The heart of our mission at VoyageLA is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our city. In recent weeks we’ve had the privilege to connect with some of West LA’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 West LA’s rising stars below.
Bruna Mejias
I think all of us have good days and bad days, easy and hard. Growth and progress are not a linnear line, It’s often curves but that doesn’t mean you are not constantly evolving and learning and getting closer to achiving your goals. Sometimes it’s hard to handle the amount of rejection you have to face in this profession, specially when one of the things that you must have and keep in order to do it well, is being vulnerable and opened, so you have to learn to possess oposite qualities, like at the same time that you have to grow a thick skin, be prepared to protect yourself and try again after a rejection or a bad, traumatic experience, you also have to keep yourself open, and vulnerable in order to create a life for your characters, both are vital for this work. Read more>>
Kat Sophia
When you make music, if you want it to become lucrative as an artist, it’s generally a good idea to play shows and show people your music. I love playing shows now that I’ve done it a lot, but I’m still working on believing that others would want to hear my work. It was so private, and something that felt like my little world, so letting people see it and feel it is both the most amazing feeling in the world, but also a bit terrifying. But I’ve always thought that I’d rather people not like me for my actual thoughts and feelings over anything else, so in a way this is a way to do that. Read more>>
Cristina Vericella
I was born and raised in LA- into a spirited Italian family, where food, art, music, and creativity are the love language that my siblings and I continue to share to this day. I grew up in the hospitality industry, a restaurant and special events business, where entertaining and hosting were the focus of our lives. As a family, we created a community, a home away from home, where we all worked together. Building a foundation from the ground up was a labor of love, and I attribute the gratitude that I have for “living your life’s passions” to my parents. Read more>>
Walter Nicoletti
In 2013, I took another leap and founded Voce Spettacolo, a film distribution and production label born out of a very simple mission: to help independent filmmakers find their voice—and be heard. What began as a local effort to support up-and-coming directors quickly evolved into something global. As I worked more deeply within the festival world, I saw firsthand how hard it was for filmmakers to navigate the complexities of international exposure and especially awards qualification. That’s when I decided to specialize in Oscar campaigns and theatrical runs for short films. Read more>>
Kathryn Hollis Peters
The road less traveled which has many boulders along the way is an interesting one and always provides excitement and an opportunity for growth. All the sidetracks somehow make sense when you look back and see what you’ve collected along the way. I love jumping in the deep end. Producing is about putting out fires and overcoming obsticals on a daily basis. And creating opportunity as you connect the dots with a team of like Hearted folks that share your vision and passion! Read more>>
Wanda Espinosa
One of the most devastating moments of her life came at just 15 years old, when her closest friend, cousin, and soul-sister was murdered—a tragedy that left an irreversible mark on her heart and worldview. That loss, combined with the inherited grief of her mother’s own orphanhood, shaped her into someone who carries deep emotional depth beneath her strength. Read more>>
Willow Vergara
As a body of culture, I found racism to be something of a two-way mirror. Only some people could see it for what it is, while others view it merely as something that was, or something greater than them. I found language to be a hindrance to explanation, as loaded words were not only received differently by different people, but also seemed to mean entirely different things to people in general. Read more>>
Ashley Trail
The summer of Junior year, I got an internship through the Television Academy Foundation at Titmouse, where I worked as a Production Intern! It was an awesome experience, and for a while I really had my heart set on being a storyboard artist. I still love the animation industry, but life is weird and exciting! I recently accepted a job offer as a Junior Press Operator and in-house Illustrator at a letterpress / design studio called Genghis Kern in Denver, Colorado. It’s going to be wild to leave Los Angeles, but I’m excited for this next step in my career, and will always treasure the memories I made here. Read more>>
LaTonya Reliford
I built LuxeLace Hair & Co on three core pillars: authenticity, quality, and care. We use real photos so customers know exactly what they’re getting, provide standout customer service that feels personal and supportive, and elevate the experience with luxury packaging that makes every order feel special. And now, we’ve expanded to include our LuxeLace Bundles Bar, offering the same premium quality in human hair bundles for those who love their custom installs. Read more>>
Joseph Ferri
