Join us for an evening of holiday cheer at the Change Labs Holiday Bazaar! Enjoy delicious food from local vendors, music, hot cocoa, and light snacks — all while shopping for unique gifts from local artisans and entrepreneurs.

For questions, contact Sophia at sophia@changelabs.org or call (602) 726-2228 ext. 0.

Come support local businesses and celebrate the season with us!

Curious about the NSBCI and what it could mean for your business or nonprofit? Join Change Labs for a live Q&A where we’ll break down the Navajo Small Business Credit Initiative (NSBCI)—a new opportunity designed to provide funding and support for Navajo-owned small businesses.

In this session, you’ll learn:

• What the NSBCI is and how it works

• The types of loans and funding available

• Who qualifies and how to apply

• Ways NSBCI can help you launch or grow your business on Navajo land

Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or just starting out, this workshop will give you the knowledge and tools to take advantage of this important opportunity. Come with your questions—we’re ready to answer them!

Join us at the Tuba City E-ship Hub for a cozy co-working session designed to help you dream, plan, and map out the year ahead — together. Bring your planner, your favorite pens and stickers… or just bring yourself. Whether you’re brand new to goal-setting or excited to share your 2026 vision with fellow entrepreneurs, this space is for you.

Your Hosts

Crystal Dugi: Artist and wellness advocate who uses creativity, structure, and planning to support emotional well-being. Crystal will share simple organizational tools, lists, and sticker systems to help add clarity and intention to your calendar.

Kelsey Lee: Planner enthusiast and believer in scheduling systems that support real-life habits. Kelsey will walk us through the power of vision boards and how they can help anchor your goals — she’s even bringing her own as an example.

What to Expect

• Co-working and community planning

• Vision board insights with Kelsey

• Organizational tools with Crystal

• A relaxed, supportive space to set your intentions for the new year

RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GeGiHA1hV/

See you there!

Join OXDX for Native Holiday Market at the Tempe Center for the Arts — a festive gathering celebrating Indigenous creativity, culture, and community. Curated by the OXDX Clothing brand, this annual market highlights Arizona’s Indigenous artists, designers, jewelry makers, and small business operators.

Enjoy a unique holiday shopping experience featuring artisans selling handmade goods, food trucks serving local flavors, live performances, and more.

Whether you're shopping for gifts or just soaking in the community energy, come support local Indigenous makers and enjoy a day rich in culture and connection.

Want to be a vendor or learn more? Contact OXDX via their website for details.

Ready to open the door to federal opportunities? Check out the second workshop in a 4-part series dedicated to federal contracting. Join Diné Development Corporation (DDC), Change Labs, and the National Center APEX Accelerator for this hands-on session that will provide step-by-step guidance on getting your business ready and registered in the federal marketplace. Learn how to register with SAM.gov, build a standout Capabilities Statement, and unlock SBA small business certification. Bring your questions and your ambition!

Join online via Microsoft Teams or in-person at the DDC Headquarters in Scottsdale, AZ. Lunch provided for all in-person participants. Click here to register!

Join us for a 90-minute virtual workshop designed to help Indigenous small business owners and organizations reclaim their time and focus on what truly matters. Through live demos and Q&A, participants will learn how to set up simple, effective automations using familiar tools like Google Workspace and Microsoft Suite.

This session offers practical, easy-to-apply strategies that can be implemented right away, no complex software required.

What You’ll Learn:

• The “Why” of Automation: Learn how automation supports human connection by freeing up valuable time.

• Simple Tools, Real Impact: Set up automations for email (templates, rules, canned responses) and calendars (scheduling links, reminders).

• Actionable Takeaways: Receive a 10-step PDF guide to help identify and automate your most repetitive tasks.

About the Presenter:
Haley Garcia, founder of WRKWTH, Virtual Solutions is a Community Development Professional with experience in tribal governance, economic development, and nonprofit support. Her work focuses on helping Indigenous organizations and entrepreneurs streamline operations, strengthen efficiency, and use technology to serve their communities more effectively.

For any questions or support with registering for this workshop, please contact us at hello@nativestartup.org.

You can also watch our past workshops on the Change Labs YouTube Channel.

Imagine if Microsoft 365 Copilot could help you write grants like it’s been part of your team for years.

In this 30-minute session, learn how to build and deploy a Copilot Agent in SharePoint to support grant writing, donor communications, and more—no coding required.

You’ll discover:

• What Copilot Agents are and how they work

• How to build your first agent step-by-step

• A real-world example: Grant Writing Assistant

Walk away with practical tools and inspiration to start creating your own AI-powered agents. Register now!

Join Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council for Nizhóní Tea Time with Girl Scouts, a fun, welcoming event where girls can connect, create, and celebrate community! This gathering offers a safe space for girls to be themselves, make new friends, and learn more about Girl Scouts.

Enjoy Navajo tea and blue corn refreshments, take part in kinship crafts, and explore cultural connections through engaging activities. This event is free to attend. Bring your grown-up(s) along!

