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.
Angela Fabish
To put it lightly, we’ve had a few struggles. Ethan was able to learn airport maintenance for just over a year prior to his supervisor of 28 years resigning. With myself being a new clerk entering a vacant office and with him being the only public works staff for months, we have had to hit the ground running and learning as we go. We both enjoy the airport and are trying to maintain and update what we can with a limited budget, and a lot of weather. Maintaining runways, equipment, and facilities through long winters is no small task. Still, with the dedication of staff of the City of Orr, the airport has remained reliable and welcoming for pilots year after year. Read more>>
Madison Smieja
I’ve been crafty since the day I was born. I’ve always love to paint and create as much as possible! I’ve also been doing my own nails at home since I was tween! But I would say the press one from Justice as a little girl definitely paved the way to where I am now! Read more>>
Tiffany Lynn Osborne
I would say my story is really one of faith, resilience, and following purpose even when the path wasn’t always clear. I didn’t set out with a grand plan to be an author, speaker, or leader in workforce development. What I did have was a heart for people and a deep belief that everyone deserves the chance to step into their best life no matter where they come from. Read more>>
Beau Sweitzer
I got started working in-front of, and behind the camera with my friend @Wyatteiden on his own channel from 2020-2022. After graduating from college in 2023, I went on the road with him to film and edit for his channel, along with starting my own channel in the process. Since then, I have worked on my channel focusing on street interview content including trivia, offering people money for challenges such as chugging a mystery item (clam chowder), eating a ghost pepper, and much more! The goal is to provide viewers with fun challenges where they want to see what the next challenge will be! Read more>>
James Dotzler
MVRROW was Formed in late 2019 as a side project between Paige and I as I was the drummer in her rock before MVRROW and I wanted a project where I was on guitar. We recruited a bunch of friends to fill out the lineup, had a bunch of shows lined up for 2020 and our first was supposed to be march 16th, pretty much the day everything shut down. Read more>>
Emmatine Ukwuoma
Understanding that this time it is so much deeper than hair care and beauriful hair styles, but soul care. Continuing to ask the right questions concerning my clients family, lifestyles, daily habits, health conditions, stress to gain some understanding how to approach their healthy hair care journey.. this allowed me to incorporate more natural products and ingredients in my regime. And peaked my interest in natural product formulations. My clients welcomed this and responded well to this healthy hair care journey. Read more>>
Ria Takhar
Perk Place opened its doors on January 22, 2014, but the dream started months earlier as a family conversation. My mom, dad, and I always knew we wanted to create something together, but we didn’t know exactly what. After a lot of late-night brainstorming, we landed on the idea of a bakery that made coffee. My mom has always been the master baker with the recipes everyone loved, and I’ve always loved the detail and creativity that comes with decorating. My dad was the brains and numbers guy – the one who could take our big ideas and turn them into a plan – and none of this would’ve happened without him. Read more>>
Melanie Zaelich
Through my consultations, I teach my clients the ins and outs of design and decorating. In addition, I offer online home decorating courses and classes as well as the Happy Place Design Club, which is an online membership in which members have access to a library of courses and monthly meetings with me so they can get specific direction or home decorating questions asked. Read more>>
Matt Vollum
That was simply a challenge that I was determined to overcome. After about 15 years in K-12, I left to pursue a doctoral degree full time at the University of Minnesota in Kinesiology. After a couple of months in my program, I was offered a full time teaching position coordinating the teaching programs in physical and health education at the University of Minnesota. Again, I took an “outside the box” plan to build and find success with my students who went on to do great things in K-12 education. Read more>>
Kristine Switala
With roots dating back to 2002, the salon already had great bones — it just needed fresh energy and renewed purpose. Kristine saw not only what the space was, but what it could become: a welcoming, balanced, and thriving environment for both stylists and clients. Read more>>
Emily Christenson
In the woods I was never afraid. But I at night I would wake up and go into my parents bedroom, saying there was someone in my room, always hearing, “just get back to bed”. I would even call the police because I felt so strongly someone was in the house with me when I was alone. My neighborhood was featured on a paranormal and mediumship program on the Travel Channel of haunted places. My house was two doors down from the home on the show. Read more>>
