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.

Natalie Hopes

I’ve always been drawn to visuals—my brain naturally thinks in pictures. That love for imagery led me to earn my bachelor’s degree in photography from the University of Utah. Since then, I’ve been building a career around what I love most: creating frozen moments in time. I’m passionate about setting scenes, designing sets, and telling stories through a single frame. My style blends fashion, editorial, and fitness photography—bringing high-energy, powerful subjects into a visually creative space. Whether it’s an emotion, a vibe, or a look, I aim to capture it in a way that feels bold, intentional, and visually striking. Read more>>

Tom Checketts

About 15 years ago, I became good friends with a coworker, Jim Grace, who had recently moved to Utah from Iowa. In Iowa he owned a small farm that he had purchased years ago as an investment and Jim’s focus with his farm was to manage the hardwood trees growing on the property. Each year, Jim would take multiple trips to Iowa, to plant, thin, trim or harvest trees. On his return trips to Utah, he would bring some lumber back with him. Jim would sell this lumber to help cover his travel cost. During this time I had purchased lumber from Jim for personal projects and even went to Iowa with him on a couple occasions. Read more>>

Erandeny Cuevas

I’m from Mexico I came here to United States on 2015 for my husband I’m a wife, mother of four. Visual and cake artists and a pro heathy live girl . I was studying visual arts in Mexico but since I was a child I was very artistic I was that kid making drawings of the teachers during the classes, also I’ve always been so energetic so i couldn’t keep my mind focused and quiet, always looking for something to do, something to create and finding a place to jump in. So when i was in college i started nutrition career and even when i loved it still my energy was a problem to pay attention during the classes so finally I went for forcing myself to be like everybody was expecting to accepting my passion “ARTS” . Read more>>

Paloma Tillotson

I’m a wedding content creator and social media manager. I specialize in capturing the real and intimate moments that often go unnoticed on a wedding day. While photographers focus on the big, polished shots, I’m there to document the behind-the-scenes, the nervous smiles, the tears before the ceremony, the thoughtful details couples have spent months planning. Read more>>

Danielle Dickshinski

At the beginning of my journey, I believed I was being selfish for wanting to get into the medical field to find relief from my own physical and emotional pain. I grew up with this internal pressure to use high ambition to prove my worth and value, but could not understand the source of the emotional discomfort. My first exposure to Eastern Medicine was in my undergraduate program in an “Alternative Medicine” course. Here, I was introduced to Acupuncture, Reiki, Yoga; which sparked my curiosity. Read more>>

Shelly Coleman

I then started painting these scenes and in May 2024 I had a reel on Instagram go viral with the process of me painting one of these scenes. It was amazing to me how people all over the world connected with this painting and I received thousands of comments and hundreds of millions of views. I started painting more images that represented the nostalgia of road trips and the beauty and symbolism of rain. I began shipping originals and prints all over the world including 35 states and 9 countries! I also started being accepted to local art shows and have been very busy creating enough paintings to keep up with demand. Read more>>

Tasha Beckstead

There were days I was answering client messages during 2 a.m. feedings, writing protocols during naptime, and trying to stay grounded while the world felt completely unstable. Every decision carried extra weight… financially, emotionally, and professionally, but I stayed locked into the bigger picture. I wasn’t just opening a salon; I was building something that challenged industry norms and gave stylists the kind of start I wish I had. The pressure was real, but so was the purpose. And that’s what got me through it. Read more>>

Taylor Smedley

One of the biggest hurdles has been redefining expectations—both for models and for clients. Transparency and advocacy sound great in theory, but implementing them in an industry that often runs on old-school norms takes persistence. We’ve had to stand firm in our values while navigating the realities of castings, bookings, and placements. Read more>>

Sonya Martinez-Ortiz

No, it hasn’t always been a smooth road. I don’t think meaningful work ever is. I come from a community and family that has experienced systemic inequities firsthand, and I’ve navigated many of those same challenges personally. Being a woman of color in leadership, especially in the nonprofit and advocacy world, often means carrying the weight of expectations while also pushing against long-standing barriers. In my career, there have been times when I was underestimated or the spaces I was in weren’t built for someone with my lived experience and perspective. Read more>>

