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.
Gianni Harrington
I got to where I am today with the grace of God—to whomever we all believe that may be. I battled a rigorous and demanding childhood. A childhood that was isolating, built around shame, greed, and manipulation. Yet, as a teenager, I learned self-respect and practiced grit, resilience, and internal optimism. I knew deep within myself that any moment I’d ever experienced my softness—my true gift to the world—that was ideally the environment and life I was striving for. Along the way, though, I lost myself. My softest self. Read more>>
Patty & Amy Keegan
We do a great thin crust pizza with lots of toppings. In addition, our traditional red sauce baked pastas like Lasagna, and Rigatoni are delicious. We will be celebrating our 50th year in business in December and we are so proud of that! We continue to find ways to innovate. About a year ago we started a wholesale division. We are selling our pasta and pizza sauces in jars along with 12 varieties of our frozen pub pizzas including 2 cauliflower crust options. We are selling them in local grocery stores, Co-ops, convenience stores and bars. We are so proud to be a part of this South Minneapolis Community. Read more>>
Skye McGregor
Fast forward to 2018, and a fortunate opportunity arose. I stumbled upon a Facebook post by a high school photographer, Vasia Johnson, who was transitioning from shooting landscapes to capturing portraits. I was thrilled to be chosen as one of her first brand ambassadors. This experience was pivotal in my modeling career. Vasia taught me invaluable skills, such as understanding my good side and perfecting my angles, which have been instrumental to my confidence and success. Read more>>
Bre Vinkemeier
I’ve always loved living in the moment and soaking in each one for what it is. Life is such a gift—especially when shared with others. That’s why I’m so passionate about capturing memories and preserving them for a lifetime. For the last five years, God has given me the incredible opportunity to do just that: to freeze moments in time for others to treasure forever. Whether it’s a wedding, engagement, graduation, welcoming a little one into the world, or a special event—I get to capture it all. And the truth is, I didn’t find this passion on my own. God placed it in me. Every step of the way, I get to walk this journey with Him and for Him, and that makes it all the more meaningful. Read more>>
Sabrina Jasmin
It wasn’t until my senior year of high school that I picked up a camera for the first time in my Yearbook class. After a semester of running around my hallways, taking photos of all of my friends, my life changed and I decided to pursue it further. I studied Photography at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where I fell in love with portraiture. I’ve been documenting people across the Midwest in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Colorado since. My style has evolved from hyper-stylized fashion photography to a more candid approach, but light has always been a constant inspiration for my work. I’ve been working independently for four years now. Read more>>
Benjamin Britton
Despite this setback, we emerged stronger and began collaborating with Dr. Stephen Menya and Leah Menya, the owners of Lions Gym and Wellness in Robbinsdale. Transitioning to a more brick-and-mortar style business, we started seeing clients at Lions Gym and Wellness, which provided us with more equipment, space, and ultimately better results for our patients. Read more>>
Kejyana Clark
I’ve always been wired to create, to serve, and to lead. I was that entrepreneurial kid with a notebook full of ideas, running lemonade stands, hosting bake sales, pet sitting, babysitting constantly dreaming up ways to bring people together and make things happen. I even hosted neighborhood summer camps as a child, where parents would pay me fifty dollars for the season, and I’d spend my days planning crafts, games, and fun activities to keep their kids engaged and cared for. I’ve always had a heart for children and a deep desire to build safe, uplifting spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered. Read more>>
Macy Kramer
I’ve always been a creative at heart, and my path has been shaped by following that creativity wherever it leads me. I started doing hair almost 8 years ago, which gave me not only a craft but also the chance to connect deeply with people. Over time, I embraced my need for expression in all my passions, and doing hair gave me the flexibility to explore other art forms like dance and painting. Read more>>
Kate France
In the fall of 2015, I learned how to code my first QR code, and the rest was history. Dubbed the medical assistance via quick response code or MAQR Bracelet, I would go on to compete in national and international competitions throughout all of high school, align myself with several key investors and supporters while in my undergraduate studies, and receive global recognition for my work during my doctoral program. Read more>>
Annie Roseen
I am a Duluth, Minnesota native, always an “artist and a dancer” as I would say as a little girl. I attended college at the College of St. Benedict/ St. John’s University and returned to Duluth after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Gender Studies, and Theatre Art. I had a strong liberal arts education but I wasn’t quite sure how to apply that toward a career straight away. I waitressed for many years while directing and choreographing plays in the area, primarily with children’s theatre programs and in schools. I liked the work a lot but wanted a better fit for my passions. I am a playwright, performing artist, a costumer, make-up artist, a leader and an advocate. I love telling stories and hearing other’s stories- both fiction and non-fiction. Read more>>
Meghan Jahnke
