Inspiring Stories from the OC

The heart of our mission at VoyageLA is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our city. In the recent weeks we’ve had the privilege to connect with some of Orange County’s finest artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with our city’s incredibly deep talent pool.  Check out the Orange County’s rising stars below.

Jessica Hernandez

We were just two kids with a dream, a whole lot of grit, and absolutely no fear. After more than 15 years working at Barbeques Galore, my husband found himself suddenly laid off—a moment that could have broken us, but instead became our turning point. Read more>>

Adam Morales

Worked in fine dining steakhouse. Loved to grill meats. Bought smokers and started smoking meats as a hobby. Enjoyed it so much and flavors were awesome that I wanted to try selling it. The steakhouse closed in 2021 and I had no choice but to sell BBQ as a financial means now to support my family. We have received great feedback and fed many celebrities. Read more>>

Krystal Khali

From Stage to Space: How a Blues Guitarist is Revolutionizing Satellite Communications’ Music and aerospace might seem light-years apart, but for me, they’re just different expressions of the same fundamental truth: everything in the universe operates on patterns and frequencies. I’m the Founder and CEO of Spacebourne, developing technology that will save the satellite industry billions. Read more>>

Amy Le Reve Renderos

My friends like to joke that I’ve been a therapist for as long as they’ve known me. Even in junior high, I paid for my own phone line (back in the 80’s before cellphones) so my friends could reach me whenever they needed support. Read more>>

Vanessa Genger

My love for travel started early with my father’s career at Goodyear Tire Company. I grew up flying on Pan Am and TWA, spending my childhood in Venezuela and Thailand, and exploring Europe and the Far East with my family. Cities like Paris, Rome, and Vienna made a lasting impression on me—so much so that I later returned to Vienna for a study-abroad program. Read more>>

Steve Sandborg

I’ve been drawing, painting, and building things for as long as I can remember. My father was an art director who had studied at Art Center and Otis, so our house was always full of sketchpads, paints, and the feeling that creativity mattered. Read more>>

Aaron Day

I started my career in tech as the Director of Advanced Technology at Creo Products where we built cutting-edge software, laser imaging systems, and other innovative solutions. The company eventually went public and later sold for billions. I spent a decade there, and those years shaped my understanding of how technology can transform entire industries. Read more>>

Alina Gordon

My Story: How I Started and How I Got Here My journey has never been linear—it’s been a blend of music, community, risk-taking, reinvention, and following what feels true in my soul. I began as a classically trained pianist at age five, and music has always been the language I understand best. But my life really shifted in 2020. Read more>>

Sierra Mead

Where do I even start? I’ll be honest it’s kind of chaotic. Growing up I was pretty independent and always needed to be making some form of art, my brain constantly wanted to create. Read more>>

Jack Knight

I started my entrepreneurial journey as a food cart vendor on the streets of New York City. My uncle, who had just opened Aziza Pizza, a bakery and pizzeria, gave me his hot dog cart to help me get started. Before that, I sold a variety of products, including costume jewelry, sterling silver, women’s lingerie, and t-shirts, all to support my true passion for music. Read more>>

Robert DeSimone

I have been interested in storytelling ever since my dad began making up random adventure stories starring my siblings and I that he would tell us before going to sleep on most nights. I wrote a few stories while in high school (stories that I would consider ‘cringe’ today) then began writing a novel in my early twenties that I finished but never published. Read more>>

Angie (Yoh) and Eleazar (Chinne) Yoh and Chinne

Seconds after Po lands through clouds of firework smoke and finds himself sitting in front of Master Oogway, he’s terrified. He doesn’t know why he’s there, what he’s supposed to do, or how he could possibly live up to the title of Dragon Warrior. Read more>>

Laura Brophy

I never expected to become an interior designer. I went to school for fashion design because I’ve always been captivated by creativity, the interplay of color, fabric, and styling, and by how those elements influence the way people live and express who they are. Eventually my path shifted into personal training and later into working at a kitchen and bath showroom. Read more>>

Kevin Borzenski

My passion for travel stems from time as a student-athlete (tennis) at Pepperdine. Tennis is such an international sport, and I had the privilege of having teammates from all over the world. With best friends from Lebenon, Peru, Egypt, Sweden, Australia, France, England, Croatia, Germany, and Spain, I couldn’t help but naturally have a greater respect for all people, cultures, languages, and religions. Read more>>

Jerome Spurlin

I believe my story began long before I realized I was on a filmmaking journey. When I was a teenager in the 90s, my father purchased a camcorder. His intention was to document our family throughout the years. I don’t quite remember what initially sparked my curiosity to the camcorder. Read more>>

