AVL Biz Weekly: Nov 5–Nov 12, AI Basics, Rooftop Masterminds & The Art of the Referral

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,

t's the perfect week for a pivot. Whether you're looking to upgrade your digital strategy with a hands-on AI workshop, connect with fellow wellness professionals, or simply find your next big referral, Asheville’s event calendar is packed with opportunities to push your business forward. We’ve also got four quick-fire marketing tips to implement today and a roundup of the best art, music, and laughs in WNC.

📋 On Deck

• Business Events: Rooftop Masterminds, Health & Wellness networking, and an Intro to AI workshop for beginners.

• Marketing Quickies: How to use Mondays for momentum and becoming your own local news source.

• Fun Stuff: Comedy for a Cause, Sip & Craft tote bags, and the AVL Fall Craft Market weekend.

• On Stage: Ketch Secor (of Old Crow Medicine Show), AJ Lee & Blue Summit, and Jerry Joseph & The Jackmormons.

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

🗓️ Business Events

• 🗓️ Asheville Health + Wellness Networking – Thu, Nov 6 · 10 AM–12 PM (Wellspring Wellness Center, 966 Tunnel Rd, AVL)

  A brand-new meetup built just for Asheville’s health, wellness, and fitness pros. Connect with local practitioners, swap referrals, and learn from guest speakers all for free (and yes, there are door prizes).

• 🗓️ Goodwill BAC – Asheville Meeting – Thu, Nov 6 · 11:30 AM–1 PM (Goodwill Workforce Development Center, 1616 Patton Ave, AVL)

  Join local business and community leaders for Goodwill’s Business Advisory Council meeting, featuring Pisgah Legal Services on how their programs support workforce development through legal aid, expunctions, and driver’s license restoration.

• 🗓️ Biz Mastermind + Happy Hour | Asheville – Thu, Nov 6 · 2–7:30 PM (The Studio Asheville, 34 Wall St & Capella on 9 Rooftop, AVL)

  Level up your business strategy, then toast to new connections with Asheville’s doers and dreamers. A collaborative mastermind from 2–4 PM at The Studio, followed by rooftop happy hour vibes at Capella on 9, join one or both.

• 🗓️ Flourish Networking for Women – Asheville – Tue, Nov 11 · 6 PM (RAD Brewing Co., 13 Mystery St, AVL)

  A non-compete, selfless networking night designed for women who lift each other up. Meet like-minded professionals, share ideas, and give back to the community—all while enjoying a drink in the heart of the River Arts District.

• 🗓️ Introduction to AI: A Workshop of Basics for Beginners – Tue, Nov 11 · 9:30 AM–12 PM (AmeriHealth Caritas Wellness & Opportunity Center, 216 Asheland Ave, AVL)

  Learn how to actually use AI in your small business—not just talk about it. Local entrepreneurs Rylan Lovejoy and Jacob Underwood lead this hands-on intro to AI tools, best practices, and prompt-writing tricks that’ll save you time (and sanity).

• 🗓️ asheBUILT November Happy Hour – Wed, Nov 12 · 4:30–7:30 PM (The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage, 131 Sweeten Creek Rd, Ste 10, AVL)

  Grab a drink with Asheville’s builders, designers, and commercial pros at this month’s asheBUILT meetup. A relaxed happy hour that’s all about real connections—no hard hats required.

Hosting something cool?

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

💡 Marketing Quickies

1. Be your own local news.

   Post short video updates about what’s new in your biz — a new roast, product drop, or team member — as if you’re reporting straight from the scene. AVL loves behind-the-scenes stories more than polished promos.

2. Team up with your next-door neighbor.

   Pair up with the café, salon, or gallery next to you for a “locals-only” offer or mini-event. One sign in two windows doubles your foot traffic.

3. Use Mondays for momentum.

   Schedule one quick post or email every Monday that sets your tone for the week — a quote, a deal, or what you’re excited about. Consistency quietly builds community.

4. Spotlight your regulars.

   Feature one loyal customer each month with a mini Q&A or photo. It celebrates them and shows others what your community looks like in real life.

🎉 Fun Stuff Around AVL

• 🗓️ Domino Game Evening (1st Wed.) – Wed, Nov 5 · 6–8 PM (Henderson County Parks & Rec Center, 708 S Grove St, Hendersonville)

  Roll into midweek laughs with the Hendo Fun Friends crew for a carefree round of Mexican Train Dominoes—BYO drink and sense of humor.