My path to rural Minnesota begins with my dad, Don. He was born and raised in Parkers Prairie, and our family spent summers and deer season here, always with time on the farm. I grew up in Lancaster, PA—suburban life, but with agriculture all around—so even though I didn’t grow up on a farm, I felt close to the land and to community. My first job was at the farm behind our neighborhood, picking peas and strawberries and weeding the pumpkin patch. Read more>>
Qaiser Shahan
“My journey has been one of growth and new beginnings. I was born and raised in Pakistan, where I completed my education in law, political science, and later software engineering and public administration. After working in Dubai for several years, I moved with my family to Minnesota in 2023 to start a new chapter of life. Photography had always been a passion for me, and in the U.S. I turned that passion into a profession by founding SL Productions. What began as a creative interest has now grown into a business where I have the privilege of capturing weddings, portraits, and meaningful moments for people. Each step of my journey has shaped who I am today—resilient, grateful, and motivated to keep building something that brings joy to others.” Read more>>
Chris Armstrong
We create short custom practices for you to do every day at home designed to help move you forward in whatever way makes sense for you, and every 3-6 months, it is helpful to get a new one as by then, you are ready to take the next intelligent step. Part of the lineage I was trained in recommends that we have a mentor who creates a custom practice for us, and it is quite lovely to be on both the receiving and giving end of this centuries old transformational tool. I also write and facilitate writing classes with a teacher out of Hawaii which is surprisingly transformational as well. Read more>>
Leslie Nelson
This experience sparked such passion that I joined our builder’s sales team where I worked for about 3.5 years and loved every minute of it. However, my husband and I were in a phase of life with big changes! Once we had our first baby, I knew I needed to make a shift so that I could build a career around our family. And with that, Nelson Home Co. was created. August marks 3 years of owning and operating Nelson Home Co. and I have had the privilege of helping some of the most phenomenal families navigate big life changes. Read more>>
Charles Evans-Anderson
Very smooth and very free. The freedom of artistic expression is one that contrasts the otherwise hard-working background from which I come in regards to having worked in multiple fields, maintaining my physical fitness, college, theatre, and coming from a family of dreamers with motivation from my very diligent mother Candace. Read more>>
Sheila Boldt
Thanks to the cornerstone founders and a $5 million commitment from Sourcewell, the project is finally becoming a reality. It’s inspiring to be a part of this journey, officially breaking ground this year, launching our capital campaign, and having already reached more than 50,000 people through our mobile programs. Now we’re on track to open our Outdoor Adventure campus in 2026, and I’m so proud to be part of bringing this to life for our region’s children and families, including my own six, four, and two-year-olds! Read more>>
Pavel Jany
Not always. After moving to the United States, to continue with my music career was not easy. It took me many years to establish myself on the local music scene, and during that time I was working a number of so-called day jobs to support myself and my family. But I did manage. And now I am grateful and feel blessed that my musical career is going well and that I have a chance to work with so many wonderful artists here in the Twin Cities. Read more>>
Kristina Kiefer
It has been challenging to reach those that need us most, as they are often shamed for grieving an animal so deeply, and learn to suffer instead of seeking help. Our culture also tends to have an unhealthy approach towards grieving and supporting those grieving. It doesn’t cross our minds that grieving doesn’t have to be something that happens to us, but a journey that we can take to honor beautiful relationships we have experienced. Changing a cultural mindset is mind-blowingly hard! Read more>>
Andrew Powers
My name is Drew, I’m a member of the RedLake Nation, I have 5 children and an amazing wife. I’m a tattoo artist here in Duluth. I’ve always had a passion for art. I fell into tattooing while I was a cook at Old Chicago. I was a cook for 11 years but was introduced to tattooing and never looked back. I started my tattoo journey at Gitchee Gumee tattoo, where I started out as an apprentice in 2022. In 2024 I moved to stronghold tattoo studio. Im 3 years in now, I am now a resident artist at ‘9 lives tattoo’. 2214 mountain shadow Drive. Im a walk-in artist but I also take appointments. My preferred style is fineline black &gray, American traditional, Ojibwe floral and lettering. Read more>>
Veronica Vale
What changed was when I realized the problem wasn’t that I needed to work harder, push more, or be “perfect.” The real work was healing the parts of me that felt unworthy. I started exploring self-worth, nervous system healing, forgiveness, and manifestation in a way that felt trauma-aware and human. I stopped chasing only external validation and began creating practices that helped me feel safe in my own body, let go of shame, and believe I was worthy of good things no matter what I’d done in the past. Read more>>
Bailey Tardy
I started my photography journey shortly after graduating high school. I bought my first camera and began taking photos for anyone who was willing to let me practice. In 2018, I decided to take it more seriously and booked my first wedding, which was such a big turning point for me. Since then, I’ve continued to grow both as a photographer and as a business owner, always looking for ways to learn and improve. Looking back, I’m so grateful to the people who trusted me early on, because their support really shaped the career I have today. That experience makes me excited about the future and confident in what I can bring to every client and project moving forward. Read more>>