Ler Chang

I started to learn drawing when I was a child, from basic techniques like perspective and light logic. For a long time, I only wanted to draw or paint “correctly”. I love animation. So, I worked in the video game and animation industry for more than ten years, which really benefited my skills in multiple ways. I am always pursuing higher levels in my life. Read more>>

Courtney Garcia

The Diaper Bank of the Inland Empire began with a simple belief: no parent should have to choose between keeping their baby clean and paying for essentials like food, rent, or transportation. In 2019, that belief sparked a conversation—one that quickly revealed a painful reality across our region. Families were struggling, often quietly, to afford diapers. Shelters and community agencies were overwhelmed. Read more>>

Jacqueline Min

I started my journey in waxing back in 2017. Since I was young, I was always drawn to the beauty industry, but because the field is so broad, I wasn’t sure which direction suited me best. One day, one of my professors noticed that I had strong hands and suggested that I try skincare or waxing. Read more>>

Toni Martinez

Both of my parents are in the beauty industry. My father, (who passed in 2012) was a barber and also went to beauty school. My mother is a cosmetologist. They owned multiple salons, so I grew up in a salon. When I was little, I would go with them for the day. Read more>>

Kim Marchbank

From Corporate Marketer to Fractional CMO & Agency Founder I’ve spent more than 20 years in marketing, but my career hasn’t been a straight line. It has been a journey of evolution, reinvention, and recognizing new innovative opportunities. Read more>>

Paul Munoz

I’m Paul Muñoz, and my story really begins between two places that shaped me—Long Beach, California, where I was born, and Ensenada, Baja California, where I was raised. Later in life, I found myself drawn to big cities like San Francisco and New York, where I lived for twelve years. Eventually, I came home to Long Beach. Read more>>

Danielle Richter

I was born and raised in rural Missouri. I was one of those kids who would not stop moving especially when there was music involved. My mom put me into dance and the rest is history! I trained at Dancearts of Columbia in Columbia Missouri and I danced at the Missouri Contemporary Ballet briefly before jetting off to college. Read more>> 

Devin Mena

My name is Devin Mena, and I’m a tattoo artist based in Orange County with 16 years of experience under my belt. My dad was, and always will be the most talented artist I’ve ever known. Even now, knowing all these amazing artists in my field, he still just remains at the peak of what I thought an artist should be.  Read more>>

Christine Schick

I grew up surrounded by entrepreneurs—people who built their own businesses from the ground up, sometimes with nothing but grit, creativity, and a dream. I watched them pour their heart into their work, but I also watched them struggle with the part no one teaches you: marketing, websites, SEO, and actually getting found online. Read more>>

Jasmine Louis

About seven months ago, I started a small mutual aid group called Mutual Rise. Honestly, I was feeling really depressed about the state of the world and I needed to push positive energy out, in service of others. I volunteered with Food Not Bombs and it was the wake-up call I needed! Read more>>

Kristina Smith

I’ve known that I wanted to be a therapist since the age of 15, although, I didn’t really know what that meant for a very long time. Read more>>

Heather Gonzalez

It really all started in those early months of Covid. Everything felt uncertain, people everywhere were getting laid off or having their hours cut, and eventually I found myself in that same situation. With all that unexpected free time and not much stability, I started thinking hard about what I could do on the side—something that wasn’t just a job, but something I genuinely enjoyed. Read more>>

Cynthia Moten

I graduated high school early and stepped straight into the United States Army at 17 years old, ready to build a life bigger than anything I had ever known. I served for 22 years as a combat Army veteran, deploying three times and navigating some of the most demanding environments a soldier can face. The military shaped me. Read more>>

Emma Cotter

I grew up in Orange County where my love for the arts began. I was always taking community art classes, visiting museums, and filling my schedule with anything creative. I eventually made my way to New York to study Dramatic Writing at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. I interned for major production companies, wrote coverage, suggested actors, and spent every free moment inside museums. Read more>>

Brenna Kapanoske

I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Justice and after graduating, realized that my initial idea of becoming a probation officer wasn’t the best fit for me personality wise. I got hired to long term substitute teach at a local private high school teaching Psychology. Read more>>

Joshua Noble

I got into photography and video the same way a lot of people do. I picked up a camera out of curiosity, started shooting for friends, and realized pretty quickly that I loved the mix of creativity and people. Over time it grew from a hobby into something I took seriously. Read more>>

Jim Nguyen

My name is Jim Nguyen, CEO and co founder of Francium Chocolate Inc, and my story began in 2016 after a health scare that made me stop and truly reflect on where I was heading. I was severely overweight, and my health was declining quickly, which pushed me to take my wellness seriously and rebuild my habits from the ground up. Read more>>

