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.
Meagan Funk
Meagan has spent over 15 years building community through business ownership, event production, and brand storytelling. She’s led large-scale experiences, collaborated with high-profile clients, and launched a celebrated live music series in Dallas-Fort Worth that centered artistry and connection. Bryson’s background spans marketing strategy, digital media, and operations—most recently managing greenhouse logistics and social media at an AgTech startup. He also co-founded Loft Stories with Meagan, a top-ranked music series that blended performance with creative hospitality. Read more>>
Jared Smith
It’s been a roller coaster in the real estate business. I had this passion for helping people and there were times I was so swamped with real estate, or finally had time to breath to catch up. Times I have had time to breathe, I utilize those times to go meet with my professional sport players, agents, financial advisors, or just nfl teams. I always keep my self incredibly busy with work. I enjoy everything I do because I work with incredible people, such as professional sports players, ceo of Fortune 500 companies, and music entertainers. A lot of these people trust me and that’s the key to my success. They trust me that I’ve been in their shoes, and I’m not going to act like a fan or pester them about their job. And that trust is huge for me. Read more>>
Godfrey & Emma Mukwindidza
For a growing non-profit focused on rural Zimbabwe—an underrepresented area—it can be difficult to gain visibility and credibility with international funders. Additionally, economic instability in Zimbabwe can deter local philanthropic support. Building community engagement and trust is a challenge as we have to build trust with rural communities and schools which takes time and effort. At times communities may be skeptical of outside help, especially if they’ve been disappointed before. Gaining buy-in from local leaders and ensuring that projects align with community needs is essential but not always easy. Read more>>
Kristi Kelley
In 2023, I worked for a company that specialized in microcurrent wellness devices, which gave me the opportunity to explore a wide range of alternative health technologies. That’s when I was introduced to BEMER. What stood out to me was not only the science behind the product but the company’s longevity—it’s been around for over 26 years, with proven results and FDA Class II clearance. Read more>>
Jessica Zhang
We were a strong team together. Each month, we held packing sessions where we packed different community kits. While we started out solely packing STEM kits, we knew our drive to support the entire community would guide us toward packing other types of kits like cancer care kits and disaster relief kits. Now, we have an amazing team of fifteen ambitious middle- and high-school students working towards advancing our mission. We have donated over ten thousand kits to over thirty community partners. The rest is history. Read more>>
Kendria Jenkins
What started as personal healing has evolved into a platform to inspire and serve others. Today, I’m proud to create safe, judgment-free spaces where individuals —especially women and families—can rebuild confidence, rediscover joy, and reconnect with who they truly are. Whether I’m leading a workshop, setting up an event, or connecting with a someone in need of encouragement, I know I’m walking in purpose. And I’m just getting started. Read more>>
Dr. Daniel Baek
Originally hailing from the island of Oahu, I moved to DFW shortly after graduating from chiropractic school. I studied Kinesiology at the University of Hawaii with the intention of going to physical therapy school, but I found myself interning at a local chiropractic office which changed the course of my career. After witnessing firsthand the amount of positive changes in the lives of many individuals and families, I decided to move to the Bay Area of California to attend chiropractic school. Read more>>
Ralph Lee
After graduating from The University of Texas at Dallas with my bachelor’s degree, I applied to physical therapy schools and chose to pursue my Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Austin—a city I’ve always loved. During my time there, I was able to really dive deep into the profession, building a strong foundation and refining my manual therapy skills. Read more>>
Talisha Gray
Along the way, I realized that many of my clients—whether stay-at-home moms, work-from-home professionals, or older women in retirement homes—were craving more than skincare. They wanted peace, restoration, and a reminder that they matter. So I tailored my services and product line to speak directly to them, offering facials that are relaxing and results-driven, and products that are gentle, natural, and effective. Read more>>
Cinceir Holmes
