Digital marketing for real growth, how to turn your online presence into sales and loyal customers
Most small businesses are active online but do not see real results. This hands-on workshop helps change that.
This session cuts through the noise and gives business owners a clear understanding of what digital marketing means for their business. Rather than chasing likes or trends, it focuses on what drives growth: building meaningful customer relationships that lead to consistent sales.
Attendees leave with a clear path forward, learning how to turn visibility into engagement, engagement into trust, and trust into paying customers.
Attendees will learn:
- What digital marketing is - and what it is not
- Proven best practices tailored specifically for local businesses
- How to build a simple, effective marketing strategy
- A hands-on exercise to identify and execute the next right move
When: Wed. May 20 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor
Register!
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From AI assistants to AI that takes action
The question is no longer ‘How do I use AI?’, it is ‘What work should AI be doing for me?’. Artificial intelligence is evolving quickly from tools that respond to prompts to systems that can actually take action. This next phase, known as agentic AI, is defined by its ability to plan, make decisions, and execute tasks with minimal human input. According to insights from MIT Sloan, these systems often involve multiple AI “agents” working together to complete complex goals, moving beyond simple responses into coordinated, real-world outcomes.
For small businesses, this shift is significant. Instead of just generating content or answering questions, agentic AI can manage workflows, follow up with leads, run marketing campaigns, and continuously adapt based on results. The opportunity isn’t just efficiency, it’s leverage. Businesses that understand how to direct and oversee these systems will be able to do more, faster, and with greater precision than ever before. Read the full article.
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Trust is a business strategy. People don’t buy your product, they buy their confidence in you
Trust is not just a “nice to have” in business. It drives measurable performance. Research highlighted by Harvard Business Review shows that trust increases engagement, strengthens collaboration, and ultimately drives purchasing decisions. It directly influences decision-making by reducing perceived risk and increasing confidence, two critical factors in how customers choose where to spend their money.
For small businesses, influence does not come from pressure or persuasion. It comes from consistency, credibility, and follow-through. Every interaction either builds trust or erodes it. Businesses that prioritize transparency, deliver on their promises, and create genuine human connections do more than win customers. They earn loyalty, referrals, and long-term growth. In today’s market, trust is not a byproduct of good business. It is the foundation. “If trust is not built, nothing else matters. If it is, everything else becomes easier.” Read more.
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Contracts in Arizona business: how to draft, enforce, and resolve disputes before they disrupt your operations
Many small businesses do not fail because of bad ideas, they fail because of avoidable legal mistakes. A recent article from AZBigMedia.com highlights 17 common trouble spots where business owners cut corners early and pay for it later.
From choosing the right business structure to separating finances, defining agreements, and protecting intellectual property, the takeaway is clear. A solid legal foundation is not optional. It is what makes a business credible, bankable, and built to last. Experts also warn against costly missteps like worker misclassification, weak recordkeeping, and overlooked compliance risks.
For those looking to get it right from the start, SBA.gov offers free tools, templates, and guidance to help build smart systems now, before small issues become expensive problems later.
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From Arizona Tech Week: Simple moves that strengthen your next presentation
Arizona Tech Week energized Downtown Mesa, driving collaboration and strong participation while reinforcing the region’s continued growth in innovation and small business activity. Beyond the conversations and connections, the week also highlighted simple but important ways business owners can elevate their presentations and events.
Details make the difference. Arriving early to test equipment, confirming locations in advance, and bringing printed materials improve how smoothly an event runs and how effectively people connect. Planning for flexibility also matters. Even with strong registrations, attendance can vary, so building in adaptability helps create a better experience for both presenters and attendees.
As business owners continue to host, present, and grow, these small adjustments build confidence and professionalism over time.
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios supports this next step by providing a reliable, presentation-ready environment for workshops, meetings, and events. With access to conference rooms and collaborative spaces, business owners have a place to practice, refine, and deliver with confidence. Visit us or learn more at MBBTheStudios.com.
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Don’t miss out: Mesa Business Builder Small Business Assistance Program advising deadline May 15
Businesses participating in the Mesa Business Builder Small Business Assistance Program are encouraged to take full advantage of their consulting and advising services before the current program year closes. All advising sessions must be completed by May 15, so now is the time to connect with your advisor, finalize projects, and make the most of the resources available to support your business. Don’t leave valuable support on the table—schedule your remaining sessions today.
