AVL Biz Weekly: Nov 12 - 19 | Strategy, Stardust, & A 5-Year Vision

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,

Fall in Asheville is here (and so are the blizzard-like temps). The leaves are almost gone, the holiday season is sneaking up, and suddenly every business owner I talk to is thinking about next year. This week’s lineup reflects that energy: planning workshops, smart strategy sessions, and a chance to stargaze at the Museum of Science fundraiser.

Let’s use the season shift to shift our momentum.

📋 On Deck

• Featured Event: Science, Spirits, Stardust – The Asheville Museum of Science's annual fundraiser.

• Business Strategy: Build your 5-Year Business Plan in two days, master AI Hacks over a pint, and set your 2026 Vision Board.

• Marketing Quickies: 5 practical ways to make your window a scroll-stopper, use a better thank-you note, and win with hyperlocal targeting.

• Fun Around Town: Sake Tasting, a Tiny Turkey Craft event, the Gluten-Free Comedy show, and a Terrarium Workshop.

• Bands & Shows: A busy week of live music featuring Durand Jones & The Indications, José González, and Murder By Death.

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

🗓️ Business Events

• 🗓️ AI Hacks and Hops: Prompting 101 – Wed, Nov 12 · 5:30–7:30 PM(O ne World West, 520 Haywood Rd, Asheville)

  Learn to “speak AI” over a pint. Prompt engineer Jeff Ganim breaks down the core grammar of effective ChatGPT prompts—roles, context, and examples. Help you get smarter results in less time. Perfect for curious entrepreneurs, marketers, and creative pros looking to sharpen their AI chops.

• 🗓️ PlanningCLUB: Build Your 5-Year Business Plan in 2 Days – Thu–Fri, Nov 13–14 · 8 AM–8 PM / 8 AM–5 PM (Asheville location TBA)

  Two days. One plan. Total clarity. Join Bill Gilliland of ActionCOACH for a deep-dive workshop that gets you out of the day-to-day and into strategic mode. You’ll build a full 5-year roadmap with real financial targets, clear priorities, and a printed plan ready to share with your team or investors. Meals included.

• 🗓️ Asheville Realtor AI Social Media Workshop – Thu, Nov 13 · 9:30–11:30 AM (21 Restaurant Ct, Asheville)

  Real estate meets AI. Learn how to automate posts, craft smarter captions, and build your brand faster with AI tools designed for busy realtors. Hosted by my friend Kimi McBurney of Allied Home Inspection, this workshop helps agents turn digital overwhelm into real results, without losing that personal touch.

• 🗓️ Experienced Workforce Initiative: From Idea to Income – Fri, Nov 14 · 9 AM–1 PM (339 New Leicester Hwy, Asheville)

  Thinking about launching a “second act” business? Join author and community leader Gary Heisey for an inspiring half-day workshop featuring local entrepreneurs who turned second act ideas into thriving ventures. Network, learn, and connect with resource partners ready to help you make it happen.

• 🗓️ Vision Board Workshop | 2026 Planning Sesh – Fri, Nov 14 · 10 AM–12 PM (Avery’s Creek Community Center, 899 Glenn Bridge Rd SE, Avery Creek)

  Manifest your next chapter with scissors and strategy. Realtor Audrey Wise leads this fun, goal-setting workshop where small business owners and dreamers can map out their 2026 vision boards, swap ideas, and leave fired up for the year ahead.

• 🗓️ >>hack day<< Ship It, Don’t Overthink It – Sun, Nov 16 · 10 AM–1 PM (Hatch Coworking, 45 S French Broad Ave, Suite 170, Asheville)

  Forget tutorials, just build. This mini hack day kicks off with a few minutes of vibecoding tips, then turns you loose to ship your idea fast. Bring a laptop, a spark, and let AI help you turn it into something real before lunch

• 🗓️ Leadership on Tap: Mastering Delegation in a Hybrid World – Wed, Nov 19 · 6–8 PM (Mojo Coworking, 81 Broadway St, Suite 201, Asheville)

  Most leaders delegate tasks; great ones transfer authority. In this interactive session, Alan Fuhs walks through the Liberation Ladder—a practical framework for turning delegation into a superpower, especially in hybrid and remote teams. Expect hands-on exercises, real talk, and a beverage in hand.

Hosting something cool?

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

💡 Marketing Quickies

1. Make your window a scroll stopper.

   Partner with a local artist for a rotating mural or mini art show. It sparks photos, tags, and foot traffic.

2. Sell the story, not the product.

   Asheville folks connect with why you do it just as much as what you sell.

3. The thank-you that sells again.

   Slip a handwritten note or QR code with a secret discount in every order — human touches win hearts.

4. Go small to get seen.

   Target one Asheville neighborhood instead of the whole city. $10 hyperlocal beats $100 broad.

5. Borrow someone’s spotlight.

   Partner up: coffee + florals, yoga + smoothies, you name it. Two audiences, one story.

🎉 Fun Stuff Around AVL

• 🗓️ Sake + Tiger Bay Tasting – Thu, Nov 13 · 7–10 PM (Ben’s Tune Up, 195 Hilliard Ave)

  Sip, savor, and celebrate local flavor at this festive sake and small-plate pairing night featuring Ben’s American Sake and Tiger Bay’s signature bites.

