April 2022

Cover Story

Our Bioscience Economy

“If you look at Phoenix of old — if the pandemic had happened in the Phoenix of old — we’d have immediately launched into a recession, like a lot of other top markets have launched into a quasi-recession. But because Phoenix is so diversified in … [More]

Features

Nine Reasons Your Company Should Create a Mentoring Program in 2022

Companies face numerous challenges going into the new year: a shortage of skilled workers, employee churn, economic aftershocks from the pandemic and shifting consumer behaviors, just to name a few. While there’s no one-size-fits-all fix, there is a … [More]

Ryan Companies, Building Stories of Impact

Through thick and thin, Ryan Companies has a history of doing the right thing. Its community support is rooted in its purpose to create places for people to thrive. Its leadership recognizes that commercial real estate leaves an imprint on customers, … [More]

Elevated Marketing – Empowering a Brand with Enchantment

When people face a world that is too complex to understand, constantly changing in unexpected ways and unclear, they put up barriers of distrust and caution. This environment creates debilitating distress, and most people don’t have the tools or … [More]

Design for Productivity

Business owners need to find ways to boost employee productivity from time to time. Redesigning the office is a great way to do this. Creating a stylish and accessible office keeps employees focused and motivated. Here are a few of the most impactful … [More]

New Realities of Today’s Workforce

The impact and effects of COVID-19-related policies has accelerated the coming demographic change in the labor market. Many have written on and studied the working habits and behaviors of millennials. While an admitted generalization, millennials … [More]

DEI Is Where It Starts

The one thing that going through a global pandemic for two-plus years has shown us all is that we all need and crave human interaction and connection. The overwhelming sense of isolation many of us felt was all too real and affected everyone, from … [More]

Roundtable

Estate Planning for Closely Held Businesses

Many owners of closely held businesses are so busy with the daily activities involved with running a business that they haven’t had time to put an … [More]

Economy

Selling Your Business in 2022

Given the pandemic’s impact, more business owners will likely be selling their businesses in 2022 due to the uncertainty of the economy and tax … [More]

Legal

Luxury vs. Affordable Multifamily Housing

It may be surprising to hear that a city or community can be opposed to a luxury multifamily development just as strongly as an affordable housing … [More]

From the Top

‘I Bend Spoons,’ Says 72SOLD Creator

There’s a popular scene from the 1999 blockbuster hit movie The Matrix in which Keanu Reeves (Neo) interacts with a child who appears to bend a spoon with his mind. As he hands the spoon to Reeves, … [More]

Startups

Caribou: Childcare & Community

Taking to heart the advice, “Create a product that people need,” Dinali de Silva and Jordan Kong founded Caribou last year to provide “reliable childcare.” Says de Silva, “Childcare in America is a … [More]

Family Tradition Inspires Leila’s Empanadas

Owner and chef Leila Beltrame of Leila’s Empanadas, started putting her artisan empanadas and Brazilian cheese rolls on the market last November, launching with an event to benefit a local nonprofit. … [More]

Nonprofit

Ignite Constituent Engagement

Have those wildly creative virtual events and engaging digital messages reached their saturation point with donors, alumni or other constituents? As people tire of online interactions and hunger for … [More]

CRE

VDC Leading the Way in Creating Sustainable Buildings

As the industry continues to overcome the aftermath of the pandemic, in addition to today’s supply chain issues, leaders are seeking better efficiencies within the workplace now more than ever before. In a larger effort to keep up with the high … [More]

Korman Communities, RXR Make Phoenix Debut with Flexible-Living Multifamily Development

Korman Communities and RXR have completed the purchase of their first property in the Phoenix market: AVE Phoenix Terra at the southeast corner of Fifth Avenue and Fillmore Street. The newly opened 348-unit, seven-story, professionally managed, Class … [More]

Peoria’s Largest Master-Planned Community Site Draws Developer

Castle Hill Partners, an Austin-based community developer, purchased the 5,261-acre master-planned community project known as Saddleback Heights. The parcel is the largest remaining undeveloped master planned community project site in the city of … [More]

Healthcare

Re-Examining Burnout: Symptoms and Workplace Prevention Tools

Employees are tired of being burned out, and no industry has been spared. Employees have solely carried the burden of their burnout for far too long. Although tools to recognize the signs of burnout are extremely important, it is imperative that … [More]

Technology

Mobile Ordering Apps Trend

Mobile apps are rapidly taking over as the preferred way for consumers to place an order with local businesses. More than 66% of consumers stated they prefer using digital wallets and apps with brands they like. Local businesses in Arizona such as … [More]

High-Tech ‘Smart Fitness Studio’ Enters Phoenix Area

On March 3, a new “smart fitness studio” opened at 4626 N. 16th Street in Phoenix that relies on artificial intelligence and robotics instead of dumbbells, treadmills, etc. The exercise machines adjust a person’s workout to his/her strengths and … [More]

By the Numbers

Phoenix Is a Top 10 Startup City

In the past decade, Phoenix has developed into a technological hub to rival that of Silicon Valley. The capital city’s rise as an innovation center … [More]

Briefs

JPMorgan Chase Invests in Second Chance Hiring

JPMorgan Chase recently brought to Phoenix its Second Chance program, previously launched in Chicago and Columbus. Operating in collaboration with Phoenix-based nonprofits to provide career coaching and more, the community-based hiring model Phoenix … [More]

Adamo Ed Offers innovative Micro-School Model

Adamo Education is the “next evolution of learning,” combining elements from traditional, online and home school education models to create a positive, personalized environment where children love to learn, according to its founder and CEO Tamara … [More]

Banks and Credit Unions: Understanding the Differences

Bank or credit union? That’s a question most will have when deciding where to begin their financial journey. Credit unions are often misunderstood. In fact, some common misconceptions about credit unions are that strict requirements exist for … [More]