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.

Rocky Donati

As she began envisioning what it would take to expand beyond four walls, she met her soon-to-be business partner and co-founder, Rocky Donati. A recent transplant from California, Rocky had left behind the high-intensity corporate world in search of something more fulfilling. She found refuge through Pilates, where she and Tessa crossed paths. Tessa knew immediately that Rocky had the business background, talent, and tenacity necessary to get this bold idea out of her head and into real life. In turn, Rocky recognized the transformative potential of Tessa’s vision and how vital it was for SLC to have a more sustainable micro-economy, while also providing locals with a stronger sense of neighborhood. Read more>>

Brittani Martin

That week we were presented with this business idea from a mutual friend! It was totally meant to be! We started with about 15 clients, and are currently close to 40. My second daughter was only 3 months old when we started delivering fresh fruit to office break rooms. As I have taken both of my girls into these offices, many of our clients have watched them grow up! We now have an awesome friend who works with us as well. And of course her newborn daughter has gone with her every day! Read more>>

Alyssa Dahneke

I’ve always enjoyed SEEING – the same way one enjoys eating a delicious meal or hearing beautiful music; sight is my favorite sense. As a child I remember looking at picture books for hours, admiring the colors and intricate details, or staring out the car window and noticing how the sunlight makes the trees glow, or how the sky is really a gradient and not just a solid blue. Naturally, photography always appealed to me, and as a young teenager getting into photography, I had a strange amount of confidence in my abilities; I was seeing beauty around me all the time, and all I had to do was capture it. Read more>>

Abby Combs

Definitely not. And at time, definitely yes. Such is the entrepreneur’s journey right?! I remember in September of 2021, our world came crashing down (within the walls of our office at least) when we grew way too fast! That summer was full of opportunities and being the young business owner I was, I took every opportunity that knocked on my door. Between taking on projects I didn’t have total expertise in to taking on more clients than our team could handle, we grew and grew too much! Read more>>

Winston Gillies

I never dreamed of creating a company and producing and selling our salsa to the general public. I was happy to make everything on a small scale and bring joy to those who would come and share a snack with us. Then one day, a friend of mine, he was from the Dominican Republic, decided to open a food truck business selling his pork, beef, and chicken empanadas. He would typically use his grandma’s garlic dipping sauce recipe as a condiment to go along with his product. His empanadas are out of this world good! His name is Chicho. Read more>>

Jacob Silvester

I also love to build things, and I was inspired by Les Claypool, the bassist of Primus, who uses custom basses. As a 14 year old I figured I’d never be able to pay 4 to 5k for a bass, so I figured I’d just build one myself. I took the neck and hardware off of that hand me down bass and built a new body for it. I remember how excited I was after putting everything back together and plugging the bass in for the first time, and it actually worked. I’ve built a few basses here and there since then, but can’t do it often because I don’t always have access to some tools I need. I did finish one bass about six months after graduating high school that I currently use at gigs and is my main bass today. Read more>>

Chandler Hoffman

From the beginning, the vision for Impact City FC was different. It wasn’t just about winning games or producing top-level players—it was about using soccer as a tool to develop leaders who serve their communities. I’ve seen how easily players can attach their identity to their stats, minutes, or results. But I want every player in our program to understand that their value is not defined by their performance. Soccer is a gift, but it’s not the end goal—it’s a platform to build confidence, resilience, and character. Read more>>

Emilee Segura

I love going into their homes and helping them! One thing that sets me apart is I’m one of few people on my team that is Deaf with a cochlear implant. This is special because I am able to help families in a different way because I am deaf myself. I can answer their questions personally because of my experience. Many families appreciate the perspective and hope that I can bring. I often join other Parent Advisors in their visits because families want to meet me and ask me questions. I love being an open book and helping them! Read more>>

Pratigya Thaiba

No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. I faced the challenges of adapting to a new culture, building a career from scratch, and navigating financial struggles. Being far from my family made it even harder—I had to figure everything out on my own without their immediate support. In the early years of My Brow Studio, I worked double shifts, often running on just four to five hours of sleep, to keep my dream alive. There were moments of doubt and exhaustion, but I refused to give up. Read more>>

Ali Route

I was doing what I loved, what I was good at and what paid me a wage I wanted. Doing work that is healing to others is just as important to me and in turn, I feel healed when I do that work. I don’t know if that makes sense, but I always walk away from a massage with a feeling of inner peace and harmony. To have the ability to do that kind of good for others while being my own boss, is especially rewarding. And knowing the success or failure of my business relies on the quality of the work I do pushes me to continually improve my skills and my service offerings. Read more>>

