AVL Biz Weekly: Dec 3–Dec 10, Planning Q1, Coffee Connections & Marketing Hacks

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).

Hey friends,

It’s the Dec 4–10 edition of AVL BizMag, aka the week Asheville collectively switches to peppermint mochas and “I’ll deal with that in January” energy.

I pulled together standout local events, simple business wins to tackle between errands, and a handful of Asheville things that just make this month feel… softer.

Take what’s useful and leave the rest.

📋 On Deck

• Business Connections: From a cozy "Fika" coffee chat and wellness networking to a hands-on growth hack session for makers, we found 4 ways to connect this week.

• Marketing Quickies: We dive into 5 timely tips, including why you need a "Gift Guide" for services and how to write the perfect "Un-Salesy" Thank You.

• Fun Around Town: Get festive with Mason Jar Snow Globes, catch some Winter Witches Comedy, or join the wild Christmas For All mashup at the mall.

• Bands & Shows: Your full live music guide, featuring Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Southern Culture on the Skids, and the 10th Annual Holiday Craft Bazaar.

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

🗓️ Business Events

• 🗓️ Asheville Fika at Bridge & Tunnel Cafe – Wed, Dec 3 · 10:00 AM–12:00 PM (Bridge & Tunnel Cafe, 10 Fernihurst Dr, Asheville — on the A-B Tech campus)

  A bright, community-minded mid-morning meetup for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and anyone who builds better ideas over good coffee; expect easy conversation, a friendly crowd, and plenty of free parking.

• 🗓️ Asheville Health + Wellness Networking – Thu, Dec 4 · 10:00 AM–12:00 PM (Sun Soo Martial Arts, 800 Fairview Rd Ste D2, Asheville)

  A free, high-energy meetup for wellness pros looking to build referral partners, trade insights, and connect with practitioners across fitness, coaching, and holistic health; come for the networking, stay for the vibe (and the guest speaker).

• 🗓️ >>hack day<< Marketing for Makers: Organic Growth Hacks – Sun, Dec 7 · 10:00 AM–1:00 PM (Hatch Coworking, 45 S French Broad Ave Room 115, Asheville)

  A hands-on build session for founders, makers, and curious creatives; learn organic growth tactics, then spend two focused hours shipping something real with a room full of smart, supportive builders.

• 🗓️ Entrepreneur GrowthCLUB + 90-Day Planning Session – Tue, Dec 9 · 8:30 AM–4:00 PM (21 Restaurant Ct, Asheville)

  A full-day, hands-on strategy workshop from ActionCOACH designed for business owners who want clarity, accountability, and a 90-day plan they’ll actually use; arrive ready to set goals, tackle roadblocks, and map out your best Q1 yet.

Hosting something cool?

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

💡 Marketing Quickies

1. Update Your Holiday Hours (Everywhere) Don’t be the Grinch that makes a customer drive to a closed shop. Update your Google Business Profile, social bios, and website footer today. Even if you’re open normal hours, explicitly stating “Open Dec 24th” removes doubt.

2. Create a “Gift Guide” for Services Not selling physical products? You can still play. Package your services as “The 2026 Kickoff Bundle” or “The Stress-Free January Package.” People are looking for gifts that solve problems, not just things that collect dust.

3. The "Un-Salesy" Year-End Thank You Draft an email for later this month that sells nothing. Share one win from your year, highlight a favorite customer story, and say thank you. These sincere touchpoints build more loyalty than any discount code ever could.

4. Cross-Pollinate on Stories Find a local business neighbor with a similar vibe but different product. Post a photo of their stuff on your Story with a "Go check out [Name] for [Item]" caption. Ask them to do the same. You both double your eyeballs for free.

5. Refresh Your Email Signature When was the last time you looked at it? Add a temporary line for December: “P.S. booking for January 2026 now” or link to that Gift Guide from tip #2. It’s prime real estate you use 50 times a day so put it to work.

🎉 Fun Stuff Around AVL

• 🗓️ Make Your Own Mason Jar Snow Globes – Thu, Dec 4 · 5:30–7:30 PM (Periscope Bar, 56 Patton Ave, Asheville)

  A festive, sparkly craft night with Gather Craft Club where you’ll build your own wintery mason-jar snow globe while hanging out at Periscope with drinks and creativity flowing.

• 🗓️ Builders, Barns & Boats: Careers That Move and Grow – Fri, Dec 5 · 9:00 AM–12:00 PM (XP League Asheville, 15 Loop Rd Suite 2B, Arden)

  A hands-on career mini-camp for teens curious about construction, agriculture, transportation, and the trades, offering a fun and immersive way to explore real-world skills and future pathways.

• 🗓️ Holiday Centerpiece Make & Take – Sat, Dec 6 · 10:30 AM–12:00 PM (Reems Creek Nursery, 76 Monticello Rd, Weaverville)

  A seasonal workshop with floral designer Rachel Brownlee where you’ll craft a lush holiday centerpiece using fresh greenery, blooms, and embellishments to take home.

• 🗓️ Christmas For All at the Asheville Mall – Sat, Dec 6 · 12:00–6:00 PM (Asheville Mall, 3 South Tunnel Rd, Asheville)

  A family-friendly mashup of holiday music, community fun and wrestling (because nothing says Merry Christmas like a third rope elbow drop! 💪). The event raises funds for families rebuilding after Hurricane Helene complete with festive chaos and maybe even a Bigfoot cameo.

• 🗓️ Coptic Book Making Workshop – Sat, Dec 6 · 12:00–4:00 PM (NC Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville)

  A meditative, hands-on afternoon learning the ancient Coptic stitch technique to create a handmade journal that opens flat and feels tailor-made for notes or sketches.

