Amandalyn Wulfert

Name: Amandalyn Wulfert

Instagram handle: @Amandalynrose

Profession/Title: Social Media Influencer

City you live in: Gilbert

How do you know of PFF: The amazing Runway of Hope Fashion Show

What makes PFF special: PFF is special because they help and support the many families, who have children with

life-threatening illnesses, overcome struggles they may face. They host events that bring the community together for a great cause snd show support for those who need it most.

If you have been to PFF events, tell us your favorite and why: The fifth annual Runway of Hope fashion show was the first PFF event that I have been to, and I cannot wait to attend the many other events that they put on. The event that I

attended was not only an exciting atmosphere, but it gave the attendees an opportunity to see the different ways that PFF helps families in need.

What is your favorite thing about AZ? My favorite thing about Arizona is the landscape and the weather. I was born and raised in AZ, so the heat is something that I have come to adore. Plus, it gives us a year-round chance to go outside and soak up the sun, or do any other outdoor activities. Arizona is my home, I never plan on leaving.

What is something on your bucket list? One thing that is on my bucket list is to travel to Tokyo. It has been one place that I have always wanted to go, I would love to experience the culture and cuisine.

What was your first job? My first job was a hostess at Texas Roadhouse.

Sunrise or sunset? Sunset. Arizona sunsets are some of the prettiest in the world, yes I am biased. But honestly, it is one of my favorite things to sit back and watch the sunset and take in the amazing Arizona beauty.

Coffee or tea? Coffee...all day everyday!

What/who inspires you? My Grandma inspires me, she is the toughest lady I have ever known and she always pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and find my own happiness.

What is a motto you live by? “Do what you love”- a quote from my Grandma.

What does a normal day look like for you? A typical day for me would be waking up early, heading to Dutch Bros for a coffee with my dog, Lollipop. After a day at work, I typically like to end the day watching some reality tv with my family.

What is one thing you can not live without? One thing I cannot live without is my Malshi dog, Lollipop. She is my mini me and we practically do everything together.

One thing you think every one needs to try? I definitely think that everyone in life needs to try getting out of their comfort zone. There is something so special about doing something that you have always wanted to, even if it scares you!

Kourtnie Martin

Name: Kourtnie Martin

Instagram handle: @kourtnie.renee

Profession/Title: Event Operations Manager

City you live in: Phoenix, AZ

How do you know of PFF: I started as an intern for Meghan about 2 years ago and have been working as the Event Operations Manager for about 9 months now!

What makes PFF special: The impact that it makes on the community. Hearing some of the stories of the families breaks my heart but being able to see the immediate impact the foundation makes is amazing!

If you have been to PFF events, tell us your favorite and why:I LOVE Runway of Hope! Everything about it is so fun and it has this incredible, high energy vibe the whole night.

What is your favorite thing about AZ? Definitely the food!

What is something on your bucket list? I have always loved traveling so my dream is to go to Australia and Greece.

What was your first job? I’ve been around volleyball for most of my life, so naturally my first job was as a youth volleyball referee.

Sunrise or sunset? There's nothing like an Arizona sunset!

Coffee or tea? Iced coffee.... even in the winter!

What/who inspires you? My parents inspire me with how hard working and supportive they are.

What is a motto you live by? Keep moving forward – it’s a reminder to not look back or dwell on the past.

What does a normal day look like for you? Everyday is so different but I can always count of staying busy!

What is one thing you can not live without? Music!... Or chocolate lol

One thing you think every one needs to try? Try to stay open minded and see situations from other people’s perspectives. 

Cassandra Kusa

Name: Cassandra Kusa

Instagram handle: @kusacmphotography

Profession/Title: Project Manager

City you live in: Phoenix, AZ

How do you know of PFF: I became familiar with PFF when I participated in the Runway of hope fashion show in 2018.

What makes PFF special: Everyone that I've met who is a part of this program and organization shows passion and love, I can see that they believe in what they are shooting to accomplish. It's incredible to see how it comes to life when you hear the recipients of this organization's stories and how much gratitude they have to be able to be a part of the PFF family. The work truly translates when you see the glimmer in the eyes of the families.