Noel Hernandez

At the age of seventeen I finally received my chance to join a band and I never looked back since, I have now been playing music for forty one years, it wasnt until 2009 that a good friend invited me to sing on a project CD that he was recording, thats when I stared writing music. Two weeks later we were on the top 20 charts for our genre and the fire within me was ignited. It wasnt east, It took several years to finally get recognized in the Tejano Music Industry. Its a dream come true for me, I now share the stage and the studio with all the legends of the industry that I grew up listening to, I am totally blessed. I now spend a lot of time in Texas recording my next CD but never forgetting where I came from. Read more>>

John Lozano

To be completely honest, I did not expect it to go as smoothly as this did. This was also a huge part to the help and support I had through the entire process. Any hiccups I did encounter were minor and nothing to cry over. I am sure I will face my share of difficulty as all business owners do, but for now, I am extremely grateful it has gone the way it has. Read more>>

Cat Myrick

Things escalated quickly when my high school art teacher, mrs mckerns, opened my eyes to the world of abstract painting but they really took off when I met a couple of designers by the name of JR and Paula Lysy while living in Pittsburgh PA. Discovering that my creative capabilities weren’t limited to traditional mediums or means of creating; fueled this desire to continuously learn and expand my imaginative capacity.  Read more>>

Evan Schutt

I started working in restaurants over 15 years ago, and held just about every position out there. Over the years, I’ve embarked on many ventures, including catering, backcountry endeavors, private dinners & events, even international work. Through my experiences, I discovered being a caterer and private chef is where I fit in most in this world. A couple years ago, I was contacted by clients I’ve catered for in the past to provide my services once again. This was the ultimate catalyst and push for me to fully dive in, and hence, Peak Season Catering was born! Read more>>

Sierra Libutti

At The Other Side Academy, I learned the value of accountability, boundaries, and integrity. Things I had ignored for years. I had to take full responsibility for my past, without excuses or blame. I learned to set boundaries with people and situations that didn’t serve the life I wanted to build. Most importantly, I discovered what it meant to live with integrity, to do the right thing even when no one was watching. This wasn’t just about staying sober, it was about rebuilding my character. Read more>>

Susie Estrada

Even after we got married and I completed my first master’s program, we just never left and I am happy to have been in Utah for now over a decade. My first professional jobs have always involved working with children and youth, I simultaneously worked at a fully inclusive early childhood program and with an out-of-school time provider in North Hollywood. I have since been in the public education setting in the classroom and as a coordinator of programs for English Learners, gang prevention, and intervention. I have also taught and directed in the preschool and out-of-school time profession. Read more>>

Natalie Anderton

Fast forward to 2023: I was working multiple jobs, trying to pay my bills while also growing my business, and then, suddenly, everything stopped. I was laid off from my other job, which had been my main source of income, and I felt lost and confused. It was one of those moments where I realized I had no other choice but to dive headfirst into building my business. And what they say is true: you get out what you put in! Read more>>

Madison Kate Beynon

I wanted to not just provide a service, but to offer an experience – a place where clients feel comfortable, seen, and valued. whether it’s through making sure my clients feel beautiful or just creating a friendly, judgment free environment, I try to bring that souther hospitality into my work. It’s about making connections t ensuring that everyone who walks into my business feels like they matter, just like I always wanted to feel when I first moved here. Little Maddie would be very proud of where I am today – with a kitchen full of hot sauce and a studio full of glitter. I think about her often and I’m so glad that I was able to create a business that embodies confidence on the inside and sparkly on the outside. Read more>>

Whitney Rasmussen

My therapist suggested starting one and I did! It grew pretty quick and I made some great friends out of it. Later, my friend asked me to be a social media manager for her real estate business. My main task was finding events to email out to her contacts. It only lasted a few months, but my friends in the mom group would comment how I always seemed to know what was going on. In December of 2022, I decided to try to make a social media account sharing all of the fun things happening in Salt Lake & Utah Counties. And @theutahmama was born! Read more>>

Adam Ross

Moving to Park City fresh out of culinary school as a 20 year old brought challenges in its own right in the sense of growing and maturing as a person, chef and business person. As is common in the restaurant industry, in his 20s Adam battled the pull of the party scene in Park City while also prioritizing a career focused mentality. Read more>>

