ACCELERATEHER 2024 COHORT SPOTLIGHT: MKOA Studio

How did you come up with your business concept? What inspired you to start your own business?

I love architecture and design and have spent over a decade working in the A&D industry honing a unique skill set while mastering the leading industry technology. I am a licensed architect through NCARB, practicing in TX, and capable of working in any state. I have developed a diverse expertise in architecture, interiors, and procurement that offers a holistic design service to my clients. In 2022, shortly after I became pregnant with my firstborn son, I was presented with the opportunity to lead a comprehensive project as a solo practitioner— I took a leap of faith and the project was successful and a joy to work on! I have since worked diligently to maintain a solid intake, design, and delivery process to support my family and to continue bringing great design ideas to NTX & beyond. Today, opening a new studio in downtown Denton, I celebrate 2 years of running my design practice, which has expanded beyond just myself, employing three dedicated professionals and continuing to grow!

What’s your background? Could you tell us how each of these disciplines emerged in your work?

As a designer and technician, I never quite fit into the specific roles presented to me in the industry and naturally worked to overcome this obstacle at each firm. I sought out differing points of view to learn as much as possible from various specializations and on diverse project types. I have worked as a— technical & design architect, interior designer, site & landscape designer, lighting designer, furniture procurement, signage and branding, rendering specialist, and as a project manager and construction representative. I have worked on small to large-scale projects in— residential, retail, hospitality, private office, adaptive reuse, historic preservation, bar and restaurant, public market & community centers, and multifamily with one receiving an AIA Award in Interior Architecture and another receiving an AIA Honor Award in Architecture. Each role has provided me with invaluable industry knowledge as well as a holistic approach to my designs and services.

Now, at MKOA, I channel everything I’ve learned into providing thoughtful, customized design solutions through a comprehensive lens. It is a joy to be able to offer full-service architecture, interior design, and fixture procurement to my clients—all while maintaining lower overhead costs and leveraging cutting-edge industry technology. All of this empowers MKOA to deliver exceptional design services that truly stand out in today's market.

What led you to take your work from an idea to pursuing it as a business?

I started my business the same year I gave birth to my firstborn son. I have always wanted to be a mother, but working in the industry can be very intense and I wasn't sure if it was possible to do both! After a unique opportunity was presented to me, I decided to go for it. I have seen how technological innovations connect us in a way we couldn't have imagined 5 years ago and saw firsthand the opportunities it brought to the architectural industry. Running my own business and working directly with my clients has provided more flexibility than I expected. MKOA just opened a studio location in downtown Denton but is still completely virtual— able to compete with lower overhead costs, offering higher-level services, and supporting a broad range of clients geographically. 

Do you have a personal and/or professional motto or mantra that you call upon during tough times? What is it and what does it mean to you?

Sisu is a Finnish word that conveys inner strength, determination, and perseverance. It can also be interpreted as stoic determination, grit, bravery, resilience, and hardiness. My grandfather is of Finnish descent and passed when my mother was young. His legacy lived on in his wife and three daughters, who, even through hardships, continually shared and mirrored his strength, grit, leadership, community service, sacrifice, and kindness. Today, my mother and sisters remember ‘Sisu’ during tough times and remind one another that we are ‘Strong Finish Women’— capable of overcoming any obstacle, especially with the support of one another.
How do you pick back up on moving your business forward when perhaps feeling uninspired?

When I am stuck on a design, I iterate a bunch of options and then sleep on it – I am usually amazed the next day at what I notice! I also love getting a lot of advice from others, especially people I trust who are not in the design industry. Alternatively, when I am struggling with overwhelm or burnout— I remember my great aunt's advice— ‘Have a good cry, make a large cup of coffee, and then get to work.’ I learned resilience through architecture school and that ‘Joy comes in the morning’. I seek gratitude and the help of others, and remain as positive as possible under stress.

What have you gained so far from being a part of the AccelerateHER cohort?

I have thoroughly enjoyed the AccelerateHER program. I have gained so much and am continually amazed that a program like this exists! Each session has been packed with useful resources and self-reflection for growth. I especially grew from the community aspect of sharing and hearing other group members work through their challenges. This program has been very rewarding and has increased my confidence in both myself and my business.

Name a woman or gender-expansive individual, past or present, whom you admire or look up to. Why? 

My mother has led massive organizations toward healing, growth, and change in a position often perceived as only suitable for men. Now that I am a mother myself, I realize just how much she accomplished while I was growing up. She has provided me with mentorship that demonstrates it is possible to achieve great things without losing sight of the importance and joy of motherhood. 

AccelerateHER 2024 Cohort Spotlight: Pinned Ptera

How did you come up with your business concept? What inspired you to start your own business?
My business was started as a result of my husband's love. He pinned a butterfly for me as a gift. After I framed it and received feedback, we opted to try selling the frames at Denton Community Market.

Wall of framed insects pinned by Pinned Ptera.

