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.
Andrew Boeddeker
I determined to build a platform that would connect anglers, and be able to allow for seamless interaction with the ultimate goal of sharing insight and getting out fishing together. This is what will enable more awesome experiences travelling and fishing new places, all for less money. Read More>>
Savannah And Alex Esquivel
Alex and I attended our friends’ wedding in Des Moines, IA, where we were first introduced to our Volkswagen Photo booth. The Photo booth was featured as part of the entertainment that night. We had so much fun with family and friends, laughing and capturing photos; we thought it was such a unique concept. It was owned and operated by a couple who were leaning into their event rental company and looking to sell. We returned home and the what ifs and day dreaming started to unfold. Over the course of a few months, we ended up purchasing the bus and trailered her from Des Moines to Minnesota. Read More>>
Feanna Sobania
Speaking of painting, that was probably the biggest frustration. It took us seven coats of white paint to cover the previous cream without streaks. Thankfully, the black only required two! Over the following months, we slowly made final design and decor changes as our personal budgets allowed. By May 1st, 2024, Jasper and Jade Salon was official! We’re so grateful to Kelly and the other stylists for their trust and patience through-out the process. A big shout-out is also owed to our friends and family who helped bring Jasper and Jade to life. You guys are the best! Read More>>
Jessica Frier
Before starting graduate school to study East Asian medicine, I had considered nursing school, traditional medical school, chiropractic school, and other medical occupations. The reason I chose East Asian medicine was because I fell in love with how that medical system approaches health, wellness, and the human body. The belief that we are all a unique and complex system that is capable of innate healing was something that resonated strongly with me. I had used acupuncture and herbal medicine to help heal my own medical issues, and chronic pain so I had experienced it first hand. Read More>>
Haley Davis
While I was in my mid 20s, I was taking photos here & there. Family photos, senior photos, headshots for some friends, etc, when I was asked about taking wedding photos for someone. I was so nervous, but I took the job. What a sense of excitement and accomplishment I felt when the night was done! I knew this was something I could, and wanted, to do. Read More>>
Molly Oleson
I still taught most of the classes, but also hired and trained new teachers. Having to recreate other artists’ work and teach different techniques really stretched me as an artist. I started to find my own niche and style. I had been commissioned by people in my community to paint family portraits. Eventually, family portraits became pet portraits. I have now been doing pet portraits for ten years. I still teach painting at a local studio called Simply Creative. It is my joy to get to teach others about my greatest passion. I even get to teach a “paint your pet” where I specifically teach techniques to creating a pet portrait. Read More>>
Michelle Stutesman Gears
In 2015, shortly after moving back from Paris, I started my home studio because my clients wanted to be with my dog. This always make me laugh! From there, my home studio grew and I started crafting more of my brand. Noticing my teaching was at its best in this intimate space. Covid hit and perhaps unexpectadly, my career flourished. My online following expanded as did my home studio. I realized, I had something special. Read More>>
Rebekah Olson
We have learned so much, and love the community we get to serve every day with menus based on what is trending all around the world as well as foods I used to make for my children when they were growing up. We have even added a Rose Cottage Food Truck to share our wonderful old fashioned deliciousness in other communities! Read More>>
Becky Daum
I am passionate about my faith, lifelong learning, creativity, kindness, and affirming the worth of all people. I started Type B Design in 2024 as a creative outlet amidst the turmoil of the election season. The division, vitriol, and even hatred I saw coming from people online—including people who profess to share my faith—was very difficult to handle. Type B was born out of a desire to spread kindness and promote positive causes, and to channel my emotions in a productive way. I hope to spread beauty and kindness through my design work. Read More>>
Josephine Miller
