The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below.

Shannon Anderson

When I was pregnant, I spent so much time preparing that office to return to after my son was born. It became an extension of our home. I had a couch, a fridge, & personal touches to bring a baby back to. I invested not only my time, but my heart & money into that space. I was deeply committed to my career & truly believed I was building something long-term. Read more>>

Hana Ferguson

My professional has been on quite a journey for the last decade. My path has been shaped by nothing but plenty of curiosity, experimentation (and error), and a willingness to learn as I go. Read more>>

Rachel Coleman

We are four physicians who previously spent our careers training and educating residents and caring for patients in a traditional health care setting. On a personal level, we have successfully navigated life issues that are common to so many of us – parenting, juggling career and family, midlife, menopause, and caring for aging parents. Read more>>

Lisa Ciccio

Hi, my name is lisa Ciccio. I was born in Boston and moved to Jacksonville Florida when I was four years old. I grew up in the church. I was taught the word and studied and memorized Bible scriptures as a young child. We were always at church every Wednesday and Sunday. Read more>>

Belkys Polanco

I am from Venezuela. I came to live in Jacksonville, Florida, on a recommendation, because it’s an ideal city for families with growing children, and it exceeded my expectations. I love Jacksonville! My personal growth began when I connected with the Hispanic community, initially by collecting food, medicine, and other supplies to send to Venezuela, a country under the dictatorship and tyranny of Maduro. Read more>>

Jennifer Albee

Scott and I got met in 2000 and got married in 2002 down in Clearwater. He was in the military and we shortly after started our moving around the world–Germany, Okinawa, Japan, and then to Hawaii. We have two boys, Justin, age 22, and Logan, almost 18. Read more>>

Ben Stone

When I was around 7 or 8, I started by make short stop-motion animations and fake movie trailers for fun. In 2020 during the pandemic, I took a virtual film camp to learn more about the subject. I connected with other filmmakers, who I’m still close friends with to this day. I did more film camps and started going to middle school for film. Read more>>

Kimberly Ray

Captured Moments LC Photobooth was born out of a love for people and the moments that bring them together. What started as a small side business venture with one booth and a big visionm quickly grew and now into a business of 6 booths. Read more>>

Leigh Ann Ross

I’m a devout Christian, and I do my best to allow my love for the Lord guide every aspect of my life. My faith is the foundation of my family, my creativity, and my small business, Grace by Faith Jewelry. I’ve been married to my loving husband for 35 years, and together we’ve built a wonderful life filled with love, laughter, and purpose. Read more>>

Alex Verastegui

I’ve been in sales most of my life and had an opportunity to come to Jacksonville in an account development position for a travel firm. After 9 years in the position, I was given an option to either return to NY and they’ll match my cost of living but I was sold on Jacksonville. Read more>>

Gabriel Kicklighter

Although I do not currently live in Jacksonville, I was born and raised there. I grew up on the internet, and more specifically, I watched a lot of YouTube. So much, in fact, that it made me want to become a YouTuber myself. My parents have always been supportive of my dream, and this year, they gave me the tools I needed to accomplish it. Read more>>

Dawn DuBay

I was born in Lakeland, Florida, and raised in a small town called Polson, Montana. Growing up surrounded by nature had a huge influence on me creatively. I was always drawn to painting, singing, and songwriting, but photography entered my life when my mom bought me my first camera at 13. Read more>>

R Conner Dowling

Open City Architecture grew out of a desire to slow things down and pay closer attention — to place, to people, and to the quiet details that shape everyday life. My path into architecture wasn’t driven by spectacle or scale, but by an early fascination with how buildings hold memory and create meaning over time. Read more>>

Lisa Love

Seven years ago, if someone had told me I’d be a small business owner, I would have thought they were nuts. After more than 30 years as an executive in the insurance industry—focused on technology and executive operations—entrepreneurship was never part of my plan. During COVID, I discovered resin art as a creative outlet to relieve stress. Read more>>

Jamie Christopher

My story didn’t start in a gym — it started with a realization about self-worth. Read more>>

Danielle Spanburg

I was working in the marketing industry and then covid hit and I was extremely unhappy with my career and had the new dream of going back to school and opening my own spa. I quit my marketing job not sure what was to come of covid but I was excited to take the risk and start a new career. Read more>>

Edward Sheridan

I started Bread Together with a simple goal: to make real bread the way it’s meant to be made—slowly, naturally fermented, and using organic ingredients as the foundation, not the selling point. What began as a personal obsession with sourdough and fermentation turned into a small but focused operation as people started asking for the bread consistently, then seeking it out at markets. Read more>>

Amanda Agle

Radiant Skin Studio was born from a major life pivot. After serving 11 years in the U.S. Navy, I returned home to Jacksonville ready to build something that felt both personal and purposeful. I have always been drawn to skincare—not just the beauty side of it, but the confidence and care that comes from helping someone feel good in their own skin. Read more>>

Anna Aita

I’m a fine art photographer based in Jacksonville, Florida, specialized in underwater photography, maternity, boudoir. I was born and raised in Milan, Italy and I moved to Florida in 2021, fascinated by the beautiful nature and endless summer. For as long as I can remember, my dad did photography as a hobby. Read more>>

Nelli Chernyshova

My name is Nelli Chernyshova, and I am a wedding and family photographer based in Jacksonville. Three years ago, I relocated to the United States and faced the challenge of establishing my photography business in a completely new country. Building a professional reputation, understanding a different market, and growing a client base from scratch required determination, adaptability, and creative problem-solving. Read more>>

