Send us a text

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 a text

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

Instagram: @TheDJVoz

Facebook: facebook.com/Imvoz

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

Send us a text

Ever wonder how a DJ’s instinct to read a room can translate into closing deals, building community, and creating real financial freedom? We sit down with Brian Bressler—22, newly rooted in the Valley, insurance broker, and founder of The Closing Table—to trace the leap from cross-country move to meaningful momentum. The story runs on courage and craft: driving west with a trailer, starting a networking series for real estate pros and allied trades, and using the same attention-to-energy that drives a packed dance floor to spark collaboration and referrals.

We dig into the habits that make freedom work. Brian shares how a color-coded calendar and a ruthless focus on inputs—calls, meetings, follow-ups—beat obsessing over outcomes. We talk about the advisor mindset in insurance and real estate: people first, business second. That lens pays off when a friend faces a denied AC claim and a premium spike to $7k; one warm introduction and smart policy work save thousands and likely shorten her path to true homeownership. Along the way, we unpack the college question with nuance: you don’t need a degree to win, but you do need education—mentors, reps, and the humility to keep learning.

Under the tactics sits a steady core: faith, accountability, and kindness. The serenity prayer becomes a daily operating system; “don’t fold” becomes a plan, not a platitude. From street-level hustle—handing out mixes and collecting numbers—to building a database that compounds over years, we chart how relationships turn into resilience and how service quietly becomes a strategy. If you’re ready to stop chasing money and start attracting opportunity by being useful, this conversation gives you the playbook and the push.

Enjoyed the conversation? Follow Brian on Instagram at brian.bressler, subscribe for more candid builder stories, and drop a comment with the one input you’ll improve this week. Your next connection might be in this feed—share this with someone who needs the nudge.

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 a text

What separates the 13% of real estate agents who succeed from the 87% who fail? Lance Billingsley, VP of Development for Navi Title and host of the 13% Podcast, reveals the stark realities and powerful strategies that can transform your business approach.

This conversation cuts through the noise of generic "mindset" advice to deliver something more valuable: practical wisdom on setting your mind right for sustained success. Lance challenges conventional thinking with his assertion that "it's not about what you know, it's not about who you know, it's about who knows you" – a perspective shift that could revolutionize how you approach networking and relationship-building.

The most compelling insights come when Lance shares his personal journey through multiple real estate career phases, including a pivotal moment when he was rejected for a Home Depot job during a difficult period. That rejection ultimately kept him in real estate, leading to his current success. His vulnerability demonstrates that even industry leaders face periods of uncertainty and reinvention.

Perhaps the most actionable takeaway is Lance's strategy for accountability: using your children or loved ones as motivation. When you connect your business goals to their rewards or expectations, you create a powerful external force that keeps you going when your internal motivation falters. This approach transforms abstract business targets into deeply personal commitments you can't bear to break.

Looking ahead, Lance warns that AI adoption will separate those who thrive from those who struggle in coming years. He urges listeners to move beyond using AI for basic tasks and instead leverage it for CEO-level functions that can dramatically scale your business capabilities.

Whether you're struggling in today's challenging market or looking to elevate an already successful practice, this conversation offers rare, unfiltered wisdom from someone who's navigated both the peaks and valleys of real estate. Ready to join the 13% who succeed? The journey starts with understanding why the other 87% don't.

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 a text

Dave Waltzer - Live from Plexus Business Expo 

From military service across the globe to founding one of Arizona's most authentic networking communities, Dave Walter's journey exemplifies how genuine human connection transforms businesses and lives. 

In this candid conversation, Dave reveals his personal philosophy—aligned with God, country, and family—and how these values shape his approach to networking and community building. "People are the engine that drives business," he shares, explaining how his struggle to connect in a new city led to the creation of Wicked Awesome Happy Hour, a networking group that deliberately breaks traditional networking norms.

Dave doesn't hold back when addressing networking pitfalls. He brilliantly compares immediate business pitching to "dropping your pants on a first date," offering instead thoughtful alternatives to the dreaded "What do you do?" question that dominates networking events. His practical advice—setting a goal to make just 2-4 meaningful connections per event—provides a refreshing counterpoint to the business card-collecting frenzy typical of professional gatherings.

