[00:00] Bryan Hyde: Welcome to the Phoenix Business Brief Podcast. I'm Bryan Hyde, and today I'm joined by Ashley Vaillone. She is with Check Moon Valley First. And Ashley, before we talk about the wonderful community that we're referring to here, would you mind taking just a moment to tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do? [00:18] Ashley J Vellón: Yes. I'm Ashley. I live in Moon Valley. I'm in Phoenix, and I'm initially from Michigan, but the best part of my life, I have 4 little boys. From 2 to 9. They are just, I love being a mom. I'm addicted to learning, which has really helped me recently in my life. And I'm also a former school teacher. And I love traveling and just exploring Phoenix and learning about other people and learning just about life. [00:51] Bryan Hyde: So when we say the name Czech Moon Valley First, First of all, help me, how would I explain it? Is this an association? Is this a community? I'm not sure how to describe it, but I really like what it represents. [01:07] Ashley J Vellón: Moon Valley is this very special neighborhood and area in Phoenix. And if you live in Phoenix, you know, you've heard of Moon Valley. We're really well known for our Christmas decor. And we have a Christmas award. Awards that are put on by the Moon Valley Neighborhood Association. But basically, Moon Valley is very special, full of business owners, and it's a place where we really support our community. And I moved here— my husband grew up here. When I moved here, I just knew right away it was special. And there are, like I said, a ton of business owners here, but it was really hard to find them. There's also this Facebook group called Moon Valley Moms that was so powerful. It's the way I bought my house. I saved over $100,000 on my house probably by buying from this Facebook group. And I knew we needed something like that for businesses to connect our community together, for the residents to know how to find our local businesses and to support them. [02:07] Bryan Hyde: I mean, this is pretty impressive, Ashley. It's, it's one thing to love and appreciate your community. You've actually taken this a step further and, and you've created a platform that really connects you know, the small businesses and people within the community. Where did the idea come from? Tell me how you came about this. [02:25] Ashley J Vellón: The idea came from, like I said, that Facebook group that's so powerful. Moms just like recommending people or giving things that they didn't need. And as a business owner, I was flipping houses at the time, and I said, I need something like this to find houses off the market because that's really the best way to make a profit. And we didn't have anything, so Every time that I hired out, I tried to find someone local. I found about 6 businesses and that was it. Now we've grown to over 100 businesses, so I know there was a ton more that I couldn't find. So that was the first motivation. Second, my parents live in Michigan and I hear, especially from my mom, she's like, "I just can't find a plumber who's reasonable," or, "I can't— this guy, you know, I can't trust him because he said this." And I just want something where people can find trustworthy businesses. And if you can't trust your neighbor, who can you trust? And we happen to have all our businesses are very high quality, highly rated. And it was just such a passion of mine to be able to connect the people with the business owners who they could trust and then help my neighbors who are business owners to, you know, keep the business here in the neighborhood. [03:38] Bryan Hyde: I mean, I have lived in communities where, you know, the urge, you know, shop local. Let's, let's, you know, make sure that we're supporting our local merchants. It certainly makes sense. You've made it very, very easy though for people to do this. And I would love if you would describe a little bit about how the platform works. [03:58] Ashley J Vellón: The platform has several elements to it. We have a website where you can find exactly what you need. We have almost every area covered. It's www.checkmvfirst.com. And we also have a Facebook, Instagram, Instagram page where we highlight businesses and a weekly newsletter too. So another thing, Moon Valley has things going on all the time and it's really just hard to find it all in one place. And this newsletter puts together any event that a business is having or a fundraiser that one of the local nonprofits is having. So you can just find it all in one place. [04:36] Bryan Hyde: That is, you know, I'm curious, have any businesses, expressed, you know, I'm skeptical, you know, if this would really work. It looks like a slam dunk to me, but as, you know, looking at the website, have there been people who were a little skeptical and then went ahead and became a part of it and said, oh my word, how did we ever get by without it? [04:54] Ashley J Vellón: Yeah, I mean, definitely people always ask questions and there has been a little bit of skepticism from some businesses, especially the really small businesses. They're like, you know, I do, "If I join this Check Moon Valley First, I need it to work." But we have had several success, a lot of success stories. A few that I can tell you is the local dojo doubled their membership when they first joined. The local preschool tripled their membership. I'm sorry, the local dojo doubled their students enrolled. The local preschool tripled their students enrolled. We had a Check Moon Valley First member who used 5 businesses from the site to buy their house. And she's like, "I never could have, like, navigated buying the house without this website and knowing who I could trust to do it." Yeah, it's really impressive that just the number of things. [05:47] Bryan Hyde: I don't want to just sit here and read off the list, but I mean, everything from countertops to family and real estate law, estate planning, wills and trusts, health coaching, handyman. And you think about these things, some of these things you're only going to need maybe once in a lifetime, but there's some things you might need on a regular basis. And, um, you know, are you old enough to remember when the Yellow Pages were a thing? [06:09] Ashley J Vellón: I am. [06:10] Bryan Hyde: This is like a much improved version of the Yellow Pages specific for your community. [06:15] Ashley J Vellón: Yes, yes. And another really big benefit that I didn't realize that would come from this is that