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.

RealYungG

Born in the city of Chicago, but now repping his hometown of Joliet, IL, Greg Collins jr, better known as RealyungG found his love for music early. After many years of enjoying the music his parents exposed him to, G decided to start rapping at the age of 14. Read more>>

Spida Guru

I can assure that I got to where I am today by being consistent no matter what . Life is always going to play its cards and sometimes deal a hand that we have to work with under all circumstances. Adjusting and adapting to things when they become different knowing how to pivot in a moment where you need to move is important as well. Read more>>

Michael Castellano

I noticed when I would attend these big public events, such as Party In The Park, Food Truck Friday, Grub N Grove, Farmers Markets, there was not a cigar to be found anywhere. There are 100 people selling things, but no one was selling cigars. In 2016 when I drafted this idea, you could not buy a used UPS truck for less than $20,000. Read more>>

Joy Gioia

My first introduction to rabbits occurred when I was 10 yrs. old. My uncle brought me three baby cottontails from a nest he had run over in his yard. That was a long time ago. There were no formulas to be purchased and no supplies for orphaned animals. Read more>>

Yc Bey

It all started with me making music and eventually wanting to get paid for my music. That led me on the entrepreneurship journey of working to make that happen. In doing so this led to me promoting and traveling in and out of the city to create a demand to manifest huge profits shortly after promoting my music through performance and travel. Read more>>

John Stuckey

Thank you for having me. I’m a person in long-term recovery, and I’ve spent the last 15+ years working in this field from just about every angle — running recovery homes, leading treatment programs, building nonprofits, and working in policy and government affairs for a pharmaceutical company. Recovery isn’t just my career; it’s become a huge part of my life personally and professionally. Read more>>

Krystal Martin

K&K Co. was born out of a deeply personal experience. After an ectopic pregnancy in 2019 and later a life-threatening delivery complicated by severe preeclampsia, I became much more intentional about what I brought into my home and put on my body. I couldn’t find products that were both luxurious and made with clean, plant-based ingredients, so I started making them myself. Read more>>

Hannah Richard

I got started as a makeup, body/face paint, and sfx artist in 2017. Since then, I have provided gore and beauty for many short films, a few runways, countless photo shoots, and 6 feature films. I’m honored to be part of the incredible film community of St. Louis. Read more>>

Julie Durst

In 2017, I accidentally stumbled across jBloom when I was scrolling on Instagram! I was loving every single post, all of the personalization, and of course, the fact that it was so on trend! At the time, I was teaching middle school math, hanging out with my grandkids, cheering on the Cardinals, and going to local live theatre with my husband. Read more>>

Chris Raghebi

I had one too many bad experiences with cops and went to law school because I never wanted to feel that powerless again. Read more>>

Lasse Lammert

I’ve always been into music and played in several bands growing up. The technical side of things has always been most interesting to me, so in 2007 I decided to turn my hobby into a day job and opened my first studio (before then I worked in my home studio and other small places). Read more>>

Theresa Wangia

Just before I moved abroad I made a necklace here in Saint Louis at a bead shop called, ‘Zuma Beads.’ I have always loved the arts and especially the editorial side of fashion. The styling of the clothes and accessories…the location, the model; the overall dance that happens in front and behind the camera. All of it excites me! Read more>>

Emily Smith

I have always been enamored by old things: old people, old stories, old buildings, and always had a lifelong dream of restoring a historic home. Upon moving to Illinois in 2017, my husband and I took a chance and bought a 5,000 square foot 1887 fixer-upper Victorian. Read more>>

Mk Delacruz

I secretly fell in love with art at a young age, teaching myself how to draw and constantly finding new ways to expand my creativity. As a visual learner, art became my language and a way to express myself when words fell short. Read more>>

Aprile Reltuh

I’ve always been the same person at my core, someone who finds joy in creating and encouraging others. The difference today is that I now have the privilege of sharing my creativity with the world, whether that’s through handmade crafts, photography, workshops, or creating spaces where people feel seen, inspired, and empowered. My entrepreneurial journey actually began in Arizona as a small jewelry business. Read more>>