Mia Pulham

I love the opportunity to express myself and the challenge that comes with learning new techniques and services. I love being able to work with my clients to enhance their natural beauty and make them feel amazing! Thirteen years of doing hair and it has been such a wonderful and exciting time overcoming challenges and enjoying the simple moments as well. This career has given me a wonderful opportunity to push myself and has allowed me to grow as a person while being there for my, now three, kids. It’s been an amazing adventure and I’m excited for the years to come! Read more>>

Jessica Bever

This job can certainly be overwhelming at times but I have been incredibly blessed with close friends and family who have supported me along the way. My dad is in business and has given me a tremendous amount of advice while starting my own little journey on the internet. My sweet mom has spent hours with me preparing materials for my students. My brothers have come to my classroom on many occasions to help me set up for parties and various events. While so many friends have supported me with their time and energy as well. My coworkers get me through each day with a smile on my face and my dear students are why I do it all. Read more>>

Haleigh Mortensen

There aren’t any print shops in Eden, but there are plenty of creatives. We have found a lot of enjoyment in finding a way to communicate with artists and business owners alike to bring visions to life. Whether it is applying a logo to Hats and Hoodies. Or getting an oil painting translated on to a tee shirt, we can do it. Read more>>

Connor Marshall

That’s when I decided to start an apprenticeship in tattooing. What began as a curiosity quickly turned into a deep love for the craft. I started tattooing in 2021, and after a year and a half of my apprenticeship, I was lucky enough to be hired at my current shop. Currently I juggle tattooing and school full time. Looking back, I’m so grateful for the hard work I’ve put in to get here. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how much I’ve grown as an artist along the way. Read more>>

April Hickman

I grew up in construction. My dad was a contractor. But I’ve always loved homes in general. As a kid I paid attention to the details of the homes of my friends and the homes in movies. I looked beyond the actors and story and was obsessed with the homes. This let me to design and build 2 of my own homes, devour magazines like Architectural Digest, Elle decor, house beautiful, etc. After I designed my last home friends acquaintances began to ask for my help. One thing led to another and I just kept getting bigger and better opportunities and here we are… Read more>>

Alyssa Ford

I kept pushing anyways, until my injury forced me to stop and I fell into the exhausting cycle of rest, return to running, re-injury, repeat. It got to the point where every time I limped across another finish line or had to cut a run short, I thought to myself “never again”. It took me a long time and a lot of frustration to get the help that I needed to overcome this injury for good. My own struggles with injury sparked my passion for helping other runners overcome similar situations, and started my deep dive into learning everything I could about running, training, and managing running related injuries. Read more>>

Roy Pearson

With so many pet adoptions occurring during the pandemic, it seemed that everyone was looking for a groomer. I had been searching for a new career path at the time and my wife came up with the idea for me to consider pursuing employment in the pet industry. My family often joked that I knew the names of the dogs in the neighborhood more than their owners. The thought of spending my time with dogs every day and their owners seemed like a dream job! We continued to research and speak with other groomers and I decided to go for it. While still working at my previous job, I completed my training and certification at Utah School of Pet Grooming and embarked on a career path that has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. Read more>>

Guy Skocki

It definitely has not been a smooth road. With so many clothing brands out there and me having to learn the in and out of a company, it has provided challenges but each challenge has been nothing but full of knowledge. I decided to bring one of my best and oldest friends on board. I realized I am not a great salesmen by any means and that is his category of expertise. The hardest parts next to funds is making sure that you are creating a product that not only lasts looks good but that people like which then allows for a good reputation that hopefully spreads in more good ways than bad. Read more>>

Jane Leckemby

To this day, my favorite part about being a creator is the opportunity to share my life with others, and maybe be a little reminder that they are never alone. I have never been one to show off or make you feel jealous that you are not living my life, because I remember how it feels to watch those types of influencers before this all started. There is nothing worse for a young girl than seeing everything you don’t have thrown in your face through a fabricated reality, I do not want to be the root cause of some young girls insecurities ever. I keep creating to remind those girls as well as myself, that our authentic selves are more than enough. My mission is nowhere near over! Read more>>

Alexander Galore

When I was six years old, I had a dream that I would sell out Madison Square Garden as an artist, with 20,000 people singing along with me, word for word. Then and there, the dream of becoming a star was planted deep in my heart. John Legend, Anthony Hamilton, Alicia Keys, and Brian McKnight are all voices that lace my favorite childhood memories—soul music. The kind of soul music that felt like an offering of true love and vulnerability. This is the music that watered that same seed. Read more>>

Amilia Mckay

Struggles were happening every step of the way. The first struggle was the loss of business when Covid hit. Having every single wedding and event HAVE to cancel, I was a mess. This was my family income. My husband was also experiencing health problems which had him in the hospital over Christmas and loss of his job because of the travel bans. Read more>>

