AVL Biz Weekly — Feb 11–17: Love, AI & Sledgehammers

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,

Is that love in the air? Or just burnt coffee and deadline panic? Whether you're planning a hot date, celebrating Galentine's, or hating on Hallmark for commercializing Valentine's, we've got you. This week's all about leveling up — mastering AI prompts that feel slightly unhinged, fixing your invisible Google profile, and finding the cure for mid-February malaise.

Spoiler: The cure involves D&D, swing dancing, and smashing a car (legally).

📋 On Deck

• Business Events: AI workshops, Google profile fixes, and girl boss networking.

• Marketing Quickies: Stop losing jobs to voicemail, fix your Google profile, and more.

• Fun Stuff: Anti-Valentine’s destruction, Dungeons & Dragons, and swing dancing.

• Bands & Shows: Billy Strings pre-parties, indie films, and local hip hop.

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

🗓️ Business Events

• 🗓️ Prompt Like a Pro – Hendersonville – Wed, Feb 11 · 2:00–3:30 PM (404 S Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792)

  If AI feels powerful but slightly unhinged, this session helps you take the wheel. Learn how to write clearer, smarter prompts using the KW AI Playbook to get more polished, personalized results for your business. A practical, hands-on workshop for professionals who want AI to save time, not create more tabs.

• 🗓️ asheBUILT February Happy Hour – Wed, Feb 11 · 4:30–6:30 PM (Asheville, NC)

  A laid-back networking meetup for folks shaping the built environment. asheBUILT brings together professionals from the commercial building world — developers, designers, contractors, and collaborators — for easy conversation, real connections, and no-pressure mingling. Come talk shop, swap notes, or just meet the humans behind the hard hats and plans.

• 🗓️ Cydne Seymour on The AI Listing Lab: Win the Listing Before You Walk In – Thu, Feb 12 · 1:00–2:30 PM (48 Grove St, Asheville, NC 28801)

  Want to walk into listing appointments already five steps ahead? This hands-on session breaks down how to use AI tools like Command, KWIQ, and ChatGPT to prep sharper presentations, smarter marketing packages, and confident talking points before you ever shake hands. Built for listing specialists, teams, and rainmakers who want a modern edge without the tech overwhelm.

• 🗓️ The Galentine Gathering: A Girl Boss Affair – Fri, Feb 13 · 6:00–9:00 PM (3861 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28704)

  A Valentine’s week meetup with purpose. This intimate evening is built for ambitious, creative women who want real connection alongside inspiration. Expect conversation, community, and a supportive room full of founders, dreamers, and doers who are serious about growth — and about celebrating each other while doing it.

• 🗓️ The Agent’s Guide to Getting More Business on Google: Get Seen on Google – Mon, Feb 17 · 10:00–11:00 AM (Hendersonville Board of Realtors, 316 1st Ave E, Hendersonville, NC 28792)

  If buyers and sellers are searching — and you’re not showing up — this fixes that. This practical, no-fluff workshop walks agents through setting up and optimizing their Google Business Profile the right way, avoiding common visibility killers, and getting positioned to show up in local searches. Built for busy pros who want clear steps they can apply immediately and actually see results.

Hosting something cool?

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

💡 Marketing Quickies

1. Stop Losing Jobs to Voicemail

   Your phone rings while you're on a ladder, in a crawl space, or covered in paint. By the time you call back, they've already booked someone else.

   • Set up an auto text-back: "Got your call! I'll get back to you by [time]."

   • 67% of people will call a competitor if they don't hear back within an hour.

   • This works even when you can't answer — which is basically always.

2. Fix Your Invisible Google Profile

   If people can't find you when they search "[your service] near me," you're invisible.

   • Search your business on Google Maps. Does your profile look complete?

   • Add recent photos of your work, verify your hours, and list all your services.

   • Update your service area — Google needs to know where you actually work.

3. Ask for Reviews the Second You Finish the Job

   Waiting a week to ask for a review? They've already forgotten about you.

