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
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.
Let's Get Real
A few local companies who have done nothing but support us are the ones who will stand out in our hearts forever.
This might come off harsh but I am so sick of companies or people who don’t keep their word. Whether that be; locations promising you a great venue, working with others as a collaboration, to even a business not paying you as a sponsor. I have been blown away by the lack of professionalism PFF has had to experience.
You would think that being a small nonprofit in our community would protect us from the riff raff of bad business deals, but that is not the case.
I am of course not going to name names of those who have burned PFF but I will say it is very upsetting. My husband says, “you have to get everything in writing” and I see why. Over the past almost five years, the bullets we have had to dodge or things we have backed out of because they were a joke is appalling.
People say you always learn from every experience. What I can take away from those experiences that have left a bad taste in our mouth, is that not everyone is like that. When we do have an amazing company that keeps their word, goes above and beyond for us, we need to show them some love.
With the “bad” ones there are more good ones of course. A few local companies who have done nothing but support us are the ones who will stand out in our hearts forever. They are also successful in their own right and will last-unlike the faux companies/people.
So let’s show a little love to our rockstar companies:
I could probably go on and name a few more, but those are a hand full of the ones that have been a part of the PFF family for years or who have done more than we have asked of them. They are the ones who believed in us when we were a small barely existing nonprofit hoping to make a name for ourselves.
Thank you for your endless love and belief in our cause. If you do not know who these companies are I hope you will check them out!I don’t think any company intentionally was out to get us or cause the foundation unnecessary work, I just sometimes think people don’t know how to work with other businesses. The foundation exists solely from donations and company grants- we are still in business because of the companies listed above. We are a PUBLIC foundation, meaning we have to raise a certain amount and giveaway a certain amount. There are salaries, expenses, and bills to pay just like any other business.
Whether you are a for-profit or not for profit doing business with someone else - big or small, you must work just as hard as they are on the job. The foundation has had to put new rules and steps in place to protect us from phonys.
So lesson is and point of this post is to be respectful of all companies and people you want to collaborate with. Be upfront and honest on what you expect - and remember it is not personal it is business.
“Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.”
– Richard Branson
Oh The Places You Will Go
As another school year comes to an end, that means the Pearce Family Foundations’ interns are moving on.
“Oh the Places You Will Go”
-Dr. Seuss
As another school year comes to an end, that means the Pearce Family Foundations’ interns are moving on. Hard to believe that only being four years old we have said “hello and goodbye” to four amazing women. I feel beyond blessed to have worked with each one of them and watch them mature into strong, confident women ready to take on their next phase of life.
Over the past year and a half, the foundation has had Kourtnie Martin as our “Event Liaison” and Lindsay Cardoza as our “Family & Community Specialist”. -We felt fun titles would be better than “intern”…because as we all know they do a lot more than just intern.
Before the girls moved on either with the foundation or to new adventures, I wanted them to answer a few questions so that you could get to know them before they take over as Girl Bosses themselves.
Here is a little bio and interview from our event enthusiast, Kourtnie:
Name:
Kourtnie Martin
Instagram:
@kourtnie.renee
Where were you born:
Iowa City, IA
How old are you:
22
Where did you go to college?
Grand Canyon University
What was one of the best life lessons you learned in college?
I definitely learned how to handle tough situations better. I have had some hardships over the last four years and had to learn how to push through them and keep moving forward. This has made me so much stronger and shown me I can handle way more that I thought.
Do you have any regrets?
I don't regret anything. I'm a big believer in everything happens for a reason and each mistake I have made has taught me something and made me a better person.
How did you find out about the Pearce Family Foundation?
Facebook! I was looking for an internship and a family friend sent me Meghan's post!
What was one of your favorite moments at PFF?
I just love seeing the impact the foundation has on the families they help. The toy drive was really rewarding seeing the kids react to the donations.
My favorite event PFF held was…
Runway! I just love the fashion and the overall vibe of the night.
Name three of your favorite foods to eat:
Donuts, chocolate, and pasta
My favorite store to shop at is?
Anything online! I am not ashamed to say I have an online shopping addiction! Lol
Name one of your role models (can be alive or dead):
My grandfather. He was the smartest person I knew but was so humble and caring and always put others before himself. I always admired how calm he could stay in any situation and how strong he was even if he was hurting.
