AccelerateHER 2025 Cohort Spotlight: Alexandra Murray

We’re proud to introduce Alexandra Murray, a 2025 AccelerateHER Cohort whose journey into life coaching grew from her own transformation. After experiencing burnout and feeling stuck in her career, Alexandra found a path that allowed her to reconnect with purpose and now she helps others do the same. As a certified life coach, she’s passionate about guiding people through clarity, confidence, and growth as they build lives that align with who they truly are.

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

In Feb. 2024 I left my 10+ year corporate career in Healthcare Marketing to pursue my passion to become an entrepreneur. I had months of personal development to figure out what I wanted to do in my next chapter. I had a list of my top 10 values as my guiding principles and so I came up with the idea of creating my own marketing agency - it’s the best thing I could think of (it checked 80% of the boxes on my values list). When I left my job, at the end of February, I already had everything lined up from my website to my vendors - I was ready to go! After I left, my very wise husband told me just to take a break and make sure this is what I wanted to do before I jumped into my Marketing Agency. I thought he was crazy because I was ready to launch, but I took a few weeks. One day, I wasn’t doing anything productive and was actually doom-scrolling on Instagram Reels, like an adult, when I came across an ad for Jay Shetty's very own “Jay Shetty Certification Coaching School”. At that time I was a big fan of Jay Shetty, his teachings, philosophies, books, and his podcasts. But I didn’t know what a coach was, I had never heard of a coach, and I most certainly didn’t know it was a job/career you could have. So, because I loved his message, I called the school, took what they told me a coaching career entailed back to my list of values I wanted as an entrepreneur and I realized it checked 100% of the boxes. With the main one being “helping others”. I was sold and so I went back to schools to become a Jay Shetty Certified Life and Success Coach.

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

After I got my certification, it took me a minute to figure out what my niche would be in coaching. I was like every other coach and wanted to help and serve everyone. I quickly realized that I was serving no one. I realized that one of the areas I naturally excelled at in my corporate career was growing others and helping them reach their full potential and when I started to network I realized that I was surrounded by entrepreneurs, business owners, and career-driven individuals who could use my coaching to help them with their mindset to unlock their fullest potential so that they too could thrive in their business. Although I don’t work on websites, social media or do project management, I also realized that I can help new entrepreneurs through the difficult task of choosing, building out, and managing their vendors in the marketing arm of their business so I use my skillset to advise them on that side of their business too.

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

For ten years, I was in the corporate world, waiting for recognition, continuously asking for permission to go to the next level, and at the same time, dealing with toxic bosses and leaders. All that stress and unhappiness eventually led to depression, and it was so bad I had to start taking antidepressants for the first time ever. That was my wake-up call. I knew I had to make a big change, so I started a self-discovery journey to figure out my life's purpose and find my joy again. That massive shift gave me the courage to quit my job and launch my own business as a business coach. Now, my mission is to help other entrepreneurs and business owners move past burnout to build successful, purpose-driven businesses that give them peace, freedom, and real fulfillment.

● 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?

Yes, I probably have to many as I am a big believer in affirmation, reframing, and I love me a good motivational quote! So here is just a few:

■ Action builds confidence (keeps me moving forward, small steps, and anxiety at bay)

■ Rest is part of my strategy, not a weakness. (keeps me from feeling guilty when I feel like I am being lazy)

■ The hard work you are avoiding is probably the exact step/move you need to make to get to the next level. (moves me past fear)

■ Smile or you’re doing it wrong. (This comes from my favorite ultra runner who has run 100 miles a week for the past 4 years; if he can smile through that, so can I)

■ Goals are a place to come from, not a place to get to. (This is embodiment to me, no destination in mind but enjoying the process of creating and doing. Not just getting to the end)

● How do you pick back up on moving your business forward when perhaps feeling uninspired?

I try to stick to the plan, not my mood. I also go for getting something done and not perfection, meaning. If I plan on working for an hour but only get in 15 minutes, I celebrate that instead of beating myself up. I still showed up for myself and didn’t abandon it 100%; 25% done is still better than 0%.

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

I love everyone I have met in the cohort and all the mentors who have come into the room and taught us something. Every week I feel like I am making progress that otherwise I would of never of made! I have my budget done for next year!! That’s such a win for me. It makes me feel seen and less a lone knowing that there are a group of women who are working just as hard as I am with lots of ups and downs, wins and losses, self-doubt and confidence, all at the same time.

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

I admire Kamala Harris because she embodies strength, resilience, and trailblazing leadership in the crazy world. All of her firsts: first woman, first Black woman, and first South Asian American to serve as Vice President, she represents what is possible and progress. Her confidence, intelligence, and unapologetic voice is undeniable, and the way she inspires women to lead boldly, break through barriers,and own their power without apology.