people who own their own businesses, it's pretty isolating and you don't always have that community. It's built this just incredible community of business owners or business operators. A couple of the business members at the very beginning when we started, they're like, "Let's meet. Let's all of us meet." And now every week, 20 of us meet at a local, you know, coffee shop or a local restaurant to just talk and learn from each other and collaborate. So there's also been a ton of connection built with the other businesses amongst themselves too. Mm-hmm. [06:55] Bryan Hyde: I'm curious if other communities are looking at you or if you've talked with people from other communities who see what you're doing and would like to do something similar, you know, for their communities. [07:06] Ashley J Vellón: Yeah, you know, I haven't talked to other communities that aren't already somehow connecting, but I have thought about that, that this is such a special thing for our neighborhood that it could be for other neighborhoods too, especially those neighborhoods that have some unique thing kind of pulling them together. This neighborhood also, if you're born here, all the people who were born and raised here, they're returning to raise their families. So communities that are connected like that and just have this like special quality about them and rich with business owners, I think it would be just the best thing to start something like this in their communities as well. [07:45] Bryan Hyde: All right, Ashley, I'm gonna ask you for the sake of people who have never been to Moon Valley, I'd like you to paint the picture for us about some of the things that stand out to you as to why this is such a wonderful community community. And I mean, tell us a little bit about, you know, the, the geographic features as well as, you know, the, the population there. Um, I, I'm just— I'd like to, to hear a little bit about what it was that ignited this spark in you to, to pull people together like this. [08:13] Ashley J Vellón: Yes, Moon Valley is situated between these three mountains, so it's the valley between the three mountains. So we have awesome hiking, beautiful views, there's a golf course in the community that people just love. And, um, also the traditions. Like I said, this Christmas tradition is amazing. I mean, people come from all over Phoenix into our community to see the houses. And even on my street, I have, uh, one of our best friends. When we moved in, we basically became best friends and our kids became best friends. And that happens all over the neighborhood where Families are just together, you know, raising their kids for their, you know, kids' whole childhood. And then also right next to me, a couple doors down, are people who built their house 54 years ago. So you just have this like really awesome collection of people who have been there, done that, and are wise, and then people who are in the same stage of life as you. And you can trust your neighbors. My kids ride their bikes all over, have connected with other kids in the neighborhood, and— [09:22] Bryan Hyde: Mm-hmm. [09:22] Ashley J Vellón: It's just such a great community. One other special thing about Moon Valley is the parents coach some of the local soccer teams, and it's just been such a beautiful experience raising kids here. And I'm so passionate about my neighbors being great people and trustworthy that it's just a no-brainer to get this, to have this community and keep growing it and helping it flourish in our neighborhood. [09:47] Bryan Hyde: You know, it sounds like you are describing, I'm gonna use the word, an idyllic, kind of community, but it's real. And that's the thing, you know, I know that it's fashionable today for people to be very jaded and skeptical. Well, there's no such thing as an America where people got along and helped each other. And, you know, they would rather, you know, live in a place of anger and blame and whatnot. But what you're doing here is proof that it's there. The good people helping one another grow, coming together, you know, volunteering to help the kids, you know, with Little League and stuff. It's all there. [10:19] Ashley J Vellón: Thank you. [10:20] Bryan Hyde: If they're just willing to look for it and step up to it. And, you know, I can't imagine you getting any pushback on this, but did you ever get any pushback as you were pulling this together? [10:30] Ashley J Vellón: No, I haven't gotten any pushback. I think there's several really strong organizations and like the local newspaper, the Facebook group I was telling you about, they're all supporting the neighborhood in their own ways. So I think it's just like kind of, fits, you know? And I've just met so many people. And another thing I really strongly believe is you have to make what you want happen in your community. You kind of have to be the person who does that if you want something. So that's really what I've been trying to embody here. Moon Valley already had everything that Czech Moon Valley first embodies. It's just bringing it all kind of together in my own way. Mm-hmm. And for businesses. [11:18] Bryan Hyde: Beautifully said. I mean, that's the key, isn't it? It's— people can wish, well, I wish this was happening and this, but, but really what you've done is just you've become the kind of positive change that you want to see. Let's talk about this from a business standpoint. Um, people who have never owned or operated a business may not understand, you know, just how intimidating that can be to try to get a business launched. Talk to me about the businesses that are part of Moon Valley and, you know, what it's like. First of all, let's just start with what it's like to be a business owner in the first place, and then let's talk about how this platform is helping them achieve their dreams. [11:57] Ashley J Vellón: Being a business owner is like solving a puzzle and having really high highs and really low lows because sometimes things just click, and then other times you try things that just don't take off and it's, your idea, so you can kind of feel that deeply. So that is what being a business owner is like, but it's also really just incredibly inspiring because you get to interact with all these people, either in my case, like these other business owners or the community and just learn about people. And that is just addicting to me. I just love it. [12:35] Bryan Hyde: Something I wish I had understood about small business owners