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.
Joe and Jameson Johnson
We look forward to the future, where we will unite these two worlds by creating a permanent home that can house both Mythic Mercantile and the coffee shop of our dreams. It will be a unique space where people can find a rare piece of their past and connect with a like-minded community. Read more>>
Dusty Wahl
Every day I learn and grow as a person and business owner. There have been challenges, as I have no background in coffee or business and I’m learning how to operate as I go. My passion for food and community has carried me and led me in a positive direction with Cosmic. Read more>>
Laura Meyers
And it’s about the time that our customers get to spend with each other, glass in hand, connecting with an old friend, conversing with a neighbor, or celebrating a special occasion. We are grateful for the many relationships we’ve cultivated over the years with artists and musicians, food vendors, and other businesses and organizations, and always look forward to the next opportunity to grow and work with the amazing people around us. We’ve worked hard to cultivate a space that is welcoming to everyone, and are incredibly grateful for having such a supportive community over the past eight years! Read more>>
Guma Jackson
I explained my new inventions to my professor the following Monday after a weekend of experimentation. She loved the idea and believed in my product so much that she enrolled me in the Innovation Challenge. Sheri, the person who put on the challenge, and Angie from the Mindful Fork they helped me get into my first-ever farmers market, and Koja’s Cafe began to grow. Read more>>
Kelsey Johnston
I’ve always been creatively inclined. I started making candles to explore fragrance and how it can change the feeling of a space. My partner, Michael Carlson, and I had always wanted to start an endeavor that highlighted both our skill sets. When we collaborated we complemented each other’s strengths. We started Wacks in 2017 as a multidisciplinary creative endeavor. We work with candle making, design, and print processes. Read more>>
Micks Office Palmer
In November 2024, the next generation of the Palmer family returned to the bar’s helm. Daughters of Tim and Ruth—Christina Palmer, Ranae Schmidt, and Rachael Henning—stepped in with a shared goal: to run Mick’s Office with the same warmth and community spirit their parents and uncle had fostered, keeping alive a legacy that has been part of Moorhead for more than half a century. Read more>>
Mail N’ Ship
As the business grew, so did the heart behind it. I leaned into my love for branding and visual storytelling, curating a boutique-style experience that blends professionalism with warmth. I began spotlighting Minnesota makers, offering locally crafted gifts alongside our services. Every candle, earring, or handmade item we feature tells a story—and I love being the bridge between those stories and our customers. Read more>>
Mallory Hunter
After a few twists and turns fate would guide me to The Salon Professional Academy in Fargo ND where I got my esthetician license. I then went to open my first spa with a friend at 19 years old and by the time I was 20 years old I made the decision to move to Los Angeles CA to fulfill my dream of being a makeup artist to the stars. Read more>>
Michelle Welckle
My husband wanted a laser and we got him one right after we moved and jumped quickly into ornaments, decor and tumblers. Shortly after the new year in 2023 we decided to sell my camera set-up and I purchased a higher end dye sublimation printer. I had not planned to get into sublimating tumblers because the market was “saturated”, however we found that we really enjoyed it and that we tended to have a different design selection than most of the other vendors at events. They continue to be one of our biggest sellers! Read more>>
Emma Anderson
I wanted to create something different – a place where people could feel comfortable discussing their aesthetic goals without judgment. The ‘cosmetic bar’ concept came from wanting to make these services feel approachable and casual, like meeting a friend who happens to be an expert in helping you look and feel your best. Read more>>
Maria Rosso
Health and wellness has always been a passion of mine, especially as a mother of three who wants the best for my family. A few years ago, I was searching for natural ways to help my son who was dealing with swollen lymph nodes down the back of his neck and congestion from seasonal allergies. At the same time, I was also trying to get a handle on my own fibrocystic breast pain. Both paths led me to learn more about the lymphatic system and its crucial role in overall health. Once I began focusing on improving lymphatic health, I noticed a tremendous difference for both of my son and myself. Read more>>
Tushanthia Tensley
That desire led me to search for a new career path, one that would allow me to truly bring self-care and stress reduction into people’s lives. One day, I stumbled upon a television commercial for massage therapy, and something clicked. Within a week, I was enrolled in massage school—even though I had never received a massage before and had zero experience in giving one. Read more>>