Holly Reardon

I started as an aspiring writer, which led me to study film and video and then move to St. Louis for a media production internship. I worked on commercials and reality TV before landing my first full-time role in digital marketing, specifically social media. Read more>>

Melissa Fox

Like many small businesses, Balloon Theory STL started with an unexpected opportunity. During the pandemic, I was looking for a creative outlet and discovered the art of balloon décor. What began as a hobby quickly turned into something much bigger as I realized there was a need in St. Louis for elevated, custom balloon installations paired with an exceptional customer experience. Read more>>

Amina Taylor

I have always been an artist. My mother would tell me stories about me drawing on the carpet, walls, or furniture as a toddler. I grew up loving to draw and create in every facet of my life, and I kept working at improving my craft. Read more>>

Almight E

As a child I lived in Memphis from 6 to 12 yrs old and during that time I was in a choir and an orchestra band playing the cello. I then moved back to St.louis always admiring music. I remember knowing word for word many top lyricist songs like Andre 3k, lil Wayne, ludacris, project pat etc. Read more>>

Amanda Wagner

Like many small businesses, Freshly Pressed started with a simple idea and a passion for creating quality products. What began as a side hobby quickly grew into something much bigger as friends, family, local schools, sports organizations, and businesses began asking for custom apparel and promotional products. From the beginning, my goal has always been to provide more than just printed shirts. Read more>>

Leighton Ewers

I started playing guitar at age 17. I’m sure glad I did. At age 20-21 I started a band called ‘Background Noise’ me and my two friends. It was an acoustic trio. We had comedy songs and serious songs. Recorded an album and released it in 2003. We lasted maybe 2 years. Did a little traveling and ultimately broke up. Read more>>

Ruby Leigh

I grew up in the tiny town of Foley, Missouri, with a population of around 68 people, and I started performing when I was just nine years old. Music was never something I casually pursued—it became a huge part of my life from a very young age. Read more>>

CT Finesse

I’m an independent Born in St. Louis, Missouri, upcoming artist by the stage name, CT Finesse, an unstoppable force on track to change the rap game. Having been influenced by family who listened to old-school rap as well as new, from a young age, he was no stranger to the comforts music can provide. Read more>>

Franklin Akpoke

My journey has been anything but conventional, and I believe that is what makes it unique. I was born and raised in Nigeria, where I developed an early appreciation for leadership, storytelling, and connecting with people. Read more>>

Jermeshea Nichole

My name is Jermeshea Nichole, and music has always been a powerful part of my life. Through my songs, I share my emotions, my experiences, and the stories that have shaped me. As an R&B artist, my goal is to create music that people can connect with—music that makes people feel something real. My sound comes from a place of honesty and emotion. Read more>>

Deb Kloeppel

I spent years as a senior executive at American Airlines, building a career I loved. But when my husband, Dan, had military orders that took us overseas, I had to leave that career behind to PCS with him. That experience changed everything for me. Read more>>

Melissa Eagan

I learned to knit when I was 12, using a book at my grandma’s house that only had line drawings of hands, not even photos. It’s a miracle I figured it out, but I’ve been knitting every since, almost 30 years. I since also learned to crochet, sew, quilt, and how to do a bunch of other hand crafts. Read more>>

Lo Goris

10 years ago I chose to start my life over. I called off my wedding 5 days before I was supposed to get married and my son and I walked away from an extremely abusive and chaotic life. I knew we deserved more. Once my son was old enough to start kindergarten I made the investment and betted on myself. Read more>>

Martin Goebel

At 44, I am in my 30th year as a craftsman. Even at an early age, I never approached it as a hobbyist. I began training in my teens under the mentorship of Bill McCoy, whose influence continues to guide my work long after his passing. Read more>>

