Inspiring Stories from DTLA

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 the 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 DTLA’s rising stars below.

Crystal Mendoza

I started working in the service industry in 2013 while attending university in Texas. I began as a host and eventually worked my way into bartending as a way to make ends meet, without really knowing what I wanted to do long term. Read more>>

Jae Figueroa

I used to work as a Human Resources Manager for many years. When my company announced they were closing down, I didn’t know where I would stand. I was 7 months pregnant with my youngest when I found out the company was shutting down. Read more>>

Taja Judkins

When I was little around three years old, my mom told me that I used to be in the backseat, singing my heart out to Usher. During my elementary years, my family watched a lot of American Idol together and I really believe that’s where the idea started. Read more>>

Melissa Aquije

My story in fashion started back in my Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising days, where I got my degree in merchandise marketing. I spent about seven years in the women’s contemporary world, working in PR and sales for different brands and multi-line showrooms. It was fast-paced and exciting but once I became a mom, the constant travel just wasn’t it for me anymore. Read more>>

Roger Sayegh

Roger J. Sayegh Co-Founder, Angel Alert™ • Owner, Set Free Bail Bonds Roger J. Sayegh is a visionary entrepreneur and the driving force behind Angel Alert. As the owner of Set Free Bail Bonds, he’s spent years restoring freedom, reuniting families, and delivering integrity-driven service in critical moments. Read more>>

Kitty Logic Sabrina Ghieuw

I got brought into the rave scene back in 2022 by my girlfriend, naomi (Aezeya) who was a dj, when we first started dating. She took me to a techno underground rave one night and them went to pirate studios after to DJ with her friend Marc (who goes by MDJ) after. Read more>>

Kenzie Hensen

I started working in the Entertainment Industry when I was 22 years old. Read more>>

Maria Catalan

Magnetic Moods honestly came together very naturally. We’re sisters-in-law, and although we came from slightly different creative backgrounds, we realized pretty quickly that our skills complemented each other really well. Cassie has extensive experience in event planning and production, while Maria has always been drawn to design and creative direction in different forms. Read more>>

Alfonsus Abimatha

We met first in 2017 (Abimatha, Meinard, Alexander, Rere). We started recording songs in early May 2020. At that time, we invited Sandy as an official member of Somniumsaic, so the current formation is Alexander (Vocal), Abimatha (Guitar), Sandy (Guitar), Rere (Bass), and Meinard (Drum). Read more>>

Christopher Murillo

I grew up in Santa Ana, California, just a few freeway exits from Disneyland. As a kid, I was always doodling, sketching, and building things out of Legos, which eventually led me to study drawing, painting, and sculpture in high school. Read more>>

J Supa

Music has honestly been a huge part of my identity. I’m Peruvian and Chinese, so I grew up around a mix of cultures and sounds. A lot of my early inspiration came from salsa. Artists like Héctor Lavoe and El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico really shaped the way I hear music, especially the emotion, storytelling, and energy behind it. Read more>>

Kim Bellas

⸻ Kim Bellas, founder of Sober is the New Cool. Thirteen years ago, my journey began with love. I made a promise to show up differently for my son, Matthew, myself, and the life I wanted to create from the heart. What started as a personal choice became something much bigger than I ever imagined. Read more>>

Junior LLedo

I was already a radio host at KJBU 99.3 FM, but I was looking for a way to evolve beyond just radio. Inspired by the golden era of late night Johnny Carson, Arsenio Hall I wanted to bring that nostalgia back with a fresh spin. It all clicked when a friend introduced me to Deniecw Williams. After that interview, my YouTube channel took off. Read more>>

David Gutierrez

I’m WRMBRW (“Warm Brew”)—LA-based DJ/producer pushing minimal, tech, and house with a raw, underground edge. I didn’t wait for opportunities, I built my own—throwing down parties and private events all through out the city. From bars to clubs and creative art spaces, you name it I probably have done it. Read more>>

Matthew Nichols

Fitness, health and wellness have always been important in my life, but the idea of coaching was something I grew in to. I started coaching CrossFit group classes in 2013. It was an active, physical labor of love that provided a much-needed antidote to my work as an attorney. Read more>>

