Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona turns donations into possibilities by providing no-cost services to more than 30,00 Arizonans annually that help them build a better economic future.
Your purchases and donations help support local, no-cost career services, education, sustainability efforts and housing solutions so Arizonans can build better futures for themselves and their families.
Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to ending poverty through the power of work! GoodwillAZ.org
42
Boutique Travel Advisors: Pioneering Philanthropy in the Travel Industry
This month spotlighting Boutique Travel Advisors, Tyler Butler’s series explores the myriad ways businesses give back and the positive ways their programs impact our community.
COVER STORY
28
Economic Protections: Ensure Strong Pro ts in Down Times
In Business Magazine has tapped into the wealth of expertise in our community in key areas to help businesses navigate today’s challenges and maximize the opportunities.
DEPARTMENTS
9 Guest Editor
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs introduces the “Economic Protections” issue.
10 Feedback
Jolean Fleck, Jonathan Keyse and Teresa Marzolph respond to In Business Magazine’s burning business question of the month: How do you foster a workplace culture of employee engagement such that everyone’s voice and concerns are heard in a real and practical way?
12 Briefs
“The Power of Community Partnerships for Local Businesses” “Dailies Top Stories,” “Local Standouts Recognized for Achievements and Philanthropy,” “Microcredit Initiative out of ASU Targets Underserved Entrepreneurs” and “Over Easy Philanthropy Gives Kids a Chance”
15 Startups
“Business Genie Smooths Operations for Home Services” and “Visual Storytelling Is the Heart of Hard Copy Media”
16 From the Top
Father and son, Chef Rocco and Marco Pezzano, build Sfizio Modern Italian Kitchen as a family business, one decision at a time.
FEATURES
36 The ROI Of Employee Engagement
Howie Turkenkopf examines how and why companies that invest in engagement strategies see improvements in productivity, profitability and retention.
43
Unlocking Potential: The Business of Autism Education and the Neurodiverse Workforce
Robin Sweet shines a light on the business of educating people with autism – and on the economic potential of their participation in the economy.
“Affordability Redefines Hearing Care” and “Why Embrace ValueBased Care”
“AI: A Revolution with Risks”
New releases give fresh insights on
Michael Blanton explores how financial planning helps entrepreneurs protect wealth and adapt plans to new goals and life circumstances. 40
Sarah Watt examines outcomes and challenges of return-to-office mandates in 2025. 44 Nonpro t
Richard Tollefson makes a case for organizations prioritizing love into their planning to create greater impact.
17 CRE
53
Arizona Legal Services Guide for Business Owners
“Customary, Elevated & Unexpected,” “Construction Begins on Nexus Commerce Center,” “New Build-to-Rent in Maricopa Addresses AZ Housing Shortage,” “Class-A Industrial Completed Adjacent to the Scottsdale Airport” and “Low-Coverage Development for an Evolving Industrial Demand”
20 Semi Insights
“Collaboration Fuels Arizona’s Semiconductor Success,” “New TempeBased Foundry Expands Arizona's Tech Edge” and “Pipeline Connects and Arizona PBS Team Up to Bring Career Pathways to Life”
2025 Acura MDX Plus: Supply first aid in the workplace. 46 Powerlunch
George & Gather: A Warm, Welcoming ‘Third Place’
66 Roundtable
Joel Zuckerman discusses the ‘why’ & ‘how to’ of gratitude at work.
“The message from history is so blatantly obvious — that free trade causes mutual prosperity while protectionism causes poverty — that it seems incredible that anybody ever thinks otherwise. There is not a single example of a country opening its borders to trade and ending up poorer.” —Matt Ridley
We’re here to focus health care where it belongs: on you. You deserve the kind of care that goes beyond a chart or a prescription. It’s the kind of care that covers everything you need to live your healthiest life, including support from a whole team of doctors, nurses, and specialists to keep you feeling good. And it’s care that gives you all the benefits of a nationally recognized health care company with a hometown, personal touch.
Words
RaeAnne Marsh
Editor in Chief, In Business Magazine
RaeAnne Marsh became editorial director of Phoenix-based InMedia Company in 2010 and helped launch Valley-wide business resource In Business Magazine Holding the magazine to strong editorial standards, she says, “New businesses are founded, out-of-staters bring new strengths, established businesses evolve and expand — all of which contributes to the dynamic vitality that I see as the mission of In Business Magazine to be the voice of and vehicle to nurture. It is my challenge to ensure each edition is packed with relevant information on a broad spectrum of issues, aimed at a readership that runs the gamut from entrepreneurial startup to major corporation.” Marsh was awarded 2024 Small Business Journalist of the Year from the U.S. Small Business Administration, Arizona District.
Guest columns are feature articles presented as a special, limited series as well as regular, ongoing series in In Business Magazine
Tyler Butler
Guest Columnist – Social Impact
A long-time corporate social responsibility practitioner, Tyler Butler is known for her expertise in creating, launching and developing successful social impact programs. Her commitment to rallying people together to make a positive difference has created sustainable signature programs empowering people to give back in myriad ways globally. She operates under the ethos of “each one teach one,” and so her contributions to In Business Magazine provide her with an outlet to share the best of what companies are doing to aid humanity — shedding light on good corporate citizens and share stories about the magic they are creating through their generous outreach efforts.
Kim Ryder
Guest Columnist – Commercial Real Estate
Kim Ryder is a dynamic commercial real estate executive with extensive experience in managing multi-million-dollar, complex projects and the build-out of more than 54 million square feet of retail and commercial space. Ryder has started several business lines in her career, most notably launching Thrive Real Estate and Development groups. Her career in the thrift industry extends over 25 years and led her team to expand the Goodwill real estate portfolio by more than 100 locations, having leadership over more than 400 transactions. Her expertise in thrift real estate has made her a well-known resource of knowledge. .
Bruce Weber
Guest Columnist – Capacity
Bruce Weber sees In Business Magazine as a valuable forum for topics relevant to our business and nonprofit community. “I am deeply interested in organizational capacity and what makes organizations successful and impactful in the work they do. In my work in the community for more than 16 years, I have worked with all sizes of organizations and leaders in helping their businesses grow and expand their impact. My previous careers with Microsoft and Hewlett Packard involved working with business integration partners to design strategies to engage new markets. In today’s complex world, I enjoy exploring the possibilities and opportunities that change can bring.”
June 2025
Editor in Chief RaeAnne Marsh
Associate Publisher Nico Pacioni
Graphic Design Matt Fischer
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Akli Adjaoute Chris Purcell
Michael Blanton Stephanie Quinn
Tyler Butler Nina Sharpe
Grace Fuerte Sara Sturges
Mike Hunter Richard Tollefson
Christina Johnson Sarah Watt
Alexa Mayer Nicholas Wyman
Mitch Messer Joel Zuckerman
ADVERTISING
Operations Louise Ferrari
Business Development Raegen Ramsdell
Louise Ferrari
Cami Shore
Events Amy Corben
WTSM TV STUDIO
General Manager Chris Weir
More: Visit your one-stop resource for everything business at inbusinessphx.com. For a full monthly calendar of business-related events, please visit our website.
Inform Us: Send press releases and your editorial ideas to editor@inbusinessphx.com
President Camron McCartney
Editorial Director RaeAnne Marsh
Financial Manager Tom Beyer
Office Manager Allie Jones
Accounting Manager Todd Hagen
Corporate Office
InMedia Company
45 W. Jefferson Street Phoenix, AZ 85003
T: (480) 588-9505
info@inmediacompany.com www.inmediacompany.com
Nina Sharpe is a freelance writer with a focus on business and finance topics, bringing a fresh, approachable spin to the world of startups, small businesses and independent professionals. (“Feedback Loop: Building a System for a Thriving Workforce,” page 36)
Michael Blanton is the managing director for BMO Wealth Management Arizona. (“Top Questions Entrepreneurs Should Ask Their Financial Advisors,” page 38)
Sarah Watt is an associate in the Phoenix office of Littler Mendelson, where she represents clients in employment litigation matters and counsels on a range of issues that arise in the workplace. (“The Changing Workplace,” page 40)
Nicholas Wyman is a workforce development expert and CEO of the Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation America. (“Attract, Retain, Develop,” page 43)
Joel Zuckerman is an award-winning writer and keynote, who turned his attention to proactive gratitude a decade ago.
(“The ‘Why’ & ‘How To’ of Gratitude at Work,” page 66) This month’s contributors
In Business Magazine is a collaboration of many business organizations and entities throughout the metropolitan Phoenix area and Arizona. Our mission is to inform and energize business in this community by communicating content that will build business and enrich the economic picture for all of us vested in commerce.
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
Debbie Hann, Interim CEO Arizona Small Business Association Central Office (602) 306-4000 www.asba.com
Steven G. Zylstra, President & CEO Arizona Technology Council One Renaissance Square (602) 343-8324 www.aztechcouncil.org
Kristen Wilson, CEO AZ Impact for Good (602) 279-2966 www.azimpactforgood.org
Terri Kimble, President & CEO Chandler Chamber of Commerce (480) 963-4571 www.chandlerchamber.com
Tanaha Hairston, President NAWBO Phoenix Metro Chapter (480) 289-5768 www.nawbophx.org
Robin Arredondo-Savage, President & CEO Tempe Chamber of Commerce (480) 967-7891 www.tempechamber.org
Our Partner Organizations are vested business organizations focused on building and improving business in the Valley or throughout Arizona. As Partners, each will receive three insert publications each year to showcase all that they are doing for business and businesspeople within our community. We encourage you to join these and other organizations to better your business opportunities. The members of these and other Associate Partner Organizations receive a subscription to In Business Magazine each month. For more information on becoming an Associate Partner, please contact our publisher at info@inbusinessphx.com.
ASSOCIATE PARTNERS
Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce ahwatukeechamber.com
Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry azchamber.com
Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce azhcc.com
The Black Chamber of Arizona phoenixblackchamber.com Economic Club of Phoenix econclubphx.org
Glendale Chamber of Commerce glendaleazchamber.org
Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce phoenixchamber.com
Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce gpglcc.org
Mesa Chamber of Commerce mesachamber.org
North Phoenix Chamber of Commerce northphoenixchamber.com
Peoria Chamber of Commerce peoriachamber.com
Phoenix Metro Chamber of Commerce phoenixmetrochamber.com
Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce scottsdalechamber.com
Scottsdale Coalition of Today and Tomorrow (SCOTT) scottnow.com
Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce surpriseregionalchamber.com
WESTMARC westmarc.org
A native Arizonan, Governor Katie Hobbs has more than a decade of public service to the State of Arizona. Governor Hobbs sees her role as Governor as an extension of her social work and has already moved the needle forward on some of our state's biggest challenges, including housing affordability, water security and public education. By bringing people together, Governor Hobbs is paving the way for an Arizona for everyone.
az.gov
Keeping Business Booming
It takes a community, and Greater Phoenix’s business community has a well-earned reputation for being supportive. In Business Magazine has coordinated a collection of experts in key pillars for this month’s cover story to help businesses address concerns about surviving and thriving in these uncertain times.
As reflected in this month’s issue, workforce, trade and technology have been top priorities of my administration, especially as we’ve entered 2025 and look toward building an economy of the future. Arizona’s emergence as a top market stems from our efforts to build a strong talent pipeline. Addressing challenges like childcare is a crucial part of that effort, which is why my Executive Budget includes the Bright Futures AZ initiative to lower childcare costs for families by up to two thirds.
Amid unprecedented economic uncertainty, I’ve already begun preparing for next year’s review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to ensure that Arizona has a strong voice at the table and continues to advance its economy. Additionally, in March, I made my second trip to Taiwan to further strengthen our unique, innovation-driven bilateral relationship. On the innovation front, I’ve established Arizona as a leader in advanced manufacturing, securing our place in the AI industry. This includes forming the Governor’s AI Steering Committee and setting policies for responsibly integrating AI into state government operations. This year, Arizona achieved another milestone by securing its first national laboratory for semiconductor packaging and prototyping. We’ve also seen significant investments in biosciences, aerospace and clean energy sectors, further solidifying our tier-one economy status.
Our shared success requires partnerships and collaboration. It’s essential we continue communicating our ideas and working across the business community and across sectors to break down silos and overcome challenges.
Within their own organizations, businesses have the ability to shape positive workplace environments. Nina Sharpe discusses the critical value of communication in her feature article “Feedback Loop: Building a System for a Thriving Workforce.”
Joel Zuckerman leans into another aspect of communication in this month’s Roundtable feature, “The ‘Why’ & ‘How To’ of Gratitude at Work.” He points out that expressions of gratitude can be simple, but the benefit is grand — and promoting it benefits everyone throughout the company. Building a skilled workforce continues to dominate discussions among business leaders. Nicholas Wyman, in his article “Why Apprenticeship Is the Workforce Strategy More Businesses Need,” offers an approach for achieving outcomes that are difficult to achieve through traditional hiring alone.
A recent Littler survey highlights a growing concern among employers over increasing remote and flexibility work requests (as distinct from legal obligations to employees with disabilities), and attorney Sarah Watt expands on employer responsibilities in this month’s Legal feature.
Additional articles this month include “AI: A Revolution with Risks” in the Technology section, which takes a cautionary look at various aspects artificial intelligence; “The Power of Community Partnerships for Local Businesses” in the Briefs section; and the From the Top article spotlighting how Chef Rocco and Marco Pezzano of Sfizio Modern Italian Kitchen built a family business, one decision at a time.
This month also presents In Business Magazine’s annual Legal Guide, the most comprehensive guide to local lawyers and their firms. The guide lists local firms, and the attorneys by practice areas relating to business. The guide is available online for the full year and can be found on the homepage at inbusinessphx.com
I’m proud to present this June edition of In Business Magazine, with its diverse range of topics designed to help strengthen our business community. Enjoy the read!
Sincerely,
Katie Hobbs Governor State of Arizona
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us online at www.inbusinessphx.com
Editor’s Note: This question generated input also from:
Please visit June’s Feedback entry on our website to learn these companies’ experience imbuing feedback in the company culture. www.inbusinessphx.com
FEEDBACK QUESTION:
Let us know what you want to know from the Valley’s top business leaders. editor@inbusinessphx.com
For all past Feedbacks go online to inbusinessphx.com and see what Valley executives think on various business topics.
How do you foster a workplace culture of employee engagement such that everyone’s voice and concerns are heard in a real and practical way?
JOLEAN FLECK
JONATHAN KEYSER
SVP of People & Organizational Development
Delta Dental of Arizona
Sector: Healthcare
We are intentional about fostering an environment where everyone’s voice is valued, concerns are addressed and collaboration thrives. There are two primary levers that drive employee engagement: our values-driven culture that activates a strategy of growth, innovation and wellness; and our investment in making sure employees have strong leaders who can drive that culture in the trenches. Culture is the “how.” It is values in action. We embrace the cultural principle of dissent and followership, where employees are empowered to challenge ideas constructively while rallying behind shared goals.
Another cultural principle is low power distance, which minimizes hierarchical barriers and enables open communication. When employees feel they can approach management without fear, trust is strengthened and engagement rises. This dynamic ensures that concerns are met with practical solutions rather than bureaucratic dismissal. We also invest heavily in leadership development. One of the most underrated management skills is the ability to facilitate great one-on-one meetings. A good one-on-one meeting should provide personalized attention, allowing employees to express ideas and challenges freely.
Delta Dental of Arizona deltadentalaz.com
Jolean Fleck is senior vice president of people and organizational development at Delta Dental of Arizona. Prior to joining Delta Dental of Arizona, Fleck was the chief talent officer and human resources director for the Town of Gilbert. She has an undergraduate degree in business administration with a human resources concentration from Austin Peay State University and a master’s degree in business from Arizona State University.
Founder
Keyser Commercial Real Estate Sector: Real Estate
Keyser's core principles #3, "We encourage bold action and are not afraid of making mistakes …"; #6, "We are one team … and we honor the importance of everyone's contribution ..."; and #12, "We are 100% coachable. We do not resist feedback…" demonstrate Keyser's framework toward creating an environment that welcomes everyone's voice. My leadership team and I foster an engaging environment by creating intentional space for honest conversations through regular one-on-one check-ins and team feedback sessions.
We know, however, that listening alone isn't enough — follow-through matters! We communicate next steps and outcomes transparently, ensuring people see how their input drives real change.
Moreover, the cornerstone of our culture — our belief in the effectiveness of selfless service — drives us to act on the insights we receive. As simple as it sounds, everyone at Keyser knows they matter because we treat them like they do. When people feel genuinely heard, respected, and trusted, they, in turn, become more engaged, motivated and committed to the mission. That kind of culture isn't manufactured — it's earned.
Keyser Commercial Real Estate keyser.com
Jonathan Keyser is the founder of Keyser, one of the largest commercial real estate firms of its kind based out of Arizona. A No. 1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author and top keynote speaker, Keyser is sought out by CEOs from around the globe to assist their organizations with their real estate strategy and execution.
Sign up for the monthly In Business Magazine eNewsletter at www.inbusinessphx.com. Look for survey questions and other research on our business community.
Culture Engineer
Air2O
Sector: Technology
We believe that a culture of engagement starts with listening — then acting. In 2023, we began surveying our team using the Culture Engineered Pulse survey to measure sentiment and uncover opportunities. In the time since, employee engagement has increased by 5% (87% to 92%) and our employee net promoter score (eNPS) by 16 points. These gains have translated into real business outcomes: U.S. headcount has doubled, revenue is up 87% and turnover has dropped by 9%. What drives real impact is our response to feedback. Survey results are shared with all employees. Leaders and team members work together in elevating Air2O’s employee and customer experiences. Together we set priorities, co-create and pilot initiatives, review progress and refine. Collaborations are intentional and solution-focused and have led to meaningful changes like flexible schedules, open project meetings where any team member can contribute their perspective or raise concerns, and education assistance benefits. We also recognize individuals who speak up with solutions, reinforcing our message that every voice matters and is valued. It’s speaking up and contributing that moves us forward.
Air2O air2o.com
Teresa Marzolph brings more than 20 years of HR and workplace culture experience, specializing in designing employee experiences for small and mid-sized businesses that drive meaningful results. She joined the Air2O team in 2017, supporting its growth through intentional culture strategies that engage teams and elevate performance. For the past eight years, she has focused exclusively on high-impact workplace design.
TERESA MARZOLPH
Jim Gmelich Culture Champion
Bruce Leadbetter
‘In Business Dailies’ Most Views Last 30 Days
Here are the stories with the most views over the past 30 days (prior to press time) that were features in our In Business Dailies, which hits email inboxes every weekday at 9:30 a.m. Sign up today: at www.inbusinessphx.com/dailies-signup.
Commercial Real Estate & Development | Cover Story | May 2025 The Ultimate Office: Productive and Innovative Workspaces Elevating Arizona’s Workforce
by RaeAnne Marsh
“The traditional office is dead — it just doesn’t know it yet,” says Zac Cohen,. creative director of Räkkhaus. Observing that the best workspaces today function less like static layouts and more like neighborhoods — offering spaces that flex between deep focus, collaboration, and social interaction — he emphasizes the need to design work environments that evolve with how people actually work, not how outdated floor plans say they should.
Growth & Enterprise | inbusinessphx.com | May 1 2025 Air2O Expands New Phoenix Manufacturing Facility Fivefold, Plans to Create Over 200 Jobs
inbusinessPHX.com
Air2O, a global leader in advanced thermal management solutions for mission-critical environments, is pleased to announce moving into its new 186,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Phoenix in June 2025 and will be operational in the fall.
