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Community on Purpose

Creating A World to Thrive In

Article by Kristy Belley

Photography by Provided, Rebecca Evenson,

Originally published in Gilbert City Lifestyle

Community on Purpose is a local nonprofit organization serving women and families.  It is also a podcast that shares the stories of women who are intentionally creating community through business, giving, and living. The brainchild of Mindy Jones, Owner of the Amy Jones Group, Community on Purpose is the podcast for the leader inside of you.

In this first season of the podcast, listeners will uncover how women everywhere are seeking, finding, and building community with a mission of creating real positive change.  In between laughter and choking back a few tears, you’ll connect with these ladies as they discuss building careers and families each having its own unique challenges, and how finding community can help you find clarity in your own journey.

City Lifestyle is pleased to introduce you to a few of the ladies featured this season Community on Purpose.

Mindy Jones -

Amy Jones Group Owner

Community on Purpose Founder

Instagram @communityonpurposeaz

www.amyjonesgroup.com

www.communityonpurpose.org

“My life has been changed by each connection I’ve made. I absolutely love talking about the power of connection and community”

Mindy is the mother of a 2.5-year-old, runs a business, and is actively involved in multiple non-profits, and leadership projects throughout the community.  The power of connection and community have shaped her life’s journey as she started in the nonprofit sector, moved through a career in corporate technology, and later caught the entrepreneurial bug when she took over a family business.  She came into her own as a leader discovering what was important and authentic to her and shedding what no longer fit as she built a team of hard-working women focused on giving back to their community. Mindy continued to develop her focus on empowering women which she does by immersing herself into the work of the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce & as incoming chair of their Women Empowered Committee, hosting Women in Leadership Breakfasts and volunteer events with her real estate business, and creating Community on Purpose, the nonprofit that shares the name with the Podcast & focuses on supporting women in leadership and business

Words of Wisdom

"Be the Change You Want to See”

I truly believe that every connection can change the world and that every one of us can make an impact on those around us.”

 Amber Kovarik -  

Sr Loan Officer/Branch Manager at Guild Mortgage

www.shannonsgiving.org  

Instagram @amber.kovarik

“My passion is around Shannon's Giving, which is a charity I created 4 years ago upon the passing of my sister. At this time, I am running an annual thanksgiving drive for families experiencing a tragic loss or dealing with severe Illness."

Amber graduated from Arizona State University and found the mortgage industry right after college. She is married for 15 years and has two little girls who are 7 & 9. Amber has always been passionate about living a big life. She believes wholeheartedly you can have it all. She is on a mission to give back to her community, run a successful business, be a connected and loving Mom as well as have a thriving marriage.

Words of Advice 

Do it, take action, don't worry about the how, just let it unfold the way it’s supposed to

Kristen Cantrell

Team Lead at Connect & Cultivate

www.kristencantrellaz.com

Instagram and Facebook @heyKristenCantrell

Instagram @momsinrealestate

“I believe that we are put on this Earth to be in community, to connect with one another and to serve one another. Community is feeling like you belong to something.”

Kristen was born and raised in Arizona.  She is a wife, a mother, a sister, a friend, and a leader in the real estate industry. She is passionate about business.   Kristen Cantrell is the lead of a 300 agent group called Connect & Cultivate. She is passionate about showing up and providing a culture and community for real estate agents to thrive. She also founded a nationwide podcast 5 years ago called Moms in Real Estate

Kristen believes that two is better than one, she believes that who you surround yourself with matters, and she believes that you level up when you are around people that motivate, encourage, and push you to think bigger and be bigger.

Words of Advice

 If they are passionate about my community, come on in because there is plenty of room! If you want to start your own, let’s talk and come up with a fabulous plan!

Tanya Wilson

Owner of Priority Pumping, Junk-rite, Ladies Kickin’ Ass, Sudzli

Facebook & Instagram @ladieskickinass

www.ladieskickinass.com

“My definition of community is a group of people with a common goal and interests. Because of the amazing internet, we can build communities that are across the world!”

Tanya grew up in Wyoming in a construction family however she is the only woman who went on to own her own construction business. She has five children ranging from 13 to 5 and is happily married to her husband Jake.  Tanya is a self-described “hard workin’ momma” who in her darkest moments created the community she needed to lean on.  Through starting her two home service companies, Tanya always wanted to find more community with women who were working in the same industry, but when she truly couldn't find what she was looking for so I decided to create her own! Ladies Kickin' Ass was born from the need of community and my deep desire to help women. 

Words of Advice

Follow that passion! You will never have a hard time attracting amazing people when you are focused on

building something that you are truly passionate about.