Donaven Chandler
I grew up in a low-income family, and by the time I was 13, I transitioned into foster care. After moving around for a few years, I was fortunate enough to land in a great foster home that gave me stability. From a young age, I spent a lot of time working on farms, which meant fixing just about anything — often with very little money for parts. That experience taught me resourcefulness and the confidence that I could figure out how to fix just about anything. Read more>>
Eli Olson
I live in Minneapolis, where I am focusing on painting and becoming a muralist. I developed my art style in 2020 while experimenting with color in portraits. I enjoy painting portraits with vibrant, bold colors, and the faces I create often have androgynous features that reflect many identities. Through my work I want to show that queerness is natural and beautiful. I held my first gallery show in June 2024 at the 410 Project in Mankato, and since December 2024 my work has been featured at Calendula Gallery in St. Paul. This year I began selling art at markets and I completed my first mural at Queermunity in Minneapolis. Read more>>
Blake Nellis
Over the years I’ve performed and collaborated with musicians, dancers, and theater makers, always looking for the places where disciplines intersect. I always had an affinity for photography as my mom worked in a photo lab growing up and put a Minolta 35mm in my hands at a very young age. What started as documenting flowers and railroads grew into a full artistic practice, one where I approach the camera the same way I approach dance: with curiosity, presence, and trust in the moment. I have a very instinctual way of making art, trusting the practice of improvisation and patience. Read more>>
Angie Clark
My values changed. My love for fitness gave me a sense of belonging—a sense of home within myself. It gave me energy, it made me want to hydrate more and eat more fruit. Eventually, I started to realize how running, yoga and ayurveda was helping my mental health. I learned how to live a lifestyle of integrity. I now know how to access the deepest parts of my soul that were neglected for years. Now, I am fully aware of how worthy I am of love, safety, and abundance. My life has shifted from a fear-based response to the world to an intuitive allowing invitation. I am an active co-creator, helping others end their suffering and live in the light of their own soul. Read more>>
Michelle Hansen
I have been a massage therapist since 2003. I took my first abdominal therapy course in 2008 and have not looked back. I have found abdominal therapy absolutely fascinating and the healing I have witnessed on thousands of clients has been something to marvel at. Beginning with my very first client. She could not get pregnant. They had been trying for a year. Her doctor told her she would need IVF. I excitedly asked her if I could try the new techniques I just learned on her.. It worked! She got pregnant with her next ovulation! Read more>>
Raya Horst
We are Jessica Matson and Raya Horst. We have owned Serenity Salon and Posh Boutique for 4.5 years! When Jessica was a sophomore in high school, her sister, Jolene Timmers opened up Serenity Spa and Salon. She started working for her as a receptionist and instantly fell in love with the beauty industry and decided to go to cosmetology school as soon as she graduated. She did and started behind her chair right away as one of her employees. Raya took a slightly different route right after highschool. Read more>>
Christopher Warden
Growing up in the Midwest (Wisconsin, then Minnesota), I never imagined the path my career would take. In 2001, I left for New York City, where I built a successful coaching business training everyone from top financiers to A-list celebrities, Broadway dancers, and active adults looking to live and perform at their best. That chapter led to an opportunity of a lifetime: becoming the coach to a member of the Moroccan Royal Family. With Sara, my wife, and our two little ones in tow—a 2.5-year-old and a 6-month-old—we moved to Morocco for what we thought might be a short adventure. It turned into 7.5 years of international travel, world-class coaching, and eventually an additional role as head strength coach to Morocco’s national amateur and professional golf teams. Read more>>
Ariel Peisert
From the success of the parties and the consistent business of the farmers markets I was able to get my business going. I hired some of my friends and family that I had worked with in the past and tried to create the job/career of my dreams. Working outside, cooking with wood fire, using all local ingredients to make something unique and delicious. After 5 years of working the trailer May-October, I found a small bakery that was available for rent, I added a pizza oven and a walk in cooler and we opened in November 2020 as a curbside and take out pizza shop. I was able to buy the real estate in 2022 and we have been running the restaurant and trailer ever since. Read more>>
Neelima
I did, and to everyone’s surprise, including mine, I won. That small victory became the start of something much bigger, leading me to represent my school in district and state-level competitions, earning multiple state and national-level recognitions, and studying under a teacher who introduced me to the technical world of materials and mediums. After school in the small town of Shornur, Kerala, I moved to Kochi for college. Art took a backseat for a while, but it found its way back to me when I joined Prussian Arts, a vibrant collective where I did multiple group exhibitions. Read more>>
