AVL Biz Weekly, Oct 15 - 21 | Cider, Coffee & Connections

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).

📋 On Deck

• Business Events: Coffee-fueled masterminds, builder meetups & women-led leadership events

• Fun Around Town: Art nights, fall walks, comedy shows & pumpkin carving

• Bands & Shows: A full week of local talent and touring acts lighting up Asheville stages

• Marketing Quickies: Smart, cozy-season strategies for your local business

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

I’m hosting a Real Conversations Breakfast on Sat, Nov 8 and I want you there. It’s a small, guided meetup for local owners and freelancers who want one useful connection, not a stack of business cards. 👇

Question of the Week

It’s officially that time of year when every meeting smells like cinnamon and everyone attending a networking event has a pumpkin in their latte.

Hit reply and tell me: For or against with Pumpkin Spice in everything?

🗓️ Business Events

• 🗓️ AsheBuilt October Meetup – Wed, Oct 15 · 5:30–7:30 PM (Wedge Studios, 37 Paynes Way, Suite 001, Asheville)

  Hosted by Claire Counts, this will be a laid-back evening for Asheville’s builders, designers, and trades pros to reconnect and support Wedge Studios after a tough year. Grab a drink, swap stories, and meet others shaping the city’s built landscape.

• 🗓️ Coders League: Low-Pressure Social – Wed, Oct 15 · 6:30–8:30 PM (Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., 675 Merrimon Ave, Asheville)

  A relaxed hangout for developers, tech pros, and curious geeks to swap ideas, share projects, and meet fellow coders. Newcomers are welcome. Come for the code, stay for the pizza.

• 🗓️ Asheville Women in Tech: Social Night – Thu, Oct 16 · 6:30–8:30 PM (Archetype Brewing, 265 Haywood Rd, Asheville)

  A welcoming meetup for women in or exploring tech to connect, unwind, and talk shop—or not—over a drink. No panels, no pressure, just good company and conversation.

• 🗓️ Founder’s Lunch: Not Your Average Business Owners Group – Fri, Oct 17 · 12:00–1:30 PM (Terra Nova Beer Co., 204 Whitson Ave, Swannanoa)

  The amazing Beth Lemmel will host a casual lunch meetup for founders and business owners to swap ideas, share challenges, and build real connections in Asheville’s creative business community. Come hungry for good conversation and collaboration.

• 🗓️ Unshakable: Cultivating Confidence & Resilience in Entrepreneurship – Fri, Oct 17 · 3:00–5:30 PM (Cultivated Cocktails, 161 Charlotte Hwy #A, Asheville)

  A powerful afternoon for women entrepreneurs to strengthen confidence, resilience, and community. Expect real talk, inspiration, and a supportive space to grow your business mindset.

• 🗓️ Mastermind with Brittany Purcell – Fri, Oct 17 · 9:30 AM (Keller Williams Professionals, 48 Grove St, Asheville)

  Join top-producing agent Brittany Purcell for an interactive mastermind on the systems, mindset, and strategies behind her team’s success. A must for real estate pros looking to level up and lead with purpose.

• 🗓️ IBN Biz Lunch – West Asheville – Wed, Oct 22 · 12:00–1:00 PM (Yao Buffet, 153 Smokey Park Hwy, Asheville)

  A friendly, open networking lunch where local pros share what they do and make new referral connections. No dues, memberships, or restrictions. Come early to mingle, stay after to chat, and leave with a few fresh leads.

Hosting something cool?

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

💡 Marketing Quickies

• Pin your money page: In your site nav, put “Book Estimate” or “Get Pricing” first. Fewer choices = more clicks.

• Add “Text Us” CTA: Many clients prefer SMS. Use a click-to-text button on mobile and route to a tracked number.

• GBP photo refresh: Upload 5 new job photos this week with before/after captions and the neighborhood noted.

• Quote form friction check: Kill any field you don’t use to price a job. Name, phone, zip, service needed, photos upload.

• Speed pass: Test your homepage on mobile. If it takes >3s to load, compress images and lazy-load galleries.

• FAQ = SEO fuel: Add 5 quick Q&As per service (timeline, warranty, materials, clean-up). Each Q is a long-tail query.

🎉 Fun Stuff Around AVL

• 🗓️ Collage Night @ Periscope with Gather Craft Club – Thu, Oct 16 · 5:30–7:30 PM (Periscope Bar, 56 Patton Ave, Asheville)
  Sip, snip, and glue your way through a relaxed evening of cocktails, collage, and creative community vibes.

• 🗓️ Fall Ecology Walk – Fri, Oct 17 · 1:30–3:00 PM (The NC Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville)
  Discover the magic of Appalachian autumn on a guided walk through the Arboretum’s trails and gardens.

• 🗓️ Spooky Disco – Fri, Oct 17 · 8:00 PM–2:00 AM (One World Brewing West, 520 Haywood Rd, Asheville)
  Dance through the witching hour at this costume-friendly disco bash packed with funky beats and Halloween flair.

• 🗓️ Barktober Festival @ Booda’s Brewing Co. – Sat, Oct 18 · 12:00–4:00 PM (Booda’s Brewing Co., 120 E Barnwell St, Hendersonville)
  Bring your pup for an afternoon of craft brews, food, and furry fun at this tail-wagging fall festival.