Economy & Trends | inbusinessphx.com | May 9 2025 Greater Phoenix Housing Market Gains Momentum with Sales Increase inbusinessPHX.com
The number of residential home sales rose for the second month in a row. Year-over-year closed home deals increased 4.1% compared to the first four months of 2024.
Sales & Retail | inbusinessphx.com | May 8 2025 IKEA Announces Two New Format Stores in Phoenix Metro Area
inbusinessPHX.com
IKEA U.S. is excited to announce two new format stores in the Phoenix Metro Area. A
The Power of Community Partnerships for Local Businesses
When it comes to locally owned restaurants and small businesses, the power and importance of community involvement cannot be overstated. Businesses are key economic and social players within their local communities. Beyond offering products or services, local establishments can become integral parts of their neighborhoods by actively engaging with the community. For many small businesses, giving back is not only about building brand awareness, but also a moral responsibility. It is a strategic avenue to building genuine relationships through a values-driven approach to long-term success.
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, TRUST AND RELIABILITY
When small businesses invest time and resources in their local communities, they create lasting bonds with their customers and neighbors. Being present at community events, supporting local causes or simply engaging in meaningful conversations with customers fosters a sense of trust and can show a business’s reliability. People are more likely to support businesses they see as committed to the well-being of their community, and this trust can translate into loyal customers who advocate for the brand both online and offline.
THE BENEFITS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Community involvement offers a range of tangible and intangible benefits for small businesses:
• Brand Visibility: Whether it’s sponsoring a charity walk, appearing in local media or being tagged in social posts, involvement boosts recognition in a positive, memorable way.
• Customer Loyalty: Today’s customers want to support businesses that align with their values. Acts of giving resonate with people and drive repeat business.
• Greater Networking: Working with charities or community groups opens doors
to collaboration, shared resources and new customer bases.
• Employee Morale: Team members are proud to work for a business that gives back. Group volunteering or cause-based campaigns build unity and motivation.
ALIGNING YOUR BUSINESS WITH COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
To make the most of community involvement, small businesses should approach it strategically:
• Identify aligned causes: Support events or organizations that reflect the brand’s values for authentic impact.
• Collaborate locally: Partner with nearby businesses or nonprofits to expand reach and share resources.
• Share the business’s story: Use social media to highlight the business’s involvement and inspire customer engagement.
THE CASE FOR GIVING BACK
The importance of community involvement is reflected in the values of small businesses across the country. According to a recent study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 80% of small businesses report having a clearly defined mission that includes giving back to their communities. This study also showed that 91% of small business owners believe that all businesses have a responsibility to contribute to the local community. These statistics underline the belief that business success and community well-being go hand in hand. Chris Purcell, partner at Cheeky Hospitality, the management company for The Uncommon restaurant in Chandler (www.uncommonchandler.com), where a recent menu update includes a Hot Shot Mac and Cheese Bite made with flaming-hot Cheetos, of which a portion of the proceeds from every order goes to Chandler Firefighter Charities (www.chandlerfirefightercharities.org)
Local Standouts Recognized for Achievements and Philanthropy
Robyn Patterson Named Visionary of the Year
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society named Robyn Patterson, founder of Mack Media Relations, Visionary of the Year after she led a fundraising campaign that raised more than $163,400. Providing vital resources to help patients battling blood cancers, the 10-week campaign raised a total of more than $610,655 from all 10 candidates. lls.org mackmediarelations.com
Arizona Builders Alliance, the state's leading construction industry association, is providing free construction and renovation services to Jacob’s Hope as the recipient of ABA’s annual community service project. Jacob's Hope, a Mesa-based nonprofit, is a specialty care nursery providing 24-hour medical care to substance-exposed newborns and prenatal support to expectant mothers on the path to recovery. azbuilders.org jacobshopeaz.org
BCBSAZ Helps Roya Health Help Moms in Recovery
Thanks to a $700,000 donation from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Health Choice, Roya Health Foundation has opened a home to give pregnant women in recovery a safe place to stay. azblue.com roya.health
OneAZ Credit Union Grant to Valley Leadership
OneAZ Credit Union is investing in the future of Arizona’s change-makers through a $90,000 Legacy Grant to support Valley Leadership’s Explore Program over the next three years. The program immerses participants in the most pressing issues facing Arizona through an intensive exploration of Arizona’s rural, urban, border and Native communities. oneazcu.com valleyleadership.org
Rafi Law Group Supports St. Vincent de Paul Rafi Law Group, Univision Arizona and Los Altos Ranch Market came together recently for a child-focused event celebrating Día del Niño and the finale of a month-long food drive supporting St. Vincent de Paul, at which Rafi Law Group presented St. Vincent de Paul a $50,000 check.
rafilawgroup.com stvincentdepaul.net
Southwest Gas Employees Serve Community
A recent weekend saw more than 100 Southwest Gas employee volunteers and their families gather in Phoenix at Southwest Gas’ Central Arizona Division headquarters to assemble 2,000 heat relief and meal bags to support The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s efforts to assist unhoused individuals and families in the community.
swgas.com/community stvincentdepaul.net
Over Easy Philanthropy Gives Kids a Chance
Over Easy, a local breakfast restaurant with locations throughout the Valley, brings a unique connection to its philanthropic partnership with Phoenix Children’s. Part of its year-round commitment to supporting Phoenix Children’s includes the “Kids Helping Kids” initiative that earmarks a portion of proceeds from every kids menu item sold at all locations to benefit the hospital.
“The Kids Helping Kids has a great impact on children visiting the restaurant,” shares COO Brian Terpay. “We have heard countless times how the kids feel like ‘they’ get to make a difference by helping out other kids. So many of them are excited and want to hear about the hospital. It's a complete circle of support.”
Building on the success of raising $124,531 in 2024, the 2025 campaign will run through December 31, featuring a variety of fundraising efforts throughout the year; all proceeds going to the Child Life Zone. “This year, our focus on fundraising with PC has been through our annual Dollars for Dozens campaign, sponsoring Nurses Week and our Kids Helping Kids promotion. We also have many volunteer days planned in our newly named Kids Zone at the hospital. The most exciting one will be a cooking demo for some of the children there!”
Having pledged to raise up to $500,000 over the next four years, Over Easy recently officially named the “Makers Corner” within the newly remodeled
Child Life Zone. The Child Life Zone, known as the "Happiest Place in the Hospital," welcomes thousands of patients, families, and volunteers, creating an atmosphere of transformation through creativity and collaboration.
The Child Life Zone is a unique, state-ofthe-art therapeutic space where kids can be kids. It is a place designed for playing, creating, learning and connecting with others. The child life specialists work with children at any age or stage of development, using developmentally appropriate language and play to help kids understand unfamiliar or complex terms, conditions and procedures. With the help of these specialists and an area like The Child Life Zone, kids and families are supported and healed by more than just medicine.
“Over the past 17 years, we have been involved with many different charity groups, but nobody has aligned with our brand more than Phoenix Children’s,” Terpay says. “Their mission of advancing hope to children correlates to ours of sparking brighter days to everyone. Pledging a multi-year commitment to them allows both sides to dig in deep and make meaningful impacts. It also allows our guests to know that by supporting us they can support a great cause.” — Mike Hunter
Over Easy eatatovereasy.com
Business Genie Smooths Operations for Home Services
Business Genie is a software platform designed to help home service businesses — such as landscaping, HVAC, pest control and cleaning — run smoother and grow faster. It simplifies day-to-day operations with tools for scheduling, dispatching, estimates, invoices, customer communication and payment processing, all in one app designed to be easy to use on desktop and mobile.
“The idea came after a conversation with a friend who owns a landscaping business. He was overwhelmed by juggling jobs, paperwork and payments. Seeing how many small business owners face the same struggle, I built Business Genie to help them focus less on admin work and more on doing what they love,” relates Micah Hedrick, CEO.
“One of the biggest challenges was building trust in a market saturated with overcomplicated software,” says Hedrick, who co-founded the business in 2019 with Luis Aguirre. “We met this by staying close to our users — listening to their pain points, designing features that solve real problems, and offering direct, personal support. Word of mouth and user feedback have helped us refine and grow.”
In fact, “build with the end-user in mind” was the guiding principle of the enterprise. Notes Hedrick, “We made ease of use our top priority and built Business Genie hand in hand with real business owners. Their feedback shapes every update.”
Business Genie was recently named one of the Top 16 Tech Startups to Watch in 2025 by Venture Madness. And Hedrick reports the company has secured a national white-label deal with a credit card processor, which allows the company to offer Business Genie to thousands of service businesses across the U.S.
RaeAnne Marsh
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Business Genie businessgenieapp.com
Visual Storytelling Is the Heart of Hard Copy Media
Hard Copy Media is a film and media production company that specializes in brand storytelling. It works with businesses to help them tell their stories and connect with their audience, driving results with film and media assets — from commercials to social media content to podcasts to long-form documentaries and corporate events. “I’m on a mission to build a more connected world through storytelling. I truly believe that film is the best way to achieve that goal,” says CEO Colton Trcic.
Trcic founded the company in October of 2022 and went full time with it in March 2023. But the inspiration dates much earlier. “I’ve wanted to run my own production company since I was in film school — and the name came to me in 2018,” Trcic shares.
Noting that “hard copy” encompasses a two-fold meaning for his business, Trcic explains, “Growing up in the ’90s, the ‘hard copy’ of media such as LaserDiscs, VHS, DVDs, et cetera, was a pivotal part of my childhood and instrumental in the love of movies, film and TV that has led me to create the business and name it as such.’“Hard Copy’ in this sense refers to the tangible, visceral experience of physically experiencing a form of media — touching, listening, feeling it fully.”
The second meaning derives from “hard copy” as a variation of the radio term “copy” that is often used in the military and law enforcement. In this sense, Trcic explains it “indicates an emphatic
agreement with or clear understanding of a received message” and thus “represents our focus on storytelling, communication and clarity of messaging for our clients when we create video, audio or other multimedia projects for them to promote their business, share their message and connect with their audiences.”
Crediting his wife and his team of creatives for Hard Copy’s success, Trcic says, “I meet challenges in the business with the amazing people I’ve surrounded myself at my side and a healthy dose of ‘we’ll figure it out’ attitude, and it hasn’t failed me yet.”
—
RaeAnne Marsh
Hard Copy Founder’s Mantra of Success
“People work with who they know, like and trust,” says Hard Copy founder and CEO Colton Trcic. “Your reputation is everything. This is why I preach the mantra of success I’ve followed in my life so far: Show up on time. Do good work. Be kind. These three simple things naturally build trust, allow people to get to know you, and eventually build connections that lead to referrals and repeat business.”
Although acknowledging lead generation as one of his biggest challenges in starting and growing his company, Trcic says, “I’m incredibly fortunate to be 80% or more reliant on my referral network and repeat business to keep things moving.”
From Scratch, with Trust
• Chef Rocco Pezzano leads the kitchen, while son Marco handles branding and operations.
• Their leadership mantra? Listen first, lead second.
• Regular check-ins, clear roles and zero ego help the familyrun spot thrive in Phoenix’s bustling dining scene.
• Both continue to grow individually: Marco brings in fresh ideas while still in school; Rocco mentors and evolves the kitchen.
• Their vision includes
Leading with Trust, Not Title
Chef Rocco and Marco Pezzano of Sfizio Modern Italian Kitchen on building a family business, one decision at a time
by Grace Fuerte
Tucked into a busy corner of north Phoenix, Sfizio Modern Italian Kitchen is more than just a neighborhood favorite, it’s a family dream realized through mutual respect, evolving roles and shared leadership. Founded by Chef Rocco Pezzano and his son Marco, Sfizio pairs authentic Italian flavors with a modern twist and a philosophy rooted in trust over titles. But the road to success was not an easy one.
While Rocco brought decades of culinary experience to the table, it was Marco, then a college student, who proposed the idea. “He just said one day, ‘Why don’t we open a restaurant?’” Rocco recalls. “I didn’t expect to come back, but when your son says that, you listen.”
That single moment set in motion what would become a full-service scratch kitchen with a loyal following, built not just on recipes and routines, but on communication, humility and the willingness to grow together.
BUILDING STRUCTURE FROM SCRATCH
Opening Sfizio was far from seamless. With no staff hired up to just a week before opening, Rocco spent seven days a week in the kitchen, trying to hold things together. But the early chaos revealed something essential: Structure had to be built and shared.
“Initially, we were doing everything side by side,” Marco says. “But we realized quickly that wasn’t going to work.”
The two redefined their roles. Rocco took over the back of house, the kitchen and the food, while Marco handled branding, operations and guest experience. That clarity helped them avoid conflict and build trust. “We stopped stepping on each other’s toes and started trusting each other’s space,” Rocco says.
This wasn’t just a matter of dividing tasks but a foundational shift in how they led, away from hierarchy and toward shared accountability.
LEADERSHIP WITHOUT EGO
The transition pushed them both to grow. Rocco had to loosen his grip on doing everything himself. Marco had to speak up, even when it meant disagreeing with his dad.
“The hardest part wasn’t the restaurant,” Rocco says. “It was learning how to work together.”
“We had to unlearn the idea that being family meant thinking the same way,” Marco adds.
To stay aligned, they began having check-ins and encouraging open debate. Their goal wasn’t to win arguments but to protect the health of the business, even in disagreement.
WHEN IT ALL CLICKED
There was no big breakthrough, just one busy night in a full dining room where everything worked. The kitchen was humming, the floor was flowing, and both Rocco and Marco knew that it had all come together.
“We just looked across the kitchen and knew: We got this,” Marco says.
For Rocco, it wasn’t just a smooth shift but proof that their structure was working, and that leadership by trust was paying off.
EVOLVING THE VISION
Several years in, Sfizio continues to grow in reputation and how it’s led. Marco, still a student, brings fresh ideas from outside the restaurant world. Rocco focuses on mentoring his kitchen team and refining the menu. They continue to meet weekly to realign priorities, adjust systems and check in with each other and the team.
“We treat the business like it’s alive,” Rocco said. “We’re not trying to freeze it; we’re helping it grow.”
Expansion is in the conversation, but only if it protects the culture they’ve built at Sfizio. “We’re dreaming up the next concept,” Marco said. “But it has to feel as personal and connected as this one.”
They also talk openly about succession. “Marco’s ready,” Rocco says. “I’m still here, but the long-term vision is his.”
LISTENING
AT THE CORE
At the heart of Sfizio’s leadership philosophy is something simple but powerful: listening. Not just to customers, but to each other, their staff and the business itself.
“Some of our best decisions have come from quiet moments,” Marco says. “Observing what’s happening and responding, not reacting.”
In an industry driven by timing, precision and pressure, the Pezzanos have found their edge not in speed or ego, but in strategy and self-awareness.
Sfizio Modern Italian Kitchen was built one shift at a time, not by titles but by trust, a value that continues to guide its path forward.
Sfizio Modern Italian Kitchen sfizioitaliano.com
Sfizio Modern Italian Kitchen launched with no staff up to just one week before opening and still pulled it off. The idea to open a restaurant came not from veteran Chef Rocco Pezzano, but from his son, Marco.
expansion, but only if it maintains the culture they've built.
Low-Coverage Development for an Evolving Industrial Demand
ATLAS Exchange, a project planned for a 38-acre parcel in Mesa by Scottsdale-based ATLAS Capital Partners with Hawkins Development Company, breaks with traditional land-usage development with its low-coverage building designs with large, secured and screened yards, offering operational flexibility to an increasingly diverse Arizona industrial market. “This style of product is virtually nonexistent in metro Phoenix, yet is in high demand with the ever-evolving industrial landscape,” says ATLAS CEO Chris Walton.
The surge in demand for low-coverage development and industrial outdoor storage (IOS) uses stems from a simple reality: Many businesses need land for storage more than they need a building, Walton explains. “Fleet operators, logistics and distribution companies, contractors and subcontractors, and suppliers all need room to move, stage and store. As e-commerce, infrastructure, U.S. onshoring and manufacturing and last-mile delivery continue to grow, these types of flexible sites have become essential.”
Low-coverage industrial development works because it delivers operational flexibility at a lower cost, which, Walton notes, “is something that many traditional assets can’t do.” Building rents are, in many cases, five to seven times greater than direct land square footage pricing. Under a low-coverage regime, the tenant is able to use its land for operations that don't require under-roof building space. As a result, they pay on the land square footage (plus whatever building square footage the tenant occupies) at a significant discount compared to an all-under-roof rent scenario. “Low-coverage developments also tend to have lower capex, attract longer-term tenants and require less tenant improvement work,” Walton adds. “That combination makes them both more resilient and more efficient, especially in uncertain economic conditions.”
ATLAS Exchange serves single-tenant users seeking a strong identity through their building and operational flexibility through dedicated yard space. This includes myriad occupiers in the Arizona ecosystem, from logistics to telecommunications and contractors to equipment suppliers. In each case, tenants share a requirement for differentiated product that provides optimal circulation and flexible storage via large, fully paved, lit and secured yards.
“We’ve seen strong demand and performance for IOS in nearly every market across the country,” Walton relates. “Our tenants range from transportation companies to utility providers to contractors who need vehicle and equipment storage and outdoor operational space. Class A low-coverage development is not a common application. There is a sliver of the industrial landscape that is looking for what we call high-design, institutional-quality IOS that places functionality, access and scale at the forefront. Atlas Exchange delivers exactly that.”
Located at 4140 S. Signal Butte Rd. in Mesa, Arizona, ATLAS Exchange will span four freestanding buildings ranging from 40,000 to 100,000 square feet. Design plans include top-tier finishes in an amenity-rich environment with shaded ramadas and pickleball courts. The site sits within Eastmark, one of the top master planned communities in the nation offering a mix of award-winning residential, retail, restaurant and industrial development. It enjoys proximity to the Loop 202 and Mesa Gateway Airport, in an industrial market peppered with industry giants such as Meta, Apple, Google, Amazon, Boeing and more.
Construction on ATLAS Exchange is slated to begin in the third quarter of 2025. Build-to-suit opportunities are also available. Early lease negotiations are already underway, with several tenant commitments nearing completion. Pat Harlan and Steve Larsen of JLL serve as the project’s exclusive leasing brokers and represented both ATLAS and the property seller, Brookfield Properties, in the land transaction. — Mike Hunter
atlasphx.com kitchenswitchen.com
Since its establishment in 2020, ATLAS has developed and acquired more than $250 million in projects, including a 61,430-square-foot, low-coverage last mile distribution facility in Gilbert, Arizona leased to Frito Lay (PepsiCo). ATLAS Exchange is the company’s largest land acquisition to date, and part of a strategy to scale a low-coverage product type beyond Arizona into strategic growth markets in the Mountain and Sun Belt states.
Your Future. Made in Arizona.
Arizona is the national model for innovative and successful workforce development programs. The Arizona Commerce Authority’s collaborative approach brings together government, academia and industry to develop comprehensive, award-winning and scalable solutions. The Future48 Workforce Accelerators represent Arizona’s latest workforce advancement, connecting students with the skills and know-how needed for jobs in the state’s growing advanced manufacturing industry. The new workforce development facilities will be located throughout the state and provide customized training in key advanced manufacturing segments such as semiconductor, battery, automotive, aerospace & defense, and more.
Affordability Redefines Hearing Care
Audien Hearing, the Scottsdale-based startup founded by 29-year-old CEO Ishan Patel, has quietly become one of the most disruptive forces in the hearing industry. With more than one million customers served, the company is meeting a massive, long-ignored need: affordable, accessible hearing care for everyday Americans.
Where traditional hearing aids are tangled in prescriptions, appointments and price tags upward of $4,000, Audien took a different approach, making the most affordable hearing aids on the market. Audien Hearing aids cut out expensive middlemen like audiologists and hearing centers, allowing them to sell hearing aids starting at just $98/pair.
