AVL Biz MAg – These 5 Asheville Biz Events Are Worth Leaving the House For 🧠🍻

Welcome to AVL BIZ Weekly, your local cheat sheet for what’s happening in Asheville’s small business and creative scenes.

Each Wednesday, I send out hand-picked events, marketing ideas that actually work, and a little local flavor to keep things fun.

My name's Jason and I'm writing this (connect with me here).

On Deck

• 📅 Upcoming Events: From deep-dive business planning to rooftop networking, your calendar just got a glow-up.

• ⚡ Marketing Quickies: Local SEO and social media strategies that cut through the noise.

• 🎭 Fun Stuff Around AVL: Comedy, nature, and art — because even entrepreneurs need a break!

• 🎸 Bands on the Horizon: Your summer soundtrack, live and local.

🙋 Want your biz featured in front of a few really smart AVL business owners? Email me for details

We've got deep dives into business planning, rooftop networking with a view, and some seriously good laughs. Plus, a fresh batch of marketing tips that'll actually help your business bloom, even if your garden is just a collection of very resilient weeds (like mine). Let's dive in before the next downpour!

Let’s go!

Upcoming Business Events

 Skim for the vibe that fits you. These aren’t your average chamber mixers.

• 📅 FULL – Foundations Business Planning Course | Thursdays, July 17 – August 21 · 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM Led by Holly Rivers · (Currently Full – Waitlist/Next Session Available)

  This in-depth business planning course by Mountain BizWorks equips entrepreneurs with the skills, confidence, and clarity to bring their ideas to life. Over six weekly sessions, participants explore everything from goal-setting and marketing to pricing, operations, and financial forecasting. Perfect for aspiring or newly established business owners ready to take their next big step.

• 📅 Summer Mixer 2025! | Thursday, July 17 · 5:30 PM @ Capella on 9 10 Broadway St f9 · Asheville, NC

  Network in style at one of Asheville’s most scenic rooftops. This Summer Mixer brings together professionals in real estate, business, and entrepreneurship for a relaxed evening of connection, conversation, and collaboration. Grab a drink, enjoy the skyline views, and grow your network in a fun and welcoming setting.

• 📅 Founder's Lunch – Not Your Average Business Owners Group | Friday, July 18 · 12:00 PM @ Mehfil Indian Restaurant 5 Biltmore Avenue, Suite B · Asheville, NC

  Join this monthly lunch meetup for purpose-driven business owners looking for deeper connection and conversation. Hosted by local founders, this group prioritizes openness, peer support, and actionable insights over elevator pitches and sales talk. Held at Mehfil Indian Restaurant, enjoy flavorful food while exchanging ideas, strategies, and stories with fellow leaders.

• 📅 Building Community @ Verner Central | Monday, July 21 · 8:00 AM @ Verner Center for Early Learning (Central) 566 N. Louisiana Dr · Asheville, NC

  This community-centered event welcomes early childhood educators, families, and local changemakers to connect and collaborate in support of child development and inclusive learning. Held at the Verner Center for Early Learning, it’s an energizing morning filled with networking, resource sharing, and inspiring dialogue around strengthening support systems in Asheville and beyond.

• 📅 NC IDEA Spring 2025 Grants Information Session: Asheville | Wednesday, July 23 · 10:00 – 11:30 AM @ Hatch Coworking 45 South French Broad Avenue · Asheville, NC

  This free session provides a comprehensive overview of NC IDEA’s competitive grant programs, designed to help early-stage North Carolina startups access funding to grow. Learn about eligibility, application processes, and how to make your proposal stand out. Meet past recipients, ask questions, and walk away with the tools to apply confidently.

Hosting something cool?

📬 Hit reply and tell me what you think. Or share an event!

Marketing Quickies

I’m a marketer and educator at heart. Here I’ll share interesting links that you can apply to your business to get more leads, make your life easier, hire better, and grow your business.

• Local SEO: The #1 Way to Get Found in AVL

  • If your GMB is dusty or you’re not showing up for "[your niche] Asheville" searches, you’re missing sales. Prioritize:

    • ✅ Accurate hours

    • 🖼️ Real local photos

    • 🌟 5 new reviews this month

    • 🔍 Keywords in your homepage like “Asheville dog trainer”

    📩 Want a free local SEO checklist? [Reply “SEO”] and let’s schedule a time to show you.

• Turn Your Website Into a Local SEO Magnet

  Your website isn’t just an online brochure — it should actively attract people searching for what you do in Asheville.

  Here’s how:

  • Create a separate page for each service + location combo. Example: /tile-installation-asheville or /ac-repair-hendersonville.

  • Add real customer reviews or testimonials with location names (e.g., “Best plumber in West Asheville!”).

  • Embed a Google Map on your contact page and list your full NAP (Name, Address, Phone) in the footer.

  • Use local schema markup (your web person will know what this means, or I can help).

  Bonus: Check your site’s speed and mobile-friendliness. Google ranks slow, clunky sites lower, even if your content is solid.