I was told I would suffer with my symptoms for the rest of my life. Eventually, I hit a low point, and this is when I knew that something had to change. I refused to keep living this way. When I was in my early teens, an idea came to me, and I decided to experiment with altering my diet and lifestyle. Shortly afterward, my allergies subsided and my asthma and eczema were completely healed. I didn’t realize how incredible it was to feel healthy and strong in my body! This was the first time in my life where I could feel how good it felt to take a full breath in without wheezing. Read More>>
Jessie Nino
By April/May of 2022 my channel finally reached the requirements for monetization, which means I can now earn money for my views! After I was monetized, it sort of launched me into a new gear and fueled my drive to continue making videos! Fast forward about 2 and half years later, I was able to quit my full time job and do YouTube full time. I’m also on the brink of getting my first YouTube silver play button for reaching 100,000 subscribers! Which is a milestone I never thought I would reach! Read More>>
Rachel Moore
My first time dipping toes into entrepreneurship lasted from eighth to twelfth grade in the form of a humble senior photos “business”, taking photos of my friends with my hobby DSLR for spare change. Eventually I used that portrait portfolio to find a job at a high end portrait photography studio, where I was trained to use studio lighting and further honed my photo skills. Weddings, families, seniors, pets… I learned to work with all sorts of clients. Read More>>
Matthew Hoppe Ryan Bortz
Establishing a clinic and pharmacy from scratch has been extraordinarily exciting and a large undertaking for a small staff of folks navigating this landscape for the first time. We are grateful to have the support of external partners, such as Cardinal Health, who have been crucial in helping us work through the many logistical, regulatory, and financial considerations associated with establishing the pharmacy. We also spent a year, raising funds through capital campaigns to even get started with building a pharmacy. Read More>>
Amanda Weeklund
My story starts with my love of art! I have always loved color and being creative. I wanted a job that would keep me creating but not learn to hate it in the end. Everyday is different, every client is different so it keeps me on my toes and challenges me creatively. For my wedding business I knew that I needed to be one step ahead, so 20 years ago I started offering traveling services. That way the bride(s) can relax and not be running around on their wedding day. Read More>>.
Alex Haecker
This experience became the catalyst for my passion for architecture, but more specifically, it inspired my dedication to adaptive reuse and historic preservation. I recognized that the environmental cost of new construction is far greater than many realize—both in terms of raw materials and the carbon footprint associated with demolition and building from scratch. I made it my mission to focus on the reuse of existing buildings, breathing new life into structures while reducing the demand for new resources and mitigating the negative environmental impact. Read More>>
Mike Welton
I started out volunteering for my LGBTQ community doing their “Pride Guide” booklet. This lead to creating the community magazine “GAZE” which I produced for three years. From publishing graphics I started painting everyday. Had my first solo show a year later. I have had a fine art painting practice for 25 years since within the Twin Cities fine art scene.I have a Studio practice at Northrup King building for 22 years. Recently my business partner and I have bought a building at Lyndale and Lake Street where we have created a LGBTQ and Ally Gallery and community center. The Gallery has local LGBTQ and Ally artists who display on the gallery walls as well as sell in our gift shop and put on workshops. There will be a coffee shop as well as a photography studio and makers workshop space within the building as well. Read More>>
Tarli Karnwie-Tuah
As I got older, I started to feel like I was living in two separate worlds. One as a first-generation refugee, trying to honor my roots, and one as a Black man in America, trying to fit into a society that didn’t always understand me, nor did I understand it. That’s when I started getting into hip-hop. I had a friend who let me listen to a Busta Rhymes CD, and from there, I was hooked. I began to write my own lyrics, and at first, it was something to do when my friends and I would hang out, and after a while, it became a way to cope with the shift in my personal life and family dynamic. Read More>>
Rick Swanson
I have found that the path to making one’s art a “business” is not a smooth road, and while I still strive for that, I have found it more important to focus on creating the art. That’s the one thing I still have control over. I’ve taken steps to increase my artistic presence on social media, and am now focused on entering art competitions or other “open calls” for art, in an effort to increase my audience. Creating and selecting my best work for these submissions is a skill I am learning to develop, also. Read More>>