In 2020, Patel and his co-founders launched Audien from a garage with just $500. Today, the company is the leading over-the-counter hearing aid brand in the world. Audien created the first $98 OTC hearing aid and launched in Walmart nationwide, with more retailers on the horizon. The company’s low price point didn’t just appeal to budget-conscious consumers but unlocked an entirely underserved segment of the market.
Audien’s growth is rooted in strategic timing and category awareness. Following the FDA’s 2022 ruling to allow OTC hearing aids, Audien was uniquely positioned to scale by streamlining the supply chain, cutting out unnecessary middlemen and delivering directly to the people who need it most. Now, consumers can order hearing aids online in minutes and get them shipped to their doorstep in days, rather than spending months and thousands of dollars to get a pair from traditional avenues.
In an industry slow to change, Audien is innovating at a lightning-fast pace. The company invented the first hearing aid selling for less than $100, was the first to launch an OTC hearing aid nationwide in retail, and has new products in the pipeline that will make hearing even more accessible. —Mike Hunter
Audien Hearing audienhearing.com
Why Embrace Value-Based Care?
Simply stated, a healthy workforce is good for business. It leads to increased productivity, reduced healthcare costs and less absenteeism. Plus, a healthy workforce boosts morale. Employers who put a focus on the health and well-being make employees feel cared for, which, in turn, encourages employees to put their best foot forward. There are many ways employers can support employees to obtain a healthy lifestyle, such as gym memberships, well-being days off, flexible work hours and incentives to quit smoking. But the doctor and the type of healthcare an employee receives are also factors that play into a healthy workforce.
The healthcare industry is constantly looking for new ways to balance costs with better patient outcomes. Smart employers would do well to care about healthy outcomes, too. A relatively new and promising approach to healthcare that should be on the minds of employers is value-based care. What is so unique about value-based care? It flips the traditional healthcare payment model on its head. With the traditional fee-for-service model, medical doctors charge for every service they perform. This means they can bill for every test ordered and procedure completed, regardless of whether or not the patient gets better. Essentially, doctors are not incentivized to get their patients healthy because unhealthy patients make them more money. In a value-based care model, doctors get paid for how well they manage their patients’ conditions and overall health. The incentive? To keep their patients well and out of the hospital so they can live a healthy life with minimal interventions.
If the goal is to keep the patient healthy, then value-based-care doctors know this requires spending more time talking with their patients so they can truly understand the patient’s health concerns and lifestyle factors that could worsen their chronic conditions or other health issues. Providers may also want to see a patient more frequently to ensure everyone is staying aligned with a health
plan for the best outcome. With traditional feefor-service models, more frequent and longer appointments result in the patient incurring more costs and still not having the best health outcome.
An example of value-based care is ArchWell Health. This organization that provides primary care services exclusively for adults aged 60 and older opened its first Arizona location in 2022 and has grown exponentially due to the historic lack of quality primary care in Phoenix and Tucson. On average, providers spend more than double the amount of time with their patients, so they can really get to know the patient on a personalized level, and care for their physical health and their well-being overall. Doctors are able to take the time to perform important screening, identify chronic conditions, treat illnesses that keep patients from living active lives, and discuss emotional stressors that affect a healthy lifestyle.
The success of this new method of value-based healthcare mirrors nationwide sentiment from seasoned employees. Studies show that, while the value-based care model works particularly well for older adults who are more likely to have multiple chronic conditions and need assistance navigating the healthcare space, patients of all ages have much to gain from this approach. By avoiding costly ER visits, preventing surgeries through better care, and having doctors committed to catching small health concerns before they become big ones, company costs are not only shared with the provider but are also more predictable. Last but definitely not least, employee satisfaction improves when insurance benefits offered by an employer include an option for value-based care.
There is no doubt, when employers and employees work together for a healthy workspace, it leads to better health outcomes for the employee and a healthier bottom line for the company. Mitch Messer, regional growth director for ArchWell Health (archwellhealth.com) primary care for adults aged 60 and up
IS WHAT GIVES US PURPOSE HONOR
Honor is what motivates our team of dedicated healthcare professionals. Through passion and purpose, we come together to ensure every patient is provided with the best possible care. honorhealth.com
AI: Need for Regulations
As AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives, the need for regulation is clear to ensure its responsible use. Europe is leading the way with the AI Act, a framework designed to regulate AI development. This legislation classifies AI applications by risk level, imposing strict guidelines on high-risk areas. It also mandates transparency, requiring AI systems to provide clear, understandable explanations for their decisions. Additionally, the AI Act bans harmful practices such as social scoring and mass surveillance, addressing concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of AI for tracking and control.
Akli Adjaoute is the founder of Exponion, a venture capital firm that provides cuttingedge startup companies with the financial resources and expertise they need to achieve success. In his book, Inside AI, the 30-year expert explores the reality of AI’s abilities and limits. Adjaoute holds 35 patents and has an additional 50 patents pending approval; his inventions have been cited more than 2,000 times. He is a renowned academic, speaker and writer in the fields of AI and security. He holds a master’s degree in computer science from the Université de Technologies de Compiègne and a Ph.D. in artificial intelligence from the University of Pierre & Marie Curie. exponion.com
AI: A Revolution with Risks
by Akli Adjaoute
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing our world, bringing groundbreaking advancements, but also raising important risks that we must address.
THE GROWING BENEFITS
AI is becoming an essential part of everyday life, from the apps we use to the devices we depend on. Voice assistants like Siri and Alexa help manage tasks, while AI-powered maps suggest the quickest routes to save time. In healthcare, AI is helping doctors diagnose and treat diseases by analyzing medical records and recommending personalized treatment plans, allowing for earlier detection and more precise care. Behind the scenes, AI is working in banking to detect fraud, and in education, it's being used to tailor learning experiences. With its growing role in nearly every field, AI is changing the way we live and work.
THE DARK SIDE
Deepfakes are AI-made videos or audio that can make it look like someone is saying or doing something they never actually did. These videos are so realistic that they can easily trick even the most cautious viewers.
A notorious example was a fake explicit video of pop star Taylor Swift that spread online. But the issue goes way beyond celebrities. Everyday people, especially vulnerable teens, are at risk. These fake videos can be used to harass, manipulate or extort people, causing real, lasting damage. Unlike celebrities who might have the resources to fight back, regular people often don’t have the means to stop these harmful videos from going viral.
During the 2020 U.S. presidential election, deepfakes were used to spread false info about candidates, shaking public trust and making it harder to tell what's real.
Deepfakes are also being used in scams where fraudsters impersonate CEOs or business leaders, tricking investors and potentially causing stock market chaos.
These are just a few examples of how deepfakes can cause serious harm in many areas of life.
THE ILLUSION OF ACCURACY
AI programs like ChatGPT process vast amounts of data to generate human-like responses. While these systems are impressive, AI doesn’t truly 'understand' information; it predicts the most likely response based on patterns in its training data. This means AI-generated answers are not always accurate or reliable. For example, a student might use ChatGPT for research or homework and receive a well-structured, seemingly authoritative response. However, the information could be incomplete, misleading or entirely incorrect. Relying on AI without verifying facts risks shifting us from a world where knowledge is rigorously validated to one where information is merely approximate and less trustworthy.
THE SURVEILLANCE SOCIETY
We've all heard of “Big Brother,” but AI is turning that concept into a chilling reality. From facial recognition systems
to social media monitoring, AI constantly collects and analyzes personal data, raising significant concerns about privacy. While the risk is more pronounced in authoritarian regimes, even democratic societies may face challenges as governments explore using AI for surveillance, potentially eroding the anonymity we've long taken for granted.
FAKE NEWS
AI doesn’t just generate fake videos. It can flood the internet with false stories, shaping opinions, swaying elections and spreading harmful ideologies. When AI-generated content becomes indistinguishable from reality, how can we trust what we read? The risk: eroding public trust in the media and deepening the divisions in our society.
HUMAN CONNECTION
As more services become automated, we might find ourselves losing something crucial: the human touch. Customer support chatbots, AI companions, may make our lives easier, but they also risk isolating us. Relationships, after all, are built on empathy and shared experiences, not algorithms. The more we replace human interaction with artificial ones, the more we risk losing our sense of community.
ARE WE LOSING OUR SKILLS?
AI systems provide us with solutions and suggestions every day, but what if they fail? Over-dependence on AI could undermine our ability to think critically and make decisions independently. Imagine a world where people no longer know how to solve problems without consulting their devices. In moments of crisis or technological failure, society could find itself unprepared.
THE ROAD AHEAD
AI is here to stay, offering tremendous opportunities for innovation. But as we continue integrating AI into our lives, we must strike the right balance between embracing its power and safeguarding our humanity.
AI doesn’t truly “understand” information; it predicts the most likely response based on patterns in its training data. This means AI-generated answers are not always accurate or reliable.
Economic Protections
ENSURE STRONG PROFITS IN DOWN TIMES
The landscape surrounding businesses today is challenging, strewn with hurdles and dilemmas. But not without opportunities as well.
In Business Magazine has tapped into the wealth of expertise in our community in key areas to help businesses navigate the challenges and maximize the opportunities.
Economic Protections
ACCOUNTING
Navigating Economic Uncertainty with Data-Driven Solutions
from Chuck McLane of CBIZ
In today's volatile economic landscape marked by rising tariff costs and business uncertainty, accountants are challenged to develop more efficient and effective tools to assist clients in many facets of their business. Accountants cannot focus just on the typical compliance work. Many firms are being asked to help their clients in new ways. Companies everywhere are looking for ways to examine their data more efficiently and effectively to make quicker decisions. It is important for every company to be able to not only gather the right data but also find ways to get the data to speak to them. Using data correctly can help any company make important decisions. There are many ways that using data across a number of industries can be used to identify trends or highlight issues. Identifying the trends and issues is not the end point. Accountants are being asked to go beyond identification to resolving issues in ways that can mitigate future risks, improve processes and control costs. Accountants are the ones who have access to data from many clients across many industries. This data is a valuable asset that can be used to benefit a number of companies. Of course, accountants also follow strict regulatory and ethical requirements to keep data private and confidential. While doing so, accountants can still help companies to benchmark their performance against others.
HELPING BUSINESSES GROW
CBIZ has developed a team of individuals that can help clients to analyze data in the most efficient and effective way to streamline processes and provide better data for decision making. Our DataNEXUS analytics platform offers mid-market companies a powerful advantage. By transforming
complex operational data into actionable intelligence, DataNEXUS enables businesses to identify hidden inefficiencies, optimize resource allocation, and make evidencebased decisions that bolster resilience. This targeted approach helps companies navigate tariff challenges by highlighting opportunities to streamline supply chains, renegotiate vendor relationships, and implement strategic sourcing alternatives that minimize exposure to trade disruptions.
For example, after acquiring a company, our client faced significant challenges reconciling accounts receivable due to disparate systems, inconsistent reporting and unclear cash remittance information. Our CBIZ D@tNEXUS team leveraged a tool called Alteryx (a platform that helps companies transform and analyze large amounts of data without needing to write complicated code) to synthesize 8–10 million transaction records, producing detailed roll-forwards and identifying a $2 million shortfall in remitted funds. This solution not only recovered lost value for our client but also established a streamlined, transparent foundation for future accounts receivable processing.
In another client project, we helped a private equity-backed client streamline and automate its management and board level reporting across 12 businesses comprising five separate ERP systems. The client was challenged by an aggressive timeline for reporting on monthly performance, requiring more than 200 hours per month from the finance leadership team. Our D@taNEXUS team implemented a centralized data aggregation solution along with a business intelligence reporting capability to replace their manual, Excel-based flash report. This reduced the finance management team’s monthly effort by 75%, empowered the finance leaders to focus on analysis and investor communications, and created additional visibility to performance metrics that were previously unavailable. These tools will allow the client to continue to add to the financial reporting system as they acquire more companies and grow their business. These are just a few ways that we have helped some clients. There are many other applications that can be handled in a similar manner. It is important to note that just applying tools utilizing artificial intelligence
can be risky. As accountants, we understand the importance of security and privacy in all that we do for our clients. We ensure that the data is secure. In addition, it is important that the people utilizing AI fully understand the expectations and outcomes of companies. Having assisted many companies across a variety of industries allows us to quickly incorporate the right focus.
Chuck McLane, senior managing director of CBIZ’s Phoenix office and the firm’s regional leader for the West, is responsible for the supervision and oversight of the financial services area, including attest, tax, consulting and advisory practices. cbiz.com
BOARD DEVELOPMENT
Businesses Need the Right People around the Table from Avery Hayden of Board Developer
Across industries, business leaders are realizing that sustainable growth isn’t just about having the right product or service — it’s about having the right people around the table. One of the most important trends we’re seeing in today’s climate is a shift toward strategic leadership structures, including advisory and fiduciary boards, that provide consistent accountability, community connection and long-term guidance. Companies are also placing greater emphasis on intentional hiring, cultural alignment, and leadership development, recognizing that technical skills can be trained, but a mismatch in values or communication style can quietly erode team performance and engagement. With growing market volatility, businesses are seeking clarity, outside perspective, and support systems that help them navigate change with confidence.
At Board Developer, we help organizations build high-performing, values-aligned cultures by investing in intentional board placement and leadership support. We use leadership assessments to help companies better understand their executive teams, identify hidden strengths or risks, and place advisory board members based on three key factors:
• Business expertise aligned with the company’s long-term goals
• Cultural compatibility to foster collaboration
• Access to a broad network across forprofit and nonprofit sectors
HELPING BUSINESSES GROW
In our space, the biggest driver of operational efficiency and growth is clarity. That’s why more organizations are turning to external board management — not just for high-level input, but for built-in structure and accountability. When board meetings are run well and aligned with real business goals, they create space for leadership to stay focused on execution while still benefiting from outside insight and community relationships.
Board Developer provides this structure. We manage meetings externally, set clear agendas and ensure progress is being tracked, without disrupting day-to-day operations. It’s a model that enables organizations to grow with intention, adapt faster and make better decisions.
DID SOMEONE MENTION TARIFFS?
While the impact of tariffs varies across industries, one consistent theme is uncertainty. Increased costs, disrupted supply chains and market unpredictability all affect business confidence and long-term planning. These pressures make it even more important to have a trusted support system in place — one that can help businesses respond strategically instead of reactively.
That’s where we see the power of strong boards come in. A well-aligned board helps leaders stay focused on their mission, identify creative local sourcing solutions, and keep bigpicture goals in mind even when short-term challenges arise.
In uncertain times, strategy and relationships matter more than ever. And
businesses that invest in both are the ones most likely to not just survive, but thrive.
Avery Hayden, president of Board Developer, blends a creative marketing background with expertise in social media management, event marketing and brand storytelling. She is known for driving strategic growth and fostering community impact through innovative campaigns and authentic engagement. boarddeveloper.com
the traditional definition of KPIs. Instead of standard Key Performance Indicators, they could now use KPIs to: Keep People Informed, Keep People Involved, Keep People Interested, and Keep People Inspired.
BUSINESS COACHING
Change Requires Courage. Courage Requires Vulnerability. from Eileen Rogers of One Creative View
“Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change.” —Brené Brown
Uncertainty and lack of control are the two elements that cause anxiety and there’s no shortage of either one right now in the U.S. Anxiety is a very contagious emotion. For leaders of organizations, it falls to them to manage and model the behaviors needed from their teams to stay calm, relevant, competitive and adaptable in this constantly changing environment.
As I state in my headline, Change requires courage, and courage requires vulnerability. This may seem counterintuitive to most leaders, but we need to consider the definition of vulnerability.
Vulnerability is all the emotions associated with risk, uncertainty and emotional exposure. This is what leaders deal with every single day — all day. And now more than ever.
“Vulnerability is also the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change,” according to leadership expert Dr. Brené Brown. So, when leaders want those activities in their culture and response to crisis, they must consider changing
Keep People Informed. In the absence of data, people make up stories, and then they believe them. Leaders must be as transparent as possible and not just share number-oriented data. Share the ideas behind their decisions and the way forward, as much as possible. Admitting that they don’t know things is vulnerable, and yet it builds the trust and loyalty required with teams. Be relentless in finding out what stories are being made up and then dealing with them right away.
Keep People Involved. When a team understands the “why” in the mission and culture, they are enabled to serve more and do more. Keeping the bigger mission in mind as companies adapt, pivot and react needs to be considered from all areas in the organization — involving everyone and framing the challenges as both immediate and long term.
Keep People Interested. Make sure that leaders are not just assigning tasks. Crisis-like situations often fall into topdown communication and work tasks. What leaders can do: Asking people where they believe they can contribute more. Connecting the dots for them about what is important. Asking if they have other skills they can contribute to this moment. Staying curious, asking lots of questions, and then genuinely listening.
Keep People Inspired. Great leaders do this by growing emotional connections, showing up to engage with their teams, asking what support looks like for them and then listening and responding thoughtfully. When people feel seen and heard by their leaders, they are inspired to help.
The U.S. business and nonprofit landscape is in constant flux right now. Announced tariffs, cuts to funding sources, targeted job eliminations, supply chain issues and global retaliation are happening each day at a pace that everyone is struggling with. Courageous leaders don’t have all the answers. They do understand, though, that being empathetic, vulnerable, available and inspiring will bring out the
Economic Protections
best in their teams and create the type of resilience needed to survive, be profitable and sustain today.
Eileen Rogers, founder of One Creative View, is a seasoned executive coach and business advisor who, as CEO, grew her own marketing and printing company into an award-winning multi-milliondollar business and, in 2020, was one of 500 people worldwide selected and trained by Dr. Brené Brown to facilitate her Dare to Lead™ courage-building program. onecreativeview.com
FUNDING
opportunities — like acquiring market share when a competitor exits. Businesses need a banking partner that can move quickly and grow with them.
At Western Alliance Bank, we focus on being that kind of partner. We have a flat organizational structure that allows us to quickly respond, make decisions and take reasonable risks. The process of communicating with senior-level decision makers is streamlined and easy.
HELPING BUSINESSES GROW
DID SOMEONE MENTION TARIFFS?
Businesses Need a Strong, Proactive Relationship with Their Bank
from Steve Curley of Western Alliance Bank
One of the most critical best practices for a business is building and maintaining a strong, proactive relationship with its bank. It’s not just about securing funding — it's about creating a partnership that helps the business grow in both good and bad times.
To achieve this, it’s critical the business leader communicates early and often with the business’s banker. If a business is facing challenges — like the impact of tariffs, interest rates, rising labor market costs — waiting too long to engage the bank can lead to consequences, including restricted access to credit. Being transparent and collaborative from the start helps the bank understand the business’s unique situation and allows the bank to work with the business to find solutions.
It is also essential to work with a bank that’s nimble and understands the individual business model. During challenging economic times, many banks become more conservative, making credit harder to obtain. But these periods can also present growth
Optimization of financial structures and treasury management are some of the products and services we combine with quick, data-driven decision making to help clients streamline and scale.
Given the uncertainty of the tariff and interest rate environment, Western Alliance strives to help clients implement the best capital structure — such as transitioning from variable to fixed-rate debt — which can provide greater predictability and support long-term business planning. Whether it’s improving cash flow, optimizing working capital or seizing growth opportunities — like acquiring a competitor during a downturn — the bank is there to move quickly and support.
A key part of Western Alliance’s value to small business is delivered through tailored treasury management solutions. Integrated payables, for example, can help clients make payments to their vendors quickly and more efficiently while potentially earning rebates. Clients can also use credit card products for accounts payable, which can provide cash back similar to consumer credit cards.