What’s your background? Could you tell us how each of these disciplines emerge in your work? 
I have a BA in Psychology from UNT and an MBA from TWU. I've worked since the age of 16, starting in the service industry and working my way up into the corporate world once I started college. I had to put myself through school and acquired quite a bit of grit and determination to meet my goals.

What led you to take your work from an idea to pursuing it as a business?
Frankly, I was tired of working for other people and wanted to balance my life as a new mother.

What’s your favorite thing about your workspace?
The people! Stoke has been an amazing forcefield of talented people I've grown to adore and network with for future projects.

Butterfly being pinned and framed by Morgan Loften of Pinned Ptera

Do you have a personal and/or professional motto or mantra that you call upon during tough times? What is it and what does it mean to you? I can do anything I put my mind to. I remind myself that everyone has to put their pants on the same way and that the playing field is more level than it appears to be.

How do you pick back up on moving your business forward when perhaps feeling uninspired?
I definitely go through burn-out phases, but typically feel rejuvenated during the busy season when I'm given a lot of verbal validation of my work and how much it impacts people emotionally.

Lamp designed by Pinned Ptera

What have you gained so far from being a part of the AccelerateHER cohort?
STRUCTURE! I was operating a little too long by the seat of my pants and received a wake-up call that I needed to re-organize with our growth, and scale. Stoke not only reminded me of that but fed me the resources I needed to achieve it.

Name a woman or gender expansive individual, past or present, whom you admire or look up to. Why? 
I admire my grandmother, Haley Range. She founded her own business in 1990 and her strengths became a mirror for my own path.

AccelerateHER 2024 Cohort Spotlight: Triptych Coffee Co.

How did you come up with your business concept? What inspired you to start your own business?
As Denton locals, we’ve watched the local coffee scene grow and change over the last several years as customers and from behind the bar. We found ourselves in want of a comfortable third space, so when the opportunity arose to create it ourselves, it was hard to pass up.

What’s your background? Could you tell us how each of these disciplines emerge in your work? 
We’ve both worked in the service industry for a collective decade, with half of that time spent specifically in the coffee industry. Betz spent some time working in wholesale for a local coffee roastery and that interest shines through in the retail shelf that we have at Triptych. Our goal is to bring as much variety to Denton as possible. Lois’ culinary experience shines through in our menu development and drink creation. Her passion for art lends itself well to brand and graphic design, as evidenced by the design of our website, menu, stickers…you name it. 

What led you to take your work from an idea to pursuing it as a business?
We were presented with an opportunity to purchase the starting equipment that was too good to pass up. After spending over a year dreaming about owning our own shop, it felt like something we really couldn’t ignore. 

How did you find your way to your current brand? 
Brand development is a key part of any new business, so we absolutely had to adapt and learn. A huge part of our first year was developing our brand, and making sure that as a small business, we’re communicating our values so that our community knows us as well as we know them.

What’s your favorite thing about your workspace?
We split our time currently! Most of our daily time is spent at the cart, either behind the bar serving or sitting and working on administrative duties. Outside of our time at the cart, we spend a lot of time working at dedicated desks at Stoke. In both situations, community is our favorite part (not to mention the free coffee at both!).

Do you have a personal and/or professional motto or mantra that you call upon during tough times? What is it and what does it mean to you? We have several that we toss around! “A falling knife has no handle” is a wonderful reminder to let go of the things that don’t serve you. Secondly, “It’s just coffee,” is an excellent reminder to not take ourselves too seriously. 

Triptych Coffee Co popped up at FlintConf, Stoke’s annual conference for entrepreneurs.

How do you pick back up on moving your business forward when perhaps feeling uninspired?
It can be incredibly difficult sometimes, but the reality is, we’re in this fully and fully together. Knowing we have each other to lean on but to also take care of motivates us to keep going, even when it gets tough. 

Triptych Coffee Co won second place at the 2023 Denton Pitch Competition.

What have you gained so far from being a part of the AccelerateHER cohort?
We realized the importance of having a community of like-minded business owners. Having other people who can relate to our situation and understand the issues we’re facing was a game changer when it came to finding solutions. We love this cohort, and every woman involved has been absolutely lovely and incredibly supportive.

Name a woman or gender expansive individual, past or present, whom you admire or look up to. Why?
Taylor Bales! As the owner of True Leaf Studio, where we’re parked most of the time, she has opened up so many doors for us and for so many other creatives in this community. She’s truly been an inspiration for how we want Triptych to function for Denton. Her doors are always open and yet she has amazing boundaries. 

AccelerateHER 2024 Cohort Spotlight: Kimberly Burdine Psychological Services & Consulting

How did you come up with your business concept? What inspired you to start your own business?
I was inspired by a deep desire to provide psychological services for people of the Global Majority. When I began practicing independently in 2015, there was still a considerable amount of mental health stigma within communities of color. Starting the business gave me the autonomy to create a healing and transformation space that is rooted in values specific to Black, Brown, and Indigenous culture.