David Palermo
As the pandemic subsided, our passion for music education inspired us to grow, and we soon realized the need for a dedicated space. We moved to our current location on Roosevelt Rd., where we gradually expanded our offerings, team, and student base. Today, we are proud to serve over 60 students who attend weekly lessons with one or more of our 12 talented teachers. Our programs cover everything from basic music theory to voice, strings, percussion, and wind instruments, fostering a vibrant community of musicians at all ages and skill levels. Read More>>
Gerard Klass
About Gerard and Brittney: Gerard understands the food business through and through. Prior to co-founding Soul Bowl with his wife Brittney, Gerard had over 10 years of experience at Kaskaid Hospitality; concluding his time as Executive Chef where he opened new restaurant concepts in the South, East Coast and Midwest. Gerard graduated with a degree from Le Cordon bleu is 2009. Brittney worked every level of hospitality from fast food to fine dining in her 14 plus year career at various restaurants minneapolis. Throughout their entrepreneurial journey Gerard & Brittney have pioneered the pop-up scene in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area receiving both local and national acclaim. Read More>>
Amelia Baker
No, it’s has definitely not been a smooth road. Any woman in the gaming industry knows that, or even a lot of industries that are getting big and popular now, have navigated the challenges for years, even years before I started. I’m also a single mom who went through a divorce that was very public, I had to fight for everything I still have and I’m still fighting because my community was the most important part I wanted the store to be around for. We also still hear that people thought the store permanently closed because of covid. We’re still here and kicking. It’s hard to be in the public eye at times because of it, and honestly my goal was never to be really out there as the face of the store. Read More>>
Erika Hansen
I’ve always loved art and different art mediums. However, it wasn’t until 2018 when I got more serious about learning photography. After my father passed away, I did some self reflecting and decided to go for it. I purchased my first DSLR and started to learn how to use it. knowing nothing about my camera, I sought out online classes and eventually stumbled across a community that offered all the information I needed to know, from camera operations and editing to running a business. Read More>>
Wunmi & Sophia
We are Wunmi & Sophia a best friend travel blogging duo from Minnesota and Wisconsin. With over 10 years of friendship, we have always been each other’s favorite travel companion! Neither of us grew up traveling so we are making of for lost time and finding unique and attainable ways to adventure near and far! We love to highlight fun things to do for women, whether it be in a new country or right in our backyard. We started our travel blog and Instagram because we wanted a way to document our adventures and share tips and tricks that we learned along the way. Our primary focus is highlighting Minnesota and Wisconsin local gems, easy to replicate girls trip itineraries, and just our everyday best friend shenanigans. Read More>>
Josh Hoaby
My journey as a leader began in my early 20s when I served as a worship director at a local church. This organization took a chance on me when I was young and inexperienced. In this role, I had the opportunity to develop foundational leadership skills, including managing volunteers, collaborating with a board of directors, overseeing capital projects, and engaging in strategic planning. It was here that I began to shape my vision and style as a leader, focusing on leading teams with honesty, personal investment, and a commitment to celebrating victories—big and small. Read More>>
Megan Sterne
When gardening, I especially love growing sunflowers. Sunflowers are unique in that they follow the sun and they are known as a symbol of happiness. When looking at them I can’t help but smile and they make me happy! I wanted to spread this type of happiness to others. This is how my business came to be, Sunshine Supply Flower Co. Being a supply of sunshine to others through unique and meaningful flower experiences. Read More>>
Tommy Mcneal
The journey of Flame Mobile Kitchen has had its challenges. To compete in the food industry, we focused on community partnerships, corporate relationships, customer experience, and high-end food quality. Building the business from scratch has been exciting but tough due to financial constraints. High food costs, competitive contract prices, and fair staff wages limit our ability to scale quickly, partly because of limited support from financial institutions. Read More>>
Phillip Thao