• 🗓️ Gluten-Free Comedy @ Ginger’s Revenge – Sat, Oct 18 · 7:00 PM (Ginger’s Revenge, 829 Riverside Dr, Suite 100, Asheville)
  Top touring comics and local legends bring sharp laughs and great beer to Ginger’s Revenge—no filler, all funny.

• 🗓️ BYOP (🎃) – Pumpkin Carving at Lake Louise – Sun, Oct 19 · 10:00 AM–12:00 PM (Lake Louise Park, Weaverville)
  Carve pumpkins, sip coffee, and soak up cozy fall vibes by the lake—tools and treats provided, BYO pumpkin.

• 🗓️ Asheville Community Band Concert – Sun, Oct 19 · 2:00–5:00 PM (Asheville High School Auditorium, 419 McDowell St, Asheville)
  Enjoy a hometown symphony of over 90 local musicians in a Sunday concert celebrating Asheville’s community spirit.

• 🗓️ Coloring, Conversation & Connection – Tue, Oct 21 · 2:00–3:30 PM (Share Your Journey Counseling, 1116 Upward Rd, Flat Rock)
  Unplug and unwind with mindful coloring, light conversation, and easy-going community connection.

• 🗓️ Odditorium Comedy Freakshow – Tue, Oct 21 · 9:00–11:00 PM (The Odd, 1045 Haywood Rd, Asheville)
  Expect offbeat jokes, bold acts, and Asheville’s quirkiest comics lighting up The Odd’s stage.

• 🗓️ A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story – Sneak Peek Screening – Wed, Oct 22 · 6:30 PM (Sierra Nevada, 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River)
  Get an early look at A Life Reimagined, a moving new documentary celebrating Smokies photographer George Masa.

🎧 Bands on the Horizon (Aug 27–Sep14)

• Bronwyn Keith-Hynes — Tue, Oct 15 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• The Buckwild Tour: Anamanaguchi, Be Your Own Pet, pulses — Tue, Oct 15 · 8:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• We Have Ignition 2 — Wed, Oct 16 · 6:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle (Patio Stage)

• ALO — Wed, Oct 16 · 7:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• The Slice of Life Comedy: Asheville Fall & Winter Standup Contest Series (Round 2) — Wed, Oct 16 · 7:00 PM @ PULP (The Orange Peel)

• Sunnyside Duo — Thu, Oct 17 · 6:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle (Patio Stage)

• Bit Brigade Performs Super Mario World & F-Zero Live — Thu, Oct 17 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Sound of Sirens — Thu, Oct 17 · 8:00 PM @ The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

• Brock Butler Band feat. Isaac Hadden, Darren Stanley, Ola Timothy Bailey-Horsley & Bill Stevens — Thu, Oct 17 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Sean Tobin — Fri, Oct 18 · 5:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle (Patio Stage)

• Eddie 9V w/ Paul McDonald — Fri, Oct 18 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Can’t Feel My Face: 2010s Dance Party — Fri, Oct 18 · 9:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Daw’s Boss — Fri, Oct 18 · 9:00 PM @ The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

• Reed Turchi: World on Fire Album Release Show — Sat, Oct 19 · 7:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle (Patio Stage)

• The Castellows: The Homecoming Tour — Sat, Oct 19 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• JOHNNYSWIM — Sat, Oct 19 · 8:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• The Snozzberries w/ Michael Wilbur, Cloutchaser & Sqwerv — Sat, Oct 19 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• Dogpark — Sat, Oct 19 · 9:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Cheat Mountain Riders — Sat, Oct 19 · 9:00 PM @ The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

• Burlesque Brunch 35 — Sun, Oct 20 · 11:00 AM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Local Chapter & Hidden Cabins — Sun, Oct 20 · 5:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle (Patio Stage)

• Riyen Roots — Sun, Oct 20 · 6:00 PM @ The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

• Think: X – An Exploration of the Music of Pink Floyd — Sun, Oct 20 · 8:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• The Grey Eagle Classic: Golf Tournament — Mon, Oct 21 · 9:00 AM @ The Grey Eagle (Offsite Event)

• Early Tuesday Jam — Mon, Oct 21 · 5:30 PM @ The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

• Uncle Lenny’s Krazy Karaoke — Mon, Oct 21 · 9:00 PM @ The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

• The Moth Presents: Asheville StorySLAM – Masks — Tue, Oct 22 · 7:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Neighbor w/ The Wright Ave — Tue, Oct 22 · 8:00 PM @ Asheville Music Hall

• AFI — Tue, Oct 22 · 8:00 PM @ The Orange Peel

• Daikaiju — Wed, Oct 23 · 8:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle Music Hall

• Armchair Boogie — Wed, Oct 23 · 8:00 PM @ The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

• Mutlu — Thu, Oct 24 · 6:00 PM @ The Grey Eagle (Patio Stage)

• Keith Allen & Bradley Turner (Acoustic) — Thu, Oct 24 · 6:00 PM @ The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

• Seven Teller — Thu, Oct 24 · 9:00 PM @ The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall

• Keith Allen Circus — Thu, Oct 24 · 10:00 PM @ The One Stop at Asheville Music HallWant your website to bring in leads while you sleep (no ads, no dancing on TikTok)? That’s literally what I do.

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