Kimberly Burdine, Licensed Psychologist, Owner & Founder of Kimberly Burdine Psychological Services & Consulting

What’s your background? Could you tell us how each of these disciplines emerge in your work? 
I am a licensed psychologist and earned a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. Prior to becoming a psychologist I was a school counselor and mathematics teacher. I love providing workshops and training connected to destigmatizing mental health concerns for Black, Brown, and Indigenous folks. I also view therapy as personal learning and development, so the therapeutic relationship feels much like an intimate teaching experience for me.

What led you to take your work from an idea to pursuing it as a business?
I actually never thought that I would own a private practice. I love teaching and learning, and being in academia felt like home. After some soul searching, I realized that my services could reach more people through an independent practice. I also wanted to provide care that was rooted in values of healing and liberation, and I am able to do that unapologetically as a business owner.

What’s your favorite thing about your workspace?
My business is 100% virtual, and I love being able to work from home. My office is definitely a reflection of the work I do and the communities that I serve. It is colorful, soothing, and aesthetic. It’s also warm and inviting, even though I’m the only person who is physically in the space.

Do you have a personal and/or professional motto or mantra that you call upon during tough times? What is it and what does it mean to you?
This is less of a mantra and more of a way of being, but I firmly believe in the power of authenticity and make effort to model that. Whether in an individual session or leading a workshop, I express myself with vulnerability and transparency. I am also very clear about my values and use them as a guide, especially when I’m faced with big decisions. 

How do you pick back up on moving your business forward when perhaps feeling uninspired?
I am still learning how to ride the waves as an entrepreneur, so this question is a challenge for me. So far, I have leaned into my community and trust the process. A good majority of my friends are also healers and educators, so I also get lots of free consultation and support from them. Ask me again in five years?!

What have you gained so far from being a part of the AccelerateHER cohort?
One of the main takeaways from AccelerateHER is recognizing how little I know about being an entrepreneur, which has been exciting and scary. Fortunately, I love learning and have appreciated the diversity of topics and resources that the program is providing. It is truly life changing, and I can look forward to the next five years of business ownership knowing that I have a community of women and femme entrepreneurs to depend on.

Name a woman or gender expansive individual, past or present, whom you admire or look up to. Why?
I deeply admire Dr. Enedelia Sauceda, a dear friend and colleague who happens to serve on the executive board for Pridenton. We share identities as queer, femme, healers and educators of color. I appreciate the ways that they have modeled expanding their lens and impact to include community building and advocacy. I hope to have similar involvement at the local level in years to come, and Dr. Sauceda has provided an incredible blueprint.

AccelerateHER 2024 Cohort Spotlight: Azul Therapies, LLC

How did you come up with your business concept? What inspired you to start your own business? I started this business out of pure tenacity and need. The company I previously worked for shut down quickly and unexpectedly. Rather than leave my clients hanging, I started Azul Therapies and continued to give services to my clients with minimal interruption. 

What’s your background? Could you tell us how each of these disciplines emerge in your work? 
My educational background is a master’s of science in clinical mental health. I have a passion for assisting those in the BIPOC/queer/trans intersection. I work to build community for the people who find themself here whether it be through advocacy events, my free zines, or sharing resources. I am the child of immigrant parents and believe that my upbringing influenced the way I view the oppressed. I was very sick as a child and went to years of physical therapy to learn to walk properly. I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for those who needed help, and have empowered myself to do so professionally. It’s the coolest thing. 

What led you to take your work from an idea to pursuing it as a business?
See question 1, haha. I always knew I wanted to start up a business, but I hadn’t planned on doing it until I had my PhD, or made a name for myself in the field. Life and circumstance catapulted me into this. I accepted it, and made the most of it. 

Azul Therapies LLC new logo as designed by Stoke member Stoney Bass.

How did you find your brand identity?
My first word was Azul. I was OBSESSED with the color growing up. If I had any choice where one of the options was blue, I was going to pick the blue option. I would often describe in consistent detail a blue angel I had living inside of me, and so my mom started calling me Azul. I always wanted to change my name, but never got around to it, especially after my aunt named my cousin Azul. So when I had the opportunity to give something what is essentially my namesake, I chose Azul. 

As far as my logo goes - I made it quickly and without much time to give it thought. I don’t feel like it accurately depicts my business, who I am, or the populations I like to work with. I am currently working with someone on a redesign and it’s gonna be so cool.

What’s your favorite thing about your workspace?
I love the freedom I have in making it mine. I get to choose literally everything about it without having to ask permission. Freedom of expression is integral to who I am - so much so that I have left jobs over the dress code or uniform requirements.

Do you have a personal and/or professional motto or mantra that you call upon during tough times? What is it and what does it mean to you? Honestly, I don’t. I talk about the tough stuff with my little community, my wife, and my therapist. I suppose if I HAD to say I had one, it would be to remind myself that any burden I feel towards work is actually a sacred honor. How cool is it that I get to be people’s therapist?!

Janette Orona from Azul Therapies LLC at the 2024 Denton Pitch Competition.

How do you pick back up on moving your business forward when perhaps feeling uninspired?
I allow myself to feel burnt out on admin things. I let myself get behind on stuff. It’s part of being a business owner. Usually my friendships help pick me back up or my incessant need for perfection, haha. (I am working on it).