What truly sets Dave's perspective apart is his abundance mindset. "There is so much out there that all of us can achieve whatever measure of success we deem it is without taking anything from anyone," he asserts, encouraging even competitors to collaborate rather than compete. His nuanced take on the golden rule—adding the wisdom to "drop the expectation of return"—offers profound insight for anyone looking to build authentic relationships in business and life.

Whether you're a networking novice, a community builder, or simply someone seeking more meaningful connections, Dave's journey from Boston to building an Arizona community will inspire you to approach networking with greater authenticity and purpose. Connect with us and share how you're building genuine relationships in your business community!

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 a text

What will people say about you when you're gone? Are you intentionally creating the legacy you want, or leaving it to chance?

Legacy isn't something that begins at the end of your life—it's being written right now through every action you take. In this powerful, heart-stirring talk, we explore how most of us "die busy," tracking meaningless tasks without assigning real value to our actions. But there's a better way.

Success starts backward. By clearly defining who you want to be remembered as and the impact you want to have, you create a roadmap for meaningful living. Like a detailed business plan for your life, your legacy definition gives purpose to every decision, relationship, and challenge you face.

Your environment shapes who you become. From the Phoenix rising story that illustrates transformation to the power of accountability partners who challenge you to grow, we examine how the right relationships can accelerate your journey. Learn why surrounding yourself with people who hold you to higher standards isn't just nice—it's necessary for creating the life and legacy you desire.

Everything contributes: the food you eat, the media you consume, the people you love. These aren't separate from your legacy; they're building blocks. The most profound relationship? Your life partner, who knows you at your worst yet holds space for your best.

This isn't about perfection. It's about direction and intention. Whether you're starting a business, building relationships, or simply trying to live more purposefully, defining your legacy gives clarity to chaos. The question isn't if you'll leave a legacy—you will. The question is: will you be proud of it?

Listen now and begin intentionally writing the story others will tell about you long after you're gone.

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 a text

Andres Molina live at "Thriving in this Economy" Plexus Business Expo.

Andres Molina is a real estate investor, hotel owner, and international entrepreneur operating across the U.S. and Mexico. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, he specializes in transforming overlooked properties and businesses into high-performing assets.

From residential infill projects in Phoenix to land development and hotel ventures in Mexico, Andres brings deep market insight and cross-border expertise to every deal — creating long-term value and community impact.

Andres Molina transformed from a young immigrant living in a trailer park to a multimillionaire real estate investor by discovering the counterintuitive truth about wealth creation: success isn't about you. With raw authenticity and hard-earned wisdom, Molina reveals how finding your deeper purpose changes everything about how you approach business challenges.

Drawing from 18 years of entrepreneurship and helping others build their own wealth, Molina shares the principles that separate flourishing businesses from failing ones, regardless of economic conditions. You'll discover why adding value to your market is the only sustainable path to prosperity, how developing "rhino skin" resilience helps you push through inevitable obstacles, and why ethical business practices create more wealth than cutting corners ever could.

Most powerfully, Molina demonstrates through personal stories—from walking entire 120-acre properties to verify investments to tearing up exploitative contracts that would have made him more money—how putting service before self-interest paradoxically leads to greater success. His proudest achievement? Not his mansion or investment portfolio, but retiring his hardworking mother at age 32.

Whether you're struggling to find motivation in your business or seeking to take your success to the next level, this episode offers the rare combination of practical tactics and purpose-driven philosophy that creates lasting wealth and fulfillment. Ready to transform your approach to business and life? The journey begins with a simple shift in perspective.

What's the deeper purpose driving your work beyond money? Share your thoughts and join the conversation!

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 a text

In this enlightening conversation with loan officer and branch manager Juan Arce of Geneva Financial, we peel back the layers of what makes real estate truly transformative—both as an investment vehicle and as a life-changing path to financial freedom.

Juan's approach to mortgage lending stands in stark contrast to the transactional nature that dominates the industry. "It shouldn't be transactional, because our customers end up becoming our friends," he explains, sharing how he prioritizes education and relationship-building over quick closings. This philosophy has enabled him to develop systems that not only close deals quickly but ensure clients understand every step of their homebuying journey.

