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 South Bay’s finest artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rebel rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with our city’s incredibly deep talent pool. Check out the area’s rising stars below.
Ashley & Amber Bracken
In 2006, Ashley moved to Los Angeles to complete her theatre degree at California State University, Northridge. Amber earned her degree in theatre at Minnesota State University, Moorhead, before joining Ashley in LA in 2011. We shared a small, crowded apartment on Lincoln Blvd in Venice and lived off of box macaroni and cheese as we pursued our dreams. Ashley’s first industry job was as a production assistant for press junkets. She freelanced in production for several years, and when Amber came to LA, she joined her in the press junket world. Read more>>
Marina Boulanger
Right outside the Sea Sprite is where I was recruited to play collegiate beach volleyball at Florida International University. I went on to study hospitality at one of the best programs in the world, competed in international hospitality competitions, and eventually joined the Four Seasons’ Management in Training program. My early career included managing top boutique hotel restaurants in Miami with South Beach Group, where I developed a deep appreciation for independently owned, design-driven hotels that focus on personalized guest experiences. Read more>>
Amber Mendoza
Some of these brands were spending their hard earned money, savings and even their 401k. My passion has always been to help others and when I saw what these entrepreneurs were going through, I knew that it was a sign for me to start my consulting agency. In 2022, I started LAVA DESIGNS and my former clients followed me. I walked them through the entire design process and helped them bring their collection to the finish line. There has been no greater joy that to be able to educate and mentor the next wave of fashion business owners and provide them with the tools they need to run, manage and scale their business. Read more>>
Shahnaz Zanra
Today, years into my journey, I remain the heart of Zanra. I’m no longer shy- I’m confident, vocal, and passionate about keeping traditional Indian dresses alive, sustainable, and meaningful. What started in my garage has now grown into a small but respected label. I’m also exploring technology-driven solutions, like apps and websites for artisan training, to scale ethically and empower craftsmanship. Read more>>
Emmy Skebe
Unexpectedly, I met my husband, which altered my plans for the better. I resumed my career, this time with a logistics company. After six years of living together, we got married and welcomed a baby girl into our family. Despite the challenges, including being laid off during the pandemic in 2020, I remained committed to my work. Ultimately, we were able to move into a larger home and benefit from our investments. I am grateful to my husband, who possesses a strong business acumen, as we continue to live happily together. Read more>>
Courtney Chen
I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area as a competitive dancer – meaning I was at the dance studio more than 20 hours a week. To help pay for my classes and competitions I would help teach the children’s dance classes which was absolutely adorable. After I graduated high school, I went to The Boston Conservatory where I studied and practiced performing arts for a little over a year. On the weekends I found myself taking the Chinatown bus from Boston to New York for any opportunity to audition as a professional dancer. Read more>>
Ray Anderson
I’m the kind of person that will check things out & not close a door because by closing doors, you are missing opportunities. Moving forward as “Woof It Up” inches closer to the 2 year mark this June! “Woof It Up!” is very excited. “Woof It Up” has many supporters, regular customers, & is continuing meeting & making new fans/friends. “Woof It Up” is continuously working on new threats & ideas. “Woof It Up” is even rolling on a new little comic strip called ” The Woof Wagon Chronicles.” This will be premiering on 4/8/25 on Instagram @woofitupllc. This will be a funny, cute little comic with adventures. Really silly but fun! Read more>>
Jasmyne Clark
Today, I specialize in ombre powder brows, nano combo brows and brow lamination and it brings me so much joy to help women feel more confident in their skin. I love the connections I’ve made through this work, and the impact it’s had on both my clients and me personally. Looking ahead, I’m focused on continuing to grow my business and clientele, expanding my services, creating a special program for women experiencing hair loss, and eventually opening my own studio space. Everything I do comes from a place of passion, purpose, and the desire to pour into others—and I’m just getting started. Read more>>
Dennis Canon
My name is Dennis Canon, and I’ve spent the past several years bridging the gap between professional design practice and design education. I’m a full-time Art Director, working on branding, packaging, and visual storytelling. During the school semester, I teach graphic design and digital media courses as an adjunct professor at CSULB and LBCC, where I guide students through the fundamentals of design with real-world applications. Read more>>
Erick Miseroy
Nikon: we are the only high school program in the country to have an educational partnership with Nikon. This relationship was developed from their West Coast Rep seeing what we were doing, and wanting to get involved. POLAHS provides each student in the program their own camera kit; there is no sharing. Nikon is instrumental in working with us to make sure that we have professional level gear in the hands of the kids. Read more>>
Hulnara Castellon
Absolutely not a smooth road, nothing good comes easy or fast. The struggles I still have is balancing my injectables craft and my nursing calling with the cold side of business. Being a good business women assures success. But i like to say. Ideally if it was my way I would not even charge people and do their facial treatments for free- thats how much i love what I do. But the survival and prosperity of business depends on balancing being a good business lady and my kind nursing heart. Read more>>
