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.
Linda Lee
hen I first started, I was thrown to the wolves and had to figure everything out on my own. No real guidance, just trial and error. And even after years of tattooing, I feel like one of the biggest ongoing struggles is still trusting your own direction and guidance when it comes to creating art. That inner battle never fully goes away. Read more>>
Tim Emmons
We played our first gig New Years Eve 1999. Due to family life, attempting to raise three small children at the time, the band dissolved shortly after. It wasn’t until about 2016 that I truly started investing my time into music again. I was going through an unexpected divorce and it was a way to process what I was feeling. I began writing songs again. My first real gig in years was at Wenonah Brewery located in Goodview, MN. I was scared to death actually but I promised myself that if it went well I would keep going but if it didn’t I would quit. Fortunately for me it went well and I’ve been playing ever since. Read more>>
Kathie Armstrong
My customers kept calling for my food so I decided to take a few of my best sellers and turn them into good clean mixes that are super easy to make and that are delicious. That was in the fall of 2013 and from there it has grown and grown. My biggest accomplishment is that I partnered with Kowalski’s in the early part of 2014 and they saw the potential in my mixes and added them to their bakery as well as my retail mixes on their shelves. They have literally built my business from the very beginning and I will be forever grateful to them. Read more>>
Maxine Yeboah
I also had to deal with a lack of support. In the beginning, I didn’t really have people cheering me on or helping me promote my work. I was doing everything by myself—learning, marketing, booking clients, and handling the pressure alone. On top of that, not every client was easy to work with. I’ve dealt with last-minute cancellations, people undervaluing my work, and some clients who just weren’t respectful. It was draining. Read more>>
Tayler Dumas
After having my first baby, I was cleaning out the closet and found my old camera. I started to spend some time learning how to shoot with it again, mostly with the intention of taking cute photos of my children. In a moment of vulnerability, I told my husband that I had always dreamed of becoming a wedding photographer. He looked me dead in the eye and told me if that was my dream then I needed to do it. So I did it. Photos of my children quickly spiraled into practicing with friends and family. Before I knew it, my dream of taking photos for a living became reality. Read more>>
Lauren Salonek
What we’re best known for is our thoughtful, collaborative process. Clients often come to us unsure how to express their ideas. But by the end of the process—after questionnaires, conversations, & (many) cups of coffee—they walk away with more clarity, more confidence, and a brand that feels like them. I think that’s what I’m most proud of: that our work can give business owners confidence and permission to show up fully and do business their way. Read more>>
Naomi Kong
Over time, YouTube became my main and fastest-growing platform. Since then, I’ve built a business from the ground up, become the first in my family to own one, partnered with brands like Under Armour, Listerine, and Secret, and most importantly, helped thousands of people start and succeed in their own health journeys. Now, while I’m less hands-on as a creator, I’m focused on expanding my brand and creating even more accessible resources for others. Read more>>
Sonia Lindgaard
Since 2014, ILO has grown from 12 staff and 38 clients, to 45 staff and 90+ clients! We have multiple programing sites, a craft studio & store called Crafted by ILO, and our very own coffee shop- Dragonfly Coffee–where we employ our clients and create delicious made from scratch baked goods and coffee drinks. In 2024 we won a MOHR Choice Award for innovation for Dragonfly! Many of our participants make a great paycheck by selling art, working at Dragonfly, or in other various jobs around our community through our Employment Services program. Read more>>
Heidi Habben
He said they did film & video post production. I did not have a clue what he was talking about, but as I was not in love with the job I had I said yes. Within the first week, I reorganized all their files especially paying attention to all the storyboards and bids. I realized they were super busy so I just started bidding, invoicing, etc. Tom said I couldn’t do this, but as he gave no reason I just kept doing it – and the jobs came in. In 2008 after years of Tom being, um, gone from the office. literally out-of-state. City Post and Echo Boys Music split and I bought C+S. Now 37 years later I would say GOD has a sense of humor. Read more>>
Lucie Amundsen
Back in 2011, my husband Jason went through an early midlife crisis that took him from keyboard jockey as a grant writer to a farmer/business owner. We were out to a rare dinner without kids that I mistook as a date night but was really an opportunity for him to talk to me about…commercial poultry. A public flight ensued involving tears and honking. (I’m not a delicate crier.) This is a quote from the book, “Start a farm?” I thought. “This is a man who until a few years ago could not identify a pear.” Read more>>
Andrew (Aether) Hayes (Haze)
I, Andrew Hayes (Aether Haze), 28 years old, was born February 20th, 1997 and raised in Wyoming, Minnesota. I started my musical journey at a young age of seven or so. I began attending piano and eventually guitar lessons at Music Connection in Forest Lake, MN. I stayed in guitar from my middle to high school years. I had my first band experience there as well; consisting of at least five members who played guitar, bass, sax, drums and vocals. Surprisingly, I was too shy to sing in front of others then. I played the guitar to some Beatles, Red Hot Chili Peppers and I want to say Nirvana. Guitar never quite felt like my strong suit but a great art to learn and enjoy. I spent a lot of time with classic rock, grunge, blues and jazz. Read more>>