What have you gained so far from being a part of the AccelerateHER cohort?
I feel understood in a way I haven’t previously. I have on other friend who owns a business (shout out to salem.snaps - she did my website photography and 1 year anniversary pics), but it’s cool to be surrounded by people from different perspectives and experiences. 

Name a woman or gender expansive individual, past or present, whom you admire or look up to. Why? 
I look up to my licensing supervisor, Lori, my wife, and my mom. Lori does such amazing work. I met her through psychodrama (look it up, it’s the coolest thing!), and have been soaking up her wisdom like a sponge ever since. She helped me decolonize a lot of what is taught in grad school, like being super neutral, sitting “normally,” and helped me step into myself if that makes sense. She normalized a lot of what happens in the counseling room, like needing to excuse yourself to go pee. She reminds me that I am human first.

My wife is such a go-getter. She figures out impossible tasks so easily, and refuses to accept that she can’t do or doesn’t know something. I am consistently inspired by her resilience, ability to set boundaries, and stay organized. She pushes me to try figure things out on my own first, and is always willing to be a sounding board for my wild ideas. 

My mom is as chingona as they come - she’s never taken no for an answer, even from life. I owe her so much. Not just in the literal sense of “she gave birth to me, and raised me”, but in the much more agonizing sense of she wouldn’t ever let me take no for an answer, either. She took me to countless doctor’s visits where they told her I wouldn’t live to see my 7th birthday, and refused to let either one of us believe it. She pushed me to strive for more, even when there wasn’t more to take. It got annoying, and still can, but…yo también soy chingona, y es por parte de mi mami. ¡Te quiero mucho, mami! Gracias, por todo.

Azul Therapies LLC won third place int he 2024 Denton Pitch Competition.

AccelerateHER 2024 Cohort Spotlight: Brite Smiles by Heather

How did you come up with your business concept? What inspired you to start your own business?
I have been a Registered Dental Assistant my whole career and I have educated my patients for years on oral health and the effects of teeth whitening. Teeth whitening is expensive and the dentist office is a scary place for many people. I saw a need to offer affordable professional teeth whitening in a private setting. After a year or so in my new business, I decided to offer mobile services as well.   

What’s your background? Could you tell us how each of these disciplines emerge in your work? 
My background is 30 years of working in the dental field. It takes a special person to understand how nervous people can be in a dental setting. I offer compassion and non judgment to my clients. People have so many misconceptions about teeth whitening and the correct products to use. 

What led you to take your work from an idea to pursuing it as a business?
Honestly, I had been wanting to do something else career wise. The pandemic definitely helped my exit. I saw a need to offer this service in a non intimidation setting . Whether it is in my studio or the comfort of my clients home or office. 

What’s your favorite thing about your workspace?
My office is very warm and inviting. My client's feedback has been wonderful. Many clients take a nap or just have “me” time while having their teeth whitened. Also, I am located on the Denton square, which I love.

Do you have a personal and/or professional motto or mantra that you call upon during tough times? What is it and what does it mean to you? Own your stuff! What I mean by this is to own your decisions and choices. I live my life by this and have even before I started a business. No regret, if I don’t like a choice I made, I learn from it and grow. 

Heather Walker from Brite Smiles By Heather at the Denton Pitch Competition and Entrepreneur Expo

How do you pick back up on moving your business forward when perhaps feeling uninspired?
I focus on all the positive results and feedback from my clients. Exercise is also a fantastic reset button for me. My husband is my biggest cheerleader and helps keep me focused and moving forward. 

What have you gained so far from being a part of the AccelerateHER cohort?
So much! So many thought provoking ideas. There have been moments where I have said to myself, “how have I never thought about this”. I love that I was able to be a part of this program and It has given me positive reinforcement in decisions I have made and will make. 

Heather Walker from Brite Smiles by Heather won second place in the Denton Pitch Competition.

Name a woman or gender expansive individual, past or present, whom you admire or look up to. Why? 
Michelle Obama! I love her story and I love her compassion for humanity. She is a woman of her word. She is a self made woman and has worked hard for education and position in life. She is a classic example of learning and evolving everyday.

2024 - A Year in Review

It’s the time of year for reflection, and we wanted to take a look back at 2024 to see all of the ways that Stoke brought together business owners and supported entrepreneurs in our community. 

The 2023-2024 AccelerateHER Denton cohort.

In January, we wrapped the fourth cohort of AccelerateHER, the incubator program for female founders that we run in partnership with Texas Woman’s University Center for Women Entrepreneurs. The cohort was made up of 7 women working to start, validate, and grow their businesses who participate in a 5 months program that includes weekly workshops and 1:1 mentorship. The 23-24 AccelerateHER cohort wrapped up with a virtual showcase where each entrepreneur had the chance to share about their business and a call to action. We then met up in person to celebrate the end of an incredible five months of the program.

Happy Hour at Harvest House with supporters after the AccelerateHER Denton virtual showcase.

