February 2026

2 CONTENTS The Independent Music Grind in 2026: How Artists Are Building... Charlotte’s Creative Economy Is Thriving From Local Buzz to National Reach The Rise of Multi-Hyphenate Creators How Small Businesses Can Compete With Big Brands Online What Makes a Brand Worth Cover- ing in Digital Media Behind the Lens: How Visual Storytelling Builds Artist Brands 04 06 14 16 20 30 10 Why Digital Advertising Is Winning for Small Businesses 08 Why Community Still Beats Algorithms 28 18 Live Events Are Back: But They’ve Changed