The Most Inspiring Stories in Utah

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.

Dea Theodore

After knocking a collective tens of thousands of doors from my various campaigns, and coming in with the right message at the right time, I was elected to represent the residents of District 6. I have been privileged to represent my district for four years and am grateful to have been re-elected to serve for 4 more years. My goals moving forward include focusing on public safety and search & rescue, ensuring that our most vulnerable senior citizens have access to food through programs such as Meals on Wheels, and that we protect our beautiful canyons. Read More>>

Ally Valdez

My family moved to Utah from Texas in the summer of 2022. The city we lived in had a local moms network (Katymoms), and I loved the mission behind it. I joined forces with the Local Moms Network to create a Salt Lake County Chapter. We are still in the early stages, but I hope to grow it into a beautiful community of moms. I plan to share all about local business, and resources to help my our life easier. I want to be the go to resource for my community-from sharing about the best doctors, what company can clean our trash cans, and fun family activities happening on the weekends. Read More>>

Evan Lefevre Dc

I’m so grateful for my patients, but early on found out that I wanted to attract patients that aligned with me. I learned to accept the fact that I would find my people, that my patients were importantly to me and I wanted to do everything I could to make them feel better. I learned early on that when you do the right things for the right people and actually help them, they tell others about you and you just get to grow in business and in life. Read More>>

Brayden Robinson

This experience, along with my social work education, sparked a passion for higher level advocacy, effective program development, and systems-level change work. Since then, I’ve worked at Utah Peer Network, helping to create a stronger system of training, certification, and long-term career support for peer specialists. I hold a MSW from Columbia University in Leadership, Management, and Entrepreneurship for Social Justice. All of these experiences supported my personal recovery journey, allowing me to grow my skills and passion for helping others, both in direct services and through advocacy work and improving systems. Read More>>

Brittany Vasquez Seupule

We are a family owned business and we all help out and contribute. We started with family owned food trucks. Brittany and Wally Seupule owned a Hawaiian food truck called Wally’s Island Grill, Jacob and Joshua Vasquez still own a food truck called Doggie Style Hot Dogs and Sandwiches. Read More>>

Shane Simon

In the beginning, you have to do a ton of work for free because you have to build up a portfolio of proof that you can deliver professional quality shots. I’ve always been pretty terrible with social media as well so trying to figure out the optimal amount that I should be posting and coming up with ideas for reels has been a constant struggle. Also making sure that I am consistently posting so that I get pushed to the front of people’s feeds. Creating a Website has been a job in itself. Even with easy-to-use software like Square Space, the time to organize and make it look professional has been exhausting. Read More>>

Hailey Krogh

I believe in capturing life’s precious moments without breaking the bank. That’s why I specialize in creating beautiful, high-quality photographs that are both affordable and accessible. Whether it’s a family portrait, a magical Christmas card session (that shouldn’t cost more than your kids’ Christmas presents!), or a special event, I strive to capture the unique essence of each moment. Read More>>

Roxanne Lewallen

In 2010, my world was completely shattered when my precious 7 year old son Jordan was killed in a tragic car accident. My daughter Emily was 10 years old at the time, and my son Austin was 16. It was a mother’s worst nightmare come true. The first thing I said to Jordan when I saw him laying lifeless after the accident was that I was SO SORRY. I was so sorry for not spending enough time with him. I was so sorry for choosing a career that left so little time during the week to spend with him and his siblings. I was so sorry for being too tired after work to read “just one more book”. I was so sorry for every single minute I took for granted. Read More>>

Justin Williams

The only smooth thing about this whole experience is the ice cream itself – ha ha! Anyone who has started their own business knows, it is nothing but challenges. Our first challenge was when the bank wouldn’t approve an SBA loan for us. At that point, for a short time, we literally thought, “well, that’s it, we can’t do it.” Obviously, we didn’t give up at that point, but the obstacles have been endless ever since. You learn to keep going and pushing though every one of them. Read More>>

Danielle Andreasen

When styling, I was having a hard time finding quality, timeless pieces and that’s how the Shoppe came about. We opened our online store in 2022 and haven’t looked back since! I absolutely love sharing curated collections of home accents and strive to keep things affordable enough that you aren’t needed to spend hundreds to get a really gorgeous styled space. Helping people create a home that feels good AND looks good is a top priority for me – I feel so lucky and thankful that people trust me to help them with their most important spaces. Read More>>

Jennifer Winterton

I rented an industrial building in Roosevelt and we officially opened for business in July 2020. Business picked up quickly and I had to quit my job at the hospital to run the kennel full time. We also added grooming to our services shortly after opening. We’ve been through several different locations since opening and have had many ups and downs, but it’s all been worth it to get to where we are now… building our own building! We have purchased a plot on highway 40 in Roosevelt and are in the process of building. This new facility will allow us to house more dogs and run more efficiently. We are very excited to be able to provide Roosevelt with a fun and safe environment for their pups while they’re away. Read More>>