Imigrated from France in 1984, I was an actor, singer, dancer in NY. meaning I was a waiter for most of the time :). I became a Maitre D’ in a high end French restaurant, while my acting careeer was not progressing. Moved to LA in 2000 still pursuing an acting career. Answered a Craiglisit ad to be a “bubblologist” Through a set of surconstances, I took over the company in 2006 with clients in Southern California and a couple threatening to sue. Resolved all the issues and grew it to what it is now, serving Southern California, The bay area and Sacramento. We perform at birthday parties, Schools and Libraries. This last spring me and my wife wrote and produced a musical called ” Adanza” which ran for 2 week ends at the Eastwood Performing Art Center in Los Angeles. Read more>>
Michael Mucciolo
I started working in New York City as a trainer and began employing Functional Patterns methodology and then when the opportunity came to move out to Santa Monica and have my own studio I took it. We started with a small studio and are quickly growing. We utilize a unique, cutting edge approach to training that emphasizes posture and walking mechanics, which not only is good for general fitness but also has been helpful for people with chronic pain and scoliois. Read more>>
Max Goldstein
We tend a two-acre farm on the beautiful coast of Mendocino, Northern California—an area known for having some of the cleanest air in the world. This beautiful land is a constant source of inspiration for our products. We grow medicinal flowers like calendula, chamomile, and yarrow, which we use in small-batch trials and formulations. Whenever possible, we incorporate these flowers into the products we sell, always drawing from nature and the wisdom of farming to create healing, effective solutions for you. Read more>>
Vicky Mense
The vision for Xi’an was simple: offer authentic Chinese cuisine with a focus on fresh, healthy ingredients at moderate prices. The restaurant quickly became known for its warm, welcoming atmosphere, and today it bustles with generations of families and loyal patrons. Always friendly and accommodating, our team treats guests as if hosting them in their own homes. Over time, we’ve built a strong online presence and a flourishing takeout business, which proved especially vital in recent years. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our local government, business partners and the Beverly Hills community. Yes, community is everything! We’re deeply grateful, and excited to continue serving this beloved, tight-knit city for many more years to come. Read more>>
Darnell Kemp
My definition of success is not money, nor possessions. I want to have enough resources to go places and experience the world around me. A 4 star hotel is nice, but I’d rather travel in a way that I get to be with the people and culture where I am going. An apartment in Mexico for 3 months, Columbia for 2 months, Hawaii for 6 weeks. Read more>>
Susana Ama Barron
In addition to owning an Interpreting and Translation business, I am currently a Spiritual Practitioner, and a Soul Care Coach. I have the great honor and opportunity to work with individuals that are seeking to transform their lives in meaningful ways, or that seek guidance and support while experiencing a life challenge. I serve at various ministries within my church, the Agape International Spiritual Center. And I also assist in other local community organizations that facilitate training and mentoring for individuals that are open to receive this type of guidance. In all honesty, I did not intentionally pursue the practitioner or coaching aspects of my life. Read more>>
Edwin Kwon
I’ve been fortunate to have many exceptional mentors guide me throughout my career. I believe it’s crucial to stay humble, continuously learn, and adapt to new techniques and trends. While I’ve had the support of many wonderful colleagues, establishing my practice wasn’t without challenges, particularly when dealing with less-than-honest partners early on. As a newcomer, it’s easy to be taken advantage of while finding your footing in the industry. Despite these hurdles, I feel incredibly lucky to now be surrounded by amazing employees and colleagues, thriving in a position I’m truly grateful for. Read more>>
Diana Salas
As long as I can remember , I have been intrigued by all things beauty , the sounds and smells of a bustling beauty salon , and the magic being created by those who work there. I knew from an early age that my calling was within the world of beauty. I started my career in the 2000’s, back then hair was very edgy and punk and a company from London by the name of Toni&Guy had created a fabulous product line called Bed Head. I went to work for them and learned everything there was to know about cutting hair. Read more>>
Joel Dubroc
I’ve made a point to keep my base in Louisiana, even while traveling for shoots, because there’s something sacred about the land and the people here. No one like us. The best people in the world. There’s something in the mud. It keeps my work grounded and personal, even when the projects are large-scale but cheap. Every photo I take feels like a conversation between past and present, between beauty and chaos. A beautiful chaos. Read more>>
Carolina Casini
It’s beautiful. It’s why our country is filled with so much soul and so much beauty. But for Americans, especially those planning something as complex as a wedding in Tuscany, it can feel like stepping into another dimension. It took Emily three seasons to integrate into the French way of life. Expect a mini version of that when organizing an event in Italy. Read more>>
