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.

Jennifer Nguyen

Which is nothing like what I was trying to recreate. Friends and family loved our mochi tarts. We started selling them and soon after I knew I wanted bake mochi so I decided to specialize in Hawaiian butter mochi. Which I already made in the past for office potlucks and family gatherings. What wasn’t seen yet is Hawaiian butter mochi in different flavors or forms – blondies, brownies, cakes. As I did more research, most if not all baked or fried mochi products at the time contained wheat. This is when I made the decision to keep my products gluten-free and nut free. Read More>>

Taylor Coleman

Over time, I developed an eye for visual storytelling through photography and videography, and I began offering comprehensive creative and branding services to local business owners. Today, I work with artists and small businesses throughout Orange County and Los Angeles, providing them with the tools they need to visually stand out. Everything I create is geared towards telling their story in an authentic and memorable way. Read More>>

Justin Heads

After about 12 years of military service I decided it was the right time to separate from the Navy and pursue my passion of photography and so much more. I will soon be a full-time film student as well. Though today I am very confident behind any camera you place in front of me I always say “I am never not learning.” There is always more to learn or more to teach. These days I focus on the aspects of capturing the beautiful moments between families, couples, etc. Read More>>

Monze Delgado

While being there I got first hand experience in the event industry. I also got hands on experience watching my dads build his own business starting in our backyard, I saw how he handled new clients, always was searching for ways to invest back into his business, and how to treat and care for those around him. I took these skills and adapted them to my very own business plan, and thus Events by Monze was created. Every step of the way I learned something new, and I even admit to continuing learning from vendors I work with throughout my career. Read More>>

Jazmin Evers

Growing up in a family of artists from metal sculptors to wood workers and mosaic artists, I was born into the handmaking world. I spent many years trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grow up including an English Teacher to a welder and eventually to a potter. The process was long and difficult as I constantly felt lost, not sure what I truly wanted to spend the rest of my life doing. While getting my welding degree at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, I was in love with the craft but was not thrilled about being in a full jump suit all day. I loved the sun but in full gear I could go days without it touching my skin. Read More>>

Slater Cummings

I worked at two shops before Belmont Heights Tattoo Boutique & this is the best shop I’ve worked at. I’m always trying to learn more because I’m just starting out in my career & I think it’s important to stay green. I’ve gotten some hate comments online because I’m so new to the game but I don’t let that discourage me too much. Read More>>

Deborah Villanueva

My career has been dedicated to advancing mental health programming and advocating for underserved communities. I’ve had the privilege of leading initiatives for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and the Orange County Health Care Agency, where I’ve designed and implemented culturally attuned programs that address the needs of underrepresented and marginalized populations. These efforts focus on empowering families, improving access to care, and fostering resilience within communities often overlooked by traditional systems. Read More>>

Myesha Chaney

In school, I immersed myself in sports and performing arts, finding joy and expression in both. These activities not only shaped my character but also provided a much-needed outlet in the bustling inner city life. I learned the importance of teamwork and creativity, skills that would serve me well in the years to come. Read More>>

Carol Anderson

I had been an athlete in High School and remained active throughout my time in the service and during my teaching career by swimming, running, and lifting weights. Exercise has always been an important part of my life. In 2009 I was introduced to Pilates by a friend and started attending a fabulous little local studio in Ladera Ranch. I fell in love with the workout method, the equipment and the way it made me feel. It was the first strengthening program that held my attention and seemed to challenge me more with each class. I was hooked! By 2010 I was looking for ways to complete my certification to teach Pilates while still teaching Middle School. Read More>>

Parisa Moayedi

My passion and unwavering dedication as a Mindset Coach and Somatic Healer are deeply rooted in my own transformative journey. From enduring the pain of severe abuse during my upbringing and surviving sexual assault to navigating life’s toughest lessons, every challenge has shaped who I am today. Seeking wisdom from healers and mentors—including the profound guidance of a Buddhist monk at just 14 years old—was a pivotal part of my path. Along the way, I confronted and overcame deep guilt and shame, breaking free from the invisible chains that once held me captive. That journey to liberation was nothing short of life-changing, and it ignited a calling within me to help other women find their own freedom and reclaim their power. Read More>>