Find out more about Alexandra on her website at https://www.unleashucoaching.com/ .

5 Ways to Finish the Year Strong

Believe it or not, the 4th quarter is here! It’s the season for reflection, strategy, and (hopefully) a little celebration. Whether you’re wrapping up a big year or building momentum for the next one, these simple, practical tips can help your business finish 2025 on a high note.

1. Revisit Your Goals

Take a look at what you set out to accomplish this year. What’s still within reach? Where have you already made progress? Refocusing your energy on what matters most can help you end the year with purpose instead of pressure.

2. Refresh Your Marketing

’Tis the season for fresh ideas! Add a fall touch to your marketing, whether that’s a social campaign, a local collaboration, or a small thank-you promo for loyal customers. It doesn’t have to be complicated to make an impact.

3. Invest in Relationships

Your customers, collaborators, and community partners are the heartbeat of your business. Take a moment to say thanks. So send a note, spotlight a client, or simply reconnect with people who’ve supported you this year.

4. Get Your Finances in Order

We know it’s not the glamorous part, but cleaning up your books now means a smoother start to the new year. Review your expenses, organize receipts, and set aside time to check in with your accountant or bookkeeper.

5. Celebrate the Wins (Big or Small)

As entrepreneurs, we don’t always pause long enough to appreciate how far we’ve come. Host a small team lunch, grab coffee with your accountability partner, or just take a minute to acknowledge your growth. You’ve earned it.

The bottom line: Q4 is a chance to slow down, tighten up, and celebrate progress while setting the stage for what’s next. Stoke is proud to be part of your journey, and we can’t wait to see how you finish strong this year.

Spotlight: Heather Steele + Randi Skinner of VBM Strategy

This month, we’re highlighting Stoke members Heather Steele and Randi Skinner, the powerhouse team behind VBM Strategy. With experience spanning brand strategy, messaging, and organizational development, they came together around a shared passion: helping leaders gain clarity and build aligned, meaningful growth. Their story is rooted in collaboration, purpose, and a belief that strategy should begin with vision.

Hear more about their journey into business partnership and beyond.

What led each of you into the world of strategy, marketing, and business development, and how did those paths eventually converge into launching VBM Strategy together?

We came into strategy from different but complementary directions. Heather spent years helping organizations clarify their messaging, have a website that actually helps their business, and scale through custom systems. Randi came from the world of storytelling and brand strategy—helping leaders communicate who they are, not just what they sell.

Over time, we both kept running into the same challenge: leaders were making decisions in silos. Marketing wasn’t connected to strategy. Growth wasn’t connected to people. And vision often lived only in a founder or CEO’s head. We realized that the missing link wasn’t more marketing—it was alignment. That’s where VBM Strategy was born.

What was the moment or realization that made you say, “We should build this together,” and what did those early conversations look like?

It honestly started with the simple fact that we just wanted to work together. Running a business can be incredibly rewarding—but it can also feel a little lonely at times. Having great minds around you makes the work more dynamic, creative, and fun.

We’ve always told our clients to adopt a “who, not how” mindset: stop asking how you can hustle more, and start asking who you can lean into to help make things happen. When we launched VBM Strategy, we took our own advice. We asked, “Who can I partner with to fill the gaps and make this stronger?”

It also didn’t hurt that we already had a strong business friendship built over six-plus years. We respected each others’ character, work ethic, and creative process—and knew our skills complemented each other perfectly. Once we started collaborating, it just made sense. What began as shared frustration over how disconnected strategy and marketing often were quickly turned into the spark that became VBM Strategy.

It was a collaboration that just clicked. We were both consulting with clients who needed more than a single solution—they needed someone to help them connect the dots between their vision, what they wanted to protect and how marketing can come alongside to be a change agent. 

Our early conversations were all about frustration, honestly. We’d say, “Why are we watching leaders work so hard but still feel stuck?” Those brainstorming sessions turned into whiteboard sketches, frameworks, and eventually the foundation of what became the Vision Value Model™. 

For those who may not be familiar, how would you describe the Vision Value Model™ in simple terms, and why was creating that framework so important for your work?

At VBM Strategy, we believe strategy should start with clarity—not just about what you do, but why it matters. The Vision Value Model™ helps business owners align their marketing and growth strategies with the bigger picture of what they want their business to do for them.

When we are working with clients on their Blueprint Marketing Strategy we take a vision-first approach. 

Vision goes beyond selling more or hiring a team. It’s the integrated view of where your personal and professional goals intersect. Whether you realize it or not, you’re building your business toward a greater outcome—retiring your spouse, traveling more, transitioning to a family member, or preparing for a sale.

We begin by defining that integrated vision: What do you truly want your business to make possible for your life and family?