It’s also important to work with a bank that is agile and has a deep understanding of each client’s business model, something that Western Alliance prioritizes through relationship-based client service and personalized attention. This allows for quick decision making, which, in turn, allows clients to proceed with their business planning and execution.
Ultimately, we aim to be a responsive, strategic partner that evolves with our clients. We recognize that challenging times often present unique opportunities, and we’re committed to helping businesses seize them to reach the next level.
Our clients are certainly mindful and cautious about what’s happening with tariffs. The longer the tariff discussion stays in limbo, the more uncertainty affects their outlook. However, since Western Alliance serves U.S. companies that depend largely on domestic supply chains with limited international exposure, the tariff risk is there but not dominant. Challenges that our businesses do face include inflation, higher-for-longer interest rates, rising labor costs and technology upgrades to their manufacturing facilities. But Western Alliance is a business-focused bank. We are experts at helping businesses solve for these problems easily and efficiently.
With more than 25 years of experience in banking and management consulting, Steve Curley is the chief banking officer for National Business Lines at Western Alliance Bank. Currently responsible for overseeing crucial functional aspects of the bank, including Information Technology, Bank Operations, Branch Banking, Product Development, and ThirdParty Risk Management, he has been with the organization since 2009 and has been instrumental in developing key areas such as Specialized Mortgage Services, Note Finance, Alliance Association Bank, Corporate Finance, Municipal Lending and Affordable Housing. westernalliancebancorporation.com
HEALTHCARE
Evolving to
Improve Patient Care and Treatment Outcomes
from Pete Chuchro of Cigna Healthcare Arizona
The healthcare industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with a goal of improving patient care and treatment outcomes. We’re proud of our innovations in digital technology to help
our customers focus on care, not paperwork. This means creating simpler and more reliable experiences in the “everyday moments” — like finding a doctor, pricing medication, checking benefits or resolving an urgent care issue. We are doing this through a combination of digital and self-service capabilities, such as our guided benefit plan onboarding to ensure customers understand how to use their myCigna portal to make the most of their health plan. Our digitalfirst ID cards help customers review their benefits in advance of their plan effective date and start engaging sooner. This step alone has a dramatic effect on digital engagement and use of virtual care resulting in more accessible care when and where they need it.
Ultimately, we’re making it easy for our customers to find information they need, know what’s covered in their plan and make the most of their health benefits. We see a lot of opportunity to leverage AI and, in the coming months, we will be launching new tools to help customers better understand their coverage, eligibility questions and claims.
HELPING BUSINESSES GROW
Across the country, companies are working to improve workplace wellness to help drive profitability and growth. At Cigna, we know that having a healthy workforce drives business success by improving productivity and reducing absenteeism. Smart employers know that actively engaging employees in their physical and mental health will have a positive impact on the business’s bottom line. That’s why we collaborate closely with our clients to create benefit plans tailored to the needs of their employees and help foster a culture of health and well-being through workplace wellness programs.
We are the only health benefits provider to offer live 24/7/365 customer support, and the only health plan to offer immediate access to a behavioral health clinician — so essential as mental health needs continue to rise. We connect our customers with a licensed clinical therapist, any time of day or night, whether they reach out to us or if one of our customer advocates senses the need. This service is provided with no out-of-pocket cost to the customer.
Healthcare affordability remains a key challenge for our employer clients, their employees and their families. A few examples
of how we’re addressing that: We are creating high performance medical networks that reduce costs and improve patient outcomes of care. We focus on preventive care and wellness-based point solutions to improve our members overall health rather than just reacting when they get sick. We’re addressing rising pharmacy costs with programs that manage utilization of services with adherence to weight loss medication and are increasing availability of biosimilars at lower costs as an alternative to high-cost specialty medications.
DID SOMEONE MENTION TARIFFS?
We know our employer clients are navigating a highly dynamic and fast-evolving economic landscape, which is why we are laser focused on making sure their healthcare benefits are one less thing they have to worry about.
Pete Chuchro is general manager and market growth leader for Cigna Healthcare’s Arizona market. In this role, he is responsible for driving market growth for client employers with fewer than 3,000 employees by creating customer value and ensuring that the local market strategy, product and network offerings meet evolving customer and client needs. He works with the market’s network leaders, medical executives and others to advance outreach in the communities Cigna Healthcare serves. cigna.com
LEGAL
and identify risks. I also encourage my clients to be nimble and include additional protections like layered escrowed funds (which help manage various post-closing liabilities beyond traditional indemnity), larger earn-outs, seller financing and contingency clauses to make sure they get what they want out of the transaction.
Today’s challenging market also presents opportunities for companies to combine resources to grow business, create synergies and reduce overall expenses through joint ventures rather than through M&As. Joint ventures are an attractive option for sharing risk and assessing whether a later combination of the two companies would facilitate revenue growth. The joint venture approach also allows the parties to tap into new markets and drive growth with less financial risk.
HELPING BUSINESSES GROW
Lately, I have had a number of clients hire me to assist with buy-sell arrangements involving their business partners due to the partners’ differing views on running their business. We often work with valuation experts to determine the value of the business, which builds confidence for the partners that the transaction is fair to all. Once the valuation is complete, then the partners negotiate the purchase and sale of the interests. Leaving a broken partnership often helps both parties grow to the next level in their respective businesses.
Transactions for Growth: Mergers, Acquisitions, Joint Ventures and More
from Susan Wissink of Fennemore
In my area, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), utilizing AI appropriately for smarter due diligence at the onset of a deal can help streamline a preliminary document review
Traditional financing or creative private party financing also provides businesses an opportunity to grow to the next level. Because of the market instability, the pendulum has shifted to a more lender-friendly market, yet lenders are still predicting a greater volume of loan activity in 2025. Additionally, consumer lending is expected to pick up in 2025 due to the tariffs and the market settling into higher interest rates. We assist our clients in a variety of loan transactions, on both the lender and borrower side.
DID SOMEONE MENTION TARIFFS?
The tariffs have caused chaos in the stock market and uncertainty on Wall Street. The year 2025 was expected to be a banner year for M&A, but started out very slow and came almost to a grinding halt toward the end of the first quarter. However, M&A activity is picking up and we are seeing new provisions
Economic Protections
in purchase agreements to address the volatility. Buyers want the impact of tariffs to constitute a material adverse effect while sellers do not want to include such provisions. In commercial contracts, force majeure provisions will likely be changing due to the impact of tariffs.
Because the tariffs may increase prices and disrupt the supply chain — sooner than later on the West Coast — we may experience more legal disputes over contractual provisions (including force majeure provisions). Our goal is to protect our clients, and their profits, through forward-thinking legal strategies that account for market volatility while we look forward to a smoother road ahead.
Susan Wissink is a director at Fennemore practicing in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, entity formation, loans and general corporate matters. She represents both buyers and sellers in asset and stock-based acquisitions and sales, mergers and other business reorganizations. fennemorelaw.com fennemorelaw.com/people/attorneys/susanm-wissink
on global supply chains, imported materials or international manufacturing. They are unsure how to navigate unpredictable trade policy that can disrupt timelines and drive costs up virtually overnight. Marketers are understandably on edge.
Today’s economic challenges are harsh for many businesses. In addition to tariffs, AI disruption, labor market volatility and geopolitical tensions are among the many societal issues impacting a company’s sustainability. Resolutions aren’t easy, but there are steps business leaders can take to mitigate negative impacts and identify bright spots where they can thrive.
With any type of uncertainty, there is a veil of opportunity for those who are creative and motivated enough to uncover it. As competitors pull back or pause marketing and advertising efforts, it opens new doors for businesses to capture their market share — doors that might otherwise remain shut if economic conditions were more favorable. In this climate, it’s time to:
and shared values can stand apart from the competition. This makes it essential to revisit key messaging, especially on websites, sales materials and across digital channels.
• Test and optimize offers more aggressively: Economic tension shifts buying psychology — even loyal customers rethink spending. By experimenting with bundles, limited-time incentives or value-based guarantees, companies can reduce friction in the buying process without defaulting to deep discounts that can diminish brand value.
It's no secret that the most effective leaders are adaptable. They understand when to pivot strategies and processes without losing sight of the business’s goals. They rally and inspire teams when obstacles seem insurmountable. Shifting marketing and advertising efforts, too, can help organizations gain the momentum they need to stay visible and connect with their audiences in new ways amid volatility.
MARKETING
Uncertainty Can Create Opportunities to Capture New Market Share
from Andrea Aker of Aker Ink PR & Marketing
As economic uncertainty builds, it’s natural human behavior to retract or freeze. People like to know where they are going, how to get there and what will happen when they arrive. Yet concrete journeys are few and far between, and the reality is that business leaders must navigate all sorts of uncertainty on their paths to greater profitability.
Tariff whiplash is perhaps the most pressing for the abundance of companies that rely
Reevaluate digital advertising as competitors scale back: With less competition in the digital ad space, cost-per-click can decrease, allowing savvy brands to gain greater visibility at a lower cost. By reallocating spend toward high-performing platforms and targeting both abandoned keywords and long-tail questions from concerned customers, companies can strengthen their foothold.
Double down on customer retention strategies: It’s generally more expensive to acquire new customers than it is to retain current ones. Consider personalized email, SMS and social media campaigns that promote loyalty incentives, such as exclusive deals, members-only content or early access to new products and services.
Invest in thought leadership and organic visibility: When budgets are tight, thought leadership, PR and search engine optimization are lower-cost, high-impact strategies for building credibility and remaining visible when competitors are quiet. Focus on topics that answer customers’ current concerns and highlight the company’s resilience.
• Reassess messaging around trust, stability and values: Consumers and businesses crave confidence right now. Brands that demonstrate reliability, longevity
Andrea Aker is CEO of Aker Ink PR & Marketing, a full-service agency that helps companies increase awareness, thought leadership, leads and sales. She is an expert communicator and business strategist with a reputation for tenacity, perseverance and honesty. She’s willing to take on complex situations and thrives on new challenges. Under her leadership, Aker Ink is consistently honored as a top agency statewide. akerink.com
TECHNOLOGY
Navigating the Digital Shift: Practical Innovation in a Complex Climate from Minky Kernacs of Arizona Technology Council and Mercurio Analytics
As chair of the Arizona Technology Council’s Arizona Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem (AAIE) Committee, I’ve had a front-row seat
to how rapidly emerging technologies are reshaping the way businesses operate. Among these, generative AI stands out not as a buzzword but as a foundational capability that is redefining operations and strategy across industries.
BEST PRACTICES IN AI AND EMERGING TECH
Our focus has been on real-world implementation, education and workforce development. For those who experienced the rise of the internet and the cloud, this moment carries a familiar sense of transformation. The difference now is the pace. Generative AI is evolving rapidly, and its successful adoption requires intention, strategy and a clear understanding of organizational goals and readiness.
Leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping how and when these technologies are introduced. It is not only about deciding where AI fits but also being clear about when it does not. Transparent communication with teams builds trust and encourages thoughtful use. Equipping employees with tools, training and context helps turn experimentation into real business outcomes. Beyond tools and training, leadership can help foster a culture of curiosity and continuous learning. Creating space for experimentation without fear of failure is key to building long-term capability.
Leaders also help set the tone for a culture that embraces innovation while staying grounded in business priorities. This includes knowing the organization well enough to identify the right questions for both internal teams and technology vendors, select meaningful use cases and ensure outputs lead to actionable insights.
An honest assessment of infrastructure is equally important. This includes data quality, integration and cybersecurity. Leaders also should consider the long-term costs and sustainability of their approach, weighing the benefits of implementation against risks such as model degradation, ongoing maintenance and overreliance on external platforms. Without this clarity, investments may fall short, introduce avoidable risk or be misaligned with organizational capacity and maturity.
Security remains a key consideration. As generative AI capabilities grow, so do the risks associated with its misuse. Hackers, cybercriminals and even nation states are increasingly leveraging AI to exploit vulnerabilities, manipulate systems and extract sensitive data. Organizations that take a thoughtful, informed approach to securing their environment are more likely to adopt AI in ways that are not only effective and safe but also drive long-term growth, profitability and competitive advantage.
SUPPORTING BUSINESS GROWTH THROUGH COMMUNITY AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING
At the Council, we have built a statewide community where knowledge exchange, education and collaboration are central to helping businesses succeed with emerging technologies. Our AAIE Committee brings together industry-specific subcommittees to address the unique challenges and opportunities in sectors like education, healthcare, logistics and finance.
Through regular forums, case studies and working sessions, members share experiences, insights and practical guidance. This environment of open dialogue supports accelerated learning, avoids duplication of effort and empowers more confident decision-making.
Equally important is our commitment to strengthening relationships across the ecosystem. By connecting members with Arizona-based resources that include academic institutions, R&D hubs, workforce programs and solution providers, we create a foundation of trust and mutual support. While we welcome global perspectives, our focus is on building lasting connections within the state. We also collaborate with other technology councils across the country to share insights, align on national priorities and strengthen collective impact.
The Arizona Technology Council has long been a champion of technology and innovation in the state. We fully support the momentum around AI and the new organizations focused on it, and we are committed to being a steady, long-term partner as the technology landscape continues to evolve.
DID SOMEONE MENTION TARIFFS?
While we continue to monitor global tariff trends, the impact on Arizona businesses is already clear. Logistics firms are seeing reduced activity due to lower import volumes. At the same time, companies like TSMC are creating new opportunities with expanded operations in the state.
Construction and manufacturing sectors face rising costs for materials such as steel, aluminum and lumber unless the business secured inventory early.
Tariffs are also influencing buyer behavior. Some companies report delayed crossborder deals due not to price but instead uncertainty and shifting international dynamics. Buyer sentiment is changing, with a preference for local providers to reduce risk and simplify global engagement. This is affecting forecasts and deal cycles. These pressures underscore the importance of adaptability and thoughtful planning. AI can help but only when guided by accurate data and a clear purpose.
Today’s business environment demands more than innovation. It requires discipline, foresight and collaboration. At the Council, we are committed to helping our community build operations that are both profitable and resilient. AI plays a key role in that effort when implemented with intention and supported by the right ecosystem. There is a lot of excitement around generative AI, and for good reason. But in our experience, the organizations that benefit most are those that approach adoption with purpose, assess where they are today and build toward sustainable outcomes at a pace that makes sense for their business.
Minky Kernacs is chair of the Arizona Artificial Intelligence Ecosystem Committee at the Arizona Technology Council, and co-founder and CEO of Mercurio Analytics. A technology executive, she has more than 20 years experience supporting government agencies and regulated industries in modernizing through secure, scalable data and AI platforms. aztechcouncil.org mercurio.ai
Nina Sharpe has a knack for making numbers make sense — and an even bigger talent for turning financial know-how into engaging stories. As a freelance writer, she dives into business and finance topics, bringing a fresh, approachable spin to the world of startups, small businesses and independent professionals.
Feedback Loop: Building a System for a Thriving Workforce
Creating a communication system that encourages input and interaction by
Nina Sharpe
A strong workforce thrives on communication. When employees feel heard and valued, they’re more engaged, productive and invested in their work. However, according to Gallup, only 33% of the American workforce feels actively engaged at work, while 16% are actively disengaged. This gap highlights the need for stronger communication and feedback systems that encourage and nurture employee connection and motivation.
This is where a feedback loop comes in.
When businesses create an environment where employees know their voices matter, a feedback loop becomes a powerful tool for innovation and growth. With teams working inoffice, remotely or in a hybrid model, this loop can ensure communication remains strong no matter where employees are.
CREATING A CULTURE WHERE FEEDBACK FLOWS FREELY
With 41% of employees leaving jobs simply because they didn’t feel listened to, it’s evident that employees need to feel safe and heard when sharing their thoughts. Many organizations claim to encourage input, yet employees hesitate to speak up, unsure if their input will lead to real change. This hesitation often comes from past experiences — perhaps their input was ignored, dismissed or led to unintended consequences.
Good leaders play a crucial role in breaking down these barriers. When managers actively seek out opinions and suggestions, act on them and communicate how they’re being used, they send a clear message: Employee input is valued. Holding town halls, setting up open Q&A sessions and encouraging managers to ask employees for their thoughts in one-on-one meetings all help reinforce this.
Another essential element is making feedback a regular, natural part of work. If it only happens during performance reviews, it feels forced. Instead, companies should normalize quick check-ins, project debriefs and casual conversations about what’s working and what’s not. When this kind of communication is routine, it becomes about improving team collaboration rather than fixing problems.
Transparency is also essential. Employees should know how feedback is collected, how decisions are made and what happens next. It’s important for them to see that their opinions, suggestions and comments lead to action; otherwise, they’ll stop giving it. Without this clarity, even the best-intentioned system can feel like a black hole where ideas disappear.
FEEDBACK AND CAREER GROWTH GO HAND IN HAND
Feedback should drive employee growth by providing clear, actionable guidance that supports skill development and career advancement. People need more than vague comments about “doing a good job” or “needing improvement.” They need
specific, actionable advice that helps them build skills and advance their careers.
Leaders should use feedback as a coaching tool, guiding employees toward their goals. When employees express interest in skill development, businesses should offer opportunities like mentorship, training programs or knowledge-sharing sessions to help them grow.
Recognition is just as important as constructive criticism. Employees should hear what they’re doing well — not just what they need to improve. Public acknowledgment, whether through peer recognition programs or leadership shoutouts, helps reinforce positive behaviors and keeps motivation high.
BUILDING FEEDBACK SYSTEMS THAT FIT DIFFERENT WORK MODELS
Every work model has its own communication challenges. A feedback system that works well in an office might fall apart when teams are remote. Here’s how businesses can tailor their approach.
Remote Employees: When working remotely, employees often struggle with feeling disconnected. Without casual office conversations, it’s easy for concerns to go unheard. That’s why businesses need structured check-ins to make sure remote team members have a voice.
Regular virtual meetings on Zoom or Microsoft Teams create opportunities for open discussions. Slack channels help employees share thoughts in real-time, while tools like Trello and Google Docs keep feedback organized and visible to the team. Employees who might hesitate to speak up in remote meetings often feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts
Feedback should drive employee growth by providing clear, actionable guidance that supports skill development and career advancement. People need more than vague comments about “doing a good job” or “needing improvement.”
anonymously. To help facilitate this, you can use Google Forms or Officevibe for anonymous surveys that encourage more honest, unfiltered contributions.
And don’t forget one-on-ones. These are critical for remote employees, giving them a dedicated space to discuss their concerns and career growth. A structured approach ensures these meetings don’t slip through the cracks.
Hybrid Employees: This mixed working style can be challenging, so it’s important to have clear hybrid policies covering every facet, including communication and feedback loops. Miscommunication is almost inevitable if some employees are in the office and others are remote. Ensuring consistency across channels helps hybrid employees stay engaged and connected.
Frequent pulse surveys help track engagement and identify trends. Setting aside dedicated “feedback days” encourages employees to reflect on their work environment and share their thoughts.
Shared documentation tools like Google Docs ensure that important discussions and decisions are recorded in a place that both in-office and remote employees can access. Keeping everything documented prevents information from getting lost in informal office conversations.
In-Office Employees: Employees who work together in an office have the advantage of direct, face-to-face communication, but that doesn’t mean structured feedback isn’t necessary. Not everyone feels comfortable speaking up in an open forum, so companies need multiple ways for employees to share their thoughts.
Some employees may prefer informal discussions, while others might benefit from a structured process like monthly team meetings or feedback forms. Offering a mix of channels allows employees to choose the approach that best suits their comfort level and work style.