Kristen Schow

I also had limited resources when I started, so there was plenty of trial and error. I tried just about every type of wig and fiber I could get my hands on, figuring out which ones offered the best quality, durability, and breathability (especially in the summer!). Each lesson learned helped me build a smoother experience for my clients. I’m still learning new things every day, but I feel like I’m off to a great start—and I’m excited for what’s next. Read more>>

Michelle Jorgensen

I’m thrilled to be here! My story really started in a dental chair—but not in the way you might expect. I had been practicing traditional dentistry for over a decade, building a busy practice and raising four little kids when suddenly, my body started falling apart. I couldn’t sleep, my hands went numb while I was working, and I was in constant pain. Doctor after doctor told me it was “just stress,” but I knew something deeper was wrong. Read more>>

Mohan Sudabattula 

But my story really begins years before that – at age 10, when I visited a rehabilitation center for disabled children in India. That trip cracked something open in me. I didn’t have the language for it then, but what I saw was the stark contrast between potential and access. Kids full of spirit, limited not by ability, but by the systems around them. That memory became my compass. Read more>>

Kerry Owen

For almost 8 years. I have been directing a non profit called Reach Out Today in Utah. Serving children living in poverty, vulnerable youth and struggling families. I also served at Vice chair on the SLC Salvation Army board. And continue to serve on the board of the charity I founded in NZ. Read more>>

Thomas Nutting

Once I met my wife and welcomed our second child, I realized it was time to turn my dream of owning a business into a reality. In 2017, I took the leap and started Park City Paint Crew, starting with just me and one other guy handling all the painting. Fast forward to today, and I’ve expanded the team to 20 employees, allowing us to contribute to some amazing new construction homes and remodels. I take great pride in running a small business in the town I’ve proudly called home for 25 years! Read more>>

Lindsay Bowen

Whether building women’s centers, giving the gift of clean water, or teaching skills that spark independence, every ROAM project empowers communities to thrive long after ROAM leaves. Lindsay lives with her husband Justin, and their four incredible children in the mountains of Heber, Utah. She loves the sun on her skin, old and new friends, sunsets, being a mother, laughing until it hurts, and authentic human connection. Lindsay is a light in every sense of the word! Read more>>

Valerie Howcroft

When Fairbanks ended his lease, he left behind a large number of beautiful art pieces. Most of these are the original plaster sculptures from which Fairbanks created his famous bronzes. Over 90 of his works are displayed in the museum today. In order to preserve these valuable works, Fairview City purchased the building from the school district. Because the deed specified that the building be used for “cultural purposes,“ the other potential uses envisioned by the city were precluded, and the city had on its hands a “Cultural” building with no “Cultural” program. So the city decided to divest itself of what it considered an encumbrance by offering the building to the highest bidder. Read more>>

Colby Berglund

That’s when I decided to start Stacked Prep Academy, a revolutionary school that blends rigorous academics with an elite athletic program focused on speed, agility, and overall athletic performance. Operating on a 3.5/4-hour daily academic schedule, Stacked optimizes learning efficiency for K-12 while devoting the remaining portion of the day to an advanced training regimen designed to enhance students’ physical capabilities. The academy aims to develop well-rounded scholar-athletes prepared for higher education, real life experiences and a long career in sports. Read more>>

Carlos Barrera

Thirteen years ago, I was just a single dad, attending college while working a full time job. I started tattooing out of my house, trying to figure it all out. I didn’t know where it would take me, but I knew I loved it. Eventually, I realized this wasn’t just a hobby — it was my passion. So I took it seriously. I found a real apprenticeship, learned the fundamentals, and dedicated myself to getting better every day. Read more>>

Hunter Allan

At The Pink Bubble, we’re committed to redefining what clean, elevated nail care looks like. We’re constantly researching and testing the best nail and spa care brands that align with our mission—products that are not only effective but made with clean, non-toxic ingredients. We’ve recently taken major steps in offering the safest gels, builder gels, hard gels, and spa products to ensure our guests experience luxury without compromise. Read more>>

