From our steadily growing collection of startups to our 12 area B Corps , there’s much to celebrate about Asheville’s funky, creative, and ambitious business scene. This week, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is putting small business front and center with its annual Small Business Week celebration , which runs from today, Monday, May 15 to Friday, May 19.
According to the Chamber, 96% of Asheville businesses have fewer than 50 employees, and those businesses employ over 119,000 people in Buncombe County. Talk about economic impact.
Want to join the fun? Check out these three events (advanced registration required).
Policy on Tap & WomanUP In Action | Tuesday, May 16 | 3:30-5 p.m. | White Labs, 172 S. Charlotte St. | Free | Grab a beer and connect with local business leaders, including Himanshu Karvir of Virtelle Hospitality and Carla Barnard of Carla & Co. Commercial Real Estate, about how business and the larger economy impacts childcare in Buncombe County.
Smart Series: Everyone Knows Marketing Sucks | Wednesday, May 17 | 12-1 p.m. | Hatchworks Coworking, 45 S. French Broad Ave. | $15 for non-members | Got marketing woes? Strategist Sarah Benoit is here to help with a workshop on how to develop a powerful brand voice for your business.
Sky High Growth Awards | Thursday, May 18 | 4-6 p.m. | Sierra Nevada Brewing,100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River | $20-30 | This jovial reception has plenty of great bites and beers — and along the way, doles out awards to small businesses who have seen remarkable growth.