Regular one-on-one meetings also help leaders address individual concerns, ensuring that quieter employees have a space to share their perspectives.
Refining Feedback over Time
A feedback system should evolve with the company. Just as employees adapt to new challenges, businesses must refine their approach to collecting and acting on feedback.
Tracking participation in surveys, one-on-ones and meetings can highlight whether employees find the system useful. If engagement drops, it’s a sign that adjustments may be needed — perhaps the process is too complicated, or employees don’t trust that their contributions will lead to action.
Regularly reviewing trends in employee feedback allows businesses to spot patterns and proactively address concerns before they become major issues. Keeping the process dynamic ensures it remains relevant, actionable and effective.
MAKING THE FEEDBACK LOOP WORK
A thriving workforce is built on continuous, open communication from all sides and stakeholders. Companies that make feedback a core part of their culture create workplaces where trust grows, ideas flourish and employees and businesses succeed.
BETTERING YOUR BUSINESS
Business For Creatives
Business for Creatives is a practical, no-nonsense guide for artists, designers, performers and creative innovators who want to turn their passion into a thriving career without selling out. Creative success isn’t just about talent — it requires a strategic mindset, business knowledge and the ability to adapt in an imperfect economy. This book helps bridge the gap between artistry and entrepreneurship, and provides the tools creatives need to monetize their work, attract the right audience and navigate an ever-changing market while staying true to their vision. Packed with actionable strategies, real-world insights, and an approach tailored to the realities of creative industries, Business for Creatives breaks down essential principles like branding, pricing, marketing and client relationships through a lens that makes sense for creatives.
Business For Creatives: An Essential Guide for Building a Thriving Creative Practice
Joe Sherbanee
$24.99
Hangar Business Publishing On shelves and online 346 pages
Sustainable Ambition
Work-life balance is a myth. We need a better, more sustainable way to achieve our life and work goals. In today's world, the pressure to do it all can leave us stretched thin and questioning everything — our direction, our choices, and even our ambitions themselves. Time-management techniques and productivity hacks aren’t enough. The endless search for balance feels like chasing a mirage. The answer? Sustainable Ambition, a transformative method from life-work strategist Kathy Oneto that shows how to direct our ambitions wisely. Drawing from research, expert interviews, coaching insights, and personal experience, this book reveals a proven, practical framework across three interconnected components: Right Ambition, Right Time and Right Effort. When these elements are aligned, we can pursue our goals with more joy, peace and ease.
Sustainable Ambition: How to Prioritize What Matters to Thrive in Life and Work
Kathy Oneto
$29.95
Greenleaf Book Group Available 6/10/2025 344 pages
The Equity Edge
From a well-known consultant and speaker, a “must-read” (Kevin Grossman) guide to identifying the pain points along the hiring and talent-development process, where bias keeps managers and recruiters from making better decisions. More than ever, companies are scrambling to diversify their workplaces. But hiring managers, HR departments and recruiters remain largely in the dark about how to do this. The Equity Edge lays out the hurdles that face diverse groups of job seekers and employees. At each stage of the hiring and retaining process — finding, attracting, engaging, selecting, and developing talent — managers need to challenge their idea of who is qualified for a job, and potential employees need to know how to navigate the pitfalls of bias.
The Equity Edge: How Addressing Bias in Recruiting and Retention Drives Success
Jenn Tardy
$30.00
Basic Venture Available 6/17/2025 272 pages
With 41% of employees leaving jobs simply because they didn’t feel listened to, it’s evident that employees need to feel safe and heard when sharing their thoughts.
Michael Blanton is the managing director for BMO Wealth Management Arizona. His team specializes in working with business owners and high-net-worth families, helping them navigate everything from business exit strategies to investment management strategies. uswealth.bmo.com
“BMO Wealth Management” is a brand name that refers to BMO Bank N.A. and certain of its affiliates that provide certain investment, investment advisory, trust, banking, and securities products and services. Investment products and services are: NOT A DEPOSIT – NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY – NOT GUARANTEED BY ANY BANK – MAY LOSE VALUE.
Estate planning requires legal assistance which BMO Bank N.A. and its affiliates do not provide. Please consult with your legal advisor. BMO Bank N.A. and its affiliates do not provide legal advice or tax advice to clients. You should review your particular circumstances with your independent legal and tax advisors.
Top Questions Entrepreneurs Should Ask Their Financial Advisors in 2025
Financial planning helps protect wealth and adapt to new goals by Michael Blanton
Building a profitable business is hard work and a major accomplishment. But as entrepreneurs focus on daily operations, planning and adapting their enterprise to market conditions, proactively managing wealth oftentimes takes a backseat to their work.
Ultimately, long-term financial success isn’t just about how much money an entrepreneur makes; it’s about how much they keep and protect. By asking the right financial questions, business owners can help safeguard their hard-earned wealth, mitigate risk and build a lasting legacy.
HOW DOES MY TAX STRATEGY NEED TO ADAPT?
Tax planning is an ongoing process as tax laws frequently change. Failure to keep up can lead to costly mistakes. Entrepreneurs must proactively review and pair their tax situation with effective tax strategies to minimize taxes, maximize deductions and ensure compliance with ever-changing regulations. This is critical for major financial decisions like capital investments, business expansion or charitable gifting. Whether purchasing a new fleet of vehicles or strategically buying and selling real estate, significant financial transactions warrant a thorough discussion with a trusted team of legal, financial and accounting advisors. This ensures tax implications are assessed before year-end, helping to prevent unexpected tax surprises come April.
WHAT EVOLVING RISKS COULD IMPACT MY BUSINESS?
Failing to manage risk can jeopardize an entire business, leaving it vulnerable to external threats. Entrepreneurs should work with their advisors — financial, legal and insurance — to get a holistic understanding of what could materially threaten their business today and in the future.
From artificial intelligence fraud to natural disasters that can displace operations, owners must identify and evaluate evolving risks. The unexpected departure of a business partner or a key executive can also disrupt a business.
Proactively managing these exposures allows an owner to implement contingency plans and explore ways to ensure their business is adequately protected. Risk management also allows for greater confidence — empowering an owner to focus on day-to-day operations while preserving their business’s resilience, even in the face of unforeseen setbacks.
DOES MY BUSINESS EXIT STRATEGY BALANCE ECONOMICS, RISK & CONTROL?
A well-structured exit strategy is essential for business owners considering a sale or transition — not only for the business itself, but for the owner’s private wealth as well. Whether selling to an outside investor, transferring ownership to a partner or the company’s employees or merging with another company, every
transaction revolves around economics, risk and control.
A strong business valuation starts with a healthy business and reliable business records. Owners should optimize balance sheets and maintain organized financial records. Proactively implementing risk management measures that contemplate industry volatility and legal liabilities can boost buyer confidence and help maximize the sale price.
Deal structures also have lasting implications. Some transactions require an immediate exit, while others involve a phased buyout or earnout period. Owners should align their exit strategy with their future goals, whether ultimately retiring or eventually launching a new venture.
HOW SHOULD MY ESTATE PLAN CHANGE TO ALIGN WITH NEW GOALS & LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES?
A well-structured succession and estate plan helps create a smooth ownership transfer and helps protect the company’s future. Though related, succession and estate planning serve distinct yet complementary roles in securing long-term stability.
Succession planning focuses on transitioning ownership and leadership to maintain stability and business viability. It involves identifying successors and outlining contingency plans to promote business continuity, and it aims to prevent leadership voids, ownership disputes and financial uncertainty.
Estate planning addresses the legal and financial transfer of ownership in the event of an owner’s death or incapacitation, helping to ensure assets are distributed according to the owner’s wishes.
A well-defined succession strategy provides clarity and operational stability, whereas a solid estate plan establishes the legal framework for a seamless transition. Together, these strategies help safeguard the business and owner’s legacy.
WHAT CAN I LEARN FROM OTHER SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNERS?
Running a business requires staying ahead of evolving industry, operational and financial dynamics. Engaging with a team of experts — whether for regular quarterly check-ins or to assess a new financial milestone — can help them identify gaps and quickly adjust to changing circumstances.
Successful owners prioritize taking great care of their clients, growing revenue, generating positive cash flow and managing risk to maintain viability and financial stability. Drawing inspiration and ideas from other business owners can reveal new opportunities for success not previously contemplated — for example, pursuing a more effective business structure to provide potential added liability protection and tax benefits.
Routine check-ins with advisors help ensure entrepreneurs can make timely adjustments with confidence.
Only 60% of business owners and high-net-worth individuals review their retirement plans regularly. Eighty-one percent of those who review it regularly do so more than once a year and the vast majority will make changes to their plans. uswealth.bmo.com/insights/bmoforwomenreport
Sarah Watt is an associate in the Phoenix office of Littler Mendelson, where she represents clients in employment litigation matters and counsels on a range of issues that arise in the workplace, including disability accommodations and leave administration.
littler.com
littler.com/people/ sarah-k-watt
Littler’s 2025 Employer Survey can be accessed at www.littler.com/2025employer-survey.
The Changing Workplace
The outcomes and challenges of return-to-office mandates in 2025
by Sarah Watt
In the years following the globally disruptive COVID-19 pandemic, employers have explored variations of work arrangements to balance the demands of their businesses with the needs of their employees’ personal lives. Among the lessons learned through the pandemic was, many jobs have the potential to be performed remotely.
While the arrangement allowed new flexibility for many workers, it also introduced both expected and unanticipated challenges to managing a dispersed workforce. Further complicating matters are the legal implications of the lasting cultural impacts of the pandemic. Although many employees prefer remote work simply for personal reasons, many have requested work from home or other workplace accommodations related to their own or a family member’s medical condition, including pregnancy-related limitations or leaves of absence.
Managing such requests can be time-intensive and rife with both legal and practical risks, making it particularly important for companies to understand their legal obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and/or similar state or local laws.
To understand how businesses are navigating the many challenges posed to employers in 2025, management-side employment firm Littler Mendelson P.C. surveyed nearly 350 in-house lawyers, business executives and human resources professionals. Respondents are based across the U.S. and represent a range of company sizes and industries, including technology, manufacturing, retail, healthcare and hospitality.
BACK TO WORK!
More than five years after COVID-19 forced a paradigm shift in workplace norms, many employers are making a concerted push for in-person work. Indeed, nearly half of respondents whose organizations have positions that can be performed remotely say they have increased in-person work requirements over the past 12 months or are considering doing so. However, even with some employers planning to increase the number of expected in-person workdays, most organizations intend to continue to allow some flexibility through hybrid schedules. Only 5% of employers surveyed have gone further to require in-office work every day, joining 10% that already require fully in-person work.
RETURN-TO-OFFICE: EVERYTHING WE IMAGINED?
What has been the effect of the in-office push? Have employers seen the increased productivity, enhanced engagement and collaborative culture envisioned by the mandate? The results are, unsurprisingly, mixed: About half the organizations that have increased their in-office requirements believe the change has led to an improved
culture and better workplace collaboration. More specifically, 42% point to the benefits of an enhanced ability to monitor employees’ work and 38% cited better employee training and development opportunities.
However, only about a quarter stated they’ve actually observed the oft-cited goal of increased employee productivity. Interestingly, nearly 1 in 5 of those that have increased their in-office presence say they have seen no positive impacts compared with the 1 in 10 that have seen no negative impacts.
On the other hand, many employers have also observed several drawbacks to the increased in-offic e requirements:
• More complaints from employees (47%)
• Decreased employee morale and engagement (44%)
• Increased non-compliance with in-office requirements (40%)
Further, the approach also poses talent recruitment and retention problems as many employees and candidates have come to expect remote work options. Approximately a third of employers say that increased in-office requirements have led to higher employee turnover and difficulty attracting new talent.
For most employers, the most consequential consideration to requiring more in-person work, however, is the legal impact of increased requests for workplace accommodations related to remote work and mental health. More than half of all respondents, including 65% of large employers, observed a spike in such requests.
IN-OFFICE MANDATES VERSUS REMOTE WORK AND WORKPLACE ACCOMMODATIONS
The pandemic ushered in many cultural shifts, including an increased focus on the importance of mental health. Most employers surveyed (70%) reported increased requests for leaves of absence and/or accommodations related to mental health conditions. Further, nearly half observed increased requests for intermittent leaves or reduced schedules. Evaluating such requests poses unique challenges for employers, especially when these situations overlap with employee relations or performance issues. Further complicating these dynamics are the everexpanding definitions by courts and agencies of “reasonable accommodation” and qualifying medical conditions under applicable laws.
Given the several competing practical considerations and legal frameworks at play when evaluating return-to-office mandates, it’s more important than ever for employers to engage with employment counsel to evaluate the potential implications of their organization’s strategy, including establishing clear processes for evaluating accommodation requests and ensuring managers are adequately trained on how to navigate the many nuances to managing employees in 2025.
In a recent survey by Littler Mendelson, nearly 1 in 5 employers have increased their in-office presence since the COVID-19 pandemic say they have seen no positive impacts compared with the 1 in 10 that have seen no negative impacts.
TRAVEL WITH A PHILANTHROPIC REACH
The company’s commitment to charitable giving is reflected in its approach to travel, ensuring that each booking supports a greater cause. Navigating for a Cause exemplifies how travel can transcend beyond leisure, creating opportunities for participants to contribute to meaningful social change.
One of the ways Boutique Travel Advisors is increasing its philanthropic reach is through the Luxury Travel Club, a hotel booking platform that provides exclusive perks to travelers while generating donations for nonprofit partners. As clients book their trips through the platform, the company’s charitable contributions grow, with funds supporting a variety of causes in Arizona, California, Texas, and beyond.
Upcoming beneficiaries include organizations like Make-A-Wish, Amanda Hope, and Friends of CASA Orange County. “We’ve designed this platform to create a win-win situation,” said Angie. “Travelers get access to exclusive deals, and nonprofits benefit from the additional funds.”
Tyler Butler, a trailblazer in ESG and corporate citizenship, has led Fortune 500 sustainability programs, contributed to two IPOs and founded Collaboration for Good. With degrees from ASU, Boston College and Cornell, she writes for top publications and serves as head of Public Affairs for Phoenix Rising FC. collaborationforgood.com
Boutique Travel Advisors: Pioneering Philanthropy in the Travel Industry
Using travel as a force for positive change
by Tyler Butler
When two professionals with unique skill sets and a shared passion for philanthropy come together, something extraordinary can happen. That’s precisely the story behind Boutique Travel Advisors, founded by Angie Rice, a CPA and business consultant, and Janet Semenova, a nurse practitioner with a background in wellness and healthcare. Combining their expertise in business strategy and personalized care, they set out to create a travel advisory company that wasn’t just about providing luxury travel experiences but also giving back to the communities they served.
From the outset, the founders of Boutique Travel Advisors were determined to make a difference. They saw travel as not just a way to explore the world, but as a platform for good — a way to positively impact local communities, promote sustainable tourism and support causes that mattered. Building on a foundation of philanthropy, sustainability and community engagement, they redefined what it meant to be a socially responsible business in the travel industry. The company’s mission was clear: to guide their clients and suppliers in using travel as a force for positive change.
“We wanted to build a business that wasn’t just about profit, but about purpose,” says Rice. “It’s essential to us that every trip we organize is not only memorable but also impactful in a way that benefits the world.”
The company’s philanthropic approach is rooted in the idea that travel has the power to create connections, inspire growth and foster lasting positivity. Boutique Travel Advisors integrated philanthropy into its business model by educating clients, volunteering and donating a portion of every booking to various causes. “We’re not just about booking vacations; we’re about making those vacations mean something. A percentage of every booking goes toward our philanthropic efforts,” says Semenova.
One of the company’s most notable initiatives is its signature event, Navigating for a Cause, which has raised significant funds for several nonprofit organizations. Last year, the event raised more than $34,000 for PTSD NOW!, an organization dedicated to helping veterans and first responders cope with PTSD. “The mission of PTSD NOW! resonates deeply with us,” says Rice. “We’ve seen firsthand how PTSD can affect lives, and we’re proud to contribute to an organization that provides critical support to those who serve our country.”
In addition to fundraising events, Boutique Travel Advisors partners with organizations like Pack for a Purpose, which encourages travelers to bring essential supplies to schools and nonprofits, and Not Just Tourists, which helps deliver medical supplies to underserved areas. These partnerships exemplify the company’s commitment to supporting local communities and raise awareness about the power of responsible travel.
Boutique Travel Advisors also emphasize the importance
of sustainability in travel. Through its Pillars of Community initiative, the company focuses on five core areas: Joy, Wellbeing, Connection, Sustainability, and Gratitude. These pillars serve as guiding principles for their outreach efforts and help identify nonprofit partners that align with the company’s values. “It’s about more than just giving back financially,” says Semenova. “We want to inspire our clients and suppliers to engage with the communities they visit, whether through donations, volunteer work or simply raising awareness.”
Philanthropy is not just an external focus for the company but an integral part of its internal culture. Boutique Travel Advisors encourages all its team members to engage in volunteerism and community service. “Volunteering is a requirement for joining our team,” says Semenova. “We believe in giving back, and it’s important that everyone who works with us shares that commitment.”
In addition to the company’s philanthropic initiatives, its founders have also served on various nonprofit boards and committees. Semenova is actively involved with Friends of CASA Orange County, while Rice continues to support Pack for a Purpose. The team’s commitment to local and global causes is what sets Boutique Travel Advisors apart from other travel companies.
Despite their success, Rice and Semenova remain focused on their long-term vision. “We want to be known as the most philanthropic travel agency in the Southwest,” says Rice. “We hope to inspire other businesses in our industry to incorporate philanthropy into their models, creating a ripple effect of giving back.”
Boutique Travel Advisors travelbta.com
Navigating for a Cause: This cornerstone initiative by Boutique Travel Advisors blends luxury travel with philanthropy. The annual event, designed to raise both awareness and funds, directly benefits nonprofit organizations like PTSD NOW!, which supports veterans and first responders affected by PTSD. Through this event, Boutique Travel Advisors has raised thousands of dollars to provide critical resources to those in need.
Photo courtesy of Boutique Travel Advisors
Why Apprenticeship Is the Workforce Strategy More Businesses Need
Achieving outcomes that are difficult to achieve through traditional hiring alone
by Nicholas Wyman
Across industries, employers are facing a frustrating paradox: There are open jobs, yet too few candidates with the right skills to fill them. As companies adapt to rapidly changing technologies, demographics and workplace expectations, it’s clear that traditional hiring methods are no longer enough.
One proven, but often overlooked, solution is apprenticeship. Long associated with the trades, modern apprenticeships have evolved into a versatile workforce strategy used in fields ranging from healthcare and IT to finance and advanced manufacturing. More than just job training, apprenticeship is a talent development pipeline — one that helps companies grow the skilled workforce they need.
At its core, apprenticeships combine structured, paid on-the-job training with formal education. Apprentices work under the guidance of experienced mentors while completing coursework that leads to an industryrecognized credential. Graduates emerge ready to contribute, having mastered the technical and soft skills their employer requires.
The apprenticeship model has existed for centuries, but it has never been more relevant than it is today. With traditional education pathways often out of sync with workforce needs, and many job seekers lacking practical experience, apprenticeship provides a direct path to job readiness. It also benefits employers by reducing recruitment risk, increasing retention and ensuring cultural alignment.
I’ve worked with organizations around the world to implement apprenticeship programs, and the impact is consistently powerful. One example is ExxonMobil’s Esso Australia, which introduced a tailored apprenticeship strategy to meet future workforce needs. The company saw a 95% retention rate among graduates and dramatically lowered recruitment costs. Just as importantly, it built a workforce fluent in its systems, values and safety standards — outcomes that are difficult to achieve through traditional hiring alone.