Karlie Curran

From there, I started experimenting with textured and sculptural wall art, using color, dimension, and mixed materials. The interest in my work started to grow quickly. Orders started coming in through Etsy, and I realized I had tapped into something that really lit me up. Around that time, I left my corporate job— to take a step back and figure out what I actually wanted to do with my life. I knew it had to be something creative, but I wasn’t sure exactly what that looked like yet. I managed an art gallery in Park City while continuing to grow my brand, and also began studying Interior Design at Salt Lake Community College to deepen my understanding of space and aesthetics. Along the way, I worked at a high-end furniture and design store, which gave me even more insight into how custom art can elevate a space. Read more>>

Javiera Leal

What I love most about this city is how clean and organized it feels. I’m in love with the landscapes, the abundance of nature, and how much people care about protecting wildlife here. There are so many nearby attractions, and I absolutely enjoy the strong outdoor lifestyle that’s such a big part of the culture. Read more>>

Rosie Babbitt

My story is an interesting one, not one I’ve heard told before and I am very grateful for this opportunity to both tell and share my story with others. Some could say my story started with the suicide of my husband back in January of 2021, but I choose to write an empowered narrative of my rebirth instead… Read more>>

Celestina Brown

I did Nails for 10 years. I loved my job. I had a very full clientele. I loved to be creative and to be social making people feel beautiful was so fulfilling to me and I just needed more from the nail industry so I started my brand and really wanted to build community in the nail industry because it was lacking in that area it was lacking in continued education & it was lacking in reliable nail products so me and about five girls that I was working with for a long time decided to go for it and we had no idea what we were doing Read more>>

Jared Silva

I started my business back in 2017 as a freelance writer, and around that time, I also wanted to launch a T-shirt line featuring my own logo under the name “Mister Jinrai”—a stage name I created years ago. The name was inspired by the Japanese version of Transformers, where Optimus Prime was called Godmaster God Ginrai. Honestly, I’ve never really liked my real name. I used to feel frustrated that my parents didn’t give me a Japanese name, so Mister Jinrai became a way for me to reclaim part of that identity. Read more>>

Sofia Massa

Ever since I was really little, I always loved to bake. I got my love of baking from my dad, who when I was younger, would bake homemade treats for us at home almost every week. I took after him and started baking things as well. I’ve also always been quite an ambitious person; I’ve always wanted to live up to my full potential. I wanted to find a way to turn my passion for baking into something bigger. Starting a business seemed like not only a fun venture, but also like an amazing way to share my treats with more people. Read more>>

Francis Wong

Growing up in Hong Kong, I was always captivated by the architecture surrounding Victoria Harbour. To me, the buildings felt like towering mannequins lining both sides of the water, each dressed in a stunning wardrobe for the world to admire. Although I once dreamed of pursuing music, my mother encouraged me to explore visual art instead. I started drawing at a young age—not particularly skilled at first, but I never stopped. Art became a constant in my life. I majored in it from the ninth grade onward, and after moving to the U.S., I deepened my study, immersing myself in everything from figure drawing to art history. Read more>>

Caitlin Kaiser

It hasn’t been a smooth road to get to where I am! First starting I didn’t have any friends or any clients. I had no idea how to gain the trust of those I was meeting because I felt like I didn’t even know the half of what I was talking about! But with practice and self love I realized I was REALLY GOOD at this! I had a natural talent and it was something I needed to share with others. I have always been great at talking with people and meeting strangers. Though when I started I felt like I had lost that talent. I was paralyzed with fear on how do I even bring up the subject of spray tanning. How do I even approach someone. I sat dormant for a long time.  Read more>>

Hannah and Daniel Neeleman

Daniel and I both come from entrepreneurial homes, each of us one of nine children. My parents ran a flower shop together, built from scratch, where my dad was the artist and my mom the business brain. That upbringing shaped how I see the world, carrying me all the way to Juilliard at just 17 years old. It was there that I really learned what it meant to work hard for a dream. Ballet was my first love—it taught me discipline, but it was also where I realized I wanted a different kind of life; one where I could create, raise a family, and build something of my own. Read more>>