🆘 Want me to check if your site’s helping or hurting your rankings? Reply with your website URL and I’ll give you one honest tip. No pitch.

Fun Stuff Around AVL

• 📅 Modelface Comedy Presents Mohanad Elshieky | Thursday, July 17 · 7:00 – 9:00 PM @ The Funkatorium 147 Coxe Avenue · Asheville, NC

  Get ready to laugh out loud with Mohanad Elshieky, a nationally touring stand-up comedian known for his sharp wit and clever takes on life and culture. Hosted by Modelface Comedy, this show promises a night of hilarious, thought-provoking entertainment in a casual, craft beer-loving venue. Perfect for a fun evening with friends or a midweek pick-me-up.

• 📅 River Systems Field Experience | Friday, July 18 · 12:00 – 4:00 PM @ The North Carolina Arboretum 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way · Asheville, NC

  Dive into Asheville’s natural ecosystems with this engaging, outdoor learning experience. You'll explore local river systems, study aquatic environments, and better understand the role rivers play in supporting biodiversity and sustaining communities. Perfect for nature lovers, students, and curious minds who enjoy active learning in the great outdoors.

• 📅 Gallery Hopping – Downtown AVL | Saturday, July 19 · 2:00 PM @ Woolworth Walk 25 Haywood St · Asheville, NC

  Discover Asheville's vibrant art scene on this fun and friendly gallery hop through downtown. Hosted by a local social group, you’ll explore diverse galleries, meet artists, and maybe even take home a piece of local creativity. A great weekend activity for art lovers and anyone looking to meet new people with shared interests.

• 📅 Paint Your Own Pottery at Claying Around | Sunday, July 20 · 1:00 PM @ Claying Around 1378 Hendersonville Rd, Suite D · Asheville, NC

  Tap into your creative side with a chill afternoon of painting pottery. Hosted by the Asheville Introverts group, this event is perfect for those who prefer low-key socializing in a calm, creative environment. Choose your pottery, pick your colors, and let your imagination guide you. No prior art experience needed!

• 📅 Freshen Up Comedy Open Mic | Sunday, July 20 · 7:00 PM @ DSSOLVR Brewing 63 1/2 N Lexington Ave · Asheville, NC Every Sunday through April 2026

  Looking for laughs and local talent? Swing by DSSOLVR Brewing for the Freshen Up Comedy Open Mic, a weekly comedy night featuring a mix of seasoned performers and bold newcomers. It’s a laid-back, funny, and unpredictable way to end your weekend—plus the beer is always flowing.

• 📅 Pressed Flower Art | Wednesday, July 23 · 1:00 – 4:00 PM @ The North Carolina Arboretum 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way · Asheville, NC

  Unleash your creativity with this hands-on art workshop at the Arboretum. Learn the delicate and beautiful craft of pressed flower art—combining nature and design in a peaceful, botanical setting. Ideal for beginners or experienced crafters alike, this workshop offers a relaxing, meditative space to explore your artistic side surrounded by nature.

Bands on the Horizon

Top picks for live music this month:

• Bands on the Horizon

  • Brody Hunt & The Handfulls – Jul 5 @ The Grey Eagle patio

  • The Broken Hearts (Tribute to Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers) – Jul 5 @ The Orange Peel

  • Gary Clark Jr. w/ Joy Oladokun – Jul 7 @ Asheville Yards

  • Melissa Quinn Fox – Jul 11 @ The Grey Eagle patio

  • Railroad Earth, Yonder Mountain String Band & Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country – Jul 11 @ Asheville Yards

  • Iron & Wine & I’m With Her – Jul 12 @ Asheville Yards

  • Sam Bush – Jul 12 @ Pisgah Brewing, Black Mountain

  • Carbon Harry – Jul 12 @ The Grey Eagle patio

  • Snõõper – Jul 13 @ Eulogy

…and more mid‑summer highlights:

• The Gaslight Anthem – Jul 16 @ The Orange Peel

• Greensky Bluegrass – Jul 17 @ Asheville Yards

• Red NOT Chili Peppers (tribute) – Jul 17 @ The Orange Peel

• Abacab: Genesis tribute – Jul 18 @ The Orange Peel

• FLIPTURN – Jul 18 @ Asheville Yards

• The Silver Doors – Jul 19 @ The Orange Peel

• The Budos Band – Jul 19 @ Hatch Amphitheater

• Sunny Sweeney – Jul 20 @ The Grey Eagle

• The Head and The Heart w/ Wild Rivers – Jul 22 @ Asheville Yards

• American Aquarium – Jul 27 @ The Orange Peel

• Silversun Pickups – Jul 29 @ The Orange Peel

That’s all for this week!

🗣️ Got a cool biz, event, or even a marketing win you’re proud of? I want to feature more locals doing cool things.

Reply and tell me. I read every one.

Until next week,

-Jason

Jason De Los Santos
Pixelated Stories Digital Marketing
(828) 585-4293