The Most Inspiring Stories in St. Louis

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.

Allie Steil

My family lost her to cancer a few years ago, and anytime I feel like giving up or compare myself to others, I keep going and remember what she told me. I offer a variety of sessions including but not limited to events, couples, seniors, family, and maternity. I know that not everyone can afford photography services so I always like to work with them because everyone deserves to have their memories or accomplishments captured. Another passion of mine is counseling/psychology. I graduated with my Bachelors in Psychology at UMSL and I am currently in a Masters program at Mizzou for School Counseling. I love being able to capture such special moments in peoples lives and seeing their joy when they receive their galleries. Read More>>

Gina Schuster

It has not been a smooth road. There have been a lot of tears and struggles along the way. I was dealing with my own grief as well as the grief of my 3 children. I have had to learn a lot of new things that my husband normally took care of like yard work and house repairs. In the early days I felt anxious, depressed, and overwhelmed. I feared I would never truly feel happy again. For a long time I did not recognize myself. I was so sad and I did not have the capacity to help others which is normally part of who I am. It seemed as if my pain was palpable and I could see the sadness in other people’s eyes when they looked at me. Read More>>

Faith Mcdonald

I would saying nothing worth doing is going to be easy but it can be fun! We have to laugh at the hiccups that are bound to happen. Surrounding myself with people who keep life lighthearted is key. The struggles have been what you would expect of a 19 year old starting a business. My most memorable bumps in the road are accidentally flooding my coffee trailer or the time that I started an electrical fire because I didn’t know space heaters don’t get plugged into full power strips. OOPS! Read More>>

Emma Kennedy

My name is Emma Kennedy. After high school, I completed a year of service with AmeriCorps in Kansas City, where I discovered my love for event planning and building community. I graduated from UMSL in 2019 with a BA in Communications with a minor in Spanish. During college, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Spain and intern with Stray Rescue of St. Louis, focusing on communications, development, and marketing. That experience deepened my passion for the nonprofit sector, as well as my love for helping animals and fostering community. Read More>>

Alan Castellanos

Whether through my original designs or collaborative projects, I aim to make the art of miniature painting accessible, enjoyable, and inspiring for painters of all skill levels. I first got into miniature painting in 2018 when I received the board game “Arcadia Quest.” The chibi-style miniatures were so adorable, but they were all in plain gray plastic. I thought, “Maybe I can paint these and bring them to life!” My very first miniature was a goblin from the game—it turned out absolutely awful, but I had so much fun painting it. From the start, I felt there was so much room for improvement, and I was sure that with time and practice, I could create something amazing. Now, what I enjoy most is sharing what I’ve learned with others and creating truly unique pieces. Read More>>

Erin Moore

When we approached buying the bakery I kept saying to myself, if it’s meant to be it’ll fall into place. We did our part and waited, prayed and pursued and it all lined up. I was 5 ish months pregnant with our 4th kid when we bought it and we just decided that we were going to learn on our feet and do as much as we could. Our community out here has been amazing, we wouldn’t have attempted this anywhere else in the world Read More>>

Jennifer Walker

Well, paying the rent and paying back school loans after graduating art school was my biggest challenge and it shifted my perspective on a career you could say. Being a jewelry designer and artist took a back seat in the decade that followed art school. But I regret nothing and am grateful for everything that has led me to where I am right now. Read More>>

Dantia Downer

My 4 year old princess Zari expressed interest in running the company so I have started to bring her in on events so that she can engage with the public and talk about our product. The ultimate goal is to have her ready by 7 so that she can run our fundraising sector! In the midst of all of the cooking, I have furthered my culinary skills and flavor profiles; learning to farm, going from the ground to the table, taking up business classes, leadership courses and networking in the areas where I would like to do business. The business is headed in the right direction and will be extremely successful. The success will lead to Just Pastas starting a project that will be a community farms and village! I’m really excited about everything we have in the works. The future is bright for us! Read More>>

Rukhsaar Khanam

I’m originally from India but have lived in different cities growing up. Grew up in Dubai, graduated high school in Singapore and finished medical training in Chennai, India. I moved to the US to pursue my Internal medicine residency in Champaign IL and moved to STL do my fellowship in critical care. I’ve always wanted to be in medicine as long as I can remember. I met my husband at 19 in med school and since he’s from NY it was the obvious choice to move to the US to pursue training. The journey has been long & hard but absolutely love what I do  Read More>>

