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.
Amy Byrne
I began looking at real estate at a young age. Open house tours on the weekends, for example, were a regular occurrence for my family and I. It was “love at first sight” touring the unique properties here and seeing how much a home can impact your lifestyle. From lakeshore property on busier lakes to isolated cabins with serenity. I love to see all that Minnesota has to offer with the unique options builders and homeowners come up with to maximize different lifestyle choices. Read more>>
Justin Lee
This calling carried me through high school and into my undergraduate studies, where I initially pursued the traditional medical path. I shadowed various practitioners – orthopedic surgeons, general practitioners, specialists – but something always felt missing. The approach seemed reactive rather than proactive, focused more on managing disease than creating health. Read more>>
Abby Ginder
I began learning Spanish about 15 years ago as it was a requirement in elementary, high school, and college. For many years, I absolutely hated the language because I did not understand a single thing and as the years went by, I fell further behind. However, that all changed during my sophomore year of high school. I had a Spanish teacher who pulled me aside and retaught previous concepts. From there, I feel in love with the language. Fast forward years later, I lived in Spain, completed a master’s degree in Spanish, founded a tutoring company, work as a Spanish Professor, and will be starting a Ph.D. in Spanish Linguistics program this Fall 2025. Read more>>
Molly King
From there, I transitioned into the world of marketing and consumer packaged goods, joining General Mills in their promotions marketing department. This is where I spent the majority of my career, honing my skills in strategic marketing and consumer engagement. During my time at General Mills, I had the opportunity to work with amazing people on well-known brands and develop innovative campaigns that resonated with consumers across the country. Read more>>
Bill Damberg
In most of the locations, conversations were interchangeable. But every time I sat in a coffee shop in Excelsior, I would here someone railing about things going on in Excelsior. That told me that there was passion about and for their community. When I decided on Excelsior, and opened Brightwater, there were still five or six empty store fronts, yet the vibe felt right. I’m so happy to have selected Excelsior! It has been a great location for Brightwater, and wonderful community to become a part of. Read more>>
Diane Lanoue
Well Nurtured with Diane is a home for me to create nurturing products, products made with intention and purpose to live more holistically. I create a variety of different magnesium products, grounding sprays, chakra rollers, simmer pot blends, dry shampoo and more. I currently moved into a new sacred space where I am a space holder for reiki sessions, aromatouch technique, 1:1 reiki trainings and intuitive work. Read more>>
Meeg-Wun Desjarlait
Starting a business during the pandemic might have seemed risky, but I believed in the power of change. Taking that leap gave me room to evolve, and that’s why butterflies have such a meaningful symbol for me they represent transformation and growth. My first location was in Brooklyn Center, but I knew I needed a space that aligned better with the business I was building. A year later, I relocated to Golden Valley, where I now serve my community. Read more>>
Nick Northrup
I think the moments I am most proud of are the few where I’ve had fans reach out to say my words helped them to keep going for another day; once, I was approached at a show by a fan who shared that my music saved her life. I don’t know that anything will ever top that moment because it felt like I finally did what I’ve been meaning to do—help people. I think what sets me apart from others is my authenticity to my story and my dedication to my craft. In an age where too many people rap over vocals, try to imitate trends for clout, or act like hip-hop isn’t rooted in self-expression, I do everything I can to tell my truth in the most authentic, craft-conscious way possible. Read more>>
Formerly “CAM”
“It’s really crazy thinking I’m officially 10+ (plus) years into this [chuckles] but at the same time, it’s like, everything has been different moments, even like, versions of what I’m doing now, so it’s hard to lump it all together as one giant journey but that’s exactly what it is. Just crazy…but yeah it all started out, literally just getting exposed to all this different music in the back of the car, then you got friends and family who have instruments they don’t use as often so you get free range over them, and next thing I know I’m having my friends teach me all the techniques and me trying to learn songs off YouTube, and it just takes on a life of its own and we get to be here!” Read more>>
Spencer Reiss
It was my first time working on cars, and I was hooked! I bought my first Subaru shortly after high school. I learned how to do brakes, axles, and I installed a lift kit. I have owned many Subarus since, most of them needing head gaskets when I bought them, and most of them I installed lift kits of varying heights. After repeatedly buying used parts from a local shop in Bozeman, they offered me a job. I spent the first year learning the “easy” stuff, as the only experience I had at the time was big jobs like replacing head gaskets. Read more>>
Nick Kester
I own and operate a thriving welding and manufacturing business that specializes in the Boat Dock, Boat & Pontoon Lift industry. Our team consists of highly skilled and experienced welders and fabricators, committed to delivering top-quality products. The business was founded by my father in 1981, and he initially focused on Steel Roll-In Docks before transitioning to Aluminum as it gained popularity. Over time, he expanded the product line to include boat and pontoon lifts, which have become a cornerstone of our offerings. Read more>>
Brooke Anderson