If you have been to PFF events, tell us your favorite and why: My favorite PFF event that I have been to was their holiday party in 2018. I got to see families and hear stories of families that have been helped by the organization and listen to real life struggles that have been experienced by those who received help from PFF. The stories touched my heart and to see the gratitude and passion in their eyes really stuck with me.

What is your favorite thing about AZ? My favorite thing about AZ is that the people I care most about live here. I get to see those who love and support me every week which I'm very grateful and lucky to be able to do.

What is something on your bucket list? I would love to travel outside of the states and experience the culture in other countries.

What was your first job? My first job was being an assistant to an accountant for Nation Wide Vision.

Sunrise or sunset? Definitely a sunset person - the deep shades of red always get me.

Coffee or tea? Tea all the way.

What/who inspires you? Lately what has been my biggest inspiration has been reading about people’s stories, who have struggled to find themselves and what to do with their future. Their stories about how their friends, family- ultimately their support system around them starts to step up and shine in their eyes. Showing and making them realize that they can do something that matters, and that love is on their side. I’ve had my struggles with self-doubt and thinking that accomplishing something that matters and won’t make a difference is out of my reach. Seeing other people’s stories has helped open my eyes that this is something other people struggle with and that I am more then capable of doing what I set my heart to. One thing that inspires and impresses me about the PFF organization is giving people a chance and showing them that there are people who care and are on your side, that you can overcome and get help what is happening- you are never alone.

What is a motto you live by? Try everything once. A good friend of mine told me that a few years ago, something I never thought would make a difference in my life, but I put in the effort to live by that. Many things I try, I don’t care much for, but there are a few things that I would never have done that I show a lot of passion for and I absolutely love it. You never know until you try and guess what, if you don’t like it, you don’t lose anything.

What does a normal day look like for you? I wake every morning to my cat, Mister Pooper staring at me, giving soft meows until I get out of bed,  I usually wake up and either go to work, my family owns a construction company, or I go down to Scottsdale and inline skate. After that I like to eat, and as of late I start reading books that suck me in until I finish them- regardless if that takes me into the early morning

What is one thing you can not live without? One thing that I cannot live without is my one year old twin nephews. Everyday I wake up and see their smiling face on the background of my phone, receive photos and videos of their daily activities from my family, and get to spend every Sunday with them. They’ve showed me what true love and happiness is, not only through my eyes but how much they mean to my parents and my brother. It has been a blessing having them come into my life and I can’t imagine what things would be like without them.

One thing you think every one needs to try? I am a big fan of music, I think everyone should try and go to one big music festival or rave to see their favorite artist, nothing is better than seeing the people around you showing the same passion you have for the music you love

Carly Gilleland

Name: Carly Gilleland

Instagram handle: @carlygilleland - Personal, @_goodvibemedia - Company

Profession/Title: Owner/Lead Producer at The Good Vibe Media, as well as a spin instructor at The Madison!

City you live in: Phoenix, AZ

How do you know of PFF: Meghan, I am pretty sure the two of us connected through the Madison when PFF was in it’s early years. I have been doing video work for them ever since!!

What makes PFF special: First, their dedication. I’ve never seen a team and community more loyal and dedicated to their cause. It’s been a treat to produce some of these videos because I get to see first hand how they are making such a positive impact on SO MANY families lives. Second, their community. Each event I go to of theirs, I meet so many awesome people. They have built a pretty stellar community of likeminded people wanting to do good for others.

If you have been to PFF events, tell us your favorite and why: Oh jeeze. They are all so awesome in their own different and unique way!! Which is probably my favorite. It’s so much more than a fancy gala or dinner party to raise money. Their Clays for a Cause tournament is SO fun! I haven’t spent much time shooting on a range, so it was a new experience! Also love the fashion show!!

What is your favorite thing about AZ? Weather, community, and the up-and-coming food scene!

What was your first job? Receptionist at Steven Paul Salon.

Sunrise or sunset? BOTH!!

Coffee or tea? Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon.

What/who inspires you? Almost everyone. That’s vague I know, but I’m a storyteller so I literally find inspiration in most everyone I come across. There is a lot to learn from those around us if we can be open to it.But you know, Oprah, Brene Brown, and Brooke Shields are a few names that I idolize. ;)

What is a motto you live by? She believed she could, so she did.