John Samuel III

I would say I used to get discouraged by the type of content I would post and it not receive the recognition or interaction that I would like would make me feel some type a way before. But now I’m at the point where I just post because I want to show my versatility as well just enjoying it. Read More>>

Steward Stiles III

Beyond music, my heart is deeply invested in youth ministry. I am honored to serve as the first-ever youth pastor in my church’s history, as well as the District Youth President for our church organization, where I lead youth ministries across more than 60 churches in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois. This dual calling—music and ministry—fuels my purpose and drives my mission to inspire and empower the next generation. Read More>>

Devon Moody, MBA

Sixteen years ago, I took what I learned from them and launched my journey as a business consultant. I started because I saw the gaps—the glaring inequities in predominantly Black communities like East St. Louis, where talented, hardworking business owners struggled to scale and thrive. It wasn’t about a lack of effort; it was about a lack of access: to knowledge, capital, and the tools needed to create generational wealth. I couldn’t sit back and accept a reality where Black families earned a fraction of what white families earned. I wanted to be part of the solution. Read More>>

Hill Romeo

A few years ago, I started feeling unfulfilled in my career. I wanted more than just cutting hair—I wanted to create something of my own. Even though I was terrified, I took the leap and opened Angelo’s Barber Collective on February 1, 2024. It was a dream years in the making, and it felt only right to name the shop after my grandfather, Angelo—the man who was always my biggest supporter and believed in me from the start. The vintage theme throughout the shop is something we shared throughout our lives, and I’ve filled the space with his antiques and photos, keeping his memory alive in everything I do. Read More>>

Melissa Stolze

Throughout my 12-year journey as a boutique fitness studio entrepreneur, I have faced a myriad of challenges that have shaped my experience and contributed to my growth. One of the most significant hurdles was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many businesses, my studio was forced to adapt to an unprecedented situation that tested our resilience and creativity. Transitioning to virtual classes, implementing safety protocols, and maintaining a sense of community became essential to our survival during those trying times. Read More>>

Akinmoye Overcomer

My Journey Started in my University year 2. I was on Holiday when I got a call from my roomie telling me about a business opportunity I can venture into and make some money, and also develop myself with the chance of developing other people too. I said yes to it immediately and when I resumed back to school, I stared my business Read More>>

Pierre Paul

In 2019, I had a dream to invent a sign language translator, and that idea sparked the creation of We Hear You, a company dedicated to bridging accessibility gaps. With no prior resources or roadmap, my best friend and I began knocking on doors, seeking mentorship and guidance. Over time, we developed innovative accessibility technologies, are currently exiting out first sign company to focus on our second invention The Hero Door Opener, which transforms any door into an automatic one. Read More>>

Zoë Finkelstein

My high school art teacher Mr. Crawford taught me how to oil paint and encouraged me to continue my art education. This brought me to St. Louis in 2016 to get my BFA in studio art from WashU. I improved my craft, explored many new techniques and media including fabric marbling and sewing, discovered what I wanted to make work about, and fell in love with Saint Louis. I realized that art is what I want to do with my life, but didn’t really know what that would look like. I graduated with my BFA in 2020, and with all the pandemic uncertainty I decided to stay here where I had friends and mentors. Read More>>

Chrystal Crawford

As a former special education teacher, I never believed that a child should be identified according to what they could not do, but by what they are able to do and do well. That is what He’s Able seeks to do. I believe that God is able to do all things. I saw what God did for my son and I knew that with education and God he could go far. I decided to work towards helping other parents and children who had the same story as me. While my children were doing well working at home, I felt the need to give them an opportunity to experience school, but in a way that they learn best and where they have the comforts of homeschooling, but the rigor that we see in some of the best schools around. C.O.R.E Academy was founded shortly after I realized this need. Read More>>

Taylor Sloan

I love both of these services because it allows my creative side to come out! I really love making people feel so good about themselves. I really feel like I am where I am today because I do have a artistry side to me that really allows me to do a work of are for women! Read More>>

