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.
Mark Johnson
It all started in 1976 when I read an article in Mother Earth News about a young couple that turned an old barn into a home without a mortgage. Read more>>
Sandy Hruby
The dream and vision for Parents Inspired came from a strong passion of 4 people who have a desire to help families and children. Read more>>
Sally Power
In 2001, I first saw marbling demonstrated at an event that celebrated the first anniversary of Mn Center for Book Arts’ (MCBA) new studios. My response: ‘I want to learn how to do that! Where do I sign up!?!’ Marbling is a mesmerizing process — paint is dropped on the surface of a liquid and you watch as the different colors expand with varying dimensions. Read more>>
Karan Ouren
Karan is a self taught artist, she began painting in 2007. Karan started out painting florals, landscape, even tried drawing people. Read more>>
Ryan Maddux
My name is Ryan Maddux and I’m a creative (actor, spokesperson, model, and voiceover artist). I was born in Minneapolis and studied and worked in California for several years before returning to the Twin Cities. With a passion for travel, I go where the work is and I enjoy making connections and building community wherever that leads. Read more>>
Jessica Taylor
I am a family physician with a passion for caring for people of all ages. Good primary care requires time to get to know patients, to understand their situations and perspectives. Very often, more good can be accomplished with a conversation, even if it is quicker to prescribe a medication. Read more>>
Lee Harris
Julie and I were in healthcare for 26 years and felt like we were ready to go in a new direction. Began to Pray and after about 1.5 years, we got the prompt to learn how to smoke meat. We had never done that but we went out and found a commercial smoker and started ruining some meat. Read more>>
Trinity Howard
I’ve always known I wanted to do something where I could help people. For a long time, I actually thought I was going to go into being mental health therapist, but I realized pretty quickly that I’d probably be crying every day right along with my clients. Read more>>
Patty Roloff
I have been doing hair since 1987. I started working at a salon on the east side of St Paul Minnesota. I worked there for 10 years and then decided to go as an independent contractor. A salon opened in downtown White Bear Lake and I went and met with the owner and decided to take the leap. Read more>>
Brooke Gabbert
Since I was a freshman in high school it was always my dream to own my own coffee shop. I had always loved coffee of course, but more than that, I always loved the atmosphere and sense of community that a coffee shop creates. Read more>>
Brandon & Nicole Mattison
The farm that we live on has been in the family for over a hundred years. It has always brought life to our family members that have lived on and worked the land. Shortly after my (Brandon) dad took over managing the farm, we transitioned from conventional row crops to become certified organic. Read more>>
Josh Kirkpatrick
Capitol Barbers is the longest running barber shop in the U.S. It began in the basement of the second Capitol Building in 1883, by Walter Gassoway. The current Capitol is the third Capitol Building. The barber shop was moved into the State Office Building in 1932, then recently relocated into the MN Transportation Building in 2024. It has always remained on the Capitol Campus. Read more>>
Erika Kappes
Erika has loved the Cormorant Lakes area for as long as she can remember. When she was ten, her parents bought a little red seasonal cabin on Turtle Lake—a cozy two‑bedroom, one‑bath getaway that quickly became the backdrop of her childhood summers. Read more>>
Todd Martin
I grew up in a relatively rural area, Clarkston, Washington, where the Snake River separates Washington and Idaho. After graduating high school, a life-long friend of mine and I departed to the Big City of Phoenix, Arizona and attended Phoenix Institute of Technology (PIT). I spent two years at PIT and earned a certificate in Electronics Technology. Read more>>
Stephanie Hansen
I went to school for esthetics in 2007, and immediately after graduating I went to school for massage therapy. I’ve been working in the industry ever since. I spent the most formative years of my career at a prominent salon and spa here in the Twin Cities, where I learned so much and made lifelong connections over those 13 years. Read more>>
Enrique Solano
Massage was never part of my original plan. In my late teens, I was pursuing musical theatre in Puerto Rico for about three years, preparing for scholarship programs and fully committed to that path. Then one day, in between classes, something shifted, it just made sense. Read more>>
