AVL Biz Weekly: Nov 19- 25 | Delegation, Headshots, & A Wicked Ugly Sweater

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,

Somehow Thanksgiving is next week. January feels like it was five minutes ago, yet here we are.

Let’s make a few new connections and build a little momentum before the holiday fog rolls in.

📋 On Deck

• Featured Event: Leadership on Tap — Master delegation in a hybrid world with a hands-on framework that actually works.

• Business Connections: Professional Headshot Day, Asheville Women in Tech Social Night, and a welcoming mixer for newcomers.

• Marketing Quickies: 5 practical, easy-to-implement tips to turn your FAQ into content.

• Fun Around Town: Baking Class: Pie Crust Basics, a Holiday Wreath Making workshop, and the AVLH3 Ugly Sweater Run.

• Bands & Shows: A busy week of live music featuring They Might Be Giants, Watchhouse, and Empire Strikes Brass.

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

🗓️ Business Events

• 🗓️ Professional Headshot Day – Wed, Nov 19 · Various Times (48 Grove St, Asheville)

  Level up your brand with a fresh, pro-quality headshot courtesy of Keller Williams Professionals. Perfect for your website, LinkedIn, or that long-overdue business refresh — quick, in-person, and easy to fit into your day.

• 🗓️ 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 hand off tasks; great ones transfer real authority. In this hands-on workshop, Alan Fuhs walks through a practical framework for escaping micromanage-or-ghost mode and building systems that make remote and hybrid teams stronger. Expect interactive exercises, clarity, and a crowd that likes learning with a drink in hand.

• 🗓️ Asheville Women in Tech: Social Night – Thu, Nov 20 · 6:30–8:30 PM (Archetype Brewing, 265 Haywood Rd, Asheville)

  A casual, welcoming hang for women in (or curious about) the tech world. Whether you’re writing Python all day or just tech-adjacent, grab a drink, find the table sign, and jump into easygoing convo with a smart, supportive crowd

• 🗓️ Founder’s Lunch — Not Your Average Business Owners Group – Fri, Nov 21 · 12–1:30 PM (Terra Nova Beer Co., 204 Whitson Ave, Swannanoa)

  A warm, no-posturing gathering for business owners who actually want to talk shop. Bring your lunch order, grab a seat on the covered patio, and dive into real conversations about growth, challenges, and collaboration with Beth L.’s always-engaged crew.

Hosting something cool?

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

💡 Marketing Quickies

1. Ask for 2 Reviews This Week — the Right Way

   Ask right after the job is done, send the link, and include one prompt:

   “Would you mind sharing what made you choose us and what the experience was like?”

   These convert way better than “leave a review?”

2. Turn 1 Customer Question Into 5 Pieces of Content

   Pick a common question (pricing, process, timelines). Turn it into: a GBP post, an IG reel, a short blog, a FAQ update, and an email tip. One question → multi-channel visibility.

3. Refresh Your Top 3 Google Business Profile Photos

   Use your phone. Shoot: (1) the owner/team, (2) your best-selling service/product, (3) inside/outside your location or van. New photos boost views more than most people realize.

4. Add 1 “Trust Builder” to Your Website

   Could be: a customer quote, a before/after, a short video explaining your process, or pricing ranges. Micro-trust = micro-conversions.

5. Steal Competitor Traffic With a “Service Area” Update

   Add 5 nearby towns/neighborhoods you actually serve to your site and GBP. It’s stupid simple and boosts local relevance fast.

🎉 Fun Stuff Around AVL

• 🗓️ Welcome Mixer: How to Asheville – Wed, Nov 19 · 7–9 PM (Hi-Wire Brewing, 197 Hilliard Ave, Asheville)

  A friendly mixer for newcomers looking to get the inside scoop on living in AVL. Expect a couple of seasoned locals to drop quick hits on housing quirks, parking secrets, and those “only-if-you-know” neighborhood gems—plus an easy crowd to chat with over a pint.

• 🗓️ Baking Class: Pie Crust Basics – Thu, Nov 20 · 5–7 PM (Conjure Craft Chocolate, 16 Glenn Willow Dr #36, Arden)

  A hands-on baking class where you’ll learn to make perfectly flaky, buttery pie crusts for pies, galettes, and all the cozy seasonal treats.

• 🗓️ Holiday Wreath Making Class with Poppy & Blossoms Creative – Thu, Nov 20 · 6:30–8:30 PM (Poppy Holiday Pop-Up, 14 Lodge St, Asheville)

  A festive, cocktail-sipping wreath workshop where you’ll craft your own holiday showpiece and enjoy private after-hours shopping with exclusive discounts.

