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.

Russ Smith

The entire Downtown business district flooded, several feet into the first floors of most businesses. It lingered for weeks before receding, and when it did go down, the mud and debris took months to clean up. Many businesses closed, my tenant on the first floor left, and it took quite a while for things to get back to normal. The cost of that flood, both psychologically and financially, was a huge challenge. Read More>>

Austin Arndt

I come from a background that had a lot of instability early on. My parents separated when I was young, my father struggled with mental illness, and my mom worked multiple jobs to support our family. Growing up in that environment, I didn’t always have the tools to process what I was dealing with, and I went down a difficult path at a young age. Read More>>

Keri Kugler

My story really starts with my own transformation. In 2013, I found yoga. Not just as a physical practice. It cracked something open in me. I completed my first yoga teacher training, and what I thought was going to be about flexibility and breath turned into the beginning of a decade-long journey of self-discovery. Read More>>

Denise Brown

Cosaglow began when I started looking for 100% soy candles, cozy scents, and an elevated appearance. I found out many of the great smelling candles on the market contained potentially toxic paraffin wax and phthalates in their fragrances, which was disheartening. Read More>>

Annie Gann

I grew up in Hazelwood, Missouri, (North Saint Louis) and worked at an equestrian center tucked between two highways and the airport. Read More>>

Mary Jo Bammel

Villainous Grounds is a Coffee Roaster, Cafe, Comic and Book Store, and so much more. Can you tell we like diversity? We started out by opening the coffee shop and comic book store. After a few years, we made the decision to delve into the world of roasting our own coffee. It has opened up new avenues and broadened our market. Read More>>

Lisa Ramey

I grew up right by Lambert St. Louis Airport and have been performing for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I spent years on some of the region’s most iconic stages, including performing for 11 consecutive seasons at the Tony Award-winning Muny in Forest Park. I also had the opportunity to perform multiple seasons at Stages St. Read More>>

Michael Good

My story is one of rebuilding, perseverance, and refusing to let my past define my future. I’m Michael Good, also known professionally as MrGoodGoesHard. I’m an Air Force veteran, author, recording artist, entrepreneur, and the founder of several ventures, including Good Impressions Vinyl Studio, Beat Murda Music Group, and GIVS Incorporated. Read More>>

JERI

Born and raised in St. Read More>

Nathan Culli

I currently work as a freelance videographer and video editor in the Kansas City area. I had an interest in video creation since middle school, mostly making sports-related videos up until the end of high school and going into college. Read More>>

Gregory Prinster

Top Shot BB Gun Bar is more or less a rebranding of Top Notch Axe Throwing, which was started in 2018. Axe throwing was a big hit, and we had four different locations at one point. Around 2022, we started exploring other options as we began to see a decline in the axe throwing industry. Read More>>

Trent Lizana

With nearly a decade of experience in the jewelry industry, I have established myself as a designer known for blending artistry, craftsmanship, and modern luxury. As the founder of Mulatto Designs Jewelry, I transform precious metals and gemstones into meaningful works of wearable art, creating pieces that celebrate individuality and timeless elegance. Read more>>

Tammy Jennings

My start began as a little girl going to the shelters doing volunteer work with my mom. Who would have thought that a seed planted at a young age now be a passion. Esther Serving the Nations started during COVID. The needs of the communities and families pulled in my heart. Read more>>