Once vision is clear, we identify your guiding values—what must be protected above all else to move you closer to that vision. We call this the PiPP framework, which helps define and prioritize what matters most:

• People

• Impact

• Process

• Profit

All are important, but one must lead. Prioritizing your PiPP focus ensures your marketing becomes a true change agent—not just noise.

Next, we develop goals that reflect your vision and values—not rigid SMART goals, but what we call M.E.S.S.Y Goals:

• Mission-Aligned

• Exponential and Earnest

• Sifted from the Heap

• Simple & Memorable

• Uniquely Yours

Sometimes the best goals are big, bold, and a little messy. What matters is that they’re real, relevant, and rooted in your mission.

Only after vision, values, and goals are aligned do we develop the tactics—email, social, digital, web, and beyond. Because who cares about a tactic if it doesn’t move you closer to your vision or protect what you value most?

The Vision Value Model™ ensures every strategy we build drives clarity, alignment, and meaningful results—helping you grow your business and your life in harmony.

You work with leaders at pivotal transition points—scaling, leadership shifts, or even preparing for exit. What do you think most founders misunderstand about strategy during those seasons?

Many founders treat strategy as something you build after you grow, when it’s actually the thing that makes growth sustainable.

During transition seasons, the instinct is to move faster—but that’s usually when you need to slow down and clarify what still fits and what doesn’t. 

Founders often underestimate how much strategy is about communication: getting your team aligned, your clients re-engaged, and your systems ready for what’s next.

Values are core to your work. What does values-driven marketing actually look like in practice, and how does it change the way a business shows up or makes decisions?

Values-driven marketing means your message isn’t just about what you do—it’s rooted in why you do it, how you operate and most important what you want to protect. It shows up in the tone of your brand, the partnerships you say yes or no to, and how you measure success.

When marketing is anchored in values, you stop chasing trends and start leading conversations that actually matter to your audience. It builds long-term trust instead of short-term attention. This is one of the key things that we address during the PiPP framework portion of our Marketing Blueprint Strategy process. 

Partnerships can be powerful and also challenging. What have you learned about working together, what makes the partnership work, and how do you divide strengths?

We like to joke that we share a brain—but with very different hemispheres.

What makes our partnership work is communication, respect, and clarity. We both know where the other shines and lean into those strengths instead of competing. 

People often assume we’re related—which probably says more about how much time we spend together than anything else! The truth is, we genuinely love working together. A whiteboard session with us is an hour well spent because we innovate the heck out of things. But with that creative energy comes a need for balance—especially as we grow. We’ve learned to divide execution based on strengths—ours and our team’s—and to recognize when not to both be in the room.

Two key things keep our partnership healthy and scalable:

1. Clarity through frameworks. Tools like The Working Genius and DiSC help us understand how we each work best and how to build balanced teams.

2. Alignment through values. Our VBM Values are more than words on a page—they’re our decision filters. Protecting time, honoring energy, and trusting each other’s instincts are non-negotiables.

We’ve also learned to release control when it’s not needed. If one of us feels strongly about something and is willing to lead it, the other steps back. That mutual trust gives us freedom—and it’s the same kind of clarity we help our clients build into their own teams and businesses.

Randi Skinner + Heather Steele at Stoke Coworking

Looking back, what has been one of the most defining or gratifying moments in building VBM Strategy so far?

Hearing a client say, “I finally feel clear again,” never gets old. That moment of clarity—when everything clicks—is why we built VBM Strategy. Whether it’s a founder realizing they can finally take a vacation for the first time in years, or a team seeing how their daily work connects to a larger vision, that’s the kind of impact that fuels us.

We’ve celebrated plenty of wins along the way, but the most gratifying ones are when that clarity happens inside our own walls—when someone on our team finds their own vision and feels truly aligned and integrated. Watching our framework come to life internally, seeing our people grow, and investing in them as whole humans—that’s what makes all the work worth it.

Where do you see VBM Strategy heading next and what excites you about the chapter you’re building now?

We’re in a season of scaling—taking our Blueprint Marketing Strategies and putting the Vision Value Model™ fully to work. Over the next 12 months, our focus is on depth and expansion: refining our systems, empowering our team, and helping more organizations build alignment between their vision, values, and growth.

As innovators, it’s tempting to keep creating new things (and we have no shortage of ideas!), but this chapter is about being rooted. 

We’re intentionally holding space to strengthen what works—to scale with purpose and clarity. What excites us most is knowing that this next phase isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what we do best, at a bigger impact and a deeper level.

For entrepreneurs reading this who feel “stuck” or unsure of their next move, what’s one piece of guidance you would want them to hear?

Get clear before you get busy. Most business owners aren’t lacking effort—they’re lacking direction.

