Local First Arizona in Tucson: ‘What you pay attention to grows’
One reason Local First mixers in Tucson are unique? We give you exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to locally owned businesses to experience firsthand what makes them special.
How well do you know Tucson?
Local First Arizona works statewide, so even if you’ve been following and supporting our organization for years, it’s possible that you’re not familiar with our work here.
We’ve actually been in Tucson since 2008, and one of our most successful programs ― the Green Business Boot Camp ― was created with incredible support from the environmental community that Tucson has nurtured for decades.
Spend even a few hours in the Old Pueblo, and you’ll likely hear about many of the other things that make Tucson, Tucson, including: Our abundance of nonprofits, our claim to having “the best 23 miles of Mexican food in the country,” our designation as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, and ― of course ― the rich ecological and cultural diversity present in our tri-national community (the U.S., Tohono O'odham Nation and Mexico).
Tucson’s tight community
One word, though, arguably sums up Tucson more than any other: Connection.
Tucson is a relationship-based community. That isn’t to say that other communities aren’t relationship-based, but rather, that Tucsonans take pride in how we do business by building relationships first.
A live performance at a recent Local First Arizona mixer in Tucson
Reno, Nevada might officially be “The Biggest Little City in the World,” but Tucson’s own small-town vibes are unmistakable. Here, everyone seems to know everyone. Once you start networking here ― even if you’re brand new ― you won’t be on your own for long.
So what’s this all got to do with Local First? We’re a nonprofit committed to community and economic development throughout Arizona. Our work connects people, locally-owned businesses and communities for meaningful actions that build a diverse, inclusive and prosperous Arizona economy.
Notice that word again: connection. Building relationships takes time. And the work often goes unseen, right up until the moment it finally pays off. As author and activist Adrienne Marie Brown puts it: “What you pay attention to grows.”
So how is Local First Arizona connecting Tucsonans?
Our monthly mixers are 🔥:
Local First mixer attendees enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of Dillinger Brewing Co. in August
Our February business mixer was one of our first events post-pandemic and 15 people showed up. That number told us as much about those people (all dedicated, serial networkers ― we salute you!) as it did about us. Simply put, we had work to do. We made it a point to be everywhere we could the next few months. The conversation was always the same: Who are you? How can we help? And who else should we be talking to?
Fast-forward to this summer. Imagine our team’s faces when our June mixer was so packed, a business owner walked in and asked: “Am I in the right place?” But it didn’t take much time to realize this wasn’t an accident.
One reason our mixers are different than any other? We take you to fascinating businesses and give you exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to what makes them special. Our August event hosted by Dillinger Brewing Company and Brillé Mead Company took us inside their craft brewery operation and showed us exactly what successful business collaboration can look like.
A clothing store at Proper Shops in downtown Tucson
I shop, You shop, We all shop … local 🛍️:
Proper Shops, a new marketplace in downtown Tucson supported by Local First, has a bar, restaurants, outdoor courtyard to host events and a rotating array of local, up-and-coming retailers. Check it out!
We care about the 🌎:
The Local First sustainability team is working with the Tucson City of Gastronomy to empower restaurants to become more environmentally friendly. Best of all, our workshops are in both Spanish and English!
We help you 👷🏽♂️👷♀️ (build!) your business:
Blax Friday founder Ashley La Russa, of Tucson
The Hustle Hour is a new opportunity Local First is hosting every third Thursday with the University of Arizona at FORGE at Roy Place for entrepreneurs of all stripes to hear from experts and fellow business owners about how to grow, improve and succeed.
Our Black-owned business program 💪🏿 is creating generational wealth:
Tucson’s Black business community is thriving. And graduates of We Rise, our six-month, no-cost business networking and training course, are helping lead the way.
We’re sending entrepreneurs to the🌛:
OK, not literally. But the Pioneer Pitch Competition by Moonshot, co-sponsored by Local First, gives startups in Tucson and aross Arizona the chance to lift off with awards of up to $10,000 for the most innovative concepts.
Want to grow with us? Join the largest independent business coalition in the country and help us expand the kinds of relationships that make Tucson, Tucson ― and Local First, Local First. After all, “a diverse, inclusive and prosperous Arizona economy” is only possible with you.