RSVP with the link below. For questions, contact the Tribal Affairs Team at TribalAffairsTeam@girlscoutsaz.org or call 928-207-5716.

Matriarch Mixer proudly presents the 2nd Annual Native American Heritage Month celebration, themed “Homage: Honoring Those That Came Before Us.” This event pays tribute to the trailblazers and matriarchs who continue to inspire our communities through art, culture, and connection.

Experience Unheard Harmony’s Homage Mural by featured artist Danny Upshaw, along with an Earring Exchange, All Earring Showcase, and Immersive Photo Experience. Enjoy appetizers by Huarachi’s and an evening celebrating Indigenous creativity, community, and excellence.

Indigenous Excellence — Dress for an upscale evening. Rock your Indigenous fashion attire, biggest and boldest earrings, custom hat, or anything from your community that represents Indigenous Excellence.

RSVP with the link below. Come honor those who came before us and celebrate the vibrant spirit of Native matriarchs and makers.

Pitch Your Hustle is coming to Tuba City! This exciting event gives Native entrepreneurs the opportunity to take the stage, share their vision, and showcase their businesses in front of a live audience. Beyond the competition, Pitch Your Hustle is about building connections, celebrating innovation, and inspiring the next generation of business leaders.

Applications for submissions open on September 1, 2025. Whether you’re an entrepreneur ready to pitch, a community member eager to support, or someone interested in learning more about Native-led business, this event is for you.

Learn more and register here: nativestartup.org/pitch

Experience the vibrant spirit of Indigenous culture at the 6th Annual Spotted Eagle Native American Festival, an exciting and one-of-a-kind event in Southern Arizona.

This festival showcases world-class Native American performers from various Tribes across the U.S. and Mexico. Enjoy stunning tribal dances in full regalia, traditional and contemporary Native music, and a celebration of community through art, food, and culture.

Explore vendor booths featuring authentic Native arts and crafts, and indulge in delicious food from local food trucks, including everyone’s favorite, Indian Fry Bread!

Proceeds from ticket sales support Native American student scholarships. Please note that an online service fee will be added to each ticket purchase.

For more information or questions contact dan.businessolutions@gmail.com

Curious about the NSBCI and what it could mean for your business or nonprofit? Join Change Labs for a in-person Q&A session where we’ll break down the Navajo Small Business Credit Initiative (NSBCI)—a new opportunity designed to provide funding and support for Navajo-owned small businesses.

In this session, you’ll learn:

• What the NSBCI is and how it works

• The types of loans and funding available

• Who qualifies and how to apply

• Ways NSBCI can help you launch or grow your business on Navajo land

Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or just starting out, this workshop will give you the knowledge and tools to take advantage of this important opportunity. Come with your questions—we’re ready to answer them!

Join Tigunia and Microsoft Elevate for an exclusive session designed for nonprofits ready to simplify fund accounting and boost financial transparency.

Discover how Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, optimized for nonprofits, can streamline your financial management with cloud-based automation, integrated reporting, and secure fund tracking.

Walk away with practical insights and demos to help modernize your accounting processes and scale your mission with confidence.

AI adoption doesn’t have to be risky. Join Microsoft on November 12 at for Secure AI, Real Results to discover how nonprofits are using Microsoft 365 Copilot to simplify audits, automate reporting, and protect sensitive data—without increasing headcount.

Learn how Copilot and Copilot Agents, Researcher & Analyst deliver secure, scalable insights for everything from grant analysis to donor segmentation.

You’ll gain:

• A security-first AI deployment map for Microsoft 365

• A data protection playbook for Copilot

• A governance checklist for safe, responsible adoption

See how AI can work within your existing governance model—register today!

White Mountain Economic Development (WMED) is now offering in-person ServSafe® Food Manager Certification training and same-day testing to help food entrepreneurs and workers meet industry standards and grow their careers. This nationally recognized certification, developed by the National Restaurant Association, covers food safety, hygiene, cross-contamination, cleaning and sanitizing, and temperature controls—skills that are essential for anyone managing a food operation.

By making this training accessible locally, WMED removes barriers for rural entrepreneurs and restaurant staff who may not have reliable internet or access to online testing. Certified participants not only strengthen their job prospects and earning potential but also become eligible to use WMED’s network of shared commercial kitchens across Northern Arizona. Classes are offered regularly, with instruction provided by certified trainers in a supportive, hands-on environment.

Ready to turn your passion for food into a successful business? White Mountain Economic Development (WMED) invites aspiring food business owners, caterers, farmers market vendors, and food truck operators to join our 3-course, 12-module Food Entrepreneurship Program.

Led by experienced industry professionals, this program combines group instruction with hands-on mentorship to help you gain the confidence, skills, and resources to bring your culinary ideas to life.

Throughout the program, participants will explore essential topics, including:

• Marketing and branding

• Labeling and packaging

• Compliance and licensing

• Pricing and distribution

• Business planning

Graduates will leave with a clear roadmap for launching or expanding their food business—and gain access to real-world opportunities such as placement at local farmers markets and use of WMED’s shared commercial kitchens across Northern Arizona.

