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.

Stephenie Gayler

Hi, I am Stephenie Gayler. I am the owner of White Tiger Taekwondo. I started training in taekwondo at 8 years old so I have been training in taekwondo for about 29 years. I reached the 1st Dan black belt at 13 years old. In the school I trained at my Instructors had a tradition of giving taekwondo names that fit the student’s taekwondo style. Read more>>

Alfonso Brito

I was born in Córdoba, Veracruz, Mexico, and my journey started in my mother’s small restaurant near a sugar factory in Paso del Macho. After losing my father at a young age, I had to grow up quickly, helping her cook, clean, and run the business taught me early what hard work and passion for food meant. Read more>>

Sarah Tripp

Over the years, I have enjoyed traveling to places all over the world where they have tea houses that are a charming quaint place to sit and meet friends, have tea, and enjoy delicious food. I noticed we have nothing like that here in Utah and wanted to bring that experience home with me. Read more>>

Doug Ashton

Enhance Physical Therapy began in the fall of 2023 in response to many family and friends asking about coming to see me for physical therapy. I have always wanted to have my own physical therapy clinic and decided to begin. Thanks to the support of friends and family, I was able to set up my own small business. Read more>>

janika byington

As a child, I wanted to be an entertainer, But I was told that was a ‘pipe dream’. I was encouraged to be ‘realistic.’ But the dream has stayed in my soul. At age 53, it may be too late for me, but I want kids to know that there is room for them in the 2.9 trillion dollar entertainment industry. Read more>>

Stephanie McKittrick

Party Pop started with us planning an over-the-top first birthday for our first daughter. We continued that tradition with our second daughter’s birthday, and after that, we began helping family and friends with their parties. That’s when we realized how much we loved designing memorable events and making celebrations truly special. Read more>>

Tyree Lamph

We are commercial paleontologists.. We dig and sell fossils and dinosaurs that we prepare, restore and mount at our shop. We take them to large shows all over the world to sell and in doing so we bring back truck loads of rocks crystals, and minerals from everywhere to sell at our rock shop. Our rock shop Utah Dump Digger. Read more>>

Camron Brewer

When I first started Key Learning Studios, I didn’t come from a traditional background. I didn’t have formal schooling in business or a long corporate career behind me, just a few years of hands-on experience and a strong desire to create better, more engaging learning experiences. Read more>>

Boyd Petersen

I have always been interested in technology and science. I have worked in many fields, with many of them involving sales. In 1998, my wife and I bought a community newspaper. It had a circulation of 14k. We built it, and within 6 years, we had 12 newspapers. Our circulation when we sold them in 2014 was 315K. Read more>>

Clint De Lacy

I started tattooing in 2000, apprenticing under Kelly Miller at Susie M’s . I lasted there about a year and went over to ASI working for Don and Sharon Brouse. Around 2007 I left ASI and with a couple of friends started Edison Street Tattoo. After a few years, we all felt pulled in different directions. Read more>>

Joey Perea

I didn’t grow up with a roadmap to success. I built everything from the ground up with no money, no safety net, and no guarantees. My story started in 2013 with a lie — and a dream. I was working nonstop, traveling the country for someone else’s company, barely making ends meet, and rarely seeing my kids. Read more>>

Emmeri Asay

Hi! I’m Emmeri. I am a stay at home mom that loves to work & keep busy while being home with my son. I’ve always loved thrifting & finding amazing clothing items & giving them another life but never thought it would later be something I do for a living. Read more>>

Helen Parde

My journey to becoming the practitioner I am today has been an ever-evolving path shaped by my own personal struggles. Years ago, I faced crippling fatigue and a range of unexplained symptoms that traditional Western medicine couldn’t fully explain or resolve. That experience motivated me to look beyond conventional approaches and explore alternative methods of healing. Read more>>

Paul Bourne

Started in the glass fabrication industry out of high school in southern Oregon, Arrived in SLC New Year’s Eve of 1992 thanks to a friend of mine who was living here at the time. In Aug 2000, after working for a local glass fabricator, a partner and I opened Rocky Mountain Custom Glass in West Jordan, UT. Very successful business. Read more>>

Daren Saunders

When I was assisting a friend with his LDS Church History tour group in 2004, we had a great experience, and I was invited again the next year. On that tour was the owner of A+ Tours and Travel in West Jordan. He liked what he saw from me and we got together the next year to get things going. Read more>>

