Finding Arizona Podcast

In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, we dive into the inspiring journey of Lindsay Kirsh, founder of Slayer PR. From her beginnings in Canada to embracing Seattle's grunge music scene and then making a bold move to Phoenix, Lindsay shares how she rebuilt her PR career in a new country and navigated cultural differences with resilience and passion. Inspired by the spirit of Thelma and Lo...

Sabrina Guler's journey from the financial crash of 2008 to becoming a successful entrepreneur is a testament to resilience and transformation. In this interview, Sabrina shares how growing up in New Jersey during the financial crisis shaped her view of money and safety. She talks about her career path, from working as a project manager for tech giants like Apple to making a career shift during th...

In this episode of the Finding Arizona Podcast, Lesley Logan, and Brad Crowell join hosts Jose Acevedo to dive into the journey of building a supportive partnership within the Pilates industry. Lesley and Brad, co-hosts of the "Be It Till You See It" podcast, share their experiences—from meeting and starting a relationship to growing their Pilates business and launching physical products. They rev...

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 entre...

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 he...

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 transit...

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...

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, sh...

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 co...

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 situation...

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 foundi...

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 rece...

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.  Th...

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 duri...

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 t...

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 discu...

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 narr...

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 e...

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 r...

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 o...

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...

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 organiz...

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 wh...

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 Sto...

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 visio...