Lailah Reynolds
It all started in high school for me. My friend, Keke, and I used to sit together at lunch and go into rabbit holes about our Sun signs. They are a Cancer Sun, and I am a Scorpio Sun. I learned sooo much about those two signs and eventually took an interest in learning about all the zodiac signs. It helped me understand myself, my friends, family, teachers, bosses, etc, much more deeply. I knew astrology was a tool I would use for life. Read more>>
Tina Kruse
I was lucky to have a forum to explore this for 20 years as a college professor in Educational Studies at a liberal arts college (Macalester), where I also researched youth thriving in out-of-school-time spaces–those extracurriculars in which deep learning seems to happen well. This led me to write Making Change: Youth Social Entrepreneurship (2019) for Oxford University Press and a chapter for the United Nations’ 2020 World Youth Report. Read more>>
Murid Amini
Along the way, I earned my MBA, which gave me the language and tools to move into strategy work. Since then, I’ve built a career around helping organizations navigate big transitions, whether that’s scaling, rethinking operations, or adopting new technology. Lately, a lot of my focus has been on AI – guiding companies through launches and integrations, and making sure these tools create real impact rather than just buzz. Read more>>
Emily Youngs
As word-of-mouth spread, more clients began trusting me to guide their events – from conception all the way to the last call. Along the way, I invested in software and back-end tools to streamline processes and elevate the client experience. These continual improvements, paired with my mission to design exceptional, innovative, and elevated meetings and events that create valuable professional experiences, have fueled the growth of Events by Emily. Read more>>
Elizabeth Adedokun
Like most meaningful paths, my path did not start with certainty. It started with a genuine curiosity – a strong desire to really understand relationships and how I showed up in them. Early in my life, my spiritual gift was revealed to me. The gift of encouragement and being able to connect with any and everybody around me. It came easy to me – if I was on a train or in a Starbucks, I’ve also been able to quickly connect with people and engage their attention. During college, I was drawn to my psychology courses, more specifically, my marriage and family course. Read more>>
Jennifer Reinen
Apparently yoga therapy WAS “a thing”, and it was waiting for me. I started my training with Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy (PRYT) in 2008, as a gift to heal my trauma. Then after nearly two years of training as a yoga therapist, I went back to work as an elementary school teacher. That didn’t last long, I wanted to share this gift that I had learned. So I started my own yoga therapy business in Seattle working mostly with kids in wheelchairs. Read more>>
Alisha Sullivan
But after those long, demanding shifts, I’d come home to my most important and challenging job: being a single parent. I was living the life of so many of my future clients. I knew that feeling of being completely drained from work, only to walk in the door and face a ‘second shift’ of household chores, cooking, and parenting. My home was my sanctuary, but it was a constant struggle to keep it the calm and orderly space my family and I needed it to be. Read more>>
Joanna Green
My story to Lifespring Lactation Counseling begins with breastfeeding my two sons with varying levels of frustration, pain, happiness and joy — sometimes all at once! In 2021, after casually giving friends advice on breastfeeding, I realized that I had a real passion for helping others in this way, so I completed the Certified Lactation Counselor course through the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice. In 2022, I started Lifespring with the hopes of helping families with their breastfeeding needs, but also in the transition of adding a baby to their family and all the changes that come with that. During my pregnancies, I found Craniosacral Therapy and Myofascial Release very helpful. As my body changed with my baby growing, my aches and pains changed with it! Read more>>
Ashley Pinckney
I had been working at a hospitals in Chicago, and a new mother when COVID hit. Like many in healthcare, I gave everything I had — and watched the system crumble around me. Burned out and exhausted, We moved to Minnesota, hoping to reset and rebuild. But the job search wasn’t easy. I ran into roadblocks at every turn — government shutdowns, resume gaps from parenting, and the frustrating experience of being told I was either overqualified or under-experienced. As a young mom in a rigid system, I constantly felt out of place. Read more>>
Gabrielle Griffin
A few years later, I launched White Pine Party Co. with the dream of curating unique experiences and beautiful gatherings. While the bakery took the lead, the investment I made into White Pine became the foundation for something truly special: The Cake Exchange. On August 30th, that vision came to life as a community event on Minnesota’s Iron Range, bringing neighbors, local businesses, and creatives together over one simple idea — sharing cake. Read more>>
