AVL Biz Weekly | AVL Biz Weekly | Sep 3: Summit Scoop, Parkway Picnics & The Pixies

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

Each week: 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

• 🏢 The Asheville Business Summit is almost here (tickets + a reader perk)

• ⚡ Marketing quickies to keep Google working for you

• 🤝 Networking for women, wellness pros & entrepreneurs

• 🌄 Parkway picnics, game nights & art openings

• 🎶 Bands on the Horizon: Pixies, Sierra Ferrell, Father John Misty & more

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

📅 Business Events

• 📅 AI for Entrepreneurs: AI Hacks and Hops Panel – Wed, Sep 3 · 5:30–7:30 PM (One World West, 520 Haywood Rd, Asheville)

  Part of Asheville Entrepreneur Week, this special edition of AI Hacks and Hops brings together a powerhouse panel from a Netflix engineer to a fractional CMO. Ready to share real-world AI strategies for entrepreneurs. Come for the insights, stay for the brews.

• 📅 Coders League: Low-Pressure Social Get-Together – Wed, Sep 3 · 6:30–8:30 PM EDT (Asheville Pizza and Brewing Co, 675 Merrimon Ave, Asheville)

  A casual, low-pressure meetup for coders to connect, share ideas, and hang out over pizza and drinks.

• 📅 Asheville Health + Wellness Networking – Thu, Sep 4 · 10:00–11:30 AM (WellSpring Wellness Center, 966 Tunnel Rd, Asheville)

  A free monthly meetup for health, wellness, and fitness professionals looking to build referral networks and grow their practices. Expect a short marketing talk, small group networking, and an optional pre-event meditation to get grounded.

• 📅 The Power of Connecting – Thu, Sep 4 · 12:00–1:30 PM (Focal Point Coworking, 125 S Lexington Ave #101, Asheville)

  Learn how to genuinely connect with people, avoid common networking faux pas, and build win-win referral relationships that last. Includes actionable strategies, an action plan for the next 30 days, plus a light lunch. Attendees are invited to cowork at Focal Point afterward.

• 📅 Go ALL In on Your Calling: And Be Prosperous – Fri, Sep 5 · 9:00–10:30 AM (Pollen Coffee, Asheville)

  Part of Asheville Entrepreneur Week, this interactive workshop blends live coaching, reflection, and group activities to help entrepreneurs cut through fear and burnout, clarify their true vision, and step into aligned action with confidence. Coffee, clarity, and momentum included.

• 📅 Asheville Speechcrafters – Toastmasters Public Speaking Club – Mon, Sep 8 · 6:15–7:45 PM (19 Eagle St, Asheville)

  A weekly chance to sharpen your public speaking and leadership skills in a fun, supportive environment. Guests are welcome! No prep required, just show up and speak!

• 📅 Flourish Networking for Women – Asheville – Tue, Sep 9 · 6:00–8:00 PM (The River Arts District Brewing Co., 13 Mystery St, Asheville)

  A women’s business network built on selfless networking (no competition, no memberships). Meet like-minded professionals, connect over community, and leave inspired to grow and FLOURISH.

Hosting something cool?

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

💡 Marketing Quickies

• Add Photos Every Month – Google loves fresh content. Upload new job-site photos, team shots, or even your truck parked at a project. Businesses with updated photos get more clicks and calls.

• Q&A Hack – On your Google Business Profile, you can ask and answer your own questions. Add FAQs like “Do you offer free estimates?” or “What areas do you serve?”—it helps customers and provides Google with more searchable info.

• Service Area Boost – If you’re a service-area business (plumber, roofer, landscaper), make sure you’ve added all the towns you cover in your profile settings. Don’t just list Asheville; include Hendersonville, Weaverville, Black Mountain, etc.

• Reviews with Keywords – When asking happy clients for reviews, encourage them to mention what you did: “roof repair in West Asheville” or “bathroom remodel in Hendersonville.” Those keywords help you show up when the next person searches.

