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Empowering Scholars and Fostering Authentic Partnerships

February 1, 2024 by Karen

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Phoenix Business Radio
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Empowering Scholars and Fostering Authentic Partnerships

In this episode, Karen Nowicki hosts Rachel Lutowsky, Daniel Brown, and Tacey Clayton Cundy, representing Fahrenheit Advisors, Myriad at My Home Group, and CASA Academy respectively. They discuss their collaborative efforts in empowering low-income scholars and fostering authentic partnerships for positive community impact. Rachel reflects on coaching Tacey and Daniel, emphasizing their shared commitment to CASA Academy’s mission, while Daniel shares insights into his team’s unique salary-only model, complementing Tacey’s focus on empowerment and character development.

Listen to this episode as it highlights the importance of authentic collaboration in driving meaningful change within the community. 

Join this team and their teams at the Annual CASA Academy Fundraiser: Click here for Details, Sp0nsorship Opportunities and Tickets

Myriad at My Home Group is a realty company in Phoenix that assists people through one of the most important times in their lives, buying or selling a home. The experienced team of 5, has been in business for nine years and has established a unique business model in the real estate game. Myriad-Logo

With Myriad’s model, they change the atmosphere in real estate by enlisting all salaried employees, allowing them to focus their attention on creating a positive client experience.

In the past year alone, they were able to help 120 families achieve their real estate goals while building long-lasting relationships at the same time. Our real estate consulting company in Phoenix will value your home and find the best buyers for you.

Our team is currently ranked in Arizona’s top .1% of REALTORS®, top 40 agents in the state of Arizona, and are consistently in the Top 10 producers with their brokerage, My Home Group.

Daniel-Brown-Phoenix-Business-RadioAfter working in banking for over 10 years and bartending for a year in between, Daniel Brown decided to try something new.

In 2007, he was encouraged by a friend to get into real estate. At that time, the Great Recession had just hit and the economy was suffering its worst set-backs since the Great Depression. When many people were stepping away from real estate, Daniel was just beginning.

Over the course of 4 years, he closed on over a staggering 400 homes and gained a vast amount of experience in real estate.

That experience showed Daniel how important it was for agents to have some sort of financial stability so that they could focus on client needs instead of commissions. Daniel established a unique business model in the real estate game.

With Myriad’s salaried agent model, they change the atmosphere in real estate by enlisting all salaried employees, allowing them to focus their attention on creating a positive client experience.

Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn and follow Myriad on Facebook and Instagram.

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CASA Academy is a free, public charter school that serves low-income students in kindergarten through sixth grade, providing students with the early academic foundation and character skills necessary to graduate from college and succeed in life. In the 2023-24 school year, CASA has continued implementing its growth plan, serving grades K-6, with the ultimate goal of serving grades K-8 in the year 2025.

CASA is not just a school, but a movement to raise the bar for education in Phoenix. Through a combination of rigorous academics, a college-bound culture, competitively selected teachers, and an extended school-day, CASA aims to have all of its students make over a year of growth in a single year. At CASA, the road to college truly starts in kindergarten.

Tacey-Clayton-Cundy-Phoenix-Business-RadioTacey Clayton Cundy graduated from Bucknell University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She went on to serve as a Teach for America corps member in Phoenix.

Following her corps commitment, Mrs. Clayton Cundy remained in the classroom teaching Title I second and third graders in Phoenix and Glendale. Always eager to improve her practice, Mrs. Clayton Cundy earned her master’s degree in elementary education and reading endorsement at Arizona State University and continued her education by earning a second master’s degree in administration and supervision through a scholarship from Teach for America and the University of Phoenix.

Mrs. Clayton Cundy served multiple summers on Teach for America’s summer institute staff as a literacy specialist and academic dean. Prior to co-founding CASA Academy, Mrs. Clayton Cundy was an Aspiring Leaders fellow and Charter Starter fellow through the Arizona Charter Schools Association.

Outside of work, you can find Mrs. Clayton Cundy teaching Jazzercise fitness classes, hiking in National Parks, and spending time with her husband and daughters.

Connect with Tacey on LinkedIn and follow CASA Academy on Facebook and Instagram.

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Fahrenheit Advisors is a management consulting firm. They are management consulting, business operation, and growth experts with a focus on mid-market companies across the U.S. Fahrenheit’s executive and leadership coaching practice was founded in Phoenix, AZ and has grown to include ten coaches that support clients with a variety of programs and offerings to support your talent development needs at all levels of your company.

Rachel-LutowskyPhoenix-Business-RadioRachel Lutowsky’s career in talent development and organizational leadership has spanned 30 years.

As the Managing Director for Fahrenheit Advisors’ leadership coaching practice, Rachel works with her team and Fahrenheit’s clients to sharpen leadership skills and maximize effectiveness.

Rachel has the ability to understand where business challenges meet interpersonal dynamics, and brings a unique, personable style to coaching, and consulting.

Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn.

Tagged With: business advisors, buying homes near me AZ, charter school, college prep, elementary, executive coaching, leadership coaching, Myriad real estate, Phoenix real estate, real estate process, selling my home in Phoenix, talent development consulting

Leadership, Empowerment, and Entrepreneurship: Miss Valley of the Sun Organization

February 1, 2024 by Karen

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Phoenix Business Radio
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Leadership, Empowerment, and Entrepreneurship: Miss Valley of the Sun Organization

In this insightful podcast episode, host Karen Nowicki engages with guests Kate Hofmann and Alexis Niekamp from the Miss Valley of the Sun organization, delving into their experiences within the Miss America system and their entrepreneurial journeys. Kate and Alexis share personal anecdotes, underscoring the profound impact of the organization on their lives, from scholarship opportunities to fostering a supportive sisterhood network. They discuss the organization’s mission to empower young women through personal and professional development, emphasizing the significance of community support and mentorship in their entrepreneurial pursuits.

Throughout the episode, Karen, Alexis, and Kate navigate topics ranging from effective communication and networking to the role of small businesses in supporting organizations like theirs. They advocate for authenticity and openness in communication, highlighting the transformative power of embracing vulnerability and reciprocity in business and personal growth. Through their personal stories and insightful perspectives, the guests convey the value of networking, education, and community support in achieving individual and organizational success, leaving listeners inspired to embark on their journeys of empowerment and growth.

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Miss Valley of the Sun an official local preliminary to the Miss Arizona & Miss Arizona’s Teen competition, the Miss Valley of the Sun Scholarship Organization is a non-profit, all volunteer organization devoted to empowering the women of Arizona to achieve their personal and professional goals.

