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. Check out our favorite stories from across California’s Central Coast.
Robin Kent
After I retired, I took a number of volunteer positions with different organizations. One of my volunteer positions was at Purrmaid Cafe & Adoption Center, which was owned by my friend Nikki Ruhl. I worked with Nicky for close to a year, and when she decided to relocate, my husband and I made the decision to take over permit. Read more>>
Ahrianna Navarrete
The first time I considered massage therapy as a career, I was around five years old. A friend complained about her shoulder hurting, and I knew just the trick! After massaging her, she felt better and told me that’s what I should do when I grew up. I remember just how excited and proud I felt when she said that. Read more>>
Haley & Michael Loredo
We’re a husband-and-wife real estate team based in Capitola, California, and we’ve both spent our lives in the Monterey Bay Area. Growing up here gave us a deep appreciation for the communities we serve and inspired us to build a business centered around relationships, trust, and local expertise. Like any business, it hasn’t always been a straight path. Read more>>
Erica Dudley
My name is Erica Dudley, and I’m the founder of Super Mallows, a company that started in the most unexpected — and meaningful way: my desire to make healthy marshmallows for my kids. I’m a big believer that food is healing, and what we put into our bodies truly matters. Read more>>
Bill Ortega
I started playing the trumpet at the age of 8 and have had many musical influences in both sides of my family mist notably my grandfather’s. Two of my current projects are my salsa band of 31 years Orquesta Borinquen started by my father and I. Another notable project is Patron Latin Rhythms of which is also a legacy band. Read more>>
Adam Mora
I started my journey in Krav Maga in 2011 while living in Norther Virginia. I am born in raised in Orange County, California, but had taken a promotion that required me to relocate to NOVA, where I did not know anyone. In pursuit of meeting people outside the office where I worked, I decided to give a local Krav Maga studio a try. Read more>>
Cara Behan
I found my way to working as a therapist through the body and through the practice of yoga. I have always been a seeker of experiences and have continued to train in psychedelic therapy. The healing potential with psychedelic medicine is profound and I am excited by the possibility of legalization in the future. I currently lead somatic psychedelic preparation and integration sessions. Read more>>
Jacqueline Canterbury
I grew up in the Central Coast of CA in the 70’s and 80’s. We learned vocational things. Auto, metal, wood shop and to sew and cook. As a lover of all things textiles from a long line of women who were also involved in at least sewing, I learned to sew, knit, crochet, and embroider early. Read more>>
Tasnim Said
My journey into interior design wasn’t a straight path, but looking back, every step prepared me for where I am today. I’ve always been drawn to creativity and thoughtful design, but I began my career in a different field. Over time, I realized that what truly fulfilled me was creating spaces that positively impact people’s everyday lives. Read more>>
Graham Aird
My business partner, Michael Kelly, and I moved out here a year ago to start a small real estate investment company. We met each other at Boston College in 2017 – our freshman year. We ended up being roommates the next 3 years and would always joke about starting our own company one day. Read more>>
Heeva Asefvaziri
My name is Heeva Asefvaziri and I started Flush Packaging in 2019. I studied Industrial Technology and Packaging at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo. My first job after graduating in 2011 was at a packaging company in Southern California where I began as a junior structural packaging designer. It was there where I discovered my passion for solving packaging challenges through structural design. Read more>>
Jimmy Purdy
Shift’n Gears Auto Repair wasn’t built overnight, and it certainly wasn’t built the easy way. In 2017, I purchased a local transmission shop that had been serving the Paso Robles community for more than 40 years. On my very first day as the new owner, every employee left. Read more>>
Anya Owensbrown
In 2014, I was the mother of two young Black boys, just four and two years old. During that time, the killing of Michael Brown—and so many other Black boys—was constantly being broadcast across the news. As a mother, I wasn’t just watching those stories unfold; I was watching how they were impacting my sons. Read more>>
Monika Knapp
I studied neuroscience at Penn then moved to Brooklyn after graduating. Eventually I began bartending and immersed myself in the hospitality scene. Even though I transitioned to a full-time remote position as an editor, I was still enamored with exploring various restaurants, teaching myself how to cook and making the kitchen my science lab. Read more>>
Emily Pouchie
To be brief, I came a long way from Louisiana as a Hurricane Katrina survivor. I come from background of having everything ripped away from me as a kid. My parents worked really hard. They started their own business, and of course that inspired me as I grew up to want to start my own. Read more>>
Eric Boesser
I have always been an active person, from team sports in middle school and college, to aerial and circus arts into my adult years. A few years ago I became certified as a personal trainer and began working with people, teaching them how to move, pulling from the experiences I had. Read more>>
Misty Salcedo
I’ve always liked hosting and celebrating with parties. I had actually never been to a wedding before I started my business. Well I kinda have a month before I started my business. I went to a wedding and they had a mobile bar that was OK, but I really felt that I could bring a better vibe and execute better. Read more>>
Katriz Trinidad
My earliest memories of singing started when I was 5 years old. It’s kind of a funny story because I didn’t start as the “singer” in my family it was actually my sister who was enrolled first. Read more>>
Brenda Cali
I didn’t always know I wanted to work in event planning. I’ve always been someone who loves to plan, create, and stay organized, but early in my career those skills took me into the corporate world. Read more>>
Marc Whitman
I started my business in 1986; I was moonlighting while working for another Architect when I started my own office. I rented a bungalow in downtown Santa Barbara. I slept in the back bedroom and had an office in the front. Read more>>
Brandon Marshall
I began writing at 13 years old. The first form of my creative writing manifested as songs, I wrote raps. At this time it was primarily about the abuse I was enduring. As I got older, my songs started shifting, mirroring my daily environment and lifestyles. I ended up going to Juvenile Hall; County Jails; and Prisons. Read more>>
Randee Haluszka
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that life rarely unfolds the way we imagine it will. Looking back, every challenge, setback, and unexpected turn has ultimately led me to where I am today. I’ve always been passionate about helping people become the healthiest version of themselves, but my journey wasn’t built overnight. Read more>>
Annik Kraft
I’ m Annik, the florist behind Fancy Pansy. After earning my florist diploma in Germany and running a successful wedding flower business in New Zealand, I brought my passion for floral design to California. Today I create artistic, garden-inspired flowers for weddings along the Central Coast, from intimate elopements to full celebrations. Read more>>
Joseph Talley
I started 831 Catering in 2020 admit a pandemic and ending a brick & mortar restaurant. I have spent most of my life in the hospitality industry. I started washing dishes for a local pizzeria as a pre-teen. As I got old enough to wait tables I started doing that and fell in love with the entirety of the process of hospitality. Read more>>
Ishtar Carter
Established in 1998 and nestled near the celebrated Pleasure Point on the Eastside of Santa Cruz, our shop has recently transitioned to new ownership while maintaining its cherished local legacy. Originally founded by Don and Diane Berkhiemer, who expertly passed down their trade and knowledge, the business continues to thrive under the stewardship of Ishtar and Oliver. Read more>>
Amy Beams
Since my last interview with Voyage LA, a lot has happened. In 2024 I opened Golden State Goods in downtown Atascadero, and I’m now in that infamous third year of business. People always say it takes about three years to really find your groove, and I think I’m still working on that. Read more>>
Susan Rodriguez
From Protecting Businesses to Uplifting Communities: My Journey of Purpose For over four decades, my professional life was defined by a single mission: taking complex risk management issues and translating them into clear, dependable protection for my clients. Read more>>
