Un espacio para la familia, el sabor y la cultura

Al entrar a La Michoacana Al Natural, te reciben murales de Arizona y México, el aroma de nieves artesanales y el murmullo de familias reunidas.

Su fundadora, Erika Félix, soñó con crear algo más que una nevería: un lugar donde los niños pudieran llegar en bicicleta después de la escuela, las familias pudieran compartir una mesa y se crearán recuerdos —muy parecidos a los de su propia infancia.

Not even the August heat in Phoenix could stop a score of small business owners from gathering in the Burton Barr Library community room on August 14, 2025. They weren’t there to sell or pitch a new product—but to confront a challenge larger than any one enterprise: climate change. Hosted by Local First Arizona and the City of Phoenix, the first Climate Action Plan business convening invited business leaders to share firsthand how climate change is shaping their day-to-day operations—and how they can have a hand in shaping the city’s climate policy. 

Wyatt Gilmore is on a mission to change the way Native American tourism businesses connect with their customers — and thanks to a unique Local First Arizona investment fund, he’s turning that vision into reality.

Every month, we welcome new faces and celebrate longtime members who keep Arizona’s economy rooted here at home. From keeping neighbors comfortable year-round to guiding families through life’s big decisions to supporting parents in meaningful moments — these businesses show up for the communities we love and the local economy we’re building together.brings something meaningful and lasting to our local economy.

When Nuru ZeKariyahh blends a smoothie or acai bowl at his Tempe shop, Add-On Smoothies, he’s serving more than fresh fruit. He’s blending nearly two decades of learning, a passion for holistic health and a life story that began in an unexpected place: a federal prison horticulture program.

Local First Arizona and the City of Phoenix have partnered to bring local businesses to the table to help update the City’s Climate Action Plan. Use your voice to help shape our city’s climate goals and prepare for what’s ahead. 

En el vecindario Coronado de Phoenix, dos emprendedores están transformando un café local en un espacio donde la buena comida se encuentra con conexiones significativas — con el apoyo de la comunidad de Fuerza Local.

Para Ana Alvarado y Gustavo Delgado, abrir 5th Avenue Café no se trataba solo de lanzar un negocio. Se trataba de crear un espacio donde las personas se sintieran vistas, atendidas y con raíces — especialmente en un momento en que el sentido de comunidad se sentía frágil.

Every month, we spotlight businesses that are helping shape Arizona’s future — one plate, one podcast, one customer at a time. These local leaders aren’t just building businesses — they’re building community. Whether they’re helping creators find their voice, serving up bold new flavors or reimagining what dining and gathering can look like, each brings something meaningful and lasting to our local economy.

Una familia, un sueño y un negocio con propósito

Javier y María del Rocío Cervantes nacieron en Guadalajara, Jalisco, y, como muchos inmigrantes, llegaron a Estados Unidos en busca de mejores oportunidades. Javier, carpintero de oficio, y María del Rocío, secretaría empresarial, nunca imaginaron que años más tarde estarían liderando un negocio con un impacto significativo en su comunidad y ahora también en el medio ambiente.

Every month, we welcome businesses that are shaping Arizona’s economy in bold, lasting ways. From trusted family legacies to local-first disruptors, these members reflect the strength and diversity of our business community. Whether they’re building Arizona’s schools and libraries, protecting homes from desert pests, or championing local journalism, each one brings something powerful to the table.

We’re excited to share the latest news from our wave-making We Rise alums! From innovative projects to personal milestones, these enterprising business owners are moving, shaking and making their mark on Arizona’s thriving business landscape.

From Eastlake Park to Desert Botanical Garden, Juneteenth celebrations are honoring Black history, creativity and freedom through food, music, art and family fun. We're highlighting some of the most vibrant community-led events — including marketplaces featuring Black-owned businesses, live performances, and powerful storytelling.

At a time when the LGBTQ+ community is losing vital visibility and protections across the country, an Arizona-born media organization is stepping up — and stepping out. 

Founded in 2022, LOOKOUT has quickly become a trusted source of political, cultural and community-centered reporting for queer Arizonans. Now, this homegrown publication is preparing to expand its impact across the Southwest and beyond.

Juneteenth is a time to honor emancipation — and to ask ourselves what freedom looks like today. For many Black Arizonans, it means reclaiming power through business ownership, building generational wealth and shaping the future of our local economy.

Every month, we’re honored to welcome businesses across Arizona that are driving local impact and building the kind of economy we all want to live and work in. These featured members represent the spirit of Arizona — rooted in family, service and sustainability. Whether they’re serving up world-famous fruit burros, keeping your car road-ready or raising Navajo-Churro sheep on historic land, they each remind us why local matters.

Más que números: Cómo Fuerza Local está impulsando a los emprendedores latinos de Arizona

Cuando pienses en la comunidad de pequeñas empresas de Arizona, piensa en grande. Desde restaurantes y tiendas hasta electricistas, esteticistas y distribuidores agrícolas, los negocios de propiedad latina están en el corazón de la economía de Arizona. Y muchos de ellos comenzaron —o encontraron el impulso para crecer— gracias a Fuerza Local.

When Kyu Utsunomiya moved to Arizona in the 1980s, he saw both a lack of Japanese cuisine and a chance to share his cultural roots in fresh, modern ways. As co-founder of Conceptually Social, he’s brought that vision to life through innovative local culinary ventures like Kaizen and Konbini Sushi — blending tradition with adaptability and heart. Grounded in community and sustainability, Utsunomiya’s work continues to redefine what it means to serve food with purpose, locally and beyond.

This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating five Arizona-based women who’ve turned their dreams into real, thriving businesses — each one rooted in community, creativity and heart. Some were inspired by their own moms, others by motherhood itself — but all of them are defining what it means to build something meaningful, right where they live.