Alexes-HeadshotAlexes (Lexe) Niekamp was born in Northern California and moved to Arizona at a young age, she takes pride in starting to dance at the age of four years old, and being actively involved in theatre and her community as well.

She is the owner of two local businesses Lessons by Lexe: Dance Studio for 7 years and Quest Character Parties for 6 years. She also serves as a board member for a local non-profit theatre company; One Stage Family Theatre, and the National Ambassador for the state of Arizona with the Global Game Changers.

Lexe just wrapped up her third year as the NAZ WRANGLERS IFL Pro-Dance Team Coach and is the current Miss Maricopa County within the Miss Arizona Organization.

She genuinely believes her purpose is to ensure that as our youth develop they have access to the world of arts and entrepreneurship, because while growing up the arts was always her outlet, which ignited a passion to build her own business.

She started a dance studio at the age of 19 years old, working and going to college full time. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Applied Human Behavior and holds certificates in Community Development & Sustainability, Dance Medicine, Entrepreneurship, and Service Industry Management. Her dance studio provides scholarships for young dancers which is something she holds very close to her heart.

With the courage of a lion she gives so much of herself to her community and encourages all to apply themselves in the arts world to keep confidence instilled in all generations to come. Arts is a universal language; it’s important for us to come together to self-express, while using our talents to give back.

Kate-HofmannBaton twirling lead Kate Hofmann to competing in the Miss Arizona Organization where she won Miss Arizona’s Outstanding Teen 2009, and then continued as a Miss to earn multiple Preliminary, Quality of Life and Community Service awards.

After graduating from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, she became Miss Arizona 2016, speaking and serving at more than 300 events.

Now as a REALTOR® with Realty One Group North Scottsdale, she utilizes her network of resources and valuable insights to provide guidance, education and quality service in residential real estate. From your first home to your forever home, and the investments in between, Kate is there to make sure you love where you live.

She is also an experienced marketing and communications professional who has a passion for storytelling and helping others feel confident when connecting with their community, whether that’s on social media, television, a stage or in an interview room.

Kate’s been in front of the camera on both sides of the microphone – educating viewers as a reporter and being interviewed as a spokesperson for events, local businesses, non-profit organizations and more.

She’s been behind the camera coordinating television segments, magazine features, newspaper articles, online pieces and social media collaborations for businesses. Through her unique strategy, Kate crafts brand messaging and content that captivate, connect and converts.

Kate enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, working on home projects, cheering on Arizona’s sports teams (except those Wildcats), listening to podcasts, reading books, and testing out new recipes for baked goods.

Follow Miss Valley of the Sun on Facebook and Instagram.

Tagged With: Miss Arizona Local, Miss Glendale, Miss Maricopa County, Miss Mesa, Miss Peoria, Miss Phoenix, Miss Scottsdale, Miss Tempe

Flight Path to Leadership: Nurturing Belief, Resilience, and Culture E38

February 1, 2024 by Karen

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Phoenix Business Radio
Flight Path to Leadership: Nurturing Belief, Resilience, and Culture E38
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Flight Path to Leadership: Nurturing Belief, Resilience, and Culture E38

In the latest Culture Crush Business Podcast episode, host Kindra Maples and guest co-host James Christensen dive into the dynamic intersection of military culture, personal values, and high-performance leadership with esteemed guests Waldo Waldman and Dan Clark. The conversation weaves through a captivating exploration of resilience, identity, and the pivotal role belief plays in shaping organizational culture.

Dan, drawing from his triumph over paralysis, outlines a three-step approach to nurturing a positive culture—expanded belief, elevated expectations, and empowered behavior. He emphasizes the leader’s crucial role in instilling shared beliefs and fostering transparent communication.

Waldo chimes in by stressing the significance of mutual support, admitting mistakes, and aligning with team values. The podcast’s second half delves into the art of professional speaking, emphasizing the importance of customization, embracing discomfort for growth, and the role of vulnerability in ineffective leadership. Dan and Waldo passionately advocate for leaders to connect with all levels of employees, address trust and ego challenges, and embrace a culture of continuous improvement.

This riveting and enlightening episode delivers a comprehensive view of leadership, seamlessly weaving together military principles, personal narratives, and actionable advice for fostering a positive and growth-centric organizational culture. There is a take away in here for everyone!!

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Waldo-Waldman-Culture-CrushLt. Col. Waldo Waldman, The Wingman, is a Hall of Fame leadership speaker, executive coach, and the author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Never Fly Solo. He helps leaders and organizations build collaborative cultures of trust, courage, and excellence in order to adapt to change, break performance barriers, and overcome adversity.

In addition to his career as a combat decorated F-16 fighter pilot, Waldo has real world corporate sales and management experience and is an expert on change management, peak performance, and resilience – having broken through a lifelong fear of heights and overcoming claustrophobia as a fighter pilot. A key message in his inspirational “Never Fly Solo” signature keynotes, seminars, and peak performance coaching is that you can’t reach your highest potential alone. You need wingmen – trusted partners – to help you win when adversity strikes.

His compelling stories and strategies on overcoming obstacles, performing under pressure, and servant-based leadership are extremely relevant to organizations who seek to create a resilient, courageous, “One Team, One Mission” performance-focused culture of collaboration and trust.

Waldo is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and the founder of The Wingman Foundation, a 501(c)(3) whose mission is to build funds and awareness for veterans in need. He is an inductee into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame, a prestigious award that honors speakers who have reached the top echelon of platform excellence and has been bestowed on less than 200 speakers worldwide.

He speaks internationally for clients including Marriott, American Express, AT&T, Procter & Gamble, The Denver Broncos, and Home Depot, and has been featured on Fox & Friends, CNN, MSNBC, Inc. Magazine and The Harvard Business Review.

To learn more, visit www.YourWingman.com or email Info@YourWingman.com.

Connect with Waldo on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

DAN-CLARK-Culture-CrushDan Clark is the founder and CEO of an International Leadership Development Company; a High-Performance Business Coach; New York Times Best Selling Author of 35 books; University Professor; a Primary Contributing Author to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series; International Podcaster; Gold Record Songwriter; and an Award Winning Athlete who fought his way back from a paralyzing injury that cut short his football career.

Dan was inducted into the National Speakers Hall of Fame – and has been named one of the Top Ten Motivational Speakers in The World. Dan has spoken to over 6 million people, in all 50 states, in 71 countries, on 6 continents, to more than 6000 audiences including most of the Fortune 500 companies, Super Bowl Champions, NASA, and to our Combat Troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Asia and Africa.

