mom—my biggest supporter. One day she asked me, “What do you want to do?” I didn’t have all the answers, but I knew I wanted a career where I could make people feel good about themselves. Read more>>

Arial Williams

In my younger years, I’ve always had a passion for teaching and science. I can even remember creating tests and handing them out to my toys. Science fits my personality; it encompasses my precision, curiosity,and attention to detail. After completing undergrad, I decided that I wanted a career that included all of my interest; medicine, science and education. Read more>>

Lauren Williams

My story is really a story about purpose and faith. I’ve always had a heart for helping people, and becoming a therapist allowed me to combine that passion with something I truly believe is important—creating a safe space where people can be honest about what they’re going through without feeling judged. Read more>>

Mirrorajah Metcalfe

I am currently a New England based actor. I’ve been pursuing acting since 2020, when I was 19. I’m originally from Las Vegas, but I moved around a lot my whole life. After my high school graduation in Vegas, I moved to a small town, Haverhill, MA, to live with my father. Read more>>

Tociana July

I began in 2018 helping people start their businesses, just answering questions about my process and how I make money. In 2019 I became a certified entrepreneurial mindset trainer and in 2020 I received my MSW which enhanced my sales coaching practice because I studied human behavior. Read more>>

Demetrius Clements

I am a professional artist with a passion for creating captivating works through exceptional attention to detail. Born and raised on the south side of Peoria, Illinois, I discovered my love for drawing at an early age. Art became my creative outlet, helping me overcome many of the challenges I faced growing up in the projects. Read more>>

Julie Tzivas

In 2024, I stumbled upon a community of people online, known as “BookTok.” It was a celebration of storytelling, specifically in the fantasy and romance genres. I loved reading and started picking up more of these books. Fast forward, and I realized there was a world I was completely missing out on. Read more>>

TaTanisha Copeland

As an elementary school counselor with more than 20 years of experience serving Black and Brown students in a Title I school, I recognized an increasing number of children struggling with anxiety, anger, frustration, and other overwhelming emotions. While traditional counseling interventions were helpful, I wanted to create something that was culturally affirming, engaging, and developmentally appropriate that students could easily connect with and remember. Read more>>

Rachel Ezzo

I’m an Atlanta native, and I think a lot of my story comes back to being connected to community. I’ve spent more than 20 years working in nonprofits, mostly in fundraising, communications, and helping organizations grow. Read more>>

Zele Avradopoulos

I’m a working actor and a strategic branding coach for actors. On the set of Juror #2, Clint Eastwood watched our rehearsal of a scene I was in. At the end of the scene he turned to one of his producers, pointing at me and said ‘She’s funny!’. That was it. He smiled and walked back to his spot so we could film. Read more>>