Me diving into business has definitely not been a smooth road. I actually unofficially started the business with a few good friends. At the time when we first announced that we were starting the business, there was actually a group of people that wasn’t so happy about it and a few individuals actually threatened potentially harm us. Other than that, the first two years of building and learning the ins and outs of business became overwhelming for my partners as we realized building a business is harder than what was imagined. Eventually today, it is just me left along with one of my good friend and best friend coming in to help with what they can. Read More>>
Joseph Deckhut
I switched my major many times, so it took a bit before I landed on paleontology. I have loved dinosaurs ever since I was a kid, but what made me fall in love with dinosaurs was actually Godzilla. Fast forward to when I went to my community college, Brookdale Community College, in New Jersey, where I had taken a class that got me interested in anatomy. Since I always loved dinosaurs, I thought I would try anatomy on dinosaurs. So I took the only geology class the school had and geared it towards paleo. I loved it, it did not even feel like work. Read More>>
Krystle Starr
Just as the show was airing in 2020, the world shut down—and so did my body. I was diagnosed with a brain tumor and was told I would never smile again. This news was especially tough as a cosplay model, TV personality, and role model for kids. But I wasn’t about to give up. Through resilience, hard work, and the amazing team at Mayo Clinic, not only did I reclaim my smile, but I went on to win two LEGO Masters trophies. Read More>>
Khushi And Gurleen
We are a home-based bakery specializing in allergen-friendly and vegan desserts. Rooted in our Punjabi heritage, we blend traditional flavors with modern twists, offering desserts inspired by those you might find at Indian restaurants and many other options, such as custom cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. Our mission goes beyond just fulfilling orders. We want every customer to feel a personal connection with us. Whether it’s your budget, event, or taste preferences, we’re dedicated to working with you to create something unique. Read More>>
Timi Ogundipe
It hasn’t always been a smooth road—far from it. Balancing my passion for DJing and entrepreneurship with my professional career and family life has presented its fair share of challenges. There were times when managing multiple responsibilities felt overwhelming, especially when trying to grow my DJ business while working full-time. Finding the right balance between my work, my dreams, and spending quality time with my family has been an ongoing journey. Read More>>
Ashley Augustin
My goal is to create a space where you feel cared for—whether you’re having the best day of your life or one of the toughest. Over time, I’ve learned ways to help myself show up as my best self, and it brings me so much joy to extend that same support to my clients. I want my chair to be more than just a place where you come for hair services; I want it to be a safe and uplifting environment where you always feel valued and supported. You matter to me! Read More>>
Cassandra Donnay
One challenge I didn’t anticipate was realizing that not everyone is going to support you. Sometimes, the people you expect to be your biggest cheerleaders aren’t—and that can be tough to navigate. But what’s been so inspiring is how much support I’ve received from strangers. Many of my most loyal customers and biggest encouragers are people I had never met before starting my boutique. It’s a reminder to focus on the people who do show up for you and believe in your vision. Read More>>
Sidney Knaak
The feeling was comparable to moving to New York at the time for me. I had this city that I could restart in and sculpt the person who I wanted to become. I’ve always had a passion for the camera ever since I was young and the love has only grown greater over the years. I had the idea to start content creation in July of 2024 and at the time it seemed impossible, but through staying consistent ive been able to become a brand ambassador for brands and stores, gained a huge online community and support and have made prioritizing myself turn into self care and love not a chore. Read More>>
Donita Knaus
Opening a business in a tiny town of 800 people is NEVER easy. Being a woman in business adds to its difficulty. I turned a 10,000 sq foot empty shed into an amazing gym for this tiny community, but I did not do that alone! My family rallied around me and we created this dream of mine together. We came across every challenge there is, but we overcame all of them by holding strong to my vision and each other! Read More>>
Nicole “Nikki” Almanza