Liam Kaiser

I was privileged to grow up in Northern Michigan, in a community that valued the arts and had the money to fund it. I was lucky to have mentors who saw something in me before I did. They gave me opportunities, let me tag along, and through that mix of guidance and trial and error, I found my rhythm with the camera. I brought it with me everywhere I went ( a good piece of advice for anyone looking to advance their skillset). Read more>>

James Dixon

James’ influence extends beyond motivation—he is a master of reinvention. His journey from overcoming adversity to standing alongside global changemakers has solidified his reputation as a force to be reckoned with. Whether he’s coaching high-achievers, sharing the stage with world-renowned speakers, or helping individuals unlock their fullest potential, James embodies the very essence of resilience, drive, and purpose. Read more>>

Jesse A. Redden

When I was 9 years old I found a recorded tape in the parking lot of a Circle K gas station. I took it home and put it in my boombox and was introduced to the likes of NWA, 2 Live Crew and the Gucci Crew. I remember being like “what is this?“ My jaw dropped on the floor. I was no stranger to language like this. I mean, this was the late 80s. My friends and I were already using expletives in this manner. That was the day I was introduced to hip-hop which was a huge contrast compared to the “top gun“ soundtrack that I was playing on my parents record player just days before.  Read more>>

Jason Degraw

Hitting rock bottom wasn’t a single event but a prolonged period of unimaginable pain. Some overdoses nearly claimed my life, and I experienced the alienation from family and friends and the soul-crushing monotony of survival on the streets. But it was during one of those darkest moments that something shifted. I realized I was tired—not just physically, but in the deepest part of my soul. I couldn’t live like this anymore. Read more>>

Joel Jones

Then came the affordability crisis. By 2023, home prices and interest rates soared, making it harder than ever for people to buy homes. Instead of giving up, we saw it as proof that people needed house hacking more than ever. But the challenge wasn’t just in finding the right properties—it was also in helping people manage them effectively. Read more>>

Melissa Ericksen, Lmt

With that vision in mind, I founded Sagebrush Massage Therapy, where my focus is on helping clients achieve true, lasting results. Through a combination of personalized care, advanced techniques, and a commitment to continuous learning, I’ve been able to help people move past their chronic pain and regain control of their well-being. Today, I’m proud to offer a space where clients don’t just find relief in the moment, but real, lasting change that improves their quality of life. Read more>>

Parry Dean Ward

Over the years, I’ve built multiple teams and currently run The Luxury Agency Team at Century 21 Everest with my business partner, Aaron Pehrson, who’s been in real estate for 27 years. In 2022, we were spending upwards of $20,000 a month on buying leads for our team. But then interest rates started to creep up, and people got nervous. And when people are nervous, they’re not buying real estate. We hesitated to adjust our strategy and ended up spending thousands of dollars on leads that just didn’t pan out. That was a wake-up call. I realized our business model wasn’t as sound as we thought, and it was time to make some changes. Read more>>

Alexys Pintor

To my surprise, it was only open two days a week and the owner said I could rent the space and occupy it on the off days, and do my own thing. I didn’t hesitate to reply to excitedly, with a resounding yes. I coached 3 days out of the week for 6 months. After that. The owner told me he was leaving boxing business because he was to busy with other personal matters and he could no longer be present at the gym. He asked me if I wanted to buy the gym and take over full time. This was a jaw dropping experience and it filled me with so much gratitude that i could do this. Without delay I said yes and on January 1st 2025 the AP boxing club was officially born. Read more>>

Baylee Tryon

So i bought a kit and went to work. After a while of doing my own I realized that I really enjoyed doing nails and I had the skill too. I became interested in going to school and becoming licensed. I eventually decided to go to the cosmetology school in the town over and graduated in August of 2022. School was definitely a struggle, especially as someone who has ADHD, but I pulled through and graduated earlier than most of my class, along side a classmate that i had gotten close too. She helped me get through school. Read more>>

Nathan Miller

On hand, we grow a variety of mushrooms, such as; beef steak, black pearl king trumpet, blue oysters, Chestnut, golden oysters, king trumpet, lions mane, maitake, pink oyster, and shiitake. We also sell Lions Mane tinctures (which is amazing for brain health) and grow kits of all our mushrooms. Soon, we will also have an oyster tincture for heart health, and a mix of our mushrooms for body health. Read more>>