All time classic movie you love:
The Lion King. I have loved this movie since I was a kid and had definitely played a role in my Disney obsession!
Favorite Quote:
Be still. Short and sweet but holds a lot of meaning for me. It keeps me calm in stressful situations and reminds me to live in the moment. Time goes by really fast and I want to enjoy each moment, even the little things. I guess you could say it's my life motto!
I hope to be this in 5 years:
As cliche as it sounds I just hope to be in a happy place with a job I love, great friends, and my family.
Kourtnie will be staying on at the foundation as our Office Administrative Assistant. She will not only be with PFF on a daily basis but also helping with my father and his daily office needs. We are excited to see where the future will take us and glad she found her calling.
Here is a little bio and interview from our Northern Cali girl, Lindsay:
Name:
Lindsay Cardoza
Instagram:
@lindsaycardoza
Where were you born:
Walnut Creek, CA
How old are you:
22
Where did you go to college?
ASU
What made you choose that college?
I liked the big college atmosphere and the town of Tempe. My sister went to ASU as well so that was a bonus. I also liked the idea of going to college out of state and not really knowing anyone. It was a fresh start in a way.
What was one of the best life lessons you learned in college?
I really found my best friends in college, they genuinely care about me which was something I didn’t have in high school. I also have grown and matured in many areas of my life. At this point in my life I know what I want and what I deserve. I also have gained more confidence and self-awareness.
What was one of your favorite moments at PFF?
I loved working with the whole PFF team. It felt like we were a little family. It’s really amazing working with strong women who are passionate about what they do. Working with the girls, I was inspired daily. They always made me feel welcomed and cared for.
My favorite event PFF held was…
I loved all the fundraisers, but I really enjoyed the toy drive. The holiday season is my favorite time of the year and I loved being able to make our kids wishes come true. Moments like that put everything into perspective and help you focus on what is important in life.
Name three of your favorite foods to eat:
carne asada tacos, cheeseburgers and ice cream
If you were stuck in a room for a week and could only watch one TV SHOW it would be:
probably Friends or New Girl
My favorite store to shop at is?
Urban Outfitters (when I can afford it 😉)
Name one of your role models (can be alive or dead)
My dad, it is really inspiring seeing how much he has accomplished in his life despite having a rough childhood. Hardest working person I know!
Favorite Quote:
“Here’s to strong women, may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them”
Lindsay will be graduating soon and is deciding her next steps in the future. I wish her nothing but the best and that she knows she will always have a family here at PFF.
Cheers and congrats to both you girls, you helped when I needed you the most and you stayed when I had no one else. Sending you lots of good vibes and love
Xo
Meghan
Drop & Gimme 20 - Autism Awareness Month
Join us in celebration for Autism Awareness Month 2018 and please donate and support the thousands facing an autism diagnosis!
Of all the families apart of our PFF programs, several face the spectrum of Autism. Our first Angel Pups recipient has severe autism and we were thrilled to be able to financially assist a service dog for him so he can exercise, control his emotions, provide responsibility, give care, give comfort, and give him opportunity for his highest quality of life. This diagnosis and the families that have come to us who face this are so near and dear to PFF’s heart. There are so many families that ask for our help and apply for our grants and we need YOUR help to be able to tell them yes.
Nearly a century ago, April was dedicated nationwide to promote autism awareness, inclusion, and self determination for all. In these efforts, assurance was made for each and every person with autism to be provided with opportunities to achieve their highest quality of life. This year we want to go above and beyond simply promoting autism awareness but actively promote a PFF campaign in support of a close friend’s movement of Drop & Gimme 20.
Drop & Gimme 20 is a movement created by Jay Dallstream. Jay’s son is on the spectrum for autism and has collected the knowledge of around 1,000 children in Arizona are born daily on the spectrum. Jay committed last year to doing 1,000 push ups everyday in the month of April in support of those children and their families, and that is how Drop & Gimme 20 was born! This year we will be pushing this movement the extra to mile to really make an impact this month and collect donations for our families apart of our Angel Pups program. Each day we challenge YOU and the rest of our supporters to do 20 pushups and post at least once on social media and tag/challenge 5 others to join us!
Join us in celebration for Autism Awareness Month 2018 and please text GIMME20 to 50155 to donate and support the thousands facing an autism diagnosis!