Damian Acosta

I am originally from Argentina and I moved to the US with my family 25 years ago. Since I was a kid I wanted to be involved with the arts. And what I mean by that is that art is anything to me – painting, dancing, making music, cooking, and living. Read more>>

Evan Mulder

My story is really about finding a way to share a unique perspective of the world. It began a few years ago, not as a business, but as a pure new passion for drone photography. I’m a Southern California native, having grown up in San Clemente, where the ocean and beach have always felt like home, strongly inspiring my work. Read more>>

Diana Camba

My story began when I was six years old. May 29, 1965, my father’s birthday. We were driving up to Visalia in our blue VW Bug, all three of us girls squeezed into the back seat, talking excitedly about seeing my dad’s brother’s and our grandmothers. Little did we know that our Uncle Paul had just died in a terrible car accident. Read more>>

MIKE CASTOR

not a smooth road at all learning each level was very difficult how to deal with customers, creating invoices, spreadsheets etc.. always being broke learning to budget this journey has its good times as well as its bad times while staying relevant is the easiest thing dealing with multiple people money and just understanding how to run a business has been the most difficult task just wanted to print shirts and make designs and these days i hardly do either. Read more>>

D-Magic Rappeur Haiti

I was born and raised in Haiti, where life was far from easy. My passion for music started at a young age, long before I ever had the chance to enter a studio. Music became my way to escape the chaos around me and transform pain into something meaningful. Growing up, I faced many challenges – the loss of my father, threats, violence, and instability. Read more>>

Anthony Beeler

I grew up in rural Kentucky, and like a lot of kids around here, I fell in love with pool at a young age. It started as a simple hobby, but before long, I realized I had a passion not just for playing—but for understanding the game at a deeper level. Read more>>

Lauren Taylor

My journey with Placenta Encapsulation began 13 years ago when I experienced the life-changing benefits, first-hand, with my 3rd and last baby. After having each of my first 2 babies I experienced debilitating Postpartum Depression and unfortunately the medication that my Doctor prescribed ended up causing seizures. So, with my last baby I was desperate to find a natural alternative. Read more>>

Master Dorian

My journey did not begin in a classroom, it began in the moment life called me to become a healer. For most of my adult life, I lived overseas, traveling across cultures and learning directly from masters of energy, medicine, sound frequency, ancestral healing, and mind–body wellness. I didn’t go searching for these teachers, they appeared along my path exactly when my spirit was ready. Read more>>

Ryan Yang

I got my start in Scottsdale, working with my father in our family business. That is where I took on my first solo whole-home remodel, a $200,000 project in Scottsdale Mountain. The wrong materials landed, subcontractors did not show up, tile slipped, and I learned fast that hope is not a schedule. Read more>>

Nancy Harrell

I received my BFA from Cal State University Fullerton, and later received my secondary Art Education credential. After freelancing as a graphic designer and illustrator, personal circumstances led me into the academic area of the Arts. I became the founding Director of the Visual Arts Department of the Orange County High School off the Arts in 1987. Read more>>

GRETCHEN UGALDE

I grew up moving between Cebu City, Philippines and the Bay Area. As a kid, a lot of things in my life weren’t consistent — I was always adjusting to new school systems and curriculums. What grounded me, though, were my art classes, and those moments in English, Filipino, and history lessons when we explored stories and narratives. Read more>>

Ian Deady

We are Love For Covers – a five piece pop and rock cover band that plays throughout Southern California at nightclubs, bars, and private events. This project is the result of the collective vision of our lead singer Diana Chavez, lead guitarist and keyboardist Ian Deady, rhythm guitarist Lee Kaser, bassist Cameron Tong, and drummer Kevin Lott. Read more>>

Shant Dakessian

I’m Shant Dakessian, and my story really begins with my family’s journey. My parents left Beirut in a rush in 1975 when the war broke out. I was born shortly after in France, and not long after that, we made our way to the United States—the place they believed offered the best future for our family. Read more>>

Bryan Ceballos

My name is Bryan Ceballos. I am 26 years old, and I was raised in Santa Ana, an environment that presented stark daily challenges. We lived in a two bedroom apartment with 11 people my family of five and my uncle’s family of six a symbol of the economic constraints, necessity, and close knit focus of our immigrant family life. Read more>>

OC Photography Company

The OC Photography Company began as a collaboration between a small group of passionate photographers who shared one vision — to create imagery that tells authentic stories and elevates the people and brands behind them. Read more>>

Robert Carrillo

Where do I start? I’m a first-generation Afro-Latino kid from Washington Heights and the South Bronx. Those neighborhoods raised me – the block, the schools, the coaches, the families who held us together. I grew up seeing two things at the same time: incredible resilience and incredible disinvestment. Read more>>

