Business owners make stressful decisions for the sake of their company — work longer hours, placate toxic but irreplaceable employees, take on more responsibility, delegate less. They do what they have to do. These leaders expend time, resources and money because they get a return on their investment, but often that ROI ignores one vital factor: the overwhelming cost of … [More]
SanTan Brewery: Creating Earthly Change through Partnership and Innovation
Since 2007, Arizona’s craft can pioneers have been an agent for positive change. Originally launched in the heart of Historic Downtown Chandler, SanTan Brewery’s operations grew quickly. And, through its continued dedication to innovation and partnership, the SanTan Brewing Company has been able to revolutionize its industry while keeping community at the forefront of its … [More]
Televëda Helps Seniors Combat Isolation
Shruti Gurudanti has a commitment to combating isolation that comes from a very personal place. In her youth, she watched her own grandparents suffer from seclusion. During those difficult times, she realized that older adults experience a massive issue with social isolation and loneliness. These experiences shed light on the importance of social interaction and community. And, … [More]
Exploring the Possibilities
In the previous article, embracing change, our topic surrounded acceptance that change was all around us and here to stay. Rather than running from the unknown, we should embrace it and look for new opportunities to move forward. Once we’ve have made the decision to move ahead in exploration, how do we dream big and begin? It all starts with a framework of knowing the … [More]
Bashas’ Purpose Drives Social Change
Bashas’ Family of Stores was founded in 1932 by two brothers. And to this day, Bashas’ is still family owned. Now on its third generation of leadership and with more than 100 stores across Arizona under multiple brand names, Bashas’ has been an integral and long-standing component to Arizona’s growth. From the very beginning, Bashas’ has been committed to giving back and … [More]
Embrace the Unknown
“If uncertainty is unacceptable to you, it turns into fear. If it is perfectly acceptable, it turns into increased aliveness, alertness, and creativity.” —Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose In 1959, “The Twilight Zone,” a TV program, debuted in the U.S. The show was built around creating an experience surrounding the unknown. The show’s actual … [More]
Pioneer Title Is Committed to Forging a Better Tomorrow
Pioneer Title Agency has been a dedicated member of the Arizona community since its inception in 1985. Formed by a family with the goal to support families, the company has been driven by people with the goal to help people. The Newlon family — Bob and his wife, Betty; son Keith and his wife, Cindy — founded Pioneer Title in Sierra Vista and, through their strong local ties, … [More]
Cannabis Is Driving Social Change through 420 Skin Care and 420 Medibles
As a registered nurse, helping people came naturally to Marvina Thomas. She recognized that opioids were presenting real problems for her patients, serving only to foster an addiction and not providing the pain relief needed. As she saw her patients struggle with serious side effects and dependance, she found her true calling. Thomas set out to help those who were suffering and … [More]
Delta Dental: Brightening Smiles and Communities
Delta Dental believes that everyone deserves a healthy smile. Its long-standing commitment to the communities it serves is evident through its organized grant program and many foundational programs and partnerships. Not only is Delta Dental of Arizona the leading dental benefits provider in state, but it is peopled with leadership and employees passionate about oral health and … [More]
The Power of Calm
Let me be the first to admit I am a personal “work in progress.” There are moments in my career I am proud of and others I regret. Most of the regrets come from the times I was hurt or angry and tried desperately to avoid feeling those emotions. Yet the emotions always won. They would show up in my body, my stomach aching as I repeatedly played the triggering conversations in … [More]
Plexus Worldwide Volunteerism: Nourishing Health and Happiness
Plexus Worldwide is more than a health and wellness company. It is a company built from the belief that people should have the opportunity to meet their wellness and financial goals. Originally started with its flagship product, the Breast Chek Kit, which allowed women to easily perform their own monthly examinations, Plexus has a tradition of exploring solutions that help … [More]
Leading and Living B.I.G.
As human beings, we are meaning-making machines! To make sense of our daily lives, our brains are constantly on the hunt for a story that fits. Yet, there is a problem with stories. Once we give ourselves a good guy and a bad guy, or a right way and a wrong way, our brains reward us with a hit of the feel-good neurotransmitter called dopamine. The brain doesn’t care if the … [More]
Embracing Chaos
Chaos is defined as “a state of utter confusion, or disorder, a total lack of organization or order.” If there is one thing we are not missing right now is more chaos! The world has been turned upside-down in ways that we have never dreamed of! Things that once seemed normal, now require deep preparation, orchestration and facilitation like never before. The new normal is no … [More]
Four Peaks Brewing: All for Teachers
Four Peaks Brewing Company has a storied past in Arizona. The founders have a track record of both honoring history and innovating for the future all at once. This began with their first location in Tempe, a mission revival-style brick factory, which is still standing strong after more than 100 years and continues today with their inspiring community outreach efforts. Having … [More]
To Thrive, You Must Dare to Risk
The world needs braver and more courageous leaders — successful and inspiring leaders who will remove the barriers to good work and healthy workplaces. In this series of articles, I’ve covered the four skillsets of courage-building as identified by Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW, in her academic research and in her book Dare to Lead. The skills she describes are observable, … [More]
Ripclear’s Pivot for Positivity
Ryan Doherty and Zach Hines launched their company, Ripclear, in 2014. Little did they know their innovation would serve as a salvation for humanity only six short years later. And, while the pair originally set out to find a solution that saved expensive goggles from scratches, their effort has taken on a much larger social mission. From its onset, Ripclear was … [More]
To Build Trust, Try B.R.A.V.I.N.G.
Vulnerability is defined as a willingness to feel risk, uncertainty or emotional exposure, according to Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW, in her book Dare to Lead. I know it as the uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach when I am deeply aware that I cannot control the outcome of a situation. In The Thin Book of Trust, author Charles Feltman defined trust this way: “Trust is … [More]
The Risk of Misaligned Values
We are living and leading in tumultuous and vulnerable times. I need only to turn on the news, open my email or tune in to my next Zoom meeting to be faced with a new challenge or crisis. As a leader, I find my core values tested daily. It can be exhausting to show up both bravely and authentically. I’ve learned that the most critical asset of brave, courageous and authentic … [More]