Program Reopens July 7 The Mesa Business Builder Small Business Assistance Program will reopen for the FY2026–2027 program year on July 7. Businesses interested in receiving free professional advising and consulting services are encouraged to apply early. To learn more and submit an application, visit Mesa HUUB and take the next step toward growing your business.
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Putting the Pieces of Your Fundraising Strategy Together
Thursday, May 7 | 1 – 5 p.m. | FREE | In-person
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor
Register
Putting the Pieces of Your Fundraising Strategy Together is a dynamic half-day workshop (4 hours) designed for social entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and founders of for-profit businesses with a social mission. This program is ideal for organizations that are ready to connect their funding strategies into a cohesive, sustainable, revenue-generating system.
Who This Is For
- Nonprofit leaders new to the fundraising experience
- Small organizations and projects that are ready to grow but need a structured approach
- For-profit social enterprises seeking to diversify revenue with philanthropic funding streams
Small Business Financial Statements
Tuesday, May 12 | 4 – 5 p.m. | FREE | Virtual
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Financial statements aren’t just paperwork, they’re the foundation for better decisions and stronger businesses. In this workshop, business owners will learn how to understand and use the three essential financial documents: balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and cash flow reports.
Participants will walk away with the confidence to prepare these documents themselves—or work effectively with a professional—while understanding how each one connects directly to strategy, growth, and long-term success.
What You’ll Learn:
- How financial statements drive smarter business decisions
How to build and interpret balance sheets, profit and loss statements, and cash flow reports
Video Production Training - The Perfect Companion to Podcast Studio Training
Tuesday, May 12 | 5 – 6 p.m. | FREE | In-person
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor
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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. Spots are limited and early registration is recommended. 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
AI for Small Business Bootcamp: Week 3
Wednesday, May 13 | 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | FREE | Virtual
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This bootcamp is built for small business owners who want practical, no-fluff guidance on integrating AI into their day-to-day work. Whether you’ve never touched an AI tool or you’ve been experimenting on your own, you’ll leave with new skills and a clear plan. Each 90-minute session includes live instruction, breakout exercises, and a take-home worksheet you can actually use. By the end, you’ll have a real AI workflow built for your specific business.
Funding your Business - Navigating Funding Readiness for Arizona Entrepreneurs
Wednesday, May 20 | 3 – 4:30 p.m. | FREE | Virtual
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Access to funding starts with preparation. This interactive webinar helps small business owners across Arizona get ready to pursue loans and other funding opportunities through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI).
Participants will learn what “capital readiness” means, how to strengthen financials and business positioning, and what lenders are really looking for. The session also covers available funding options, technical assistance, and resources to support business growth. Leave with practical tools and a clear next step to confidently pursue the capital your business needs.
Stop Surviving the Chaos – Start Commanding Your Freedom
Wednesday, May 27 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | FREE | In-person
Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | Lower Level
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If you own a business, you probably know the "Feast or Famine" cycle. You hustle for leads, do the work, and then your pipeline dries up. Most owners try to fix this by spending more money to shout at a larger audience. But if your message is generic, a bigger megaphone won't help.
East Valley Chaos to Control Collective, is changing the game. Matt Vosburgh is teaching his framework, Reverse Engineering Your Target Market, so your marketing actually speaks directly to the specific people who want to buy. And to make sure you can execute immediately, he is bringing in Jason Benedict of Automation Agency. Jason will show you how to take that target profile and use AI to build a 24/7 lead nurture machine.
Food is covered. The strategy is proven. Plus, stick around at 3:30 PM for some high-level networking hosted right on-site by Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios.
From Newcomer to Natural: Hiring, Onboarding, and Keeping a Strong Team
Thursday, May 28 | 10 – 11:00 a.m. | FREE for HUUB members - $3.19 | Virtual
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This session helps founders build a people first onboarding and training system that reduces turnover and prepares them for intentional growth.
Takeaways:
- How to design an onboarding experience that sets new hires up for success
- What SOPs are, why they matter, and how to start building them
- Why Trainual is an effective platform for organizing team processes
- Steps to strengthen retention and create long term team stability
RESOURCES FOR MESA SMALL BUSINESSES
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