Brittney Gregerson

I was born & raised right here in Cedar City. I’ve worked since I was 16 — from office jobs to personal training to running heavy equipment (trackhoes, loaders & all!). But when I had my first son in 2024, life changed. He arrived 9 weeks early and spent 32 days in the NICU fighting for his life. Read more>>

Erik Delgado

I’m Erik Delgado, known artistically as EazyNotey, a hip hop music producer and performing producer-artist. I started producing beats at the age of 13, inspired by legends like Nujabes, J Dilla, Dr. Dre, The Alchemist, DJ Muggs, and Lil Jon. Read more>>

Ève Dupertuis

A Life in Translation and Transformation When Swiss-born Ève Dupertuis arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1997, she brought with her more than a suitcase and a dream – she carried a love of language and an entrepreneurial spark that soon gave life to Ève Dupertuis Translation Services Inc., an English-to-French translation business still thriving today. Read more>>

Sylvia Schofield

I have loved photography as long as I can remember. As a young kid, I had a purple film camera that I loved to use in my backyard. I would take photos of all the plants and our pet bunny. As a teenager, I got my first digital camera. It was a little handheld baby blue one. Read more>>

Dustin Mattila

I grew up in a family of seven siblings, surrounded by hard work, creativity, and a strong sense of togetherness. My father was a carpenter by trade who eventually worked his way into construction management and later started his own construction company. My mother was equally hardworking, dedicating herself full-time to raising our large, active family. Read more>>

Sarah Roberts

I’ve always been interested in photography—from documenting a trip to Holland as a child, to photographing high school events and sports for the yearbook, and taking my high school’s first-ever photography class—I had found my calling. As the years went on, my opportunities for photography varied, but my love for it never waned. Read more>>

Emma Adkins

Hi, my name is Emma Adkins, aka Persephone Ink! I am a mostly self-taught tattoo artist and owner of Nocturna Tattoo. I have been an artist my entire life, and after getting my first tattoo, I was hooked on tattoos and the art process behind them. Read more>>

Kylie Hunt

I’ve always loved taking photos. Back when Instagram was still pretty new to everyone, I started posting the pictures I took of friends, nephews and cousins with the new Canon DSLR my parents got me for my 15th birthday. It slowly started into a business when I purchased backdrops for kids to sit in front of for Christmas cards. Read more>>

Ginalen Soto

Roots Coffee & Co started from a dream to create more than just a coffee shop. We wanted to build a space where people could connect, slow down, and feel part of a community. After working in healthcare and marketing, we felt a pull to create something of our own that blended creativity, culture, and connection. Read more>>

Katheryn Olsen

I started and failed at many businesses over the last 20 years, but this last one, TJtoddles, has really stuck. I started TJtoddles about 5 years ago and built it as an e-commerce store and expanded to Etsy. TJtoddles offers personalized gift items for Baby, Mom, and Dad. It was a nice side hustle for those years. Read more>>

Erin Isakov

I started skiing almost as soon as I could walk. My father was a ski patroller at Mammoth Mountain in California, so skiing has always been part of my life. After graduating, I moved to New York City to work in fashion—but I spent most weekends driving to Vermont to ski or snowboard. Read more>>

Anne Vincent

I worked urgent care as a Nurse Practitioner for 5 years and it was a very frustrating experience. I worked with several doctors who were all my boss and wanted me to do conflicting things. Sometimes this resulted in poor quality healthcare, and definitely in a lot of burn out on my end. Read more>>

Matthew Toone

When I was 22 years old, I wanted to be a Physical Therapist. However, in high school I got a ‘C’ in Chemistry. When I went to my college counselor to learn what was required to become a PT, they said I had to take: chemistry, physiology, physics, biology, etc. I said ‘Chemistry’ – I’m out. Read more>>

Tisa Zito

My name is Tisa Marie Zito. I am a Digital Film Producer and Film Instructor at Utah Tech University. I am also the Program Director for the DOCUTAH International Film Festival, & filmmaker for Old Soul Artistry. It took me a while to get here. I have been making films and taking photos since I was a child. Read more>>

Tyler Todd

We started our injury law firm in St. George, Utah. Similar to other bigger law firms starting in Salt Lake City and coming south, we had a desire and a passion to go from the south to the north and to be able to represent everyone throughout the great State of Utah. Read more>>

