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.

Savannah Reed

CR Equine was founded by my boyfriend, Caleb Rubio, whose ideas and vision started it all. What began as his business has grown into two main branches — CR Equine Custom Leather, which I run, and CR Equine Farrier Services, which Caleb leads. Caleb taught me leatherwork over a year ago, and I’ve been crafting high-quality, custom pieces ever since, while also helping him with every other part of the business. Our shared goal is to eventually expand into a full training and breeding facility, raising quality horses and helping riders succeed. Everything we do is built on Caleb’s original vision, our combined hard work, and our shared love for the equine world. Read more>>

Steffanie Anderson

The thing no one tells you when you open a business is that living the dream is HARD! Sleepless nights, texts at 11pm, COVID! But staying focussed on helping the ONE fills our lives free of regret. Sure we need to make money to keep changing lives for the better, but there is so much satisfaction in being surrounded by people who’s quality of life is improving because of what you’re doing, in part. Read more>>

Lacey Loop

That mindset carried beautifully into real estate. As a Realtor with Unity Group Real Estate, I bring all of those skills to the table organization, empathy, negotiation, and creative strategy. I don’t just unlock doors; I help clients navigate every detail, from the nerves of a first-time home purchase to the complexities of investment properties. I love turning confusion into clarity and helping people feel confident in their decisions. Read more>>

Abby Monroe

Abby’s Secondhand Style began as a personal passion—I just loved the thrill of the hunt. Scoring good deals, finding pieces that felt expressive and unique, and breaking up with fast fashion became my favorite weekend activity. I started collecting things that I liked or that reminded me of my friends’ styles and eventually dedicated a rack in a spare room to my growing treasure trove. That turned into a mini thrift shop in my garage, complete with bins and racks. Read more>>

Kelsey Arnett

Definitely not! That first year in business was rough. I wasn’t on social media at all before starting Bare Root Garden Designs, so suddenly having to show up as a content creator felt intimidating and way outside my comfort zone. On top of that, the tech side of running a business was overwhelming—I just wanted to be out designing gardens, not buried in websites and software. Thankfully, I had an incredible support team. My dad quite literally held my hand while we set up my website and worked through the tech side of things together. Having that support made all the difference in getting through those early challenges. Read more>>

Tracy Layne

Like a quitter. It stayed with me for years. BUT, what I didn’t right away see, was that in the last semester before I dropped out, I took photography 101. And that one class launched what became a now 15 year very successful photography career that also bled into becoming a leader in my industry, teaching countless sold out workshops and classes, as well as opening up a studio of my own. And that adventure led to a whole other world of opportunity when I took my own private studio to a 4 location wide business, renting out studios to other creatives, White Space Studios. Read more>>

Jake/Jackie Horan

I eventually figured out how to put the blocks on the wall in a manner of which everything can come with me when the time arrives. Jake and I made a deal that he would bath dogs for me while I groomed that would give me energy enough to build the House of Salt in the Evening. I ended needing a hip replacement, so construction had to wait. I had a few weeks to recover then I began building the walls and slowly coming up with solutions like electric, lights, air flow and materials. I really had to wait until ideas showed up because I just could only focus on a step at a time, Read more>>

Tracie Stevens

I have always loved capturing moments since I was a child. I took a film class in high school and loved learning about composition. I enjoyed captured candid emotion. I received my first digital camera in 2015 and have been photographing since. I love capturing families, portraits, and couples. Read more>>

Robyn Lozano

Has it been a smooth road? Not exactly. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, so being there wasn’t new to me, but the hair industry in LA is fiercely competitive. I put in a lot of hard work to build a solid clientele and was at the height of my career when COVID hit — going from a booming income to nearly shutting down overnight. The shutdowns and ever-changing requirements in California forced me to pivot, and I even took a salon position in Ohio for a short time just to stay afloat and figure out my next move. Read more>>

Dez Alvarado

I was born in Compton California, but grew up in Long Beach, on the North Side. Both of my parents were immigrants. My father from Mexico, and my mother from the island of Samoa. I grew up in a home where 3 languages were spoken. We were taught to have respect for our elders and to honor our parents. Outside of our home was a different story. Gangs, drugs, prostitution, murders, poverty, racially motivated wars and more were prevalent. All this was normal to me growing up. I didn’t know anything other than what I was seeing everyday. Read more>>

Jaden Reardon

My husband Barry is an escrow officer, and when we purchased the restaurant, I was managing the winery just across the street. For years, I had tried to convince Barry to open a brunch spot because I felt it was something Cedar City was missing. He always said no—he didn’t want to start a restaurant from scratch or be tied down by the overwhelming task of building something from nothing. Read more>>

Alyssia Johnston

It has not been an easy road. One of my favorite quotes is, “Rejection equals redirection,” and that has become a guiding principle for me. Building a nonprofit like The Monthly Move Project requires constant networking, relationship-building, and partnerships in order to succeed. There have been plenty of setbacks and closed doors, but each one has pushed me toward new opportunities and growth. Read more>>