📧 For more information or upcoming program availability, contact:
info@wmedev.org

Feeling overwhelmed by all the ways you’re supposed to show up online? You’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong. This workshop is designed to help you take a step back, make sense of your digital presence, and move forward with more clarity, confidence, and creativity. Explore approachable strategies to boost your visibility across key platforms and connect with the people who matter most—without burning out or getting lost in the noise.

Led by the team at Mountain Mojo Group, this session brings real talk, real tools, and a whole lotta support for artists, makers, and mission-driven teams doing big things.

Rug Auction of Crownpoint has been a staple of the community, bringing together Diné weavers, neighbors, and visitors from around the world to celebrate the beauty of Navajo weaving. Organized and administered by the Navajo Weavers Association of Crownpoint, a community-based group of weavers, volunteers, and local residents, the auction is both a cultural gathering and an economic lifeline for artisans.

More than just an auction, this event creates a unique space where tradition and commerce meet. It provides a platform for local Diné weavers to showcase their artistry, while giving attendees the rare opportunity to connect directly with the makers and take home authentic works of Navajo art.

Blending local, regional, and national audiences, the Rug Auction of Crownpoint continues to honor the resilience, creativity, and cultural pride of the Diné people while strengthening community ties.

For More Information:
Call or text Marcella Hale at 505-362-8502
Email: mmhale@hotmail.com

Tax season doesn’t have to be stressful. Join tax specialist Venessa Gonzales for a practical webinar that simplifies small business taxes and helps you keep more of what you earn.

Learn how to:

• Identify business deductions and claim home office or vehicle expenses

• Track expenses easily with low-cost tools and apps

• Understand income tax essentials for online sellers

Perfect for new or seasoned entrepreneurs, this session will give you the confidence and tools to stay organized year-round.

Join this hands-on webinar designed for nonprofit leaders, program managers, and changemakers ready to harness AI for greater impact. Learn how Microsoft 365 Copilot can streamline volunteer and staff management—from recruitment and onboarding to training and development.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Automate volunteer recruitment and communications

• Create personalized onboarding experiences

• Develop and track training with ease

Discover real Copilot prompts, templates, and workflows to boost your organization’s efficiency and engagement.

Register now to future-proof your nonprofit and lead with innovation.

Think “research” means dusty libraries and expensive reports? Think again. In this 90-minute, hands-on workshop, Heather and Duane will draw from their experience working alongside Native entrepreneurs to show how research can be practical, affordable, and even fun.

You’ll explore ways to test your assumptions, gather insights, and uncover what your future customers truly want—without spending any money. Through interactive exercises, real-world examples, and simple tools, you’ll discover how to use research as a powerful tool in your entrepreneurial journey.

By the end of this session, you’ll be able to:

• Understand what “doing research” actually means at the idea validation stage

• Spot the different types of research (from quick interviews to online digging) and know when to use them

• See how your findings can directly shape your Business Model Canvas and startup budget—and later, your full business plan

• Translate insights into a competitive edge and a sharper value proposition

• Build confidence in treating research as an ongoing, accessible tool (not a one-time academic hurdle)

You’ll walk away ready to turn curiosity into clarity—and research into your secret superpower.

For any questions or support with registering for this workshop, please contact us at hello@nativestartup.org.

You can also watch our past workshops on the Change Labs YouTube Channel.

The best way to understand AI is to try it, and this session will show you just how easy it can be.

Join for a hands-on, live demonstration where we’ll build 3–4 everyday AI agents using Microsoft 365 Copilot and the Power Platform… no developers, no custom code, no smoke and mirrors.

We’ll start by unpacking what AI “agents” are, how they work, and why getting started now (even with small, imperfect steps) is the smartest thing your nonprofit can do.

Then we’ll hand over to our technical team, who’ll build real examples in real time, the kinds of tools your fundraising, comms or operations teams could start using straight away.

Are you a Native entrepreneur or artisan ready to grow your business online? Join us for the first session of a two-part LinkedIn training with Heather Gomez, designed to help Indigenous business owners and creatives use LinkedIn as a tool for growth.

Learn how to:

• Create a powerful profile that reflects your skills, culture, and business

• Understand LinkedIn basics and build meaningful connections

• Confidently grow your network and engage online

• Use your profile to build trust and visibility for your brand

This session goes beyond job searching—it’s about creating digital space for your story, your community, and your business. Register today to begin building your Indigenous presence on LinkedIn!

Curious about the NSBCI and what it could mean for your business or nonprofit? Join Change Labs for a in-person Q&A session where we’ll break down the Navajo Small Business Credit Initiative (NSBCI)—a new opportunity designed to provide funding and support for Navajo-owned small businesses.

In this session, you’ll learn:

• What the NSBCI is and how it works

• The types of loans and funding available

• Who qualifies and how to apply

• Ways NSBCI can help you launch or grow your business on Navajo land

Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or just starting out, this workshop will give you the knowledge and tools to take advantage of this important opportunity. Come with your questions—we’re ready to answer them!