Julio Castro Pardo

I began to train in daytime and nighttime landscape photography, gradually improving my camera skills. I also developed a great interest in continuing to travel and discover places as incredible and exciting as I had enjoyed on that first trip through the American West. Thanks to that, I have been able to see such incredible places as the Northern Lights in Iceland and Norway, Orangutans in their natural habitat in Indonesia, incredible mountains and lakes in Canada and of course I have returned up to 5 more times to that West Coast that left such a mark on me. Read More>>

Cheyenne Peabody

When I take photos I capture happy memories for people I make people smile over photos but they aren’t just photos they are memories captured in time that they can look back on forever that they can look at and say do you remember when we had these taken! I leave a permanent impression in peoples lives and that brings me so much joy not only do I take photos to support my family I take photos to bring joy to others to bring memories for years and years to come they will always be able to look at the photos and remember such a happy day the laughter the jokes the silly poses! Everybody deserves a happy memory and that’s what photography means to me the most it’s not just my career choice! Seeing peoples happiness and joy brings me happiness and joy! Read More>>

Shao Long Lei

After about 7 months and graduating from my program early, I came back to Utah, since my family lives here, and started a free community on Meetup.com to have people meet up once a week in Sugarhouse Park. We eventually built our community up for years, having over 700+ members at the time and being the largest Tai Chi group in Utah, cycling through a dozen new students every week wanting to learn authentic Tai Chi. Along the way, students asked when an actual brick-and-mortar school would open up. After figuring out all the logistics, hopping from community centers to sharing school space, we opened up our own first physical location in West Valley City at the end of 2019. Read More>>

Steve Stauffer

Growing up in Murray, Utah, I was always on my grandparent’s farms doing whatever was required to be done that day. I was married and joined the Army in 1971. Upon returning to Utah, I held several salesman positions in the automotive field. I was in the corporate and manufacturing world for 45 years. First in Sales and Management, as well as the owner and partner for the last 10 years. Read More>>

Matt Waite

After high school I served an LDS mission in the Phillippines. In 2018 I returned and began school at Utah Valley University in their film program. This is where I met one of my closest friends and film duo Jaxler Lowell. Throughout the next few years we worked closely on many projects together. Eventually the COVID pandemic hit and totally threw a wrench into school life (especially since I was a senior at the height of the quarantining and lockdowns). Once in person life resumed in a somewhat normal way I was able to complete my senior capstone as the cinematographer for the film Wishful, Sinful directed by Wyatt Garrett. After that I graduated UVU with a Bachelor’s of Science in Digital Cinema Productions with my emphasis being in Cinematography. Read More>>

Ben Fogg

Bryant’s career is a testament to his passion for both medicine and business. A Physician Assistant with a natural entrepreneurial spirit, he seamlessly blends his medical expertise with a drive for innovation, leading him to his role as CEO of the WOW Clinic. A proud Utah Ute and current MBC student at the University of Utah, Bryant is committed to continuous growth and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Alongside his wife and business partner, Meredith Salmon, they form a dynamic duo, leveraging their unique strengths to create a powerful synergy. Read More>>

Alex Morales

Being the first oldest child in my family, I’ve always been to myself and had a generous amount of free time since I had my other four siblings my parents had to tend for. With being given space and alone time I’ve learned the hobbies I enjoy to do with that time. I enjoy taking pictures of others, places, states, and countries. As well as documenting and recording my daily experiences and adventures. Read More>>

Sarah England

We have definitely had our bumps in the road. When we got into our commercial space I found out I was unexpectedly pregnant with my 11th baby. It was not an easy pregnancy but we made it thought thanks to an amazing friend and employee. She took over and ran the kitchen for me when i could not be there and she took over as head chef. However her daughter was expecting twins in Idaho. She had her twins one week after me so we both were out on maternaity leave at the same time. Luckily i had employees who stepped up to the plate and kept things running. It was challenging for them but they did great. Read More>>

Mikell B

Have you ever drawn a vulva (do you even know what a vulva is?) on a napkin while at lunch with one of your friends? I have … more than once. My name is Mikell, and I’m a Sex Expert. Think life coach—but for sex, education, pleasure, connection, and intimacy. People often say, “You were born to do this, it’s in your DNA.” Well, let’s explore my family history a little bit (after all, we’re in Utah!). Read More>>

Fernando Olivares

Some of the struggles i had to go through being an Artist was “disappointment” “Dissatisfaction” and not everyone i came across was not my real friend. Only bc they saw what i was accomplishing so it made them feel i was stepping over there toes; but i mean that’s what comes with this lifestyle right? blowing up and being a huge influence will show you who’s really on your side, bad days and good days. At a certain extent …. Read More>>

Gavin Ambrose

I had the firearm for the job, but no holster that worked well. I looked everywhere for a holster that would safely fit my firearm, but came up with nothing. After a while, I decided that if I couldn’t find a holster, I would make one myself. I headed down to the local Tandy Leather in Salt Lake, the same leather supply shop that my stepfather shopped at all those years ago, with 8-year-old me in tow. Thus began my journey of self-taught leathercraft. Hundreds of hours were invested searching the leather working forums as I spent my evenings trying and trying and, more often than not, failing. In the beginning it was challenging with no YouTube to guide me. Read More>>