Emily Alvarado
I started off my business from my parents’ house, but as my client base grew, I decided to take the next step and open my own studio. This allowed me to offer a more professional and comfortable environment for my clients. Eventually, I took another risk, moving out of my studio and moved into my own home, where I could continue to grow my business in a space that was entirely my own. 2025 BodybyEm has accomplished goals that seemed impossible. Ive now expanded from working in different cities to an online shop to where I have become a supplier to other last techs worldwide to coming out with my own cosmetic brand. Read more>>
Jen Haran
It led us to create an artisan mercantile, a space where we could support other small brands crafting exceptional goods with incredible stories. ‘Yard’ represents my Midwest roots, the fourth-generation family lumberyard that instilled values like hard work and passion. ‘Strand’ symbolizes our present, our move to the LA beach, and our continued pursuit of this dream. Balancing a full-time executive career, motherhood, and entrepreneurship is, as you would expect, not easy. People often ask how I manage it all. The truth is, there’s no perfect balance. It takes a strong support system and a lot of grace. My focus is on consistent forward motion, celebrating every milestone, big or small. We live by our mantra: ‘To the journey!’ Read more>>
Dillon Vanders
I first started writing songs when I was about 14. At the time, most kids my age were listening to 50 Cent or Eminem, and I was off in my own little world listening to Simon and Garfunkel and stuff like that. I became obsessed with music, particularly the acoustic guitar, and started to learn the tricks of the trade. As I got older, I started playing more distorted rock type music. As time went on, I wanted to get back to my folky roots, which lead me back to the style of music I write today! Read more>>
Joseph Duncan
I am a former banker. I spent over 25 years as a lender and relationship manager, working with all types of businesses and providing advice and counsel to business owners. I was the type of banker who was more focused on people than numbers and that has been a consistent theme throughout my career. Eight years ago, I founded Assured Consultants Inc. along with two partners who had similar backgrounds. Assured Consultants’ mission is to be a partner for undercapitalized and often overlooked small, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses. We know that world-class business advice can play a crucial role in a business’s success, and it is often difficult for smaller businesses to access these resources. Read more>>
Keith Matassa
My story begins where the land meets the sea—a place I have been drawn to since early childhood. Since the age of 4 or 5, I have known that marine mammals were my calling. I’ve spent decades working in marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation, release, necropsy, and research. Along the way, I’ve witnessed both the resilience and vulnerability of ocean life. But I also saw systemic gaps—especially in how we respond to marine mammal mortalities, how we connect data to meaningful change, and how few accessible, inclusive pathways existed for students—particularly those from underserved communities—to be part of this work. Read more>>
Laila Cross
In addition, adapting to the newer styles of short-form video content has definitely been a challenge because I am used to creating and editing long-form style videos that resemble the style of YouTube during the 2010s. Finding and showcasing my unique voice is also a persistent challeng,e but I’m trying very hard to make Contin where I can show my authentic personality because I realize that that is key to growing an audience. Other struggles have included balancing content creation with my 9-5 but I make it work, even if my videos get posted at midnight! Read more>>
Shelle Tarver
Overall, the road has been pretty smooth. I’ve been fortunate to learn and take away valuable skills from every place I’ve worked. The biggest challenge for me has been building a private client base. I post on social media, but I haven’t seen much traction from it yet. I’m not currently part of a fitness community here, and with so many of us in the space, it’s been tough to find genuine connections. That’s something I’d love to change soon. I would love to put together a team of like minded trainers to help the community and empower one another. Read more>>
Kelly Click
This journey with my son began my journey of sharing what I learned along the way. Once my eyes were opened to the transformation these foundational health practices can bring, I never looked back. Over time, I became a certified culinary nutrition expert, learning how to use food as a primary tool for healing. I later became certified as a functional nutrition health coach and dove deep into studying all body systems and targeted supplementation. Now, I’m in the exciting phase of building my client base and helping everyday people shift their health through foundational nutrition, smart supplementation, and simple but powerful lifestyle changes. Read more>>
Krista Small
I then attended the University of Washington, where I earned my Master’s in Social Work with the goal of becoming an executive director at a nonprofit organization. Ideally, I wanted to work for an organization that supported youth and young adults in need. Once I found my role in the nonprofit sector, I discovered that the most transformative aspect of my work was engaging in conversations with young people. By planting seeds of change and helping shift their mindsets, I aimed to help them grow, all while providing them with critical resources like housing, shelter, and food. Read more>>
Tomas Salava
This realization sparked a passion to share my gathered knowledge, leading me to found Salava Volleyball to create something unique beyond just coaching. Leveraging two decades of global training and study, I developed a cutting-edge program designed to help high school athletes achieve their Division 1 beach volleyball dreams. I focus on empowering athletes with essential skills, strategies, mental toughness, and confidence needed to excel. Read more>>