Dan has appeared on over 500 television and radio shows including Oprah and Glenn Beck, PBS and NPR, and has been featured in the Mayo Clinic Journal, Forbes, Inc., Success, Entrepreneur, Thought Masters and Millionaire Magazines.

Dan’s extraordinary life includes soaring to the edge of space in a U2 Spy plane; flying fighter jets with the Air Force Thunderbirds; racing automobiles at Nur-burg-ring and sailboats in Australia; serving on the Olympic Committee and carrying the Olympic Torch in the Winter Games; and keynoting the United Nations World Congress.

Dan was named an Outstanding Young Man of America – and has since received the United States Presidential Medal presented by President Ronald Reagan; the United States Distinguished Service Medal presented by the U.S. Department of Defense; was the national recipient of the prestigious Air Force American Spirit Award; and was named Utah Father of the Year!

Connect with Dan on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About Our Guest Host

James-ChristensonJames Christensen is the President of Gateway Bank, the only community bank in Mesa, Arizona. Under his leadership, Gateway has thrived through multiple economic downturns and grown
to consistently be one of the strongest performing financial institutions in its peer group.

James has worked in the banking industry for over 35 years, mostly in commercial lending and management. Hailing from the Midwest, he was President of a community bank in Kansas for a decade before joining Gateway Bank’s founding team in 2007.

James is very active in the local community and a fierce advocate for small businesses, groups that have been marginalized, and people in need. He enjoys educating and inspiring people to improve their financial health and overall well-being.

Connect with James on LinkedIn.

About Culture Crush

At Culture Crush, culture isn’t just a corporate buzzword. It’s a key factor that can either boost your company or lead to its failure.

We’re culture consultants, with a focus on leadership, appreciation, communication, processes, accessibility, mental health, diversity, inclusion, and creating a dynamic workplace.

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As a growing company:

Culture Crush Business is your hub for company culture resources. With deep cultural insights and years of expertise, we evaluate your company’s needs and connect you with the precise resources to cultivate a thriving culture.

We work with CEOs, founders, HR Directors, or Culture Leaders of companies or teams, who value company culture and understand its impact on their business success.With Culture Crush you’ll learn how to transform your workplace into a place of unity, efficiency, and growth. Don’t just fix your company culture – transform it with Culture Crush Business.

On this podcast:  We focus on everything surrounding businesses with good company culture. We will talk with company leaders to learn about real-life experiences, tips, and best practices for creating a healthy work environment where employees are finding joy and satisfaction in their work while also striving and growing within the company. We share the resources to help improve company culture and showcase them on the podcast with their tips and tricks for growing culture.

About the Host

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Kindra Maples  is spartan racer, past animal trainer, previous magician’s assistant, and has a weakness for Oreo cookie shakes. Her journey working with people actually started working with animals as a teenager (don’t worry we won’t go that far back for her bio).

She worked for over 15 years in the zoo industry working with animals and the public. Her passion of working with animals shifted into working with people in education, operations and leadership roles. From there her passion of leadership and helping people develop has continued to grow.

Then came the opportunity for leading  the Culture Crush Business Podcast and she jumped on it. Leadership, growth, and strong company cultures are all areas that Kindra is interested in diving into further.

Thank you for our Sponsor!

This episode is sponsored by Gateway Bank, a community bank in Arizona that specializes in serving small businesses across the Valley and the country.

When you work with Gateway, you don’t have to call an 800 number for support, or submit your loan application and wait weeks or months for an answer. You get fast, personal service from a team who knows you and cares about you.

When Gateway was founded in 2007, the team had a vision of building a hometown bank that prioritizes people over profits. Over 15 years later, they’re proud to still be one of the highest-performing AND highest-rated community banks around.

Whether you need a loan or banking services for your business, Gateway is here to help. Visit gcbaz.com/culturecrush for details and a free consultation with bank President James Christensen.

All loans subject to approval. Member FDIC.

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Tagged With: Motivational Keynote Leadership Speaker, PERSPECTIVE Leadership, Raising the Bar!, Story Selling, The A.R.T. of Significance

Navigating Leadership: Insights from Industry Pros E46

January 31, 2024 by Karen

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AZ TechCast
Navigating Leadership: Insights from Industry Pros E46
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Navigating Leadership: Insights from Industry Pros E46

This dynamic podcast interview, hosted by Karen Nowicki and Steven Zylstra, featured esteemed guests Victor Assad from Strategic HR Consulting; Carol Stewart from Tech Parks Arizona and Art Taylor from PayPal. These leaders engaged in a comprehensive exploration of effective leadership in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

The group discussed the challenges faced by leaders today, including navigating remote work arrangements, adapting to changing regulatory landscapes, and maintaining strong organizational cultures amidst hybrid work setups. Victor emphasized the importance of aligning executive expectations with employee concerns, while Art stressed the need for ethics-based compliance programs. Carol highlighted the struggle of preserving a strong organizational culture in remote settings, focusing on creating inclusive environments and fostering connections among employees.

Transitioning to essential attributes for effective leadership and team development, the discussion continued with Art underlining the importance of openness to new approaches and creating a culture of trust. Victor emphasized transparency and flexibility, while Carol added courage and empowerment to the mix.

The conversation concludes with insights into the multifaceted nature of leadership, highlighting the significance of diversity, mentorship, and continuous growth in leadership roles, encapsulating a holistic understanding of effective leadership in today’s tech-driven world.

Fostering leadership growth is an important function of the Arizona Technology Council as they hold annual peer-to-peer networking groups for industry leaders to eagage with and learn from each other.

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Victor Assad Strategic HR Consulting works with companies to transform HR, conduct executive and technical searches, implement hybrid work, improve compensation and performance management, leaders, teams, and cultures of innovation so they can grow profitably.

Assad-Victor-AZ-TechCastVictor Assad is the CEO of Victor Assad Strategic HR Consulting Managing Partner of InnovationOne, LLC. He works with companies to transform HR, conduct executive and technical searches, implement hybrid work, and improve leaders, teams, and cultures of innovation.

Victor is the author of the highly acclaimed book, Hack Recruiting: The Best of Empirical Research, Method and Process, and Digitization. He publishes a weekly blog and is quoted in journals such as The Wall Street Journal, Workforce Management, Human Resources Executive, and CEO Magazine. He publishes weekly blogs.

Victor has led human resources in strategic business units at Honeywell and Medtronic’s fast-growth, high-technology businesses. He has led HR globally from Mumbai to Milano. Victor has significantly improved HR and recruiting at business units of Honeywell and Medtronic and in his consulting, often cutting recruiting cycle time in half, improving diversity representation, and cutting costs per hire.