Bryn Ripley

I have been playing saxophone for 13 years, and it has been a wild ride! I grew up in a very musical household, with my dad playing saxophone and leading a prominent music/jazz education program in Utah. Because of this, I was attending big band performances constantly, and grew a passion for jazz early on. Read more>>

Dana Flores

I am a native Californian, self-taught in the arts of sculptural ceramics and jewelry. My earliest introduction to art was in high school, where my teacher encouraged me to apply to CalArts. Instead, I chose a completely different path — modeling and acting — which took me to Japan. Read more>>

DAMON 22

Well, well, my story is a special one because I’ve been through so many different avenues in life in my career as a Producer/DJ. Well, it all actually started when I was about 23 years old. Read more>>

Andrew “Dre” “NoBueno”

I started my journey at age 5, my father was a touring musician in Brazil, when we moved to the states he used to play LINKIN PARK music videos for me, first album I ever remember listening to was hybrid theory and nirvana around that time. Read more>>

Chad Fjerstad

In 2005, I got really into a band called Zombi, which is strictly analog synthesizers and live drums. Prior to that I spent most of my musical time listening to and playing really heavy metal, but when I got my hands on Zombi’s debut LP, ‘Cosmos’, it really opened a door for me, and I became inspired to begin composing with synthesizers. Read more>>

Katie Ramirez-Abreu

Born and raised in the Palm Springs area, I’ve always been a creative searching for my passion. At 19, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue cosmetology, but coming from a smaller town, I quickly felt lost in the big city and stepped away from that dream. Read more>>

Robbie Kaye

I was one of those kids who actually asked for piano lessons. I was exposed early to music—singing, dancing, performing—and I knew right away it was something I needed in my life. I started with classical piano, then moved into playing songs from Broadway, the charts… and eventually rock and roll. Read more>>

Lamar Alexander

I’ve always been drawn to creating experiences—music just happened to be the first outlet that made that real for me. I was born and raised in Indianapolis, and my creative journey actually started with dance before I transitioned into music production and recording. That early foundation in movement and rhythm still influences how I approach music and storytelling today. Read more>>

Eva Cleaning

My journey has been shaped by a strong work ethic and the ability to stay organized in fast-paced environments. I started in administrative roles, where I built a foundation in communication, structure, and reliability. Wanting to create something of my own, I launched Catch Me Cleaning, which quickly became a reflection of my attention to detail and commitment to quality. Read more>>

Elizabeth Regal

Since my early youth, I have been a working singer, musician – guitarist, actress, director, and activist I am from the east coast, Tennessee growing up in the country. Taking care of pets and being outdoors was second nature to me. Like many artists, I had to have my “day job.” I never considered walking dogs or overnight pet care. Read more>>

Dylan Pung

I grew up around fine jewelry. It’s been the family trade for three generations, so I was exposed to diamonds, gold, settings, and wholesale pricing long before I fully understood the business side of it. Read more>>

Juana Kim

The Lit(erary) Bunch started as a simple idea between three friends who shared a love for books and wanted to connect with others who felt the same. What began as casual conversations quickly grew into something much more meaningful, a space where readers could come together, share perspectives, and build genuine community through storytelling. Read more>>

Kirsch

K. Read more>>

Lucky Bryant

I’m originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, and I’ve always been drawn to anything creative—drawing, painting, making things with my hands. Growing up, I was the kid drawing fashion sketches in science class, and painting shirts for friends at school to make extra money, so in a way, I’ve always been designing. Read more>>

Aj Hollywood

Since I can remember, I’ve always been an artist. I can’t think of a time when I wasn’t who I am today. Art has always and will always be the center and focus of my world and where my heart resides and desires to create. Read more>>

Ritz Jewelers

Ritz Jewelers is a family owned company. The company started from humble beginnings, but focused on providing top quality service for an affordable price. We have now been in business for 41 years and are continuing the same family traditions. Every customer is like family to us. Read more>>