   • Text them right after: "Thanks for trusting us! If you're happy with the work, would you mind leaving a quick review? [link]"

   • Make the link clickable. Don't make them hunt for it.

   • Best time to ask: within 24 hours of finishing. Strike while the iron's hot.

4. Make Your Phone Number Work Harder

   Half your website traffic is on mobile. If your number isn't clickable, you're making them work for it.

   • Make your phone number tap-to-call on mobile.

   • Put it in the header AND footer of your site.

   • Test it yourself — pull up your site on your phone and try to call yourself.

5. Turn Your Website Into a Lead Catcher, Not a Brochure

   Your website shouldn't just show pretty pictures. It should capture leads when you can't answer the phone.

   • Add a simple contact form or chat widget that sends you a text when someone fills it out.

   • Auto-reply to form submissions: "Got it! We'll be in touch by [time]."

   • Remember: people visit your site at 9 PM when you're not working. Give them a way to reach you anyway.

🎉 Fun Stuff Around AVL

• 🗓️ Family Friendly Dungeons and Dragons – Wed, Feb 11 · 5:00–8:00 PM (Well Played Board Game Café, 162 Coxe Ave #101, Asheville, NC)

  A welcoming, all-ages D&D night where new and young adventurers can jump into guided quests, epic storytelling, and teamwork with everything provided by the café’s in-house Dungeon Masters.

• 🗓️ February Mom’s Meetup: French Broad Chocolate Lounge – Thu, Feb 12 · 12:00–1:00 PM (French Broad Chocolate Lounge, 10 S Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC)

  A sweet and simple midday meetup for moms of all seasons to connect, chat, and enjoy chocolate, coffee, and community in the heart of downtown.

• 🗓️ Beyond Creative Burnout: A Workshop to Rest, Digest, Play, and Create Again – Thu, Feb 12 · 6:00–8:15 PM (Story Parlor, 227 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC)

  A gentle, community-centered workshop for creatives craving a reset, blending rest, play, and reflection to help you reconnect with your energy and creative spark.

• 🗓️ Crafting Love from Within: Jewelry Making and Self Love Workshop – Fri, Feb 13 · 3:30–5:30 PM (Retro Coffee, 2619 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville, NC)

  Treat yourself to a cozy, beginner-friendly afternoon of jewelry making, guided meditation, and intentional self-love complete with snacks, a Valentine’s drink, and something beautiful to take home.

• 🗓️ Love Panel: A Night of Food and Fun – Fri, Feb 13 · 6:30–8:30 PM (Je Tsongkhapa Kadampa Buddhist Center, 1070 Tunnel Rd, Asheville, NC)

  A thoughtful and welcoming evening of food, conversation, and real talk about love, relationships, and attachment, featuring a Buddhist panel offering practical wisdom you can actually use.

• 🗓️ Friday Night Film: “Wuthering Heights” – Fri, Feb 13 · 7:00–10:00 PM (Fine Arts Theatre, 36 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC)

  Catch a classic literary drama at Asheville’s beloved indie theater, then optionally head out afterward for low-key conversation and film talk with fellow movie lovers.

• 🗓️ Let’s Learn to Swing Dance – Fri, Feb 13 · 7:00–10:30 PM (Haw Creek Commons, 315 Old Haw Creek Rd, Asheville, NC)

  No partner, no experience, no pressure — just a beginner-friendly swing dance lesson followed by a social dance that makes it easy (and fun) to meet new people and move your feet.

• 🗓️ Improv Show @ 35 Below – Fri, Feb 13 · 7:45–9:15 PM (35 Below Theater, 35 E Walnut St, Asheville, NC)

  Catch fast, unscripted comedy at this late-night improv show featuring rotating local teams, sharp character work, and just the right amount of chaos to kick off your Friday night.

• 🗓️ South Slope Stroll in Asheville! – Sat, Feb 14 · 10:00 AM–11:00 PM (South Slope / Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC)

  Celebrate Mardi Gras early with a walkable, all-day neighborhood party featuring themed cocktails, food specials, pop-up art, and playful activities across the South Slope — perfect for kicking off the weekend with friends or a date.

