AVL Biz Weekly — Jan 28 – Feb 3: Systems > Willpower

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,

Does January have you feeling like you’re sprinting in wet boots? We can’t have that. I got some events to keep you moving in the right direction: clearer positioning, tighter contracts, and simple systems that keep leads moving even when you’re busy (or you take a real weekend off). Plus fun stuff and live music so you remember Asheville exists outside your hyperventilating inbox.

Let’s go!

📋 On Deck

• Business Events: Branding intensives, RAD recovery, and Second Act entrepreneurship.

• Marketing Quickies: Small fixes to make your brand clearer and your life easier.

• Fun Stuff: Blacksmithing, baby trolls, and mini wrestling (oh yeah).

• Bands & Shows: The Wood Brothers, Josh Ritter, and a massive 80th birthday bash for Dolly.

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

🗓️ Business Events

• 🗓️ Branding Series with Winnie Rodgers – Wed–Thu, Jan 28–29 · 10:00 AM–12:30 PM (LOTSAR, 21 Restaurant Ct)

  A two-day, hands-on branding and content intensive for business owners who want clarity, consistency, and systems that actually stick. Hosted by Keller Williams Professionals, this workshop led by KWU-certified instructor Winnie Rodgers walks through defining your brand vibe, choosing the right content channels, streamlining your tools, and setting goals you’ll actually track. Especially useful for real estate pros and service-based businesses ready to level up their visibility.

• 🗓️ AIA WNC: The RAD Recovery — At the Intersection of Resilience + Creativity – Wed, Jan 28 · 11:50 AM–1:00 PM (Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church St)

  A powerful lunchtime conversation about what recovery really looks like in Asheville’s River Arts District. Hosted by AIA Western North Carolina in partnership with RiverLink, this session explores how creativity, design, and long-term resilience are shaping the RAD’s path forward after Hurricane Helene. Expect insight from community leaders involved in Unified RAD, real-world lessons from the resilience planning process, and a hopeful look at what’s next for one of Asheville’s most vital creative ecosystems.

• 🗓️ Entrepreneurs Assistance Program (EAP) | Contracts Informational Session – Wed, Jan 28 · 12:00–1:00 PM (A-B Tech Enka, 1459 Sand Hill Rd, Candler — also virtual)

  A practical, no-cost legal clinic for small business owners who want to stop guessing and start protecting their business. Hosted by the North Carolina Bar Foundation, this session zeroes in on contracts—what you actually need, common pitfalls to avoid, and how to move forward with confidence. Ideal for early-stage founders, side-hustlers, and anyone updating their business structure.

• 🗓️ Agent’s Caravan (January 2026) – Fri, Jan 30 · 10:00 AM–2:00 PM (Meet-up at 125 Bleachery Blvd)

  A carpooled, boots-on-the-ground tour built for real estate agents who want market insight without the solo windshield time. Hosted by Allied Home Inspection, this half-day caravan hits standout local listings while creating space for real conversation, shared intel, and trend-spotting in real time. Ideal for agents who learn the market by seeing it—not scrolling it.

• 🗓️ Asheville Data Professionals Meetup – Sun, Feb 1 · 3:00–4:30 PM (Highland Brewing Company, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy #200)

  A casual Sunday hang for data analysts, engineers, scientists, and anyone who lives in spreadsheets, dashboards, or SQL queries. Hosted by Asheville Tech Events, this meetup is all about low-key networking, shop talk, and meeting other data-minded folks over a beer—no presentations required, but welcomed if you’re feeling inspired.

• 🗓️ AABA Night Club Open Invite at The Draftsman Bar & Lounge – Mon, Feb 2 · 6:00–7:30 PM (The Draftsman Bar + Lounge, 68 Patton Ave)

  A festive, low-pressure social for local business owners and community-minded folks who’d rather connect over drinks than name tags. Hosted by Asheville Area Business Association, this holiday-edition Night Club Social is guest-friendly, energy-forward, and built for real conversations—not awkward pitches. Expect good vibes, seasonal drinks, and a fun in-house game to keep things lively.