Cat Doss

I began doing art as a young girl, growing up in Applachia.. I studied painting in college, but ultimately ended up majoring in Psychology. I believe that the two disciplines have a lot of overlap. I moved to Los Angeles in my early twenties and worked on movie sets, doing art, and teaching yoga on the side. Read more>>

William Hobbs IV

I started by journey by playing guitar. Eventually I was introduced to my first DAW (GarageBand) and that sparked my interest in production. Shortly after I obtained Ableton and after that I obtained FL studio. From there I begin producing for creatives in my area and networking through social media. I remained consistent and treated it like a job. Read more>>

Nik Connors

My name is Nik Connors. I was born in Albany, New York, but moved to San Antonio, Texas when I was one year old, so I’ve pretty much grown up in San Antonio my whole life. However, I would always go back to New York as a kid to visit family, so I was exposed early on to how different those two worlds were. Read more>>

Nancy Karas

My path hasn’t been linear. I spent years building a more traditional life through undergrad, graduate school, and a career in environmental consulting. It was steady, structured, and something I had worked hard for. But underneath it all, there was always a quiet pull toward creating. I first found metalsmithing years ago, but I stepped away from it for a long time. Read more>>

Marcelo Guimaraes

I was born and raised in Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, by a single mother. My father never recognized paternity, so I grew up without his presence. My mother supported us however she could — selling products door to door, reading tarot cards, doing whatever was necessary to survive and keep moving forward. Read more>>

Marcia Sousa

I was born and raised in Brazil, where I did some modeling while attending university. After graduating, I dedicated myself entirely to my teaching career. However, to my surprise, God reopened this modeling door in 2024, when I was at a party with friends and was invited to a casting call. Read more>>

Jihye Kim

My story started with a deep curiosity about how things work and how people experience them. Growing up, I was always drawn to visuals. I loved capturing a fleeting moment or a friend’s face in my drawings, obsessing over the details, building with Legos, and trying to make sense of the complex world around me in my own way. Read more>>

Kelly Pfleider

I’ve always been drawn to theater. I love creating worlds, stepping into different perspectives, and bringing stories to life. That’s just how my brain works. Growing up, no matter the assignment, I was the one who wanted to present: to turn it into something people could feel, not just hear. Read more>>

Pefite veronica powoh Veshite Gah

Growing up and working within my community, I kept noticing something that many people chose not to talk about: children were suffering in silence. Abuse, neglect, exploitation these weren’t just statistics to me, they were real stories, real faces, real lives being shaped by pain. And what struck me the most was not just the harm itself, but the culture of silence surrounding it. Read more>>

Aaron Harris

I really started making art as a joke but one day I made one picture out of pure boredom and bootraymond and my brother Nero osma told me to start taking this art stuff seriously so from that I’ve been taking this as seriously as possible Read more>>

ANTHONIETTE KENNIES OFORI

My journey is rooted in purpose, leadership, and a deep desire to create meaningful impact. I am Anthoniette Kennies Ofori, affectionately known as Queen Afedziwa. It started at Ghana National College, where I began expressing myself through writing and speaking. I was known as a revolutionary speaker someone who used words to challenge perspectives and inspire change. But even before that, at St. Read more>>

Kristin Mothersbaugh

While I was always empathic and interested in otherworldly experiences and had a few as a child, my spiritual awakening truly got moving when my father passed away. Read more>>

Joshua King

I started my acting journey when I was around 13 years old, in the 8th grade. Before that, I was never really interested in acting, but I always loved films. I was a very social, outspoken, and outgoing kid growing up. Because of my energy, I was always asked to do speeches or debates. Read more>>

Lukáš Janata

I realize how much this early aspiration to become a firefighter and save lives still resonates with me: While my path quickly turned toward music, I see a throughline in my desire to help spark a meaningful change. Over time, I’ve come to view music as a transformative tool: fostering empathy, bridging divides, and inspiring connection. Read more>>

