AVL Biz Weekly | Caffeine, Code & Creepy Vibes

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).

Asheville runs on people. This week is builder energy: coffee & code, portfolio swaps, a deepfakes demo to sharpen your radar, and a purpose-first leadership hour. Then go play: Rocky Horror to Joy Parade, or bake cinnamon rolls. BRMC and Neko Case headline, Marketing Quickies at the end.

Let’s make it a great week, Asheville!

📋 On Deck

• Business Events: Coffee-fueled code jams, creative coworking, and leadership with heart

• Fun Around Town: Haunted houses, somatic art, and cinnamon roll bliss

• Bands & Shows: From Ben Folds to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club — October’s bringing the noise

• Marketing Quickies: 3 fast fixes for clarity, confidence, and conversion

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

📅 Business Events

• 🗓️ Java&Script: Morning Minds Meet – Thu, Oct 9 · 8:00–10:00 AM (The S&W Building, 56 Patton Ave)

  Start your day with coffee, code, and conversation among Asheville’s developer community. This informal morning meetup is perfect for tech pros and curious coders alike.

• 🗓️ Instructional Design Meetup: Sharing Portfolio Ideas – Thu, Oct 9 · 10:00–11:30 AM (Downtown Asheville, 77-A Biltmore Ave)

  A collaborative session for instructional designers to exchange feedback, showcase work, and explore new portfolio approaches — no gatekeeping, just creativity.

• 🗓️ ALL IN On Your Calling and Prosperous – Fri, Oct 10 · 9:15–10:45 AM (Hatchworks, 45 S French Broad Ave)

  Leadership coach Sarah Leslie brings a dose of purpose and practicality to help entrepreneurs refine their vision and grow with intention.

• 🗓️ Code with Asheville: Open Project + Co-Work Day – Sat, Oct 11 · 11:00 AM–2:00 PM (Hi-Wire Brewing Big Top, 2A Huntsman Pl)

  Community + creativity + craft beer = Saturday success. Bring your project, join a collab, or just soak in the collective momentum.

• 🗓️ (Peril) of Vulnerability: Leading with Heart – Wed, Oct 15 · 6:00–8:00 PM (Mojo Coworking, 81 Broadway St Suite 201)

  Andi Graham hosts this leadership session for anyone who’s ever wondered if “authentic” and “effective” can really coexist. (Spoiler: they can.)

• 🗓️ She Owns It, AVL: “Manifest It, Claim It, Own It!” – Wed, Oct 15 · 6:00–7:30 PM (Haunt by Spoon + Hook, 387 Haywood Rd)

  A networking night for women in business ready to step fully into their power. Rachel Helton leads the charge with real talk on mindset and money.

• 🗓️ AI for Human Flourishing: Calling All Builders! – Wed, Oct 15 · 6:30–8:00 PM (Archetype, 267 Haywood Rd)

  A think-and-drink for innovators curious about AI’s potential to help humanity. Grab a beer, bring your brain.

• 🗓️ Coders League: Low-Pressure Social Get-Together – Wed, Oct 15 · 6:30–8:30 PM (Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co, 675 Merrimon Ave)

  No agenda, no slides, no stress — just good pizza, better company, and a thriving local tech crew.

• 🗓️ Happiest of Hours! – Thu, Oct 23 · 7:00–8:30 PM (Online) · $22

  Lead by the bad-ass Jacqueline Boone, this is a virtual event for the global networkers among us — The Dream Academy’s signature feel-good mixer full of smart, creative conversation.

Hosting something cool?

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

💡 Marketing Quickies

1. Own Your Audience - Don’t rely solely on Instagram or LinkedIn. Grow your email list or text list yesterday — it’s your most valuable long-term marketing asset.

2. Clarity Converts - Audit your homepage and bio: Can a first-time visitor instantly tell who you help, how, and what to do next? If not, simplify your message.

3. Talk Pain Points, Not Features - Replace “We offer…” with “You’ll save time / make more sales / stop guessing…” — lead with outcomes your audience actually cares about.