Building an apprenticeship program does require upfront investment. Employers must identify their skills gaps, design or adopt relevant curriculum, and train mentors. But they don’t need to do it alone. Workforce intermediaries, community colleges and industry groups are increasingly stepping in to provide guidance, partnerships and resources to support employers throughout the process.
The return on investment often comes quickly. Apprenticetrained employees tend to be more productive from day one, having already worked with the tools and systems they’ll use on the job. They are also more likely to remain with their employer, thanks to the mentorship, support and growth
opportunities they received during the program. Beyond the numbers, apprenticeship contributes to a stronger workplace culture. It signals a commitment to continuous learning and internal mobility. It also offers experienced employees new roles as mentors, giving them a way to pass on their knowledge and stay engaged. These internal career development opportunities often lead to higher job satisfaction and lower turnover across the board.
Apprenticeships also support broader diversity and inclusion goals. Because programs focus on skills development rather than degrees alone, they can open doors to talent from a wider range of backgrounds — including those historically underrepresented in certain industries.
Looking ahead, the companies that thrive will be those that invest in building their workforce, not just hiring for it. Apprenticeships offer a clear, practical path to doing so. It’s a strategy rooted in tradition but fully aligned with the future of work.
Companies that use apprenticeship programs see a 92% employee retention rate one year after completion — compared to just 50–60% for traditional hires.
Nicholas Wyman is a workforce development expert and author of the Amazon best seller Attract, Retain & Develop As CEO of the Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation America, he has helped launch more than 20,000 skills-based careers and advises companies on building future-ready talent strategies. attractretaindevelop.com iwsiamerica.org
4 TIPS TO LEAD WITH LOVE
Rebecca Hoffberger of the American Visionary Art Museum offers these tips to ensure love is at the heart of the nonprofit:
1. Audit the nonprofit’s culture: Is kindness rewarded? Is vulnerability allowed?
2. Design for delight: Sharing — and celebrating — stories of personal and community impact should be part of the programming fabric, no matter the nonprofit’s focus.
3. Celebrate intuitive creativity: Nonprofit leadership should honor gut wisdom as much as strategic metrics.
4. Use love-based language: Shift from transactional language to relational language (e.g., invitation, partnership, shared vision).
The Four-Letter Word All Nonprofits Need: LOVE
Prioritizing love into planning creates greater impact by Richard Tollefson
“Love is not a soft add-on to the serious business of nonprofit work,” says Rebecca Alban Hoffberger, founder of Baltimore’s American Visionary Art Museum. “It is its core strategy, its highest philosophy and its lasting legacy. To lead with love is not naïve. It is, in fact, the most visionary, resilient and radically effective thing a nonprofit can do.”
Brandon Steppe, founder and executive director of David’s Harp, couldn’t agree more. His San Diego nonprofit focuses on creative youth development through music production and creative workforce development opportunities — an initiative that grew through authentic, loving responses to povertystricken, often gang-influenced youth, many incarcerated. Love, fundraising and nonprofit management, he says, are all wrapped together.
It all started when Steppe, a former business executive, left corporate America and built a recording studio in his father’s garage, allowing neighborhood kids to trade their good grades for studio-recording time. When Steppe opened up about his own challenges — his wife’s difficult pregnancy — he found a group of disconnected kids in need of mentoring. Kids who, themselves, opened up.
Steppe’s honesty and vulnerability were the steppingstones to a stronger sense of community for both parents and kids, one rooted in love. A focus on listening with love sparked additional youth programs in entrepreneurship and media production, as well as initiatives for incarcerated and often-forgotten youth.
Likewise, Hoffberger’s quest to ensure that everyone has access to a full, vibrant and creative life — which is essential to a compassionate society — began with love in the form of listening: first, to the experiences of artists and, upon the museum’s opening, to employees, volunteers and visitors. That compassion built the official national museum, education center and repository for intuitive, self-taught artistry, which continues today with artist partnerships, exhibition themes, public programming and donor relationships.
But how does one incorporate love into the business strategy of nonprofits?
LOVE AS A GUIDE FOR FUNDING
Richard Tollefson is founder and president of The Phoenix Philanthropy Group, an Arizona-based international consulting firm serving nonprofit organizations as well as institutional and individual philanthropists. phoenixphilanthropy.com
A nonprofit’s love, Steppe says, needs to align with the funding sources it accepts. “When it’s done correctly, it allows nonprofits to walk in integrity, so there’s never that moment of saying, ‘I love you’ but my business actions aren’t matching.”
He’s referring to restricted gifts, grants and federal funds, whose stipulations — when they don’t align with a nonprofit’s values — can lead to conflict or mission creep.
Consider a nonprofit focused on tree-planting in urban neighborhoods and a grant that requires two rural trees be planted for every urban tree. “Saying yes means you are doing something contrary to your mission, all for money in a
pragmatic way,” explains Steppe.
“For love to live in the nonprofit, this focus on the ‘practical’ has to go. You have to be willing to walk away from funding resources that don’t push your mission forward.” That means, also, having the integrity to understand the difference between a pragmatic moment and a moment of growth. “Maybe you really are growing in your mission toward rural trees,” Steppe says, “but ask, ‘Are we really listening to the people who have hands and feet on the ground? Are we loving them well or are we just making decisions, handing them down, and creating stress?’”
Steppe’s nonprofit has returned and refused funding opportunities that didn’t match mission, to the tunes of $50,000 and $350,000, respectively. “In one instance, the program director saw our integrity and commitment to our mission and went out of her way, later, to find resources for us,” says Steppe. It doesn’t always work that way, though. The larger gift — refused because it would have transformed David’s Harp into a mental health organization — was income simply lost, but the right thing to do out of love.
“When you say yes, you’re actually getting resources, but it may be at a cost.”
LOVE AS STRATEGY
“Ask potential donors,‘What do you love? What kind of world do you long for?’” says Hoffberger. She offers additional insight on centering love into daily practices:
• Revisit the nonprofit’s founding story and values at regular intervals.
• Celebrate staff and volunteer stories that embody loving action.
• Make space for beauty, humor and community ritual in programming.
• Speak from the heart as well as the nonprofit’s mission.
• Frame giving as an act of connection, not obligation.
• Make the experience of giving beautiful, moving and creative. Have one-on-one conversations, schedule grassroots questionnaires, assess how staff and recipients really feel about the lived mission, says Steppe. “Listening is loving. That’s the beginning point, and then moving to action is the actual proof of the love.”
2025 Acura MDX
The 2025 Acura MDX offers a nice blend of luxury, performance and advanced technology. As Acura's flagship three-row SUV, the MDX remains a compelling choice for families seeking a premium driving experience.
Under the hood, the MDX offers two robust engine options. The standard model is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, while Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SHAWD®) system is available for enhanced traction and handling.
The MDX retains the bold and aerodynamic design language introduced in the previous model year. The front fascia features the distinctive Diamond Pentagon grille with a redesigned mesh pattern, flanked by Jewel Eye® LED headlights that now come with darkened accents for a more dramatic appearance.
For those seeking a more performance-oriented experience, the MDX Type S variant features a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6
engine delivering 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. This model comes standard with SH-AWD®, Brembo front brakes and an adaptive air suspension system, providing a dynamic and responsive driving experience.
Inside, the MDX offers a luxurious and spacious cabin designed to accommodate up to seven passengers. Premium materials, such as French-stitched leather, open-pore wood and metallic accents, create an upscale atmosphere. The front seats are available with 16-way power adjustability and massage functions in higher trims, ensuring comfort on long journeys.
Audio enthusiasts will appreciate the collaboration with Bang & Olufsen, providing premium sound systems across the lineup. Depending on the trim, the MDX offers either a 19-speaker or an impressive 31-speaker setup in the Type S model, delivering an immersive audio experience. —Mike Hunter
First Aid First for Workplace Health and Safety
It is generally a good idea — in fact, in many cases it is required by OSHA for employers in the U.S. — for employers to have a first aid kit at the workplace. Prepared kits are available from several recognized sources, among them the American Red Cross – which is also long known for providing first aid training. Here are some options of kits and cabinets:
AMERICAN RED CROSS First Aid Kit and Housing: Gen Purpose, 25 People Served, 299 Components, PVC. $40.34
Thriaid’s 330 Piece First Aid Kit: Premium Waterproof
Compact Trauma Medical Kits for Any Emergencies, Ideal for Home, Office, Car, Travel, Outdoor, Camping, Hiking, Boating $45.99
Cintas first aid cabinets: cintas.com/firstaidsafety/firstaidsupplies/ firstaidcabinets
Basic supplies allow for quick treatment of minor medical emergencies such as cuts, burns and sprains; more serious injury should be referred to professional care. —RaeAnne Marsh
Driving with Confidence: A suite of available and standard driving assistance and safety features associated with AcuraWatch™ helps drivers better navigate the road, to everyone’s benefit. A generous list of driver assistance systems was thoughtfully engineered to back the driver’s instincts, so the driver can truly experience the drive.
Acura acura.com
$16.00
Italian Chop Salad
Organic mixed greens & romaine, provolone, Genoa salami, grape tomato, pepperoncini, red onion, cucumber and green olive, with red wine vinaigrette
$21.00
Horseradish cream, crispy fingerling potato, roasted beets and arugula, with citrus vinaigrette
$34.00
George & Gather: A Warm, Welcoming ‘Third Place’
by Dawson Fearnow
After two decades in the mortgage industry, Amber Kovarik had become something of an expert on the Valley’s best spots to meet clients, whether for celebratory lunches, quick contract signings or a relaxed happy hour. But while she loved the buzz and warmth of all-day hangout spots like La Grande Orange, The Henry and Postino WineCafé, she noticed one thing missing: a true third place close to home in downtown Chandler. So, she and her husband, Mike, decided to build one.
In March, the couple opened George & Gather, a vibrant new all-day restaurant and community hub tucked into a beautifully restored mid-century commercial space just south of downtown Chandler. What once housed an auto body repair shop now glows with Art Deco-inspired design. Think warm woods, bold tilework, brushed brass, and sunlight pouring in through oversized windows.
The space is designed to flex with the rhythms of the day. Mornings are counter-service, where guests can order up front, then settle in anywhere they like. It’s perfect for those bringing a laptop to knock out a few emails or simply taking their time to enjoy a maple-sweetened latte. From there, the energy shifts throughout the day: full-service lunch, craft cocktails at the bar, dinner with friends, or a moment of quiet on the covered patio next to the fireplace. An indoor-outdoor bar; full-service dining room; and a market stocked with gelato, grab-and-go meals, curated wines and locally made goods make G&G a destination that fits any kind of visit.
For those seeking even more connection and creativity, G&G offers two private spaces for everything from remote work and community meetups to chef-led pop-ups and celebrations. The Gather Kitchen, equipped with a full-service kitchen, and the adjacent Private Dining Room are built to bring people
together, whether for productivity or play.
“I’ve always loved the way food can turn an everyday moment into something special,” says Amber. “Even in my mortgage business, I tried to make the mortgage experience feel personal and celebratory. So, to now watch guests fully immersed in their moments here — it’s incredibly rewarding.”
But behind the inviting energy and flexible space is a serious commitment to quality. George & Gather serves a completely from-scratch menu free of seed oils and full of clean, nutritious ingredients. Lunch standouts include craveable starters like Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Italian sausage, piquillo pepper purée and hot honey, as well as vibrant mains like the Italian Chop Salad or Pan-Seared Faroe Island Salmon, served over crispy fingerlings, roasted beets and arugula and served with a citrus-horseradish vinaigrette.
As for the name? It’s a nod to their location on Washington Street, named for George Washington, and the deeper mission to create a place where people gather.
And gather, they do.
George & Gather
336 S. Washington St., Chandler (480) 470-5143 georgeandgather.com
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Italian sausage, Piquillo pepper puree, microgreens, hot honey
Pan Seared Faroe Island Salmon
About ASBA
The Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA), is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) membership organization that serves as the nonpartisan advocate and resource-hub for all Arizona small businesses. What started as a small group of businessmen who organized to combine resources has grown into one of the largest trade associations, serving businesses from all corners of the state.
Today, ASBA is a passionate supporter and representative of the diverse businesses who make up our membership. Dedicated to delivering innovative entrepreneurs the resources required to grow and thrive in an ever-changing marketplace, ASBA offers relevant education, mentoring, networking, advocacy programs, and member benefits that equip your business with all the tools to succeed.
Regardless of your business size or industry, whether you have one employee or 500 employees, operate in retail or technology or any trade inbetween, an ASBA membership means your voice is heard and your best interests are protected.
Find ASBA on:
Facebook: @AZSmallBIZ
Twitter: @asba
Facebook: @azsmallbiz
LinkedIn: @Arizona Small Business Association - ASBA
(simpli.fi): Whether you’re a local boutique owner, a neighborhood coffee shop guru or a hopeful entrepreneur turning ideas into reality, we understand the journey small business owners go through. Running a small business means wearing multiple hats, from CEO to marketer to customer service rep. It’s exhilarating, but let’s face it — it’s also exhausting. And when it comes to marketing your business, the challenge only grows. With rising costs, shifting consumer trends and increasing competition, getting your business in front of your audience has never been trickier. But what if you had a cost-effective tool working behind the scenes to improve your advertising strategy, personalize your outreach and stretch your brand presence further?
That’s exactly what AI is doing for small businesses today. According to a recent study (www.business.com/articles/ai-usage-smbworkplace-study), 42% of small to medium-sized businesses are using AI as part of their business strategy, and more than half of these companies report financial savings as a result. With AI closing the gap between limited resources and big results, the question is: What does the future
look like for small businesses ready to make AI a differentiator in their growth plans?
The Future of AI for Small Business: Small businesses constantly navigate challenges such as managing economic fluctuations, handling employee logistics, balancing supply and demand, and staying ahead of the competition. On top of that, to grow business, they need to adapt marketing messages to meet consumer needs. It’s no small feat, and the workload is relentless. That’s why any time saved is invaluable to these dedicated leaders. AI can be the difference maker.
Now, with AI seamlessly integrated across multiple areas of the business landscape, small businesses have access to tools and insights that were once out of reach. Need a specialist in any subject on the fly? AI’s got it covered. Need data-driven suggestions to optimize your next campaign? Done. AI isn’t just a tool — it’s the game-changer small businesses have been waiting for. AI is impacting every aspect of our daily life in ways we don’t even realize. Its impact on business, in particular, cannot be overstated. AI-driven solutions are redefining how brands connect with their audiences — AI has become a business essential.
Boosting Business Value: What Buyers Really Look For
Ryan Armstrong, CBI
For many business owners, exiting their company is a once-ina-lifetime event — yet far too few prepare for it early enough to maximize value. Whether you’re planning to sell soon or simply want to build a stronger company, understanding what buyers look for is essential to achieving a successful transition.
Key Value Drivers
Buyers are most focused on profitability, recurring revenue and owner independence. They want to see consistent revenue, reliable profit margins and clean financial records. Just as importantly, they want a business that doesn’t rely on the owner to operate day to day. If you’re still the go-to for every client issue or decision, it’s time to create systems, build leadership within your team and delegate critical functions.
Recurring Revenue & Customer Loyalty
Recurring revenue — such as service contracts or subscriptionbased models — adds predictability and reduces buyer risk. Customer loyalty also plays a big role. A strong reputation and
a base of returning customers can significantly increase your company’s marketability and value, especially when supported by consistent customer feedback or reviews. Buyers want to see that customers are not only satisfied but likely to remain with the business after the transition.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Owners often wait too long to start exit planning. Others rely too heavily on themselves to keep the business running or fail to maintain clear financials. These factors can reduce buyer interest and lower the sale price. Avoid these pitfalls by organizing your books, transferring key relationships to your team and ensuring your business can thrive without you — even in your absence. Taking time now to improve these areas can lead to a smoother, more rewarding exit down the road.
Ryan Armstrong, CBI, is president of Transworld Business Advisors Phoenix (www.tworld.com/locations/arizona/phoenix).
The Importance of Business and Community Resources for Small Businesses
by Louie Picazo
Small businesses face numerous challenges, from financial struggles to competition and market fluctuations. During tough times, having access to business and community resources can be the difference between failure and survival and even growth. These resources provide essential support, helping entrepreneurs navigate obstacles and scale their businesses toward profitability.
Financial and Educational Support
Many small businesses struggle with cash flow, especially in the early stages. Access to grants, low-interest loans and financial counseling can help them stay afloat. Organizations like the Small Business Administration and local economic development agencies offer funding opportunities and financial education to help owners make informed decisions. Additionally, mentorship programs and business training workshops equip entrepreneurs with the skills needed to manage operations, marketing and growth strategies effectively.
Networking and Community Support
Strong community ties can open doors to new customers, partnerships and suppliers. The Arizona Small Business Association provides platforms for collaboration and entrepreneurial support through initiatives like the Strategic Coaching for Advancing Local Entrepreneurs (SCALE) program that provides educational and business resources for Arizona’s small business community. During economic downturns, a loyal community partner can help sustain a business with networking, support and funding sources until conditions improve.
SCALE for Long-Term Success
The ASBA SCALE program aims to empower both new and established entrepreneurs across Arizona by providing comprehensive, hands-on business education and support.
By leveraging ASBA’s extensive statewide network, which includes thousands of small businesses, dedicated community partner organizations, financial institutions, statewide economic development agencies and local economic centers, this program delivers tailored assistance to businesses in underserved rural and urban communities.
This collaborative approach helps entrepreneurs transition from struggling startups to profitable, sustainable enterprises. In challenging times, business and community resources serve as essential lifelines. They offer financial relief, education and connections that empower small businesses to persevere and thrive. Investing in these support systems ensures long-term success for both entrepreneurs and the local economy.
Don’t face the challenges of entrepreneurship alone! ASBA provides access to funding resources, mentorship and networking opportunities to help your business not just survive but thrive. Consider joining ASBA today and unlock the resources you need to grow and succeed! Together, we can cultivate a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem that uplifts local talent and drives community growth. ASBA.com
Louie Picazo is with the Arizona Small Business Association.
Customer Loyalty Management Is a Must
On the critical importance of service marketing to be competitive
by Martin Mende
In today’s hyper-competitive marketplace, customer loyalty management is no longer a luxury — it is a necessity for every firm. As markets become increasingly saturated and products become harder to differentiate, businesses must shift their focus from customer acquisition to the deliberate cultivation of long-term customer relationships. Service marketing plays a central role in this transition, serving as the foundation for building emotional bonds, trust and advocacy among customers.
The Role of Service Marketing
Service marketing emphasizes the design and delivery of highquality customer experiences rather than mere transactions. Unlike tangible goods, services are intangible, inseparable from providers and, typically, subjectively evaluated by customers. The design, marketing and delivery of services are therefore critically important in shaping customer perception of service quality, satisfaction and loyalty.
Brands that consistently deliver outstanding service experiences can foster loyalty, increase profitability and benefit from customer referrals, effectively becoming powerful players in a crowded marketplace.
Building Customer Loyalty: Understanding and Personalization
Effective loyalty management begins with a thorough understanding of customer expectations, perceptions and behaviors. In parallel, businesses should prioritize personalization, responsiveness when receiving complaints and value-creation at every touchpoint with their customers. By leveraging customer data, organizations can tailor services to individual needs and preferences, proactively address customer complaints and reward loyalty through strategic programs. Emotional connections with customers thus formed serve as a significant competitive advantage for the firm.
Key Components of Customer Loyalty Management
Core components of customer loyalty operations include:
• Customer Segmentation and Engagement Strategies: Tailoring communication and services to different market segments to create experiential value.
