The Change-Makers: stories that inspire

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.

Kortney Sutton

Jenny Lou’s Greenery is a small flower and plant shop that my sisters and I started in honor of our mom, Jenny. She loved flowers, plants, and making people feel at home. After we lost her to cancer in 2020, we wanted to create something meaningful that reflected her kind heart and the joy she brought to others. Read more>>

David O’Neill

I came from a world that was built to break people. At one point in my life, I spent 25 years in prison — years most people would see as lost time. But somewhere inside those walls, I realized I had two choices: let the environment destroy me, or use the fire to transform myself. So I studied. Read more>>

Zoe Ariel

My story really starts with my BFA in Studio Art at the Univeristy of North Texas. That’s where I developed my eye and aesthetics with a concentration in photography and a minor in Art History. After graduating, I built a career in art consulting and interior styling, working with healthcare, senior living, and government clients to curate meaningful spaces. Read more>>

Matt McCormick

I became the Vice President and Co-founder of my university’s Sales Club which allows me to be stamped in history at my university. I have also conducted a research project that is in the process of completely changing the way my university operates as a whole. This research project entails our university switching to a four day academic work week to use Fridays as applied learning and opportunity for students, and I am at the forefront of this movement. Read more>>

COURTNEY STEWART

LipRevolt was born out of the desire to make a difference in the world and to share my story to help someone heal. As a sexual assault survivor, a former foster child, and a Black woman in America, I noticed the need for people to find things to help them cope with trauma. For me, that was lipstick. Lipstick has a way of making people feel powerful, capable, and ready to take on the challenges of life. Hence, LipRevolt! LipRevolt is a cosmetic brand that promotes social activism. I created LipRevolt to empower people to use their voices and speak up for themselves and for others but also as a means to give back to the community. Read More >>

LAUREN BORDELON

I literally bought a paid search advertising book three days before an interview for a PAID SEARCH JOB and I spent three DAYS reading it from cover to cover. The position was NOT entry-level, although I was. So I had to learn every little thing I could to appear knowledgeable and experienced. (And guess what, I got the job)! Not to toot my own horn, but if I’m passionate about something, learning comes easy to me. So very quickly, I learned. I excelled. And seven months later, I did what I came there for. I transferred to their state-of-the-art social media room and I ABSORBED everything. I managed advertising campaigns with big (I’m talking hundreds of thousands of dollars big) budgets. I reported on campaigns, provided insights, and got to witness some pretty cool stuff – but I always had a passion for entrepreneurship and doing things ‘my way.’ Read More >>