With school out and temperatures soaring, the swimming season is in full swing! Here’s how to keep your kids safe — and why swim lessons are so helpful.

Here at Local First, we treasure Arizona’s independent businesses and consider it our duty and privilege to shine a light on these local indie gems so you can enjoy them, too. Each year, we turn up the indie love during the National Independents Week. From June 28 - July 4, organizations like ours designate a full week to supporting and helping raise awareness of locally-owned businesses.

The largest private donation in Local First Arizona's history will double the size of a community garden and support training programs for Black and Hispanic business owners.

Los futuros novios y graduados que entran a la actual ubicación de Rosy's Tuxedos en la Avenida N 75 en Phoenix pueden pensar que solo están obteniendo un traje o un esmoquin, pero los trajes a medida con los que se van vienen con algo invaluable: la confianza de saber que lucirán y se sentirán lo mejor posible en su gran día.

Local First Arizona has welcomed two new board members, Andre Whittington and Jonae A. Harrison. We asked them to dish on business, community and their ideal summer day…

Scottsdale-based LocalFi SEO Digital Marketing Agency helps local businesses grow customers through Google and Yelp.

“Within three months, (a chiropractor client) had to bring in another practitioner. He had a waiting list,” says LocalFi co-owner Isaac Navias. “That’s when I realized, this is powerful.”

Local First Arizona is proud to lead business opposition to HCR 2060, an unfunded, anti-business and anti-immigrant bill at the Arizona Legislature.

In the days since Local First Arizona was the only business organization to testify against the bill, other organizations have joined the call, including the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, Greater Phoenix Economic Council and Greater Phoenix Leadership.

Dive into our newest blog where we highlight three standout Arizona businesses reshaping their industries.

Kathleen Dreier, a Tucson-based photographer, can attest to the power of photography. One study shows articles with imagery receive 94% more views than those without.

As a photographer who travels across Arizona, Dreier uses her unique approach to ensure that the authenticity of her clients shines through.

On June 2, the City of Phoenix will celebrate “602 Day” with fun events and discounts from local businesses and organizations to recognize Phoenix as a great place to live, work and enjoy life. Other cities build civic pride by commemorating their local area code with holidays too.

So what are the telltale signs you live in the (602)?

We came up with a few ideas…

Lina’s Macarons is one of 100 Asian specialty businesses thriving in Mesa’s unique Asian District. Lina captivates customers with adorable, delicious cookies in all kinds of shapes and sizes.

Volunteers with Local First Arizona’s Keep Arizona Beautiful campaign participated in the 2024 Great American Cleanup. They cleared 1,000 pounds of trash and 100 pounds of scrap metal from a river bed in Superior.

Click to find out how to join our next cleanup!

A lo largo de una década, el viaje de Berni como empresario ha sido una montaña rusa de altibajos, pero también de logros significativos. Colados Coffee Inc. ha pasado de ser una sola ubicación a tres, con alrededor de 60 empleados que forman parte de la familia Colados.

Berni y su familia están orgullosos de haber creado un negocio próspero..…

Dive into our newest blog where we highlight three standout Arizona businesses reshaping their industries.

FilterClean, a Local First Arizona Certified Green Business, is now offering mobile pick-up and drop-off services to reach its goal of saving Valley pool owners as much as 2 billion gallons of water each year. Here’s how.

85% of businesses include video as part of their marketing plan, and Full Swing Studios is there to serve that need.
“Many times organizations and business owners think videography is beyond reach,” says co-owner Angela Hughey. “What’s important to Full Swing Studios is we’re creating high quality and highly produced opportunities at affordable pricing. That’s part of our secret sauce. It’s something that can be attainable regardless of budget.”

A 2022 survey by payroll provider Gusto found that only 6% of Black new business owners receive the business loans they seek. Jessica Baker, who owns Vibe Spot and Pink Sky Productions, learned first-hand how to boost her chances.

Flor Vianey Vargas, una mujer emprendedora, ha trazado su camino desde sus raíces en Sinaloa, México, hasta convertirse en una exitosa empresaria en Phoenix.

Con una formación académica en sistemas computacionales y una carrera destacada en el periodismo radiofónico por más de 20 años, Flor siempre ha sido una líder dedicada y apasionada.

Dive into our newest blog where we highlight three standout Arizona businesses reshaping their industries.