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.

Amie Martin

80-Twenty UMC also partnered with 80-Twenty Studios, a brand new co-working business that had caught the vision and wanted to support the church. During the work week, the space is filled with co-workers and office tenants, and on evenings and weekends there is event space rental. The revenue generated by the 80-Twenty Studios helps to cover the facilities rental cost and makes the church more financially sustainable. Read More>>

Zachary Bair

The door beeps, the phone rings, the orders come through and those last minute orders, right before close of day, are like music to a small business owner’s ears. We built it and they have come and they just keep coming. Our walls feature an ever-changing display of local artists, and we have been lucky to have a relationship with the Gateway East Artists Guild, some of which are featured on our coffee bags, and with a QR code our customers are able to discover new artists and their local happenings with a quick scan. We invite you to come and POUR with us and experience your new happy place – we look forward to becoming a part of your ritual. Read More>>

Laura Stephens

While the initial spark of ‘I can do this better!’ was strong, the reality of running a business quickly set in. There have been so many adjustments along the way. One of the biggest struggles early on was simply learning the ropes of the industry. I was passionate about travel, but I had to quickly become an expert on everything from booking systems and supplier relationships to marketing and client management. It was a steep learning curve, and I made some mistakes. I had to be willing to ask questions, learn from others, and constantly adapt. Read More>>

Lily Jensen

After also working in the retail side of beauty products I fell in love with the world of ingredients and understanding the intricacy of creating a skincare routine unique to each person. While struggling with my own skin and helping others target specific concerns, I decided to evolve my love for makeup artistry into a combined love for the skin beneath. I am enthralled with the art of providing results driven treatments without sacrificing the intimate touch therapy and holistic wellbeing that encapsulates healthy skin. I am now not only a makeup artist but an esthetician who focuses on acne, compromised skin barriers, preventative anti-aging, and brow shaping. Read More>>

Iyana Odom

During this time, I met great people who had many talents and skills. They taught me how to be my brand which also helped me gain followers and proper business etiquette. The only thing I was missing was professionalism. I used my recourses and found someone to build me a website from scratch. This included booking appointments, buying hair extensions, wigs, and more. I wanted this to be perfect. Finally, I purchased my LLC and On October 1, 2020, PrettyBlakkLabel LLC was officially open to the public. Read More>>

Shawn Smith

I was just 17 when I began my journey into tattooing, right after graduating high school in 2016. It was a pivotal time for me, marked by both loss and rediscovery. I lost a friend in high school due to a tragic shooting, and it deeply affected me and everyone around me. To honor his memory, I created a portrait of him. When I brought that drawing to school, I was amazed by how my art resonated with others, evoking powerful emotions and memories. Read More>>

David Passanise

Fitness and martial arts have been a massive cornerstone to me for over half of my life. I built and owned a pavement marking company for 19 years that was very demanding like all businesses. Fitness and martial arts gave me the mental and physical strength, resilience and fortitude to be at my best for my customers, employees, family, friends and myself. My passion was undeniably felt from those around me and through the years everyone would ask me why I wasn’t in the fitness industry.  Read More>>

Miquel Vincent

I was about to become a product of my environment, so I decided to break generational cycles and create a path that doesn’t lead me to self-destruction. I began cutting hair, and it has mentally, physically, and emotionally affected me in many good ways. As a barber, I became a counselor, therapist, friend, brother, and blessing. I can give back every day with just a conversation, watching clients change into different people from when they first came. My job is so much more than cutting hair, and it has changed me for the better. Read More>>

Lindsey Been

Another struggle has been managing all the different aspects of the business— sourcing products, marketing, order fulfillment— all while balancing my personal life and a daytime job. There were definitely moments of doubt and overwhelm, but every challenge has taught me something valuable. It’s those tough moments that have made Bean what it is today—a brand that’s authentic, relatable, and truly cares about its community. Read More>>