Tena Parker

Compile that and the threat of AI technology technology advancements replacing artisans, has forced many of our vested crews members to pivot careers after vesting 30+ years, and too young to retire. This has created some new hurdles for the uniquely talented artisans and vendors who support the film Industry as a whole. Lastly, (I say with a silent prayer as I write this) the fires of 2025. I don’t mean to sound dramatic, but nobody could have written such a sad, depressing drama, reality story such as this. Nobody is exempt. Above & below the line, actors, writers, editors, and my beloved crew members that have lost their health benefits, homes, cars and most of all being able to be a part of the circus we call home, the film industry.  Read more>>

Leti Purcell

By the summer, the decision was clear. What we had built needed a name, a home, and a future. Anava was born. The name Anava is deeply rooted in Samoan heritage, drawn from the ‘anava, an ancient ceremonial weapon symbolizing victory, resilience, and the spirit of the warrior. Like the ‘anava, we–as Samoans, as women, as creators and visionaries–carry the weight of our heritage with pride. We are warriors in our own right, forging paths in spaces where our voices are heard and our influence is felt. Anava is not just a production company, but a force. A collective of powerful, talented women who don’t just create events; we craft experiences, tell stories, and set new standards. Read more>>

Jeffrey Hammond

My journey to becoming a podiatrist and owning my own practice actually started when I was 18. I was competing in a triathlon and crashed — pretty badly, to be honest. The doctor who stitched me up ended up becoming a good friend and mentor, and he invited me to intern at his sports medicine office. That experience opened my eyes to the world of foot and ankle injuries, and from there, I knew podiatry was the path I wanted to take. Read more>>

Richard Boyer

Established artist represented in 8 two 9 galleries throughout the US. I started painting with oil paints as a kid and went to the University of Utah to study portraiture art under Alvin Gittens, a professor from England. After that lived in Germany for five to six years and met my wife from Sweden. Since then we have been traveling to Europe with the kids to visit family and for me to take off on painting expeditions throughout Europe. Read more>>

Namon Bills

I loved drawing as a kid. I decided at 5 years old that I wanted to be an artist. I don’t know if I’m loyal, stubborn, or not very creative in rethinking career goals, but I stuck with that notion and majored in art at BYU. My brother later told me he was surprised at that decision, because I was a better student (in more “academic” classes) than I was an artist. But I never considered anything else. After two years in the workforce, I went to Utah State University to get my MFA. Read more>>

Randell (randy) Hoffman

As any BIPOC or LGBTQIA+ leader in the U.S. (not even just Utah) can attest, the last decade or so has not been easy. We face an uphill battle in saving our history. Two other colleagues and I began organizing more seriously around this work last summer (2024) in creating the Mildred Berryman Institute for LGBTIQ+ Utah History. Little did we know that the president in 2025 would literally erase Queer and Trans terminologies and stories from official government websites. There is a constant reassurance as we share these stories and advocate for Queer and Trans-inclusive local histories that this work is deeply wanted and needed by Utahns. Read more>>

Jamisyn Smith

When I started as a graphic designer in high school, I had passion but not much experience. Our original packaging, while well-intentioned, made it difficult for customers to understand who we were and what we stood for. One of our first major hurdles was a simple yet crucial design flaw—our bars stood upright in the fridge, but the branding was sideways, making it hard to read. We adjusted to a vertical layout to improve visibility. Read more>>

Ashli Plake

Fortunately it’s been fairly smooth. It’s always been just a random hobby of mine to share info and make magazines and articles and posts for Instagram. So there is low risk involved, as far as the new wellness center the only struggle has been balancing working on the renovations with taking personal time haha Read more>>

Damiano Carlotto

My name is Damiano Carlotto, I was born in a small town by the Dolomites near Venice, Italy in 1992. My story, like many out there, started in my teen years as an unruly kid that didn’t know what he wanted to do in life. I was very good in school, but at the same time couldn’t stand it. I recognized I had an “artist soul” that made me restless, always craving to do more, discover, create, learn. From design to learning musical instruments, drawing, painting, and riding motorcycles, I was always up for something daring and adventurous . Read more>>

Kailee Wing

That Canon 6D Mark II was what really got my journey going. I branched out from taking pictures of things that didn’t move (and the family cat) and had my little sister and other family members and friends become my models. I started photographing groups for high school dances and high school seniors. I began shadowing different wedding photographers and doing styled shoots. I fell in love with photographing couples in love and decided that’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to capture the happiest day of peoples’ lives. From that time, I have been able to work with so many amazing couples and each time I do, it makes my heart full and my sets my soul on fire. Read more>>