In March, we held our first Spark Creative Mixer of 2024. These events are designed to bring together individuals that are a part of the creative economy of Denton and support their creative work through helping to strengthen their business foundations. Through the three Spark Mixers we held in 2024, dozens of folks in video production, graphic design, music, art, retail, content creation, and more gathered with the intention of connecting with and learning from other creative entrepreneurs in Denton. 

May brought our sixth annual FlintConf year and for the first time ever we held a kickoff event, First Strike, the evening before. This free event featured a panel discussion with three creative entrepreneurs followed by a community conversation where people shared events, resources, and opportunities for creative businesses in Denton.

This year FlintConf was held at Patterson Appleton Arts Center. The day featured 6 speaker sessions, one hands-on workshop, and a happy hour at the end of the day. We had lunch provided by Chestnut Tree and Triptych Coffee Co was onsite all day to keep the attendees caffeinated. Speakers included Amber Briggle from Soma Massage Therapy, Michelle Williams from Mass Challenge, and two local lawyers from HBWV. 

Pictures from FlintConf 2024 at the Patterson Appleton Arts Center. Photo credit to Will Milne.

Summer is a quieter time at Stoke which gives our team time to rest and plan for our busy fall program season. We open applications for the fall AccelerateHER cohort and the Denton Pitch Competition during the summer, and prepare for the launch of both programs. In September, the fifth cohort of AccelerateHER started their weekly workshops and the Denton Pitch Competition held a kickoff meeting with all of the semifinalists who made it to the coaching round. 

November holds our busiest week of the year with our annual participation in Global Entrepreneurship Week. GEW is a celebration of entrepreneurship around the world and since 2018, Stoke has hosted events in Denton that connect, educate, and support the entrepreneurs in our ecosystem. Throughout the week Stoke hosted 5 events; a Lunch & Learn about Google Ads, a Coffee + Convo on business finances, a Big Ideas Creative Mixer, Denton Pitch Competition + Entrepreneur Expo, and a day of free coworking with a coffee pop up from Triptych Coffee Co. 

Denton Pitch Competition is always a highlight of the week and this year was no different. 10 entrepreneurs pitched in front of a panel of judges and an audience of over 100 people for their chance to win cash prizes to support their business growth. This year, we handed out big checks to four female entrepreneurs who had a clear idea of how to use the funds to grow their business. 

The 2024 Denton Pitch Competition Winners. The Brown Thumb (first), Brite Smiles by Heather (second), Azul Therapies (third), and Directing my Life (community choice).

As we reflect back on 2024, we are so grateful for the work that we get to do. We supported over 125 entrepreneurs, freelancers, and remote workers through membership in our coworking community. Additionally we provided education, mentorship, and support to over 600 business owners and creatives through the over 40 events that we held throughout the year. Through this work, we are able to live out our goal of having a positive impact on the culture and economy of Denton and we look forward to continuing this work in 2025 and beyond. 

Money Matters: The Small Business Owner's End-of-the-Year Financial Checklist

You might have to work, but you don’t have to work alone. At Stoke, we not only provide work space, but also offer resources to support our community of small business owners, entrepreneurs, creatives, and remote workers. If you’re part of the small business owner and solopreneur crowd, running your own business means being in control of and monitoring many moving parts, and one of the most important parts is managing your business finances. Without having a firm understanding of your business finances and keeping a consistent and critical eye on your revenue and expenses, you could find yourself in a difficult situation. Here’s an end-of-the-year financial checklist to work through to keep yourself and your business on track as we close out 2024. 

Cover Your Bases

Do you know where your business stands financially compared to last year at this time? Take a look at your financial report (income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement) to understand your profits and losses. Using this information, you’ll be able to evaluate your business spending and strategize for the year ahead.

Know your cash flow to identify and evaluate trends throughout the year. Your cash flow statement gives you a clear view of how operating (revenue and expenses), investing (assets purchased and assets sold), and financial (loans and repayments) activities affect your cash balance.

Reconcile accounts receivable: collect funds for invoices that haven’t been paid. This bolsters the accuracy of your cash flow statement for the current year and allows you to have a fresh start. Though sending payment reminders isn’t the most exciting of tasks, doing so will help set you up for a strong start in 2025.

Prepare to Handle Taxes

Know and gather the forms and information you’ll need to file taxes. It’s also a good idea to evaluate what counts as tax deductions and credit opportunities. Typically, these deductions include general business expenses, legal services, advertising, rent and insurance, and employee salaries and benefits.

These are the most common tax forms for small business owners: 

• Schedule C: Reports income as a sole proprietor together with Form 1040. 

• Schedule K-1: Reports income if you’re an S corporation or partnership owner.

• 1099-NEC: Reports nonemployee compensation

• 1099-MISC: Reports rental income or gross proceeds. 

• Form 1120: Reports income if you’re a C corporation

• 1099-K: Reports card payments and third-party network transactions. 

You’ll also want to gather income statements, expense receipts, and your tax returns from the last year to get ready to file. 

Take Inventory

-of your tech stack, website, contacts, your physical products, count everything!

