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3 weeks ago | 
abc15.com | Mignon Gould
PHOENIX — The Arizona Opera has named Brian DeMaris as its new president and general director. DeMaris has previously collaborated with the Arizona Opera, conducting the recent performance of "The Secret Gardener" in March. His official first day in the leadership role was May 29. DeMaris brings more than two decades of experience as a conductor and educator across opera, musical theater and symphonic performances to his new position.
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3 weeks ago | 
abc15.com | Mignon Gould
Dress for Success — a nonprofit that helps women achieve economic independence through resources such as professional attire, support and development tools — is relocating to the revamped Park Central in midtown Phoenix. Dress for Success has been in the Valley for 16 years and at its previous location for 12 years. The local affiliate to an international organization that is in 150 states and 25 countries, was previously located in a Chicanos Por La Casa (CPLC) space at 1024 E.
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1 month ago | 
abc15.com | Mignon Gould
Microhomes, which are roughly 400 square feet or less, are steadily becoming a trend, specifically in cities with high housing costs and limited space. Cities like New York, San Francisco and Seattle come to mind when you think of these innovative design solutions, but Phoenix is also one of the cities leading the charge.
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1 month ago | 
abc15.com | Mignon Gould
PHOENIX — A court battle over the fate of film incentives in Arizona has taken another plot twist. On April 28, the board of the Arizona Commerce Authority filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit targeting Arizona's Motion Picture Production Program (MPPP), which offers up to 20% tax credits to film production companies that meet specific requirements. The program's goal is to spur economic activity in the state, according to the ACA.
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2 months ago | 
abc15.com | Mignon Gould
Six Arizona eateries have made Yelp’s list of Top 100 Family-Friendly Restaurants in the United States. Four are in the Valley and two are in other areas of the Grand Canyon State. Among the top five family-friendly restaurants in the nation listed by Yelp Inc. is Joe’s Farm Grill in Gilbert, which ranked No. 2.
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2 months ago | 
abc15.com | Mignon Gould
PHOENIX — Amid on-again, off-again tariffs and an uneven economic outlook, small business owners in the Valley are in a frenzy as they attempt to navigate uncertain times. Earlier this month, the United States levied steep tariffs across the globe on roughly 90 countries, including China, Canada and Mexico. On April 9, President Trump instituted a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for all countries named, except China.
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2 months ago | 
abc15.com | Mignon Gould
The old adage that “It's better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond” has a ring of truth for businesses in small cities, including those in the Grand Canyon State. Arizona has nearly two dozen small cities ranked among the best in the nation to start a business, all in the top 50%. That’s according to a report from WalletHub, a personal finance website and mobile app that offers free services to help users improve their financial health.
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Mar 31, 2025 | 
abc15.com | Mignon Gould
Daphnie Kelly did not let a brain injury or the pandemic stop her from taking her niche coffee business to the next level. It has been full steam ahead for the Goodyear resident in growing her Avondale business Modern Grind Coffee during the past few years in the wake of some potentially devastating setbacks. With that persistence, the restaurateur was able to elevate the company from roughly $8,000 annual revenue in 2020 to $650,000 in 2024. Kelly projects $750,000 in 2025.
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Mar 28, 2025 | 
bizjournals.com | Mignon Gould
A teacher turned coffee entrepreneur overcame the pandemic lockdown and a brain injury to grow her Avondale coffee brand into a six-figure business. Daphnie Kelly did not let a brain injury or the pandemic stop her from taking her niche coffee business to the next level. It has been full steam ahead for the Goodyear resident in growing her Avondale business Modern Grind Coffee during the past few years in the wake of some potentially devastating setbacks.
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Mar 25, 2025 | 
ourcommunitynow.com | Mignon Gould
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Arizona cities and neighborhoods continue to rank among the best places to live in the country. The top five places in the Grand Canyon State are Catalina Foothills, Udall Park, Rillito, Sam Hughes and Poets Square — all in or around Tucson. That’s according to the 2025 Best Places to Live in America report from Niche, an online platform that provides comprehensive profiles, rankings and reviews of schools, cities and neighborhoods across the United States.