Brandon Joffe

My journey to becoming a therapist was shaped by both professional calling and personal conviction. I began my career in social work, working in schools, nonprofits, and addiction treatment. Early on, I worked directly with individuals and families impacted by substance use, trauma, and mental health crises. Read more>>

Kirsten Weymar

I started teaching music when I was a child (to other children in the neighborhood) and I took to it like a fish to water. I didn’t know it then but, becoming a professional music teacher was my destiny. Several years later, I discovered that my great great great great great grandfather was Beethoven’s piano teacher. His name was Christian Gottlob Neefe. Read more>>

Elena Lim

Both of my parents experienced chronic health conditions—my father struggled with back pain, and my mother frequently had headaches. I remember soothing their aches with massage and witnessing their physical and emotional relaxation afterward. It felt like a great success to make a meaningful difference in their comfort and well-being—and, in a way, it laid the foundation for my decision to become a holistic esthetician. Read more>>

Autumn Strier

When I was young, I benefited greatly from the generosity and support of a community who ensured I was cared for in my times of need. The kindness of those unknown to me had an extraordinary impact on my view of the world, and ultimately set the course I would choose for my life’s work with Miracles for Kids. Read more>>

Erica Cervantes

By my senior year of high school, I was so set on this path that I switched to online classes, allowing me to graduate early and enroll in cosmetology school at a community college an hour from home. I took my state board exam on my 21st birthday,my friend drove up with me for support, and after I passed, we went to BJ’s to celebrate. I ordered my first drink and toasted to my new career. It’s still one of my most memorable birthdays. Read more>>

Dmitriy Mikhol

After earning my biology degree from Seton Hall University, I moved to Orange County to attend chiropractic school. That’s where things really came into focus for me. It didn’t take long to see how broken the traditional healthcare model was. I worked in chiropractic clinics that offered only adjustments and in multidisciplinary clinics where patients were passed around to every service just to max out their insurance policies. Read more>>

Agnes Grumslys

But through every challenge, I’ve grown stronger. My clients’ trust and loyalty have carried me through the toughest seasons, and my family — especially my son — has been my greatest source of strength. Without their love and support, none of this would have been possible. They are my foundation, my reason, and my reminder of why I keep evolving. I continue to study, expand my skills, and offer treatments that go beyond the ordinary — because this journey is about more than beauty, it’s about heart, growth, and connection. Read more>>

Rose Study

Roses Say is an award-winning floristry business in Chino Hills, California, specializing in weddings, events, life celebrations, and everyday flowers. She is a native of Los Angeles, California. Rose holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from California State University, Los Angeles, in Business. Read more>>

Daniel Wulkan

As a 7 year old, I got the bug in collecting baseball cards. I played all sports and idolized many athletes growing up. Another reason for my collecting was due to my grandpa’s gifts-boxes of baseball cards he would bring my brothers and I from his candy store in the Bronx. 36 packs, each with a stick of gum and back then, the cost for the boxes was around $7.20. That same box of unopened cards today would set you back over $4,000. Nice ROI if you saved them!  Read more>>

Kris Posavec

We’re a vibrant and dynamic maker space, craft studio, wellness center, and collaborative hub designed to inspire creativity, empower innovation, and foster meaningful connections. We specialize in curating experiences that bring people together—whether that’s through creative workshop sessions, group celebrations, or professional team events. We’re very proud of the feeling people have when they walk through our doors. Guests often tell us that The Social Loft feels warm, peaceful, and inspiring—exactly the kind of atmosphere we hoped to create. Read more>>

k beautty

I am a content creator and the catagory my videos fall in is comedy. Im known for putting smiles on faces and lots of laughs. The thing im most proud of is that from time to time I may get messages saying how my videos makes someones day better. And that makes me go harder. The fact im able to uplift someone just off something that I do for fun blesses me in ways I cant explain. What sets me apart is that I am 100 percent myself and I set my own path while put best foot forward with everything I do. Read more>>

Lisa Plettinck

I’d never made candy before, so when I was making it for the first time it was a harrowing experience because of the chemical reactions that took place. But I did it…I made “butter crunch”, or what I would later discover was TOFFEE. And every time I made it thereafter, I got so confident in my candy-making ability that I never felt the need to use a candy thermometer. My toffee was an instant smash with friends and family and thus began a 20 year+ tradition of me making it as gifts during the holidays. Read more>>

Elyssa (Matson) Jones

From my very first job at 15, I was inspired to learn about business. My first boss owned a small local pizza shop where I started working, and he showed me every part of how things ran. When he did inventory, I asked questions, and he took the time to walk me through it. Read more>>

Sebastian