In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, Marisa Rodriguez, Founder and CEO of Luxe Baby Custom Newborn Care, shares her inspiring journey from being the eldest of ten siblings to creating a thriving business in personalized newborn care. Drawing on her early caregiving experiences and her work with newborn triplets, Marisa reveals how her passion for nurturing families evolved into an entrepreneurial mission. Her heartfelt anecdotes and innovative approach highlight the transformative pow...
Nov 23, 2024•43 min•Ep. 434
In this powerful episode, Yanna Williams, founder of Dear Diary Inc., shares her transformative journey from personal challenges to uplifting black girls through mentorship and support. Inspired by her own experiences as a first-generation college student, Yanna founded Dear Diary to provide young black girls with the confidence, resources, and community they need to succeed. She highlights how her aunt’s advice to overcome societal barriers fueled her passion to create change. From securing a $...
Nov 16, 2024•55 min•Ep. 433
In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, host Jose Acevedo talks with Thomas McPherson, real estate investor and founder of Lukrom, about his path from a middle-class upbringing to thriving as an entrepreneur in the real estate industry. McPherson shares his passion for financial independence, sustainable construction, and personal growth, discussing topics like private lending, the transition from military life to business, and the potential in alternative investments. His practical insi...
Nov 09, 2024•54 min•Ep. 432
In this episode of Finding Arizona Podcast , we explore A Safe Pool’s journey in revolutionizing pool safety. Founded to prevent pool-related accidents, A Safe Pool has become a trusted provider of removable pool fencing designed to keep children and pets safe while preserving backyard aesthetics. The company’s commitment to quality and safety education has driven its growth from a local business to a national presence. Now, through a collaboration with Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and the Mic...
Nov 02, 2024•38 min•Ep. 431
In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast , Chef Samantha Gutierrez, co-founder of Pickle Farm Foods, shares her inspiring journey of founding a bodega focused on allergy-safe and locally sourced products. From her beginnings as a home chef to building a community-centered business, Sam's story is filled with resilience and creativity. Driven by her personal experience with celiac disease, she’s committed to offering delicious, allergen-free options for her community. Her journey illustrate...
Oct 28, 2024•41 min•Ep. 430
In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, dating coach and matchmaker Cat Cantrill shares her inspiring journey from dancer to successful entrepreneur. She highlights the power of embracing change, resilience, and self-love, drawing from her own transformative experiences. Cat also discusses the importance of first impressions in dating and her passion for matchmaking. Her transition from coaching women to helping men illustrates the value of curiosity and pushing past discomfort for growt...
Oct 19, 2024•54 min•Ep. 429
In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, Brendan Franks, founder of AZ Law Now Injury Attorneys, shares how a traumatic accident involving his pregnant wife led him to establish his personal injury law firm. Experiencing firsthand the challenges of navigating insurance and legal processes, Brendan realized the crucial need for better representation and support for those in similar situations. His passion for advocating for individuals unaware of their rights and options became the driving...
Oct 17, 2024•37 min•Ep. 428
Kathleen Ventura, co-owner of Compost Crowd, discovered the need for sustainable waste management through a personal journey of questioning and conscious living. Her inspiration sparked during a visit to her friend in Cleveland, Ohio, where she learned about a company providing food scraps collection services. This encounter ignited Kathleen's passion for environmental impact and led to the founding of Compost Crowd in January 2018. Her journey reflects the power of individual actions and commun...
Oct 05, 2024•50 min•Ep. 427
Shelby Duplessis's journey into civil engineering began with her uncle’s encouragement, igniting her passion for math and science at a time when women in these fields were underrepresented. As she navigated a male-dominated industry, Shelby channeled her drive into community service and leadership, ultimately creating Passion to Powher —a platform empowering young women to break barriers. The recession shifted her focus toward balancing career with family and a deeper connection to nature. In th...
Sep 28, 2024•54 min•Ep. 426
Tim Riester is the visionary founder of Riester, a renowned advertising agency based in Arizona. Tim shares his inspiring journey from growing up in a small Ohio town to becoming a creative force in the marketing world. He reflects on how his family background, particularly his grandfather’s influence in the arts and his mother’s unconventional outlook on life, fueled his storytelling talents. Throughout the conversation, Tim offers fascinating insights into the art of storytelling in advertisin...