Update vendor information or confirm that it is correct. This should include contact information but also relationship notes (whether they are active or inactive, or if you want to negotiate different deals in the coming year).

Inventory includes intangible things like your business goals too. After looking at your cash flow and accounts receivable, take time to think back on what you set out to do this past year. Did you achieve your financial, management, and client goals? Create an action plan for new goals to help you achieve them.

Other intangible items include important data that you should back up on hard drives or other storage systems in case your current systems discontinue, glitch, or ultimately fail. Download files and reports that are crucial to your business. Write down information for your contacts as well. Not only will this be helpful in the event of technology issues, it will also be helpful in case of natural disasters or cyber threats. Log this task in your schedule for each quarter if you haven’t already. 

Evaluate Your Operations

Celebrate your team (or just you!) for any major accomplishments this past year. Think about whether you might need to hire anyone in the coming year as well. When you evaluate your time and effort, you might budget for outsourcing work or bring work inhouse if needed. If there are bottlenecks in your processes, consider automation through tools like Zapier. Identify pain points that arose through the year in terms of issues or delays.

Experience your website as if you were a new user or as a returning client. Check links to make sure they take people where they need to go or allow them to download PDFs or other files. Make sure that people can contact you or submit forms correctly. Assess your website for its ROI and look at your site analytics.

Review your marketing efforts alongside reviewing your website - what’s working and what isn’t landing? Take a look at your key performance indicators to measure success and also determine if they’re still what you should be tracking for your business.

Get Ready for 2025

If you’re looking for help with handling your end-of-the-year finances, know that you don’t have to do this work alone! You can find assistance with bookkeeping, accounting, preparing taxes, and more, including the nitty gritty of tasks such as website audits and marketing efforts.

Design, Art, and Dentonite Highlights at Stoke

Stoke, Denton’s coworking space, has gone through many transformations: from more gentle changes after consulting with designers, Hollingsworth and Co., to dramatic evolution through renovation in 2021 and adding 12 offices (completely shifting where the original coworking and dedicated desk areas were located). Throughout all of this and the continued improvement of the design and functionality of the space available, one thing has remained the same: Stoke strives to serve the people of Denton and build community.

How Stoke Builds Up Denton’s Community of Creatives and Small Business Entrepreneurs

Serving Stoke Members

Stoke’s first order of business is to support its member community, which is made up of 43% remote workers and 43% small business owners, working in tech, marketing, advertising, media buying, and content creation. Some members have been part of Stoke since day one, which was in August of 2016, and have witnessed all of the changes in management as well as expansion in program and event offerings. All members, no matter their start date, are welcomed equally and treated with the same community guidelines and values thoughtfully established by Stoke and staff.

Stoke has refined an efficient onboarding process to make it easy for new members to access all of the amenities (high speed WiFi, meeting rooms, coffee and tea, printing/scanning, business address and mail receiving, and more) that come with working from the space on day one of their membership. Additionally, different membership levels have been developed and added through evaluating member needs and space use over the years to ensure that people can choose exactly what they need in terms of access to Stoke and services. Initially, membership levels included the more typical types offered by coworking spaces: virtual membership for people mostly needing a business address, regular day use in coworking, more committed space at dedicated desks, and private offices. Eventually, Stoke added memberships like community access and coworking 24/7 as it became apparent that some people needed to use Stoke at times and frequencies outside of the original levels.

By offering this multi-functional, multi-use supportive space and thoughtfully growing options and opportunities, Stoke enables people to live, work, and enjoy their time in Denton, rather than staying confined to their home office, struggling to focus in a public setting, or driving to the office or a further coworking space for a more productive working environment. 

Stoke also actively makes efforts to connect its members to opportunities happening within the space and outside of it in Denton. Staff and program administrators get to know members, their professions and careers, their needs and wants for growth, and are able to suggest resources and contacts from within Stoke’s directory of members as well as externally through Denton’s network of small business owners in the Denton Chamber of Commerce, Denton Main Street Association, and more. 

Inviting All Dentonites To Be Part of the Stoke Community

Practicing its values of connection and inclusivity, Stoke has established itself as a Denton institution. You don’t have to be a Stoke member to benefit from what Stoke has to offer. If you need a place temporarily, Stoke offers day passes. If you need informative resources, Stoke has curated those for your use (link to blog, infographic downloads). And, non-Stoke members are encouraged to apply to participate in AccelerateHER, apply for the Denton Pitch Competition, or attend any of the events that Stoke hosts that are open to the public (Coffee + Convo monthly, FlintConf annually, Global Entrepreneurship Week events annually). 

Stoke started out as an idea dreamed up by local remote workers, startup owners, and engineers who used to gather at long-gone coffee shop and music venue Banter (now the spot of 940’s Kitchen and Cocktails) to work. Its origin story epitomizes what Stoke has become: a place where people choose to work together, collaborate, and make great things happen. 

Art, Machines, and Dentonites You May Know Who Have a Presence at Stoke

Stoke actively chooses to support locals in as many ways as possible. Not only providing a productive workplace for the population of Dentonites who are remote workers, small business owners, creatives, and entrepreneurs, Stoke is the patron of these businesses too.