• 🗓️ From Idea to Income: Your Small Business Journey After 50 – Tue, Feb 3 · 9:00 AM–1:00 PM (Land of Sky Regional Council, 339 New Leicester Hwy, Suite 140)

  Thinking about launching a second-act business—or finally turning that long-simmering idea into income? Hosted by Mountain Area Workforce Development Board, this free, half-day event brings together experienced entrepreneurs, a peer panel, and local resource partners to walk through what starting a business after 50 really looks like. Practical, encouraging, and built for folks who want clarity—not hype.

Hosting something cool?

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

💡 Marketing Quickies

1. Update One Line in Your Bio Replace vague titles like “consultant” or “coach” with:

   I help ___ do ___ so they can ___.

   Bios aren’t resumes. They’re invitations.

2. Make One Thing Easier to Buy

   Remove one step:

   • fewer clicks

   • shorter form

   • clearer button

   • direct booking link

   Ease = conversion.

3. Create a “Start Here” Path

   If someone found you today, where should they go first?

   One pinned post. One email. One page.

   Make it easy for people to do business with you.

4. Reuse, Don’t Refresh

   Take something that worked and:

   • shorten it

   • screenshot it

   • reframe it

   • repost it

   New audiences haven’t seen it.

5. Decide What You’re No Longer Explaining

   If you’re tired of justifying your price, pace, or process—stop.

   The right people don’t need convincing.

🎉 Fun Stuff Around AVL

• 🗓️ Guided Breathing with Blue River Breathwork – Wed, Jan 28 · 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm (Plant Bar - Coffee and Tea, 32 Banks Ave #105)

  A cozy, beginner-friendly breathwork session paired with ceremonial cacao, matcha, or tea, designed to help you unwind, connect, and leave feeling grounded instead of rushed.

• 🗓️ Fishes of the Southern Appalachians – Thu, Jan 29 · 12:00–4:00 PM (The North Carolina Arboretum, 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way)

  A fascinating, nerd-friendly afternoon exploring the wild and wonderful fish of our mountain waterways, led by naturalist Carlton Burke and perfect for curious adults who love learning something new outdoors-adjacent.

• 🗓️ Midget Mayhem / Little Mania Mini Wrestling – Thu, Jan 29 · 8:00–10:00 PM (T Birds 439 Old Mars Hill Highway , Weaverville)

  A loud, over-the-top, all-ages night of high-energy mini wrestling packed with big personalities, fast action, and just-the-right-amount-of-chaos—perfect if your idea of fun involves body slams and cheap drinks.

• 🗓️ Environmental Conservation and Thomas Dambo’s Trolls – Fri, Jan 30 · 10:00 AM–12:00 PM (The North Carolina Arboretum, 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way)

  A guided outdoor walk exploring all 12 of the Arboretum’s giant Thomas Dambo troll sculptures, blending art, ecology, and thoughtful conversation about the environmental stories they’re here to tell.

• 🗓️ Rock ’N Roll Weekend – Fri–Sat, Jan 30–31 · Shows at 8:00 PM (The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa, 290 Macon Avenue)

  A glam, grown-up weekend of classic rock tribute shows featuring Bon Jovi and Fleetwood Mac hits, perfect for anyone who wants to sing along, dress up a little, and make a night of it.

• 🗓️ Espresso at Home – Asheville – Sat, Jan 31 · 11:00 AM–2:00 PM (Counter Culture Coffee, 178 Westwood Pl #A)

  A hands-on, beginner-friendly class where you’ll learn how to pull great espresso, steam milk, and understand what actually makes café-quality coffee happen at home.

• 🗓️ Children’s Entrepreneur Market – Sat, Jan 31 · 1:30–4:00 PM (Kimmel Arena, 227 Campus Dr)

  A high-energy, family-friendly afternoon where young makers sell their own creations, learn real-world business skills, and score free entry to a UNC Asheville women’s basketball game—come support the next generation of tiny CEOs.

