AVL Biz Weekly: Dec 17–23 | A Soft Landing Before the Holidays

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).

Happy Wednesday, Asheville!

We’re officially in the home stretch. The out-of-office replies are starting to queue up, and your “2026 planning” notes are probably scattered across a few tabs, a notebook, and the back of your brain.

This week isn’t about sprinting harder. It’s about the pause. The kind that lets you reflect on the year (maybe over a craft beer in Weaverville), reset your nervous system (Hendersonville has you covered), or just show up for your community over a free taco in Fletcher.

The best businesses don’t slam into the holidays. They land smoothly. A soft landing now sets up a much better takeoff in January.

Let’s finish the year strong, but sane.

📋 On Deck This Week

• Mindset & Reflection: Energy resets & year-end micro-journaling.

• Marketing: 5 quick wins to set up your January success.

• Fun: Free community tacos, tiki cocktails, & Christmas in Appalachia.

• Music: Thievery Corp, The Honeycutters, & a Fleetwood Mac tribute.🙋 

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

🗓️ Business Events

• 🗓️ Master Your Mind, Elevate Your Performance, and Boost Your Energy Levels – Wed, Dec 17 · 7:00–7:30 PM (Hendersonville, NC)

  A mindset and energy reset for folks who want to perform better without burning out. Led by Tammy Whalen-Blake of Go To Yellow, this in-person experience focuses on mental clarity, balance, and sustainable momentum — especially useful for business owners and professionals juggling too many plates. Ideal if you’re craving more focus and fewer fried nerves.

• 🗓️ Year In Review – Wed, Dec 17 · 6:30–9:30 PM (The Local Collective, 52 S Main St, Weaverville)

  A gentle, creative pause before the calendar flips. Join The Local Collective for an evening of reflection, micro-journaling, and intention-setting as you look back on 2025 and sketch what’s next. Expect cozy vibes, light snacks, a word-of-the-year craft, and a thoughtful crowd. $10 suggested (supports Bounty & Soul), but no one turned away for lack of funds.

• 🗓️ Collaborative Content Creation Workshop: Spiritual Entrepreneurs – Sun, Dec 21 · 3:30–5:30 PM (Energetic Experiences, 81 Weaverville Rd, Suite 2)

  A hands-on content lab for spiritual entrepreneurs who want to be seen without the cringe. You’ll collaborate, support each other, and walk away with a finished Reel, TikTok, or Short that actually reflects your work. Expect practical tips, shared equipment, and a judgment-free room designed to boost confidence and visibility. Limited to 10 spots for a focused, high-touch experience.

Hosting something cool?

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

💡 Marketing Quickies

1. Reshare Your Greatest Hit of 2025

   Go to your analytics, find the post with the most saves or shares this year, and reshare it to Stories with a “Most saved post of 2025 🏆” sticker. Proven content beats new content.

2. Send 3 No-Pitch Video DMs

   Pick your top 3 clients, referral partners, or supporters. Send a 15-second video saying only thank you. No pitch. Slightly awkward beats perfectly scripted.

3. Do the Digital Door Sign Check

   Take 5 minutes to update your Google Business Profile, Instagram bio, and website footer with your holiday hours. Nothing kills trust faster than outdated info.

4. Run a “Who We Are” Re-Intro

   People who followed you this year don’t know your story yet. Post a simple 3-slide intro: who you are, what you do, and who it’s for. Save it as a “Start Here” highlight.

5. Tease a January Secret

   Post a blurred photo or covered screenshot of something coming in January. Caption it: “Coming Jan 5. Email subscribers see it first.”

🎉 Fun Stuff Around AVL

• 🗓️ 4-H Holiday Activity Kits – Thu, Dec 18 · 2:00–4:00 PM (Haywood County Extension Office, 589 Raccoon Rd, Waynesville)

  A grab-and-go holiday win for families, featuring affordable 4-H activity buckets packed with crafts, STEM projects, and creative fun to keep kids learning and entertained all winter break.

• 🗓️ Read: How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Wexler – Thu, Dec 18 · 6:30–8:30 PM (The Village Pub, 100 Fairview Rd, Asheville)

  A casual, come-as-you-are book club meetup for fantasy and sci-fi fans where beer flows, spoilers are optional, and you’re welcome even if you didn’t finish (or start) the book.