Growing up with severe ADHD, I often felt like a walking Dragon Ball Z character. I had this insane energy inside me but no idea how to channel it properly. My life was very much a ‘living day by day’ situation, with no thought for tomorrow. Still, there was always this pull in my chest, something I didn’t understand but couldn’t ignore. I noticed I had this natural ability to connect with people from all walks of life, but I didn’t know how to use it. So, like a hyper, well-meaning kid, I was a little reckless with it. Read More>>
Alex Almeda
However, that taught me how to wait for the perfect moment to take the photos to get the best shot. The other big struggle was being an international student, which has limited me a lot in terms of opportunities. I haven’t been denied anything for that. The opposite, actually. I have been offered a lot of things that I had to say no because I can’t legally work off campus yet unless it is an internship. So I have had to grow my brand and skills with the limited things I could actually work for. Read More>>
Missi Mckown
In general, folks with ADHD can direct a ton of focus toward tasks that excite them (for me, this is helping others). And tasks that are repetitive (like cleaning or administrative tasks in business) tend to be less exciting, so it’s hard to get our brains to start or finish those types of tasks. This is exactly why some folks reach out for help to get organized. They’ve usually tried on their own and gotten stuck. Read More>>
Beatriz Figarella
After working there for a couple years, I finally felt confident enough to begin working by myself. Back then my two daughters were still young, and their father worked almost all day, so I decided to set my own business at home where I worked for about 10 years straight. I also began breeding and showing Shih-Tzus with Pedigree, and I gotta say this is when my passion grew and grew limitless. The dog world was my world!! Read More>>
Vanessa Brooks
However, my mission extends beyond just young dancers. I strive to serve my entire community, ensuring that everyone receives personalized care and attention. Unlike chain med spas that often prioritize sales over service, I aim to treat each client as an individual, providing them with the compassion and care they deserve. Our pricing structure reflects this commitment, as we only offer single-session pricing instead of high-priced packages for laser hair removal and other age management services. This approach ensures that our clients feel valued and empowered without the pressure of long-term commitments. Read More>>
Jill Thiel
Fast forward a few years to 2006, and I found myself in Mexico, spending three months unplugged and living simply on a beach. It was a time of deep reflection, and when I came back, I knew I couldn’t go back to the typical nine-to-five. I felt this pull to pursue Reiki full-time, but I also sensed that I needed more hands-on experience. I then took a Reiki master class, and also enrolled at the Aveda Institute and study and get certified in massage therapy. Read More>>
Erin Barr
My professional journey began at Aveda’s headquarters in Minneapolis, where I honed my skills before moving to New York City. There, I trained alongside some of the industry’s top stylists, mastering advanced techniques in cutting, coloring, and extensions. My commitment to education extends beyond personal growth; I provide mentorship and training for stylists in both Hour Rose locations, ensuring that every client benefits from innovative techniques and dedication to excellence. Read More>>
Patty & Amy Keegan
Our parents started the business in 1975. Around 2000, my sister and I bought the business and the building. We did a major remodel of the space, built a nice commercial kitchen, expanded the dining room, implemented a POS system, and got a strong beer and wine license. We grew the business and worked on expanding our catering. Post COVID and the murder of George Floyd, two blocks from us, we again, needed to figure out how to stay around. We expanded into the whole building, built a bar, got a full liquor license, added charitable gambling, and added evening entertainment like Bingo, Trivia and Karaoke. Read More>>
Ruth Albee
There were a myriad of obstacles in constructing the Honeycomb Cottage. Since this is only the 4th bee therapy center like this in the United States, there was a lot of nuance to the building process. Getting the capital to spend on construction, figuring out how to make sure it was sealed and safe so there was almost NO WAY the bees could get inside. Read More>>
Karey Smagacz
My name is Karey! I’m 28 and was raised and currently live in Frazee! I am married and have 2 beautiful children ages 4 & 8. I also carried a baby for my dear friends in New Jersey, who is now 2! Much of my after high-school career was spent at Lund boats where I did many things ranging from upholstery to painting. In 2022, we moved back to frazee and I quit my job to pursue a degree in social work, which I got my associates degree in at Mstate in Detroit Lakes. Read More>>