• 🗓️ Asheville Relational January Weekend Immersion – Sat–Sun, Jan 31–Feb 1 · 10:00 AM–6:00 PM (Alexander, NC — location shared after registration)

  A deep, experiential weekend for anyone curious about building more honest, alive, and grounded relationships, led by Mitra Peter Park and Sofia-Jeanne Caring, blending presence, group practice, and real-time connection in a supportive, exploratory setting.

• 🗓️ Laser Led Zeppelin: Whole Lotta Led! – Sat, Jan 31 · 6:30–8:00 PM (Glenn & Carol Arthur Planetarium, 66 Energy Exchange Dr)

  A trippy, high-volume planetarium laser show set to Led Zeppelin’s greatest hits—perfect for classic rock fans who like their Stairway with strobe lights and cosmic visuals.

• 🗓️ Forge Your Own with Angry Giant Forge –Mon, Feb 2· 6:00–8:00 PM (Angry Giant Forge, LLC 514 Jones Road, Fletcher)

  A fiery, beginner-friendly blacksmithing class where you’ll hammer out your own functional metal piece—led by Forged in Fire champion Jason Redick and perfect for anyone who wants to make something cool with actual sparks flying.

• 🗓️ Asheville Trivia Night at The Crow Bar – Tue, Feb 3· 7:00 PM (The Crowbar, 92 Patton Ave)

  A free, weekly pub trivia night with gift card prizes, perfect for low-stakes competition, smart friends, and yelling answers over a beer.

🎧 Bands on the Horizon

• Phantom Clutch — Wed, Jan 28 · 6 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• The Floozies + Too Many Zooz — Wed, Jan 28 · 7 PM @ The Orange Peel

• The Cody Sisters (w/ Stella Hansen) — Wed, Jan 28 · 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Different Light — Thu, Jan 29 · 6 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• Sheng Wang — Thu, Jan 29 · 7 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Nefesh Mountain — Thu, Jan 29 · 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• The Hate You Radio Is On — Fri, Jan 30 · 6 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• The Hares You Rode In On — Fri, Jan 30 · 7 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• Asheville Vaudeville — Fri, Jan 30 · 7 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• The Wood Brothers — Fri, Jan 30 · 8 PM @ The Orange Peel

• North State Grass — Sat, Jan 31 · 6 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• North State Grass — Sat, Jan 31 · 7 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• The Wood Brothers — Sat, Jan 31 · 8 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Dolly’s 80th Birthday Bash — Sat, Jan 31 · 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Sunday Jam – Melissa McKinney — Sun, Feb 1 · 3 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• Sunday Jam — Melissa McKinney — Sun, Feb 1 · 4 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• Josh Ritter — Sun, Feb 1 · 8 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Friendship (w/ Natalie Jane Hill) — Sun, Feb 1 · 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• The Wombats — Tue, Feb 3 · 8 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Giddy Up Hoedown — Tue, Feb 3 · 7 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Beer & Imbibing — Wed, Feb 4 · 6 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• Beer & Imbibing — Wed, Feb 4 · 7 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• Vanessa Collier — Thu, Feb 5 · 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• The Movement — Thu, Feb 5 · 8 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Huckleberry Roy & the Happy Kids — Fri, Feb 6 · 6 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• Chabra’s Bob Marley Birthday Celebration — Fri, Feb 6 · 6 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• Huckleberry Rye & The Happy Kicks — Fri, Feb 6 · 7 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• Chalazar’s Bob Marley Birthday Celebration — Fri, Feb 6 · 7 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• Empire Strikes Brass — Fri, Feb 6 · 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• The Hip Hop Drop — Fri, Feb 6 · 9 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Magenta Sunshine’s Chivy Celebration — Sat, Feb 7 · 5 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• Magenta Sunshine’s GRMY Celebration — Sat, Feb 7 · 7 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• Pete Yorn — Sat, Feb 7 · 8 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Langhorne Slim — Sat, Feb 7 · 8 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Stout Day 2026 — Sun, Feb 8 · 12 PM @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• Stout Day 2026 — Sun, Feb 8 · All Day @ Pisgah Brewing Company

• Country Brunch (w/ Momma Molasses) — Sun, Feb 8 · 11 AM @ The Grey Eagle 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