BUSINESS

BUSINESS 15 ••

Coyotes, partners launch small business spotlight

BY FOOTHILLS FOCUS STAFF

The Arizona Coyotes Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and Sharecare are launching a small business spotlight that will highlight five Arizona-based small businesses during the 2021-22 NHL season. The initiative’s goal is to increase the exposure of small businesses in the Valley. Supporting small businesses is one of the main objectives of the Coyotes’ Foundation and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. To participate in the program, businesses must apply at ArizonaCoyotes.com/SmallBusiness. The submission deadline is June 11. Businesses must be headquartered in Arizona and employ two to 50 employees. They cannot be a 501(c)(3). Applicants will be selected based on commitment to customers, concern for the health and wellness of employees, community service, diversity and inclusion. The five selected businesses will receive a $2,000 check toward a health and wellness initiative of its choice. The grant is provided by a combination of funds provided by the Coyotes and Sharecare, a health and wellness platform that promotes healthy lifestyles. “This is a very important program for us,” said Coyotes President and CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez. “We are thrilled to team up with our incredible partner in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and continue our longstanding relationship with them, not just as a corporate partner, but as a community partner,” Gutierrez said. “We both are aligned when it comes to embracing our responsibility to being a community leader. It is also important for us to leverage our platform and leverage our voice that we have as a professional sports franchise in the Valley to do what we can to improve the lives of others. It is important for us to be able to help other businesses in the Valley, to support and celebrate them and their successes, especially during these very challenging times.” Kathryn Mattson, director of small group sales for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, added, “Small businesses are an integral part of the Arizona community and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona is committed to their success, growth and development. “We are excited to join forces with our strategic partners the Arizona Coyotes and Sharecare to launch the Small Business Spotlight program. Through this initiative we look forward to recognizing small employers who make Arizona a great place to live, work and play.” Craig Petty, Sharecare vice president of strategic partnerships, said he’s proud to support Arizona businesses with their health and wellness goals. “As the leading digital-health company, we are committed to helping Arizona build employee-wellness programs and make high-quality care more accessible and affordable for everyone,” Petty said. The selected businesses also will be featured in articles on ArizonaCoyotes.com, with photos and links to their organizations. They will also be featured in a 2021-22 Arizona Coyotes game-day spotlight, which also includes a 12-person suite for a Coyotes game. The dates for the winners will be set when the 2021-22 NHL schedule is released.

THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | MAY 19, 2021

Mother: Elderberry syrup a ‘magical product’

BY ALLISON BROWN Foothills Focus Staff Writer

ADesert Ridge mother of two boys, Diva Yoder wanted to find an all-natural product that helped with common ailments, but wasn’t sold on local products. She did her own research and drew from her family’s Indian heritage to concoct the perfect recipe that not only helped with ailments but would be something tasty enough for her sons to use regularly. Her efforts paid off; they loved it. Soon, the demand from other family and friends had her selling it by the jarful. Literally, Yoder’s business started out using Mason jars and working out of her own kitchen. “Everyone told me, ‘You should really sell this,’” Yoder said. “So, I posted it on the Cave Creek bulletin board on Facebook around November of 2018. I said, ‘Hi guys, I’m selling elderberry syrup, you get $5 off your first order.’ I got literally 30 orders in a weekend and thought, ‘OK, I guess I’m starting a business.’” Since the Original Elderberry Company’s official opening in 2019 the demand for her product has grown exponentially — especially when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes elderberry as “the dark purple berry of the European or black elder tree, which grows in the warmer parts of Europe, North America, Asia and Northern Africa.” The NCCIH also said elderberry has long been used in folk (holistic) medicine to treat colds and flu and may be effective in easing symptoms of upper respiratory infections. However, despite its ancient usage, there has been very little research into the pros and cons of the berry. Yoder said she has used it and known it to be used for all sorts of ailments, from cold and flu symptoms to seasonal allergies and bronchial infections. “I can’t even describe it because it’s like a magical product,” Yoder said. “It’s hard to put into words. You really have to try it to believe it because there are a lot of skeptical people out there, and I get that. But, like I always say, ‘The proof is in the pudding,’ and we have two doctors that now carry our products.” Theresa Hawley was one of Yoder’s first customers, and had numerous bronchial infections and upper respiratory issues. Hawley admitted to being skeptical at first, but, after trying it, she, too, found the proof that it works. “Where has it been all my life? I suffered to where I’ve had to have cortisone shots, antibiotic shots, and I don’t like drugs, but I had to take them because I was so sick. So, the elderberry syrup has been a life-saving thing for me,” Hawley said. Hawley spends the sweltering summer months in Nebraska with family, but even when she’s gone, she has Yoder’s elderberry syrup shipped to her. She said other products just don’t compare to Yoder’s quality, and going without it isn’t an option. Hawley said she takes about a tablespoon every day — and it works. “If I don’t feel well, then I would take it three times a day, which I think that’s only happened maybe once or twice all these years,” Hawley said. “I have not been sick ever since [I started taking it].” Yoder said her elderberry syrup can be found at a few locations, such as the farmers markets in North Scottsdale, Old Town Scottsdale, Downtown Chandler and High Street. She partnered with local coffee shops and Stir Coffee has created a java drink with her syrup. Yoder said they are looking at other future partners at venues that would mix the syrup into cocktails. “We love our product so much,” Yoder said. “I like to share it with everybody. The hope is to partner with other, smaller local businesses, maybe even hotels since people get sick on vacation. That’s our goal is just to continue to partner with other local businesses so we can share the love.” To order online or find a map of locations where Yoder’s Original Elderberry Syrup can be found, visit its website at originalelderberryco.com.

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De�ining a legacy, Amanda Rumore co-authors ‘Legacy Speaks’

BY ANNIKA TOMLIN

Foothills Focus Staff Writer

Life completely changed for Cave Creek resident Amanda Rumore when she fell 40 feet from an energy vortex in Sedona in 2018. Now, she hopes her experience inspires others when they read her co-authored book “Legacy Speaks.”

“It’s about powerhouse women leading lives worth remembering,” Rumore said of the book, which was released via Amazon Kindle earlier this month. A hard copy version is due by the end of the month.

“There are (25) stories, from reiki instructors to these very spiritual yoga instructors. There are women who have overcome abuse, sexual trauma and death and how they are moving forward with their own personal experiences and determined to make their world and other people’s worlds a better place.”

Rumore hopes that, after reading the book, people are able to ask themselves, “How do I leave my legacy? What should my legacy be? How can I make the world a better place?”

“It’s based on my experience and how I’m using it,” Rumore explained of her segment of the book. “I’m just trying to help others who have dealt with trauma and give them some hope.” Amanda Rumore co-authored the book “Legacy Speaks,” which tells the stories of powerhouse women leading lives worth remembering. (Photo

courtesy of Amanda Rumore)

From the beginning

Around two and a half years ago, Rumore took a trip with her husband and 4-year-old daughter to hike an energy vortex, something they had done several times before. But after the trio reached the top, things didn’t go as planned.

“Coming down I lost my footing and I fell 40 feet, and my head hit red rocks,” Rumore recalled. “I remember starting to come down, but then I have no memory for the next two to three weeks — I was unconscious.”

Her husband, Anthony, a retired veteran, performed a triage to stabilize her until paramedics arrived. A helicopter

see LEGACY page 18

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