Rodney Tatum

So many negative and positive events have all played a role in my life. On the surface, learning and obsessing about taking care of my own car was how it started. Observations by my peers of my car care habits, served as a reminder that what was normal to me was considered extraordinary to most. Read more>>

Duncan Tilka

I started WeHandleMedia after noticing a consistent gap between great local businesses and their ability to consistently attract customers online. Many property owners and business operators were doing everything right operationally, but struggled with visibility, predictable lead flow, and measurable results from digital marketing. My background is a mix of entrepreneurship, systems, and creative work. Read more>>

Alyssa Daniel

Before the opening of Elemental Lashes I was working at another lash salon located in Jacksonville Beach for 4 years. Towards the end of my time working there I dreamed of one day opening my own business and becoming my own boss. The day came where my husband and I moved to the Green cove springs area! Read more>>

Lauren Patey

My name is Lauren Patey and I am a certified personal trainer and nutritionist. I became a personal trainer as a result of a nerve injury I sustained in 2017 as a bodybuilder. Read more>>

Eric Jackson

The Studio specializes in Contemporary Fine Art Photography and Creative Writing. I have always had an Interest in Visual Art and Stories. I found them to be a positive outlet for, not only Creativity, but negative feelings. From Landscapes and Automobiles to Self-Portraits and Abstracts, my Art Prints cover several Subjects. Although there are some Limited Edition Prints, most are Open Edition. Read more>>

Adna Muniz

Hello, it is an honor and a privilege to receive this invitation from Voyage Jacksonville Magazine to talk a little about my story and journey. I am originally from Brazil, but I have lived in the USA continuously for over 25 years, and like every immigrant, I faced many barriers and challenges to get here. Read more>>

Susanna Barasch

I’ve lived in classical music for as long as I can remember — it’s just who I am. I trained as a soprano rooted in the bel canto tradition, and early on I discovered that what lights me up is taking this repertoire beyond the opera stage. Read more>>

Adam Palmer

My story began about 10 years ago in Nashville. I spent several years working in the music industry before transitioning into digital marketing, where I worked my way up through some of the most well-known agencies in the city. While the work was exciting and fast paced, I eventually realized I was consistently putting my career ahead of my family. Read more>>

Jacqueline Griffin

Where Healing Becomes Personal By Jacqueline Griffin, FNP-C I was twenty years old when my father took his life. For ten years before that, I watched him disappear—slowly and painfully—under the weight of a medical system that treated symptoms but never truly saw him. He lived with severe rheumatoid arthritis, decades of gut issues, and a deep, unrelenting depression. Read more>>

Kathryn Hawkins

Safe Pet Rescue was founded in 2008 with the mission of saving animals from euthanasia. It started with two women, and the pets were kept in foster homes as we had no shelters. Over the years it has grown into a rescue with three facilities. To date, we have rescued approximately 30,000 pets! Read more>>

Valorie Burzumato

I’ve always been someone who brings people together. Long before Let’s Flamingle Events existed, I was the person hosting big themed parties complete with costumes, décor, and signature cocktails, or helping friends and family plan weddings and celebrations. Creating experiences where people feel welcomed, relaxed, and genuinely celebrated has always been my happy place.  Read more>>

Mikhal Kornegay

Mikhal “Korn Dawg” Kornegay, is a native of Greenville, Fl (Madison County High School). He was an All State selection at Defensive Back as a junior and senior, at Madison County High School. Held offers from Tennessee Tech, Duke, Vanderbilt, Uconn, Tennessee Chattanooga, Army, Navy, Citadel, and West Virginia. He chose Tennessee Tech, where he played for a semester, before transferring to Florida State University. Read more>>

Lacey Plotz

I wanted to take up a hobby and in 2017 I was browsing Pinterest and realized I had an affinity with dreamy, light colored photographs. I loved the way they looked and I wanted to create something similar. I asked my dad for a camera that Christmas and so began my love for photography. Read more>>

Nunzio and Jamie Smith

My wife and I first discovered escape rooms back in 2013 during a vacation in Gatlinburg with our then four-year-old son. We played our first room and instantly became hooked. Since that trip, we’ve played over 70 escape adventures and counting. Each one fueled our love for the challenge, the teamwork, and the thrill of solving mysteries. Fast forward to 2024. Read more>>

Dr Joshua Dunsky

I’ve been in practice since 1999, but scoliosis found me long before it became my specialty. Early in my career, I saw what most clinicians see—patients being told to watch and wait, brace until it fails, or prepare for surgery. What I didn’t see were answers. Outcomes were inconsistent, progression was poorly explained, and families were left anxious and confused. Read more>>

Stacey Harden

I started in healthcare over 15 years ago as a bedside nurse, where I quickly saw that many health issues weren’t just medical—they were tied to lifestyle, stress, and access. Fitness gradually improved became a part of my life, and for me, movement became therapy—it’s how I cope, reset, and stay well. As I became a nurse practitioner, I wanted to bring those worlds together. Read more>>

Bailey Rowland

They opened Creme de la Cocoa around 2015 as a small dessert operation inside of DOS Coffee & Wine. Over time, that “simple love for desserts” grew into it’s own brand and following. As their reputation and demand increased, they moved out of the shared space and into a dedicated storefront. Read more>>

Enricka “Rik” James

In 2021, I launched MamaSita’s Decor, my balloon and event design company, which opened doors I never imagined — from three years of Essence Festival Glam Suite to corporate events, fashion shows, and city-wide celebrations. What started as a side hustle became a full business, and it proved to me that my creativity could fund my life and my dreams. Read more>>