Huong Wang

In September 1989, sisters Ms. Huong and Ms. Huong (Hương “Jasmine “ & Hường) and our family of total 9 children and our parents settled in the state of Utah from Vietnam. With a strong desire to support and uplift the local community, we worked tirelessly to build a better future for ourselves and those around us. Read more>>

Jennifer Westfall

It’s been a road of “should I turn around?” Should I keep going? The answer has continually been yes, going on faith and a deep gut feeling that’s it’s going to work out. Researching and learning the process has been new for me, I was a dental hygienist in my previous life then a cattle rancher. Bringing a sauce to market has been a new learning curve. So much more goes into it than anyone knows. Read more>>

Peter Meyerhoff

To survive in prison’s harsh environment—fraught with gangs and violence—he transformed himself physically, building up from 144 pounds to 264 pounds of muscle through intense workouts and leveraging boxing skills taught by his uncle. By age 23, he became the “Shot Caller,” earning respect and notoriety through his fighting prowess. This earned him a stint in solitary confinement for the final 11 months of his sentence. Read more>>

Bobbie Oscarson

I had always loved working with flowers but never thought of exploring it as a career but when I saw that brides were preserving their wedding bouquets into something that lasted forever, I knew that I wanted to provide that opportunity to as many individuals as possible. I turned to my husband, showed him the picture and asked if this was something we could do. My love for flowers and his expertise in resin provided the perfect scenario to make a quick glance at a picture a reality. Without hesitation, he stated, “Of course, we can!”. Read more>>

Jacqueline Langlois

Around that time, I met a friend who was LDS and introduced me to the Church. I didn’t think my faith would get in the way of becoming a tattoo artist, but the advice I got from some leaders made me second guess myself. I was told that if I focused on tattooing, I might lose the desire to go on a mission and might not find someone who would want to get married in the temple. At the time, serving a mission was a big dream for me, so that hit hard. Read more>>

Nina Rodriguez and Leonor Ramirez Rodriguez

Her transformative moment came when she agreed to serve espresso at a medical conference. As she frantically managed a jammed grinder and a growing line, she had an epiphany: this blend of challenge, creativity, and service was something she genuinely loved—a realization that launched her into the coffee business Read more>>

Allie Williams

I met Oscar Jiménez, the co-founder of Snickers Legacy Dog Rescue, in Salt Lake City in 2024. I had rescued a dog named Fiona from euthanasia and was looking to find a home for her. Oscar took Fiona in and helped reduce her kennel stress. We then decided to work together to save more dogs. Read more>>

Jordan Jolley

Luckily for me, my best friend Ethan Younger wanted to start the company with me and quickly hopped on board. Ethan and I started Dr. Clean Detailing with a pickup truck with a water tank in the bed of it, detailing supplies, and a vision to become the best in the industry. Little did we know that in only over a year, we would have the tremendous success we have had. Truly it comes down to a few things. Dedication, passion, and two best friends just having a great time running a business together. This has been our recipe for success. Read more>>

Nicole Aston

I fell in love with photography as a little 14 year old, handed her first point-and-shoot digital camera. I photographed my first wedding while still in high school and found my calling in life. I’ve been photographing weddings all around the world for over 13 years now and still can’t believe my dream job is my real life! Read more>>

Julianna Winslow

As the intern, I was there to fail, learn, and grow – in that order, over and over again. The majority of the work I did there revolved around advertising design, creating flyers, posters, and social media for the center’s after-school program. After a little while, I realized that advertising design came much easier to me than screenprinting & apparel design. I did NOT like that, because at that time, advertising was so incredibly boring to me. Unfortunately, I was good at it. I ended up winning second in the state at the SkillsUSA Utah Competition in ad design and winning the CTE Southern Regional Sterling Scholar due to my work. Despite my internal thoughts, it was ad design that got me to where I am now. Read more>>

Trish Walker

I’ve always been drawn to stories—whether told through film, writing, or real-life experiences. My career path has taken me through customer service, medical devices, real estate, and my passion of film and TV, but I’ve always kept a creative thread running through everything I do. Over time, that passion evolved into launching my own production company, Reset-2-One Productions, where I’m focused on telling meaningful stories that inspire connection and purpose. It’s been a mix of persistence, learning as I go, and saying yes to opportunities that stretch me. Every step, even the unexpected ones, has brought me closer to creating the work I love today. Read more>>

Christie Eskelsen

I was a single mom trying to make ends meet while also making my boys’ childhood as fun as I could. We didn’t have much, but I learned to stretch my budget through thrifting. We would go to the local thrift stores and find goodies to either paint, cut apart or use in other ways. This was when I really felt called to show others how easy it can be to have a fun, decorated and inspired home on a tight budget. Read more>>

