At Centerline on Glendale, the city’s newest affordable housing community, residents can take their pups to the dog park, push their kids on the swings at the playground or pursue a culinary dream that, until now, they’ve had to keep on the back burner. 

Anyone who calls Arizona homes appreciates its unique beauty and character, and at Local First Arizona, we recognize that the spirit of the state is reflected by its local entrepreneurs. Arizona’s small businesses are a vital ingredient of the state’s overall economy, creating jobs and generating revenue at a pace that ranks the state in the top 10 for local business growth in the country.

A new month means new opportunities to celebrate local businesses making an impact across Arizona! From preserving history and expanding workforce development to building vibrant marketplaces, these businesses are shaping stronger, more connected communities.

Dr. Janet Tate-Brown, DNP, a board-certified nurse practitioner with years of experience in a hospital’s emergency department, excelled at patient care. However, when it came to business ownership, she felt like she needed a bit more guidance. That’s when she discovered We Rise, a no-fee business accelerator offered by Local First Arizona for the state’s community of Black business owners. The program turned out to be exactly what she needed.

We’re excited to kick off January 2025 by celebrating the newest members of the Business Coalition! These inspiring businesses exemplify the spirit of localism, contributing innovative ideas, meaningful services, and a strong commitment to their communities. Together, they’re helping to create a more connected, equitable, and resilient Arizona. Meet them and discover how they’re making a difference!

We’re excited to spotlight the newest additions to the Local First Arizona Business Coalition! These innovative entrepreneurs embody the spirit of localism, bringing unique skills, services and solutions to their communities. As valued coalition members, they contribute to a thriving ecosystem of businesses building a more connected and resilient Arizona. Explore their stories and see how they are making a difference!

Nella's Kreations highlights cultural foods of Arizona and represents Ancestral Food Ways of the Navajo Community. Denella is proudly growing her business from the Local First Arizona Community Kitchen - South Phoenix .

The craft beer industry in Arizona has grown exponentially since Four Peaks Brewing Company opened in Tempe in 1996. Back then, only seven microbreweries were licensed in the state. Today, there are 122.

Taking the name from the iconic mountains located in the Tonto National Forest, the founders of Four Peaks — Andy Ingram, Jim Scussel and Randy Schultz — have kept close to their roots, investing time, money and mentorship into the local beer industry and the wider community.

We are excited to introduce the latest additions to the Local First Arizona Business Coalition! These businesses represent a diverse range of industries and demonstrate the commitment to localism that drives Arizona’s economy. Learn more about how they are making an impact in their communities and leading the way in their respective fields.

It starts by asking yourself a simple question. What do you love? Perhaps you love Arizona’s rural communities, or the state’s rich agricultural history. You might be passionate about sustainability, or dedicated to helping Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs.

No matter your passion, charitable giving can be a meaningful way to catalyze change in your neighborhood and throughout Arizona.

We’re excited to introduce the newest members of our Local First Arizona coalition! Spanning the state from Scottsdale to Yuma, these businesses are driving innovation and bringing fresh perspectives to their communities. By fostering growth and supporting local economies, they are helping shape Arizona’s thriving business landscape. Explore how these forward-thinking leaders are making an impact statewide!

Finance professionals — from bookkeepers to accountants — do more than crunch numbers. While transactional oversight is undeniably a part of the job, strategic planning is another, crucial service. When choosing to work with a regionally-located professional over an out-of-market firm or AI-based service, a business owner is seizing on valuable information that only someone with local insight can provide.

Finance professionals — from bookkeepers to accountants — do more than crunch numbers. While transactional oversight is undeniably a part of the job, strategic planning is another, crucial service. When choosing to work with a regionally-located professional over an out-of-market firm or AI-based service, a business owner is seizing on valuable information that only someone with local insight can provide.

When Matt McMahon sold the Outback Steakhouses he owned, he thought he was exiting the restaurant business for good. But SK Oils, Inc., a Glendale-based oil packaging and distribution company, pulled him back in. 

En el corazón de Phoenix, Arizona, Daniel Borga y Zulema Montaño han construido más que un negocio; han creado un testimonio de resiliencia, trabajo duro y orgullo cultural. Desde comienzos humildes, esta pareja hispana se propuso un objetivo: crear una vida mejor para su familia.

Más que un negocio, fue la familia lo que impulsó a la pareja a embarcarse en esta aventura.

A young TV journalist named Jolene is the hero of “Off The Air,” the first novel from KJZZ reporter Christina Estes, and Arizona is the backdrop for the delightfully page-turning murder mystery.

A rollicking adventure with plenty of humor, the book features nods to both iconic and lesser-known restaurants, businesses and neighborhoods.

“What I learned while writing ‘Off The Air’ is that it’s a love letter to Phoenix,” Estes says.

“A lot of people were stuck at home and needed furniture,” he said of the COVID-era demand. “But, we were able to maneuver through it.”

While the overwhelming majority of Del Sol’s customers are Hispanic, Macias said they’re also generational. He’s seen grandparents who have purchased with Del Sol return with their grandkids who are ready to get furniture for their own place. The relationships they’ve built with the community over the years have kept people coming back, sometimes with dessert.

“I have one salesperson who got a cake from a customer six months later,” he said. “We’ve tried to create that culture because we know that for most people, it’s not just about price.”

For Del Sol customers, it’s about in-house financing, selection and relationships. And Macias said his family has appreciated the community support, some of which comes from the environment that Local First Arizona is fostering.

“Everything about what local first does just completely gels with who we are and what we believe in,” he said. “We’re so lucky to be in a state like Arizona with an organization like Local First.”

To learn more about Del Sol Furniture, click here. To learn about Local First Arizona membership, click here.

We’re excited to introduce the newest members of our Local First Arizona coalition! Spanning the state from Scottsdale to Yuma, these businesses are driving innovation and bringing fresh perspectives to their communities.