AZ Hustlers: Karie Johnson
Karie Johnson is the owner of Barre3 Scottsdale PV. We’ve been fortunate to have worked with Barre3 in the past and they are always so supportive of our efforts to help families around the valley. Get to know a little bit about Karie!
Karie Johnson is the owner of Barre3 Scottsdale PV. We’ve been fortunate to have worked with Barre3 in the past and they are always so supportive of our efforts to help families around the valley. Get to know a little bit about Karie!
Name: Karie Johnson
Instagram Handle: @barre3scottsdalepv
Title/Profession: Owner of Barre3 Scottsdale PV
What city do you live in!
Paradise Valley
How do you know PFF?
Through the amazing founder, Meghan!
What makes PFF special?
They continually give back to families in need and make a huge impact!
What is something on your bucket list?
To go to the Amalfi Coast.
What was your first job?
Life guard
What/who inspires you?
Mother Teresa
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise
What is a motto you live by?
You can do hard things.
What does a normal day look like for you?
Early morning routine of meditation, bible study, prayers and journaling before my kiddos wake up, get the kiddos off to school, work on or at barre3, always dinner with the family, relaxing evening at home.
What is one thing you can not live without?
Coffee!
One thing you think every one needs to try?
Barre3! Some people are intimidated by the barre or that it is either too hard or not hard enough. It is honestly just right because you make it your own! It is so empowering and really helps to balance the body from the inside out!
AZ Hustlers: Kayla Iten
Kayla Iten is the CEO of All About Nannies, PFF’s newest partner, and our AZ Hustler of the month. All About Nannies, is an easy and quick way to find reliable nannies in Arizona. Having reliable childcare is so important and we know how difficult it can be to find it, which is why we love what Kayla is doing! Get to know more about Kayla!
PFF AZ Hustler: Kayla Iten, CEO of All About Nannies.
Kayla Iten is the CEO of All About Nannies, PFF’s newest partner, and our AZ Hustler of the month. All About Nannies, is an easy and quick way to find reliable nannies in Arizona. Having reliable childcare is so important and we know how difficult it can be to find it, which is why we love what Kayla is doing! Learn more about Kayla and how she came to find PFF!
Name: Kayla Iten
Title/Profession: CEO of All About Nannies
What city do you live in!
Phoenix
How do you know PFF?
Through networking and our partnership donating a portion of each placement fee to PFF!
What makes PFF special?
I was so inspired by the foundations desire to help local families in tangible, creative and useful ways!
If you have been to PFF events, tell us your favorite and why?
I haven't been yet, but can't wait to go!
What is something on your bucket list?
To start a family of my own. I can't wait to use my 20 years childcare experience on my own children someday!
What was your first job?
My very first job was working in a daycare at a local YMCA in the infant room and I loved it!
What/who inspires you?
My family! My parents worked tirelessly to provide for us growing up and gave us an amazing life and taught us to value hard work, relationships and are still some of my favorite people after all these years
Coffee or tea?
Coffee
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise
What is a motto you live by?
”One person can make a world of difference”
What does a normal day look like for you?
Busy! I am generally up and make the commute down the hallway to my office at about 6:30 after getting the furry office assistants their breakfast. The first thing I always do is organize and tackle my never ending daily to do!
What is one thing you can not live without?
My Husband, my family, and my phone!
One thing you think every one needs to try?
Traveling and allowing yourself to be unplugged for a while.
*If you’re in the need for a nanny, visit the All About Nannies website here.
AZ Hustlers: Brittany Yeaton
PFF Board member, Brittany Yeaton has been a supporter from the very beginning! Learn more about how she knows PFF plus a few fun facts about herself!
PFF AZ Hustler Brittany Yeaton (On right), alongside founder and CEO, Meghan Alfonso.
PFF Board member, Brittany Yeaton has been a supporter from the very beginning! Learn more about how she knows PFF plus a few fun facts about herself!
Name: Brittany Yeaton
Title/Profession: Internal Sale Associate/Brighthouse Financial
What city do you live in?
Scottsdale
How do you know PFF?
I have know Meghan since middle school and found out she was starting PFF and was very excited. I immediately started helping and volunteering at as many events as possible.
What makes PFF special?
PFF is special in so many ways. A foundation that is able to help families with children suffering is so incredible. I feel that people forgot the life still have to go on when a family is going through this difficult time so being able to help with bill or home repairs or whatever it my be is so amazing.
If you have been to PFF events, tell us your favorite and why?
My favorite event is definitely Clays for a Cause. I look forward to it every year! Rain or Shine
What is something on your bucket list?
To travel more! Sky Dive, African Safari so many things!
What was your first job?
Nanny
What/who inspires you?
Meghan! She is such an amazing person with an even more amazing heart.
Coffee or tea?
Tea
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise
What is a motto you live by?
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a different battle
What does a normal day look like for you?
Work, gym, family and Friends
What is one thing you can not live without?
Family
One thing you think every one needs to try?
Giving back in any way they can
Thank you One AZ Credit Union!
Like many others, we had big plans for 2020 that were unfortunately put on hold due to COVID-19. Thankfully, One AZ Credit Union approved our grant request and sent us a check for $2000!
Like many others, we had big plans for 2020 that were unfortunately put on hold due to COVID-19. This spring alone, we had four events on the calendar that benefitted PFF that had to be cancelled.
When shutdowns began taking place across the country, knowing we’d have to put our events on hold for the foreseeable future, Meghan started looking for grants that we could apply for to continue to help our families during this uncertain time. Thankfully, One AZ Credit Union approved our request and sent us a check for $2000!