By the time I was 12-13 years old I moved out here to Arlington, Tx started going to Barnett middle school and started using music to kind of fit in with the other kids because they found it cool that I could rap, and dance a little. Overtime I became known for three things being quiet/weird, running track, and making music. I would freestyle in class, at assemblies, and even in a talent show where I realized I had terrible stage fright and I mean terrible. I made it through two lines and couldn’t remember my song at all. Mind you I spent weeks writing it and practicing prior. Read more>>
Sarah Hatler
As a working trombone player, I needed to bring mutes to a rehearsal one night, and I carried them in an old duffel bag. They were getting banged up and I was self conscious because it didn’t look professional. I tried to buy a proper mute bag for them later that same night and couldn’t find one that looked stylish and would protect my expensive mutes. Read more>>
Harrison Lewis
As a now veteran, and entrepreneur/student, I faced financial strain and lack of network in understanding how to properly establish a business or execute basic business practices. Not coming from a business family or background, I also lacked the financial tools or resources to fund the start-up process efficiently and still struggle with source funding and raising capital to scale. All problems I feel each business owner faces, the largest challenge was losing my first business partner, who walked away with his partnership buy-in, during our first major collection production, which forced me to sell stocks to cover the cost to push the brand forward. Read more>>
Kenny Abgim
My business is centered around empowering individuals to build wealth through real estate, but it’s more than just buying and selling houses, it’s about creating lasting legacies. I specialize in guiding high achievers, investors, and first-time buyers through the process of securing real estate that not only serves as a home but as an asset that appreciates in value and contributes to long-term financial freedom. Read more>>
Ashley Frederick
The inspiration to focus on pound cakes runs deep. As my beloved grandmother and other family members grew older, I felt a strong pull to preserve the traditions we shared — especially those sweet moments in the kitchen. Visiting my grandmother and great-aunts growing up always meant two things: lots of laughter and something delicious waiting on the table plus plenty packaged up to take home. Those memories are priceless. Read more>>
Georgina Padilla
After graduation, I kind of hit a wall, after busting out a whole 2×2 ft painting every two weeks with a new or developing concept, my brain is fried, and though I still have ideas and drafts going on a sketchbook, im allowing myself to enjoy my well deserved rest after developing such a wide (at least for me) portfolio where I was able to curate and install my own art show in the UNT’s Union Gallery on my last semester of college, it was one of the proudest moment’s of my career and I owe it all to my family, professors, and my best friend and ex-roomate(sadly) who stayed up countless nights listening to me go through it all. Read more>>
Caitlin Luttman
I had finally found a estie home doing facials a few years later. I loved the position I was in and the company aligned with the same ethics I had as an esthetician. Things were going amazing. I had met so many amazing people along the way. I spent my time there growing as an esthetician and learning new procedures to elevate my clients experience. unfortunately after almost 2 years the company I was working for had unexpectedly closed their doors with a 2 day notice. Read more>>
Sierra Cobbs
Since then, I’ve launched my Breakthrough Mentoring program, released a line of anointed oils called The Anointed Essence, and most recently, I published my first book, Beneath The Magnolia’s Bloom. It’s a faith-filled journey through childhood trauma, healing, and rediscovering purpose, raw, real, and rooted in God. Read more>>
Marcinda Hankins
Absolutely! My journey started as a single mom struggling to stay afloat as a licensed Esthetician. So I seek a part-time at a cigar lounge, just trying to make ends meet. While working there, I would often hear men talk about their beards—complaints about itchiness, dryness, and not knowing how to properly care for them. As a licensed esthetician, I knew that the real issue wasn’t just the beard—it was the skin underneath being neglected. Read more>>
Kiera Williamson
Probably one of my biggest struggles was trying to balance long hours on the farm and managing client work. Eventually, I had to make a the hard decision to step away from farming to give my new business a chance. It wasn’t easy. Learning to run a business, while also still learning to be better at my craft was a learning curve. Trying to market myself, communicate my value, and juggle clients definitely stretched me thin, but I really believed in my work—so I kept going. Read more>>
