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.

Amy Koford

The number one question I get asked the most is: How did you get interested in being a hypnotist? My answer is: After my personal experience with traditional therapy and being unsatisfied with how it didn’t help me, I set out to find what works to get the results I wanted. I found hypnosis and NLP, plus more. Read more>>

Bella Davis

I had a really hard childhood, things I will probably never share publicly. I went to live with my dad at 15 after never knowing him and then I lost my hearing in my right ear completely at 16, then a few months later my dad passed away. I was also very suicidal from about 15-17. Read more>>

Otto Theerasilp

In my early twenties, I went to study in Sydney, Australia, where I fell in love with the local coffee culture. Great cafés were on every corner, and I became fascinated by how each cup was made. I started learning the whole journey of coffee, from growing and sorting beans to roasting, brewing, and serving. Read more>>

Edward Gasu

REEZEN SUNGLASSES Born from a Dream. Built on Family. Driven by ALOFA. We are REEZEN. We represent more than sunglasses. We represent a culture, a family, a lifestyle, and a dream that continues to grow. Our story began in 2021 with a vision, a passion, and a belief that something special could be built by a small Samoan-owned business with big dreams. Read more>>

John Berry

I started my artistic career as a freelance illustrator. For over a decade. I worked for major publications and advertising campaigns across the country and throughout the world. As I began to tire of the deadlines and the constant back and forth with clients, I decided it was time to walk away from illustration and begin painting for myself. Read more>>

Stacey Horton

I fell in love with Salt Lake City on a bicycle, riding from class at the U to my restaurant shifts downtown. I was born and raised here, but that’s when the city really became mine. My first job out of school was as a design assistant for a locally founded international bridal designer. Read more>>

Marjorie Gabriel

I’ve always loved the way food brings people together. Growing up, our family hosted holidays and I would hang around the kitchen while my mom did the cooking, hoping she’d let me help. Some of my earliest memories are of standing on a step stool beside her in my sunny yellow apron, classical music playing, pots bubbling on the stove, the kitchen filled with warmth. Read more>>

Kaitlin Phelps

I grew up on a large family ranch in Northern Utah. I was the oldest of four kids, and because any neighbors with kids our age lived more than a four wheeler ride away, my siblings and I became each other’s best friends. We spent our weekends and summers living the best childhood. Having space to run, explore, get dirty, and be wild. Read more>>

Lize Guerin

I’ve always been drawn to travel, people, and experiences. I grew up in Leeuwarden in the Netherlands, and my first big international trip was to Jordan when I was 12. Seeing Petra for the first time completely opened my eyes to how big the world was, and I think that curiosity has shaped almost every decision I’ve made since. Read more>>

Alesha Nielsen

I own a small med spa of 17 years. I just recently relocated to Logan and I’m in my first year up here after being in Layton, Utah all the other years. I was a single mom of three children and Sultry Skin was my soul income. Read more>>

Kamie Afo-Aiono

My name is Kamie Afo-Aiono and I started Paradise Porch 6yrs ago. In 2020 I was working my 17th year in the dental field & decided I wanted to move forward with what I really enjoy. I love events, making peoples visions come to life & floral work. I decided to bring a tropical flare to the floral industry here in Utah. Read more>>

Trent Hickman

I started Park City SUP in 2009 because I love surfing and fitness and standup paddle boarding is a combination of those passions. The company started with Standup Paddle Boarding and has expanded to offer OneWheel and Powsurf lessons and tours. Powsurfing is amazing! it is riding boards similar to a snowboard but without bindings, just like a surfboard in the ocean. Read more>>

Russell WRANKLE

I’ve spent most of my life working at the intersection of art, teaching, and making things. I’ve been a ceramic artist for more than 35 years, and I’m an Associate Professor of Art at Southern Utah University. Shape Theory Ceramics began during the pandemic as an online gallery, at a time when I was uncertain about the future of my university position. Read more>>

Schubert Junior

My name is Schubert Batista Junior, and I am the founder of Espeto Mania Grill, a family-owned Brazilian barbecue business based in Utah. As a Brazilian living in the United States, I have always believed that food is one of the most beautiful ways to share our culture, traditions, and memories with others. In Brazil, barbecue is much more than just a meal. Read more>>

Braylee Talbot

I remember being described as a sensitive, yet deeply empathetic child. I think I’ve always had that natural desire to help people and make them feel better. I mean, did anyone else use toilet paper on their stuffed animals like you were giving them little casts? Haha. Looking back, I guess that instinct to care for others was always there. Read more>>

Tara Chapman

I grew up in Winter Park, Colorado, where skiing and spending time in the mountains were just part of everyday life. I’ve always loved the outdoors, but I’ve also always been drawn to things that are a little different. My mom was an entrepreneur. Read more>>

Halee Windley

Taste Spuds was started one evening through a conversation in the car with my wife. I was working as a dialysis technician and was telling my wife about discussions I had had with patients about their favorite forms of the potato. I quickly realized that, although the potato seems humble, it is a staple in the cuisines of so many families, cultures, and foodies. Read more>>

Zealand Gasu

I am a Patriot for the under-represented and the under-privileged. I like to read books so I can acquire further knowledge and wisdom. Prayer is my favorite way to express myself to the spiritual realm. I like to write, and record the things that I have learned for future reflection and teaching. Read more>>

Alethea Jones

I’ve been in practive since 2015, gradutating from AOMA Graduate School of Integrative Medicine in Austin Texas. I’ve been interseted in acupuncture, nutrition, and herbal medicine since my late teens and early 20’s and have used these tools for my own health almost exclusively from western medicine. Read more>>

Austin Lamoreaux

My story started in the mountains. I grew up on the East Coast and spent a large part of my early life pursuing snowboarding professionally. That experience shaped a lot of who I am today—the work ethic, the willingness to take risks, and probably most importantly, an appreciation for the people you surround yourself with. Read more>>