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.

Casey Kuckert

My entrepreneurial journey began when I started my first business as a broke single mom. I didn’t have a perfect plan or endless resources, I simply knew I wanted to create a better life for my family. Through determination, resilience and a willingness to learn as I went, I continued building businesses and eventually became an insurance agency owner in Wyoming. Read more>>

Mindy Tueller

While my story begins long before I was born, for purposes of this article, I’ll begin with my breakdown. My father died somewhat unexpectedly in 2018. About 6 months later, as I was going through his things, a lifetime of anger, blame, hurt and sadness cracked me wide open, and I had a panic attack that lasted that whole night. Read more>>

Teresa Eggertsen cooke

I began playing piano when I was in elementary school, and as I grew up, I fell in love with singer pianist, Elton John, Carole King, Melissa Manchester, Laura Nero, and my dad was a huge fan of Frank Sinatra and Willie Nelson Marty Robbins. Read more>>

Curie Ganio

I stepped into ownership of Peak Recovery & Wellness earlier this year. The business already had a foundation in place, but I saw a lot of opportunity to refine it, make the experience more approachable, and create something that felt more connected to the local community. Read more>>

Dianna Richins

As a kid my mom had a camera that she brought along to all of my horse shows, piano recitals, rodeo queen contests and rodeos. So in high school when they offered a digital photo class I took it and that’s what got me started down the photo road. My leather business happened during Covid. Read more>>

Danielle Davis

Our story began in 2015 in a small room with a rocking chair and one crib. I had three little kids and next to no free time, but somewhere in the middle of all of that, Hashtag DNA was born. I remember kneeling beside that rocking chair and asking Heavenly Father if starting this business was the right thing to do. Read more>>

Tyson Hamilton

My entrepreneurial journey truly began in 2014, following a pivotal turning point in my life. I had lost my position as a mine supervisor at Kennecott due to a poor personal decision. While devastating at the time, this hardship became the catalyst for profound personal growth. It led me to embrace sobriety and ultimately re-evaluate my entire career trajectory. Read more>>

Shawn Dixon

Tactical Penguin began in 2012 when I started Cerakoting firearms in my garage as a personal hobby. I feel pretty lucky as far as the timing goes because Cerakote was just starting to become popular, and it didn’t take long before I began receiving orders from people who had seen my work—even though I hadn’t marketed or attempted to sell my services in any way. Read more>>

Jack Casdorph

The Idea for Creator’s Craft Crates started in 2024 when I took my then 5-year old daughter to a STEM Fair at the big, local expo center. I was excited to play with a bunch of STEM related toys and kits with her there and help ignite inside of her the same passion that I have for science and engineering. Read more>>

TaMara Sorensen

In the early 2000s, TaMara Sorensen and Rita Morgan—the original owners of Crone’s Hollow—were members of a witchcraft coven in Salt Lake City. Earth Haven Coven, the oldest coven in Utah, was also the spiritual home of Rita’s brother, Roy Moorman. In 2010, Roy was killed in an automobile accident just a few blocks from where Crone’s Hollow now stands. Read more>>

Trina Teixeira

My love for creating with concrete came in a way most people don’t expect-in a Pet Mortuary. After working as an Embalmer and Crematory Operator in New Orleans, I eventually felt pulled back “home” to California. Read more>>

Drey Lee

For 17 years, I have had the privilege of working as a Massage Therapist and Esthetician, caring for both local clients and visitors who come to Southern Utah to experience the beauty of Zion National Park. My journey began in the Hawaiian Islands, where I studied Massage Therapy and Esthetics from 2008 to 2010. Read more>>

Classroom Craig

What began as a high school nickname used to describe my change in demeanor once the bell rang, ‘Classroom Craig’ is now a nod to my studious and curious approach to life and making music. I pushed through years of piano training in the Suzuki method as a kid. Read more>>

Ángel Toro

I’d say my journey began when I was 8. I was diagnosed with Autism, and at that time, my parents were very worried and had no idea how to handle someone like me. Overtime, they learned of course, but their worries grew when I started slacking in school. Read more>>

Amber Heaps

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a hairstylist, just like my Grandma! I grew up spending countless hours at my Grandmas house watching her do hair out of her home salon. I can still remember the sounds of the dryers, the smells of “permnant” and aerosol hairspray like it was yesterday. Read more>>

Zach Bowman

As a young kid I was always surrounded with art and artists. My mother was an art professor for BYU and had private students that would come weekly to our home. I remember repeatedly interrupting their classes (because I wanted my mom back for the evening) by making obnoxious sounds and turning the lights on and off again in the studio. Read more>>

Madi Chapman

I own a floral business that represents my parents that passed away in a car accident. It also represents my family now who has taught me the importance of loving hard, following your dreams, and keeping those you love close. It is beautifully free, and full of passion. Read more>>

Ganae Osorio

I always had a deep passion for music and remember singing disney songs around the piano with my family. Dance was a huge part of my life as well and when I entered my adolescence, music saved me as I struggled with mental illness. I began writing songs as a form of expression and coping and it turned into music degree from UVU. Read more>>

Mindy Burbidge Strunk

I have always been an avid reader. When I was a senior in high school, Pride and Prejudice was required reading for my English class. I fell in love with it almost from the first chapter. And while all the other girls were swooning over Mr. Bingley, I was 100% team Darcy. Read more>>