Back by popular demand – the Mesa Business Builder Small Business Networking Event and Business Exhibition
Our signature Mesa Business Builder Small Business Networking Event is back! On Tuesday, Oct. 28, attend this premier networking event. Entrepreneurs, small business owners, and local professionals will come together at this engaging networking event to discover new opportunities, exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships—all in the heart of Downtown Mesa. Also featured will be an exhibition of Mesa small businesses representing a variety of products and services. Complimentary food, beverages, beer and wine will be served.
Do not miss your chance to attend and meet other businesses and learn more about the programs and services available to help your business grow in the City of Mesa. Reservations are required, limited seating! For more information, email: mesabusinessbuilder@mesaaz.gov.
Where: The Post – Downtown Mesa | 26 N. Macdonald
Time: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Cost: FREE
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US Chamber - Small business outlook: optimism continues despite rising costs
High prices continue to stifle growth on Main Street and small business optimism received a boost through increased sales expectations. For small business importers, tariffs are having a real and devastating impact as uncertainty, rising costs, and cancellations are hitting home. To help thousands of small businesses navigate the challenges, the U.S. Chamber has been answering questions, holding briefings, sharing resources, and lobbying on their behalf.
This article from the US Chamber of Commerce shares recent insights from nine different organizations including National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) August Small Business Optimism Index, Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Insights, Fiserv August Small Business Index, GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab Survey, 2025 OnDeck + Ocrolus Small Business Q2 Cash Flow Trend Report, 2025 Solopreneur Report from Simply Business, WSJ / Vistage Small Business August Small Business CEO Survey, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) Small Business Check Up Survey, and the MetLife & U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index for Q2. Read on for all the data.
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30+ small business marketing ideas to jumpstart your strategy
Marketing is the most frequently requested area of assistance from businesses in the Mesa Business Builder Small Business Assistance Program. Knowing where to market and how to effectively reach target customers is an art and a science. This blog post from HubSpot by Hannah Harris shares the tips, tools, and lessons that have helped small businesses grow without burning out. Whether just getting started or looking to refresh your marketing strategy, these ideas are built to help you stand out and scale up using an inbound marketing approach that attracts customers by being helpful, not pushy.
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Emerging Business Program: How to Sell Your Business
Mesa Business Builder presents a special Emerging Business Program event featuring Brian J. Burt of Snell & Wilmer, who will share expert insights into selling a business. Many entrepreneurs devote years of effort and sacrifice to transform an idea into a successful company, and some eventually decide the time has come to sell. This seminar explores key questions such as how to navigate the sale process, maximize the sale price, and secure favorable terms, as well as identifying the professionals who can help guide the transaction.
Topics include:
- Navigating the sale process
- Identifying prospective buyers
- Understanding the buyer’s perspective on value
- Creating competition among buyers to increase value
- Surviving due diligence
- Purchase price considerations and structures
- Understanding representations and warranties
- Indemnification considerations
- Non-competition covenants
- Creating and working with a deal team
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Mesa Pitch returns Nov. 6
The annual Mesa Pitch Business Showcase is back, shining the spotlight on the boldest and brightest in Mesa’s small business community. This high-energy evening celebrates entrepreneurship, builds connections, and fuels the future of local business.
Hosted by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature six standout businesses presenting their visions to a panel of expert judges and competing for cash prizes, including a top award of $5,000. Investors actively seeking their next big opportunity will also be in attendance, prepared to invest tens of thousands of dollars in promising concepts.
Attendees will experience an evening of bold ideas and entrepreneurial spirit while supporting local businesses striving to become the next Mesa Pitch winner. Food and beverages will be provided.
When: Thursday, Nov. 6 | 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: The Post – Downtown Mesa | 26 N. Macdonald
Cost: FREE
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 Zero Waste, Big Gains: Discover the Business Case for Zero Waste
Join the City of Mesa, along with GreenLight Solutions and Circular Earth, for an interactive, solutions-driven workshop where you'll learn how businesses like yours are slashing operating costs and boosting sustainability using zero-waste principles through the TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) Zero Waste Certification framework. Learn from expert guest speakers, connect with other local leaders, and leave with a personalized action plan. Whether you’re a business owner, sustainability manager, restaurant owner, or office administrator, this workshop will provide you with actionable insights to cut waste and increase efficiency.
The event is Monday, Oct. 13, from 12:30 - 5 p.m. at Benedictine University Mesa Event Center (225 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ 85201). All attendees are entered to win up to $3,000 toward a TRUE project registration or a free zero-waste audit. GreenLight Solutions, the main event organizer, is a 2025 grant recipient of the Mesa Youth Climate Action Fund (MYCAF), from the City of Mesa and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Use the code GoGreen for free registration. Spots are limited, register today.
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Bring your ideas to life at The Studios’ Computer Lab
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios is excited to announce its fully equipped computer lab is now available for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and creatives. Computer workstations can be reserved for individual use, or for groups of up to 12 users. Whether editing videos, creating marketing materials, or working on a design project, the computer lab offers professional tools to help bring ideas to life.
The Computer Lab features the Adobe Creative Cloud, including Photoshop for photo editing, Illustrator for graphic design, Premiere Pro for video production, and other creative tools. A dedicated space with industry-standard software allows efficient project completion and exploration of new creative possibilities.