Jesus Ordaz
Over time, that small barbershop grew into a full-service beauty salon with eight professional artists. Though I’ve since retired from cutting hair myself, I still manage the business and continue to focus on growth. From there, my entrepreneurial journey expanded into other ventures—including New Gen Marketing Company, a full-service agency that helps businesses increase revenue, generate leads, and grow their online presence through marketing services and AI automations, and New Gen Smoke Shop, a retail business that I launched and built to serve my local community. Read more>>
Dayna Martinez
I worked at the Ordway for the next 25 years, taking two years away when I moved to NYC in the early 2000’s. But I came back to Minnesota and the Ordway after my NYC stint. At the Ordway, I worked in fundraising, the box office (as Assistant Box Office Manager), I was the Contract Manager for 8 years, and eventually in 2012 I moved over the the Programming department as Artistic Director of World Music, Dance and the Flint Hills International Children’s Festival. I was the VP of Programming in Education, when I left the Ordway in 2023 to become the Executive Director of the Twin Cities Jazz Festival. Read more>>
Winter Walker
I have been painting for nearly nine years, but it wasn’t until I read The Creative Act by Rick Rubin that I felt inspired to begin sharing my art with the world. One passage deeply resonated with me: “The only art the world gets to enjoy is from creators who’ve overcome those hurdles and released their work.” That line encouraged me to take the leap and apply to exhibit my work for the first time. Read more>>
Tamiko Foster
I am a woman of Faith, first-generation college student, healer & educator by passion, and dancer by heart. I’m a Chi town native with over 20 years in Minnesota! I’m a new grandma, mother of one daughter, and Auntie of many. The business was inspired by my own personal wellness journey and those of close family members. Read more>>
Helen Fields
I talked to my brilliant and beautiful sister, Cathy. We researched and found a franchise that sold treats and dog food. We signed on, and after 2 years, we decided it was not for us. We were too restricted. I said to myself, “I can do this! ” I researched more and tried new recipes and ideas. Some failed, and many were successful. At first, sales were slow, and things became steady, not great, but steady. COVID came, and I thought we were done, but we are still in the game. Read more>>
Aerial Affinity
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but every challenge has made us stronger. Like so many small studios, 2020 was especially difficult. When everything shut down, we weren’t able to operate for a while, which really impacted our momentum. We did what we could at the time, offering small opportunities to keep people connected and moving, but it was tough. Read more>>
Mary Walerak
I tapped into that time in life where you are leaving your childhood behind and entering into that intimidating world of middle school and beyond. I used fantasy, some unusual friends, and a formidable nemesis, to teach about trusting your instincts, believing in your abilities, listening to your intuition and the importance of following your own path. I hope the book is a fun guide to building confidence and it leaves the reader with a feeling of empowerment. Read more>>
Donna Cramer
My first children’s book, Lester Lion Wants To Roar, flowed out of me once I started. It is about a lion who suffers a concussion after running into a tree. It is a hopeful story about recovering from illness or injury. It has a recurring line of ‘maybe tomorrow’. Since then, I have written two additional Lester books: Lester Lion Calls 911 and Lester Lion Loses Grandpa. I currently have one adult novel, Paul Is Missing, published, and my second adult novel, Vegas Goodbye, is in the process of being published. The themes of my adult novels revolve around recovering from tragedy and loss. My brand is hope. Read more>>
Francisco Lara Vazquez
I remember that we did a catering service for one person, but their budget was very low. That person was recommended to me. The person who recommended her told me that several wealthy guests would be present at her event, and I decided to take the contract, investing a lot without making a profit, but knowing that this was the only way to show my work, and so it was. After that event, they started hiring more clients, specifically from Norway’. I also got a contract with them, and to this day, I have contracts for Norway House. Read more>>
Shalonda Massey
WendyWilliams in 2022 and after that it took off and went viral. I see so many chefs using my dish and at first it made me mad due to no recognition but then I laughed and patted myself on the back. You made a dish that went viral and took off , be proud of yourself Shalonda! I also take time every year to feed 5 families for Thanksgiving/5 families for Christmas no matter my situation. My focus is standing outside the box and giving bk. Read more>>