Del Amo Manny
As a standup and content creator I specialize in observational humor. I like to make the ordinary, absurd. I am most proud of my standup routine and niche social media following I have built. I think what sets me apart is my abstract view on seemingly normal topics like Panera Bread. Read more>>
Jillian Suzanne
I am a multidisciplinary abstract artist living in Los Angeles(Inglewood) CA. Born and raised in Michigan, I attended Western Michigan University, studying fine art. Soon after college, I took a detour to pursue the art of hair design in New York City. After 20ish years of taking a break from art, I found my way back in 2018. As of late, my primary focus is African inspired art, which celebrates my family lineage. I would say, my art is storytelling and gives voice to those that had no voice. I primarily focus on feminine and the female form. I don’t have a style, I just create what feels natural. My art is ever evolving and will continue to explore my deep ancestral roots which explores and honors my african ancestors Read more>>
Paige Cano
There have been seasons where I questioned everything: if the right clients would find me, if I could sustain my vision, if I was doing enough. But through it all, I’ve stayed committed to the deeper “why” behind my work. The moments of doubt taught me how to root more deeply in purpose, and to build a business that’s aligned with my values, not just productivity. Read more>>
Brittany Hoagland
I started a journey of transformation – and learning about my limitations in 2011. I have noticed over the years, my “relationship” with food and how I have been up and down with my weight through out the years. It’s through continually “working on my mindset” that I have accepted and approved of myself and my body. It’s a practice that I’m still on, with body image and knowing that my body is capable. One thing that has definitely worked for me, is noticing my patterns with choosing people in my life whose habits I want to also reflect. Sobriety has helped me for sure as well! I chose 2025 to be the year I’m alcohol free, and I’m so glad I chose this for myself. Read more>>
Hannah Ezratty
At LACM, I got hands-on experience in everything from management and publicity to sync and A&R. While in school, I started managing my first client Kenny Potter when he was just 15 (he’s 18 now). Managing him wasn’t just an assignment—it was real-world experience, and it allowed me to take everything I was learning in class and put it into action. From developing his sound to strategizing releases and marketing his music, I was fully immersed in the industry before even graduating. Read more>>
Kailyn Owens
At 18, I transitioned into modeling, which opened new doors and expanded my perspective on the business. Over time, I found myself drawn to casting and production, where I could help shape projects from behind the scenes. Through networking, persistence, and hands-on experience, I built my career working on various film, TV, and commercial projects, learning the ins and outs of the industry. Read more>>
Yvonne Romera
Basically, I started a business to look for my dream job. Four months into writing poetry for people, opening my heart to listen to all their stories, and expressing the deepest part of their soul, I realized this was my dream job! The market pop up scene is such a welcoming environment and I enjoy making new friends at every market I participate in. This is my first journey into entrepreneurship, the highs and lows taught me so many lessons and renewed the resilience and grit I had in me. Read more>>
Lily Lauzon
I ended up bringing in almost $1M in revenue within the first year. While I helped her grow her business, I also started working on the Brand Partnerships team at an A-List celebrities media company. I decided to start my own Talent Management Agency while also working on the Brand Partnerships team at this media company. After a year of doing both, I decided to go out full-time on my own and grow my own business. Thankfully, my company has grown all from word of mouth and friends of friends! Most of my Creators have always brought a friend or two along with them and that’s how we continue to grow. Read more>>
JonFlëtch
I am a recording artist/producer. I have made full albums out of my bedroom plus have performed at many shows out of state, have started doing convention performances this year. Recently went viral for making a Kidz Bop parody of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” last summer which hit 4.5 million views. What sets me apart from others is that I’m a pretty nice composer who pays attention to detail even if it takes months to figure out how to perfectly execute the ideas. Also people say I have a funny personality that goes along with my music. Read more>>
Nada Bibi
Pursuing this calling, I earned a Masters degree from Pratt Institute and began my career with prominent commercial firms in NYC. While the projects were engaging, the extended timelines felt misaligned with my nature. This realization led me to residential design, where I found a perfect rhythm. Creating homes for clients who often became friends fulfilled both my creative aspirations and my desire for meaningful connections. This journey eventually inspired me to establish my own firm. Furthering my capacity to problem solve on many levels and understand the people I was designing for. Read more>>
Star Washington
When I finished my schooling, I tried to work in restaurants, but I faced what I believe was some sexism in that environment. No matter what I did, I couldn’t gain respect or recognition. I was always tasked with handling things like desserts or salads. It seemed I was only ever given the chance to cook when the guys wanted to go home early. The restaurant life was also challenging because of the need to work on weekends and holidays. I found that catering provided a lot more flexibility and creativity, so I went that direction. I worked for a couple of catering companies before finally branching out on my own. Read more>>