• 🗓️ Eyes Up Here Comedy: Winter Witches Edition – Sat, Dec 6 · 7:00–9:00 PM (Ginger’s Revenge, 829 Riverside Dr Suite 100, Asheville)

  An all-femme comedy showcase with sharp, witchy winter energy hosted by Asheville fave Erin Terry and featuring hilarious performers from across the Southeast.

• 🗓️ Hustle Souls w/ Watkins – Sat, Dec 6 · 7:00–11:00 PM (Pisgah Brewing Company, 2948 US Hwy 70, Black Mountain)

  A high-energy night of retro-soul, brass-soaked grooves, and Americana warmth as Hustle Souls take the Taproom Stage with full-band support from Watkins.

• 🗓️ Willow Lantern Workshop – Sun, Dec 7 · 2:00–4:30 PM (Asheville Tool Library, 16 Smith Mill Rd, Asheville)

  A cozy lantern-making session with the Street Creature Puppet Collective where you’ll craft a glowing willow-and-paper lantern to brighten the winter or carry in the Light the Night parade.

• 🗓️ 4-H Holiday Craft Program – Tue, Dec 9 · 3:30–5:30 PM (N.C. Cooperative Extension – Transylvania County Center, 106 East Morgan St #109, Brevard)

  A cheerful crafting afternoon for youth ages 5–18 with stations for yarn ornaments, sugar-scrub gifts, fleece accessories, and more, plus cider and snacks to keep the creativity going.

🎧 Bands on the Horizon (Aug 27–Sep14)

• Strictly Liquid — Wed, Dec 3 · 9 PM @ Asheville Music Hall & The One Stop

• Bonnie “Prince” Billy w/ Matt Kinai — Wed, Dec 3 · Doors 7 PM / Show 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Ben McLaughlin & The Mystic Marauders — Thu, Dec 4 · 9 PM @ The One Stop

• Make the Yuletide Gay — Thu, Dec 4 · Doors 7 PM / Show 8 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall – Special Event

• Melissa Joiner — Fri, Dec 5 · 9 PM @ The One Stop

• Tophouse with Crowe Boys — Fri, Dec 5 · 9 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Airshow — Fri, Dec 5 · 10 PM @ The One Stop

• Southern Culture on the Skids — Fri, Dec 5 · Doors 7 PM / Show 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• 10th Annual Asheville Music Hall Holiday Craft Bazaar — Sat, Dec 6 · 12–6 PM @ AMH & The One Stop (Two Floors)

• Blue Country Line Dance’s Giddy-Up Brunch — Sat, Dec 6 · Doors 11 AM / Show 11 AM @ The Grey Eagle (Special Event)

• Riyen Roots — Sat, Dec 6 · 6 PM @ The One Stop

• JD McPherson — Socks: A Rock N Roll Christmas Tour — Sat, Dec 6 · Doors 7 PM / Show 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Susto Stringband with Oliver Hazard — Sat, Dec 6 · 9 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• East Coast Dirt — Sat, Dec 6 · 10 PM @ The One Stop

• Yoga Taco Mosa — Sun, Dec 7 · Donation-based yoga @ The Grey Eagle

• Robert Lester Folsom — Sun, Dec 7 · Doors 7 PM / Show 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• An Evening with Mike Cooley (of Drive-By Truckers) — Tue, Dec 9 · Doors 7 PM / Show 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Strictly Liquid — Wed, Dec 10 · 9 PM @ Asheville Music Hall & The One Stop

• League of Sound Disciples feat. Jason Hann (SCI), JP Miller, Marcus White & Josh Blake + CPTN Hyperdrive — Thu, Dec 11 · 9 PM @ The One Stop

• Newsong Music Performance & Songwriting Competition — Thu, Dec 11 · Doors 6 PM / Show 7 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall – Special Event

• Gill Francis — Fri, Dec 12 · 9 PM @ The One Stop

• 23rd Enter the Earth Xmas Party w/ Joe Marcinek’s Dead Funk Summit — Fri, Dec 12 · 9 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Magnolia & Johnson Electric Co. — Fri, Dec 12 · Doors 7 PM / Show 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Christmas Jam By Day — Sat, Dec 13 · Times vary @ AMH & The One Stop (Two Floors)

• Luna Social Latino — Sat, Dec 13 · 9 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Holiday Liquor & Dance Party ft. DJ Marley Carroll (19th Annual) — Sat, Dec 13 · Doors 8 PM / Show 9 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Country Brunch w/ Brody Hunt & The Handfuls — Sun, Dec 14 · Show 11 AM @ The Grey Eagle

• The Secret Sisters — Sun, Dec 14 · Doors 7 PM / Show 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Golden Folk Sessions — Mon, Dec 15 · Doors 6 PM / Show 7 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• The 2025 Christmas Yarn Ball w/ Cruz Contreras — Tue, Dec 16 · Doors 7 PM / Show 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Strictly Liquid — Wed, Dec 17 · 9 PM @ Asheville Music Hall & The One Stop

• Dillon Fence — Wed, Dec 17 · Doors 7 PM / Show 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Justin Stanton — Thu, Dec 18 · 10 PM @ The One Stop

• The Moth Presents: Asheville StorySLAM — “Family Matters” — Thu, Dec 18 · Doors 6:30 PM / Show 7:30 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Daws Boss — Fri, Dec 19 · 9 PM @ The One Stop

• Funkettaboutit — Fri, Dec 19 · 10 PM @ The One Stop

• Red Panda — Fri, Dec 19 · 10 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

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

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