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.
Cheryl Kappes
And, funding Glendale’s Imagination Library program is a full time job, one much better solved at the legislature level. By the way, 10,000 children are currently on a wait list for the Imagination Library program in Maricopa County. Read more>>
Stacy Burk
On March 25, 2014, Burk released his first single, “Til Your Boots Are Dirty”. On September 16, 2014, Burk released his debut album, Keep Your Dreams Alive. The album was produced by Josh Leo (Martina McBride, Alabama, LeAnn Rimes). Stacy Burk collaborated with Los Angeles-based director Dave West to make the music video for “Til Your Boots Are Dirty”. Read more>>
Dax Hardie
I grew up playing drums and guitar, but I fell in love with electronic music in high school in 2010-2011ish when artists like Skrillex were starting to blow up. In 2016, while attending Arizona State University, I began DJing in my bedroom just for fun, mixing in my apartment and teaching myself the basics. Read more>>
Mark Kenney
I started my career in the building industry working as a framer with residential and commercial projects in Michigan. I came into the industry literally knowing very little about it, but was eager to learn, a hard worker and was putting food on the table just wanting to support my growing family. Read more>>
Chris Uptain
My journey in the jewelry industry began when I was about 12 years old. My uncle owned a jewelry store in Mesa called Wedding and Gold Gallery, and my father worked there as a bench jeweler. Growing up, I spent countless hours in that shop watching them work. Read more>>
Jeff Young
YESCO’s story began 106 years ago when a young artist named Thomas Young began painting letters on walls, trucks, and posters, as well as doing gold-leaf on windows. From there, it expanded into electronic signs, including some of the first neon in the country. YESCO expanded in the southwest region for decades. Read more>>
BAB Parties
After 22 years of friendship, BAB Parties was born from a bond that started long before business plans and event setups, it started on an elementary school playground. Read more>>
Chris-Tina Moore
If I’m being honest, I never set out to own a business. The business built itself as I discovered and refined my skills and talents. It’s a peculiar chain of events that begins with MySpace and a cancer diagnosis. I’ve always been creative. Growing up, my friends and I were constantly doing arts and crafts, building something, or trying to create something new. Read more>>
Brandi Smith
Willow & Wonder Academy was born from a mother’s love and a teacher’s passion. One of the most unforgettable chapters of my education journey was teaching English to primary students in Italy, an experience that stretched me and deepened my belief that children thrive when learning feels relational and alive. Read more>>
Karen grosz
My story began with a teacher telling me I was too stupid (her words) to go to college. I believed her. Then I met the right person, and several more after that, and began living a life of what I call Nexts. One goal, one person, one job, one challenge after the next, always with the goal to learn and grow. Read more>>
Katelyn Gallun
The journey began with the idea to make clay earrings that allowed for my passion of creating to serve a dual purpose by using the proceeds from the earrings to cover psychotherapy costs for myself and others who have experienced abuse and wanted to begin their journey to heal. Read more>>
Alexander Peet
I was born and raised in Miami, and most of my childhood was spent in a condo in Downtown Miami. I was diagnosed with ADHD at 8 and Asperger’s at 10. I spent elementary school in a small specialized program for kids with ADHD and autism, with 7 to 12 students per class and no traditional grades. Read more>>
Stacey Voss
I started Voss Visuals because photography has always felt like home to me. I grew up in Iowa where life was simple, a little untamed, and deeply rooted in family. We took photos of everything and waited for the film to be developed, passing prints around the kitchen table and reliving the moment all over again. Read more>>
Natalie Gleason
I’m a somatic practitioner and holistic wellness coach, and the founder of Enrooted Life, a practice devoted to helping people reconnect with their bodies, shed what no longer serves them, and step into the lives they were meant to live. My path to starting this practice and helping others transform their lives didn’t happen overnight, and it certainly wasn’t easy. Read more>>
Melissa Merendino
Hi there! My name is Melissa Merendino. I am an artist and an art teacher in Gilbert. I taught public school for over 20 years and loved teaching. I chose to walk away from teaching school in November 2019. I was very frustrated with the education system and the inequity that I experienced daily. I could not be a part of it any longer. Read more>>
Matthew Goldstein
My name is Matthew Goldstein, and I’m a certified Reiki Master Teacher. Like many healers, my path didn’t start with a calm meditation; it started with a crisis. After a major knee surgery left me out of work for six months, I was forced into a stillness I wasn’t used to. Read more>>
Casey Wulfert
After moving to Arizona from the San Francisco Bay Area in 1992, I accepted a position as an event designer with a luxury resort. Prior to that, I had owned my own business in the event industry in California. When the resort decided to dissolve the department, I took the opportunity to once again pursue my entrepreneurial passion and launched my own company in 1994. Read more>>
Linda Wright
I got started in alternative medicine at the age of 5 when my mom’s favorite sister developed colon cancer. The two of them went to the Hoxsey Cancer Clinic in Texas, and that changed my life forever. We got exposed to Adele Davis books, organic gardening, whole foods, raw milk, chiropractors. I completed my undergrad work at University of Colorado, Boulder with a B.A. Read more>>
Meghan Bertchie
At just 16 years old, after graduating high school early, I started my first job as a dog groomer at PetSmart. What began as a simple entry-level position quickly turned into a lifelong passion. Read more>>
John Peterson
I’ve always been obsessed with how things work—and more importantly, how to make them work better. My journey began at Arizona State University, where I studied engineering and developed a foundational ‘systems first’ mindset. Early in my career, I focused on process improvement, diving deep into the gears of operations to find efficiencies. Read more>>
Sandy Bartlett
I spent 40+ years working in Human Resources Management and when I retired, I still wanted to contribute so got my coaching certification – with the initial thought that I’d do HR Consulting – but have loved coaching so pivoted in that direction. Read more>>