Irina Yakubin
I chose InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry because I wanted to be able to practice in multiple languages, including Spanish and being able to serve the Spanish speaking community (which I essentially grew up with living in LA) was important to me. I am currently able to conduct exams in English, Spanish, and Russian. Puerto Rico was absolutely beautiful and I was in awe both of the island and the incredibly warm and vibrant culture. I took every opportunity I could to improve my Spanish, much with the encouragement of my Puerto Rican classmates, which lead me to participate in multiple community outreach events. Read more>>
Caro Chang
I was a smart kid, good at school and all, but in my heart I think I was always an artist. At my high school graduation, my AP Biology teacher looked me right in the eye, held me by both my shoulders and said “Never stop creating”. I couldn’t even muster up a response; I was fighting back tears. I had skipped almost every AP Exam prep exercise she had assigned. For my final project in the class, I had decorated a cake to look like a cell and brought it to class while everyone else had presented posters and powerpoints. She saw me for the creative and artist I was at my core before I had even begun to tell myself the truth. Read more>>
Lindsay B. Davis
I keep this photo on my fridge for a number of reasons, but mostly because it’s a daily reminder of how proud, passionate, uninhibited, and self-possessed I was from such an early age when it came to the performing arts (not to mention ’80s workout gear). I was born in Queens and grew up on Long Island; my family made it a point to expose me to the arts & culture scene of the city from a very early age. I was very fortunate in that regard. Read more>>
Samantha Phillips
In 2013, I took a leap of faith and founded Sculpted by Samantha. I wanted to create a safe space that felt welcoming and empowering, where people could not just to work out, but to feel better about themselves. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to build a loyal community of clients, in-person & virtual, who inspire me every day. Helping people reconnect with their bodies and leave feeling better than when they walked in is what drives me. Read more>>
Adara Forletta
I have met the most amazing people and best friends because of this industry. There are times when it may seem overwhelming or overly stimulating, but I just stay in my lane and focus on what feels good for me. Working to make my clients happy and being able to come home to my boo and my dogs have become my favorite things. I’m so proud of my cute little life and excited to see what’s next to come. My hope for any person reading this, who isn’t sure what path to take, just know you don’t have to know right now. Be curious and ask questions. Say yes to experiences. Learn from others around you and take bits and pieces, nuggets of knowledge, and turn it into your own. Read more>>
Ryan Christen
I thoroughly enjoyed the fast-paced environment and learned a lot about managing complex tasks and complex people. While being at home had been a rewarding chapter, I’m now bringing my skills and experience back full force into my own business. With the support of my loving wife who is also a veterinarian, we collaborated on Squat Gang. I am thrilled to offer a unique, no contract pet service that compliments her clients and many others by offering the opportunity for a more sanitary and thus more healthy environment for pets and people. Coupled with a fun So-Cal themed name/image and engaging marketing schemes, we are busier than ever and having so much fun at the same time. Read more>>
Chris Falk
We re-opened Mother’s Day weekend of 2020 (the city allowed florists to open Friday of that weekend but we’d started gearing up 5 days earlier as it would’ve been very difficult to make it if we missed Mom’s Day sales). Fortunately, most of the staff returned to work and we were able to do semi-regular business again. Regardless, we continued to feel the effects of the pandemic for at least another year as events were all but non-existent. On the flip side, a lot of people were at home, not traveling etc so a lot of customers wanted flowers to cheer up themselves or friends and family. Sadly, there were a lot of condolence flowers ordered during that time as well. Read more>>
Kelsie Lyn
At 24, I acquired my license at Toni & Guy and immediately began to work study with a celebrity stylist, in her salon. I then built relationships while training in other high end salons of different ethnicities across the city. I knew textured hair, but I wanted to be absolutely comfortable with all types of hair, so anyone could feel confident sitting in my chair. Shortly after that, I went off on my own and rented my first suite in the back of a boutique on Melrose while still training and cultivating relationships with my 1st mentor. I’m very big on continued education, so every year I continued to take classes and learn something new to better serve my clientele while adding to their experience. I definitely had some oops moments but I worked on how to make them better each time. Read more>>
Imani Lanier