Catherine Ngo

Growing up in a low-income Asian family, I learned early on the importance of hard work and a stable career to help take care of family. This foundation became even more significant when I had my daughter as a teenager. She was the motivation for both my husband and I to build a better future for our family. Read More>>

Adrian Ledezma

That same day we made our first song called “Running in Paradise”. Adrian is a smaller guy about 5’2 who is a MMA fighter, and our Singer is 6’3 and had some boxing experience. Brush saw some of Adrian’s awards, and wanted to spar him. They both agreed to a sparing match and fought in the backyard… After a couple months we moved to an abandoned house in Fontana to make our first album. We called it our “Crack House “ because we had homeless walking in our yard, and tried to break in an our house a couple of times. We lived there for 6 months, and made our first album. We would host backyard shows all the time so we can make extra money for recording equipment. Read More>>

Danara Hamilton

I would watch her get ready almost every day, and she would teach me the importance of self-care and how to care for the overall health of my body. For example, she taught me how to create a skincare routine and apply perfume in areas where if I were to walk by you or hug you, you would notice. Being a plus-sized woman, I struggled with dark marks on my inner thigh area, intimate area, and underarms. I also suffered from dry/sensitive skin because of my environment. The products in the stores weren’t working for me, so I started to create DIY skincare products, and as a result, SoothingPalmsSknCare was born. Read More>>

Crystal Reneau

I don’t know anyone who has walked a smooth road and become a strong individual. I always thought negatively about my childhood until I realized how strong it made me. My success in the gym, the habits that were developed through consistency and dedication, trickled into all other areas of my life. Failure in the gym is a part of success. Building my brand and businesses, failure is a part of the process. Some of my most difficult times have been navigating how to manage so much responsibility at once. I at times feel that it’s hard to be great at something when you have to divide your energy between so many responsibilities at once. I have learned to adapt and overcome. My success is a direct result of my hard work. Read More>>

Guadalupe Perez

As a commercial photographer in Los Angeles and Orange county, I specialize in creating high-quality visual content for businesses, brands, and influencers. I’m known for my expertise in product, lifestyle, and portrait photography, with a unique visual style and attention to detail. I’m proud of helping businesses elevate their online presence, collaborating with diverse clients, and innovating with AI applications. What sets me apart is my personalized service, continuous education, and passion for driving business results, all of which enable me to deliver exceptional visual content that drives business success. Read More>>

Hiba Jaroudi

In 2000, Hiba graduated from Lebanese American University in Beirut with Bachelor of Science & Art, Graphic Design BA degree and an AA degree in Fine Art. After graduation, she threw herself into the creative & design world in her city Beirut with a mission to discover all its different facets. She prioritized her curiosity and sense of discovery. Read More>>

Bridget Rosal

At first, working with this designer felt like a dream come true. I was learning and gaining experience quickly. But over time, it started to feel like if I wanted to grow, it wouldn’t be here. I left that job and began working with another design firm because I knew I just needed to keep learning. I worked as a design assistant, managed their social media, and even got to work on a small rebranding project for the firm. After this, both my boss at the time and I realized that maybe interior design wasn’t my path but marketing and branding were. Read More>>

Lamar Neal

As I grew older, my figures stayed in their toybox more often until eventually they ended up in the hands of the children at my mom’s daycare or on a blanket at one of our frequent yard sales. The stories didn’t stop, though, they just switched formats. I was maybe 13 years old when I transitioned into putting my story ideas onto paper. I would walk around with purple notebook, working on this story called “The Wind Only Blows East.” Read More>>

Juan Pablo Garcia

In the beginning, building my Jiu-Jitsu academy was a big challenge. There were days when I doubted myself, struggled to get students, and worried about making it work. Balancing the financial side of running a school while staying true to my passion for teaching was tough. I also had to overcome the fear of failure and push through moments of uncertainty. Read More>>

Edward Cisneros

When my wife and I learned she was pregnant with our first child, I told my family I wanted a camera to document our journey into parenthood. That Christmas, my brother surprised me with a Nikon camera set from Costco—it came with two lenses and a few accessories, all for under $500. That camera allowed me to capture the birth of my son and my family’s special moments, and it also became the foundation of my passion. Read More>>