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.
Reza Sadreddin 
# Voyager Interview Question: 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. My journey into veterinary medicine was not exactly a traditional one. Read more>>
Megan hoang 
Adelleda is a 100% plant-based restaurant, pasta bar, and cocktail lounge in Portland, Oregon. What started as a small food cart has grown into a space that brings together creative cooking, thoughtful cocktails, and genuine hospitality. Our menu highlights handmade pasta, seasonal dishes, and locally sourced, organic, and foraged ingredients, all inspired by the Pacific Northwest. Read more>>
Kimberly Barton 
For nearly two decades, a large, unassuming building stretching across the block on SE 20th sat largely unused. Owned by a church just two blocks away, the building was no longer needed for the church’s own weekly gatherings, but its potential was hard to ignore. Read more>>
Justin Schwartzman 
It’s a bit all over the place and only recently is it making sense. So I’m still honing in on the best words and what to highlight. I trust you will find what you need and I welcome you to follow up with any questions you may have so I can fill in any important details I may miss. Lifelong musician. Read more>>
Kyley Keller 
I was born and raised right here in Redmond, Oregon, and grew up spending my time traveling every corner of this incredible state. I graduated high school in 2021—a unique time when restrictions meant only 10 people per family could attend the ceremony. Afterward, I decided to head to college as a business major. Read more>>
Jade Miller 
Since 1967, our family has grown fresh produce on 1,500 acres on Sauvie Island. More than just a business, we are a family proud to run this local, family-owned operation. Whether you shop at our onsite market or your local grocery store, you can trust our fresh fruits and vegetable are grown with heritage and care. Read more>>
Gergana Kirilova 
I was born in Bulgaria, and I like to think I carry a little of my homeland’s magic wherever I go. That connection to my roots has shaped my work, which blends ancient wisdom, modern energy healing, and a practical belief that meaningful change starts with listening to yourself. My Reiki journey began in Lincoln, Nebraska, where I built a small healing community. Read more>>
Dani Michael 
y journey began in the world of skincare and luxury retail, where I first discovered my passion for beauty, artistry, and the power of making someone feel confident in their own skin. What started as a love for skincare eventually led me into the world of aesthetic medicine, and from that moment on, I never looked back. Read more>>
Kronda Adair 
I’m a writer who became a developer who became a marketer, and now I help businesses map and fix what’s happening behind the scenes. I got here sideways. In 2006 I was a project manager at a tiny direct mail startup. One day our contract web developer walked into a meeting in a jaunty little cap, with his laptop, and walked out again. Read more>>
Hadley Allen 
I was about 5 years into a career in Fire & Life Safety, servicing and inspecting equipment, and had begun to get a bit disenfranchised from the company I was working for at the time due to some directional changes. Read more>>
Ashley Smith 
For years, I made a career out of helping some of the world’s most successful people find their voices. I had the privilege of coaching executives and professionals at companies like Google, LinkedIn, Meta, Microsoft, and Delta Air Lines, helping them develop confidence, communicate effectively, and lead with purpose. Read more>>
Kc badger 
My creative story is.. I feel like ive been creative/ creating since a very early age. I remember drawing pictures of desert landscapes before i started school even. But maybe larger than that, I grew up outside, in the desert of Arizona, one of my earliest memories is ripping through the desert on the gas tank of my dad’s YZ 250 dirtbike. Read more>>
Aaron Colter 
About fifteen years ago, I met one of the other co-owners of the theater—Tom—while working at Dark Horse Comics. The Clinton Street Theater was for sale then under a previous owner named Seth. Tom and I discussed taking over operations with a focus on live music, but couldn’t afford the asking price at the time. Read more>>
Isabella Stephens 
My fascination with interior design began when I was a kid; rearranging the furniture in my Barbie houses more than playing with the actual dolls. I went on to study interior architecture in college, and began Isabella Stephens Interiors right after I graduated. I always knew I wanted to work in residential interiors, and run my own company. Read more>>
Vennisa Gerberg
I am a former foster child adopted at the age of 6. I later became a relative foster parent to 2 of my sisters 4 children. While fostering, I volunteered a lot at my local church, running food pantries, youth ministry, carnivals, and at my children’s schools. I learned a lot of skills through my volunteerism. Read more>>
Tyler Robb 
its the age old story, I started in restaurants as a kid of 14 and never stopped. I grew up north of Indianapolis, and at 17 moved to Chicago to go to a culinary school I couldn’t afford. Read more>>
April Wilner 
Metamorphose Labs grew out of evolution. I wanted to create a world out of my love for fantasy and dark romanticism. Through jewelry I bring those ideas to life creating pieces that feel like they have a story of their own to tell. Read more>>
Sarah Adler 
Josh Matthews and I (Sarah Adler) are business partners in Lovely All Day, we also have 2 kids and have been living and working together for 12 years. Josh is the Head Coffee Roaster and I run the business. I started as the Head Chef and as we grew have helped expand the business every step of the way. Read more>>
Aurora Pikop 