Maddie Van Wagenen

I started photography in 9th grade in my journalism and yearbook class! I was really bad at it, hahaha. But when I stated 10th grade, I made some friends who loved to go take pictures. I quickly discovered that I preferred to be behind the camera rather in front of it. A couple of years later, I was the senior class historian and taking pictures as often as I could. Eventually, people started paying me. I was shocked and encouraged by their support! This helped me keep going, even when I got busy with college and other jobs. Now, people will hire me for wedding, engagement, and portrait shoots and I love every minute of it! Read more>>

Katie Ball

26 years ago, I got my dream job at The Flower Shoppe. The opportunity to buy The Flower Shoppe came in 2007, and I have owned it ever since. My 3 boys have grown up at the flower shoppe and worked there most of their lives. It has been a great experience, and flowers are in my blood and part of me and my family. Read more>>

Taylor Foeller

The road has not been smooth, and I have a long way to go! Charcuterie boards are not cheap to assemble, and doing it unpaid for events has been a good way to make connections but has been costly. It’s also been difficult to gain much traction, especially because I am working full-time and don’t have much time or funds I can dedicate to it! However, I bring a charcuterie board to events every chance I can, just to maintain some of the momentum. I also sometimes hit creative roadblocks when it comes to assembly—it is so fun to experiment, though, and ultimately create a board I am proud of. Read more>>

Avery Jade

I have a traumatic brain injury. With that, I have other complications I deal with every day, from chronic pain to being half deaf. I don’t let the struggles I deal with limit me or hold me back from my passion and goals with my photography business. Read more>>

Tara Allred

As I progressed through life, my determination to become an author solidified. By fifth grade, I was resolved to pursue this path. At 27, I published my first novel with a mid-size publisher but soon discovered that the conventional route didn’t align with my creative spirit. This realization led to a decade of grappling with the disparity between my writing dreams and the realities of the publishing world. Read more>>

Anne Marie Otanez

I’ve been fortunate to serve as a Chief of Staff, Program and Project Manager at various tech companies, where I oversaw complex business operations, mentored incredible teams, and tackled challenges like organizational restructuring, shrinking budgets, and fostering workplace well-being. These experiences shaped my approach to leadership—balancing operational precision with vision and empathy. Read more>>

Andrew Winston

There have been many obstacles along the way. When I started this company I started with a business partner. He ended up wanting to leave the company leaving a massive hole in the organization after year 1. Which was frustrating but needed at the same time. One of the things that I struggle with is when team leave my organization and transition to something else. Its hard for me because I am so invested into their lives. Read more>>

Patricia Segura

From an early age, I have been driven by a passion for creativity, constantly seeking ways to infuse that into every aspect of my work and life. I have always aspired to succeed through artistic expression, exploring various creative fields, including painting, illustration, graphic design, and 3D modeling—an art form I continue to cherish. However, it was animation that truly spark my passion and set me on the path I knew I wanted to follow. Read more>>

Syed Zarif Intasar

My journey started in Bangladesh, where I always dreamed of exploring the outdoors beyond my hometown. When I moved to the U.S. for higher studies, I finally had the chance to experience the adventure I had always imagined—hiking, skydiving, rafting, and so much more. But as I started researching activities, I realized that reliable, experience-based information was scattered. That’s when the idea of Boundless Room was born—a platform dedicated to outdoor adventure enthusiasts looking for detailed guides, travel hacks, and gear recommendations. Read more>>

Summer Bringhurst

I’ve been a creative person and attracted to all things arts since a young age. I thank my mother for fostering such an appreciation for the arts in me. She would take me to see broadway plays, enroll me in dance, take me to after school painting classes, come to every night of whatever musical I was in, etc. She always followed my lead as well, not pressuring me to succeed or do anything I didn’t want to do. Rather, she made sure I wasn’t doing too many extracurriculars at once (although I wanted to try everything) so that I still had time for family, school, church, and friends. Read more>>

Jeff Furton

Our journey started with a passion for people, positive energy and community. Coffee was our way to do that. We started in a double sided drive thru in 2004 with great coffee and a commitment to building a community around it. To build the community we got into the community through events. Farmers Market Ogden, local races and charitable donates where the ways we wanted to GIVE to our town. Then in 2012 we began roasting with the goal of offering high-end quality coffee while staying true to our values of kindness, sustainability and positive energy. Over the years we have refined our craft, built relationships with like-minded customers/partners and expanded our presence. Read more>>