Brit Sigh
My work blends modern realities with the fantastical, using magical realism to explore the Black experience. It’s deeply rooted in storytelling, resilience, and vulnerability—serving as both a form of self-healing and a catalyst for meaningful dialogue. Through expressive body language, vibrant colors, and surreal elements, I aim to reimagine representation and celebrate Black youth, challenging conventions and fostering inclusiveness. Read more>>
LaToya Mbayu
My story, and that of SIME [C – MEH], is deeply intertwined with culinary traditions, where flavors tell stories and meals bring people together. Guided by a relentless spirit of innovation, I’ve sought to reimagine these traditions, blending time-honored techniques with fresh, bold ideas to create something uniquely vibrant. At the heart of it all lies personal passion—a love for food that transcends the kitchen, drawing from cherished memories, cultural heritage, and a desire to share joy through every dish. “SIME” is more than just a brand; it’s a celebration of flavor, creativity, and the connection we share over good food. Read more>>
Emily Stahly
I have been hooked on making jewelry since my first visit to a local bead store when I was a kid. I looked with awe at the tiny dishes of beads, and strands of sparking stones, and knew that I had discovered a magical world of possibilities that I could never get tired of. As the years have gone by, jewelry making has been my constant creative outlet, and up until very recently, it was only a hobby. I took one jewelry and metals course during college, and fell in love with metalsmithing, but the idea of investing in my own equipment felt too daunting for many years. Read more>>
Shawnee Langworthy
Any business comes with its own challenges. The first thing I did when I was considering opening a yoga studio was talk to my husband. I have had a lot of hare brained schemes in the past that he was skeptical of, but this was something he wholeheartedly encouraged. The second thing I did was contact my former yoga colleagues from our previous local studio. All the teachers were on board and brought such encouragement and enthusiasm to the planning. They really helped shape the heart of the studio. When we opened the doors it was a lovely homecoming for many of the yogis we knew from before and many new connections as well. As a business we have had slow and steady growth & continue to grow. Read more>>
Brittney Yares
After spending over a decade building and managing various entrepreneurial ventures, I reached a point where I wanted to create something that was deeply aligned with my personal values and passions. Health and wellness have always played a significant role in my life, and I’ve experienced firsthand the benefits of prioritizing both physical and mental well-being. I started this spa as a way to share that passion with others and to create a space where people could experience real, lasting transformation. As more people become educated about the importance of proactive self-care, our mission has become even more meaningful — to support our clients in living balanced, vibrant, and healthy lives. Read more>>
Baby Kuda
Making music always comes with ups and downs. For a long time I was focused on trying to please my audience, giving them what I thought they wanted instead of creating what I genuinely wanted to share. But I’ve learned that when I create with the intent to make people feel something through my honesty and energy, it resonates way more. It hits deeper than just trying to chase something that might go viral. I believe all that success comes naturally when the music is real. Especially when you’ve built a real fan base. Read more>>
Matisse Johnson
#FACE officially opened in October 2020, and we’ll be celebrating 5 years in that space this October 2025. As a Black woman-owned business, that milestone means so much to me. It’s not just about staying open, it’s about thriving in a space where representation, care, and community matter. I take so much pride in holding space for clients to feel seen, celebrated, and supported, and I’m committed to building something lasting. Not just for myself, but for the community I serve. Read more>>
Heather Godfrey
After completing my fitness certifications, one thing led to the next. I began teaching group classes, opened up a fitness clothing boutique, established a full service gym, signed on as a master trainer for Beachbody, partnered with a nutrition company, had the opportunity to be on the cover of a fitness dvd, be in an informercial and speak on stages. I completed several running + obstacle course races, triathlons, competed in fitness competitions ( I was able to place 2nd nationally in Las Vegas at my last competition) and continued to grow myself personally & professionally. Read more>>
S Dot
Well, before I started DJing I was a rap artist. So, I built my name & network with rap music, which made it easier to break into the Dj Scene in Minneapolis. I was terrible when I started lol, I was getting booked because I had a name. I eventually got good. So good even that I became overbooked & double booked, which lead me to send other Djs to fill in for me. I soon turned that into an official company., The Madison Sound Djs LLC. When I was a rapper I started putting on my own shows. I took that knowledge into my Dj Career and started throwing my own events. Read more>>
Bridget Cushman
What I find to be important that brings me back to the reason why is not only the passion for all the things I do but the people I get to do it with and the people that have helped me along the way. I now run around the city, choreographing for programs such as Hastings, Woodbury, YPC; singing with multiple groups- The EXPRESS Band, B n’ the Spice Cabinet, Barstool Bandit, booking my own gigs, meeting more and more amazing creative people and continuing to carve out my own path. Read more>>
Andrea Cruz-Babcock
