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.

Laurie Sirtak

Founded in 2015, the non-profit Crossroads Arts Council hoped to plant small seeds with the hopes that we could build an organization who’s mission it is to support art and artists in our local community. Through the efforts of our founders and board, and the tireless work of our volunteers, our mission continues to evolve and grow. Read more>>

Marcus Gwynn

I was 14 when I picked up my first clipper. My father worked at the City Hall in University city and someone was donating some clippers. He took them and came home and gave them to me. I asked “What am I going to do with these?!” ..He replied “I don’t know..Cut Hair”. Read more>>

Kendyl Zimmerman

When I graduated high school, I wasn’t exactly sure on what I wanted to do. I knew I didn’t want to be tied to a traditional office job, and I wanted a career where I could genuinely help people. While I was exploring my options, I attended STLCC and earned my associate’s degree, using that time to really figure out what direction felt right. Read more>>

Brenda Melancon

It was by way of profound longing and the slow education of practical application that I created Luna Soeur. My earliest understanding of beauty was tied to my father. He provided a sense of stability in a world that often felt uncertain, and he showed me the depth of true love through his protection and presence. Read more>>

Rocco Pink

My story begins in a very small, rural, ultra-conservative community where being different wasn’t just misunderstood—it was often rejected. Growing up as a gay man in that environment, I learned very early on how to hide parts of myself to survive. My sexuality wasn’t something that was openly accepted, especially within my family, and that created a deep internal conflict that followed me for years. Read more>>

Kaitlin Millender

Art has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Even when I was younger, it wasn’t just something I did for fun. It was something that helped me process life, express emotion, and feel grounded in who I was. Read more>>

Amy Belfi

I’ve always loved visiting Disney since I was a young child. Once I became a mom and took my daughter there for the first time when she was 3-years-old, I saw the Disney magic in a whole new way! I also really got into the whole planning aspect of it. Read more>>

Corrine Patterson

I’m a St. Louis native with a decade of digital marketing under my belt, I got my start in 2007 at YP, back when ‘digital’ was still the new frontier. Read more>>

Chris Blanchard

The Gateway Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit veterans service organization that represents honorably discharged veterans of the armed forces who have sustained a spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D). Paralyzed Veterans of America was founded in 1946 with a mission to help veterans with SCI/D regain what they fought for: freedom and independence. Read more>>

Steve Bloomer

My grandfather and his two brothers built Skyview Drive In and it opened on July 8, 1949. It is one of the oldest drive in theaters in the US and it is probably the oldest that has been operated by the same family. Read more>>

Jerime Francis

It all started with a true obsession for the classics. For me, nothing beats the soul of an old VW Bug, the character of a pre-1970 VW Bus, or the ‘sexy’ lines of a Porsche 911. Those aren’t just cars; they’re a lifestyle. That passion for unique, cool rides is exactly what sparked the idea for Grateful Motors. Read more>>

Randi Dunevant

I grew up as the kid nobody quite knew what to do with. I moved schools every year until fifth grade, bullied, never the one with a best friend group, but somehow always the one people found. Not to hang out with or invite to do things, but to talk to. I’d be sitting in first period minding my own business and someone would just… Read more>>

Emily Lane

Early on, I recognized that I have a natural instinct for business development—building meaningful relationships, understanding what motivates people, and creating strategies that help them move toward their goals. That instinct, paired with curiosity and a willingness to listen deeply, has carried me across a wide range of industries, including technology, fine art, rare instruments, and ultimately to my greatest passion: fashion. Read more>>

Kelly Gilbert

I was bitten by the travel bug early; a trip to New York City when I was in 3rd grade–seeing St. Louisan Grace Bumbry on the stage at the Metropolitan Opera made me want to be both a singer and a world traveler–and have been planning travel for myself and others ever since. Read more>>

Jenny Meers

Travel has been part of my story from the very beginning—I boarded my first plane at just six weeks old. From horseback riding on the beaches of Hawaii to hiking through the Smoky Mountains, my childhood was filled with adventure, curiosity, and the joy of discovering new places. Read more>>

Norm Bennett

I’ve been self-employed as a general contractor since the 1990’s, and always had a strong interest in fairness to the consumer – which in my particular situation – has been the ‘homeowner’. Helping the homeowner understand the remodeling process has always been my focus; one homeowner at a time. Something changed about six months ago when a client contacted me for help with their project. Read more>>

Sandy Wirth

I have been rescuing family memories for almost 25 years! I have always been sentimental and was creating scrapbook albums for myself since grade school. I started as a consultant with Creative Memories when I decided to ‘retire’ from my corporate job to stay home with my kids. Read more>>

Imani Pope

Hi I’m Imani, founder of Serene the Brand LLC. A little bit about my upbringing—I was raised by my mother and grandmother in Ferguson, and I’ve been in Ferguson all of my life. I started my business during COVID with a passion for all things holistic and natural, which led to the creation of my crystal necklaces and waistbeads. Read more>>

Charia thomas

My journey really started with creativity. From a young age, I was drawn to music, art, and expressing myself in ways that felt genuine. What began as something fun slowly turned into something I took seriously. I started experimenting, learning, and building my skills piece by piece — with no clear roadmap, just passion and consistency. Read more>>

Brigitte Soleil

I’m Brigitte Soleil, just your local poet, tarot reader, astrologer, and DJ, and my path has been anything but linear. I started exploring astrology and tarot as a teenager, drawn to trying to understand the meaning of life and existence. Read more>>

Caroline Crocker

My career as a therapist wasn’t just a career choice for me, it felt like a calling. I’ve always been deeply passionate about mental health and helping people feel seen, heard, and supported in their most vulnerable moments. Early on, I worked in a maximum-security correctional facility providing mental health services. That experience really shaped me. Read more>>

Shelia Schneider

Wayne Kaufman served in the U.S. Army from 1968-71. While in Vietnam, he became a sergeant in the 25th Infantry Division, earning the Bronze Star and the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters. Returning to St. Louis, Wayne began his career in the home improvement business. Wayne is very active in community service. Read more>>

Kimberlee ‘Miss Kimberlee’ Johnson

My story has always been rooted in supporting people – how we engage with one another, how places shape us, and how we choose to show up in community. I’ve consistently been drawn to work at the intersection of people, purpose, and possibility. Read more>>

Caitlin Rosemann

I grew up in the small rural town of Cuba, Missouri, on a cattle farm that my family still operates today. That upbringing really shaped my work ethic and sense of community. I first became interested in dentistry through my own positive experiences as a child at Pediatric Dentistry of Sunset Hills with Dr. Hollander. Read more>>