Heather Hanson
As I made my nightly rounds on campus, I often found myself daydreaming about creative paths I might take. I’d pause to admire student projects, scan the community board for opportunities, and wonder how I could get closer to the arts. That’s how I eventually connected with Mane, Edme, and the unforgettable crew at the world-famous Supperclub San Francisco. Mane had posted on the board looking for a photo intern to help promote the club, and I was eager to take on the challenge. Read more>>
Nate Melek
Entrepreneurship may come naturally to Nate, but what drives him now is helping others. In addition to running his own company, he works as an independent small business growth consultant. From retail shops to restaurants to service providers, he partners with local businesses to uncover savings, spark growth, and ensure they’re operating as effectively and efficiently as possible. Read more>>
Rio Pérez
Visual art and writing offered me a way to imagine worlds outside of my small town. As I grew more confident in both, these skills allowed me to connect with people around me whose life experiences were quite different from my own. In high school, I felt the most seen by others when I shared my art and writing. I am grateful to have had teachers who affirmed me in my writing practice and encouraged me to seek opportunities through it. Read more>>
Erin Gonzalez
For years, I watched people—friends, clients, and even myself—get stuck in the endless cycle of dieting. There was always another rule to follow, another plan to try, and another promise that *this time it would work.* What I saw most often, though, was not freedom or health, but guilt, shame, and frustration. Read more>>
Lauren Hunter
I moved to San Francisco to study Interior Design & Architecture at the Academy of Art University and, after some time working for a larger design firm and a lighting company, I found my way to HSH Interiors. I spent seven years there designing everything from ground-up builds in Mill Valley to converted churches and historic homes in San Francisco. It was such an exciting and formative time — I grew so much as a designer working on those kinds of projects and really began to define my own voice and style. Read more>>
Shelly Mosman
I created a style of my own. In the photography biz thats important if one wants to stand out. People heir me for the creative, styling and stylistic postproduction. My clients are people of all ages, but all of them are looking for something special. I have a number series within black and white and color. Each style attracts people who have vision. Im easily inspired and create something with much to go on. I find each subject an unknown challenge and look forward to final image coming to life. Read more>>
Brittany Walker
After graduating from the University of Minnesota, I moved to New York to work in fashion, spending several years in buying roles that demanded creativity and adaptability. Later, I earned my MBA and launched a sustainable fashion marketplace, which required creating cohesive seasonal content across multiple brands. I quickly realized how valuable professional, versatile studio spaces were for creators and small businesses. Read more>>
Tess Rockwood Hoag
In 2014, I started my business Urban Squirrel in the Mall of St. Paul. With under 50 square feet, I started to learn a lot about vintage and developed a true passion for all things secondhand. Real “if you love what you do, you don’t work a day in your life” kind of stuff. When out in the wild treasure hunting, I would stumble across beautiful china and I always wanted to keep all the pretty things, so I needed to make it sustainable. Read more>>
Priscilla Momah
Out of that vision, Coco Womb Wellness was born. What started as a personal practice of cultivating care grew into offerings for my community. Over the years, I’ve trained in yoga, Reiki, Thai yoga bodywork, sound healing, and most recently, doula work. Through it all, music remains the thread that ties everything together, and I continue to weave it into my offerings—whether through sound baths, somatic serenades, or live music layered into wellness experiences. Read more>>
Angela Fabish
To put it lightly, we’ve had a few struggles. Ethan was able to learn airport maintenance for just over a year prior to his supervisor of 28 years resigning. With myself being a new clerk entering a vacant office and with him being the only public works staff for months, we have had to hit the ground running and learning as we go. We both enjoy the airport and are trying to maintain and update what we can with a limited budget, and a lot of weather. Maintaining runways, equipment, and facilities through long winters is no small task. Still, with the dedication of staff of the City of Orr, the airport has remained reliable and welcoming for pilots year after year. Read more>>
Madison Smieja
I’ve been crafty since the day I was born. I’ve always love to paint and create as much as possible! I’ve also been doing my own nails at home since I was tween! But I would say the press one from Justice as a little girl definitely paved the way to where I am now! Read more>>