• 🗓️ Christmas in Appalachia: A Singin’, Strummin’ Family Show – Multiple dates · Times vary (Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St, Black Mountain)

  A joyful, family-friendly celebration of Appalachian Christmas traditions with live old-time music, storytelling, sing-alongs, and plenty of heart, featuring Travis Stuart, John Hall, and friends sharing songs and stories of “Old Christmas” and mountain holiday memories.

• 🗓️ Free Taco Party: Building Community through Food – Fri, Dec 19 · 4:00–7:00 PM (The Village Food Truck Park, 25 Fletcher Commercial Dr, Fletcher)

  A come-one-come-all community feast where tacos are free, vibes are welcoming, and the goal is simple: eat together, connect, and explore what’s possible when food brings people together.

• 🗓️ Hendersonville Christmas Social – Fri, Dec 19 · 7:00–11:00 PM (Oklawaha Brewery, 147 1st Ave E, Hendersonville)

  A festive downtown hang with live modern country and rock from Kayla McKinney and the Twisted Trail Band, a roomy dance floor, and classic holiday social vibes for a $5 cover.

• 🗓️ 🎄 Last-Minute Holiday Market + Drinks @ Wicked Weed – Sat, Dec 20 · 2:30–4:30 PM (Wicked Weed Funkitorium, 147 Coxe Ave, Asheville)

  A low-key, drift-in-and-out holiday hang where you can browse vintage gifts, sip a beer or mocktail, and meet new people without awkward intros or forced networking.

  🗓️ Christmas in Mistletoe: Dinner and a Movie – Sat, Dec 20 · 6:00–9:30 PM (Tryon International, 25 International Blvd, Mill Spring)

  A festive Winterfest night featuring an Italian buffet, a hometown holiday film screening, and a post-movie Q&A with cast members — perfect for a cozy, all-ages evening of food, film, and seasonal cheer.

• 🗓️ Asheville Vocal Ensemble Concert – Sat, Dec 20 · 6:30–8:30 PM (St. George’s Episcopal Church, 1 School Rd, Asheville)

  A cozy, donation-based evening of choral music blending classical, contemporary, jazz, and festive holiday favorites in a beautifully intimate setting.

• 🗓️ Holiday Party @ Sippin’ Santa (Tiki Easy Pop-up Bar) – Sat, Dec 20 · 8:30–10:30 PM (Hi-Wire Brewing, 197 Hilliard Ave, Asheville)

  A relaxed, post-concert holiday meetup with the Asheville Introverts featuring tropical Christmas cocktails, tiki-bar cheer, and an easygoing crowd tucked into Hi-Wire’s festive Sippin’ Santa pop-up.

🎧 Bands on the Horizon (Aug 27–Sep14)

• Bear Bones (David Mulder, James Collins, Lee Kram) — Wed, Dec 17 · 7 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• Clouds of Delusion — Thu, Dec 18 · 7 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• Thievery Corporation — Thu, Dec 18 · 8 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Phuncle Sam — Fri, Dec 19 · 8 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• Thievery Corporation — Fri, Dec 19 · 8 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Sauce Bros (Members of Suns of Stars) — Sat, Dec 20 · 2 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters — Sat, Dec 20 · 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Datrian Johnson & The Family Tree — Sun, Dec 21 · 7 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Brody Hunt & The Silent Knights — Mon, Dec 22 · 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Tell Me Lies (Fleetwood Mac Experience) — Fri, Dec 26 · 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Chalwa Roots — Sat, Dec 27 · 4 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• The Cheeksters + Doss Church & The Unholy Noise — Sat, Dec 27 · 7 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Nirvani (Nirvana Tribute) — Sat, Dec 27 · 8 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Women of the Front & Friends: Year End Blues Bash — Sun, Dec 28 · 7 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Mersiv — Sun, Dec 28 · 8 PM @ The Orange Peel

• The Infamous Stringdusters — Tue, Dec 30 · 7 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Billy Jonas Band — Wed, Dec 31 · 1 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Jerry’s Dead — Wed, Dec 31 · 9 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• RJD2 — Wed, Dec 31 · 9 PM @ The Orange Peel

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

What did you think of today's email?
Great! 👏 | Meh 🫤 | Terrible 👎