He has pioneered remote and hybrid work, improved performance management and compensation, built learning organizations, managed benefits, and developed great cultures, leaders, and teams.

He has worked in various industries with large and small employers, including medical devices, health care, semiconductors, high tech, real estate, retail, and with government agencies, such as the US Department of Energy, to name a few.

Victor holds a Master of Arts Degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. He has executive leadership certifications from Harvard and Kellogg. He and his wife live in Scottsdale, AZ.

Connect with Victor on LinkedIn.

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Tech Parks Arizona advances companies of all sizes and facilitates university-industry interaction in alignment with the research, mission and goals of the University of Arizona (UA). Companies that partner with Tech Parks Arizona are linked to a world-class team that is invested in their success and directly connected to the research expertise and talent of the university through purpose-built environments which include the UA Tech Park, the UA Tech Park at The Bridges and the University of Arizona Center for Innovation.

The UA Tech Park, a thriving employment hub in southeast Tucson, houses over 100 companies and 6,000 knowledge workers, contributing a remarkable $2 billion annually to the local economy. As one of the nation’s premier research parks, it encompasses 1,267 acres and has 2 million square feet of tech offices, R&D, and laboratory facilities in southeast Tucson.

The University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI), the university’s incubator network, provides access to people, programming, and places that help entrepreneurs take their companies from idea to market. With the mission to fuel the Arizona economy, UACI works to help scale science and tech-based startups through a 28-point structured roadmap.

The UA Tech Park at The Bridges is a 65-acre community of innovation within a larger 350-acre mixed-use development project, strategically located minutes from the University of Arizona Main Campus, Downtown Tucson and the Tucson International Airport.

The campus is perfect for tech-focused businesses and organizations that want to co-locate with the university and draw upon the talent and sharp minds that can be mined from the University of Arizona.

Tech Parks Arizona is proud to commemorate its 30-year anniversary. Shaping the Future at the Speed of Business – Technology’s Best Address.

Carol-Stewart-AZ-TechCastCarol Stewart, a long-standing authority on research parks, is the Vice President for Tech Parks Arizona at the University of Arizona. Carol Stewart leads the UA Tech Park at Rita Road and is developing the UA Tech Park at The Bridges.

She is also president of the University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI), a technology business incubator network serving the University of Arizona, Tucson and international community.

Stewart’s expertise in university research parks spans decades and nations with more than 20 years of experience working with research parks, technology commercialization, business incubation, governmental relations and business development.

As a pioneer in the research parks world, she has driven national policy, standardized programs, created national and international networks, built technology clusters, engaged stakeholders, and assisted countries with the development of their national science and technology policies.

Stewart is passionate about her community and serves as a champion in university-based economic development. She is a member of Southern Arizona Leadership Council, Flinn Foundation Steering Committee, a member of the Canadian Global Mentor Program and she also serves on the Board of Directors for Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce, Pima County’s Workforce Investment Board, Arizona Technology Council, Desert Angels, and is the Vice President on the national University Economic Development Association (UEDA) board, and a member of the North American CEO Council for Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW).

She also serves as the North American Division President for the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP). IASP is the worldwide network of science parks and areas of innovation. IASP has nearly four hundred members in 74 countries. Previously, Stewart served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of University Research Parks (AURP), which represents 170 research parks in North America. She collaborates with numerous leaders world-wide to build and grow university-related research parks through education, unification, and collaboration. She helps to expand and advance the impact of research parks and areas of innovation by showcasing best practices across the globe.

Her proven success record also includes co-founding the Canadian chapter of the Association of University Research Parks, founding director of the David Johnston Research + Technology Park at the University of Waterloo spearheading the development of the park, advancing the park to over the one-million-square-foot milestone, leading the marketing efforts and launching the professional services division of Maplesoft, a global spin-off company from the University of Waterloo, and enhancing the entrepreneurial culture of Canada at the Canadian Industrial Innovation Centre (CIIC).

Follow Tech Parks Arizona on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

PayPal allows any business or individual with an email address to securely, conveniently and cost-effectively send and receive payments online. Our network builds on the existing financial infrastructure of bank accounts and credit cards to create a global, real-time payment solution.

Art-Taylor-AZ-TechCastArt Taylor serves as a vice president within PayPal’s Global Compliance Investigations division. In this capacity, Taylor leads a team of industry experts in charge of risk and compliance investigations in North America, ensuring PayPal fulfills its commitment to combat money laundering, terrorism financing and other related financial crimes.

Taylor’s team is primarily concentrated in two main hubs — Phoenix and Omaha, Nebraska — and encompasses approximately 400 talented subject matter experts. Taylor brings over 10 years of financial crime risk management and operations experience to PayPal.

Prior to joining the PayPal team in 2016, Taylor worked for American Express and Bank of America serving in a variety of compliance and operations leadership roles.

Over the last decade, Taylor has led global teams and developed organizational processes in the financial and compliance industries In 2015, Taylor earned the designation of Certified Advanced Financial Crimes Investigations Specialist (CAMS-CFI).

Taylor earned his master’s degree in global business management from the University of Phoenix, and a bachelor’s degree in international business from Menlo College.

Connect with Art on LinkedIn.

About Your Hosts

Steven-ZylstraSteve Zylstra serves as president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, a role he assumed in 2007. He is responsible for strategy, operations, finance and policy development. Zylstra is a vocal spokesman for the value technology can provide in raising social and economic standards in Arizona.

Zylstra serves on numerous councils, committees and boards, was named “Leader of the Year, Technology,” by the Arizona Capitol Times, and “Most Admired Leader” by the Phoenix Business Journal. In addition, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of science in technology from the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Ariz.

Zylstra earned a bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering technology from Western Michigan University.

KarenNowickiv2Karen Nowicki is a successful author, speaker and the creator of Deep Impact Leadership™ and SoulMarks Coaching™. She is a two-time recipient of the prestigious national Choice Award® for her book and personal development retreat. Karen was crowned the first-ever “Mompreneur of the Year” Award in 2010 for the southwestern states. She was recognized for her leadership, business acumen, and work-life balance.

Karen has been an expert guest on regional TV and radio shows, including Fox Phoenix Morning Show, Sonoran Living, Good Morning Arizona, The Chat Room, and Mid-Day Arizona. She has been a regular contributor to many print and online magazines – publishing articles and blogs for business and education.

In addition to working with private coaching clients, Karen is also the Owner & President of Phoenix Business RadioX. The Business RadioX Network amplifies the voice of business – serving the Fortune 500,000, not just the Fortune 500. Phoenix Business RadioX helps local businesses and professional associations get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, profession, and community.

