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A child shouldn’t have to choose between staying quiet and staying safe, but that’s the reality for too many families facing homelessness and food insecurity. We’re joined by Dawn Marie, CEO of Help Now AZ, whose own childhood experience without stable housing shaped a mission that now supports at-risk, displaced, and homeless kids across the Phoenix area and beyond. Her perspective is raw, specific, and grounded in what it actually feels like to not know where you’ll sleep tonight.

We talk about what Help Now AZ does day to day, why the need is often invisible, and what it means when Dawn says “one in five children” in our community is impacted. You’ll hear how schools become the front line for identifying need, why families may be afraid to ask for help, and why real change takes more than a one-time handout. This conversation also digs into the hard choices behind building a nonprofit: starting in a garage, scaling to 22 school districts and about 300 schools, and choosing purpose over comfort.

Dawn walks us through the programs that make the mission practical: thousands of Help Snacks bags each month with handwritten positive messages, food boxes for families, a major back-to-school event, an adopt-a-family holiday push, and monthly life skills classes focused on budgeting, resumes, health, and stability. We also cover how to volunteer, attend open houses, bring your company for a team building event, sponsor the work, and support the annual gala fundraiser.

If you care about child homelessness in Arizona, nonprofit volunteering in Phoenix, or real community impact that you can actually join, this is your next listen. Subscribe, share this with someone local, and leave a review to help more people find the mission. What part of the story hit you the hardest?

HELP Now AZ is breaking the cycle of homelessness and hardship by empowering children and families with immediate resources, education, and long-term support. From providing food and essential needs to creating opportunities that build stability and brighter futures, we believe every child deserves the chance to thrive. Together, we can turn compassion into action and create lasting change in our community. Learn more, get involved, volunteer, or give today by visiting our website.

👉 HELP Now AZ

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Erica Sanchez is a franchise consultant, developer, and former franchisor with over 15 years of experience in corporate leadership and franchising. She scaled a brand from three locations to thirteen before exiting, and in this conversation she shares real-world insight into why most business owners fail when they try to franchise — and how to do it the right way.

This episode goes beyond theory and gets into the realities of franchising, including mindset, marketing, systems, leadership, and the hard decisions business owners must face when they want to grow.

In this episode, we cover:

• What makes a business truly franchise-ready
• Why most business owners fail at franchising
• The role marketing plays in franchise growth
• Common franchising myths that cost owners time and money
• The difference between selling a business vs selling a concept
• How mindset and leadership impact scalability
• Real stories from scaling brands during challenging economic times

This conversation is for entrepreneurs, business owners, and operators who are serious about growth and want a clear, honest understanding of what it actually takes to expand successfully.

👉 Subscribe to I Am Voz on YouTube for more real conversations about business, mindset, and growth.

🎧 Prefer audio? The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

Listen Now! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.

🔗 Follow & Connect:
🌐 iamvoz.com

Instagram: @TheDJVoz

Facebook: facebook.com/Imvoz

🎤 Join the Conversation:
Use #IAmVoz #ProveItToYourself #EntrepreneurMindset #Wolfpack and share your biggest takeaway!

Send us Fan Mail

Want a real look at how agents can win when the market isn’t easy? We sit down with managing broker Melissa Schwartz of Realty One Group Paradise Valley to unpack what actually moves the needle: listening, legal fluency, and hyperlocal market insight. Arizona may be adding jobs at a rapid clip, but buyers still hesitate as rates and headlines fuel uncertainty. Melissa breaks down how to turn those headwinds into an advantage by mastering forms, knowing your 10-mile radius better than anyone, and building marketing plans that last longer than a week.

We get practical about the shift from portal-driven leads to relational, boots-on-the-ground work. Think neighbor letters before open houses, door knocking with tact, and content that educates rather than chases clicks. Melissa shares why 18 contract changes in 2024 demand deeper training, how DISC helps tailor conversations to engineers and emotion-driven buyers alike, and what mentorship looks like inside a culture that values collaboration over competition. We also explore serving veterans with care, including VA loan nuances and strategies for sight-unseen moves on tight timelines.

The conversation expands into ADUs as a real solution for multi-generational living and affordability in Arizona. State rules opened the door, but city overlays still dictate usage and rental policies—so due diligence matters. We outline smart financing choices, rate buydowns, and the timeless advice to marry the house, not the rate, as long as the payment fits your life. If you’re an agent, leader, or client who wants clarity instead of hype, this talk delivers grounded strategy and a path to confidence.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help more people find conversations that actually move their business forward.

Listen Now! Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.

🔗 Follow & Connect:
🌐 iamvoz.com

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🎤 Join the Conversation:
Use #IAmVoz #ProveItToYourself #EntrepreneurMindset #Wolfpack and share your biggest takeaway!