Fast forward to 2020 I was staying in a little bungalow in Hawaii. I was traveling/living on Big island for a few months & had a dream and vision of making long flowing garments for people with intention so that they felt empowered & authentic in their expression. So I bought my first sewing machine, watched a YouTube tutorial & sewed my first Kimono! I was shocked at how easy it flowed for me & that on my first try I created a beautiful garment. Read more>>
The May North
When it came to naming the band, one of their favorite things to do was to travel north to the North Shore of Minnesota on Lake Superior. If they had a free weekend off of work, they would say something like “maybe we should go north?” without necessarily a plan or precise destination in mind. The North was pretty exciting and beautiful to think about visiting, so yes, it was probably time to go north. So there you go, The May North was born. Read more>>
Cheryl Shohet
In the fall of 2024, Healing Ink & Art was born from this foundation—a space where Cheryl’s restorative work could exist alongside other artists who believe in the transformative power of art. Though still young, the vision has already grown into something much larger: a space where people come to connect, express, and find pieces that resonate with them. Whether through Cheryl’s tattooing, handcrafted jewelry, or the work of the many talented artists in the space, Healing Ink & Art is more than just a business—it’s a reflection of a lifelong dedication to art, craftsmanship, and healing. Read more>>
Peter Minor
Suddenly I found myself working or going to school everyday of the week and having a great time at it! My Chinese sign is a horse and horses like to work. I worked hard for a few years at that and graduated. I then was able to replace my schooling with a part time acupuncture position. I was fortunate enough to learn from another wonderful mentor that had entered my life and am forever grateful. It has been a different learning curve being a small business owner. It has different challenges then working in clinic so it keeps my mind always thinking about the business in one way or another. Read more>>
Elyssa Manderfeld
Since joining her, I haven’t looked back! It is so rewarding to be able to design a business centered around family, and helping others make arguably the biggest purchase of their life. Every day is exciting as I get to create a life and a career I love and work with people from all walks of life as they make this big decision to become homeowners or move into their next home. I truly enjoy being someone they can trust not only to educate them on the process, but also support them through the journey. Read more>>
Carmen Duerr
By 2012, I had been designing custom wedding dresses for a couple years, when the idea to open a bridal shop began to take shape. At that time, bridal boutiques were few and far between in Minneapolis / St Paul, particularly those offering modern, with design forward aesthetics and quality materials. There were countless talented and adventurous designers whose work, I felt, deserved to be showcased in our community. Read more>>
Emily Youmans
I never would have thought I would live in Minnesota. I didn’t even know Duluth existed before I found out that we were moving here. I moved my big city, warm desert climate life to a small city, in northern Minnesota with some of the coldest winters in the country. It was a big adjustment at first but it has been one of the best things to have happened in my life. Since moving here, I have been teaching art full-time and still keeping up my DJ career. I also have helped curate a budding electronic music scene here, helping to throw shows and events and work to lift up other DJs that were in the same position as me nine years ago. Read more>>
Chris Willcox
A professor of mine in Ontario who attended Kent State alerted me to the MFA program at Rutgers saying he thought there was a strong history there of feminist painting, queer activism and art. I was accepted and thus began the next 25 years living and working in the United States. Since then I have worked as a tenured professor teaching painting at Macalester College in St Paul. Mac is a wonderful place to be and work and I’m grateful for all I’ve learned from colleagues and students about racial justice, gender politics and political activism. Read more>>
Erik Karow
I used to own a bar and restaurant at Northern Hills Golf Course called Northern 19 (The 19th Hole), where we started serving a lot of Old Fashioneds. Being a bit of an Old Fashioned connoisseur, I took the craft of making them seriously. As demand grew, we kept making more and more until one day, a customer asked if I could make a batch of the syrup I used for my Old Fashioneds. Word spread quickly, and soon, I was selling the syrup at the bar. What started as a small endeavor quickly expanded, leading to my syrup being stocked in liquor stores, bars, and grocery stores. To date, we’ve sold over 5,000 bottles and have ambitious plans to reach even more locations. I recently sold the bar and restaurant to focus entirely on growing Huxden Syrups. Read more>>
Logan Strange
I’ve always had a fascination with professional cameras, mostly the technical side of them. Meanwhile, my wife had a natural eye for photography and had been taking photos for fun throughout the years. Just before we got married, I decided to invest in a professional-grade camera, thinking it would be great for taking photos during our honeymoon in LA. Read more>>
Whitney Schupp
Photography has always been close to my heart. Growing up as the middle child, I often felt overlooked in the rush of family life. Our camera was rarely out, so I became the one to snap photos to preserve our memories. I even took a photography class in high school, but it wasn’t until I was gifted my first DSLR camera in my 20s that I truly dove into the craft. From there, I taught myself through countless educational videos and by learning from talented photographers who’ve mentored me along the way. Read more>>
Kirsten Johansen
In 2010, I took that passion to Northwestern Health Sciences University, where I honed my skills and deepened my understanding of the human body. Over the years, I gained hands-on experience working in various massage businesses before spending seven years at a chiropractic office, refining my techniques and learning how to provide truly transformative care. Read more>>