Of all the experiences Karen has had the privilege of participating in over her vast career, she shares that Phoenix Business RadioX is a pinnacle adventure!

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn and follow Phoenix Business RadioX on Facebook and Instagram.

LeslieMarquezHeadshotsmallerLeslie Cooper Marquez is a dynamic marketing professional with over 17 years of broad-based marketing, public relations and advertising experience in both in-house and agency environments.

Originally from Birmingham, AL, Leslie has honed her expertise across diverse sectors, including non-profit performing arts, legal marketing, mortgage technology, and residential mortgage marketing.

Leslie has been an integral part of the Arizona community for the past 5 years. Most recently, she served as the Marketing Director for Scottsdale-based mortgage technology firm, focusIT, Inc., and previously as the Director of Marketing for Ballet Arizona.

Beyond her professional commitments, Leslie is an active member of the community. She serves as a Sustainer with the Junior League of Phoenix, volunteers with the Distinguished Young Women of Arizona scholarship program and is an alumna of the esteemed Valley Leadership Accelerate class of 2019.

In her spare time, Leslie shares her passion for fitness as a dedicated barre instructor at TenPoint5 Central. Above all, she cherishes her roles as a devoted mother to a young son and a loving wife to her husband, David.

About Our Sponsor

The Arizona Technology Council, Arizona’s only statewide organization serving the technology sector, fosters a climate of innovation to enhance technology in Arizona.

A trusted resource in strengthening Arizona’s technology industry, the Council proactively eliminates impediments that companies face, accelerates the entrepreneurial mindset in the state’s expanding innovation ecosystem, and works to create a destination for companies to be, thrive and stay.

Follow Arizona Technology Council on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Tagged With: business advantage, compensation, cultures of innovation, executive coaching, executive search, Human Resources, hybrid working, leadership training, Recruiting, team development, university research parks

Why Accounting is Important E8

January 26, 2024 by Karen

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Financial Footsteps
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Why Accounting is Important E8

In this Financial Footsteps episode, Chad Dean introduces Paul Bigbee, Chief Accounting Officer of Cavco Industries, sharing insights from his 14.5-year finance career. Bigbee discusses his transition from engineering to accounting, emphasizing the impact of regulatory changes and providing perspectives on the financial leadership landscape. He reflects on his journey from public accounting to industry, highlighting the challenges of becoming a manager and the significance of seizing opportunities to learn new skill sets for career growth.

Bigbee delves into his experiences at Starwood, underscoring the importance of difficult conversations and showcasing people skills. He shares how a focus on understanding various facets of the business, coupled with embracing challenges, led to his promotion to global internal audit leader. Throughout, Bigbee encourages the audience to ask questions, seek diverse experiences, and prepare for leadership roles in the finance industry.

Cavco is a leading designer and builder of systems-built structures including manufactured homes, modular homes, commercial buildings, park model RV’s, and vacation cabins. We operate 19 manufacturing facilities across the nation, which build the most widely recognized brand names in the industry: Cavco Homes, Fleetwood Homes, Palm Harbor Homes, Nationwide Homes, Fairmont Homes, Friendship Homes, Chariot Eagle and Destiny Homes.

The company’s insurance group, Standard Casualty, offers a wide range of insurance products for manufactured home owners and its finance subsidiary, CountryPlace Mortgage, offers a variety of homebuyer financing options. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, the company has built a reputation for quality, value and service since its founding in 1965.

Paul-Bigbee-Financial-FootstepsPaul Bigbee has served as Cavco’s Chief Accounting Officer (“CAO”) since June 2020.

Prior to joining the Company, he was Vice President, Financial Audit, for Caesars Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CZR), Las Vegas, Nevada, from 2018 to 2019. From 2006 to 2018, he held various positions of increasing responsibility at Starwood Hotels & Resorts (Nasdaq:MAR), Scottsdale, Arizona, including Controller, Global Sales & Marketing, from 2017 to 2018; Global Internal Audit Leader and Corporate Audit/Timeshare, from 2014 to 2017; and Senior Director, Financial Reporting and Development Support, from 2006 to 2014.

Prior to that, he was in the Assurance Practice at pwc for over 14 years. Mr. Bigbee is a Certified Public Accountant.

About Financial Footsteps

Financial Footsteps is dedicated to providing insider access to successful accounting and finance leaders thereby providing ideas, insights, and ‘secrets to success’ to those aspiring to be leaders themselves.

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Interactive conversations with guests will reveal the genesis for a career in accounting and finance, the great (and not so great) decisions that were made along the way, and the advice that these leaders would give to their younger selves.

About Your Host

Chad-DeanChad Dean has been an executive recruiter since 1996.  He currently is owner and CEO of a top-ranked national recruiting firm with a 33 year history servicing the Finance disciplines.

Chad Dean’s relaxed and authentic recruiting style combined with a relentless work ethic and dedication to ethical recruiting has propelled him to the highest levels of success in recruitment and career counseling. He has been sought after by CNBC, the Wall Street Journal, and numerous other publications for his expertise.

Chad Dean is a proud Arizona native, married for 21 years, with two second-generation native teenage sons. He has an MBA from Arizona State University and a BS in Biology from FHSU.

About Our Sponsor

Integrated Management Resources was founded in 1990 in Tempe Arizona.  Starting with clients like Goldman Sachs (first client and still a client today) and top Wall Street hedge funds, IMR built a robust recruiting process that digs out the most desirable ‘passive’ candidates from our client’s competitors.

IMR’s Phoenix Accounting and Finance practice services large and medium sized organizations for mid-senior level full-time placement and interim staffing.

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Strategic Hiring and Data-Driven Decisions: Business Success with Jackie Lord and Michael Erath

January 25, 2024 by Karen

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Phoenix Business Radio
Strategic Hiring and Data-Driven Decisions: Business Success with Jackie Lord and Michael Erath
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Strategic Hiring and Data-Driven Decisions: Business Success with Jackie Lord and Michael Erath

In this Phoenix Business Radio episode, Karen Nowicki explores the key to business success with Jackie Lord, CEO of Elevate Consulting Group, and Michael Erath, Founder of Next Level Growth. The conversation delves into strategies in hiring an A-Player Team, Culture Index integration, defining success for all employees within the organization, and the critical need for proven measurement tools. Michael and Jackie highlight the importance of data, clear expectations, and a people-first approach in driving successful business transformations, expressing their shared passion for positive change, navigating tough conversations, and strategically focusing on people and data for organizational growth.

