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.
Pam Sandlie
Travel has always been a passion of mine, and as I explored more destinations, I realized how much I enjoyed researching, planning, and curating experiences—not just for myself but for others as well. That realization led me to seek out professional training to become a travel advisor. Rather than joining an established agency, I took the leap and founded Blue Emerald Travel Advisors, a boutique travel agency dedicated to creating seamless, well-planned, and unforgettable travel experiences. Read more>>
Nathan O’Malley
Leather Works Minnesota was started in 1999 by my parents Kent and Lee Begnaud in their garage in St. Paul Park, MN. Growing up I would help out in the shop to make some extra Christmas money. In college I would play with my dad’s sewing machines to tailor my clothes, and before I graduated I was offered a part time job. Read more>>
Mason Meyers
As we were amassing the recording equipment we began brainstorming what it would take to start our own recording studio, and how we could differentiate ourselves from the dozens of other studios in the greater Twin Cities area. We landed on integrating a video system into each recording space so we could capture audio and video of sessions simultaneously and market a multimedia experience. We found our space in July of 2023, and began building out the space in January of 2024. We ran our first session on October and now we are steadily booked into June 2025. Read more>>
Maggie Tatur
Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to breed dogs. I remember begging my dad for a dog almost everyday, he always said no. But the summer i turned 13, I made enough money to get a dog and told my dad, “I’m getting a dog and you can’t say no.” And sure enough not even two weeks later I got my Lexie. She was a beautiful Golden Retriever puppy, I spent the next two years learning as much as I could about dogs and talking to as many people as I could about them. Finally when Lexie turned two I completed all of her health testing and 2020 is when Akoya Kennels started. Read more>>
Corey Althoff
I returned wholeheartedly to the industry, working with several small-town florists that helped deepen my connection to the community. It was during this time that I discovered my true passion: weddings. The personal, emotional nature of wedding florals spoke to me, and I knew I had found my calling. Read more>>
Susan Chin
I sketched up the plan and had a local trailer builder bring it to life. It made its premier at the Twin Cities Bridal fair 2020. The mobile unit has now expanded into county fairs, hockey tournaments and other events in the community. In 2021 I signed lease on my first store front and started a full build out and renovation. I transformed an old Fantastic Sams into a posh luxury upscale salon and medspa, In 2024 I had the oppourtunity to expand my brand with a second salon space that is a suite style salon. That salon is located in Burnsville and has 5 suites that is home to 2 hair stylists, 2 lash extension techs and 1 custom spray tan business. That salon is named Le Lustre Suites, The Chandelier Suite in French! Read more>>
Anna Golv
As a child, I was always very active. I danced, did gymnastics, played softball and volleyball, tried hockey for a few years, and ran cross country. Because of this, when it came time to decide “what I wanted to be when I grew up,” I knew I wanted a job where I could continue to be active. At 16, I started exploring becoming a Personal Trainer – talking with other trainers I knew and researching what colleges offered Exercise Science programs. That’s also when the dream of having my own Personal Training gym one day began – and jokingly said, I would call it “Annaerobics.” Read more>>
Abraham Gessesse
I ended up attending the Job Corps as soon as I found out they had a Culinary Arts program. I was so motivated that I completed the program in about three months. I then externed and worked for Russell Klein at Brasserie Zentral, the best fine-dining restaurant in the Twin Cities at the tie. From there I worked at Spoon and Stable for Gavin Kaysen, until my wife and I decided to move to Norway. In Norway I had the opportunity to stage at a few amazing restaurants like Restaurant Kontrast in Oslo. Most of all, I was lucky enough to experience a different way of life and culture. Read more>>
Veronica Marpoe
I would love to meet a small business owner who hasn’t had a struggle. I always tell people a quote I heard that goes “an entrepreneur will work 80 hours to avoid working 40 for another company.” If you have it in you, you will put in the hours and it won’t feel like work. Don’t get me wrong it’s hard work, but I don’t ever get up regretting going to work. I love what I get to do, and the people I have met on my journey. Read more>>
Amber Miller
Soon after, our family took the trip of a lifetime. We traveled across the U.S. visiting national parks, living the dream, and experiencing freedom like never before. When we returned, we moved into our camper and spent five months managing a campground. That season stripped away everything I wasn’t and helped me remember who I was at my core. It grounded me in simplicity, connection, and truth. Read more>>
Dana Myers
We now run a full-scale ranch, raising New Zealand Kiko and Australian Cashmere goats. Every spring, we welcome 200–300 babies. We sell goats to other breeders, harvest cashmere, and continue to expand what ScapeGoats can offer—both as a land management service and as a working ranch. We also make goat content for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube streaming all activities from live births, goats on the farm, grazing jobs, large removal, seeding, and more! Read more>>
