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.

Crystal Butler

I’ve known since high school that I wanted to be a florist. My very first floral design class sparked something in me that never went away. That passion led me to BYU–Idaho, where I graduated with a degree in Horticulture with an emphasis in Floral Design. You can still receive an emphasis in Floral Design at BYU-Idaho today. I highly recommend it! Read more>>

Jenny Fahrner

I started working in the Heating and Air Conditioning industry when I was 17 at a commercial shop in California. I then went onto school, to get my Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. After graduating, I moved to Utah and gained more experience working for a commercial and later residential contractor. It was through these experiences that I discovered my passion for running a business. Read more>>

Steven Rhoden

I am a person who believes in perseverance through faith in God. Life will challenge you with barriers and set backs, but part of the challenge is finding a way to learn from your experiences and bounce back. Along the way you will find others who struggle in similar ways. Read more>>

Alejandro Martinez

Perseo Creative Studio was born from a shared vision: to make high-quality design, branding, and web development accessible to businesses of all sizes. Too often, small businesses are left behind—facing expensive agencies on one side and inconsistent, low-quality solutions on the other. We wanted to change that. Founded in Utah by Alejandro Martínez and Caden Cole, Perseo combines creativity with technical expertise. Read more>>

Wendhy Jeffers

I originally went to college to pursue a degree in Finance, but during my freshman year I took an intro to photography class and I was hooked. I ended up graduating with a degree in Commercial Photography and Business. Read more>>

Ashley Wright

I grew up in Utah and throughout my life, I found myself often enjoying being someone who listens, supports and can empathize with people’s life experiences. By the time I was a senior in high school, I was set on pursuing a degree in Social Work so that I could become a therapist and run my own practice. Read more>>

Erika Munns

I am from Ecuador, and I came to the United States to get married to an American. My main focus at the beginning was to learn the language and immerse myself in American culture. A few years later, I had my first daughter, and then my second. Read more>>

Porter Macey

An ignorance and passion blend is how it all started! I have been so lucky with awesome relationships in my life, and that is what it is, luck, but I wanted to take the meaningful, pleasurable, and fulfilling emotions that I had and help others experience the same thing. I am also fascinated with the exploration of what motivates our thoughts and behaviors as humans. Read more>>

Jonny Morrow

Howdy! My name is Jonny Morrow. I’m from Northern Wyoming, where my Pa owned and operated his own personal shop for side projections. He brought me into the world of mechanics where I rebuilt my first truck and brought it back to life! After meeting my now wife, I moved to Utah. Unsure of what I wanted to do. Read more>>

Ryan Harrington

I established Harrington Art Studio in February of 2021. I had been working in the art and frame industry for over 20 yrs and had slowly been growing my own art practice in to a small business. I spent years exhibiting in art local art fairs and galleries as well as taking on commissions for clients both locally and throughout the U.S. Read more>>

Eli Adams

I’ve been in the digital marketing world for over two decades, and I’ve witnessed its evolution from the early days of simple marketing tactics to today’s complex, AI-driven strategies. Read more>>

Georgia Snell

I didn’t take the traditional route into business. After high school, I jumped straight into the workforce, learning sales and customer service through hands on experience. Taking those jobs taught me persistence, communication, and how to create opportunities for myself. The real shift came when I started working with my brother as a salesman for his web design and SEO company. Read more>>

Carrie Gregg

I’ve always loved the outdoors. As a child, my parents took us on vacations to explore our National Parks, and in high school I joined an Explorer Scout Troop at my church to gain more experience on the trail. Read more>>

Candace & Desire Kading & Yeagle

We both grew up in Tooele County and knew each other through mutual friends and family. In 2010, we officially became sisters-in-law, and over the years we realized how similar our outlooks on life were. Many of our girls’ nights ended with long conversations about starting a business together, though we could never quite decide what that business would be. Read more>>

Cameron DuPree

When I was 19, I started my own business from the ground up. Over the years, I grew it into a successful enterprise and then successfully navigated the complex process of selling it. The pivotal moment came when I saw firsthand how much a skilled broker’s guidance can impact a business owner’s future. Read more>>