Gus Page

He was maybe the “coolest” guy I have met in life. A thought that would likely be agreed with by many who knew him. He lived most of his life in Colorado and Alaska and would fly into town when I was growing up with Tapes/CDs from his life as a musician in a faraway land. And my Second Cousin Jay Summers (Sinister Dane) whose band found popularity and success in the days of The Urge and Point Essential albums while I was in my teenage years. Both of those influences had a lasting impact on me and to put it simply, opened the door in my mind that music was something I could do and be in life as opposed to just being a lover and consumer of it. Read More>>

Pamela Anita

My name is Pamela Anita Mary Davis, and I’ve always believed that true resilience begins with placing God at the center of your life. My journey to founding Queen of Resilience, Inc. was born out of personal challenges, tears, and triumphs. It all began during my freshman year at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where I experienced my first panic attack following the death of my Uncle Arnett Kerr. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the mental health resources available to me. That experience left a lasting impression, forcing me to confront anxiety and depression without a clear roadmap. Read More>>

Gretchen & Curtis Alley

Moss and Mushroom Alley with Gretchen and Curtis Alley. She is the Moss and he is the Mushroom and they are both the Alleys! Our goal is to stay super small and super local. We don’t have any social media presence. No Instagram, no Facebook, Twitter, Tik Tok, NOTHING. We do have an email mossandmushroomalley@gmail.com Which is the best way to reach us (or come say hi at a local farmers market!) Read More>>

David German

Having been a teacher for 35 years, a lot of it in low-income communities, I wanted to make a difference. I decided the best way to truly make a long-term difference was to get to the root of the problem. This means changing the environment that kids are growing up in. If we could help single parents get a job that enables them to be home at night to read to the kids and check on their homework, as well as relieving some of the financial stress each month, this greatly improves the child’s chance of being successful in life. Read More>>

Kayla Sutterer

Growing up I always loved hair and all things in the beauty industry. It was my dream to become a hairstylist. After high school I went to community college and decided that it wasn’t for me. I shortly after started cosmetology school where I saw my dreams come true. Once I graduated from school I took my first salon offer. I soon realized that there’s lots of salons and you really have to find what works best for you. I knew that my education and the product that were used on my clients was the most important to me. I then got introduced to Salon Elite where I can truly say can career took off. I fell in love with the fact that our color comes from the state of the art LG color master machine that’s ammonia free. And the education program is unmatched! Read More>>

Mikayla Goretzke-Shannon

I began designing stickers using Procreate on my iPad, and eventually expanded to creating art prints as well. My primary goal was to hone my craft while simultaneously cultivating an audience and fostering their growth alongside my work. Once restrictions began to ease, I felt the need to challenge myself further, prompting me to participate in my first art market. Since then, I have been involved in numerous art markets and have also started selling my prints and stickers at a local vintage clothing shop owned by a close friend of mine. Read More>>

April Grob

My story starts when my husband and I moved back to St. Louis, MO, more specifically Berkeley, MO from Fort Stewart / Hinesville, GA. We moved back because he was officially out the army and all of our army family had moved away and we wanted to come back to spend time with family that we hadn’t seen in a while. He worked and I was a stay at home mom who spent way too much time reading, crocheting, and writing, lol.  Read More>>

Brad Hansen

I’ve been passionate about creating for as long as I can remember. Growing up in the St. Louis Metro area, I was always drawn to making something out of nothing, which I now see as a reflection of my faith in God, the ultimate Creator. My journey into design began in high school when an English teacher’s classroom filled with lighthouse pictures sparked my love for drawing. That moment led me to pursue art classes, study design in college, and eventually build a career that I absolutely love. Read More>>

Spillie Nelson

We formed in 2015. We were all musicians and other bands at the time, and we got together and decided to take a whack at our own project. There’s a very large family of musicians that hold Spillie Nelson together, but the four core is, Nick Wright, Andrew Crain, Jared Unfried, and Josh Whitt. Honorable mentions go to Gavin Colp, Rich Fleetwood, and Gary Markert. They have been a huge part of the writing process and the vibe that keeps Spillie Nelson alive. Read More>>

Susan Halla

When I bought my house, it had a very generic, raised-panel door with a semi-circle lite at the top. You can picture it, I’m sure because you’ll see these doors EVERYWHERE. There was nothing wrong with the door except that it looked COMPLETELY out of place. It was a great door for a more classic home but not for a mid-century home. My husband and I searched for a door that would look period-correct but could not find anything, and instead decided to build our own. That small venture made me realize that there were assuredly more people out there having similar issues finding the right materials for mid-century restoration, and Make it Mid-Century was born. Read More>>

