September 2026

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month: A milestone for Mesa Business Builder

Businesses owned by Hispanic entrepreneurs now make up 20% of the current Mesa Business Builder program year, marking a significant milestone in the program’s reach across Mesa’s business community. This growth reflects the increasing number of entrepreneurs turning to Mesa Business Builder for the resources, mentorship, and connections needed to grow their companies. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Mesa Business Builder celebrates this progress and remains committed to supporting the continued growth and success of the businesses it serves.

Small businesses interested in learning more about the Mesa Business Builder program can visit MesaBusinessBuilder.com or contact mesabusinessbuilder@mesaaz.gov to explore available resources.

Diversity business audience group smiles and happy listening to male speaker giving a speech in corporate seminar event at conference room.

Mesa Chamber Member Orientation offers a great way to connected in Mesa

The Mesa Chamber invites new members, long-term members, and prospective members to its Member Orientation on Sept. 15 from 8 – 9 a.m. The session introduces attendees to the resources, programs, and networking opportunities available through their Chamber investment, and it also serves as a helpful refresher for tenured members or an introduction for new staff. Attendees will learn how the Chamber can support their business, build connections, and provide tools for growth.

Register today

Located at the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, 40 N. Center St., Suite 101, Mesa, AZ 85201.

Holiday

New resources help small businesses plan for the holidays

Meta launched a new Holiday Insights Center to help small businesses plan for the 2026 shopping season. The company projects the holidays will drive more than $1.4 trillion in retail spend, and it found that most shoppers using Meta platforms have made in-store purchases after discovering products on social media. Meta also published a Holiday Marketing Playbook for small and midsize businesses, offering data backed guidance on ad timing, budgeting, and AI tools to help businesses prepare for a compressed shopping window between Black Friday and Christmas this year. Read the full article

Students at BenU Mesa

Benedictine offers flexible graduate education for Mesa’s growing workforce

Benedictine University continues to support Mesa’s growing workforce with graduate education designed for working professionals. Options include an MBA (online and hybrid), an online Master of Science in Management and Organizational Behavior, and two new low-residency programs: a Master of Science in Data Analytics and a Master of Science in Health Informatics. The low-residency format pairs one in-person weekend with virtual coursework, giving professionals flexibility while preserving connection with faculty and classmates.

Both new programs address skills in high demand across the Valley, as organizations increasingly rely on data analytics for stronger decision-making and health informatics for the growing intersection of healthcare and technology. Flexible graduate education also helps employers develop and retain talent without requiring staff to step away from their careers. CLICK HERE for more information.

Ecommerce Workshop

Beyond the storefront: Is e-commerce right for small businesses?

For many small businesses, selling online can create opportunities to reach customers beyond the limits of a physical storefront. But adding e-commerce involves more than simply putting products on a website. Business owners need to consider which platform fits their products and sales volume, how they will manage inventory, and what processes will be needed for shipping, returns, and customer service. For businesses already selling online, the challenge shifts from getting products listed to turning more online visitors into paying customers.

Small changes can make a difference. Better product photos and descriptions can help customers feel more confident about a purchase, while adjustments to shipping costs and the checkout experience may help reduce abandoned carts. Businesses may also need to determine whether selling through marketplaces such as Etsy, Amazon, or Facebook Marketplace makes sense alongside their own website. Customer reviews and post-purchase communication can also become important tools for encouraging repeat business.

Selling Online: Build, Improve and Grow Your E-Commerce Presence

When: Wednesday, Sept. 9 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios | 59 E. First St. | 2nd Floor

Business Spotlight

Mesa Business Builder spotlight: Against the Grain

Building a successful business takes more than a promising idea. Businesses must also understand their customers, strengthen their operations, and find the right resources at the right time.

In this video, Mesa-based business Against the Grain shares how it has used Mesa Business Builder and Mesa Business Builder at The Studios to address business challenges and move its vision forward.

WATCH VIDEO

MBB @ The Studios Computer Lab

Picture your business better: Photoshop tips for small business owners

Strong visuals can shape how customers perceive a small business, from product photos and social posts to flyers and website graphics. Adobe Photoshop offers powerful tools for creating those visuals, and business owners do not need to be professional designers to use them.

MBB @ The Studios offers Adobe Creative Cloud, including Photoshop, on all 12 public workstations, recently upgraded with dual monitors for more editing space. Entrepreneurs can bring their next creative project to MBB @ The Studios and put these tools to work. To learn more, visit MBBTheStudios.com.

New to Photoshop and eager to learn? With just a Mesa Library card, you can access a huge collection of Photoshop tutorials through LinkedIn Learning. It’s an easy, free way to build your skills and start creating with confidence.