Tee Snyder
I grew up in Paradise Valley, Arizona, and from a young age, I was always interested in businesses and how they worked. I watched entrepreneurs around me and became fascinated with the idea of building something from the ground up. I have always been ambitious, but for a long time, I wasn’t sure where to direct that ambition. Read more>>
Laya Field
Laya Field, a retired musician, began volunteering at Christ Anglican Church in Carefree, Arizona in 2007. Her mission was to start a children’s choir that would sing at services once a month. Very quickly she realized that there was a need for musical instruction for children in the community and has been working to create a program that would include young children to adults. Read more>>
Jazz Juenker
Hey hey! I’m Jazz the face behind Smooth Peaches Waxing Studio! I’ve been a licensed esthetician going on 4 years now but have been in the beauty industry for 8 years total. I was originally a nail tech, and after doing that for 4 years I found a new love, WAXING! Read more>>
Laurel Howe
I have been a teacher for more than 25 years. My husband and I recently moved to Arizona after spending several years overseas working as international school teachers. While I continue to teach part-time, I realized I would need to supplement my teaching income. After moving to the Tucson area, I noticed a growing need for reliable home and pet sitters in my community. Read more>>
Animal People
We’re a family on a mission, and that mission is simple: to help everyone understand just how important it is to take care of our planet and all the creatures (big, small, furry, scaly, or leafy!) that call it home! It all started with our love for animals and a fascination with the environment. Read more>>
AnaLisa Alderete
My career in the beauty industry officially kicked off in 2012 when I graduated from cosmetology school. From the jump, I was all about the art of the face. I started out as a freelance artist for Lancôme, which eventually led me to the high-energy world of MAC Cosmetics. Read more>>
Teresa Foster
I have over 20 years experience as a nurse, 10 of those practicing as a nurse practitioner (NP). I started my NP career working for a large hospital corporation in the Valley in Urgent Care. During the Covid pandemic I was very frustrated – feeling that I could not help patients heal from or prevent illness due to strict treatment limitations. Read more>>
Carissa Krabbenhoft
My photography journey began in 2021, during the uncertainty of the COVID pandemic. What started as a creative outlet quickly grew into something much more meaningful. I began by photographing friends and family, using those early sessions to build my portfolio and refine my editing style while learning the art and business of photography. The name Carissa’s Corner Photography was inspired by humble beginnings. Read more>>
Emily Blanche
Currently I am a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, sound healer and reiki master. Some of my favorite memories growing up were visiting the Jan Ross bookstore in Glendale, AZ. From a young age I’ve been attracted to the subtle and unseen. Around age 15 when I had more independency and a friend with a car I began attending Kundalini yoga classes. Read more>>
Carlos Chavez
Unlike many photographers, I didn’t grow up with a camera in my hand or dream of becoming a photographer. My career actually started in the nonprofit world. After graduating from the University of Arizona, I spent 11 years working with underserved youth and families through nonprofit organizations. As I approached 30, I found myself needing a creative outlet. Read more>>
Stacy Matson
My story began with a phone call that changed everything. My dad called to tell me he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer, just one month before he was due to retire. Instead of celebrating the next chapter of his life, he was facing the fight of his life. Read more>>
Taylor McIntyre
I’ve been fascinated with physiology, science, and nutrition for as long as I can remember. Even as a child, I was drawn to understanding how the body works and how it heals. I remember reading books on natural healing and nutrition when I was only nine years old. Read more>>
Anthony Miller
My background began as a technician in the Voice and Data department at Collins Communications. Over time, I worked my way up and eventually became Manager of Voice and Data. Read more>>
Joseph Dampt
When I was about 10 years old I got my first guitar at a yard sale for $75. It did not play past the 12th fret and in retrospect was a pretty terrible guitar to start out with, But it worked for me and I quickly grew to love guitar centric music especially the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and The Beach Boys. Read more>>
Patrishia Bogan
I was born in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States with my mother when I was three years old. We settled in Arizona, which has been home for most of my life. Growing up as an immigrant shaped me in many ways—it instilled resilience, gratitude, and a deep appreciation for opportunity. Read more>>
Shay Segev
When my journey in this industry began, I started at the very foundation of the construction chain. I was the guy cleaning job sites, often working from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. I have always believed that no matter the task, you must give 100% and aim to be the best at what you do. Read more>>
Rochelle Mulvihill
I started my journey in esthetics in Los Angeles after working in the fashion industry. I spent years helping people prepare for red carpet events, styling them and making sure they looked beautiful for the moment. Over time, I realized I wanted to support people on a deeper level, something that went beyond appearance and focused more on how people feel in their skin. Read more>>
Megan Joseph
We take an inside-out approach to wellness, skincare, and hair care. Alongside herbal and nutrition support, we also operate our med spa, MegaLife Skin & Beauty, focused on skin health, aesthetics, and hair restoration. I bring over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry, and my partner, Kellie Summers, has over a decade of experience as an esthetician and leads the skincare side while I focus on integrative wellness, education, and emerging areas like peptides and recovery support. Read more>>
Azucena Blanco
Azucena Blanco – Founder of Clothes Care I was born in El Salvador, where I earned my degree in Public Relations and Communications. I spent approximately 15 years working in banks and financial institutions, building a professional career that I was proud of and deeply committed to. In 2019, I moved to the United States after getting married and starting a beautiful family. Read more>>