• 🗓️ Learn Settlers of Catan — Game Night @ Forestry Camp – Fri, Nov 21 · 6–8 PM (Burial Beer Co. Forestry Camp Taproom, 10 Shady Oak Dr, Asheville)

  A chill, nerd-friendly game night where you can learn Catan, trade sheep for bricks, and battle for bragging rights over great drinks and good company.

• 🗓️ Crafting & Coffee – Sat, Nov 22 · 10:30 AM–12:30 PM (Cognitive Brewhouse, 3771 Brevard Rd, Hendersonville)

  A calm, cozy meetup for introverts to sip coffee, craft, write, knit, or simply enjoy low-key conversation.

• 🗓️ Young Professionals Guided Nature Hike — Lookout Mountain – Sat, Nov 22 · 10 AM–2 PM (Montreat Gate Trailhead Parking Lot, Montreat)

  A relaxed, social climb with AYPROS featuring crisp fall views, ridge-top scenery, and a tailgate lunch at noon for the young-pro outdoorsy crowd.

• 🗓️ Where to Next? – Solo Travelers Holiday Meetup – Sat, Nov 22 · 1–3 PM (Jeter Mountain Farm, Hendersonville)

  A cozy, Christmas-festive hang with the WNC Solo Travelers crew featuring cider, donuts, live jazz, and chat about dream trips for 2026.

• 🗓️ AVLH3 Run #847: Ugly Sweater Run – Sat, Nov 22 · 1:30–4:30 PM (Downtown Asheville · Exact location TBD)

  A rowdy, adults-only trot through downtown with bar stops, terrible sweaters, and prizes that promise to be better than Kotex’s usual Goodwill-bin specials.

• 🗓️ Tellabration 2025 – Sun, Nov 23 · 2–4 PM (Southern Highland Craft Guild – Folk Art Center, 382 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Asheville)

  An afternoon of immersive storytelling where local tellers spin magical, funny, and timeless tales in one of AVL’s most beautiful venues.

• 🗓️ Brewing Hope: A Deep Time Fundraiser – Sun, Nov 23 · 4–8 PM (Ivy Building, 9 Genevieve Cir, Asheville)

  An uplifting evening with live music, good food, and a silent auction raising funds to support returning citizens through the Sojourner Work and Ministry Program.

🎧 Bands on the Horizon (Aug 27–Sep14)

• 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

• Sensamotion + Beach FYI + The Height Ratio — Wed, Nov 19 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Coyote Rodeo — Wed, Nov 19 · 9:00 PM @ One Stop

• 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

• The Smoking Lights (Ben Miller + Pat Kay w/ Sawtooth Troubadours) — Thu, Nov 20 · 9:00 PM @ One Stop

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

• The Fritz — Fri, Nov 21 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Julianah Jade — Fri, Nov 21 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Willi Carlisle: Winged Victory Tour — Fri, Nov 21 · 8:00 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Let It Happen (Tame Impala Dance Party) — Fri, Nov 21 · 10:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• The Ocho — Fri, Nov 21 · 10:00 PM @ One Stop

• River Roots — Sat, Nov 22 · 7:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• The Local Honeys w/ Abby Hamilton — Sat, Nov 22 · 8:00 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Mark Farina w/ Rahim — Sat, Nov 22 · 10:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Quickhester — Sat, Nov 22 · 10:00 PM @ One Stop

• Ariel Pink: With You Every Night Tour — Mon, Nov 24 · 8:00 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Early Tuesday Jam — Tue, Nov 25 · 7:00–10:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Uncle Lenny’s Krazy Karaoke — Tue, Nov 25 · 9:00 PM @ One Stop

• All Aboard AVL: The Last Waltz — Wed, Nov 26 · 8:00 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Coyote Rodeo — Wed, Nov 26 · 9:00 PM @ One Stop

• Gill Francs — Fri, Nov 28 · 7:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• David Wilcox — Annual Thanksgiving Homecoming Concert — Fri, Nov 28 · 7:00 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Frute with Buddahgraph Spaceship — Fri, Nov 28 · 9:00 PM @ One Stop

• Allegheny Mountain Boys — Fri, Nov 28 · 10:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Julianah Jade — Sat, Nov 29 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• The Inaugural Asheville Juke Joint Homecoming Party — Sat, Nov 29 · 8:00 PM @ Grey Eagle Music Hall

• A Tribute to D’Angelo (Feat. Asheville’s Finest) — Sat, Nov 29 · 9:00 PM @ One Stop

• Allegheny Mountain Boys — Sat, Nov 29 · 10:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Amythyst Kiah — Sun, Nov 30 · 8:00 PM @ 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

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