Private offices on the left, dedicated desks on the right under the Tate Hollingsworth mural.

Hollingsworth & Co Design, Art, and Mural Many Make the Whole

Kicking off the start of Stoke’s space refresh before the pandemic, Hollingsworth and Co. collaborated with Heather to brighten and warm up the space with ways as simple as paint and as grand as a mural-sized painting, titled “Many Make A Whole.” This painting occupies one of the dedicated desk areas and represents Stoke’s members who individually make up a remarkable community. In total, the design team added color to the electrical columns, curated functional and sleek furniture, and brought in art for the walls and nooks of Stoke.

Artlab 3000 Mural

Denton duo Melanie Little Gomez Smith and Des Smith, also known as ArtLab 3000, were commissioned to paint a mural that graces two walls leading into the coworking area at Stoke! From the sparkle horse to the multi-headed deer and double bear silhouette, the piece delights members and visitors alike. You find a new detail every time you look! During one evening of Global Entrepreneurship Week in 2021, Stoke hosted a mural reception party, which included an interactive video project by Colectivo Creative Media and a Lao cuisine cooking demo by Good and Golden.

Artlab 3000 Mural inside of the coworking area at Stoke.

Lisa the Risograph, Spiderweb Salon, Delaney Smith Studio

New machine member, Lisa the Risograph Duplicator, was recently serviced and tested by Delaney Smith Studio. Stoke is proud to be Lisa’s new home! Lisa dwells in the printer/scanner nook that is also where Stoke mailboxes are located. Follow Spiderweb Salon for future news about a riso workshop for beginners who are interested in this screen printing process for zines, fliers, art prints, programs, and more. 

Snack Town Vending, Mayor Stefanie Lazcano

Stoke provides coffee and tea, and the mayor of Snack Town, Stefanie Lazcano, provides the salty, sweet, and savory goods through her vending machine business. Treats are crucial to keeping you going during the work day, and on the rare occasion there aren’t leftover breakfast tacos from a weekly team meeting or homemade cinnamon rolls from a Stoke member on the kitchen counter, the Snack Town vending machine has you covered. You may have seen Snack Town machines at other Denton establishments, like Harvest House and Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios, where Lazcano also stocks whimsical items like star-shaped sunglasses and tarot cards. 

Denton County Brewing Beer & Goldenroot Sparkling WaterON TAP!

After years of lobbying for a kegerator, Stoke members succeeded. Several partnerships and iterations of what this looked like later, Denton County Brewing now stocks a pony keg of a beer of the month, to be inaugurated and enjoyed by the monthly member happy hour. (As if there weren’t enough treats to go on at Stoke.) For those who enjoy a no-alc beverage, Goldenroot Gingerbeer supplies sparkling water on tap too!

Triptych-supplied Coffee Grinds

Perhaps the most important beverage at a coworking space, the coffee is carefully chosen and delivered by the owners of Triptych Coffee Co. Triptych Coffee Co. is a mobile, specialty coffee cart founded in 2023. They started out by serving at weekly markets at local plant shop, True Leaf Studio. Triptych also participated in the Denton Pitch Competition (hosted by Stoke!) and won a grant of $3,000. They now serve full time at True Leaf Studio!

Stoke lives out its values, and this is visible through the people and the amenities that you can find there. Stoke welcomes ideas and conversations about community partnerships. Email [heather@stokedenton.com] with ideas!

You’re Invited to Stoke Events Out in Denton

Want to become part of the Stoke community? Visit during a Freebie Friday, attend a virtual event like Coffee + Convo, or join us next month for even more events during Global Entrepreneurship Week. Some events will be hosted at Stoke as well as around town at other venues.

A General History of Coworking: The Evolution of the Third Space

Chances are, you know someone who works remotely, since nearly one-fifth of the workforce population has the option of entirely remote or hybrid work, and by 2025, this will rise to approximately 22%, about 32.6 million Americans. So where are they working from? You might assume that they’ve set up home offices and occasionally go to a coffee shop a few days a week, or the company’s headquarters if it’s required and nearby, and that is often the case. Many people, however, choose to work in a different setting that is designed for productivity when given the opportunity: coworking spaces.

A coworking space is an office space that offers many of the amenities of a typical office workplace—desks, collaborative and quiet spaces, an area for eating and socializing, and a structured environment. Both individuals and organizations can sign up for membership. (Society for Human Resource Management)

Sometimes referred to as a “third space,” coworking spaces are a break from tradition, or the typical (1) home and (2) office spaces with which we are familiar. Following in Europe’s footsteps by a little under a decade, the first coworking space in the states is considered to be the San Francisco Coworking space, started by software engineer Brad Neuberg in 2005. Originally hosted in a building shared with a feminist collective, Spiral Muse, the demand for the coworking space portion grew, and Neuberg relocated and launched a fulltime operation at the Hat Factory. Coworking as an industry and business model took off in the years following, and now there are thousands of spaces in the United States and even more across the world. 

