Conversations with Alicia Sanchez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Sanchez.

Alicia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It all started with a fantastic, large, loud, loving hard working Dominican family. I was the only girl out of three boys, and my parents were entrepreneurs before I knew what that word meant. I grew up in a creative environment and decided to study Fashion right from high school which led me to experience fashion weeks as an intern with Oscar de Renta and Carolina Herrera.

Later on, life happened, and I encountered many health-related roadblocks leaving me wondering what was next in my life. In the midst of business and fashion, I stumbled upon writing. Of course, it started with my childhood author obsession with Judy Blume.

So, I began writing and publishing a book, I began a podcast and let my voice sing interviewing guests with a message, story, or conversation. I rebooted my YouTube channel and slowly built my tribe. I submitted to every publisher, and editor, and even with all the rejections I kept driving through my journey. In the mix of life one day, I was reflecting on my travels, my life my experiences, and all the people in my life that helped me along the way all through time shared experiences.

I began to pray which sounded more like ranting and raving and asking questions Dear God Why, Dear God how, Dear God where, Dear God when I was spitting out my mouth when this little burst of energy came over me and I just started to write the first outline of what I wanted to do for the rest of my life; helping people, help people.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We were launching before COVID with hopes for our first trip to be in my homeland country the Dominican Republic and local efforts in different cities like Denver, LA, Miami, and Dallas, NY but we had to shift gears quickly and it forced us to look at helping others in a powerful way.

It’s like someone telling you to build a lake but you only have a cup of water. But if I contacted 100 people and ask them to pour one cup of their own no one can tell me it’s impossible to build a lake because our cups of water will surely add as we keep adding people. So, although our concept shifted my purpose didn’t.

It was hard then and as we grow honestly it gets harder. It’s not easy to launch a community and you’re wondering if people truly want to help or if are they just doing it for the gram or a quick TikTok snap. The ability to not able to go to places and actually promote and only rely on technology 100% is scary! So many people who need help don’t have internet a computer and they rely on public Wi-Fi for cell phone connection.

I am optimistic for the future and that’s because I have a 2-year-old that keeps me going and I have a unicorn that lives inside of me that doesn’t let me get too sad and when I do get sad because the unicorn takes a vacation sometimes, I hang on to my faith in God.

I think the world has changed and will never be the same travel will never be the same and vaccines and healthcare, the government, nonprofits, and the list goes on but what will always stay the same is the insane amount of people in the world that need help in some way and that’s where my focus is at.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We are a volunteer community. Our vision is to provide life-changing volunteer experiences and match communities to causes around the globe! We want to cultivate a socially conscious mindset that provides a time-shared approach for generations to come. Not just people overseas because we have so much work to do right here in our backyards. Encouraging parents to teach their children about social good so they are not raising entitled privileged little brats (yes said I that) I am a mom and I just kept realizing every part of my life and what I want for my daughter and all the children in this world that will grow up with her.

Educators and students and how learning doesn’t have to be defined by the walls of an establishment and how culture and people can give you the best life experiences. How small business owners can make an impact in their business model even if it’s a buy one give one approach or just rooting for what they believe in. Avid travelers who can explore the world differently and how they can change someone’s life but change their own life just with time-shared experiences and seeing how the world really works beyond governments and statistics. We listen to people’s needs, dreams, and plans. Then, we mobilize volunteers to work hand-in-hand with them on their community’s vision to serve youth and families whether virtually or in person.

We are like match.com for volunteering on our platform. We will also provide guided trips with a small group of travelers to assist a community in need. These communities are not housed by organizations and they can be locally within the United States or internationally. We want to add value and never take anything away from people. We want to help empower these communities and make it a time-shared experience. A percentage of any profits from Dear God goes into our Impact Microgrants.

I remember volunteering in the Dominican Republic with a doctor and he always asked for a small application fee from office patients (super small). I remember him putting envelopes every Saturday he would divide them for syringes/gauze, gas enough to go to the countryside and back, and envelope to pick up food from a local restaurant and the other envelopes he would hand to the four families he was going to see for that day. It wasn’t much but he taught me that no matter what I did in my life always give a little bit of what I get.

What do you think about luck?
In general, luck can impact our lives in a variety of ways, both positively and negatively. Good luck can lead to unexpected opportunities and positive outcomes, while bad luck can lead to setbacks and challenges. However, it’s important to note that luck is not the only factor that determines success or failure. Hard work, perseverance, and a positive attitude can also make a significant difference in achieving one’s goals.

In business, luck can also play a role, but it’s important to remember that success is often the result of careful planning, strategic thinking, and taking calculated risks. While luck can sometimes provide a boost, it’s not a reliable or sustainable path to long-term success. Therefore, it’s important to focus on building a strong foundation for your business through hard work, dedication, and a clear vision, rather than relying on luck alone.

Pricing:

• Crafts Create Change Book $25.00 www.craftscreatechange.com

Contact Info:

• Website: www.deargodarewethereyet.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deargodarewethereyet/ 

Image Credits
Fox Pointe Publishing and Peraza Inspirations Photography