Olivia Miller

I was born and raised in Fort Wayne, IN, and spent my life training to be a professional ballerina. I moved to Salt Lake City in 2009 to attend the Ballet Department (now the School of Dance) at the University of Utah. Read more>>

Cherie Burton

I started building drums in 2016 but really got into it after my granddaughter passed away shortly after birth in 2018. I experienced a nervous breakdown after that and found myself making drums for my grandchildren. The meditative state of rebirthing animal hides into drums provided me peace that no pill, doctor or therapist could ever provide. Read more>>

David Andora Sean Hunt

David: I was working in Chicago as an independent designer for a wide variety of creative projects. Window displays, haunted houses, parade floats, museum exhibits, themed environments for nightclubs and corporate parties… Read more>>

Janice Chan

Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like. ‘I’ve always been fascinated by the production design of experiences, in which we live our lives—our stories. Read more>>

Zane Watrous

I’ve been an artist since I can remember. Same cliche, up-and-coming artist story. However, the older get, the more I realize everything in my life has lead up to where I’m at now. My shop, Wild Pony Tattoo was intended to be a blend of a classic, Traditional tattoo shop, mixed with the southwestern elements that are common to this region. Read more>>

Moneray Colonna

My name is Moneray and I am the Founder and Owner. I am 34 years old, a Christ follower, I have a beautiful daughter named Brooklynn, a wonderful husband, Joey, and two adorable but opposite dogs named Mabel (Mini Dachshund, age 2) and Kona (Boxer, age 12) I began my career in the beauty industry in 2018 when I started my own business Microblading Eyebrows. Read more>>

Rachel Dantona

Welcome to Hiker Booty, Where we help you discover outdoor treasures through out the United States. ‘We are putting the ART in cARTography’. Our watercolor hand drawn maps are thoughtfully curated and include National Parks, State Parks, Public Lands, popular outdoor attractions, wildlife, marine life, trees, flowers, waterways and so much more! Read more>>

Jenny Venegas

Jenny Venegas grew up in the desert of SE Utah. She began college at BYU and later transferred to USU. After graduating, she moved to Chicago where she explored and work for a year. After returning to Utah, she settled in Ogden working as a shop teacher. Read more>>

Steven Helprin

Business Outsource Services, LLC was founded as a side business in 2003 in Southern California by Steve Helprin (principal) while he worked as assistant controller for a specialty trades construction company. The two initial clients were the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce, and a small manufacturing firm called Environmental Engineering, dba Indoor Air Technology. Read more>>

Shaena Kingston

I broke my sternum approximately 12 years ago. It took them six months to figure out what exactly was the issue nothing I did provided any relief. A friend of mine finally suggested (Reiki) I had never heard of (Reiki) but at that point I was desperate to try anything. I got a session. Read more>>

Armando Serrano

I’ve always had that spark for being an entrepreneur. My dad was one too, and he used to tell me, “You need to work hard and smart so you don’t have a boss — or at least not an immediate one.” That stuck with me. Read more>>

JOEL UY

High Altitude Bakeshop has quickly risen to prominence as Utah’s premier Filipino bakeshop, gaining recognition for its handcrafted baked goods, made fresh daily without preservatives or artificial ingredients. Founded in June 2019 during the pandemic, the bakeshop’s journey began as a passion project, offering baked goods to friends.  Read more>>

Stuart Sondrup

PerformanceWest Physical Therapy was started by Kim Reid and Curtis Jolley in 1998 when they joined their practices. Their First location was in Bountiful close to Lakeview hospital. That is when I first met them. I was in high school and had an injury that required physical therapy. I found my way to them and fell in love with the profession. Read more>>

Paul Villagrana

No, was not a smooth road. Learned things on the go. When it comes to financing inventory (which I did to build up credit), advertising, writing up contracts for liability purposes, certain requirements when working with other businesses. Read more>>

Denise Shakespeare

Through my own healing journey, I learned the power of implementing simple lifestyle behaviors that support the mind and body. I was diagnosed with psychogenic seizures in January of 2017. At that time, I was in a wheelchair, dangerously thin, and spent most of my time in bed. Read more>>