Zack Brown
In college, I served as editor-in-chief of Cardinal Eats, a student-run food publication. I also worked as a copy edit apprentice for Dotdash Meredith, the largest mass media publisher in the country. There, I edited food content for brands like Better Homes & Gardens, Magnolia, and Traditional Home. I was often invited to taste-test recipes in the test kitchen, where my culinary knowledge and enthusiasm for food gave me valuable insight into the recipe development process. Read more>>
John Jones
I am a disabled veteran who has dedicated my time to improving the lives of those that have served our country. Helping veterans have an alternative option from the VA prescribed medications by advocating and growing cannabis. Educating our veterans on the effects of long term opioid and benzo use and how cannabis can be useful in those situations. I am also the commander for my local American Legion Post 204 and Vice Commander for my districts area d region. I work with local law enforcement as a tool for veteran outreach for those vets who are struggling. Read more>>
Xizi Li
As a child, my mother noticed that I could sing back melodies after hearing them once, so she believed I had a strong musical sense and encouraged me to learn music. I started playing the piano when I was four and always thought I would become a pianist. But as I was preparing for college, my teacher told me that the competition in piano was incredibly intense and suggested I switch to another major. That’s when I was introduced to the bassoon. Read more>>
Avesa Rockwell
After the hike I had no idea what I wanted to do next. I returned to my hometown, Corrales, New Mexico. I interned for the village newspaper, kept financial records for an acupuncturist, baked pastries at a café, and cared for my step-dad, who had broken his leg in a motorcycle accident. All that time I just wanted to teach, but I didn’t have the credentials. On a whim I applied to an environmental education camp in Northern California, they hired me, and for the next two years I taught sixth graders about redwood forests and tide pools by encouraging them to write and draw what they saw. Read more>>
Vanessa/Joao Rafful/Tavares
We came to Minnesota from Rio de Janeiro, in 2015. Joao was invited to teach in a gym here in Minnesota. I was a Blue Belt at the time. Joao opened Rio Jitsu with his partners in December 2017. I was still a Blue Belt at had recently given birth to our older daughter. In 2018 I started to work at Rio Jitsu, since the gym was growing and Joao needed assistance to manage it while teaching. I started to teach BJJ in ‘19, a class for women. Earned my Black Belt in 2023. We were lucky for having such a great community that embraced and received us here. Read more>>
Stephanie Hoffman
Years ago, I was guilty of rarely ever making time to do things that gave me confidence except when I applied sunless tanning products on myself. I always felt that it made me feel so much better. I wanted to share this experience with others and provide a safer alternative for a tan. When I moved to Minneapolis area, I tried several different tanning salons, solutions, I got multiple certifications and then branded LuxGlo to help others gain that confidence. Read more>>
Wade Beyer
Our kids did not appreciate the fencing part! We started with one purebred Shorthorn heifer we bought at the state sale in Canon Falls, we were so proud. Our first cow died within 3 months due to getting out and into the feed area and it over ate, talk about a gut punch. We killed our one an only cow, the kids we devastated. Not of to a great start in the livestock farming sector, it was a tough but valuable lesson, these animals depend on us and its a huge responsibility and very expensive and heart retching when things go sideways. We went out and got 2 more cows and things went better from there, now we care for about 200 head of cattle each year calving in the spring and then turning them all out on pasture when it greens up in May. Read more>>
Samantha Heitke
We are hopeful that our work is making a difference in our community. The farming lifestyle allows us the time to help a neighbor, the opportunity to listen to the stories of the people we meet, and the chance to raise our kids in an environment that builds character on a daily basis. We all have a certain sphere of influence and we look forward to including you in our journey of sustainable agriculture! Read more>>
Serkan Selcuk
Wanting to make a difference, I studied Environmental Engineering in Antalya. My goal was to find sustainable solutions for reducing the negative effects of consumer goods. Ironically, my career took me into industries that weren’t always known for sustainability—automotive, consumer goods, and fashion—but I saw firsthand how these businesses were evolving to be more efficient, waste less, and operate responsibly. Studying engineering gave me problem-solving skills, but I wanted to apply them in a way that made businesses both profitable and sustainable. Read more>>
Angela Sturm
As I struggled to make sense of it all, it occurred to me that in order to keep from shutting down, I had to learn how to be and live in this new life. But how? Using the metaphoric labyrinth, I made my way through its many twists and turns, forced myself to confront my fears, looked deeply at the unpredictability of life, and questioned my own existence. Eventually I reached the center, and I asked myself, “Who am I? How will I ever survive this? Who am I supposed to be now”? Read more>>
Matt Jensen
This is when I realized I could make my own path in music without following someone else’s rules. That Christmas my parents got me my first electric guitar and the rest is history. I formed my first band Afilio with a group of friends. We were together for 5 years or so. We had some awesome opportunities such as playing the Minneapolis date of the Vans Warped Tour in 07. After Afilio finished I was recruited for Minneapolis rock band My My Misfire. Being in My My was a blast. We were able to be the only unsigned band to be featured on the motion picture Saw VI soundtrack and played tons of shows including SXSW and SOUTHBYSOWHAT in Dallas TX. Read more>>