With that, we’ve were able to send a few families we’ve helped in the past, Visa gift cards as a reminder that they are not alone during these times. And we will continue to disperse the funds to help families in need.
Huge thank you to One AZ Credit Union for helping us in such a hard time!
Read a little about the kiddos and families we were able to help with this grant:
Backyard Burlesque: Attend our virtual event!
Like many during this time, we’ve had to pivot our original plans for spring, which ultimately lead to us postponing multiple events. Which is why we’ve created a virtual event! Join us for an evening of dancing and fun, all for a good cause!
COVID-19 can’t stop us from helping Arizona families. Due to the outbreak, we’ve had 4 events cancelled or postponed, so we started brainstorming ways that we can bring in funds to continue to be able to assist local families during this tough time. That’s why we’ve created our first-ever virtual event: Backyard Burlesque!
Join us on May 2nd for an evening of dancing for a good cause! Our friend, Eli Medina, from The Sparkle Bar in Old Town Scottsdale is going to teach us a fun dance number via Zoom – don’t worry, nothing risqué! So we can shake and shimmy for a good cause, all while maintain social distancing from the comfort of our own homes!
Plus, we’re also hosting a raffle with a lot of great prizes! Such as:
2 one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces from Spencer’s Design Studio
A Barre3 fitness class package
A full spa package from Scottsdale-based studio Rvyve
A date night package that includes dinner for 4 from Maple & Ash
and more…
We can’t wait to have some fun, take our minds off of the pandemic, and support the foundation with you! If you can’t “make it” Saturday, no worries, you can still purchase raffle tickets and be entered to win our amazing prizes!
AZ Hustlers: Jeff Vance
AZ Hustler, Jeff Vance, has been a PFF supporter for a few years and we can’t express how grateful we are that he and his family are apart of our Angel community!
AZ Hustler, Jeff Vance, has been a PFF supporter for a few years and we can’t express how grateful we are that he and his family are apart of our Angel community!
Name: Jeff Vance
Title/Profession: SVP of Operations at Sunstate Equipment Co.
What city do you live in?
Scottsdale
How do you know PFF?
Our company donated to PFF a few years ago and I fell in love with the cause.
What makes PFF special?
PFF is willing to help families where other organizations might not. How cool is it to help take the burden off a family like a car or electricity payment when they are caring for an ill child.
If you have been to PFF events, tell us your favorite and why?
Clay Shoot. I'm an outdoorsman and it is a unique opportunity to do something I enjoy while giving to a charity and meeting like minded individuals.
What is something on your bucket list?
To out bid Art Pearce at the next live auction. Just kidding, I've been all over Europe, next on the list is Athens Greece.
What was your first job?
Pulling skeet at a skeet range.
What/who inspires you?
Genuine folks like Meghan who look out for others well being.
Coffee or tea?
Tea
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise
What is a motto you live by?
Be kind and give back as much as possible.
What does a normal day look like for you?
I am involved in a lot of meetings with my peer group.
What is one thing you can not live without?
My family
One thing you think every one needs to try?
Donating in some way. It doesn't necessarily cost anything. Give someone a hand up.
PFF Turns 6!
This week the foundation turns 6 years old. I cannot believe we have come as far as we have and that is because of all of you.
This week the foundation turns 6 years old. I cannot believe we have come as far as we have and that is because of all of you. I want to thank everyone who has; donated to PFF, been to an event we have held, shared our mission with others, volunteered for an event, worked or interned for the company, sat on the board, or followed our journey. YOU are the reason we are still around. I might’ve gotten the idea off the ground but is because of you that we are still a strong and profitable 501c3. We have helped hundreds of families stay in their home, keep their lights on, or have provided them with a safe and reliable car.
You have allowed us to award service dogs to children who would otherwise need to go to the hospital every time an episode came on, and you have provided families with no available funds with toys during the holidays.
Last year we moved into our forever home and this year we are now working out of our houses because of COVID-19. I know we will get back to the days where we can celebrate our mission together and hug one another again.
But until then let’s take a look back at one of my favorite videos from year one.
Click above to watch the video on Facebook.
I thank each and every one of you for your endless support of our little nonprofit.
5 Years Down...
Since then, we have hosted over 50 events and we have created three programs under the Pearce Family Foundation umbrella.
5 years down…
Imagine being 29, you just left a job you thought you would be at forever, two weeks before you moved into a new apartment, and now you have no source of income. YEP, that was me. I was beyond stressed and embarrassed that I was jobless with no plans on what to do next.
Thank god my now husband put the idea into my head that I should start my own nonprofit and use my families name who brought us success for many years to back the nonprofit. Being beyond scared to ask my family to believe in me and let me run with it was the first hurdle to get over. Then I hired a life coach who reminded me I had the confidence I would need to start a nonprofit.
After numerous meetings one must go through to start an organization, I eventually did it and it took just 6 months.
Since then, we have hosted over 50 events (remember it has just been me with a few interns and now two part time employees) and we have created three programs under the Pearce Family Foundation umbrella.
I always get asked why I decided to create a nonprofit, and it was because I saw a need that was not being fulfilled. I believe a child gets better faster when they are recovering in their home versus in a shelter or a hospital.
Creating the nonprofit has allowed me to continue my family’s legacy by connecting with businesses and people in a new way. The nonprofit has also reconnected me to friends I went to school with who we may have not crossed paths with again unless I was in this position.
PFF has been a blessing to me I have been able to help as many families as I can have a safe and stable living environment. I pray we continue to grow and receive the generous donations we have to keep us around. I am excited to see where the next 5 years will take us. But we have already found our forever home off 90th and Bell and have three amazing events we host every year.
If you want to build something on your own- do it. It will be scary as F**k but why not…if you don’t you will always wonder what if.