Frequently Asked Questions

Activate Small Business is a Pink Sky initiative that highlights Arizona small businesses and helps them grow. Each cycle, we select finalists, share their stories, and award one business a custom brand activation designed to amplify their voice, reach new audiences, and spark engagement.

This initiative is for Arizona-based small businesses — makers, service providers, creative founders, and entrepreneurs building locally. You don’t need a storefront or a big following. If you’re growing your business and want more visibility, you’re eligible.

Businesses are nominated by people in their community — customers, peers, partners, supporters, or by Pink Sky. Anyone who believes a business deserves more visibility can submit a nomination. Nominees who meet eligibility criteria will be contacted to accept and provide details.

Yes. If you believe in your product, mission, or story, you’re welcome to nominate your own business. We encourage community nominations too — both matter.

We run cycles throughout the year. Each cycle features new finalists, public voting, and one awarded activation. Follow updates to see when the next cycle opens.

A brand activation is a creative experience that helps people discover your business in a memorable way. Instead of just posting or telling people what you do, an activation lets them interact with your brand, creates content you can use, and helps you reach new audiences. It can happen in-person (at markets or events) or online through an interactive experience.

The winner receives a personalized brand activation — including strategy, creative concepting, and a fully produced experience delivered by Pink Sky. We design the activation around your goals and audience, then execute it from start to finish.

This marketing moment intentionally designed around their business, their audience, and their goals. No two activations look alike because each one is crafted to highlight what makes the winning business special.

Depending on what best fits the winner’s brand and strategy, the activation may include elements such as:

• A branded interactive experience such as a photo booth moment, video activation, digital booth, or AI-enhanced experience

• A themed visual installation (backdrop, set design, décor moment, or styled environment) that attracts attention and invites people to participate

• Custom-designed creative assets like overlays, AI art prompts, branded graphics, or on-theme visual elements that bring the activation to life

• An engagement component such as a quiz, prompt, challenge, or storytelling moment that helps the business connect with their audience in a meaningful way

The goal of this prize is simple:
to shine a spotlight on the winning business in a way that feels authentic, engaging, and tailored specifically to them—helping them grow, reach new audiences, and tell their story with confidence.

Full activation details, customization options, and timeline will be provided to the winner after the cycle is complete.

Every activation is different. It may be a pop-up experience at a local market, a roaming photo moment at an event, or an interactive brand quiz that invites people to connect with your business. Your activation depends on what will help you grow.

Yes — you’ll choose from concept options we create after your discovery session. We’ll talk about your goals, and you’ll select the direction that feels right for your business.

That’s totally fine. We’ll design a digital-first activation — like an interactive quiz or content experience — that helps people discover your brand online and gives you assets to promote.

Finalists are selected based on eligibility, fit, and the potential impact of an activation. We look at your goals, your story, and how an activation could support your growth. Each cycle features a small group of finalists so we can spotlight their businesses.

Once finalists are announced, the community can vote through a public online poll. Each finalist will have a short profile so voters can learn about their business before choosing. The business with the most votes at the close of the cycle wins the activation.

Yes. Voting is open to the public. Finalists are encouraged to share the voting link with their audience, but anyone can participate.

If your business is selected as a finalist, you’ll receive a personal invitation to participate, along with a short questionnaire to help us build your profile. We’ll also share deadlines and details so you know what to expect next.

You are welcome to share your voting link as often as you’d like throughout the cycle. Consistent visibility is one of the best ways to engage your community and encourage participation, so daily posts—or even multiple reminders per week—are completely appropriate.

Here’s what we recommend to help you get the most out of the voting window:

• Share early and share often. Early votes help build momentum and keep your business visible throughout the cycle.

• Use your full community. Feel free to share the link on social media, email newsletters, group chats, or anywhere your audience engages with you.

• Vary your content. Mix in reminders, behind-the-scenes stories, customer highlights, or why this opportunity matters to your business.

• Keep it authentic. Your audience responds best when they hear your real voice and real story.

• No paid ads or vote-buying. This is meant to be a community-driven initiative grounded in genuine support and engagement.

There is no penalty for posting frequently, and no limit to how many times you can encourage people to vote. Every vote counts, and your community will appreciate being invited into your journey.

To participate, your business must be Arizona-based, privately owned, and have fewer than 50 employees. You should be able to use a brand activation in the next 12 months to support your growth.

No. A following can help with voting, but it isn’t required. We’re looking for businesses with a clear mission and a desire to grow — not a certain audience size.

No. Participation is free. The activation is awarded at no cost to the winning business.

Winners commit to participating in the full activation journey — including a short discovery session, reviewing concept options, and being present for the activation itself. You’ll help share your story by providing brand details, participating in the spotlight content, and promoting the activation through your channels. We’ll guide you through each step so it feels easy and collaborative.