Ready to transform your business with a strategic focus on people and data? Tune in to this episode with Karen, Jackie, and Michael for insights into driving organizational success.

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Jackie-Lord-Phoenix-Business-RadioToday’s CEOs report 80% of their company’s challenges are people related, taking up critical time, money, and resources.

With the mantra of Analytics over Instincts, Jackie Lord is passionate about guiding Chief Executives, Presidents, and high-performance Visionaries to exponentially grow and streamline their talent strategy and the trajectory of their businesses.

Her insights and strategies have transformed businesses worldwide and changed the way leaders think about people for the rest of their lives. Leveraging laser-accurate data, Jackie uses a process she calls Aligning People with Profit™ to get the right people in the right seats to make businesses more productive and profitable.

She specializes in revitalizing employee engagement, reducing turnover, uncovering hidden talent, and increasing bottom-line revenue. But most importantly, she makes businesses unstoppable.

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Jackie is a well-respected and sought-after trusted advisor to CEO’s and leadership teams of growth-focused businesses. She has over 20 years of experience working with Fortune 100 companies including Amazon, Boeing, and JP Morgan Chase to over 60 mid-size companies and start-ups.

She is the Founding Principal & CEO of Elevate Consulting Group, a firm dedicated to infusing the human element back into business. Leveraging laser-accurate data, she uses her personally developed process to get the right people in the right seats for radical scalability and growth.

Jackie attended UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, and USC Marshall School of Business. She holds multiple degrees in Statistics, Business, and Entrepreneurship.

Connect with Jackie on LinkedIn.

Most entrepreneurial leaders achieve success, to some degree, at the expense of their relationships, their time with family, their physical health, or emotional health. We believe it doesn’t have to be this way. We believe you deserve more than a return on investment from your business, you deserve a meaningful Return on Life. NLGLogoPhraseWebsite

This belief drives our daily purpose of Helping Entrepreneurial Leaders Build Elite Organizations™ through what we refer to as the Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations®.

The entrepreneurial world is full of “Business Operating Systems” that do some things well but often fall short in other key areas. The problem is that they typically offer a one-size-fits-all approach and are more about the system than the user. When you’re growing, one size doesn’t fit well for very long.

The Next Level Growth approach focuses on YOU and RESULTS over purity to a prescriptive, one-size-fits-all system. We meet you where you are and help bring the right tools and concepts, at the right times, regardless of the source.

We do this based on YOUR individual needs, to help YOU and YOUR team excel at each of the Five Obsessions of Elite Organizations®, to ensure YOU reach the summit of the mountain YOU are climbing.

Michael-Erath-Phoenix-Business-RadioIn the first 15 years of his career, Michael Erath took over an $8M family manufacturing business which he grew to $45M in revenue with over 200 employees during his 15 years as President & CEO.

Being tied closely to the housing market and due to a significant betrayal from a business partner who eventually served prison time for embezzlement and fraud, during the financial collapse of 2009 Michael lost it all.

Late in 2010, Michael leveraged all that he had and started a new business. It was during the startup of his new business that Michael was introduced to the book Traction®. Shortly thereafter, Michael began implementing EOS® as the basic foundation in his new business.

With EOS® as the foundation, Michael then used his past experience with other systems to plug the holes that he found to exist in EOS®, layering on strategy and cash management tools from Scaling Up; recruiting and hiring A-Player playbooks from Topgrading; and other advanced business tools he had learned over his career and from his time in YPO. This customized approach allowed him to grow the business rapidly and in 2015 make the Inc. 5000.

Running the business on a complete and custom-tailored system gave Michael the entrepreneurial freedom to eventually exit the business and focus on his true passion: Taking all that his entrepreneurial life has given him, sharing it openly and vulnerably, and in doing so giving it all back as a full-time business guide.

Since 2015, Michael has been a record holding Certified EOS Implementer®, a Certified Scaling Up Coach and a Certified Pinnacle Business Guide. As the only business guide in the US to have simultaneously held all three certifications, Michael shares from his vast knowledge as well as his more than 20 years of experience in the trenches of the entrepreneurial world to help his clients bring their dreams to reality.

Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, Michael guides them in implementing a customized, holistic operating system that can only be done by someone who has lived through it all.

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn and follow Next Level Growth on Instagram.

Tagged With: Aligning People with Profit, Analytics over Instincts, arizona, business coaching, Culture Index, Culture Index Executive Advisor, Elevate Consulting Group, EOS Implementer, Leadership Effectiveness Consultant, Next Level Growth, Pinnacle Business Guide, Scottsdale, Traction in Phoenix

Committing to Success: Long-Term Strategies in Marketing

January 22, 2024 by Karen

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Phoenix Business Radio
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Committing to Success: Long-Term Strategies in Marketing

Karen Nowicki brings together dynamic entrepreneurs Megan Ferguson, Founder of Back Court Marketing, Caitlin Penny, CEO of Copper Theory Creative, and Elizabeth Lowney, CEO of Creating Buzz PR, for a lively discussion on the intricacies of B2B collaboration and strategic networking. The guests share valuable insights into personal branding, social media marketing, and the importance of genuine partnerships within the entrepreneurial community. Highlighting the significance of quality over quantity in networking, they emphasize the alignment of business goals when seeking collaborative and referral partners.

The guests collectively explore the trends in digital marketing for 2024, common social media mistakes, and the commitment required for long-term marketing success. With a focus on professionalism, authentic representation, and the need for clear messaging in the competitive world of marketing and branding, tune in for expert insights to elevate your business presence! Backcourt-logo1

Backcourt Marketing provides social media marketing services for small to medium sized businesses who have at least one of the following goals: Reaching more customers online, raising revenue through online sales, expanding to a new audience, improving their brand, driving traffic to their website, creating influencer partnerships, or generating leads.

For business owners and marketing managers who are too swamped with wearing many other hats, we are the outsourced team they can hire to effectively run the business’ social media accounts.

Megan FergusonMegan Ferguson started Backcourt Marketing, a recent recipient of the State Forty Eight Foundation Grant, to help businesses that were under-utilizing social media platforms. She understands the roadblocks that stop business owners from effectively promoting their business to thousands of people online daily.

She took what she knew she is good at, her background in strategic marketing, out of the box campaigns, writing compelling content, and developed a business out of it. Megan comes from a background in sports journalism and sports marketing, having managed large scale accounts such as the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

In her free time, you can find her at just about any Arizona sports matchup happening in the Valley.