long ago is that, you know, it's tempting for some people to look at, well, they've got it made, you know, they've got this thing that practically prints money for them. But the amount of work that it takes to be a successful business owner. I remember someone asking a friend who had started a business, so how many hours a week do you work? And they were shocked that the answer wasn't, you know, 40 or 80 or 60. It was as many as it takes. [13:04] Ashley J Vellón: Mm-hmm. [13:05] Bryan Hyde: And, and I thought, wow, so it takes a lot of commitment. And, and when someone succeeds, and more importantly, when someone is helping, you know, other business people succeed, you've got something pretty special there. [13:16] Ashley J Vellón: I agree, it's so special. And, you know, I cannot even take credit for it because what it's become is something I could have never imagined. And it's because of all the business owners associated with it. This just literally wouldn't work unless these 5-star-rated businesses were part of it. And they continue to be in there. What makes our meetups really successful and what makes people keep recommending these businesses once they find them on Check Moon Valley first, they share it with all their other friends too. So I can't take credit. I give all the credit to the businesses and our community because it just wouldn't exist without it. But another, to your point, it does take a ton of hours. So all of these business owners, Mm-hmm. And I think, I don't wanna speak for them, but I think business owners also, it's a little tough because you're like the hardest person on yourself. So even if other people see what looks like, oh, this business is very successful, there's probably 10 things the business owner would change right away about it. So that is another quality of business owners I've noticed is they want to keep improving and getting better and creating the things they know are possible that aren't yet existing in their business. [14:29] Bryan Hyde: Well, and I think it's one of the rules of life too, that the people you spend time with and the people that you hang out with are the people that you become more like. And so, you know, choose your friends carefully, choose your associates carefully, but it sounds like you're in very good company. [14:44] Ashley J Vellón: Oh, I'm in such good company. And so many of the people that surround me every week, they teach me, I learn from watching them, and I couldn't be more thankful. [14:54] Bryan Hyde: And as I think you had mentioned this earlier, Um, you know, it's one thing to read a Google review or something on Yelp, you know, and okay, when you're evaluating a business, do I want to hire them? But it's something else when it's your neighbor who's telling you, this is who you want to go to and here's why. [15:09] Ashley J Vellón: It's true. And I'm just really for not even Googling it anymore, at least in Moon Valley, because you can just look here and ask your neighbors and they're going to tell it to you straight. I mean, it's kind of like finding a doctor. There's not really a good way to Google a doctor. You just kind of have to get good word of mouth. I think it's the same thing for these— for local businesses. If you can get a neighbor to recommend it to you, you know you're probably going to be in good hands. [15:34] Bryan Hyde: So you may not be quite to the point where you're ready to franchise, you know, the Moon Valley model, but tell me about the offshoot that is growing out of this effort. [15:45] Ashley J Vellón: Yes, we have Caring for Our Parents Phoenix. It's a Facebook group right now. That's where it lives, but it lives in a newspaper— newsletter, and also there will be a website soon. But I noticed as all these businesses started collecting here on Check Moon Valley First that we had such high-quality senior care professionals. And I felt like there was a way to connect better with the people who actually needed to find someone who could provide in-home care like Home Instead can, or someone who can provide moving services like Organize What, or financial care, or Medicare help, or finding a place for— Mm-hmm. Your senior parent to move to when they have to. I felt like there was a better way to connect. So we have this Facebook group, and in the group, people can connect to other— there's 500 people so far in this group, and you can get support from other people who are helping to care for their aging parents, or you can find local resources, many of them free, or you can connect to an expert who can actually provide the service you need today, and you know that they're trusted and vetted. Mm-hmm. So, it's just incredible to meet these senior care professionals that are in it because they've been through it with their own parent and they have the most compassion. It's just so beautiful to see. [17:08] Bryan Hyde: Oh, I could see where, you know, when it comes to caring for aging parents, and I think a lot of us are hitting that age where that's the stage of life where we are now, knowing that you can turn to trusted people, you know, vetted and known in the community, I can just see that bringing so much peace so much peace of mind, you know, to a sometimes overwhelming situation. [17:29] Ashley J Vellón: It's so true. And the horror stories I hear from people, it's really sad. They'll sit and cry. And one person was telling me how she went to 8 different homes with her dad. And, you know, there's just a lot of people who try to take advantage of people in that situation. So this is a safe space that we create together and the community who's involved in it too, they also create it. So yeah, that's what I'm really trying to avoid is people having bad experiences. It's already hard enough to help your parent when they're aging and to see them kind of like they're, they kind of become like someone you're taking care of instead of them taking care of you. And it's a safe space where people can talk to each other about that. [18:15] Bryan Hyde: Okay. So the golden question now is where can people find out more? About Check Moon Valley First? [18:23] Ashley J Vellón: They can visit us on Facebook, Check Moon Valley First, or Instagram, or they can go to our website, www.checkmvfirst.com. [18:33] Bryan Hyde: Again, we're talking with Ashley Veyon. She is with Check Moon Valley First. Ashley, thank you so much for joining us on the Phoenix Business Brief Podcast. [18:42] Ashley J Vellón: Thank you, Brian.