• 🗓️ Sip & Craft: Canvas Tote Bags – Thu, Nov 6 · 6–8 PM (The Whale :: South Slope, 21 Buxton Ave, AVL)

  Paint, sip, and unwind as you design your own custom tote at The Whale—no RSVP stress, all chill DIY vibes.

• 🗓️ Trivia Night @ Hillman Beer – Thu, Nov 6 · 6–8 PM (Hillman Beer, 25 Sweeten Creek Rd, AVL)

  Grab a pint and test your brainpower with the Asheville Introverts crew at this laid-back trivia night with a $50 prize for the winners.

• 🗓️ Friday Evening Art Studio Walking Tour (3 Galleries) – Fri, Nov 7 · 6–8 PM (Starts at Blue Spiral 1, 38 Biltmore Ave, AVL)

  Wander through three downtown galleries with the Asheville Social Club and end the night over drinks and conversation.

• 🗓️ Laughs for SNAP (Supporting MANNA Foodbank) – Fri, Nov 7 · 7–9 PM (Eulogy at Burial Beer Co., 10 Buxton Ave, AVL)

  Catch top local comics while helping fight hunger—one beer, one canned good, one laugh at a time.

• 🗓️ Soluna in Concert – Fri, Nov 7 · 7:30–9 PM (Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W State St, Black Mountain)

  Enjoy a lush evening of strings and cinematic sound from the Soluna Quartet in BMCA’s cozy listening room.

  🗓️ Asheville Fall Craft & Vendor Market – Sat–Sun, Nov 8–9 · 10 AM–4 PM (Tanger Outlets, 800 Brevard Rd, AVL)

  Shop, sip, and stroll through two days of handmade goods and fall vibes at the Tanger Outlets.

• 🗓️ Pickleball, Basketball & Drinks at Asheville Sports Club – Sat, Nov 8 · 4:30–6:30 PM (Asheville Sports Club Bar, 137 Coxe Ave, AVL)

  Play or just hang with Asheville’s 20s-40s crowd at this sporty social mixer with courts, cocktails, and good energy.

• 🗓️ Alabama vs. LSU Football at Asheville Sports Club – Sat, Nov 8 · 7–11 PM (Asheville Sports Club, 37 Coxe Ave, AVL)

  Catch the SEC showdown on wall-to-wall TVs with drinks, cheers, and all the Saturday night game-day energy you can handle.

• 🗓️ Secret Saturday Late Nite Comedy Show – Sat, Nov 8 · 9–11 PM (Rad Brewing Co., 13 Mystery St, AVL)

  A surprise lineup of local and touring comics keeps the laughs rolling late at RAD Brewing—grab a pint and see who shows up.

• 🗓️ Botanical Art Guided Studio Time with Camille – Tue, Nov 11 · 10 AM–2 PM (NC Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, AVL)

  Refine your botanical art skills in a peaceful, open-studio session led by artist Camille Daunno at the NC Arboretum.

🎧 Bands on the Horizon

• Night Cap — Wed, Nov 5 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Jordan Tice & Joseph Terrell — Wed, Nov 5 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle (doors 7:00 PM)

• THE GREY EAGLE & BOTTLENECK PRESENTS: GRASSY THURSDAZE with Darren Nicholson and the Country Grass Messengers — Thu, Nov 6 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Dirty French Broads (Kate’s Dirty 30 Birthday Boondoggle) — Thu, Nov 6 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Florencia and The Feeling — Thu, Nov 6 · 9:00 PM @ The One Stop

• John Ferrara Solo — Fri, Nov 7 · 6:00 PM @ The One Stop

• Madilyn Mei with Amelia Day — Fri, Nov 7 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall (Sold Out)

• Ketch Secor (of Old Crow Medicine Show) — Fri, Nov 7 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle

• Mono Means One — Fri, Nov 7 · 10:00 PM @ The One Stop

• Riyen Roots — Sat, Nov 8 · 6:00 PM @ The One Stop

• AJ Lee & Blue Summit + East Nash Grass — Sat, Nov 8 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle (doors 7:00 PM)

• Jerry Joseph & The Jackmormons with Magnolia Boulevard — Sat, Nov 8 · 9:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Muscle Tough — Sat, Nov 8 · 10:00 PM @ The One Stop

• Mo Lowda & the Humble – Tailing the Ghost Tour with French Cassettes — Sun, Nov 9 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms Country Band — Wed, Nov 12 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle

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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