Follow Backcourt Marketing on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

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Copper Theory Creative is a full-service marketing agency based out of Phoenix, AZ. They specialize in personal branding and social media workshops, as well as everything else digital marketing! They help you make money by professionally amplifying your brand to represent your vision in business by refining, refreshing and revamping your brand in the digital marketplace.

Caitlin-Penny-Phoenix-Business-RadioArt has always played a major role in Caitlin Penny’s life. Everything she did growing up included some sort of artistic ability or activity. Caitlin Penny has been a graphic designer since 2010, and founded her business, Copper Theory Creative in 2016 at the age of 24. She was excited, and her dream of being her own boss was worth fighting for.

Copper Theory Creative has expanded into a full-service branding and design agency that has serviced over 100 businesses since 2016. They are your partner in business – helping you make money by professionally amplifying your brand to represent your vision in business.

They take a very personal approach with their process, and are excited to get to know you and why you started your business! Copper Theory helps established entrepreneurs take their business to the next level by refining, refreshing and revamping their brand in the digital marketplace.

As a female business owner, Caitlin has been lucky to find many amazing mentors along the way who inspired her to never give up. As the company grows, she never forgets the small business owners, clients, and supporters that have believed in her since day one. Her version of changing the world is making your brand be seen in the best way possible so you can change the world in your own way.

She recently received the Young Professional of the Year award from NAWBO and has been featured in Shout Out Arizona, CanvasRebel and United Colors of Design magazine. Caitlin is also an Arts Commissioner for the City of Chandler.

When she’s not designing, she loves hanging out with her pitbull Herbie, watching Harry Potter or listening to a good true crime podcast.

Connect with Caitlin on LinkedIn and follow Copper Theory Creative on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Creating Buzz PR is a boutique PR company specializing in creative storytelling to garner the publicity our clients need to grow and establish their reputations for success. We have had our clients in Forbes Magazine, Inc. Magazine, CBS News, ABC 15, USA Today, AZ Republic, Phoenix Business Journal, Phoenix Magazine, AZ Foothills, AZ Big Media, Modern Luxury, The Times publications and many more.

Elizabeth-Lowney-Phoenix-Business-RadioElizabeth Lowney was working for a fairly high-profile company in San Francisco, putting on a lot of corporate and charity events when a PR company there asked her to join them. She’s always been a writer, so she fell in love with that part of it – finding and telling the compelling stories of our clients.

That is still how she works now – telling an interesting story people want to read and putting on events people want to attend.

When Elizabeth moved to Arizona to be closer to family, she started over from scratch, not knowing anyone. She had a hugely successful run with one of her first clients, Superstition Meadery, who Elizabeth had in over ten media outlets nationally and locally in their first month. By month three,  She had grown their sales by 30% – just with publicity.

Connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Tagged With: arizona marketing agency, Branding, crisis communications, marketing, marketing agency, personal branding, PR, Public Relations, publicity, reputation management, Social Media, Social media agency, social media marketing, social media tips, social media workshops

Digital Accessibility and Inclusion Making the Web a Better Place for All E21

January 22, 2024 by Karen

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Changing the Perception of Blindness
Digital Accessibility and Inclusion Making the Web a Better Place for All E21
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Digital Accessibility and Inclusion Making the Web a Better Place for All E21

In this episode of Changing the Perception of Blindness, host David Steinmetz explores digital accessibility with experts Kai Wong from Teladoc Health and Phil Yatvin from Level Access. They discuss the pivotal role of allies in fostering inclusivity for people who are blind, sharing personal motivations rooted in experiences of exclusion. Kai, a senior manager of digital accessibility, emphasizes inclusivity at Teladoc Health, while Phil, a strategic partnerships executive, advocates for accessible employment opportunities.

The conversation highlights the symbiotic relationship between accessibility and usability, underscoring the need for positive user experiences. The guests also address challenges posed by overlays, emphasize the importance of genuine efforts in design, and explore standards, enforcement, and proactive strategies for digital accessibility, reflecting their commitment to positive change in this realm.

Listen now to gain valuable insights and be part of the journey toward a more inclusive digital landscape.

Teladoc Health was founded on a simple, yet revolutionary idea: that everyone should have access to the best healthcare, anywhere in the world on their terms. Today, they are delivering on our mission by providing whole-person virtual care that includes primary care, mental health, chronic condition management and more.

Kai-WongKai Wong (she/her/they/them), Senior Manager of Digital Accessibility at Teladoc Health, is passionate about making the digital world accessible for people with disabilities.

Kai strongly believes in the transformative power of accessible technology for better health outcomes. Kai was a 2021 DC FemTech Award Recipient, has a US patent pending related to accessibility technology, and holds certifications related to health education and quality assurance.

At Teladoc Health, a global leader in virtual health and whole person care, Kai actively champions digital accessibility by baking it into the software development lifecycle and partnering with cross functional leaders to make it a priority.

Additionally, Kai founded Accessibility Champions for Change and serves as the first Digital Accessibility Partner on the THRIVE BRG’s leadership team.

Kai is known for their unique ability to make complex topics like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) engaging and enjoyable to learn about, especially for quality engineers, product managers, and web/mobile app developers.

Connect with Kai on LinkedIn.

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The Level Access digital accessibility solution combines the most robust platform and deepest bench of accessibility expertise to help organizations create accessible and legally compliant websites, mobile apps, software, and other technology. They have supported the accessibility initiatives of thousands of organizations, from Fortune 500 enterprises to public sector and government agencies, educational institutions, and private sector businesses of all sizes.

Level Access is proud of their diverse team of engineers, programmers, and consultants, many of whom have disabilities themselves. These lived experiences help them identify accessibility needs and issues, and more effectively create and test digital experiences to ensure maximum usability for all.

In addition, dozens of their Accessibility Services colleagues have worked as either staff members or contractors for the Section 508 compliance teams in U.S. Federal Government agencies.

With experiences in consulting, special education, and developing non-profit social enterprises businesses that focus on employment of professionals with disabilities, Phil has a deep understanding of the apex of business and disability inclusion.

Phil-YatvinPhil Yatvin excels at helping organizations understand the never-ending benefits of creating inclusive experiences for all. He breaks down flawed mindsets organizations have about employees and customers with disabilities so that they can improve business outcomes while also becoming more inclusive.

Whether the goal is to improve employee morale and productivity, grow market reach, or mitigate legal risk, Phil connects the dots for business leaders and empowers them to create sustainable digital inclusion strategies.

Now part of the Strategic Partnerships team at Level Access, he works with organizations and agencies that create digital experiences including websites, mobile apps, software, and other content, to ensure the assets they create for clients is inclusive to all.

Connect with Phil on LinkedIn.