Allyson Greek

Healthy Success Coach – Creator of Ideally You with Allyson

Instagram @allysongreek

Facebook @Ideally-You-with-Allyson-101246001931685

www.allysongreek.com

“Find a community of others that are either on the same journey as you or have traveled the same journey and connect with them often.”

Prior corporate girl turned professional Health and Life coach.   After overcoming her own struggle with balancing a demanding career and life, Allyson noticed so many other women battling the same chronic exhaustion and burnout from trying to keep up with the demands of career and life. And many of these women, who like her, were sacrificing their well-being and things that mattered most to them to pursue success. Believing that there is a more centered approach to success, Allyson launched her coaching career in the hopes that she could help support successful women in their quest to do more without sacrificing their personal health or reaching burnout.  A strong believer that when doubt shows up we have to remind ourselves that it is okay to make mistakes, you have to do what’s right for you, just trust the process, and find a community of others who are on the journey you are on or the one you want to be on

Words of advice

I'd say first of all...do it! And don't worry if you don't have all the pieces figured out at first.

Leanna DeBellevue

Owner of DeBellevue Global Marketing Agency

Instagram @lgdebellevue

Facebook @ldebellevue

www.debellevueglobal.com

Being transparent and vulnerable allows people to show up as their best selves and amazing things will be created when people operate from that level.”

Leanna splits her time between working and serving her community and running her family. Leanna and her husband have a blended family of 5 kiddos - ranging from ages 23 to 12 and a grandson who is 5.  She grew up in California but has lived in Texas, Colorado, and of course Arizona.

A big believer that community building starts within, Leanna talks about the strength of marriage and how support systems can carry you through your most difficult challenges by helping you see that others have overcome, and you will too. She is passionate about connecting experienced businesswomen with those looking to start their careers.  Leanna is committed to creating opportunities for high school and college-age women while financially supporting programs that coach, mentor and train small and local business owners to success.

Words of advice

“That tiny voice deep inside you will never lead you astray and the more you listen to it the louder it becomes.”

Sarah Fasching

Owner - SKB Resources / Co-Owner - A2Z Home Inspections

Instagram @a2z.homeinspections

Facebook @A2ZHomeInspections.us

www.skbresources.com

“You need Faith/Believe in yourself and your capabilities and keep an open mind”

Farm Girl/Singer/Wife/Mother/Volunteer/Pageant Queen & Coach to Full Time Entrepreneur

Sarah grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin. It was through that experience that she developed and came to appreciate the importance of a good work ethic. She has been able to succeed in everything she encounters due to her pride, determination, and strong upbringing. ​Sarah has been in the construction industry for the past 20+ years working for a variety of commercial general contractors. She has worn many hats over the years and has assisted in the growth of these businesses. She is very committed to personal relationships and growth! Always thinking of ways to support others, and with great communication!  She loves networking and connecting with other businesses and like-minded individuals.

Words of Advice

“Surround yourself with positive energy and positive people that are like-minded strong individuals/entrepreneurs that care and support others.”

Anika Robinson

www.asanow.org

Instagram @asanownews

Founder and President ASA Now and Jacob’s Mission

”Thank you to those who have opened your hearts and homes to these precious children”

Anika has a B.A. in Education from Ottowa University. Working on Jacob's Law was supposed to be a short-term commitment, but became a life-long journey. She feels fortunate to be able to impact the lives of others, all while partnering with some of the most passionate and driven people in the community. We recognized that we were surrounded by goodhearted community members who wanted to help foster children. ASA Now is a Non-profit organization that Advocates for, Supports, and Assists children who are currently in or adopted from Arizona foster care. Through ASA Now and Jacob’s Mission, Anika has been able to create pathways for individuals, families, school groups, and businesses to have opportunities to serve the foster care community.   

Words of Advice

“When you are passionate about your mission, it will never seem like work”

Carla Reeves

Mental fitness coach

Instagram @carlareeves

www.carlareeves.com

“Listen to your inner compass - it knows far more than you may realize.”

Carla was born and raised in a sleepy beach town in California and now lives in AZ on a small farm with cows and chickens and her beloved husband and boys. She left corporate to have her first son and found herself losing her sanity. Carla started writing and through that writing discovered her purpose. That led to starting a small business, Sanity Journals, that supported others using writing as a tool to navigate life and helped Carla to find her own happiness. That evolved into the coaching business that she leads today. 

Carla is a coach, consultant, mentor and wholehearted about working with leaders who want to level up their business AND their life.  She is an expert on empowering people who struggle with negative thinking and self-doubt to harness their innate courage to create a life and way of living that provides freedom, joy, and fulfillment.

Words of advice

Remember, that it starts with an idea and one or two people. Hold onto that vision and let the community take on a life of its own.