🎉 Fun Stuff Around AVL

• 📅 Fantasy and Sci-Fi Silent Book Club – Wed, Sep 3 · 7:00–9:00 PM (Hi-Wire Brewing RAD Beer Garden, 284 Lyman St, Asheville)

  Bring your current fantasy or sci-fi read (ebooks and audiobooks welcome) and enjoy a quiet evening of “introvert’s happy hour” with fellow book lovers. A mix of casual chat, silent reading, and a post-read share plus craft brews and a food truck on site.

• 📅 Pick-Up Basketball at Asheville Sports Club – Fri, Sep 5 · 6:30–8:00 PM (Asheville Sports Club, 37 Coxe Ave, Asheville)

  All skill levels welcome! Come shoot hoops, play 21, or join a friendly pick-up game on a reserved half-court. Hydration (or “dehydration”) encouraged.

• 📅 Resurrection Art Studios Open House – Fri, Sep 5 · 6:00–8:00 PM (Resurrection Collective Studios, 160 Broadway St, Asheville)

  Explore a new collection of works from displaced River Arts District and emerging artists, enjoy live music, and sip complimentary wine and beer while mingling with fellow art lovers. A perfect Friday night for creatives and collectors alike.

• 📅 Evening Tailgate Picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway – Sat, Sep 6 · 6:30–8:30 PM (Funnel Top Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway)

  Pack a chair, snacks, and a drink for a relaxed tailgate picnic with fellow introverts at one of the Parkway’s most scenic overlooks. Stunning views, good company, and a low-key Saturday night vibe.

• 📅 Game Night @ Archetype West Asheville – Mon, Sep 8 · 6:30–8:30 PM (Archetype Brewing – West, 265 Haywood Rd, Asheville)

  Roll dice, draw cards, sip a pint! This biweekly game night with Asheville’s Bored Game Geeks is all about fun, not rulebook headaches. Bring your favorite game or learn a new one with fellow board game fans.

• 📅 Shut Up & Write!® – Downtown – Tue, Sep 9 · 6:00–7:30 PM (Sweets and Seats, 77–81 Patton Ave, Asheville)

  Grab your notebook (or laptop), settle in, and… shut up & write. One hour of focused writing with fellow wordsmiths, followed by optional socializing. Whether you’re polishing a novel, cranking out poetry, or just trying to finish that work report. You’ll leave with more words on the page than you came with.

🎧 Bands on the Horizon (Aug 27–Sep14)

• Lucero: Celebrating 20 years of “Nobody’s Darlings” – Sep 3 @ The Grey Eagle

• Boot Scootin’ Boogie Nights – Sep 4 @ The Grey Eagle (country dance night)

• GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR – Sep 6 @ Hatch Amphitheater

• The Brian Jonestown Massacre – Sep 6 @ The Orange Peel

• Pixies (w/ Spoon & Fazerdaze) – Sep 10 @ Asheville Yards (Spoon is one of my all-time favorite bands. Always put on a great show)

• Michael Franti & Spearhead – Sep 13 @ Asheville Yards

• Sierra Ferrell – Sep 14 @ Asheville Yards (folk/country brilliance)

• Jo Koy (okay, it’s comedy, but high-energy enough to count as musical entertainment) – Sep 11 @ Harrah’s Cherokee Center

• Vance Joy – Sep 16 @ Asheville Yards Amphitheater

• Turnstile – Sep 17 @ Asheville Yards Amphitheater (their new album is everywhere. Check them out!)

• Father John Misty – Sep 21 @ Asheville Yards Amphitheater

• Lucy Dacus – Sep 23 @ Asheville Yards Amphitheater. (I could listen to “Night Shift” a million times and never get tired of it; hope she plays it live.)

• Mt. Joy – Sep 24 @ ExploreAsheville.com Arena at Harrah’s Cherokee Center

Want your biz in front of smart AVL owners & creators? Reply with what you’re up to and we’ll see if it’s a fit.

Until next week,

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

P.S. Update your Google Business Profile with a fresh photo today. It takes 60 seconds and helps a ton.