There are two convenient ways to access the computer lab by reserving a workstation online through mbbthestudios.com, or via walk-in hours available Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 59 E. First St. in Downtown Mesa. NOTE: users will need to bring a flash drive to save their work; files cannot be stored on City equipment.
MBB @ The Studios continues its commitment to support Mesa’s business community by empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs with FREE tools to experiment, create, and grow.
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Law & Owner - Business Do's and Don’ts
Wednesday, Oct. 8 | 6 – 7 p.m. | FREE | Virtual
Register
Starting a business is challenging, and navigating legal requirements can be overwhelming. Krizia from The Lawnch Law Firm will guide attendees through the essential legal do’s and don’ts that every business owner should know. The session covers common mistakes entrepreneurs make, foundational protections for businesses, and strategies to build a business without leaving legal gaps. Attendees will learn how to distinguish between business decisions and legal requirements, know when it is necessary to form an LLC, understand which contracts are essential and which can wait, and determine the right time to protect a brand with a trademark. By the end of the session, participants will gain clarity, reduce stress, and receive a checklist of next steps to help ensure their business is legally protected and positioned for growth.
Introduction to Search Engine Optimization
Tuesday, Oct. 14 | 12 – 1 p.m. | FREE - $2.95 | Virtual
Register
Dive into the world of SEO and website optimization with the Arizona Microcredit Initiative.
AI Implementation Workshop: Build Your Own Useful AI Assistants
Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 12 – 1 p.m. | FREE | In-person
CO+HOOTS PHX | 221 E Indianola Ave Phoenix, AZ 85012
Register
Participants will learn to design, train, and build their own AI assistant with CustomGPTs using the Protocol Method.
Media Marketing Series: Show Up Strong
Thursday, Oct. 16 | 5 – 6:30 p.m. | FREE | In-person
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor
Register
Turn good footage into great storytelling. Focus on presence, energy, framing, and editing techniques like pacing and reset points—so you look polished and confident on screen. Boost on-camera performance with visual storytelling best practices. Presented by Ita Udo-Eta of View From Above Entertainment.
Spots are limited and early registration is recommended.
Beyond the Handshake
Monday, Oct. 20 | 1 – 5 p.m. | FREE | In-person
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor
Register
Beyond the Handshake, brought to you by Networked Live in collaboration with Real Networking, introduces Networking Profiles that take your connections further. This high-impact platform is designed to strengthen relationships before, during, and after every event.
At this event, you’ll create a profile built to impress, showcasing your expertise, interests, and goals so others know exactly how to connect with you. By combining the energy of in-person mixers with an always-on digital space, you’ll be able to see who’s attending, connect directly, and follow up in ways that matter. Think of it as LinkedIn on steroids, built for intentional networkers who want relationships that evolve, grow, and create real opportunities.
Video Production Training - The Perfect Companion to Podcast Studio Training
Monday, Oct. 20 | 5 – 6 p.m. | FREE | In-person
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor
Register
Businesses already using the Podcast Studio at Mesa Business Builder can elevate their content with the Beginner’s Video Production Training. This hands-on, interactive session covers available video tools, how to use them, and strategies for leveraging media in business.
Presented by Ita Udo-Ema, Founder of View from Above Entertainment, the session includes:
- An overview of on-site video production equipment
- Hands-on training for setup, recording, and sound
- A Q&A on using video to complement a podcast or grow a brand
Spots are limited and early registration is recommended.
Creative Marketing Ideas for Small Businesses
Tuesday, Oct. 21 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. | FREE - $2.95 | Virtual
Register
Small businesses often face unique marketing challenges, but creativity can be your superpower.
Promote Your Business with YouTube & Video
Wednesday, Oct. 22 | 12 – 1 p.m. | FREE | Virtual
Register
BBB Pacific Southwest, Central & Inland California and 'Grow with Google' present a Live Coaching Series with Mary Rabago.
Media Marketing Series: Create at Scale
Thursday, Oct. 23 | 5 – 6:30 p.m. | FREE | In-person
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor
Register
The workshop covers strategies to batch, streamline, and systemize the content process. Participants will build production templates and workflows to make content creation repeatable and less stressful over time. The session focuses on designing efficient systems for consistent content creation and is presented by Ita Udo-Eta of View From Above Entertainment.
Spots are limited and early registration is recommended.
Master Your Next Interview: Your Voice, Your Pitch
Thursday, Oct. 28 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. | FREE | In-person
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor
Register
This workshop is designed to help participants walk into their next interview with confidence and leave a lasting impression. It provides strategies to master one’s voice, sharpen a pitch, and stand out from the crowd. Whether starting a career, changing industries, or advancing to a leadership role, attendees will gain tools to communicate clearly, craft an attention-grabbing pitch, and overcome interview nerves with proven techniques.
Angel Investors and What Makes Them Tick
Wednesday, Oct. 29 | 5 – 7 p.m. | FREE | In-person
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor
Register
Presented by Arizona SBDC.
Media Marketing Series: Grow Smarter
Thursday, Oct. 30 | 5 – 6:30 p.m. | FREE | In-person
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor
Register
The session explores the analytics behind engagement and growth loops and is presented by Ita Udo-Eta of View From Above Entertainment.
Spots are limited and early registration is recommended.
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