Kimberly/Travis (Calenrose) Dooley/Magee

Travis and I met as professional dancers in New York City, and over the course of several years, we transitioned from dance into photography. During our time in dance, Kim performed with artists like Beyoncé and Snoop Dogg and spent years at The Box NYC. Read more>>

Liz Williams

I’ve lived in Charleston, South Carolina since 2007, and over the years my journey has taken a lot of unexpected turns. Before content creation, I worked as a hospice social worker, which deeply shaped my perspective on life, relationships, and the importance of truly being present with the people you love. Read more>>

Jazmany Reyes

Getting here to this point in my career, feels like a dream. I am considerably grateful for everyone who continues to support my journey as I gather the skills to improve my art forms. I started off born and raised in Boston, living with my single mother of three. She remains the main inspiration to my forever evolving art form. The reason I can’t stop. Read more>>

Inay Rodriguez

In an environment where an independent music industry practically did not exist in Cuba, DJ Jigüe—didn’t wait for the infrastructure to appear: he decided to build it himself. Based in Havana, he began developing what is now Guámpara Music, a label that does more than just produce music; it redefines how Cuban artists can grow, circulate, and generate income outside of traditional channels. Read more>>

Raymar Brunson

In early 2023 I decided to pursue a career in comics after spending several years working in photography/videography. I started to post my art on instagram and facebook while joining as many online comic groups as I could. From there I met a lot of people who helped me improve and I slowly started to get work. Read more>>

Chasidy Cray

“My real estate journey officially began about three years ago, but it has always been a personal goal and long-term dream of mine. From a young age, I was naturally curious about people’s lifestyles and what contributed to their sense of accomplishment, especially how and where they lived. That curiosity grew into a passion for real estate over time. Read more>>

Brandon Taul

Deep in the underground since 2004, SaintVII began experimenting with mixing and DJing at local events and parties. He quickly developed a talent for beatmatching and song selection, and soon began playing at larger events and clubs in his area. Saint VII supplies the best in bass. Inspired by artists such as Gridlok, Andy C, Goldie, Noisia, Mefjus, Camo & Crooked, and more. Read more>>

Valari

My name is Valari, and my journey as a music artist truly began when I moved to New York about a decade ago. The city was a playground of creativity, every theater show , every concert, every hidden underground club exposed me to diverse sounds, from jazz in Harlem to avant-garde performances in Brooklyn. Read more>>

Jasmine Solstice

I was exhausted, doing all of the things I was supposed to do. Working a corporate job, traveling to conferences around the world, making a decent salary, but I felt hollow. A cog in a wheel. Where was the creativity? The exhaustion I felt was bone-deep and our pathetic one week vacations that we get as Americans was never going to heal me. Read more>>

Rhona Vega

Parent Matterz was created after my five children got close to $1 million in scholarships to college. I wanted every family (especially those historically excluded) to have access to those same opportunities and resources that started for my children as early as middle school. God wouldn’t let me rest until I told everyone. Read more>>

Ashley Puente

I started about close to 4 years ago. I worked in hospitality and have a passion for serving others while creating something special for each guest. I started with my mixology classes, then to special event bartending & now coordinating, food & table settings. Read more>>

Courtney Alexander

My name is Courtney Alexander, and I am a Chicago native, multimedia journalist, and the Founder, CEO, and Publisher of Secrets & Legacy Media. My journey has been shaped by resilience, purpose, and a deep belief in the power of storytelling. I grew up moving around often and did not come from the most privileged circumstances. Read more>>

Koen Woo (Ken) Kim

Kim, Koen W. (LAc, Dipl. O.M.) is a licensed acupuncturist based in Beverly Hills, California, where I have been in clinical practice since 2005. I was born in Seoul, South Korea, in 1970, and my journey into acupuncture began in a very personal way.

He began training in Taekwondo at the age of 9 under the encouragement of his mother, a high school modern ballet teacher and eventually earned a 5th-degree black belt, along with Master certification from the Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters, South Korea). Years of intensive training led to repeated injuries, and through those experiences, I was introduced to acupuncture as a patient. The effectiveness of the treatment left a deep impression on me and ultimately shaped my decision to pursue this path professionally. Read More>>