Over the past 30 years, the most consistent challenge hasn’t been creativity itself, it’s been navigating people. Not in a cynical sense, but in the way creatives are often tasked with interpreting the world through intuition, only to be met with feedback shaped by trends, secondhand influences, or a cousin’s opinion about what a logo should look like. More often than not, it’s those furthest from the creative process, those anchored in finance or hierarchy, who feel most compelled to guide the creative act. That tension has always existed: the push and pull between art and commerce. Read more>>
Jill Tizekker
It took me 8 months to land my first gig, as LA is a referral based community. Once I received my first review on Thumbtack, things started to snowball. Because of my unique standards of service, I became so busy I was having to turn down jobs. I was fortunate to meet a woman in a very similair situation as myself who was also freelancing. We decided to join forces and quickly grew to one of the premier staffing agencies in the Los Angeles Area and have begun to expand to Las Vegas, Oregon and Idaho. Read more>>
Sean E DeMott
After that I joined a start up music streaming service that was competing with Spotify and I raised money for a production company that was a hybrid of Masterclass meets Guitar Hero that got picked up by Netflix. The company went bust but the director of SAW II, III and IV called asked me to produce his movie. I had no idea how to do that but I figured it out and sold it to Netflix. Since then I’ve joined the P.G.A and produced 18 movies with a wide release coming 4th qtr 2025 with Neon. I started an IP / publishing company and secured investment from Sony Japan and currently have an office on the Sony Pictures Lot in Culver City CA. We’ve got 72 comic books in 200 stores by October 2025. The plan is to turn these books into movies. toys and games. Wish me luck from here! Read more>>
Yuxin (Cindy) Cheng
Answering the question “Where do you come from?” has always been difficult for me. To keep it simple, I was born in Tianjin, grew up in Suzhou, China, moved to Singapore at twelve, and came to the U.S. eight years ago for college and graduate school. Growing up with a multicultural background, I often struggled to feel settled. I’ve never felt comfortable being confined to a single label – I see identity as something complicated and multilayered. This sense of in-betweenness pushed me to explore alternative forms of self-expression through my art. Read more>>
Kellie Jean
I remember being really nervous the morning of her session so I called Shirley, in England, and told her that I was going to work on my first client, I described what I was planning on doing and what crystals I was going to use. Shirley told me that what I was going planning on doing during the session sounded great and to always remember to use my intuition. After the session my client’s stomach problems completely went away. I was amazed that I could actually channel this divine energy that I wasn’t so sure I was capable of. I realized that there must be something to this “reiki stuff” I was doing. Read more>>
Corey Turner
Then Covid happened, and I went from filming Sundance Film Festival and the Oscar Party to editing zoom videos. I couldn’t take that for long, and quickly jumped out of the corporate world and founded Wake and Make Media with my wife Megan. Wake and Make Media is a full service creative marketing agency that utilizes what we learned in the filmmaking industry and uses it to create high end commercials for social media and streaming TV advertisements. Read more>>
Jack Reilly
Upon return, I enrolled in college and completed my formal education with an MFA in Studio Art from Florida State University. Within weeks of graduation, I loaded up my rickety old Rambler station wagon and headed across country to Los Angeles. I only had a few hundred bucks in my wallet, but I did have a pocket full of big dreams. After four days on the road, I arrived in Venice, saw artists painting large murals and immediately fell in love with its bohemian culture. I found a place to live, rented a garage studio on Venice Blvd. and the challenges of becoming an artist were about to begin. Read more>>
Jesse Migchelbrink
By this point, I had moved to Napa, California. Eventually landing in Los Angeles, Shuck Brothers was running again full time, with our expanded menu, and had begun taking on a lot more private catering. While the Oyster Bar was still our calling card, we were doing a lot more and working with some high profile clients and parties. This Spring, we purchased a Food Trailer and opened for business in Colorado again. Another of our Brothers, Garrick, joined the team, and we now have three partners involved. Things are moving full steam, and we have our eyes on what our next expansion efforts may look like. Read more>>
Yanzhang Song
Hi, I am an independent illustrator and animation artist. My artistic journey began during my undergraduate studies at Duke Kunshan University, where I immersed myself in a broad spectrum of creative disciplines including filmmaking, illustration, photography, and animation. Although my early education did not offer professional training in animation, it provided me with a rich playground to experiment and discover that animation was the perfect medium for expressing my inner visions, emotions, and critical reflections on society. During this time, I independently produced two short animated films that addressed social issues and the intergenerational challenges faced by women in China. Read more>>