• Loyalty Program Design: Structuring rewards to encourage repeat customer engagement and spending.
• Customer Feedback Systems: Proactively designing systems that gather and analyze customer feedback (including complaints) for continuous service improvement.
• Performance Analytics: Measuring outcomes (such as customer satisfaction, loyalty and profitability) and optimizing customer loyalty strategies.
Authenticity and Service Commitment across the Entire Organization
Authenticity is an increasingly important factor in customer loyalty. Modern consumers are discerning and expect
brands to uphold transparency and genuine concern for their customers’ satisfaction and well-being. Therefore, service marketing must consistently reflect the brand’s core values throughout the entire customer journey — from advertising to post-purchase support — and ensure that customers feel valued and respected in every single interaction and across the entire organization.
As digital platforms lower switching costs and intensify competition, businesses that neglect service marketing and customer loyalty management risk becoming vulnerable. Conversely, companies that prioritize exceptional service experiences, loyalty management and authentic customer engagement can achieve sustainable competitive advantages. Strategic customer loyalty management, anchored in service marketing excellence, is not just about customer retention — it is about turning customers into brand advocates and partners in the company’s success.
Martin Mende, Ph.D. Professor of Marketing
J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Professor in Services Leadership
W. P. Carey School of Business Arizona State University
Martin Mende is professor of marketing, and J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Professor in Services Leadership in the W. P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University.
His research focuses on service excellence and has appeared in leading journals in Marketing. Mende is also a co-author of the leading textbook Services Marketing: Integrating Customer Focus Across the Firm, 8th Edition, McGraw Hill, (2024).
Mende has won multiple awards for his research and teaching. He has advised multiple companies on their service marketing and customer loyalty management (e.g., State Farm, P&G, and medium-sized companies in healthcare and financial service sectors).
ASBA STAFF
Debbie Hann Interim CEO
Robin Duncan Senior Vice President of Business Development
Emma Piazza Senior Vice President of Programs
Margo Pilastro Administrative & Member Services Coordinator
Kaila Hammonds Programs Manager
Kat Dunphy Marketing Director
Louie Picazo Entrepreneurial Success Manager
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
John Lewis | Board Chair
National Bank of Arizona
Sandra Barton | Vice Chair
Alliance Bank of Arizona
James Chakires | Treasurer Apex CPAs & Consultants, Inc
Denise Seomin | Secretary DS Freelance Public Relations
John Tucker | Board Development Salt River Project
Darius Green | Event Chair Keyser
Jerry Bustamante | Public Policy Chair
Hudbay Minerals
Frank Divers | Former Board Chair
Business Development Specialists, Inc
J. Randle House | Member At Large Metier Pharmacy
Seema Patel
May Potenza Baran & Gillespie
Brian King
Kenway Consulting Founder/Board Member
Tom Barrett
Verus Analytics
Taft Lee
APS
The Future of Grant Consulting: Expansion and Growth
by Dr. Nelly Clotter-Woods
Over the next 5–10 years, the grant consulting industry is expected to experience significant growth, fueled by funders’ increasing focus on equity, measurable impact and strategic capacity-building. Since 2020, more than $16.8 billion has been committed to racial equity initiatives, reflecting a sector-wide shift toward more outcomesdriven and inclusive funding strategies (Candid & ABFE, 2023). This growth is being shaped by several key trends.
As organizations face rising competition and increasingly complex challenges, clients are seeking specialized consultants who can provide strategic guidance and sector-specific expertise to help them navigate evolving financial, operational and regulatory demands.
The rapid pace of digital transformation is pushing businesses to modernize their systems and adopt innovative, data-driven approaches. Grant consultants with digital and technological expertise are in high demand as organizations strive to remain competitive in a tech-driven environment.
Globalization is creating expanded opportunities for consultants to work across borders and cultures. As the economy becomes more interconnected, firms that understand diverse regulatory frameworks and cultural dynamics are well-positioned to support international growth and cross-cultural collaboration.
There is a growing emphasis on both regulatory compliance and demonstrable impact. Clients expect consultants to align proposals with funder requirements while delivering clear, transparent and measurable outcomes. The ability to track performance metrics and demonstrate value is now a fundamental part of consulting success.
The grant consulting field offers exciting potential for professionals who are adaptable, equity-minded and resultsoriented. By developing niche expertise, embracing innovation and staying attuned to industry shifts, consultants can thrive in this evolving landscape. Long-term success will depend on the ability to balance strategy with impact, and equity with innovation — delivering meaningful value to clients and the communities they serve.
Candid & ABFE. (2023). Funding for Racial Equity: Trends in Philanthropic Support Since 2020. Retrieved from candid.org and www.abfe.org
Nelly Clotter-Woods, Ph.D., is president of NCW ‘GRANTS’ & Associates, PLLC (www.ncwgrants.com)
Strengthening communities through charitable giving.
For over 40 years, the Arizona Community Foundation has supported nonprofits and students across our state by mobilizing the collective passion and generosity of thousands of Arizonans.
When you are ready to take the next step in your personal charitable giving journey, we are here to help you achieve your goals.
Specialized Legal Expertise Serves Our Business Community
Optimizing business ins, outs and opportunities
by RaeAnne Marsh
Doing things right at the outset can save time and money down the road. This truism is especially relevant in business. Working with an attorney to ensure a business is on the right track, in compliance and negotiating with protection in mind is why working with an attorney is so beneficial. It is also why In Business Magazine has compiled this Legal Guide to showcase local firms who strongly support the business community and offer their specialized practice areas, to help business owners make decisions on what firm to use locally.
There are many ways a business could get off on the wrong foot without proper advice. A common problem, alluded to in many of the monthly “Legal” articles in In Business Magazine, is businesses taking a DIY approach thinking it will save them money. This often backfires, making things more complicated — and, thus, more costly — when they later do get an attorney involved.
It’s not just a matter of knowing how to deal with certain matters; there may be requirements or implications of which the business owner is unaware. As the saying goes, “Most new business owners don’t know what they don’t know.”
For instance, perhaps a business has been approached by another regarding a transaction. The owner may try to reach agreement on the business terms before getting an attorney involved, and then just ask the attorney to write it up. Law relies heavily on precedent, and there may be implications
and ramifications to certain terms the business owner may be unaware of — this on top of the potential for missed opportunities for the business.
When exiting a business, as well, there are many factors to be considered that an owner may not have dealt with. These include tax ramifications, transfer of intellectual property rights, and how to structure proceeds to be most beneficial for future income. And there may be regulatory requirements such as getting permission from the Federal Trade Commission if the sale exceeds a certain threshold; if the company is in breach or violation of that law, the transaction could be revoked — or fines and penalties could be assessed.
It should be emphasized that, while law does rely heavily on precedent, change does occur — through new regulations, new court decisions and even through public outcry. That’s where knowledgeable representation can make a big difference.
What an attorney brings to businesses, then, is a view to avoid both pitfalls and missed opportunity. This In Business Magazine 2025 Legal Guide has been created to help businesses connect with the appropriate resources for their needs and to be a reference should a specific expertise be needed.
HOW TO CHOOSE A LAWYER
• The State Bar Association of Arizona’s website offers these valuable tips:
• Get recommendations from friends and family members who have had positive experiences with lawyers.
• Search for lawyers by practice area or location at the State Bar’s online Find a Lawyer feature on its homepage.
• Visit the lawyer’s website; see if they will answer some basic questions before you commit to meeting with them. Ask about their experience in handling your particular issues, and their availability to take client phone calls and respond to emails. Some lawyers insist that clients make appointments and will not answer client calls and emails. You will want someone who is accessible when you need them.
• Consult a list of Certified Legal Specialists. The State Bar can provide a list of specialists in the areas of Bankruptcy, Criminal, Estate and Trust, Family Law, Injury and Wrongful Death, Real Estate, Tax and Workers’ Compensation. There are also lawyer referral services, which, for a small fee, will help in finding a lawyer.
State Bar of Arizona azbar.org
About This Section
In Business Magazine is proud to connect the legal community with businesses throughout the Valley with this annual Legal Guide. The law firms included in this guide are firms that are familiar to In Business Magazine, have reputable practice areas specific to business and support the business community in several ways. We have included profiles of our supporting firms, providing even more information of their services and top attorneys. Please visit inbusinessphx.com/legalguide to get a more detailed list of attorneys with these firms and to search by practice areas.
State Bar of Arizona azbar.org
Ballard Spahr L.L.P.
One E. Washington St., Suite 2300 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 798-5400
ballardspahr.com
Business & Finance, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Public Finance, Real Estate
Bowman and Brooke L.L.P.
2901 N. Central Ave., Suite 1600 Phoenix, AZ 85012 (602) 643-2300
bowmanandbrooke.com
Product Liability, Commercial Litigation, Healthcare & Nursing Home Negligence, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Class Actions
Bryan Cave L.L.P.
One Renaissance Square Two N. Central Ave., Suite 2100 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 364-7000
bryancave.com
Bankruptcy, Business & Commercial Litigation, IP, International Trade, Real Estate, Labor
Buchalter Nemer
16435 N. Scottsdale Rd., Suite 440 Scottsdale, AZ 85254 (480) 383-1800
buchalter.com
Real Estate, Litigation, Corporate, Tax & Estate Planning, Labor & Employment, Bank & Finance, Healthcare.
Burch & Cracchiolo, P.A.
1850 N. Central Ave., Suite 1700 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 274-7611
bcattorneys.com
Business & Corporate Law, Commercial Litigation, Construction, Bankruptcy & Receiverships, Estate Planning and Wealth Preservation, Family Law, Insurance Defense / Personal Injury Litigation, Labor & Employment, Land Use and Zoning, Liquor Licensing, Real Estate, Tax and Tax Controversy
Carpenter, Hazlewood, Delgado & Bolen P.L.C.
1400 E. Southern Ave., Suite 400 Tempe, AZ 85282 (480) 427-2800
carpenterhazlewood.com
Community Association Representation, Construction Defect Litigation, Insurance Defense, Churches & Nonprofits, Business, Employment Law, Bankruptcy & Reorganization, Landlord/Tenant, Real Estate, Civil Litigation, Criminal Defense
The Cavanagh Law Firm
1850 N. Central Ave., Suite 2400 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 322-4000
1850 N. Central Ave., Suite 1400 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 285-5000
dickinson-wright.com
Alternative Dispute Resolution, Bankruptcy, Commercial Litigation, Employment, Family Law, Tax, International
Engelman Berger P.C.
2800 N Central Ave., Suite 1200 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 271-9090
eblawyers.com
Business Disputes, Real Estate Disputes, Bankruptcy, Reorganization, Creditors’ Rights, Business Transactions, Real Estate Transactions, Water Law, Loan Workouts, Mediation, Public Finance, Bonds, Employment
Fennemore Craig P.C.
2394 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 600 Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602) 916-5000
fennemorelaw.com
Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Business & Finance, Business Litigation, Emerging Businesses & Technologies, Intellectual Property & IP Litigation, Real Estate, Renewable Energy & Clean Tech, Mining and Environmental, Energy & Natural Resources
Gallagher & Kennedy P.A.
2575 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 1100 Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602) 530-8000
gknet.com
Business Law & Transactions, Litigation, Real Estate, Tax Law, Environmental, Insurance, Healthcare, Sports Law
Gammage & Burnham P.L.C.
40 N. Central Ave., Suite 1200 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 256-0566 • gblaw.com
Business Organizations & Commercial Transactions, Collections & Bankruptcy, Health Care, Litigation, Real Estate, Zoning & Land Use
Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, L.L.P.
2 N. Central Ave., Suite 2200 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 794-2460 • grsm.com Civil Appeals, Commercial Litigation, Construction, Employment, Insurance Defense, Privacy & Data Security, Real Estate
Greenberg Traurig L.L.P.
2375 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 800 Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602) 445-8000 • gtlaw.com
402 E Southern Ave. Tempe, AZ 85282 (602) 888-9229
guidant.law
Arbitration & Mediation, Bankruptcy, Cannabis, Commercial Litigation, Construction, Corporate, Estate Planning, Personal Injury, Probate & Estate Administration, Real Estate
Gust Rosenfeld P.L.C.
One E. Washington St., Suite 1600 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 257-7422
gustlaw.com
Franchise, IP, Bankruptcy, Construction, Corporate, Creditors’ Rights, Employment, Real Estate
Hymson Goldstein & Pantiliat & Lohr P.L.L.C.
14500 N Northsight Blvd., Suite 101 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (480) 991-9077 • scottsdale-lawyer.com
General Practice, Litigation, Family Law, Real Estate, Bankruptcy
Jaburg Wilk
3200 N. Central Ave., Suite 2000
Phoenix, AZ 85012 (602) 248-1000 • jaburgwilk.com
Administrative Law, Appellate, Bankruptcy, Business/Corporate, Business Divorce, Collections, Co nstruction, Defamation, Employment, Estate Planning, Family Law, Foreclosure, Healthcare, Insurance Law, Intellectual Property, Internet Law, Litigation, Probate Litigation, Real Estate
Burch & Cracchiolo
Known for stellar legal services coupled with reasonable rates, the lawyers at Burch & Cracchiolo exemplify Diligence, Integrity, Creativity and Intelligence in everything they do. These are the values that guide every aspect of client service and professional conduct at Burch & Cracchiolo while serving their corporate, governmental and individual clients throughout Arizona.
The firm’s lawyers are among the most highly regarded and recognized leaders in the areas of Business & Corporate Law, Commercial Litigation, Construction, Bankruptcy & Receiverships, Estate Planning and Wealth Preservation, Family Law, Insurance Defense / Personal Injury Litigation, Labor & Employment, Land Use and Zoning, Liquor Licensing, Real Estate, Tax and Tax Controversy.
At the top
Susie Ingold, Employment Litigation
Ryan Anderson, Liquor Licensing
Adrian Ochoa, Tax Controversy
Susan Dana Kobey, Family Law
Andrew Miller, Real Estate Law
For a more detailed listing of our recommended firms and a complete list of their attorneys and Areas of Practice, please visit inbusinessphx.com/legalguide.
A number of the Firm’s lawyers are recognized as Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers of the Southwest, Arizona’s Finest Lawyers, Chambers USA, National Trial Lawyers and more. Celebrating 54 years in business in 2024, the Firm has been honored for its commitment to the community with accolades such as The Business Angels Award, Most Admired Companies and 100 Best Places to Live and Work in Arizona through sponsorships, donations and employee volunteer hours. Burch & Cracchiolo sponsors the Star Teacher Award where an educator is honored monthly with a check for $500 and their school receives an additional $250.
FIRM NAME: Burch & Cracchiolo
MAIN LOCAL OFFICE: 1850 N. Central Avenue, Suite 1700 Phoenix, AZ 85004
PHONE: (602) 274-7611
WEBSITE: www.bcattorneys.com
OFFICES IN METRO PHOENIX: 1 NATIONALLY HEADQUARTERED: Phoenix
MANAGING PARTNER: Susie Ingold
NO. OF YEARS WITH FIRM: 27
YEAR ESTABLISHED LOCALLY: 1970
PRACTICES: Business & Corporate Law, Commercial Litigation, Construction, Bankruptcy & Receiverships, Estate Planning and Wealth Preservation, Family Law, Insurance Defense / Personal Injury Litigation, Labor & Employment, Land Use and Zoning, Liquor Licensing, Real Estate, Tax and Tax Controversy
Jackson White Senior Law
40 N. Center St., Suite 200 Mesa, AZ 85201 (480) 464-1111
jacksonwhitelaw.com
Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Criminal Defense, Disability Law, Elder Law, Intellectual Property Law, Labor & Employment Law, Real Estate Law, Tax Law
Jennings, Haug, Keleher & McLeod, L.L.P.
2800 N. Central Ave., Suite 1800 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 234-7800
jhkmlaw.com
Appellate, Business Bankruptcy, Business Law, Commercial Real Estate & Finance, Construction Law, Creditors’ Rights, Employment Law, Environmental Law, Estate Planning, Trusts & Probate, Insurance Defense & Coverage, Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration, Medical Malpractice, Municipal Law, Professional Liability & Lawyer Discipline, Professional Malpractice, Surety & Fidelity Law
Insurance Defense, General Civil Litigation, Appeals, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Transportation, Criminal Defense, Medical Malpractice
Guidant Law Firm
Guidant takes a personalized and practical approach to resolving complex growth-oriented legal issues. Whether handling a contentious dispute, overseeing a sensitive negotiation or positioning a company for growth, the firm maintains a strong client-first philosophy, providing sound and practical counsel.
The partners are business owners who have encountered many of the same opportunities and challenges their clients face — giving them heightened perspective into the concerns that keep clients up at night and insight into how to improve outcomes.
Guidant attorneys are well-known across the state and within their respective industries for integrity and exceptional talent. The respect they command reinforces Guidant’s standing as a firm that provides the highest level of service to businesses. Recognitions include:
At the top
Lamar Hawkins, Bankruptcy
Scott Jensen, Estate Planning/Probate
Gary Smith, Commercial Litigation
Sam Saks, Commercial Litigation TOP REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEYS
• Best Law Firms®
• Best Lawyers®
• Southwest Super Lawyers
• Arizona’s Finest Lawyers
• AV-Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
• State Bar of Arizona Presidential Award
Partners are also leaders within the legal community, serving the following organizations:
• State Bar of Arizona Board of Governors
• Arizona Foundation of Legal Services and Education Board
• Arizona Board of Legal Specialization Bankruptcy Law Advisory Commission
Koeller, Nebeker, Carlson, Haluck, L.L.P.
3800 N. Central Ave., Suite 1500 Phoenix, AZ 85012 (602) 256-0000 knchlaw.com
Business Litigation, Construction Claims, Construction Litigation, E-discovery & Data Management, Employment Litigation, Environmental, General Legal Defense, Government Tort Liability, Professional Malpractice, Insurance Coverage/Bad Faith Litigation, Workers Compensation, Commercial Trucking & Transportation Defense Litigation
Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith L.L.P.
2929 N. Central Ave., Suite 1700 Phoenix, AZ 85012 (602) 385-1040 lewisbrisbois.com
Medical Malpractice, Construction Defect Litigation, Products Liability, General Liability, Professional Liability
FIRM NAME: Guidant Law Firm
MAIN LOCAL OFFICE: 402 E. Southern Ave., Tempe AZ 85282
PHONE: (602) 888-9229
WEBSITE: www.guidant.law
OFFICES IN METRO PHOENIX: 7
NATIONALLY HEADQUARTERED: Tempe
MANAGING PARTNER: Lamar Hawkins
NO. OF YEARS WITH FIRM: 6
YEAR ESTABLISHED LOCALLY: 2019
PRACTICES: Arbitration & Mediation, Bankruptcy, Cannabis, Commercial Litigation, Construction, Corporate, Estate Planning, Personal Injury, Probate & Estate Administration, Real Estate
Lewis
Littler
2425 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 900 Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602) 474-3600
littler.com
Management-side Employment Advice & Counsel, Labor & Management Relations, Employment Litigation, Immigrations & Global Migration, Business & Human Rights, e-Discovery, International Employment & Labor
May Potenza Baran & Gillespie
1850 N. Central Ave., Suite 1600 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 252-1900
2901 N. Central Ave., Suite 2000 Phoenix, AZ 85012 (602) 351-8000 • perkinscoie.com
Business Litigation, Patent & IP, Business & Licensing, Real Estate, Criminal Defense
Polsinelli
One E. Washington St., Suite 1200 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 650-2000
polsinelli.com
Business Litigation, Corporate, Financial Services, Health Care, Real Estate, Life Sciences & Technology, Immigration, Tax
Praesidium Law
Tempe O ce 4450 S. Rural Rd., Ste. C-120 Tempe, AZ 85282 • (480) 491-3216
Chandler O ce
1820 E. Ray Rd. Chandler, AZ 85225 (480) 264-5106
praesidium.law
Probate & Trust Litigation, Estate Planning and other associated services
»
Quarles L.L.P.