Jess Phillips

After experiencing many traumas, misleading diagnoses, and health complications—spending countless days trapped in fight-or-flight—I knew it was time to shift  and focus on myself and women like me. I overcame dependence on medications that left me barely functioning and the burnout of an intense corporate job with no balance. Through mindset work, alternative healing, and many transformative tools, I birthed a new version of me. Read More>>

Davion Henry

I didn’t grow up having a lot so It hasn’t been the easiest journey. I’ve taken breaks from creating because of not being financially stable. I also used to get made fun of because of my speech impediment: which has made me apprehensive and reluctant at times. I feel as though I’ve missed out on some cool opportunities due to fear. Read More>>

Nataura Hemphill

I started doing makeup a few years ago, but really start taking it serious during Covid. I started off doing my face only. My family and friends then started saying “oh girl you’re gonna do my makeup.” Shortly after I turned my passion into profit. I was inspired to start my own cosmetic line mainly by social media. But also I wanted to be a one stop shop; offer makeup services as well as products. Read More>>

Brittany Taussig

That realization inspired me to pursue a graduate certification in applied behavior analysis (ABA) and start my fieldwork to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). During this time, I transitioned into a role as a behavior interventionist, supporting children from Pre-K through 5th grade in regulating their emotions, resolving conflicts, and creating actionable plans for future success. If there was a student struggling anywhere in the building, I was the one called to help. This role deepened my love for the work and honed my skills in behavior support. Read More>>

Joey Goldsmith

But alongside my full-time work, I was also building something of my own. For over 17 years, I worked as a freelance video creator, taking on projects that allowed me to explore different styles and creative challenges. I had the opportunity to work on music videos, indie films, and even create a viral social media video, Shit Hipsters Say, which took off online and proved the power of digital content. Read More>>

Ross Christopher

My name is Ross Christopher. I’m a cinematic, orchestral songwriter, composer, and producer. I started playing the violin at age 3 and played in several youth symphonies and orchestras throughout high school. I went to college on a violin scholarship, where I began writing music, producing albums, and touring the country. By my senior year I was touring 150+ dates per year. My band mates and I drew a 6 hour radius around campus and scheduled our classes so that we could hook up the trailer and head out to play shows, pack up when the venues closed around 1-2A, drive back to campus, rinse and repeat. It was a lot, but it was super fun and I learned a lot. Read More>>

Micah Crée

Absolutely my journey with music began when I was just three years old. Growing up in Saint Louis, I was surrounded by a rich arts culture that fueled my passion for music early on. I was deeply inspired by artists like Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Destiny’s Child, Brandy, Selena, and Lauryn Hill—women whose music carried soul, storytelling, and empowerment. Their influence sparked something in me, a dream to one day share a stage of my own. Read More>>

Tee Johnson

I can’t say my journey has been entirely smooth; I’ve definitely encountered my fair pot holes along the way, haha. However, I wouldn’t change a thing about my experience. You could say I approached everything in reverse. Instead of attending floral school, I gained hands-on experience by working at several flower shops, where I learned by observing others and acquiring new skills. I’m currently focused on discovering my unique style and what sets me apart while still navigating the business landscape. If I had the chance to start over, I would have enrolled in floral courses earlier to better understand the business aspects. But, as they say, you live and learn. I’m still evolving, but I feel my business is more polished. Read More>>

Curtis “allstar Chuck” Brasfield Sr

It definitely hasn’t been a “smooth” road! Lol anything that’s worth having definitely isn’t smooth! Lol….the main struggle I would say for me was getting comfortable within myself and believing that I can do what I need to do..even when I was being over looked or not even being considered at all.! Read More>>

Brittanie Goldsby

That same drive pushed me to create **Beyond the Mix**, a documentary that started as a personal passion project but quickly became something much bigger. It’s my love letter to sound, storytelling, and the people who bring it all to life. This film is a gift to myself but also to the world—a chance to highlight the artistry and technical mastery of audio professionals who often go unnoticed. Read More>>

