Inspiring Stories from West LA

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.

Ray Webb

Ontop of Music Production is the label that I run as an independent artist. Stoney Ray is how you can find me on all platforms, my music is all about turning ambition into action—motivating listeners to chase success and transform dreams into reality. Every song is a testament to resilience, growth, and the power of turning pain into purpose. Read more>>

Layeli Collazo

I have to start by saying that for me, hair and skincare is more than my profession — it’s a form of love and healing. Every service, and the salon itself, has been designed to make people feel seen, valued, relaxed, and renewed. I’m so very proud to say that I’m the owner of Layeli Salon, an Aveda hair and skincare salon in Culver City. Read more>>

Martin Draluck

I started culinary school in my early 20’s and began working at Joe’s Restaurant in Venice, CA, as a pastry chef where I met my friend and future culinary mentor Brian Dunsmoor. After stints at Milo & Olive and other small spaces around town, I was able to reconnect with Brian, working along side him for the next decade, culminating in the creation of the Hemings & Hercules project at Hatchet Hall in Culver City, where I served as Brian’s Chef de Cuisine. Read more>>

Anna Argente

I never felt a sense of security to location – instead, I’ve found myself in the arts. I’ve always been fueled by music and movement. Since childhood, it has been a passion of mine to push myself physically through direct vs. indirect means of motion to produce a story in a meaningful way. Gymnastics, dance, musical theater, and singing lessons permeated my upbringing. I started competitively dancing more seriously in high school, then “dougie”-ing my way into UCLA for its World Arts and Cultures/Dance program. Read more>>

Ari Ortega

In 2019 I had transferred to a CSU where I planned to finish my Bachelor’s. Covid cancelled in person classes and I was stuck with teaching myself the fundamentals of my degree. This became really overwhelming for me which then became evident in my performance. I ultimately decided to withdraw from classes and focus on working. Read more>>

Kiana Shaw

It all started with heartbreak — the kind that shakes you to your core and makes you question who you are outside of someone else. Back then, I was just trying to survive emotionally. I turned to my pastor for guidance, started journaling, and before I knew it, those journal entries became the blueprint for my very first program. Read more>>

Veronica Silva

My childhood shaped my adulthood and how I approached life. It was a challenging time with alcoholism, and physical and emotional abuse. Since that was what I knew, that is what I became. However, my story was going to be different. The real journey of change began when I got sober at 30 years of age. Read more>>

David Gaz

I’d love to. I used to be a partner in a firm that worked exclusively with Fortune 500 Companies and Major Brands. But I was getting tired of the way people treated each other. Read more>>

Yuri Williams

Here’s my story, short and real: I grew up in South Central Los Angeles, raised by my mom, Lynda C. Hubbard my superhero. When cancer took her, I fell into a five-year depression. In 2009, to honor her love for people, I started AFutureSuperhero & Friends (AFSH). Read more>>

Victor Acuna

I’ve always been a fan of animation. It must have started with my dad, introducing me to cel animated artwork and classic Saturday morning cartoons. Getting to see him recreate some of his favorite characters and scenes gave me a glimpse into how animated shows were made. Read more>>

Jax Diener

My story goes back decades, when women’s sports weren’t on TV. Every Sunday I’d leave the traditional sports bar where I had just spent hours and money, and tell my friends, ‘I’m going to open my own sports bar one day!’ I wanted a place where we could feel comfortable enjoying the game and not be judged for it. Read more>>

Nicolette Rhodes-Morgan

Since I was a young girl, I’ve always been drawn to anything creative music, art, food, and of course, fashion. I was inspired by the way style could transform someone, not just on the outside but in their confidence, too. I grew up glued to the Food Network, MTV, and fashion shows like What Not to Wear and America’s Next Top Model. Read more>>

Jazmin Culver

The Suckle Center is a maternal wellness brand based in Los Angeles,California, founded by Jazmin M. Culver, a certified lactation consultant, doula and 2x exclusive and extended breastfeeding mother. Jazmin’s journey began not as a business plan, but as a maternal awakening. Read more>>

Cimone Metoyer

I’ve loved baking since I was old enough to see over the counter. My mom baked a lot growing up. She used to give me pie crust to play with when she was working in the kitchen. Read more>>

Raul Barboza

Nova Bakery was created with a simple dream of sharing the delicious treats we grew up with in Venezuela. We’ve always wanted to welcome everyone into our culture with open arms, and we’re so grateful to be part of such an amazing community here in Long Beach. Read more>>

Carla Johnson

Luv Overboard began as a passion project and a creative outlet outside of my corporate finance career. I have always been a creative at heart and love bringing people together through meaningful experiences. What started as designing small gatherings for friends and family quickly evolved as people began to recognize the level of detail and artistry behind my work. Read more>>

Tori Hobson

I grew up in a suburb in the I.E. (Inland Empire), just outside of Los Angeles. Most of my extended family was in the city—so we were always back and forth. I remember being little, riding in the backseat, and noticing neighbors who were unhoused near freeway exits. Read more>>

Laura Quinn

Born in Romania, I first visited Southern California in 2010, and instantly felt welcomed by the light, the coastline, and the lifestyle. By 2017, I had begun a career in interior design — a path that allowed me to shape spaces and bring beauty into everyday life. Read more>>

Ana Fletcher

Creativity, independent thinking, and exploring have always been a part of me. I didn’t have much of a plan for how I got where I am today; instead I just let life do its thing and I guess my choices led me here! Read more>>

Kat Henderson

I started my mobile bartending company to have more freedom. I had worked hard as a student, earned a degree in Math from UCLA, got a corporate job in insurance… and realized when I had arrived at what I thought was my life goal – that it wasn’t fulfilling. At all. Sure I had money, a house, a nice car … Read more>>

Isaac J. Burt

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, in Windsor Hills specifically. I was definitely more on the frantic side as a child, albeit more annoying, and primarily played sports throughout my childhood. I stuttered a bunch as a kid, and hard to talk to at times, so I was either branching out to be heard or not saying anything at all. Read more>>

Sabrina Garcia

Being raised in southeast LA with 6 other siblings, an absent father for majority of our upbringing and an immigrant mother who did her very best has fortunately blessed me with a humble beginning. I say humble because without a lot of the hardships i have faced in my life, i truly don’t think i’d be where i am today. Read more>>

Elle Anzalone

My vision for a private practice was from my personal experience of the cold and unfriendly ambiance at most mental health providers. I wanted to design something that felt warm and welcoming plus introduce other concepts to wellness that might feel out of place in your typical Healthcare environment. Read more>>

Dione Riley

My story isn’t a straight line, but a series of lessons, losses, and second chances that shaped how I lead and why I do what I do. I started out working with at-risk youth and individuals struggling with addiction. Read more>> 

Reese Darlington Arad Momen

HammerLogic Construction & Remodeling – Founders: Arad Momen & Reese Darlington Every great partnership starts with balance two different perspectives that meet in the middle to create something stronger. For us, that’s exactly how HammerLogic Construction & Remodeling was born. Arad’s story began in the world of insurance restoration. Read more>>