My dad was an artist. He went to Portland Art School, and he used to take me with him — growing up inside that world shaped everything. Art wasn’t something I picked up later; it’s the language I was raised in. I’ve put in the hours since I was a kid, mastering my craft quietly, long before anyone was watching. Read more>>
Ann Marie 
Myrtle Creative Co. began with a love of photography and storytelling, but over the years it has grown into something much more personal and intentional. I started my photography business in 2015, photographing weddings while learning every side of what it takes to run a creative business. Read more>>
DJ O.G. ONE 
My story began in Watts, California, where I grew up surrounded by poverty, gang activity, and the challenges that come with limited opportunities. By age 10, I had already experienced gang affiliation, but music became an outlet that would eventually help change the direction of my life. Around that same age, my mother and I relocated to Oregon through a religious organization. Read more>>
Jimmy Smith 
I believe we all have a story to tell. Some chapters bring success and happiness, while others teach us lessons through challenges and setbacks. Every day is another opportunity to write a new chapter. My journey began in foster care at age three. At 10, I discovered martial arts, which became a lifelong passion for helping others. Read more>>
Jen Brusa 
My story is one I never could have written myself. It’s a story of faith, perseverance, healing, and learning to believe in myself. In 2014, I was a single mom raising three boys, rebuilding my life after leaving an abusive marriage. I didn’t have much financially, but I had my faith, my boys, and a determination to create a better future for us. Read more>>
Julia Paige 
I was born in New York in 1970 to Italian-American parents who valued education, hard work, and the pursuit of a sensible career. From an early age, however, I was a curious, imaginative, strong-willed child who had my own way of doing things. I was a voracious reader, fascinated by everything from history and science to literature and the mysteries of human nature. Read more>>
Kris Leeper 
My younger brother was born with the development of his lower limbs. He had surgery as a toddler to be fitting for prosthetics so he could have a chance at walking. Around the same time he received his first pair of walking legs our parents took us shoe shopping so we could match. It was then my interest in footwear started. Read more>>
Audrey Booth 
My journey as an actor began in the most embarrassing way possible: with my little sister recording my first kiss. At 16, I was cast in my first role as Glory in Almost, Maine. I was so excited to be in my first production, until I read the script and saw what I’d have to do…Now, put yourself in my shoes. Read more>>
Rosa Rodriguez 
I always loved the beauty industry and since I was very little doing my nails was something I enjoyed doing. I started cosmetology school when I was 19 years old. I had my first daughter already. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to finish school at that time due to my situation at home not being so stable. Read more>>
Brienne Wasmer 
Mache started in 2019 with a simple question: what are we actually surrounding ourselves with every day, and what is it doing to us? My background is in design. I earned my Master’s in Interior Architecture from the University of Oregon, and I’ve always been interested in how spaces shape the way people feel, both physically and emotionally. Read more>>
Arjay Mendiola 
I graduated high school in 2019 with a full ride scholarship to Montana State University. Upon leaving high school I had earned 5 state championships in track and field. I had dreams to go on and compete in the Olympics and become a professional track and field athlete. When I finally got to University I realized how wildly unprepared I was. Read more>>
Roger Pham
It’s honestly kind of crazy to look back and see how it all started. Back in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was always at the gym playing basketball or breakdancing, but when everything shut down, I had to find a new hobby. Read more>>
Brigitte Boots 
I spent more than 15 years in corporate marketing, mostly in B2B, financial services, and healthcare, before starting my own marketing consulting business, Lost My Boots. Along the way I earned my graduate degree at Southern Oregon University and worked at the Small Business Development Center, so I’ve been close to local business owners for a long time. Read more>>
William Carrillo 
I started this business as a small pop-up with nothing but a mini pizza oven, some fold out tables and most importantly, some very good friends. I moved to the Rogue Valley with my wife from Portland OR in 2021. Read more>>
Natalia Rodriguez 
I’ve always had a passion for baking, but my journey with NatsOvenLove began unexpectedly in April 2025 when my car needed some expensive engine repairs. At the time, I didn’t have any savings, so I decided to start selling baked goods to raise money. What started as a simple bake sale quickly turned into something much bigger. Read more>>
Jennie Grip 
I’ve worked within the Hospitality industry as well as Architecture and Design for all my life, Leva is a culmination of both. It was born from the need of a space to gather outside of home, that was still private and could hold many types of events while still feeling warm and inviting. Read more>>
Antonio Martinez 
I like to think that I’m a bit lucky. I was born into a musical family and been around instruments since I can remember. The earliest memories I have are being taught by my dad. Since about 5 years old, he would take me to all his gigs. I had an assigned seat on the floor next to him on stage and at rehearsals. Read more>>
Lyndsay Maderis 
I definitely didn’t take the traditional path into the beauty industry! I spent my early career working in healthcare, including the American Red Cross and pharmaceutical and surgical sales. On paper, I had a successful career, but the stress was taking a toll on me, both mentally and physically. Read more>>