Jean Larson
Prairie Star Care Farm is truly a labor of love rooted in over a century of family history. We are situated on our family homestead, Larson Hemsgård, in rural Minnesota—a property our family has stewarded since 1878 and that is officially recognized by the State of Minnesota as a Century Farm. Read more>>
Katherine Gyolai
I founded Find Love Safely after seeing a major gap in services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: while there are many supports focused on employment, housing, and daily living, very few address something equally human and deeply important—love, friendship, and meaningful connection. Read more>>
Jodee Wallin
I started Visual Creations Photography in 2009 after having my second daughter and stepping away from my corporate career. I tried to settle into being a stay-at-home mom, but it didn’t take long to realize that I’m someone who needs to create, build, and stay busy. Photography quickly became more than something I did. It became part of who I am. Read more>>
Kari Olson
I started working at Kodiak Coffee in 2004 as a barista. My goal was to own my own business. I fell in love with Kodiak and knew I would own this business. Fast forward to 2014 and that dream became reality. I had a silent business partner for 8 years. Finally, I was able to purchase the business in November of 2021. Read more>>
Sergio Gavilanes
As a South American immigrant, I spent years searching for the authentic taste of home—the perfect Ecuadorian chifle. After countless bags of store-bought chips left me disappointed by their lack of soul and freshness, I realized that if I wanted to taste my childhood again, I had to create it myself. Read more>>
Kim Hayes
The Alpha & Omega Farm Story Alpha & Omega Farm is a small family farm in Central Minnesota owned and operated by Kim and Brad Hayes. Kim and Brad purchased the farm in 2014 with the goal of preserving the land and keeping it active. Read more>>
Lynn Schuster
I started with a draw toward detail-oriented work and the ability to help people feel more confident in a natural way. I opened my studio with a focus on lash and brow services, As my career grew, I felt a strong pull toward education and began teaching and mentoring other beauty professionals. Read more>>
Sarah Norris
I grew up as an athletic tom”girl”, spending 16 years in gymnastics where I fell in love with discipline, competition, and constantly pushing myself to grow while being on stage. At the same time, I was always drawn to hair and makeup—it became my creative outlet and a way to connect with people. Read more>>
Evelin Rodriguez
Growing up, I used to watch my mom and godmother get all glammed up all the time, completely in awe of them. That’s where my love for beauty really began. They also taught me to always do it for myself because no one can make you feel better than you can. Read more>>
Dr. Rachel DuPaul
I knew throughout graduate school as I sought my PhD in Counseling Psychology that I always wanted to own my own business someday. I embarked on that journey a bit earlier than I anticipated, but I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. My all online therapy practice was born out of the pandemic in 2020, and it has been flourishing ever since. Read more>>
Kristin Campbell
I never could have imagined, 16 years ago, that starting my staging and design business would lead me on such a meaningful and rewarding journey. Like many entrepreneurs, my path began unexpectedly. After nearly 20 years working in the corporate world as a meeting and event planner—a role I truly loved—I was faced with a layoff. Read more>>
Steve Budas
I am the current president of the Lake Country Pastel Society (LCPS). LCPS started January 1998. In April of 1997, four pastel artists were visiting at a friend’s opening exhibit. All four wondered if there was a pastel society in Minnesota. They searched, but didn’t find one. Read more>>
Brian Deml
Deml Heating & Air Conditioning was founded in 1969 by Roger Deml. He started with a pickup truck, a few hand tools and worked out of his garage. Soon he had expanded to include a couple of trucks, a couple of installers and a service tech. By the mid 1970’s he had a crew of 25+ guys with a satellite shop in Kasson, MN and a fireplace storefront in downtown Owatonna. Read more>>
Rebecca A. Hahn
I grew up as Becky Plowman, one of seven kids living in Minnetonka and graduating from Minnetonka High School. As a Junior and Senior I was captain of the girls Volleyball and Basketball team; but my true love was Tennis. Read more>>