Coworking Spaces Offer Essential Office Amenities and More

Some coworking spaces boast particularly unique factors: out-of-the-box architecture (stacked shipping containers), beautiful views and locations (on the water), and fun activities (climbing wall-oriented member community), but the essentials remain a common thread across the board. 

Different areas in coworking spaces are thoughtfully designed to meet varying workday needs: desks to work individually, conference rooms to collaborate with team members or meet with clients, health-conscious options like adjustable standing desks, and more lounge-like areas with couches and softer seating. Equipped with reliable and high speed WiFi, coworking spaces are the perfect place to work as to avoid dropping an important call or dealing with frustrations around spotty internet. Additional tech services often include printing and scanning capabilities and flat screen tvs for presentations and meetings. 

Not necessarily always emphasized when promoting coworking space amenities, one of the most valuable assets to a coworking space is the staff and the occupants of the space itself. Managing a coworking space and taking care of the members is truly people-centered work; the staff work hard to offer a a space, service, and support for a productive work experience for everyone.  Members themselves have varied professional backgrounds and experience that can contribute to support that naturally occurs amongst them, in interactions in the shared kitchen space or during more organized activities, like member-only lunches or happy hours. Mentors, seasoned professionals, entrepreneurs, and local businesses all make up the community in a coworking space like Stoke, which results in a supportive network hard to find elsewhere. 

In action, this looks like: 

• Coworking space staff support members through planned and organic introductions in the coworking space and hosting purposeful events. 

• Member Huddle

• Happy Hours / Socials

• Coworking space staff developing external community-facing programs and events that provide connection and education.

• Coffee and Convo

• AccelerateHER, an incubator program for women entrepreneurs

• Denton Pitch Competition

• Networking events that don’t feel like networking events, some are member exclusive, some are open to public.

• Creative mixers

All of these efforts help to combat loneliness and improve social wellbeing, another benefit that coworking spaces offer but don’t necessarily list out as a specific item on their amenities page. "Coworking spaces facilitate social connections, offer employees more flexibility to work in an environment that best suits their unique needs and preferences, and may offer employees a more convenient location for a shared workspace that reduces their commute time and cost,” states Caitlin Duffy, research director in Human Resources practice at Gartner. Designating space outside the home helps many people maintain balance between their professional and personal lives as well. 

From a survey of over 800 people conducted in 2022: 

"Results showed that people are creatively solving their loneliness issues by finding a pseudo-office in third spaces, which include coworking sites. These third spaces are more socially fulfilling than working from the office or from home. Respondents found they could get a sense of relaxed but welcoming community from going to these sites." (Constance Hadley, organizational psychologist at the Boston University Questrom School of Business and founder of the Institute for Life at Work)

As noted above, not only do coworking spaces serve their communities as a space to work and gather, and often, they also serve as a resource, providing engaging events and programs that benefit members and the general public alike. Some independent coworking spaces (those that are not within the network of Industrious, Impact Hub, Regus or WeWork) even have partnerships with the city’s economic development departments, like the Nest Coworking in Peoria and Stoke! These partnerships are investments from the cities to support coworking space efforts to bolster the growth and success of small business owners, entrepreneurs, and creatives in the town.

Community Members Within Stoke & Making Use of Stoke Space

Over the years, Stoke has witnessed many different groups and organizations making use of the conference rooms, the former event space (renovated in 2021!), and coworking and dedicated desk areas. 

The coworking and dedicated desks make great collaborative spaces for a few or several people to work in proximity to one another on the regular. For more private or robust meetings, conference rooms are a great option, set up with tables and chairs and a flat screen tv for viewing slide decks, metrics, and the like. For remote teams, Stoke’s largest conference room (seats 10 around the table, but even more seats can be rolled in!) serves every now and then as a retreat space. Formerly the event space and now the coworking area, the comfortable seating arrangements give people room to work productively through the day and a place to hold larger group activities or events in the evening. 

One of Stoke’s longest-term members, Heather Steele, shared how she has utilized the space’s offerings over the years: 

• Team meetings, weekly, and one-offs like roadmapping workshops, stating “the big whiteboards are a huge part of why we like in person meetings in the conference rooms”

• Conference rooms for webinars and livestreams

• Farewell parties for employees moving on to new roles

• Monthly women's group, brown bag, lunch meetups

• Galentine’s Day taco bar potluck

Heather expertly juggles a few different roles, and Stoke is glad to be able to play a part in her workflow!

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Denton community organizations that use this space range from monthly meetings, Denton Town Makers, in partnership with Stronger Denton, a semi-monthly Writer’s Workshop, DTX Writers to nonprofits like Friends With Benefits for event planning and the occasional book launch party.  

For a look at more stories from members themselves, read a collection of Member Spotlight interviews and AccelerateHER Cohort stories on the Stoke blog!

Stoke continues to evaluate space use and programming and events to provide the best coworking experience in Denton. To stay in the loop, sign up for Stoke’s email list for information on upcoming events, programs, the ever-coved office spaces that occasionally become available, and more!