Shelby Evans
I spent two years in Laos, using my breaks to visit all the other South East Asian countries. My first year I lived in a rural town called Ban Keun. I didn’t have much of a social life outside of cooking with colleagues and playing soccer or volleyball with their children and maybe a baci or festival here or there. My second year I spent in the rather quaint capital city of Vientiane. I don’t think any experience in my life has shaped me as much as my time in what is often an overlooked part of the world. The priority of people and community above all else, time taken at a slow pace, and spirit of generosity, reframed my perspective a great deal. Read more>>
Beatriz Forbes
Adriana had already endured surgery, 16 different IV medications, a respirator, an oscillator, and 1-2 blood transfusions per day. She had great weeks and terrible weeks. We prayed non stop asking God to save her life. We were trying everything modern medicine permitted. We wouldn’t give up. But we knew that when it was her time, there was nothing we or the doctors could do to save her. Read more>>
Kimberly Berriochoa
When I’m not painting, I’m welcoming guests to Falcon’s Nest, my short-term rental tucked into the Texas Hill Country. What began as a side project slowly transformed into a thriving business. It is now a retreat space where people come to breathe deeply, unplug, and sometimes rediscover their creativity. I also host intimate group gatherings that blend art, nature, yoga, and self-reflection into something restorative and beautiful. Read more>>
Vitaly Nesterov
I moved to Dallas from Ontario, Canada, in 2021 and founded a water damage restoration company called Restoration Experts. In 2022, I joined Your Home Expert Remodeling, partnering with my brother Alexander Karnauch and longtime colleague Michael Tiomkin to expand into full-service property repair. Over the past three years, I’ve built an amazing team, and we take great pride in our customer service—it’s at the core of everything we do. Read more>>
Nathan Batson
My martial arts journey began in 1986, when my parents took me to my first Okinawan karate class at the local skating rink in Athens, Texas. That initial experience sparked a lifelong passion, and I’ve been dedicated to the art ever since. A pivotal moment came 15 years later when I was fortunate enough to find Hanshi John Shipes and the Athens Karate School. Hanshi Shipes became more than just an instructor; he has been a mentor, an inspiration, and a dear friend, profoundly influencing my understanding of karate and my path in life. His guidance introduced me to Grandmaster Fusei Kise and Kaicho Isao Kise, with whom I also developed a close friendship over the years. Read more>>
Adrian Richard
I thought about buying costumes and letting them stand in front of the mirror for they can see themselves in that career. I believe if a child can visualize themselves as that they can become it. So I thought huh, it would be cool if it was a floor mirror that can change you into different careers, encourage you and keep family and friends together no matter where they are located in the world. Then I began to create Dreamz mirror to help with mental health issues and symptoms. Read more>>
Emily Lites
We have had some issues with raising funds throughout the year and advertising our large annual fundraiser. We are having a casino night this year on July 26th at the Marq in Southlake Texas. At these events we get raffle items to raise funds for our boxes and box making parties. It has been challenging keeping up with increase prices, shipping boxes to other states, and sustaining our charity throughout the year with our funds. We have so many lovely donors every year that support our small nonprofit organization we are so grateful for these businesses and individuals, and we would not be able to do what we can without them. Read more>>
Marny Webster
In 2019, I had the opportunity to assist a builder with a 20-unit upscale townhome project in Flower Mound. That project marked a turning point—it was the beginning of stepping out on my own. I realized that while having a high-quality product is crucial, delivering a flawless installation is just as important. Success in this industry requires both. Read more>>
David Gallegos
Through out the years, I began teaching guitar as well as writing and performing in various heavy metal rock bands before chasing my dreams and moving to Los Angeles, in hopes of finding a successful musical opportunity. After a 2 year stint in Southern California, and no luck finding success, I eventually returned to San Antonio and picked up where I left off. After a few years, I met several fellow progressive rock musicians and formed my first real progressive metal band called, Power of Omens. The band would go on to released 2 international CDs. Read more>>