Kylie Garland
Garland Wellness is an acupuncture and holistic health private practice based in faith and Christianity. I treat everything from pain management, to sports medicine, digestive concerns, allergies, eye health, skin rejuvenation, emotional wellness, sleep optimization,general relaxation, and fertility support to name a few. Read more>>
Dustin Emslander
It’s heartbreaking when you think you’ve set them up for success going into winter and they still don’t make it. There are often times when we feel we’ve figured things out and then the bees are like, nope! And we are dosed with a case of reality. We are constantly researching and connecting with other beekeepers to figure out best practices in beekeeping. The bees keep us learning (and humble), that’s for sure! Read more>>
Joclyn Benson
I started photography in 2021. The pandemic had changed what I wanted to do with my life and I decided to try my hand in photography, I had always loved taking photos and looking at old family photos, so I knew how important capturing memories were. My style has changed throughout the years but I have always had a soft spot for couples who want to just get out in nature and elope! I eloped in the Rocky Mountains and wouldn’t have it any other way. It is such an intimate day that is all about the couples, as it should be! Read more>>
Dina Post
I have cracked and gouged stones when setting them, which is the final step in making a piece of jewelry resulting in a massive loss of time and materials. I made some ugly jewelry when I started. It was incredibly frustrating until my friend and mentor, Lissa Fleming, said, “But what did you learn?” This has been my mantra when things go awry. What Lissa taught me is that there aren’t failures but steps in the learning process. Read more>>
Steve Harris
Certainly not always smooth. Always challenging. Totally fulfilling. I would call my journey an adventure of faith. Early in my career my two sons were born with serious disabilities and health issues. Those realities created long-term struggles and caregiving responsibilities that affected me as a person and in my work/career. Our family ended up moving a number of times because of those challenges, which had an impact in many ways. I am thankful for God’s faithfulness and grace and for the challenges that have made all of that real for me over many years. Read more>>
Malinda Lynch
started my career as a nurse practitioner in family practice, where I quickly realized how often mental health, hormones, and physical well-being were intertwined. Patients would come in with fatigue, mood swings, or anxiety, and while medication helped, I saw that we were often missing the bigger picture — the hormonal shifts, lifestyle factors, and deeper quality-of-life concerns. Read more>>
Amanda Cox Zuppan
I’ve celebrated as first-time home buyers got their keys, watched families grow through marriages and babies, and played tour guide when new jobs brought people to town. I’ve also held people through the hard stuff—divorce, death, foreclosure—and been there to help them as they cried, mourned and moved forward. One of the moments that will always stick with me is helping a recovering addict buy a home after living on the streets. Watching someone achieve something they never thought possible is humbling in a way I can’t put into words. Read more>>
Ace Theissen
My favorite part of training was working with adults 65+, especially women who hadn’t grown up with access to sports or were told exercise was only about “getting skinny.” Watching them gain strength was rewarding, but the real magic was in the mental and emotional changes—building confidence, pushing boundaries, and learning to love themselves in a new way. Read more>>
Emmanuel Ulloa Arias
I started my journey studying digital media production at a western tech in la crosse. I did not finish my degree because I found out I would grow & be successful if i fully committed to sharpening my skills by providing free work for companies and families. Most of my work emerged from the twin cities and I would travel up from lacrosse two or three times a week to do business. Eventually my business grew and grew and I moved into the city. I since then have traveled all over the country and performed jobs for companies like Johnson & Johnson in New Jersey, Elanders Americas in Davenport, & Old Florida Roofing Co in Florida. Read more>>
The Harlow Pennies
After they found their rhythm, they began to gig around Pine County and then cultivate a loving fan base of family, friends, and new listeners. Their support bolstered the duo into starting the process to record their songs. After recording their first single, “Haunting”, they realized that this was something they thoroughly enjoyed and could do forever. Their passion and drive pushing them forward, they uploaded their single on streaming services, and have been working to keep that momentum going. Late this spring, they released their second single, “Fool’s Gold”. Read more>>