One Renaissance Square
Two N. Central Ave., Suite 600 Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 229-5200 quarles.com
Commercial Bankruptcy & Restructuring, Business Law, Environmental, Franchise, Healthcare
Radix Law
15205 N. Kierland Blvd., Suite 200 Scottsdale, AZ 85254 (602) 606-9300 • radixlaw.com
Business Law, Real Estate Law, Commercial Litigation, Bankruptcy Law, Estate Planning
Renaud Cook Drury Mesaros P.A.
One N. Central Ave., Suite 900 Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 307-9900 • rcdmlaw.com
Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice, Product Liability, Insurance Coverage, Appeals, Business & Real Estate
Quarles & Brady
Quarles & Brady has approximately 160 diverse attorneys, legal professionals and business professionals in our Phoenix and Tucson offices, each of them committed to the success of our clients.
That commitment is driven by two words — partnership and value — that have been the foundation of our firm’s approach to client service for 130 years and continue to inspire us today. As a firm, we consistently receive notable recognition because we make it our priority to partner closely with our clients and to provide value throughout the relationship.
At the top
TOP REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEYS
Jason Wood, Phoenix office managing partner and partner in the Real Estate Group
Brad Vynalek, firm president and partner in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group
Amy Cotton Peterson, national chair of the Health & Life Sciences Group
Leonardo Loo, member of the firm’s executive committee and partner in the Business Law Group
Heather Buchta, Phoenix office chair of the Intellectual Property Group and member of the Data Privacy & Security industry team
Rose Law Group P.C.
7144 E. Stetson Dr., Suite 300 Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 505-3936 • roselawgroup.com
Real Estate, Land Use & Zoning, Tax, Family, Estate Planning
Sacks Tierney P.A.
4250 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Fourth Floor Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 425-2600 • sackstierney.com
Appeals, Banking, Bankruptcy & Restructuring, Beneficiary Representation, Business & Corporate, Civil Litigation, Commercial & Public Finance, Construction, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Equity & Debt Finance, Estate Planning, Family Law, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Healthcare, Homeowner Association, Indian Law & Tribal Relations, Intellectual Property, Loan Workouts & Problem Asset Resolution, Marijuana Business, Private & Public School, Probate & Trust Administration, Real Estate, Trust & Estate Litigation, Uniform Commercial Code, Water
Partnership means we commit to doing everything we can to help your business succeed. We have deep experience across a broad range of legal matters, including business law; emerging growth companies; energy, environment & natural resources; health & life sciences; intellectual property; labor & employment; litigation; real estate; and zoning & land use.
Value means we never lose sight of your bottom line. While delivering timely, responsive counsel and a favorable outcome for our clients is paramount, we also prioritize cost control and adhering to client budgets. Ultimately, we will work closely with you to ensure we are meeting your definition of value.
When you combine our dedication to partnership and value with savvy legal counsel and the resources of an Am Law 200 firm, it becomes clear why Quarles is the right firm to help you achieve your long-term business goals.
Salmon, Lewis & Weldon P.L.C.
2850 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 200 Phoenix, AZ 85016
(602) 801–9060 • slwplc.com
Business & Finance, Commercial Litigation, Commercial Law, Corporate Real Estate, Electric Power & Utilities, Environmental Law
Sanders & Parks, P.C.
3030 N. 3rd St., Suite 1300 Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 532-5600 • sandersparks.com
Civil Litigation, Corporate, Professional Liability Litigation, Insurance Defense, Public Entity/ Municipal Defense, Intellectual Property
Schneider & Onofry P.C.
365 E. Coronado Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 230-8857 • soarizonalaw.com
Administrative, Business, Employment, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Civil & Commercial, Construction Litigation, Civil Rights, Family
FIRM NAME: Quarles & Brady LLP
MAIN LOCAL OFFICE: One Renaissance Square Two N. Central Ave., Suite 600 Phoenix, AZ 85004
PHONE: (602) 229-5200
WEBSITE: www.quarles.com
OFFICES IN METRO PHOENIX: 1
MANAGING PARTNER:
National managing partner – Mike Aldana
National president – Brad Vynalek
Phoenix managing partner – Jason Wood
YEAR ESTABLISHED LOCALLY: 1970
PRACTICES: Nationally, the firm has 12 offices, with primary practices in bankruptcy, restructuring and creditor’s rights; business law; energy, infrastructure and environment; estate, trust and wealth preservation; health and life sciences; intellectual property; labor and employment; litigation and dispute resolution; product liability; public finance; and real estate and land use. The firm also has extensive experience providing counsel on the many issues associated with COVID-19.
Spencer Fane LLP
Spencer Fane is a full-service business law firm focused on providing results that move clients and their businesses forward. With direct access to firm leadership and a different approach to client engagement, its attorneys instill confidence and certainty that the clients’ interests are the firm’s priority. Your business leaders work with our business leader — leaders who work decisively, execute with purpose and understand the importance of flawless timing.
The firm pursues measured growth that created a sizable but controlled footprint without offices on either coast while aligning with the needs of clients in the markets where they do business. This has included a specific focus in Phoenix since establishing our thriving office here in 2017.
At Spencer Fane, we believe diversity, equity and inclusion are fundamental principles essential to the firm and our clients’ success. Therefore, we seek to foster and develop a diverse array of attorneys and professional staff who bring varied ideas and perspective to our clients’ complex legal challenges.
In recent years, Spencer Fane clarified and amplified a focus on three distinctive components that fuel a competitive edge:
• Providing extraordinary client service.
• Being the law firm of choice for top talent.
• Driving operational excellence.
The firm has developed a firmwide focus on the importance of humility, collaboration, empowerment, positive energy and fierce resolve as core values that guide each attorney and staff member. In particular, humility, a selfless way of being that anchors attorneys and employees on a daily basis, sits at the center. The supporting pillars are:
• Resolve to win — an unwavering ambition to realize success.
• External focus with positive energy — a resilience to overcome adversity & focus on possibility.
• Empowerment — an environment where others are inspired to thrive.
• Collaboration — continuous pursuit of more creative solutions through connection with others.
The firm consists of more than 400 attorneys in 21 different practice groups.
The firm has offices in Phoenix, Arizona; Colorado Springs and Denver, Colorado; Tampa, Florida; Overland Park, Kansas; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Cape Girardeau, Jefferson City, Kansas City, St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri; Omaha, Nebraska; Las Vegas, Nevada; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Greenville, South Carolina; Dakota Dunes, South Dakota; Hendersonville and Nashville, Tennessee; and Austin, Dallas, Houston and Plano, Texas.
At-a-Glance
MAIN LOCAL OFFICE: 2415 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 600 Phoenix, AZ 85016
PHONE: (602) 333-5430
WEBSITE: www.spencerfane.com
OFFICES IN METRO PHOENIX: 1
NATIONALLY HEADQUARTERED: Kansas City, MO
MANAGING PARTNER:
David E. Funkhouser III
NO. OF YEARS WITH FIRM: 7
YEAR ESTABLISHED LOCALLY: 2017
PRACTICES: Banking and Financial Services; Bankruptcy, Restructuring, and Creditors’ Rights Corporate and Business Transactions; Health Care; Intellectual Property; International; Labor and Employment; Litigation and Dispute Resolution; Mergers & Acquisitions; Real Estate
At the top
Andrew M. Federhar, Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Andy G. Anderson, Corporate and Business Transactions
David E. Funkhouser III, Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Raj Gangadean, Corporate and Business Transactions
Helen Holden, Labor and Employment
Steven J. Laureanti, Intellectual Property
Michael F. Patterson, International Jessica Gale, Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Richard H. Herold, Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Brian Zavislak, Real Estate
FIRM NAME: Spencer Fane LLP
TOP REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEYS
Sherman & Howard L.L.C.
201 E. Washington St., Suite 800 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 240-3000
2415 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 600 Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602)333-5430
spencerfane.com
Bankruptcy, Restructuring, and Creditors’ Rights, Corporate and Business Transactions, Data Privacy and Cybersecurity, Employee Benefits, Governmental Affairs, Health Care, Intellectual Property, Labor and Employment, Mergers & Acquisitions, Nonprofit and Tax-Exempt Organizations, Real Estate, Tax, Trusts, & Estates
Squire Patton Boggs
2325 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 700 Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602) 528-4000
squirepattonboggs.com
Corporate, Environmental, IP, Litigation, Public Finance, Restructuring, Real Estate
Wilenchik & Bartness
The law firm of Wilenchik & Bartness provides high-level litigation services to a select group of clients. With its many highly skilled attorneys and paralegals, the firm also provides commercial arbitration and mediation services and works closely with businesses to manage their legal needs. It has represented many high-profile individuals in the state and county, including county attorneys, judges, a senator’s son, the state treasurer, the secretary of state, and former and current attorneys general.
The firm was founded in 1991 by Dennis I. Wilenchik, who left a senior partnership at the international firm of Squire Patton Boggs to form a smaller, more personalized practice while retaining a big-firm quality of practice. Still in active practice with his son, Jack — who was selected a “super lawyer” in business litigation this year by Thomson Reuters — he was recently named Best Trial Lawyer in the Valley for the fourth straight year by Foothills Magazine, and one of the Top 100 business lawyers in Arizona by a Business Magazine.
Dennis Wilenchik is rated Martindale-Hubbell AV®-Preeminent™, the highest rating available under the Martindale-Hubbell rating system, and he is listed in the national Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. Wilenchik has been a nationally certified civil trial advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy for more than 15 years. He is an Arizona Bar Foundation Fellow and was elected a Fellow to the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys. Wilenchik has served as a civil judge pro tem of the Superior Court; president of Maricopa County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division; board member of the Arizona Bar Journal; chairman and secretary of the Civil Trial Practice Committee; member of the Superior Court Civil Study Committee of the State Bar; and member of the Department of Real Estate Advisory Board, appointed by the governor.
Stinson Leonard Street L.L.P.
1850 N. Central Ave., Suite 2100
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 279-1600
stinson.com
Commercial & Class Action Litigation, Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights, Corporate Counseling, Banking & Financial Services, Real Estate
Tiffany & Bosco P.A.
2525 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 700 Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602) 255-6000
tblaw.com
Banking, Employment, IP, Tax, Real Estate, Commercial Litigation, Construction
FIRM NAME: Wilenchik & Bartness
MAIN LOCAL OFFICE: 2810 N. Third St. Phoenix, AZ 85004
PHONE: (602) 606-2810
WEBSITE: wb-law.com
OFFICES IN METRO PHOENIX: 2
NATIONALLY HEADQUARTERED: Phoenix
MANAGING PARTNER: Dennis I. Wilenchik
NO. OF YEARS WITH FIRM: 34
YEAR ESTABLISHED LOCALLY: 1991
PRACTICES: Complex Business Disputes, Complex Civil Litigatin, Real Estate Civil Litigation & Appeals, including White Collar Criminal & Construction Litigation & Disputes of All Kinds
At the top
Dennis I. Wilenchik • Jack Wilenchik
TOP REPRESENTATIVE ATTORNEYS
Dennis I. Wilenchik
Warner Angle Hallam Jackson & Formanek P.L.C.
2555 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 800
Phoenix AZ 85016 (602) 264-7101
warnerangle.com
Commercial & Business Law, Construction, Real Estate, Commercial Loans, Divorce & Family, Trusts & Estates, Probate
Wilenchik & Bartness P.C.
2810 N. 3rd St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 606-2810
wb-law.com
Complex Business Disputes, Real Estate Civil Litigation & Appeals, including White Collar Criminal & Construction Litigation & Disputes of All Kinds
Withey Morris P.L.C.
2525 E. Arizona Biltmore Circle, Suite A-212
Phoenix, AZ 85016 (602) 230-0600
witheymorris.com
Master Plan Developments, Comprehensive Plan Amendments, General Plan Amendments, Zone Changes, Development Agreements, Use Permits, Variances, Building Permits & Entitlements, Abandonments, Easements, Design Reviews, Annexations, Stipulation Modifications, Waivers, Subdivision & Plat Maps, Entitlement & Opinion Letters, Interpretation Issues, Code Enforcement & Property Violations, Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments, Due Diligence, Referendums
Womble Bond Dickinson
201 E. Washington St., Suite 1200 Phoenix, AZ 85004 (602) 262-5311
womblebonddickinson.com
Litigation; Real Estate; Labor & Employment; Corporate; Intellectual Property; Data Privacy & Cybersecurity; Indian Tribal Nations; Bankruptcy; Mergers & Acquisitions; Sports, Entertainment & Recreation; Tax; Gaming; Healthcare; Restaurants, Retail & Hospitality
For a more detailed listing of our recommended firms and a complete list of their attorneys and Areas of Practice, please visit inbusinessphx.com/legalguide.
Womble Bond Dickinson
Firmly nestled in the “Valley of the Sun,” Womble Bond Dickinson’s downtown Phoenix office offers a full suite of services, including corporate, finance, intellectual property, litigation, and regulatory and government, across numerous industries. Our Phoenix office continues to flourish alongside the city’s booming high-tech and defense technology industries that have encouraged many businesses to move their operations to the desert area, catapulting the need for complex legal services on a local, national and international level. Mirroring the region’s nextlevel advancements in technology, our lawyers are game changers within their respected practices, providing a standard of counsel and client experience that focuses on executing business strategies and objectives seamlessly. Embracing our commitment to service within the communities we live in and serve, our lawyers and staff are actively engaged in a broad range of community, civic and industry-related activities, dedicating their time and services to numerous nonprofit organizations and pro bono programs.
FIRM NAME: Womble Bond Dickinson
MAIN LOCAL OFFICE:
201 E. Washington St., Suite 1200 Phoenix, AZ 85004
PHONE: (602) 262-5311
WEBSITE: womblebonddickinson.com
OFFICES IN METRO PHOENIX: 1
HEADQUARTERED: London, UK
MANAGING PARTNER: Laura Pasqualone, Phoenix office
NO. OF YEARS WITH FIRM: 13
YEAR ESTABLISHED LOCALLY: 1950
PRACTICES: Litigation; Real Estate; Labor & Employment; Corporate; Intellectual Property; Data Privacy & Cybersecurity; Indian Tribal Nations; Bankruptcy; Mergers & Acquisitions; Sports, Entertainment & Recreation; Tax; Gaming; Healthcare; Restaurants, Retail & Hospitality
Leaders who to make an employee or colleague feel valued can have a major impact in little more than half a dozen words!
“Wonderful job on that recent project!”
“You’re a tremendous asset to this company.”
“You are the cog in the machine!”
“Keep up the fantastic work!”
“What a great hire you’ve become.”
“We appreciate the long hours you’ve logged.”
“Your contributions have been invaluable lately.”
“We hit the jackpot when you came aboard!”
The ‘Why’ & ‘How To’ of Gratitude at Work
It can be simple, but the benefit is grand – and it benefits all by
Joel Zuckerman
Business owners will routinely claim that employee retention is one of their ongoing challenges. I disagree. It’s employee defection that causes migraines!
For businesses that don’t have the capacity to offer significant annual raises and/or year-end bonuses, one way to build morale and engender loyalty is by showing deep gratitude to the staff. This can be accomplished simply, in a timely fashion and straightforward manner. But first, a few easy-to-digest statistics about the current national workforce and their desire for gratitude:
Deloitte Consulting conducted a 2024 survey that reached some 23,000 Gen Z’s and millennials in 44 countries. (These workers, born 1980–2001, now make up about half the full-time workforce in the United States.) According to Deloitte, in terms of workplace stress, more than half of these youngish employees cite not being recognized and/ or rewarded for their efforts as their single biggest concern. This is slightly higher than other stressors named, such as long hours or feeling their work has little meaning or purpose. Furthermore, salary and other financial benefits only factored in about 20% of survey responses regarding why they chose their current employers.
Joel Zuckerman is an award-winning writer and keynote, who turned his attention to proactive gratitude a decade ago. In his newest book, GRATITUDE TIGER: Creating Joy Through the Art of Impactful Letters (April 2025), Zuckerman illuminates an easy, effective, endearing and uplifting method to foster and enhance vital human connections for both the giver and receiver. gratitudetiger.com
According to Gallup polling, the top priority of these younger workers (millennials and Gen Z’s) is an employer concerned with their well-being. A recent survey of 67,000 workers of all ages shows that more than two thirds aren’t engaged at work, a number that has increased appreciably in this decade. Fully half of all workers are not opposed to changing jobs, underscoring the fact that employee retention (or defection!) is one of the costliest, immediate and most vexing problems that employers face.
So, in lieu of traditional methods such as raises, bonuses or additional perks, which have long been the standard for a boss to show appreciation to valued employees, how can an employer keep morale high and engender employee loyalty? Gratitude is one simple answer. It can go a long, long way.
This applies to business leaders in the position of branch manager; small business owner; in charge of a department, division, or area — whether they have four employees under their auspices, or four thousand. To be most effective in the role of employer or supervisor, they must take the time — be it weekly, monthly, semi-annually or whenever it’s deserved — to offer praise and bestow gratitude to their people.
My latest book, Gratitude Tiger, is a paean to the lost art of letter writing, specifically letters of gratitude, and how those who write them to others ultimately benefit themselves. While I take the time to write full-page letters to those who have assisted on life’s journey, it’s perfectly
fine to be brief and to the point. Suffice it to say, a boss or supervisor can offer direct praise to an employee with an economy of words. Even just a simple sentence. (See the breakout box in the side column.)
This is because time is limited in the work environment, and if a business leader makes a point of showing gratitude to a dozen (or a hundred) employees simultaneously (around the December holidays, for example) it will be hard to differentiate one letter (or note) from the next. Although writing a note is ideal, in this instance it’s not a breach to use email, direct messaging, text, Slack or any preferred form of digital communication.
This isn’t about the “Grand Gesture,” the company-wide speech, the bouquet of roses, the framed commendation, the breakroom cake party, etc. It’s just the idea of regular or occasional words of praise directed toward those who are doing a good job, and those in need of a micro-morale boost.
One last point: It’s most effective to use praise with no other agenda, not in combination with anything else. This means not tacking a complimentary sentence or paragraph onto a request, a new deadline, a status report, etc. Just offer gratitude by itself, whether written or spoken, for maximum effect.
Managers and business owners are occasionally critical of their charges because they need the work done properly and in a timely fashion. They are in no position to win office popularity contests. They can be perfectionists, nitpickers and taskmasters. They can be demanding and set stringent standards. But if they regularly make a point to express gratitude to their charges, verbally or by written word or deed, chances are improved that loyalty to the operation and morale among the workforce will be on the increase.”
According to Deloitte, in terms of workplace stress, more than half of millennial and Gen Z employees cite not being recognized and/or rewarded for their efforts as their single biggest concern.
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Help Can’t Wait DURING EMERGENCIES
We invite you and others to join the American Red Cross mission by volunteering, giving blood, learning lifesaving skills or making a financial donation. Your support helps ensure families don’t face emergencies alone.
We invite you and others to join the American Red Cross mission by volunteering, giving blood, learning lifesaving skills or making a financial donation. Your support helps ensure families don’t face emergencies alone.
Volunteer. Give Blood. Donate. Take a Class. Visit redcross.org/AZNM to learn more.
Volunteer. Give Blood. Donate. Take a Class. Visit redcross.org/AZNM to learn more.
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