On the personal front, the transition process has had its fair share of struggles. I am fortunate that I own my own business and am accountable to myself for who I am and have a loving husband who defends my identity fiercely as well as supports my business in all aspects while running a large company himself. We are truly partners in love, life and business. Our personal success as a couple has been depending on each other without being dependent on each other. Read more>>
Halima Adeduntan
It’s around my senior year of high school and I was taking a photography class, I’ve taken one my freshman year as well but I didn’t pay any mind in that class due to Covid-19 . So as a senior I was lowkey always late to school and Photography was my first class of the day so I’d go in late everyday or not at all. When I was there though, my teacher at the time; Joe Davis, pointed out that my work was really good. Him telling me that kind of just sparked my interest to get into photography and from there I’ve been shooting ! I always expected myself too be in front of the Camera but being behind it feels so comforting. It was like a natural grasp . Read more>>
Johnne McMahan
Michael Hill, my first clay mentor and teacher at The University of South Dakota taught me to celebrate strangeness and seek the painful truth. He passed away in November of 2023. I am so grateful to have known him. Read more>>
Stacy Anderson
I had an absolute blast and fell in love with the art of capturing a wedding day. I have ALWAYS loved attending weddings because I just LOVE, love, but being a part of it in this way is just insanely special. Photography has allowed me to travel across the country to beautiful places like Yosemite National Park for elopements and also explore all over our great state of Minnesota for anything from senior sessions, to family sessions and more, cultivating amazing relationships with new people all over.. I have captured thousands of moments in time, that so many people get to cherish forever, and that to me, is the best part! Read more>>
Amanda Leightner Collider Foundation
Collider’s always been a very grassroots organization, with deep ties to the community. We actually got started as a for profit coworking space in 2016, when the community told us they wanted a space for creative, innovation minded people to “connect and collide” to spark new ideas. We built that coworking community step by step for the next three year. But over the time frame, we found that a lot of what was needed, such as connections to resources, entrepreneurial events, and business education, didn’t really fit under the coworking model and was a better fit for a nonprofit. So in 2019, we became a 501(c)3 nonprofit and have just kept moving forward ever since! Read more>>
Bernie Anderson
I couldn’t have asked for a better experience in school. After graduating in 2017, I moved to the twin cities with my now husband. I started my studio practice, Onus Studio, shortly after moving to Minnesota. It’s always been highly important for me to continue creating even at times when I could only give a few hours a week. The jewelry I’ve made for Onus doesn’t follow a traditional fashion calendar. New collections come when I have time and inspiration. I’m proud to work this way, and feel very connected to my designs from concept through to final product. Read more>>
Isabella Sanchez
Isabella Sanchez is an emerging artist and current Master of Fine Arts (MFA) candidate at the University of Minnesota. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the University of Kansas in 2023, with a minor in Art History. Her work has been exhibited in a range of venues, including the St. Louis Art Museum (2017–2019), as well as local galleries such as the University of Kansas Memorial Union Gallery, the Kansas City Artist Coalition (2023), and the Art Grind (2024). Read more>>
Brheanna Myers
My practice offers an extensive array of healing modalities, including VortexHealing® Divine Energy Healing, Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique, and ACASMA Energy Healing – an ancient modality connected to Christ Consciousness and quantum fields. I also provide Sound Healing, DNA Activations Biofield Tuning, and Chakra Realignment, transformation coaching and much more. Each of these services, available both in-person and remotely/virtually, serves as a gateway for clients to rediscover their innate power and sovereignty. Read more>>
Freakwhensee
Id say the biggest bane of all artists is being your own worst critic. For me Its a constant battle of getting out of my own way. I’ve always been in my head, but I’ve grown to appreciate it. Its hard to see my growth sometimes but It definitely keeps me grounded. Aside from that, quitting my job to pursue music full time has definitely been a challenge, but I’m getting by. Read more>>
Elisa Thompson
I got engaged in the fall of 2023 and immediately fell in love with wedding planning. With my wedding coming up in 2025, I struggled to find someone trustworthy enough to take candid videos. We consume most of our video content through the lens of an iPhone via social media, which is very candid, shareable, real, and that’s the video aesthetic I desired for my wedding day. Slap Social Club was formed out of a deep need in my community – the lack of wedding content creators. I quickly recognized the demand for this new field and launched head-first into wedding content creation. What’s ironic is that I always wanted to stay as far away from the wedding industry as possible. I never wanted to get involved on a professional level. Read More>>
Fatou Jome
However, my journey took a life-changing turn when I was diagnosed with endometriosis—a painful condition that affects 1 in 10 women. Experiencing the immense challenges of living with endometriosis inspired me to take action. I founded Let’s Fight Endo, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting women who are battling endometriosis, particularly those who struggle to access treatment due to financial constraints. Read more>>