Lovely West

A few years later (2022), I wanted to find an additional way to spread the support local message. I love t-shirts and sweatshirts that have a message. I noticed lots of St. Louis apparel being worn around town. However, I didn’t notice any with the St. Louis Support Local message. That’s how I came up with the idea of starting Support Plus Local, which creates apparel and other merchandise with the support local message, mainly St. Louis Support Local. The goal is for our apparel to be a gentle reminder to the St. Louis community, and out of town visitors, to support local small businesses. Read More>>

Aree Riley

I began working in the environmental field immediately after for several different non-union companies. Unfortunately, there were many layoffs which led me to jump from company to company. This went on for about 10 years. After that, I started trying to get into the Union but kept getting the run-around from the company I had been with for about 4-5 years. One night, while at a job site I called another company and asked if they were hiring. After being told they were, quit that night and started working for them the very next morning. One week later, the company I quit called me and told me they got me into the Union finally. I quit the new job and went back to the original company. Read More>>

Janell Harris

From finding the right products to match the art I wanted to create, to earning the trust of clients to work on their eyes, it wasn’t easy. But progress never comes without challenges. Staying motivated and truly appreciating the process has given me a fresh perspective on my work and on life overall. It has taught me that with consistency, authenticity, and patience, you can achieve your goals and be where you want to be before you know it. Read More>>

Kurt Eller

I’m from Austin, Tx and managed/owned different concepts there (and other cities in Texas during the late 80’s and 90’s during and after college). My last venture in 1999 was a flop before it even got started and I left the restaurant industry entirely. From there, I entered into the furniture business running supply chains with a great company out of Austin called FOUR HANDS (not to be confused with Four Hands Beer here). I ended up doing a lot of travel overseas to mainly China and India, but also did a lot of traveling and sourcing all over Asia. Getting to experience and enjoy the culinary scenes around the world during this time had a profound influence on Taco Buddha as a concept. Read More>>

Nicole Byrd

I was the girl who took 10 rolls of film with my cheap point-and-shoot camera to summer camp. I’ve always loved taking photos and that passion became a hobby as I went to college and started my career. Years later, I was working as the marketing director for an international real estate company in St. Louis. While I loved using my degree in a great atmosphere, I also missed the moments at home with my baby girl. As I anticipated the arrival of our second child, I mentioned my desire to stay home but also my hesitation, wanting a creative outlet. My husband wisely suggested my photography, which had opened into a small side hustle. Read More>>

Christian Young

Getting my traditional roots and principles from my family & other great mentors. I grew up in the St. Louis County area of the city for a major part of my childhood seeing things A-Z of great and not-so-great influences.
I spent most of my younger days involved in Church, sports (Baseball, Football, & Basketball), family events, indulging in the great era of music, classic TV shows and old-school/new-school music. Essentially the essence of being a child in the early 2000’s. Read More>>

Lyndsey Sayles

Fast forward a bit, and surprise, surprise—I was the kid who *always* had a camera in hand. I started with those classic point-and-shoot film cameras (ah, the nostalgia!). There was just something about the thrill of capturing a moment that made my heart happy. Then came the game-changer—my boyfriend (now husband) gifted me my first DSLR, and BOOM! Obsession unlocked. No more waiting for film to develop; I could see my shots instantly! It was like discovering a whole new world, and I dove in headfirst. Read More>>

Scott Mueller

Owning your own business always presents challenges. I quickly learned how to repair Drycleaning equipment to facilitate repairs in-house to keep production running instead of waiting for a technician. I was young with little experience in running a company which presented plenty of learning experiences along the way. My best advice is like the Nike slogan that I will date myself with “JUST DO IT.” Read More>>

Audrey Abbonizio

I’ve been creative my whole life. I was always doodling or singing. Growing up, my cousins and I would spend our time immersed in creating videos. I started making my own little movies and taking pictures as well on my own devices. I noticed pretty quickly I had an eye for setting up a camera. My parents gifted me my first camera around the time I was 17/18 years old, and I practiced a ton. My love for photography quickly grew from there. I started shooting for my friends for fun up until recently, I started taking it more seriously. Now I’m the designated photographer for Living Hope Ministries. Read More>>