Sue Brown
Sue Brown’s journey as an artist began in the first grade, when a drawing of two frogs on a lily pad earned her a blue ribbon and sparked a lifelong love of art. That passion was matched only by her devotion to horses. Growing up, she spent countless hours sketching and painting them, showing her family’s horses, and assisting her mother, a professional equine photographer. These early experiences laid the foundation for a career that would eventually blend artistry, storytelling, and a deep connection to the equestrian world. Read more>>
Dominic Joy Kirkpatrick
My years as a high school English teacher also shaped the way I approach photography. I spent countless hours teaching students how to find their voice, explore multiple perspectives, and communicate with clarity. We studied symbolism, allusions, and patterns—skills that now influence how I compose and create images. Today, I strive to make photographs that reveal more than what’s obvious at first glance—images that carry meaning, connection, and depth. Read more>>
Shauna Allmon
It all began with a dream. Brandon local Shauna Allmon, a wellness professional in my own right, saw a gap in the way holistic wellness was approached. Working as a Licensed Massage Therapist and a mother of 2 sons in Sioux Falls, I envisioned a sanctuary closer to my family and home where care goes beyond the physical, blending holistic practices with genuine compassion. Brandon, my hometown, did not currently have a wellness facility offering massage therapy, Considering this, I took leap of faith and pioneered a local place offering the community access to holistic therapy. Thus, Serenity Massage was created, a place where every treatment is a step towards comprehensive well-being, tailored to the individual. Read more>>
Nicole Fae
I began my career over 20 years ago as a makeup artist, driven by the joy of helping women feel confident and beautiful. What started with weddings and private clients quickly grew into work on commercial shoots, film, and television. But beyond the artistry, I discovered something even more powerful—the ability to create confidence and help women see themselves in a new light. Read more>>
Brianna White
Even after that, I eventually graduated college and started working full-time at a local travel agency. It wasn’t until 2023 that I decided to take makeup seriously and put myself out there. I completed a makeup safety and sanitation course, and that’s when I officially launched my small business, “Face Card by Bri.” From there, I started building my portfolio, working with local photographers and models, and it’s just grown from there. Read more>>
Cierra Anderson
My story began when I was 13, with my horse LF Sierra Rose. She had been struggling despite every treatment we tried, until a veterinarian suggested acupuncture. I was skeptical, but after that treatment she was more fluid, balanced, and relaxed then I had ever seen her. Ten years later, I was in acupuncture school. I tried it for myself for pain caused by endometriosis, pain I had dealt with for over a decade. After just a few treatments combined with herbal formulas, I experienced my first pain free cycle. That was life changing and confirmed for me that this medicine is powerful. Read more>>
Shayan Rasouli
He and I grew up like brothers—he in Iran, me in the U.S.—and every time I visited, we’d dream about starting a business together. It seemed impossible until he finally moved here in 2022 to study. As soon as he landed, I knew the time had come. He’s a full-stack programmer who had already built restaurant software in Iran, so naturally we leaned into what he knew best. And with the rise of ChatGPT, we saw right away how transformative AI would be. Read more>>
Meghan Wick
The makeup chair became this intimate space where clients would open up in ways they never had during our initial consultations. They’d share their dreams, their fears about putting themselves out there, their vision for their business. By the time we got to the actual photoshoot, they weren’t just camera-ready—they were glowing from the inside out, and it translated into every image. Read more>>
Julie Spangler
No, it definitely hasn’t been smooth. Love rarely is. If it were, we wouldn’t have half the romantic comedies we all love to watch. When I first launched Selective Connections, one of the biggest challenges was convincing people that working with a professional matchmaker isn’t a luxury, it’s a strategy. When someone is serious about finding love, and tired of swiping past “Chad from The Cities” who’s casual but intense, matchmaking becomes the smartest move they can make after upgrading from dial-up internet. Read more>>
Noah Peterson
Over time, I started noticing how much people value not just the music, but also the energy, organization, and professionalism behind the event. That pushed me to grow NorthWoods DJ Services into something bigger—investing in better equipment, building a strong team, and partnering with amazing vendors like photographers, videographers, and planners who share the same vision. Read more>>