The episode unveils powerful investment strategies that many don't know exist. The DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loan program emerges as a game-changer for self-employed individuals and business owners. Unlike traditional mortgages that scrutinize personal income, DSCR focuses solely on the property's rental income potential. "We don't have to look into your income," Juan reveals. "All you need is 20% down and a credit score of at least 660." This opens doors for investors whose tax returns might not reflect their true financial capacity.

Perhaps most surprising is Juan's counterintuitive advice on timing the market: "The best time to buy a house is when the rates are high." While many wait for interest rates to drop, Juan explains that higher rates create a slower market where buyers can negotiate better prices and seller concessions—factors that can't be changed later, unlike interest rates which can be refinanced when they eventually drop.

Beyond investment strategies, the conversation takes a deeply personal turn as both men discuss the importance of work-life balance and creating meaningful legacies. "In the blink of an eye, your son, your daughter are going to be 10, 15... and that is too late," Juan reflects, emphasizing that true wealth encompasses more than just financial assets.

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, seasoned investor, or someone looking to understand the fundamentals of building wealth through real estate, this episode delivers practical wisdom that could change not just your investment strategy, but your approach to life's most valuable asset—time.

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 a text

From a fifth-grade penny drive to save the rainforest to creating a platform that celebrates Arizona's most impactful charitable organizations, Liz's journey with the Arizona Nonprofit Awards represents the power of combining marketing expertise with community passion.

The Arizona Nonprofit Awards addresses a critical gap in the nonprofit ecosystem - while organizations may excel at their missions, they often lack the marketing resources to gain visibility and attract supporters. This innovative program provides free on-site visits and professional video content for participating nonprofits, creating valuable assets that showcase their work, amplify their message, and connect them with potential donors.

At the heart of this initiative is a community-driven approach to philanthropy. Rather than decisions made behind closed doors, the awards program empowers Arizona residents to nominate and vote for organizations making meaningful differences in their communities. This public engagement not only determines which nonprofits receive significant financial support - including a $10,000 grand prize for Nonprofit of the Year - but also raises awareness about vital services available throughout the state.

"People trust people more than they trust entities," Liz shares, highlighting the importance of authentic storytelling in nonprofit marketing. By putting faces to missions and creating personal connections between organizations and supporters, the program helps charities develop sustainable relationships with their communities. The initiative's guiding philosophy - "uplifting those who uplift others" - extends beyond the awards ceremony to include plans for educational workshops, networking opportunities, and ongoing support.

Want to be part of this movement transforming Arizona's nonprofit landscape? Whether you're looking to nominate a deserving organization, become a sponsor, or simply learn more about the incredible work happening in your community, visit AZNonprofitAwards.org today. Nominations open this summer, with winners to be celebrated at a gala event this fall.

More information in their official website:  

https://aznonprofitawards.org/

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 a text

From a construction site to Hollywood's most glittering red carpets, Luis Medina's extraordinary journey captivates and inspires. This Mexican immigrant who once worked 60-hour weeks in warehouses now films premieres for Disney, Marvel, and Lucasfilm, standing shoulder to shoulder with stars like Diego Luna and capturing moments in James Cameron's private studio.

What makes Luis's story particularly powerful is his transformation from self-taught videographer to trusted creative partner for Hollywood's biggest studios. When that first email from Disney arrived in his inbox, he dismissed it as a scam. Days later, realizing it was legitimate, he launched into a whirlwind career that would take him across the globe, filming premieres in South Korea and working alongside cinema's elite. His revelation that Disney's vice president had been quietly observing his work ethic during his first assignment perfectly captures his philosophy: "You never know who's watching, so always give everything you've got."

Beyond his personal success, Luis has created "Us Creators," a community supporting fellow videographers and content creators who think "outside the sphere." His dedication to uplifting others stems from his own experience of working construction jobs while teaching himself videography through YouTube tutorials. The authenticity and cultural pride he brings to his work have opened doors not just for himself, but potentially for an entire generation of Latino creators.

Perhaps most moving is Luis's commitment to breaking generational patterns through active fatherhood. "Being a dad is one thing, but being a father is another thing. Being there is one thing, but being present is something else." His determination to provide both financial stability and emotional presence for his family represents a powerful reimagining of success. Ready to be inspired to create beyond boundaries? Listen now and discover what happens when persistence meets opportunity.

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!