Celebrate the holidays in Downtown Mesa during Merry Main Street
The City of Mesa invites residents and visitors to enjoy its annual holiday festivities. Families can skate at the Winter Wonderland Ice Rink. On Fridays and Saturdays in December, guests can explore the Jack Frost Food Truck Forest at Pioneer Park. The dazzling Mesa Temple lights display is another must-see attraction.
The lighting of candles at Mesa’s Menorah will take place from December 25 to January 2. Children can visit Santa for free on Fridays and Saturdays from 4 to 8:30 p.m., Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Monday, December 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bingles the Gnome will be making appearances in Downtown Mesa throughout the holiday season. Weekly clues will be shared on social media to help visitors locate the gnome and take a selfie. Prizes include a $250 Downtown Mesa gift card and a one-night stay at the Delta Hotels Phoenix Mesa. The Gnome on the Roam game will run from November 29 to January 12.
.
3 high-return skills to learn as a business owner in 2025
Lien De Pau, founder of The Big Exit: Sell Your Biz for Max Value, emphasizes the importance of focusing on long-term strategies over quick fixes. Many business owners fail to develop high-return skills because they prioritize immediate solutions instead of sustainable growth.
In a Forbes.com article, De Pau highlights three skills every business owner should master in 2025: AI literacy, delegation and team building, as well as financial modeling focused on recurring revenue. Mastering these skills will help business owners stay competitive, streamline operations, and secure long-term financial stability.
To read the full article, visit Forbes.com.
.
Wrap-up 2024: Fun year-end tax planning!
December 10
Join the live webinar on December 10 at 12 p.m. and explore the secrets of year-end tax planning to help maximize savings and get set up for success in 2025! Don’t miss this opportunity to turn tax planning into an enjoyable and empowering experience. This session will cover:
-
Smart Strategies: Discover simple yet effective tips to minimize your tax bill before the year ends.
-
Key Deadlines: Stay informed about important due dates for Schedule C/1040, 1065, 1120S, 1120, 1099, BOI filing, and more!
-
Helpful Tools & Bookkeeping Hacks: Learn about easy checklists, DIY tips, and essential resources to simplify tax prep.
-
Planning for 2025: Gain insights into retirement accounts and profit-sharing strategies to secure your financial future.
-
Q&A: Attendees can bring their questions for expert answers.
.
.
Five steps to kickstart your 2025 business planning
Business plans are dynamic, not static. However, many business owners rarely revisit their plans to reflect the current state of their business. A recent blog from MBO Partners outlines five essential steps for jumpstarting 2025 business planning. The article emphasizes that proactive planning is the cornerstone of any successful business, particularly in today’s rapidly changing market. For self-employed professionals, dedicating time to strategically plan for the upcoming year is not just advisable—it's essential.
Early planning can be the key to transforming a business from surviving to thriving in 2025. With a well-thought-out plan, entrepreneurs can effectively navigate challenges, seize new opportunities, and position their businesses for sustained growth.
.
Retail entrepreneurs wanted for the NEW business incubator in Superstition Springs Mall!
Retailers looking to venture into a physical location but struggling with the costs of opening a storefront now have an opportunity to join Next Phase, a new retail incubator program. Designed to help entrepreneurs launch and grow their retail concepts, Next Phase offers a practical environment for business owners to develop their ideas.
Created by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Next Phase aims to educate and nurture a new generation of retail talent and business owners in Mesa. The program provides a valuable space for existing retail business owners to grow by combining three key elements: an actual customer-facing storefront, an on-site co-working space, and effective business training.
Participants will benefit from unique learning opportunities and world-class workshops led by Mesa Community College, Park University, Benedictine University, and the University of Phoenix. The incubator is designed to strengthen skills across all aspects of retail business, from merchandising and customer service to ordering, inventory management, and beyond.
For more information on the program and how to apply, contact Bob Nelson, Director of Communications at the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, via email at bnelson@mesachamber.org.
.
