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.
Scarlett Hernandez
With a little effort, you can achieve it. It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible either. Trust in yourself, and with the help of God and your loved ones, you will succeed. But always, always trust your self and your capabilities. Don’t set limits for yourself, and you will overcome any obstacle. Read more>>
Altin Kosova
There were also early hurdles in understanding customer preferences and establishing consistent foot traffic. However, those challenges pushed me to adapt quickly, refine my vision, and focus on creating a welcoming, customer-focused experience. Each obstacle has ultimately strengthened the foundation of the business and shaped the store into what it is today. Read more>>
Tammy McGuire
I have always said, “I am an advocate of taking the loss of a child leaving our home and creating a purpose in helping other foster families through their journey.” Knowing that there is a need to help other foster families better their environments for children in their care, I began our work… Read more>>
Christina Burget
My journey into entrepreneurship really began after a life-changing season. Following my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, I found myself looking at everything differently: my time, my priorities, and the kind of impact I wanted to make. That experience strengthened my resilience and gave me clarity about building something meaningful and sustainable. Read more>>
Dr. Amanda Rodriguez-Medina
I was born and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico. In 2012, I graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a Bachelor of Science in General Biology. In 2016, I completed my training and earned my Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life University in Marietta, Georgia. Read more>>
Ryan Oman
Guided by the Omans is a lifestyle brand that began in Boulder, CO. We provided coaching, healing, workshops and retreats. Our signature program was called “The Journey of Ascension” which was a 49 day program that took our participants from their Root Chakra to their Crown Chakra. Read more>>
Adam Zahra
Adam’s journey into real estate began almost by accident. Around 2018, he started helping fellow service members manage their homes while they were deployed. What began as a favor quickly grew into something much bigger. Before long, he was managing multiple properties, discovering both a knack and a passion for helping people navigate housing transitions. “Before I realized it, I had built a small business. Read more>>
Katrina Hope
Our story began on a trip to Martha’s Vineyard, where I saw alpacas for the very first time. I instantly fell in love. What started as curiosity quickly turned into two years of studying, planning, and dreaming about bringing them home. On January 21, 2021, that dream became reality. Read more>>
Psi Delta Chi Military Sorority, Incorporated
Psi Delta Chi Military Sorority, Incorporated was founded by two Navy veterans, Distinguished Empress Mercedes E. Hill and Distinguished Empress Lestine C. Webb, in Jacksonville, Florida, on November 8, 2019, and was formally incorporated on July 8, 2019. Our vision was to unite quality women who have served or are currently serving in the military. Read more>>
Bianca Porreco
My path to becoming a business consultant started many years ago when I embarked on my professional career. I have been employed by three major organizations, managing different aspects of operations. While working full-time, like many others, I chose to return to school and finish my degree, which took me eight years to accomplish. Read more>>
Leigh Wilder
Positive Osmosis grew out of a realization: I had become an expert at reading everyone else — and a stranger to myself. For most of my life, I was a detective of other people’s needs. I could walk into a room and immediately sense what was expected, what would keep the peace, what would maintain connection. I adapted quickly. I performed strength well. Read more>>
Rick Bratman
When the Super Girl Festival Series began in 2007, it was inspired by my daughter and the challenges she faced, challenges that many young girls experience when it comes to access and opportunity in sports. Early on, it became clear to me that there simply was not a level playing field for women. Read more>>
Kesta Pierre
If I had to describe my journey in one word, it would be intentional. My journey into tax preparation began in 2014 while I was living in Massachusetts. After completing formal training in federal tax law and ethics, I stepped into my first tax season with Jackson Hewitt. What started as an opportunity quickly became a foundation. Read more>>
Tyler Workman
I was born and raised in Jacksonville. Until I was 10 years old I lived one block from the beach. My family sold our beach house and moved to Ponte Vedra when I was 10 years old. I grew up learning from my dad how to be a mechanic, a plumber and an electrician. I worked in different areas of construction for years. Read more>>
Rob Futrell
Our journey into photography started in the most unexpected way. Rob was working as a software engineer at a major bank, spending his days solving technical communication problems — connecting front-end systems to hundreds of backend systems. When Jill got pregnant, Rob wanted to document that journey and bought his first real camera. Read more>>
Steven Teller