• 🗓️ Cupid Is Stupid – Car Smash @ Hi-Wire Brewing – Sat, Feb 14 · 12:30–2:30 PM (Hi-Wire Brewing – Biltmore Village, 2 Huntsman Pl, Asheville, NC)

  Skip the romance and smash something instead at this cathartic Valentine’s Day event where you can swing sanctioned tools at a junk car, sip great beer, and support a good cause

🎧 Bands on the Horizon

• Alma Russ Trio — Wed, Feb 11 · 6–8 PM @ Pisgah Brewing

• Standup Comedy Picture Show: Valentine’s Edition — Wed, Feb 11 · 7:30 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Amelia Day — Wed, Feb 11 · 7 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Mike Rhodes Fellowship — Thu, Feb 12 · 7–9:30 PM @ Pisgah Brewing

• Rory Scovel: Know Your Enemy Tour — Thu, Feb 12 · 7 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Trail Songz: An Evening with the Asheville Mountain Boys — Thu, Feb 12 · 7 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• 15 Steps: A Tribute to Jeff Austin (Billy Strings Pre-Party) — Fri, Feb 13 · 3–6 PM @ Pisgah Brewing

• American Aquarium w/ River Shook — Fri, Feb 13 · 8 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Shadowgrass (Late Night) — Fri, Feb 13 · 11:45 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Jerry’s Dead Valentine’s Day (Billy Strings Pre-Party) — Sat, Feb 14 · 2–5 PM @ Pisgah Brewing

• Strings and Things Local Craft Market — Sat, Feb 14 · 11 AM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Heartbeats Dance Party w/ DJ Marley — Sat, Feb 14 · 9 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Shadowgrass (Late Night) w/ Lindsay Lou — Sat, Feb 14 · 11:45 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Burlesque Brunch — Sun, Feb 15 · 11 AM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Sunday Jam: Spiro & Friends — Sun, Feb 15 · 6:30–9 PM @ Pisgah Brewing

• Say She She: Cut & Rewind Tour — Sun, Feb 15 · 8 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Heated Rivalrave — Sun, Feb 15 · 8 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Rescheduled: Dolls 80th Birthday Bash — Mon, Feb 16 · 8 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Joey Valence & Brae — Mon, Feb 16 · 8 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Fat Tuesday Celebration w/ Hank Huff Jam House Band &

• Firecracker Jazz Band — Tue, Feb 17 · 8 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• INZO: Mirrorverse Tour — Tue, Feb 17 · 8 PM @ The Orange Peel

• The Everydays — Wed, Feb 18 · 6–8 PM @ Pisgah Brewing

• Golden Folk Sessions — Wed, Feb 18 · 8 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Pleasantly Wild — Wed, Feb 18 · 8 PM @ The Orange Peel

• 5J Barrow — Thu, Feb 19 · 7–9:30 PM @ Pisgah Brewing

• The Moth Presents: Asheville StorySLAM – Love Hurts — Thu, Feb 19 · 7:30 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• ZOSO: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience — Thu, Feb 19 · 8 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Swamptooth — Fri, Feb 20 · 6–9 PM @ Pisgah Brewin

• Railroad Earth — Fri, Feb 20 · 8 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Phuncle Sam Saturday — Sat, Feb 21 · 6–9 PM @ Pisgah Brewing

• Jake Xerxes Fussell w/ Dougie Poole — Sat, Feb 21 · 8 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Stephane Wrembel — Sat, Feb 21 · 8 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Kid Hop Hooray! — Sat, Feb 21 · 10 AM @ The Orange Peel

• Blind Date Live — Sat, Feb 21 · 8 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Sunday Jam: Spiro & Friends — Sun, Feb 22 · 6:30–9 PM @ Pisgah Brewing

• Shelby Means & Maya de Vitry — Sun, Feb 22 · 7 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Eternally Grateful — Wed, Feb 25 · 6–8 PM @ Pisgah Brewing

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