Mesa Pitch 2024: celebrating success
The 2024 Mesa Pitch event, organized by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, showcased the innovation and drive of Mesa's start-up community. Often described as a blend of "Shark Tank meets TED Talk," the annual event featured six local businesses presenting their stories and competing for financial support to advance their ventures and contribute to Mesa’s legacy of entrepreneurship.
Good Form Foods claimed first place, earning recognition for its commitment to providing accessible and convenient healthy eating alternatives. Data Sortcery secured second place, impressing judges with its expertise in delivering customized in-person technology solutions tailored to diverse client needs.
.
Special offer for 2025 at CO+HOOTS coworking space in Mesa
CO+HOOTS Mesa is ringing in the new year with an exclusive offer for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Those who sign up for a Flex, Nest, or Office membership in December will receive their first month free.
This limited-time promotion is an ideal opportunity to start 2025 with a fresh and inspiring workspace. Flex and Nest memberships require a three-month commitment, while Office memberships come with a one-year contract. To add to the excitement, the first 10 sign-ups will enjoy one free month of membership.
With a variety of workspace options tailored to meet diverse needs, CO+HOOTS offers the perfect environment to foster growth and productivity. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity before spaces fill up.
.
.
SCORE offers small business growth series in January at the Mesa Public Library in Downtown Mesa
The small business series, Growing and Expanding your Business, empowers entrepreneurs and business owners in their journey towards expanding their business. Participants will gain actionable insights, innovative techniques, and proven methodologies to scale their ventures effectively. Whether you're a startup seeking traction or a seasoned business aiming for exponential growth, this series provides the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to propel your business forward in today's competitive landscape. Join us and unlock the strategies needed to elevate your business. Classes will take place on Wednesdays, January 8 to January 29, registration links are below:
.
.
Funding Your Dreams: Navigating Funding Readiness for Arizona Entrepreneurs
Wednesday, December 4 | 3 – 5:30 p.m. | FREE | Virtual
Register!
Learn the basic forms of financing, the loan application process, and how to be loan ready.
How to Perfect Your Pitch and Raise Capital
Thursday, December 5 | 9 – 11 a.m. | FREE | In-Person
51 W. Third St.| Tempe, AZ 85281
Register!
Join Arizona founder, investor, and company builder, Gregg Scoresby, for this 90-minute workshop on perfecting your pitch and raising capital. Gregg will share lessons learned from fundraising for his own businesses, as well as insight into what he looks for as an investor. By attending this workshop, you'll walk away with actionable steps and a framework for building your own pitch deck and delivering a raise-worthy pitch.
Podcast Studio Training
Thursday, December 5 | 10 – 11 a.m. | FREE | In-Person
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St., 2nd Floor | Mesa
Register!
Podcast Studio at Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios is open and ready for Mesa small businesses to use. Reservations are required and the spots are limited to 10 participants per session, so register today to secure your place! For any questions, please contact MBBTheStudios@mesaaz.gov.
Podcast Studio Training
Monday, December 9 | 5 – 6 p.m. | FREE | In-Person
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St., 2nd Floor | Mesa
Register!
Podcast Studio at Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios is open and ready for Mesa small businesses to use. Reservations are required and the spots are limited to 10 participants per session, so register today to secure your place! For any questions, please contact MBBTheStudios@mesaaz.gov.
Set Goals and Grow Your Business – ACA Small Business Bootcamp
Tuesday, December 10 | 9 - 10 a.m. | FREE | Virtual
Register!
Participants will learn how to set SMART goals to create clear and actionable objectives, implement best practices for effective goal-setting to drive success, identify and avoid common goal-setting pitfalls, apply time management techniques to maximize productivity, and utilize productivity tools to stay organized and on track.
Workforce Trends Impacting 2025
Tuesday, December 17 | 9 – 10 a.m. | FREE | Virtual
Register!
Explore the evolving business, technology, and employment trends that will impact companies in 2025 and beyond. Topics include the current shifts in the workforce and their changing expectations of the workplace. Attendees will learn about steps employers can take to reevaluate their Employee Value Proposition and remain competitive in a tight job market. Throughout the session, practical tactics and strategies will be shared to help organizations prepare for future challenges.
.
|