About Your Host

David-SteinmetzAs the manager of Community and Public Relations, David Steinmetz uses his expertise, education, and personal experiences to “change the perception of blindness.”

Diagnosed with RP, a blinding retinal disease, at the age of 19, David uses his personal story to drive change that leads to improved employment outcomes and community integration for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Mr. Steinmetz graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Economics. Additionally, Steinmetz has continued his education by graduating from the Business Management Training (BMT) program provided by Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia.

In 2008, David was the national recipient of the National Industries for the Blind Milton J. Samuelson Career Achievement award. This prestigious award recognized Mr. Steinmetz for his career achievements and community service work.

David Steinmetz is a member of the Governors’ Council on Blindness & Visual Impairments, is a Board Member at the Arizona Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ACBVI) and serves his community through the Chandler Lions Club.

Connect with David on LinkedIn and Instagram.Changing-the-Perception-of-Blindness-iTunes

About the Show

Changing the Perception of Blindness; One Conversation at a Time is dedicated to breaking down barriers, de-mystifying blindness and promoting real world solutions that empower people who are blind to live a full and inclusive life.

Host, David Steinmetz connects with organizations, industry professionals and thought leaders who are working to bridge the gap that creates a world accessible for all.

About Arizona Industries for the Blind

Arizona Industries for the Blind is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating employment opportunities for people who are blind. It’s employees, more than half of whom are blind, deliver a variety of products and services, including a full-service Warehousing and Distribution Center, confidential Digital Data Scan (DDS) services for private businesses and government and the operation of Base Supply Centers located at each of Arizona’s three military bases under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Labor’s AbilityOne program.

Follow AIFB on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Tagged With: a11y, accessibility, accessibility platform, ADA compliance, Tech, Technology, teleHealth, usability testing, web accessibility, web content accessibility guidelines

Business for Good: How Social Spin and ClipDart are Changing Lives

January 19, 2024 by Karen

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Phoenix Business Radio
Business for Good: How Social Spin and ClipDart are Changing Lives
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Business for Good: How Social Spin and ClipDart are Changing Lives

In this podcast episode, host Karen Nowicki connects with Christy Moore, founder of Social Spin, and David Rodriguez, Chief Strategy Officer of ClipDart, as they share their wisdom and experience in providing essential services to the community, especially those experiencing homelessness. The conversation covers ClipDart’s and Social Spin’s unique blended business model, combining for-profit and nonprofit elements, and touches on challenges faced by nonprofits, emphasizing the potential for businesses to adopt innovative models addressing specific community needs. Moore and Rodriguez stress the importance of providing direct support to our neighbors in need.

Overall, this candid conversation focuses on the sustainability of their life-giving programs, growth strategies, and legislative support, concluding with reflections on Martin Luther King Jr. and their commitment to realizing MLK’s vision by combating systemic racism and creating opportunities for the next generation. Throughout, Moore and Rodriguez showcase a holistic approach to community well-being, underscoring the significance of genuine engagement and cultural sensitivity in their businesses.

David-RodriguezDavid Rodriguez is the Chief Strategy Officer of ClipDart. Their mission is to improve mental wellness via selfless, mobile barbers and hairstylists. ClipDart has successfully provided thousands of FREE, ON-SITE haircuts throughout Arizona for historically marginalized and underserved communities (as seen on FOX 10, The Arizona Republic, KTAR, ABC15 & others).

Today, they are focused on spreading the word of the grant they were awarded by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health to provide free, monthly hair care at 15 different Maricopa County senior centers for one year. ClipDart is the first hair care organization in Arizona history to receive a county grant!

ClipDart’s concept came to Kyle Parker (Founder/CEO) when he was dealing with his own mental health struggles while attending Grinnell College in Iowa. As an African-American man from Chicago, he never had an issue locating a barber for the first 18 years of his life. Then, he moved to Grinnell and was not able to find a barber within hours who was skilled at cutting coarse hair.

This is when he truly realized how essential barbers are to mental health. Within most minority communities, barbers are viewed as therapists, mentors, and pillars of the community. The barbershop is a cultural institution in black and brown communities where generations after generations share stories, unpack struggles, and listen to life’s challenges. It is a safe space. This continual mental struggle of feeling as if his culture was not included became one of the main reasons why he started ClipDart’s movement. 

Follow ClipDart on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

About Our Guest Co-Host

Christy-MooreChristy Moore is Founder & Owner of Social Spin, Inc., both a profit-driven laundry service and an award-winning social justice enterprise. Social Spin locations are safe, trusted community centers where customers can do more than their laundry.

Social Spin brings nonprofit partners to Social Spin locations, to provide care, services and employment assistance and opportunities. Christy recently expanded this mission through the creation of the Social Spin Foundation, a nonprofit committed to ensuring that everyone has access to clean clothes.

Christy has served at the helm of numerous local, statewide and national nonprofits for two decades. Her focuses have included equipping the unemployed and underemployed, empowering victims of violence, protecting women’s reproductive rights and increasing civic engagement.

Christy has a master of social work, is a certified Emergenetics Associate and an AEI Leadership Network Fellow. She received GPCC’s Athena Young Professional Award, Phoenix Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award, National Association of Women Business Owners – Phoenix Business Impact Award, ONE’s Organizational Accomplishment and Innovation Award, YWCA’s Advocacy Award.

Passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion, Christy serves as a board director for Achieving My Purpose, a nonprofit organization that empowers young women of color to embrace and achieve their purpose. She also serves as board president for the newly formed Social Spin Foundation.

She and her husband Mitchell have been pursuing passions together for 15 years, and love being an Auntie and Uncle!

SocialSpin-Logo-PrintReady-Color8

Social Spin distinguishes itself by connecting customers to various forms of care through its unique laundromat locations. This approach extends beyond just laundry services, as they actively facilitate access to essential resources like vaccines, housing navigation, assistance with securing identification documents, and even free haircuts and food. This holistic approach to customer service reflects a deep understanding of the broader needs of the community they serve.

Central to their model is the “Wash with Care” events held every Wednesday. These events are a cornerstone of Social Spin’s commitment to community support, offering neighbors who are facing hardships the opportunity for free laundry or laundry services.

This initiative not only alleviates the financial burden of laundry for many but also provides a platform for community members to connect with each other and access additional support services. Through these efforts, Social Spin goes beyond being a laundromat, becoming a vital community resource that fosters care, support, and solidarity among its patrons.

Follow Social Spin on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Tagged With: ClipDart, coin laundry, laundromat, laundry, laundry pick up and delivery, wash and fold laundry service

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