Ryan Christenson
Baseball has been a constant thread in my life since my playing days in high school and college, where I learned the value of discipline, leadership, and teamwork. After earning my degree in education and spending 20 years in education, I began blending my background in teaching with my passion for baseball. I started coaching at the high school and collegiate levels, eventually becoming a Regional Director for the National Pitching Association. Read more>>
Emily Reicks
It hasn’t been a straight path—there’s been a lot of learning, risk-taking, and saying “yes” to new opportunities—but that’s also what makes the story exciting. Today, I feel fortunate to be building not only homes and businesses, but also community connections. My goal has always been to merge creativity with practicality, and to bring people together through spaces that inspire, comfort, and last. Read more>>
Josey Stafford
Although I’ve always been a planner, Details being my best friend, I never had the plan to work as one professionally. A friend wanted to start a business to avoid going back into the corporate world after her maternity leave, and luckily she picked me to be her partner. While I was reaching out to venues, and signing up for The Knot, and getting acquainted with this new platform called Pinterest, my business partner was realizing that weddings weren’t what she wanted, and we parted ways before the years was up. I am so grateful that she gave me the impetus and the financial backing to dive whole-heartedly into the world of weddings. Read more>>
Jessica Hagen
Now, I balance contract work while building an integrative practice that combines traditional therapy with nature-based approaches like trauma-informed yoga, cold plunges, sauna, forest bathing, and walk-and-talk sessions. I’ve always loved the outdoors, but after my brain injury, nature became a key part of my healing. I’ve noticed I actually thrive more outside than inside, and that realization has shaped the vision for my practice: helping others experience the same connection and healing nature has offered me. Read more>>
Kara Nelsen
As I was describing my plight to my older sister, she mentioned an emergency veterinary clinic just down the street from her – in Coon Rapids – where she has seen the lights on at night. At her suggestion, I went to the clinic to see if they would consider hiring a college student. They did – and this is where I started to develop my love for emergency medicine. Surrounded by superheroes in this privately owned group of clinics, I was mentored by the best group of veterinarians and veterinary technicians in the Twin Cities. Read more>>
Liz Westerhaus
Oddly, my coveted camera gear never sold. I did an incredible amount of soul-level work as well as took deep rest during that time and trusted if photography as a career was meant for me, it would circle back around. After a two year hiatus, my camera slowly found its way back in to my hands and I felt rejuvenated enough to start working again in the field, but in a different way. I discontinued doing weddings and solely focused on Seniors, got in to commercial photography for businesses and found my way to Sports, which has been one of my greatest joys. Read more>>
Krystal Bartizal
It has been for the most part, I did decide to change my way of running my business. In the beginning of 2025 I switched to booth rental instead of having employees and that was a bit of a struggle. Although a struggle, it has also been less stress on myself and my husband. Luckily with selling our house in a sellers market we had the means to build the salon and renovate before I opened the doors in October of 2021 Read more>>
Tony Burton
I found myself melding my love for both subjects into the stories I cultivated through writing historical and paranormal fiction. I think I felt drawn to this because I wanted to create an alternative to the darkest parts of history. I do this by simply theorizing how individuals who experienced these historical moments would react if things happened differently. Of course, I was never interested in erasing history, but rather showing how it might have been better if different things occurred. That way, we can move forward and improve our ways. Read more>>
Brandi Nicole
Today, I’m proud to serve as the General Manager of The Better Half, a restaurant I’m helping guide into its next chapter. With our new After Dark concept, I’ve had the chance to reimagine our menu, alongside Chef Cosme and the amazing team who make this place possible, elevating it from casual daytime dining to an intimate, upscale lounge experience in the evenings. From refining cocktails and wine selections to curating playful yet refined seasonal dishes, the updates are all about transforming the familiar into something unforgettable. Read more>>
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>>