Capacity Graphic

Need more capacity? Outsource with confidence

Outsourcing can provide specialized expertise, save time, and allow business owners to concentrate on their core strengths, but the right partner is essential. Before making a selection, clearly define the work, evaluate the provider’s experience and reputation, establish expectations, and protect sensitive information. Choosing the Right Outsourcing Partner from Business.com offers practical guidance for building an outsourcing relationship that supports your business goals.

Mesa City Hall Dusk

Mesa photographers and videographers: Help tell our business community’s story

Mesa Business Builder is creating an on-call roster of local photographers and videographers who can help showcase our programs, spaces and business community. Projects may feature Mesa Business Builder, Mesa Business Builder at The Studios, businesses that use our facilities, and the spaces themselves.

To be considered, email MesaBusinessBuilder@mesaaz.gov with:

Your name and company name
Your phone number and email address
A link to your website or portfolio

We look forward to seeing your work.

Upcoming Events

Podcast Studio Training

To use the Podcast Studio at Mesa Business Builder @ The Studios, you must attend one free training session prior to booking. Spots are limited and early registration is recommended.

Important Details:

Training is mandatory before you can book the podcast studio to ensure you know how to use the equipment properly.
If you sign up but cannot attend, please notify the MBB @ The Studios staff at least 48 hours in advance, by email at MBBTheStudios@mesaaz.gov. Failure to do so will negatively impact your ability to register for future trainings.

The Power of Capital

Tuesday, Sept. 8 | 4 – 5 p.m. | FREE | Virtual
Register

This workshop helps small business owners manage cash flow strategically and avoid common profitable-but-cash-poor traps. Presented by Chase Bank, the session covers borrowing decisions, how lenders evaluate repayment ability, key financial documents and metrics, and how to choose among credit options like cards, lines of credit, and term loans.

Video Production Training – The Perfect Companion to Podcast Studio Training

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

Green Business Boot Camp: Statewide

Wednesday, Sept. 9 | 4 – 5 p.m. | FREE | Virtual
Register

Local First’s Green Business Boot Camp is an award-winning planning series for locally owned and operated businesses and nonprofits across Arizona. Each cohort meets weekly for seven sessions, giving participants access to expert guidance, cost-saving resources, and a clear path from education and collaboration to planning, financing, benchmarking, and implementation.

State Forty-Eight Foundation – Entrepreneur Speaker Series Session 1

State Forty Eight Foundation opens its 2026 Entrepreneur Speaker Series with a keynote on the current state of Arizona entrepreneurship and where it’s headed next. The day continues with sessions on mastering financial discipline and cash flow, along with a candid look at resilience and mental health for entrepreneurs. Attendees will also have opportunities to connect with fellow business owners through dedicated networking and the Vendor Village experience. Attending qualifies participants to apply for the 2026 Entrepreneur Grant Program.

Video Production Training – The Perfect Companion to Podcast Studio Training

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

Small Business Visibility Boot Camp

Thursday, Sept. 24 | 10 – 11 a.m. | FREE | Virtual
Register

In this practical, beginner-friendly workshop, participants will learn the essential building blocks of local business visibility, including social media, Google Business Profile optimization, customer reviews, email marketing, AI-powered content creation, and on-camera confidence. Attendees will walk away with a simple framework for increasing their visibility, building trust with customers, and creating content that supports their business goals without feeling overwhelmed.

State Forty-Eight Foundation – Entrepreneur Speaker Series Session 2

Day Two of the 2026 Entrepreneur Speaker Series opens with a keynote case study following one Arizona business’s growth from a small footprint to regional and national reach. Sessions explore purpose-driven marketing strategies and how exceptional customer service builds loyalty and long-term growth. Attendees will also have opportunities to connect with fellow business owners through dedicated networking and the Vendor Village experience. Attending qualifies participants to apply for the 2026 Entrepreneur Grant Program.

The Chaos-To-Control Workshop

Missed messages. Late invoices. The constant pressure to keep things moving. Many business owners face the same challenges. This monthly strategy session brings 20 local business owners together to pinpoint where time and money are slipping away, and to leave with a solution.

Establishing Your Business Finances: Business Entity Types & Taxes

Wednesday, Sept. 30 | 9 – 10:30 a.m. | FREE | Virtual
Register

Participants gain a clear comparison of common business structures, including LLCs, S-Corporations, sole proprietorships and partnerships. The class explains the legal and tax implications of each entity and outlines how elections are made with the Arizona Corporation Commission and the IRS. Get answers to your questions in an open Q&A.

Funding your Business – Navigating Funding Readiness for Arizona Entrepreneurs

Wednesday, Sept. 30 | 3 – 4:30 p.m. | FREE | Virtual
Register

This workshop helps Arizona small business owners prepare for capital and funding opportunities through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Participants will learn what capital readiness means, explore SSBCI funding options, and gain practical tools to strengthen their financial documents and loan readiness. The session also connects attendees with local business support organizations and available technical assistance.

Resources