What does a normal day look like for you? Wake up, take dog and daughter on a bike ride, get my girl off to school, workout with spin/run/yoga, then it’s shoots/meetings/editing at our office at The Marilyn off of 46th and Thomas.

What is one thing you can not live without? Good music, haha. It fuels me!

One thing you think every one needs to try? Meditation, every day, even if it’s for 1 minute. We live in a society of busy busy, hurry, hurry. I think every one needs to try being still and present.

Investing In Yourself

What do you do to make yourself better?

A few weeks ago I (Meghan) decided to attend The Workshop hosted by the Bloguettes.

Prior to the workshop, I was asked by a friend to be a part of a Bumble Bizz panel. The group of women who I sat on the panel with were entrepreneurs, bloggers, fitness studio owners, and then myself. That night I met owners Sakura and Lorena. It was a fun panel to be on with other #girlbosses and to hear what kinds of struggles they go through or have gone through and how they got to where they are today.

I felt an instant connection to the women of the Bloguettes and wanted to learn how they had grown so fast in just a few years. It seemed like perfect timing to attend their Workshop held at Events on Jackson in early February.

During the two day event there were high powered CEO's from all walks of life and different careers, there to teach us how to be our best selves. They were there to teach us in different classes what we felt we needed to know. I took a course on how to "write a newsletter people give a f**k about" as well as how to "how to brand yourself in the digital age". From the adorable coffee truck in the morning (Gypsy Cup) to the braid bar at lunch by Hainsworth Hair & Co. There were even swings next to the lunch tables! It felt like we were at Disneyland-but for entrepreneurs.

No matter what time of day it was, you saw women mingling and talking to one another. Either about what they do for a living what they were hoping to get out of the event. Being able to walk up to anyone and instantly make a new friend is my favorite type of event. We all wanted to "learn the secret sauce" so whether we were from the same city or from out of town we wanted one thing. I met two girls from Canada, one sweet photographer from Dallas and a few local girls who all had one thing in common, to better themselves.

To have a reach like the Bloguettes do, it is impressive and something to not ignore.

What I learned...

We all were there to learn and absorb as much knowledge and information as we possibly could. I love our city and to see how every little detail was considered was inspiring. It makes me proud to be a Phoenician and that even us desert dwellers can host a great event...well the Bloguettes can at at least ;)

Having picked up some new tricks for PFF as well as for myself personally, I feel completed by the event. I believe we all need to remember to take those days and focus on you. Never forget what makes you jump out of bed in the morning and that it is okay to ask for help!

xoMeghan

Interns & Assistants

When I started the Pearce Family Foundation it did not occur to me that I (Meghan) would need to hire anyone. Why would I need an assistant? I can handle everything...UMM NOT (lol) since starting the foundation I have been fortunate to have now had 5 1/2 interns.First I had my sister Jessica Pearce help me with some of the first events (the Zebulon Pearce monument and Brew Something that Matters). I was so thankful Jess wanted to help since I was taking on a huge new business venture.  Then the beautiful and smart Kylie Ray came to our PFF family after one of my good friends introduced us and it was a true blessing. Kylie ended up working with me for over 18 months and is one of the hardest working women I know.The next wonderful assistant/intern was Kylie Mudd who I met through Kylie 1 and I was again so thankful for her to step in when I needed her help the most. She was there during my wedding months and was my voice of reason when I thought I was going to loose it. (oh and I promise I do not hire just girls named Kylie).Then after I saw how fast we were growing and that I needed help at all times I found two amazing girls. Lindsay Cardoza and Kourtnie Martin became new team members of PFF and worked with me every week on every upcoming event. Neither of these girls were receiving class credit-they just did it out of the goodness of their heart. Kourtnie is studying entrepreneurial courses at GCU and now wants to work for PFF after college (YIPPIE). Lindsay in addition to all of her time working without credit hours is now receieving 12 credit hours to help her graduate in May.The moral of this story is that us #girlbosses need help and we need to ask for it. I wish I could handle every email, every family application, and every event but I can't. I am fortunate to have met like minded women who believe in our mission and want to learn from ME.So ladies- let others help you and don't forget that we are teachers in a way and should share our knowledge! xoxoMeghan