Jade Monroe

EnveyedCo. began as Exotic Lash & Cosmetic Co., inspired by my passion for beauty, confidence, and entrepreneurship. What started as a vision to offer quality lash products quickly grew into something much bigger. As my goals evolved, I rebranded to EnveyedCo. to create a luxury beauty brand that reflects empowerment, self-expression, and confidence. Read more>>

Jeremy Braggs

Like many photographers, I didn’t start by picking up a camera and immediately deciding this would be my career. My path has been shaped by a combination of technical curiosity, creative problem-solving, and a desire to tell stories that connect with people. Before becoming a full-time commercial photographer, I spent years working in technology as a data engineer. Read more>>

Maria Ragland

My journey in the beauty industry began in 2015 with a passion for helping people feel confident and beautiful. Even before I became licensed, I knew this was the career I wanted to build. I spent those early years learning, growing, and preparing myself for what would become my life’s work. In 2018, I became a licensed manicurist, turning my passion into a profession. Read more>>

Holly Hildebrand

Creativity has always been part of who I am. My grandfather was an artist, my mother was an artist, and I truly believe it runs through my blood. I have photos of myself as a little girl sitting in front of a mirror playing with makeup, so in many ways, this journey started long before I realized it. Read more>>

David Melamed

I’ve always been someone who loves challenging myself and finding new ways to grow. I’m currently a professional pilot student at the University of Central Missouri, where I’m working toward becoming a commercial pilot and eventually a flight instructor. Aviation has taught me discipline, consistency, and the importance of always learning, and those same qualities have carried over into everything else I do. Read more>>

Mari Williams

I started with Pieces in January 2017, one month after the Grand Opening. I had many years of general management experience but was hoping to just relax and serve tables for a bit. Surprise! I was quickly promoted to game curator, then assistant manager, and now general manager. Read more>>

Shado

With roots hailing all the way from Louisiana, (New Orleans and Baton Rouge to be precise), And a long line of heavily gifted men and women in the spirit. Miracles have always been a part of my life. But imagine my surprise when I found out there was more to me than meets the eye. Read more>>

Christine Tong

After the pandemic, I found a fresh start in the nail industry. I never expected that one practical decision would become one of the defining moments of my life. What I thought would simply be a new job became a profession that challenged me, changed me, and eventually gave me a completely different definition of success. Read more>>

Brian Cummings

It’s such a fine line between stupid and clever’. Born and raised in North Carolina, my world view was formed by daily big gulp doses of pop culture via television and movies. As a kid, I would escape to the solitude of a movie theatre, my favorite place to be. TV was my babysitter and films my teachers. Read more>>

Laura Meadows

I have always been involved in the arts—it’s all I’ve ever done for a living. Art has kept me alive; it’s been my great love and my reason for enjoying life. I found my love of drawing when I was two years old. Read more>>

McKinley Witbrodt

My journey into the wedding industry started in high school when I worked at a local bridal and prom shop. I quickly fell in love with helping people celebrate some of life’s biggest milestones, and that passion only grew from there. In college, I served as the event planner for my sorority, where I discovered how much I enjoyed organizing events and creating memorable experiences. Read more>>

Alexis Austin

I started modeling as a pageant girl in high school. I took a break due to not having the confidence in myself, letting others words hold me back and having depression , which set me back a few years. I started back again in 2022 working as an independent model. When I had my son in 2023, another break was taken. Read more>>

Madeline Eades

After several years in sales and marketing, and after the birth of my 4th child, I decided to embark into entrepreneurship. I’m not exactly sure why I thought I could since I am the first business owner of my family. Read more>>

Keysean Jenkins

To God Almighty be the glory. I’m blessed to be the CEO and Founder of Dios Primero, a clothing brand that inspires and encourages all to put God first through high-quality clothing, with Scripture incorporated into each piece. As a young child, I always had the dream of owning my own business, but I just didn’t know what kind of business I wanted to start. Read more>>