Bethany Faden

Today, through Be the Boss Dog Training, I focus on helping dogs reach their full potential—emotionally, mentally, and behaviorally—while teaching owners how to lead with understanding, respect, and confidence. My approach is balanced: it uses tools and techniques when necessary, but always as a means to build clarity and trust, never as punishment. What I love most is the transformation—not just in dogs, but in humans. Watching a fearful dog learn to trust, or a frustrated owner learn to lead with calm authority, is a reminder that the lessons we teach dogs are often the lessons we need ourselves: resilience, empathy, presence, and courage. Read more>>

Cooper Page

The road has been both smoother, and rougher, than I thought it’d be. The motorsports and photography communities have been nothing but welcoming. No ego about who’s been here longer or who’s got the nicer camera or anything like that. Being met with friendly faces and people willing to share their knowledge at every turn and event has been a godsend and what’s gotten me through the rough times. Through the long nights and learning curves, through rejections and wrecked equipment, through imposter syndrome and improper settings, through lost files, re-edits, and long travel. But I’m thankful to say there have been far more bright spots than dark ones on this journey. Read more>>

Alexandra Plancarte

For a while, Astarxela remained in the air, it wasn’t something I was consistent with. After accepting a social media job, I gained access to professional equipment, which not only allowed me to grow but also got me to invest in my own gear. Along the way, I learned to quiet my overthinking and start taking real action toward my goals. Read more>>

Zach Lewis

There is always challenges, even with where I am now. At the beginning of my career, it was pretty discouraging because it was super tough to get paying gigs. Even now, there’s a lot of uncertainty and challenge getting consistent work. You just have to keep going. Another huge challenge is buying the gear. My budget to begin was just $500 which only got me basic gear. It’s also tough working with clients because you often will have disagreements or complaints. Read more>>

Kourtney Laymance

I sought out the case files myself. Reading the evidence about someone I loved revealed a truth that has shaped my work ever since: nothing is ever as it seems. For the past five years, I have dedicated my career to investigating unsolved murders and disappearances, amplifying cases that might otherwise remain in the shadows. I work closely with victims’ families and support true crime–related organizations, ensuring that every story is handled with integrity, empathy, and respect. Leveraging the reach of social media, I strive to bring national attention to cases in need, using storytelling as both a tool for awareness and a catalyst for change. Read more>>

Daniel Beddoes

Same with performing especially with my band and a good energetic crowd! But the hardest part will always be trying to find what connects with others because everyone is looking for different things out of music. I’d also say getting people to give you a chance. I can’t tell you how often people see me but still haven’t gone and heard any of my songs. So between learning how to balance a life firefighting, produce music on a budget, build a social media following (which really dictates these days how successful you are) and book and get people to shows are the biggest challenges that I feel myself and many other local artists in Utah struggle with. Outside of huge concerts it’s hard to find a place where local artists can be discovered. Read more>>

Isabel Peñaloza Araujo

I graduated as a Mining Engineer in one of the most prestigious public Universities in Guayaquil, Ecuador the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) where I also had the opportunity to obtain several scholarships, one of them was to study Mining engineering abroad in Brasil in the Universidade de São Paulo USP, and learn about another culture and language. I also had the opportunity to contribute to different mining organizations, student governments, associations etc, especially those that represented women in make dominated industries. After graduation, I worked as a Mining Engineer for Lundin Gold, a Canadian mining company in Ecuador’s Amazon. Read more>>

Scott Jones

Together, they’ve seen firsthand how our healthcare system often incentivizes treatment over prevention—despite the fact that four in ten American adults have obesity, a number that continues to rise. Determined to change this, they created Bliv: a science-based program that combines medicine with lifestyle transformation to prevent and reverse obesity. Read more>>

Karin King

I am a licensed hair and makeup artist for film, television, and other projects. I love making talent feel beautiful in the skin they’re in. I love helping them bring their character to life. We collaborate and find the best looks for them to feel their best! I love doing hair as much as I love doing makeup. Most union shows have you doing one or the other. It’s always a hard choice! Through some health issues, I feared that I would have to give it up. I’m currently battling Cancer, CLL. I’m proud to say I’ve been able to work throughout my chemo journey. I try so hard to have a positive attitude and give my all to every project, to my team and to my family. Read more>>

Jessica Trese

Jessica has a Bachelor’s and Master Degree in Business Management and is grateful to be able to combine her academic studies with her true passion by teaching yoga and managing her own business. Jessica began teaching in the Tampa Bay area of Florida in 2007, and frequently travels to study the traditions of yoga with many Certified and Authorized Ashtanga teachers. Read more>>

Anam Cara Dixon

Moment and take the world by storm! But that’s not really how it all went down in my case. And, well, as it turns out, I’m much more of an Opportunist than an Innovator. This spring, my coworker decided to sell her traveling photo booth business after a year of burnout, the very same photo booth business I had been practically drooling over all this time. So I, without much forethought, forked over every single penny from my bank account. Read more>>

Joel Slayton

I am a full time police officer and I have a podcast that deals with all things traveling over land. I interviewed the founder of Gossamer Gear and as a result I was invited to come on this trip that he puts on every year. Read more>>