Honestly, I think it started before I did. I can’t point to one exact moment where everything began — it always felt like it was just there. My mom was an art history major, so I feel like I learned the master painters at the same time I learned how to count. Read more>>
Kate Reeve
Hi, I’m Kate Reeve, founder of CommuniKATE Design & Marketing. We’re a creative agency built on the belief that small moves can make big waves. By harnessing the power of intentional design across branding, websites, marketing strategy, and digital advertising, we help businesses scale further, faster — with clarity and purpose. Read more>>
Jamie Rodriguez
I grew up in a small town in south Georgia and moved to St Johns County in 2016 to continue my profession as a speech pathologist practicing in the hospital setting. It was there that I met my husband, Dr. Gerson Rodriguez, and we spent several years serving patients side by side. Read more>>
Yeisi Perez
I’m a proud graduate of the University of Florida, where I earned my degree in Hospitality and laid the foundation for my career in the hotel industry. I began locally in Gainesville through an internship at a boutique property, which quickly turned into a full-time opportunity. Read more>>
Jesica Martinez
My name is Jesica Viviana Martínez — accountant, entrepreneur, and financial educator — with a clear mission: to serve, educate, and empower our community to achieve financial stability and growth with security, transparency, and purpose. Read more>>
Glenn Chandler
As a high school kid I was obsessed with a show called Flip this House and knew one day I wanted to do that. After years of being in corporate America sales jobs and finally getting laid off in a mass layoff I decided to go out on my own and buy my first house to flip in Murray Hill. Read more>>https://voyagejacksonville.com/interview/community-highlights-meet-glenn-chandler-of-bold-city-propertiesllc
Camille Taylor
I didn’t start out planning to work with small businesses. I started in software and digital growth, working with teams at companies like AdEspresso (Hootsuite), iCapture (Cvent), and CXL. Those roles taught me how websites, messaging, and funnels actually perform when money and real metrics are on the line—not just how they look. Read more>>
Domenic Mangani
Born in 1981, and raised in Jacksonville Beach my entire life. Went to Fletcher High until my junior year, and graduated high school from FCCJ in 1999. I completed my first technical certificate from CompTIA in 2001, and continued from the A+, to the Network+, Security+, and Server+ certifications until 2008. Read more>>
Victoria Price
I became a mom at eighteen. And honestly? That’s where my story really begins. Not because it defined me, but because it activated something in me. When you’re responsible for a tiny human before you’ve even figured yourself out, you learn fast. You build systems. You get resourceful. You become the most efficient version of yourself because there’s no other option. Read more>>
Chad Smith
My name is Chad Smith. I’m 46 years old. I have a wife of 20 years and live in Jacksonville Beach. I began riding bulls when I was 17 and I rode out for 17 years, before being injured during a ride in Kissimmee Florida. Read more>>
Island Art Association Vickie Maley, Marketing Co-Chair
The Island Art Association (IAA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts in Nassau County by ‘creating, educating and inspiring’. Located on North 2nd Street in Fernandina Beach, its lively exterior reflects the many exciting aspects of the organization. Read more>>
Mark Heggestad
I grew up in the heart of Minnesota, where the winters were cold but the sense of community was always warm. My upbringing was grounded in the Midwestern values of hard work, honesty, and looking out for your neighbors—values instilled in me by my family and reinforced by the tight-knit town I called home. Read more>>
Gina Dacosta
How did I get started… that is a bit of a loaded question! I have always had a creative mind and grew up helping my Mom with her various crafts so its always been a part o my life. Always ended up making exactly what I was looking for because I couldn’t find it elsewhere. Read more>>
Jarrod Cochran
Family Church – founded in 1985 by my father, Philip Cochran Jr. I grew up in the church, playing drums at 10 years old in the children’s band and moving to the main church at age 15. In 2016, I walked away from everything. I got a divorce, and had nothing to do with God or church for years. Read more>>
Luke Benjamin
I came to Jacksonville 7 years ago to be the pastor of a church called New dimensions. After 2 years, we decided to close the doors and renovate our building and reopen as Revive church. Read more>>
Kyle Straughn
Fourth generation farmer. Born and raised in Archer Florida, agriculture has always been very important to our family. My Grandfather Alto Straughn started the blueberry farm over 30 years ago and hopefully my son will take it over one day. There is something that I find very rewarding about being outside in nature with my hands in the dirt. Read more>>
Virmersy James
I’m a stay at a home mom who had to stop working due to my disability, I started getting severe unpredictable anxiety and panic attacks after multiple traumatic events in my life. So I decided to start a business from home and I named it after my late daughter Brielle who sadly passed away 2 days after giving birth to my twins. Read more>>