Shelly Bernal and Siary Mendoza N/A

We officially opened our doors in 2022 as Chicana Nails and started offering nail services right after becoming licensed nail techs. We had an amazing opportunity to move into the same building as one of our mentors and it felt like a push from the universe to pursue our dreams of becoming nail technicians and business owners. Read more>>

Paulina Salazar

In 2017 I started my lash journey out of pure necessity because I had just moved to Florida from Canada. My aunt at the time already had an esthetics business and offered to train me in lashes. Well, what once was necessity, after a couple years turned into a passion of mine. Read more>>

Jessica Peterson

My husband and his friend had also dreamt about opening a game store together. Neither of them were able to quit their jobs to make their dream come true. They came to me and ask what I thought. I was scared and nervous. It meant that I had to quit a job that I loved to make their dream come true. Read more>>

John Womack

Well it all started when I was a young boy and I got first introduced to comic books. My dad taking me and my brother to flea markets that were around and if we found a few comics in some cheap bins for maybe a quarter or fifty cents apiece he might buy a few for us. Read more>>

Celia Bertoia

Then came the hard real work of starting a non-profit, garnering enthusiastic board members, figuring out funding, and jumping into my new role of spokesperson for Harry Bertoia. Because the IRS was busy declining tea party non-profit applications that year, the papers for the Bertoia Foundation were not approved for almost two years.  Read more>>

Adrienne Langmo

I’m a Massachusetts native. My brother and I are first-generation college grads and our hardworking, self-employed parents hammered home throughout our childhoods the value of education and hard work. Read more>>

Kris Thomasberg

I grew up in Bend, Oregon, surrounded by mountains, movement, and freedom. My dad was a professional mountain bike racer, so much of my childhood was spent on the road, living out of a van, exploring nature, and learning that life could be both adventurous and intentional. My parents had a beautiful way of letting us explore who we were. Read more>>

Mark Oliver

I was born in Hampshire, United Kingdom, and raised in a household that blended French culture with English sensibilities. My early passion for art and design led me to the prestigious London College of Communication, where I began my professional journey at the age of 19. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree in 1993, I quickly established myself in London’s publishing scene. Read more>>

Shauna and Nick Whiting

For 24 years, Nicholas and I have loved the idea of travel, but we faced the same challenge as so many others: the expense of flights. Read more>>

Sam Dawson Tandy

I grew up in a small town in northern Indiana, studied Biology at Purdue University, and later moved to Salt Lake City to attend physical therapy school at the University of Utah. During PT school, I knew I wanted to help others in a meaningful but unconventional way, I just wasn’t sure how until I discovered the pelvic health specialty. Read more>>

Dr. Noelle White

My journey into chiropractic began with a quiet, intuitive moment while riding a horse back home in Upstate New York. I was originally on the path to becoming a medical doctor, but I realized I didn’t want to just treat symptoms—I wanted to support healing from the inside out. And I wanted to work with both people and animals. Read more>>

Jamie Adams

I have always loved dance. I was never the best dancer, but dancing made me happy. I loved the freedom of movement, the chance to leave my worries behind for a while and just be in the moment. I loved the feeling of accomplishment as I mastered a challenging skill. I was able to get a scholarship for college thanks to dance. Read more>>

Amanda Keddington

Our bakery began about ten years ago with a simple goal: to give our son, who is on the autism spectrum, a place to learn job skills and grow confidence in a supportive, family-centered environment. We wanted him to have the chance to practice being a good employee with us first, before stepping out into the workforce. Read more>>

Laura Frandsen

Flowers By Laura was created in 2012, when our older son, needed a high school dance flower. We started with $50 and never have gone into debt until the addition of our new building in 2024. We’ve been creating and designing flowers for weddings, funerals, and everyday orders since 2015. Read more>>

Brittany Horne

Through that healing process, I started learning about digital marketing and web design. I’ve always been creative and loved helping people, so it quickly became a passion. But along the way, I noticed how many small business owners were being taken advantage of by marketing companies that promised the world and never delivered. I knew I could do better working and creating with honesty, heart, and results. Read more>>

Ahnika Angle

I love the outdoors, hiking, camping, snowboarding and paddle boarding. I absolutely adore animals. I have two dogs; a boarder collie named Juniper, a blue healer named Buckaroo, and a tuxedo cat named Hendrix. I have so many hobbies, including; gardening, baking, knitting, embroidery, wood burning, sculpting, jewelry making, and drawing. Read more>>