Sep 21, 2024•51 min•Ep. 425
In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast , host Jose Acevedo talks with Ross Novotny, co-founder of Now Pools, about his entrepreneurial journey and the innovative world of on-demand pools and spas. Ross shares the inspiration behind the creation of Now Pools, focusing on the need for adaptable pool solutions in the extreme heat of Phoenix. He highlights the importance of family support during the pandemic and the challenges faced in developing their temporary pool solution. His approach t...
Sep 15, 2024•39 min•Ep. 424
In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, we sit down with Erin Conrad, the passionate founder of Conrad Music. Erin shares her journey from starting a local music school in Gilbert, AZ, to expanding her vision into something much larger—bringing music into every household. We explore how Conrad Music has evolved from private lessons to an innovative teaching platform, helping students and teachers alike enhance their musical journey. With over a decade of teaching experience, Erin dives i...
Sep 07, 2024•44 min•Ep. 423
In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, host Jose Acevedo sits down with Joshua Byrd, owner of WHOLEISTIC FITNESS, and his partner, Jade, to discuss their entrepreneurial journey in the fitness industry. Joshua and Jade share how personal health challenges led to the creation of their holistic approach, which emphasizes community, accountability, and personalized wellness plans. They discuss the importance of work-life balance, integrating mindfulness and yoga into their programs, and th...
Aug 31, 2024•42 min•Ep. 422
In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, Fernando Lopez shares his journey from the military to independent filmmaking. He discusses his transition from the Marine Corps to pursuing acting and filmmaking, highlighting the benefits of indie films over big studio productions. Lopez emphasizes leveraging local resources and the dynamic interplay of actor-director roles in indie films. His narrative provides valuable lessons for aspiring independent filmmakers. Lopez's enthusiasm and determin...
Aug 25, 2024•51 min•Ep. 421
Debra Boblitt, a seasoned executive with over 28 years of business and leadership experience, shares her journey from corporate to entrepreneurship on the Finding Arizona Podcast with host Jose Acevedo. Debra emphasizes the importance of authenticity and leveraging personal strengths in leadership roles. Her passion for public speaking and her book on bold leadership, showcases her commitment to empowering others. Debra's episode on the podcast provides a wealth of knowledge for individuals cont...
Aug 17, 2024•41 min•Ep. 420
In this episode, listeners are treated to a captivating conversation with Liz Norton, Acting Marketing Director on site at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort. Through Liz's narrative, the episode unravels the resort's distinctive features, including its unique team culture, commitment to exceptional guest experiences, and close ties to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation. The discussion also covers the resort's diverse amenities to its endeavors to carve a niche in the competitive casino market in the Phoenix ...
Aug 11, 2024•26 min•Ep. 419
In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, you'll dive into a captivating conversation with Sallyann Martinez, the founder of Heaven's Light Wellness. Sallyann's journey into the spiritual realm began with a formative experience in her twenties, where she discovered her clairvoyant abilities and embraced her calling to help others. Throughout the episode, she shares her insights on holistic healing, spirituality, and the power of faith in personal and professional growth. You'll gain valuab...
Aug 03, 2024•49 min•Ep. 418
Join us for an episode with The Smile Zone, a nonprofit mobile dental outreach dedicated to supporting children and families throughout Arizona with valuable dental care. As a Board Member and President/CEO, Dora Pesqueda’s strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in driving the organization's mission forward. With a deep commitment to providing equal opportunities for top-notch dental care, Dora and her team work tirelessly to ensure that all children, regardless of their backgrou...
Jul 27, 2024•41 min•Ep. 417
In this week's episode, we have a moving conversation with Gyda Loveres, founder of the nonprofit Safe Streets Arizona. Gyda shares her inspiring story of overcoming adversity since immigrating to the US from the Philippines. Despite online bullying while volunteering and her own mental health struggles, Gyda perseveres to make a difference helping Phoenix's homeless community. Her organization provides basic necessities like food, water, and clothing to those in need. Gyda offers actionable way...
Jul 20, 2024•38 min•Ep. 416
Creative, to explore the power of storytelling in business. Jim's journey began in kindergarten when his teacher let him read a story he wrote to the class, sparking his passion for storytelling. This passion led him to become an acclaimed photojournalist and news anchor before launching Manley Creative, a full-service video production and digital marketing agency. If you want to understand why storytelling matters and how to elevate your brand's narrative, don't miss this conversation. In this ...