Kenneth Oliver

After serving an LDS mission in Chile, I returned home without the slightest clue about what I wanted to do with my professional career. There were many instances growing up where I had great experiences with Chiropractic and my mother had suggested that maybe I look into it as a profession. Read more>>

Sara Dickson

When I graduated in 2009 with my Master’s Degree in Counseling; I began my counseling journey working with the youth in probation in Salt Lake City for 3rd District Court. Read more>>

Brandy Shay

In 2017, my company, Shay Design, was contracted to help bring The Monarch to life through its name, logo, and branding. When the venue opened in 2019, it quickly became a creative hub in Ogden. Shortly after, the world changed with COVID, and The Monarch’s General Manager had to step down due to health concerns. Read more>>

Amanda Hildebrand

I currently own two businesses in Davis County, UT; In Perfect Balance Bookkeeping and Witches Brew Coffee Company. After building a career within the high-stress industry of HOA Management, I left my job in October of 2021 and in January of 2022 I opened In Perfect Balance Bookkeeping. Read more>>

Elijah Amodt

I grew up in Salt Lake City, amongst a lot of turmoil and gang violence, but through it all, I had my twin and stories. Movies and the power of imagination, with a built in best friend to act out scenarios from the shows, awoke a love for acting. Read more>>

Christina Griffiths

Growing up as a shy girl in a small town in Garland, Utah, I never imagined I’d become a successful business owner one day. I graduated from Bear River High School and moved to Logan to attend Utah State University, where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, laying the foundation for my future success. Read more>>

Dakota Hood

Growing up I was always an artist. From creating characters or creatures to drawing existing ones from my favorite cartoons. Drawing was always something I enjoyed doing and has been the most consistent hobby in my life so far. Through the pandemic and graduating high school it became very apparent to me that I wanted to pursue a career in art and follow my passion. Read more>>

Jennifer Rogers

Back in 2020 shortly after coming to photograph the Onaqui wild horses for 10 days I made the life changing decision to leave my beloved home on Maui and try my hand at a very different kind of life here in Utah. Read more>>

Desiri Wightman

In February 2020, my neighbor worried about the potential of hospitals shutting down from Covid and not being able to deliver her baby there. She called me one day and asked, ‘If I can’t go to the hospital, will you deliver my baby?’ I felt flabbergasted! Read more>>

McKay Crockett

I’ve always been drawn to the power of music. I love how a song can shift the atmosphere in a room or remind someone they’re not alone. Early on, one of my musical mentors told me something that shaped my entire professional path:. He said, “Music is universal because it’s built from familiar bricks… melodies, chords, emotions we all know. Read more>>

McCain Kennedy

My first introduction to marketing was in my graphic design class in high school. I took two years of graphic design as an elective and had the opportunity to design advertisements for school events and on-campus organizations. I studied advertising with a minor in public relations in college. After college, I moved to Utah with my wife and started working at a marketing agency. Read more>>

Anthony Wood

To the Editor of Voyage magazine My name is Anthony Wood, and I am writing to you today to share my story of overcoming drug addiction and building a successful business. Five years ago, my life was consumed by addiction, but I found the strength to get clean and start my own business, Woods Paint Repair. Read more>>

Aubree Cobb

Aloha! I am Aubree the owner of Hawaii Fluid Art Studio located in St. George. It has been quite a journey to get where I am now. I started working within a week of graduating high school. I never attended college because I had no idea what I wanted to do in the future, so I decided to start off working. Read more>>

April Kennedy

Art has always been a big part of my life. I’ve been drawing, painting, and making crafts for as long as I can remember. In junior high and high school, I focused heavily on realism and fine arts, really honing my skills. When I started college at UVU, my plan was to become an art teacher. Read more>>

Candice Furubayashi

I specialize in holistic mental health and wellness, integrating Eastern and Western approaches to provide personalized care for both mind and body. My exclusive wellness plans address the root causes of imbalance rather than just managing symptoms. After facing significant challenges, including a traumatic brain injury while surfing, I turned to holistic practices for healing when conventional treatments failed to offer lasting results. Read more>>

Heather Cornia

I started out as an Office Manager for a small business in Kaysville, Utah. That’s where I started to learn about bookkeeping. After I had our son, I decided I needed more flexibility, so I got a job doing front desk in healthcare. I have been doing that for the past eight years. Read more>>