Sam Shi
After years of working in the corporate world while building my music on the side, I eventually reached a point where I knew I needed to fully commit to my art. I taught myself production and DJing in 2020, released my first projects, and performed in some of New York’s most exclusive clubs. My music blends electronic, indie, alternative rock, and pop — all tied together by emotionally honest lyrics and a haunting, ethereal vocal signature. Read more>>
Joseph Yang
After completing my PhD in neuropsychiatry, I came to the United States to start my clinical practice. At first, I had to overcome the language barrier. But anyway, when I started serving patients, all the traditional medicine methods were very effective and I was very happy with the results achieved. Soon, I will focus more on the mental health profession, because this is my main interest for a long time. Read more>>
Jonathan Washington
I purchased a smoker off Facebook marketplace and at that time I knew the timing was right. From just grilling on a smoker to purchasing a food trailer the leveling up has been real. It’s definitely a process with all the permits and rules to operating a food business but by the grace of god we have landed great opportunities and partnerships with the many big corporations. Read more>>
June Chiang
The arts and dance have always been a cornerstone of stability and development in my life. My sisters and I were all exposed and expected to learn classical music. We had special Suzuki tapes playing all the time in the background so that we could learn to play music by ear. We went to a strict Royal Ballet Academy school for ballet. Technique and method were deeply intertwined into learning skills in music and dance. Completing and perfecting each performance level and exam was our educational mainstay. The teachers and their studios became second homes. Read more>>
Adenrele
Rele began as a response to the lack of accessible platforms for contemporary African artists and a desire to shift the local and global perception of African art. I envisioned Rele not just as a commercial gallery, but as a space for cultural production, critical dialogue, and emerging talent. This vision materialised through exhibitions, public programming, and the Rele Arts Foundation, which launched the Young Contemporaries program to support early-career African artists. Read more>>
Elen Eduardi
When I moved to the United States, I had a clear dream: to continue my education and build a career in healthcare. But I had to start from the bottom and rebuild everything from zero. It was far from easy. I went through so many obstacles—emotionally, financially, and personally. I lost both of my parents while I was here, and I was far from family and support. Everything that could go wrong, at some point, did—but I never gave up. I knew that education was my key to a better future. I worked full-time and studied full-time just to keep moving forward and pay off my student loans. Read more>>
Kimberly Gardener
I assumed ownership in 2014 after only 2 years of practicing, and built the practice from a 3 practitioner business, into a 31 person outpatient and multi-disciplinary setting. We were able to add a variety of programs such as physical and speech therapies, feeding therapies, socialization skills groups, music therapy groups, handwriting camps, and expand our client base with the addition of insurance contracts and community partnerships. As we grew, our stake in the community also grew and we became one of the top occupational therapy clinics in Los Angeles. Read more>>
Aron Bartlow
In the early days, I was shooting properties myself — working with a Sony camera, a drone, and a basic editing workflow. What set us apart was speed and precision. I realized agents didn’t just need beautiful images, they needed them fast, reliably, and optimized for platforms like MLS, Zillow, and social media. Read more>>
Kat Marenzi
I grew up in Indiana, the daughter of Greek immigrants, dreaming of becoming a doctor. From an early age, I felt a deep calling to serve and heal ~ first as a 5-year-old Candy Striper, later studying engineering, and eventually rising as an executive in the male-dominated automotive world. At 18, I moved to Maui with my family ~ a move that quietly planted the seeds of my connection to nature, energy, and soul. Read more>>
Anar Joshi
Before LOTA, I worked across big corporations and startups working on everything from creating ad campaigns, building apps, and launching social impact ventures. All of it helped shape the way I think about storytelling, design, and scale. But it wasn’t until LOTA that I felt fully aligned. This is my first time building something on my own. It’s been a winding, expansive, deeply personal journey that I couldn’t imagine not doing. Read more>>
QUYNH-TRAM VU
Quynh Tram Vu’s father was a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War, enduring eight long years of imprisonment. Stripped of his power, wealth, and freedom by the communist government, he faced a future that seemed hopeless. Yet, when he was finally released, he refused to be defeated. Against all odds and under the suppression of the Vietnamese regime, he rebuilt his life from the ground up, becoming a successful small business owner. Read more>>