Jul 13, 2024•38 min•Ep. 415
Join Jose Acevedo, host of the Finding Arizona Podcast, and Eric Walters, host of a taste of az podcast, at 602 Day from Phoenix Beer Co. Celebrating all things local, they chat with various Phoenix entrepreneurs about what makes the 602 area code so special. We meet Ashley from the City of Phoenix government to learn about how the idea for an official 602 Day came about. Stone, also known as Stone on sax, is a passionate musician and president of the Roosevelt Rose CDC Artists Advisory Council ...
Jul 07, 2024•1 hr 21 min
Laura Waddell, the CEO of AZ Bachelorette and Muddle Fresh Event Planning Services, She shares her entrepreneurial journey and the origins of her successful businesses, providing valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs in luxury event planning and hospitality. Laura's transition from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, the dynamics of working with a partner her husband, and her vision for the future of her businesses make for a great conversation conversation. There's a strong focus pe...
Jul 03, 2024•50 min•Ep. 414
In this episode of Finding Arizona Podcast, we sit down with Tirza Jova, the innovative founder of Milk by Mom. Tirza shares her personal journey from navigating the challenges of breastfeeding while traveling to discovering the lifesaving benefits of freeze-drying breast milk. We delve into how her extensive research and firsthand experience led to the creation of Milk by Mom, a business dedicated to empowering breastfeeding mothers with a revolutionary storage solution. As a mother of two and ...
Jun 22, 2024•51 min•Ep. 413
In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, Nicholas Russo, owner of Bushwood Sims, shares his journey from the hospitality industry to innovating event spaces with indoor golf and hunting simulators. Discover how Nicholas identified untapped hotel spaces to enhance guest experiences and maximize event space utilization. He discusses the seamless setup and breakdown of the simulators, tailored experiences for hotel guests, and immersive opportunities in eSports and VR technologies. Learn abo...
Jun 15, 2024•31 min•Ep. 412
Ryan Miller, the CEO and Co-Founder of Peerlogic, joins the Finding Arizona Podcast shares how his journey into the world of AI in healthcare communication that was sparked by a simple observation within his wife's dental industry. Peerlogic revolutionizes the way medical providers engage with their patients through AI and cutting-edge technologies. With an entrepreneurial family background and deep history in Arizona we dive into all the amazing finds of Ryan Miller. In this episode, you will b...
Jun 08, 2024•46 min•Ep. 411
Colter Bloxom’d passion for helping people understand themselves and the influence of his family's support in pursuing his career are highlighteted thorough this episode. We get to Know Thrive Therapy Phoenix from one of their Leaders and Therapists, Colter. The conversation also delves into the benefits of group therapy, the proactive approach to mental health, and the significance of seeking help and feedback from others. Colter's insights shed light on the transformative power of therapy, the...
Jun 01, 2024•50 min•Ep. 410
In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, you'll dive into a conversation with Matt Blanton, a seasoned business coach and entrepreneur with a passion for creating impactful cultures within companies. Matt shares his journey of transitioning from being a business owner to a business coach, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, purpose, and structured coaching strategies. Throughout the discussion, he provides valuable insights into the emotional, strategic, and organizational aspec...
May 25, 2024•47 min•Ep. 409
In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, host Jose Acevedo chats with Vanessa Ruiz, the Deputy Vice President for educational outreach at Access ASU. Access ASU's programs and initiatives offer college readiness resources and support to Arizona families, students, and schools from kindergarten through high school graduation, ensuring students are well-prepared to thrive at the university level. Vanessa shares her inspiring cultural journey from journalism to higher education and her passi...
May 18, 2024•38 min•Ep. 408
Molly Schenck, a registered somatic movement educator and therapist, delves into the profound connection between trauma and movement on this episode. Her expertise in trauma-informed teaching practices for dance educators and her work with the Gray Box Collective showcase her multifaceted approach to addressing trauma through creativity and somatic practices. Throughout the conversation, Molly emphasizes the significance of completing stress cycles through intentional movement, the concept of vi...
May 12, 2024•48 min•Ep. 407
In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, host Jose Acevedo chats with Cameron Bawden, a multi-business owner in Arizona, about his journey as an entrepreneur and the valuable insights he shares. Cameron's experience transitioning from real estate aspirations to becoming a successful pest control business owner, Green Mango Pest Control. Cameron provides a unique perspective on service business growth strategies. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong customer focus, finding ...
May 04, 2024•41 min•Ep. 406