Laura Mendoza
I have a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, which I got in Mexico, where I am from. For most of my professional life I have worked as an environmental educator in one way or another. For about 5 years I owned a business in Mexico teaching people sustainable gardening and providing assistance to start community and school gardens. Read more>>
Heather Doyle
She and Victoria – CAFAC’s Executive Director – first started working together at Minneapolis Community & Technical College (MCTC), offering sculptural welding and blacksmithing classes through the Continuing Education department. Although MCTC was a fantastic resource for learners, students consistently expressed an interest in continuing to practice their skills and create new work – capacity that MCTC didn’t have. There was a clear need for a new space to help provide access to the fire arts. Read more>>
Jill Isola Johnson
Since I was a small child, I’ve been interested in how buildings affect people’s behaviors; their movements, responses, and comforts. Early on I would imagine changing spatial forms, rooms, ceilings, adding windows and doorways, etc. and imagine then how people would move through the space. I would run around with a tape measure, measuring walls and trims and openings, I didn’t realize that all of this was leading me towards an incredibly rewarding career as a Certified Interior Designer. Read more>>
Vanessa Palestino
The journey began small: pop-ups, community events, a lot of late nights, and even more cafecito. I knew I wanted to source coffee exclusively from micro-farmers across Latin America, because equity and sustainability matter, but also because those beans carry generations of tradition and care. When we finally opened our brick and mortar in Northeast Minneapolis, it was more than just a coffee shop, it was the physical expression of a vision. Read more>>
Eiko “A-Ko” Mizushima
As a mixed race, Japanese, Irish, queer, gender non-conforming kid who grew up in rural Wisconsin, there were a lot of opportunities to observe people from the sidelines. I wasn’t quite all the way “in” with any crowd, and that gave me perspective. I was more introverted as in my youth, and from this place I started quietly forming opinions about the world. I decided early on that we all had a role in making the world a better place and began joining groups who had liberation and healing on their minds. It just made sense to me. Read more>>
Kelly Poolman
I was introduced to polymer clay in early 2020 as a creative outlet during the pandemic and immediately felt I had found what I was looking for. Previously, I had made and sold wood signs, however, I was getting burnt out and needed something different. My husband and I had struggled with interfertility for years and that same year we found out we were expecting our rainbow baby on our 9th wedding anniversary! I love to create things, especially jewelry and find so much joy working with polymer clay that it quickly became a passion of mine and has evolved in a way I never imagined. Each piece is carefully handcrafted, baked, sanded, hand drilled and assembled in northern Minnesota. Creating jewelry has been a way for me to make something beautiful and bring the same joy to someone else! Read more>>
Jan Degallier
Looking back, my journey has been anything but linear—but it’s been deeply purpose-driven. I started my career as a CPA, working in public accounting and later moving into corporate finance roles where I led teams and managed strategy for a multi-billion-dollar company. On paper, I was “successful,” but something inside me kept nudging me to use my experience in a more personal, meaningful way. Read more>>
Danii LeMaire
The time of plaster that we apply is not wall structure like lath and plaster. What we do is Ventian plaster. Essentially it is applying thin layers of crushes stone and water onto walls. Our plasters are often made up of lime which is naturally antibacterial. It is also a much more ecological product with no VOC’s or plastics. Some of the plasters we use also contain bits of marble to create some sheen. The plaster then becomes a think layer of stone covering the surface. Read more>>
Jen Frederickson
One other notable struggle is the dreaded “imposter syndrome.” This has plagued me from the start, but quite honestly, it has recently vanished after starting things back up this time around. That feels like an amazing gift and a clear sign that this was supposed to be a part of my life again! I feel confident and competent and no longer feel like I have to “fake it till I make it!” Read more>>
Stephanie DeArmond
My work uses fingerprints as a central motif. I use porcelain to shape pieces, then carve images of botanicals, birds, animals, poetry and symbols into the surface. I have been lucky to show my work in venues such as the XXIst International Biennial of Vallauris, Kohler Art Center, and Design Miami. I have featured in publications such as the New York Times, American Craft and Ceramics Monthly. I received my MFA in Ceramics from University of Colorado-Boulder. I love to teach and have taught ceramics for many years at University of Minnesota and other venues. Read more>>
Nancy Ariza
After graduating, I relocated to the Twin Cities Metro and got involved with various museums and arts organizations, including Minnesota Center for Book Arts and Highpoint Center for Printmaking to expand my printmaking, teaching, and arts administration skill set. This resulted in a over 10-year career developing and leading arts education programs across the state of Minnesota. Read more>>