🎉 Fun Stuff Around AVL

• 🗓️ Kids Haunted House – Weekends in Oct · Hendersonville (159 Osceola Rd)

  Spooky, sweet, and family-friendly — perfect for little monsters and big kids at heart.

• 🗓️ Asheville Murder Mystery: Solve the Case! – Anytime · Downtown Asheville

  Channel your inner detective on this self-guided mystery walk through the city. Great date night, or solo sleuth session.

• 🗓️ The Rocky Horror Picture Show – Live Shadowcast – Fri, Oct 10 · 8:00 PM (The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd)

  Do the Time Warp again — costumes, chaos, and cult-classic delight.

• 🗓️ Somatic Art Mini-Retreat: Painting with Presence – Sat, Oct 11 · 2:00–6:00 PM (HapBE Valley Equine & Wellness Farm, Leicester)

  Art, movement, and mindful practice — the perfect reset button for your weekend.

• 🗓️ Baking Class: Cinnamon Rolls & Yeast Pastries – Mon, Oct 13 · 9:00 AM–12:00 PM (Conjure Craft Chocolate, Arden)

  Learn the fine art of ooey-gooey perfection with The Crunchy Baker herself.

• 🗓️ Shut Up & Write! – Downtown Asheville – Tue, Oct 14 · 6:00–7:30 PM (Sweets and Seats, 77–81 Patton Ave)

  One hour, no distractions! Just words, caffeine, and your creative flow.

• 🗓️ The Joy Parade: Dance Walks to Uplift Asheville – Tue, Oct 14 · 6:30–7:30 PM (Malvern Hills Park)

  Part flash mob, part therapy, 100% Asheville. Wear comfy shoes and an open heart.

🎧 Bands on the Horizon

• TOPS: Bury the Key Tour — Wed, Oct 8 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Neko Case w/ Des Demonas — Wed, Oct 8 · 8:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Gill Francis — Wed, Oct 8 · 10:00 PM @ The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

• Congress (The Band) — Thu, Oct 9 · 8:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Aaron Lewis & the Stateliners — Thu, Oct 9 · 8:00 PM @ Harrah’s Cherokee Center

• High Fade — Thu, Oct 9 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Justin Heter & Pan w/ CC Rider — Thu, Oct 9 · 7:00 PM @ The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

• Dark Moon Hollow — Thu, Oct 9 · 9:00 PM @ The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

• Ben Folds with The Asheville Symphony — Fri, Oct 10 · 8:00 PM @ Harrah’s Cherokee Center (Thomas Wolfe Auditorium)

• Black Moth Super Rainbow — Fri, Oct 10 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Congress The Band w/ High June — Fri, Oct 10 · 8:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Thurston Howell – A Premier Yacht Rock Spectacular! — Fri, Oct 10 · 9:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Ashley Heath — Fri, Oct 10 · 6:00 PM @ The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

• Dallas Wax — Fri, Oct 10 · 10:00 PM @ The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

• The Emo Night Tour — Sat, Oct 11 · 7:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Celebrating John Prine w/ Gill Francis & Friends — Sat, Oct 11 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Illiterate Light w/ Yesterday’s Clothes — Sat, Oct 11 · 9:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Riyen Roots — Sat, Oct 11 · 6:00 PM @ The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

• Three Fourteen — Sat, Oct 11 · 10:00 PM @ The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

• Country Brunch w/ Vaden Landers & C. Albert Blomquist — Sun, Oct 12 · 11:00 AM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Brennen Leigh w/ Hearts Gone South — Mon, Oct 13 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Noah Reid: Live Again w/ Sarah Grace White — Mon, Oct 13 · 8:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Golden Folk Sessions — Tue, Oct 14 · 7:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Black Rebel Motorcycle Club w/ Humanist — Tue, Oct 14 · 8:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Early Tuesday Jam — Tue, Oct 14 · 7:00 PM @ The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

• Ben Sollee — Wed, Oct 15 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• The Buckwild Tour: Anamanaguchi, Be Your Own Pet, pulses — Wed, Oct 15 · 8:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

That’s a wrap for this week. What are you checking out — puzzles, pumpkins, or punk rock? Reply and let me know, I love hearing from you.

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.