Mia Stull

Time, however, remains my greatest challenge. I am a mother of four, and I also teach high school English, so balancing everything can be overwhelming at times. Between working directly with clients, conducting research, staying on top of continuing education, attending webinars, and networking with suppliers, my schedule is always full. However, I thrive under pressure and excel at managing time constraints, which helps me juggle it all. Read More>>

Varla Bishop

I have always enjoyed being creative. Like a lot of children, I loved art. I took art classes in high school and enjoyed every minute of it. My family wanted me to be an art teacher, but that was not my dream. As much as I loved art, I wanted to be something else. I wanted to be a police officer. Fortunately, my family never told me women at that time could not be officers. However, by the time I graduated high school the laws had changed. Read More>>

Jennifer Blakely

Still has the 1901 Diebold bank vault we transitioned into the humidor. Perfect 1,500 sq ft space was perfect. After 2.5 years open it’s become a destination for people and a home for locals. Groups out to celebrate, singles looking to work on their laptop , men and women. There are no strangers. Last year we were chosen as one of the top 10 cigar bars in the country. Opening The Cigar Vault has introduced us to so many people. It’s given us the ability to get involved with the community. This year The Chamber of Commerce voted both The Landing Hub and The Cigar Vault for business of the year. Read More>>

Sonia Palmisano

I didn’t do much marketing before 2018.. It was mainly by mouth. Why? I wanted to enjoy every moment with my son. From baseball fields to trapshooting fields. I didn’t want to miss those moments as a mom. I knew I wasn’t going to get those days back. It wasn’t until he went into the Army is when I decided to take things to the next level. I started to do some marketing on social media, registered with Google and took my first art class that it took everything up a notch. I love what I do and I couldn’t do it without God gift. Read More>>

Danika Williams

I even drew up business plans for my dream restaurant/hair salon/event space. I wanted to be everything for everyone – a one stop shop for you to get “bangs & bacon, weaves & waffles, and eggs & extensions” (a nod to my favorite line from BAPS) then slide on over the party room for a good time. Wild right? I know. But I was going to make it happen right after college. Well, they say if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. In 2005, being a 20 year old mother of 2 with limited funds, I was off track with my plan but the silver lining was this time would set the stage for the unofficial birthing of DDP. Read More>>

Alexis Beffa

During this transformative period, I was fortunate to find a space I could call home: Platinum Beauty Bar & Hue Salon. Now, three years later, I am proud to own and operate my business alongside an incredible group of talented women. Together, we create a welcoming space where beauty, confidence, and self-care thrive. Read More>>

Spencer Peck

Roman went from a buzzcut military kid to a long-haired heavy metal dork, and I followed him into my edgy middle-school phase—skinny jeans, hours in Hot Topic, and a playlist full of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Veil Brides. When we weren’t listening to music, we were making cringy stop-motion LEGO videos on his parents’ handycam. Eventually, we moved on to live-action skits and started YouTube channels that I pray have been wiped from existence. Read More>>

Forest Lake

My privacy and publicity are important to me. I share this poem without drawing it into the writing contests that it deserves to be in because my gifts are mine to give. Still, my audience gazes into my house so, please, send me a gift. Gas, grass, or something else if you know what I mean, my friend. But mostly the first two and by grass I mean wild your lawn first. Another thing, this world and modern society are not romantic on their own. Poverty and oppression are not storybook tales. Genocide is not a question of morals. Now, before the poem we hold an intermission. Look it up, it’s gold from the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery. I know how much you like gold. Read More>>

John Henry

I wrote songs as soon as I learned to play one chord on the guitar. Never wanted to be a guitar hero, was always always into songs. Played a few shows in grade school and I liked how it felt to perform my songs in front of people. I started playing with friends and we formed a high school band called the Big O and was a great time. Loved it. I wrote a lot of the tunes and became the frontman so to speak. I would settle a lot of the shows and learned how to advance shows, etc.. I knew I wanted to be in music for my life and the playing, writing and business side all came to form a unique experience that helps me today. Read More>>