• 🗓️ Happy Hour at The Hound – Fri, Nov 14 · 4–6 PM (The Hound, 2 Tunnel Rd)

  Unwind with craft cocktails, curated wines, and bites from Bonito Kitchen at this relaxed happy hour inside Asheville’s historic Greyhound station.

• 🗓️ Holiday Shopping at delighted – Fri, Nov 14 · 4:30–7:30 PM (delighted Gift Shop, 63 Haywood St)

  Sip wine, snack on treats, and enjoy door prizes while celebrating local color and whimsy at this festive evening hosted by the Not Dead Yet women’s group.

• 🗓️ Under the Stars 2025 – Fri, Nov 14 · 6:30–9:30 PM (VIP 5:30–6:30 PM) (Highland Brewing Event Center, 12 Old Charlotte Hwy)

  Dress up for a night of science, music, and community as the Asheville Museum of Science hosts its annual fundraiser with food, drinks, live auctions, and tunes from Queen Bee and the Honey Lovers.

• 🗓️ Dinner & Drinks @ Sierra Nevada – Fri, Nov 14 · 6–8 PM (Sierra Nevada, 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River)

  Settle in for great food, cold drinks, and easy conversation with fellow Asheville Introverts at one of WNC’s most scenic breweries.

• 🗓️ Lake & Crepe – Sat, Nov 15 · 9:30–11:30 AM (Crepe & Custard, 55 Memory Ln, Lake Junaluska)

  Take a peaceful lakeside stroll and reward yourself with sweet or savory crepes in good company at this relaxed morning meetup.

• 🗓️ Tiny Turkey Craft Event – Sat, Nov 15 · 9:30–10:30 AM (Chick-fil-A, 640 Spartanburg Hwy)

  Kick off your Saturday with a family-friendly morning of turkey-themed crafts and holiday cheer at Chick-fil-A South.

• 🗓️ Terrarium Workshop – A Seasonal Themed Make & Take! – Sat, Nov 15 · 10:30 AM–12 PM (Reems Creek Nursery, 76 Monticello Rd, Weaverville)

  Get your hands dirty and your creativity flowing as you craft a festive terrarium with Kira and Cristi at this all-ages, holiday-themed workshop.

• 🗓️ AVL H3 Run #846: Mismanagement’s FREE Hash Appreciation Trail – Sat, Nov 15 · 2–5 PM (Oakhurst Park, Buchanan Ave)

  Join the Asheville Hash House Harriers for a goofy, beer-fueled trail run with free food, drinks, and plenty of laughs to celebrate the crew that keeps hashing alive.

• 🗓️ Love for the Music Tour VIP Experience – Sat, Nov 15 · 4–6 PM (The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave)

  Get up close and personal with Fortunate Youth during this exclusive pre-show reggae VIP hang at The Orange Peel.

• 🗓️ Gluten-Free Comedy at Ginger’s Revenge – Sat, Nov 15 · 7–9 PM (Ginger’s Revenge, 829 Riverside Dr)

  Laugh it up with Asheville’s favorite comedians (and a few out-of-towners) during this lively Modelface Comedy night at the beloved ginger beer brewery.

🎧 Bands on the Horizon (Aug 27–Sep14)

• Golden Folk Sessions — Mon, Nov 11 · 7:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Dr. Bacon w/ Hustle Souls — Tue, Nov 11 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Durand Jones & The Indications — Wed, Nov 12 · 8:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Marvelous Funkshun with Josh Blake — Wed, Nov 12 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• I Don’t Know How But They Found Me — Thu, Nov 13 · 8:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• The Orange Constant — Thu, Nov 13 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• José González — Fri, Nov 14 · 8:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Murder By Death: Farewell Tour 2025 w/ BJ Barham — Fri, Nov 14 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Songs From The Road Band w/ The Well Drinkers — Fri, Nov 14 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Fortunate Youth w/ Bumpin Uglies & Josh Heinrichs — Sat, Nov 15 · 8:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast: EP Release Show — Sat, Nov 15 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Coyote Radio One Step Residency — Sat, Nov 15 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Pedal Stroke 2025 — Sun, Nov 16 · 5:30 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Travers Brothership — Sun, Nov 16 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• They Might Be Giants (The Big Show Tour) — Mon, Nov 17 · 8:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Celebrating the Life of Hazel Dickens (Curated by Melissa McKinney) — Mon, Nov 17 · 7:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• They Might Be Giants (The Big Show Tour) — Tue, Nov 18 · 8:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Old Marshall Jail Ballad Swap — Tue, Nov 18 · 7:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• They Might Be Giants (The Big Show Tour) — Wed, Nov 19 · 8:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• The Lone Bellow w/ Caroline Spence — Wed, Nov 19 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• The Moth Presents: Asheville StorySLAM – CHEAT — Thu, Nov 20 · 7:30 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Empire Strikes Brass — Thu, Nov 20 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Watchhouse w/ Sam Moss — Fri, Nov 21 · 8:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• The Fritz — Fri, Nov 21 · 8:00 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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