If you’re feeling stuck, take a step back and revisit your vision. Ask: “What do I actually want this to look like three years from now?” The next right move will come into focus once your vision does. And of course there’s always the step of reaching out to us if you need a little help getting started. 

Stoke is a big part of your work rhythm. What do you value most about being part of this community at this stage in your business?

Stoke gives us the structure and energy of a team environment without losing the freedom of entrepreneurship. It’s a space full of people who are building, creating, and dreaming—so there’s a natural current of inspiration here.

We love that it’s not just a place to work, but a community that pushes us to think bigger, connect deeper, and show up as our best selves in business and beyond.

Find out more about VBM Strategy at their website: https://vbmstrategy.com/ .

Spotlight: Aaron Smith of Turnsole Health

This September, we are so excited to feature Stoke member, Aaron Smith, founder of Turnsole Health. Aaron’s entrepreneurial journey spans from building and selling Flexcare Solutions, a company that grew to 36 clinics across six states, to launching his latest venture aimed at solving one of healthcare’s toughest financial challenges. His story is one of persistence, vision, and a passion for problem-solving.

• To start off, can you tell us a little about your background and what led you into the healthcare space?

I come from a software development background, having started my career in travel and banking. In 2003, my wife (then girlfriend) Melanie mentioned that Baylor Healthcare was struggling with their disease management software. We convinced Baylor to partner with us on building version one, which gave us the experience and credibility to take the product commercial. About a decade later, we sold the company to Healthways, by which time we had grown to serve roughly 230 hospital systems.

• What inspired you to launch Flexcare Solutions, and what was the vision when you first got started?

After the Healthways acquisition, I joined Optum, where I was introduced to a new class of drugs called infusible biologics. These therapies are remarkably effective but also very expensive, and insurance approval is often a major barrier. Physicians were deeply frustrated because patients’ care was delayed. My co-founder and I realized that if we could solve this bottleneck, we could build a company that delivered these therapies faster than the competition. That insight proved right: from a single clinic in Oklahoma City in 2019, we expanded to 36 clinics across six states by 2025.

• In the early days of building Flexcare, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced as a founder?

Operating brick-and-mortar clinics is tough. Construction, maintenance, procurement, inventory, and cash flow are all challenging individually—and when combined, the learning curve to survival was steep. Then COVID hit, shutting down all sales calls for eight months. That was terrifying, but our patients kept coming for treatment, which helped sustain us.

• Looking back, what do you think were the key factors that contributed to Flexcare’s growth and success?

We had a unique differentiator that resonated with both patients and providers. Market tailwinds gave us the opportunity to raise growth capital. And my co-founder was the perfect complement—bringing skills that balanced mine, along with the same persistence and drive to push through challenges.

• You recently sold Flexcare Solutions — what was that process like, and how did it feel to reach that milestone?

It was long and stressful. The process with Optum took 10 months from negotiations through diligence and closing. We worked 60–80 hours a week the entire time, which took a toll on our families. The feeling afterward was a mix—relief that we achieved such a daunting goal, euphoria from the win, and sadness knowing the team would split up. It felt a bit like winning a high school state championship: unforgettable, but also the end of a special chapter.

• What lessons did you learn from the experience of building and then selling a company?

First, learn to delegate quickly the things you’re not good at. Focusing on what you and your company do best is what creates real differentiation. Second, as long as you have capital and creativity, there’s always a path forward. Many times we didn’t know exactly how we’d solve the problems in front of us, but persistence—just continuing to move forward—always led us to a solution.

• After such a big achievement, what excites you most about your next chapter with Turnsole Health?

The chance to build something even bigger. In healthcare, payments can take up to 180 days, and no one has a reliable way to forecast monthly collections. In such a low-margin industry, this uncertainty stifles growth and can even sink companies. If we can build a solution that accurately predicts payments, we’ll enable our customers to grow faster and with more confidence.

• Can you share a little about what Turnsole Health is and what makes this new venture different from your past work?

Turnsole Health is a fintech platform that delivers white-labeled treasury solutions for healthcare providers, automating reconciliation, posting, and payment analytics to generate reliable cash flow visibility and forecasts.

• What keeps you motivated as an entrepreneur, especially after already having reached such a big milestone?

I love building teams and solving problems—it’s genuinely fun. I get bored on vacation, my kids are teenagers who prefer me in small doses, and I’m not much of a golfer. For me, the only real option has always been to find the next problem worth solving.

• Finally, what advice would you give to other entrepreneurs who are just starting out on their journey?

Stay focused on solving a problem people will pay you to solve, surround yourself with people whose skills complement yours, and don’t underestimate the importance of persistence. Success rarely comes from the first version of an idea—it comes from sticking with it until you refine it and the right opportunity emerges.

To learn more about Turnsole Health, visit the website here.

The Importance of Celebrating Your Wins as a Small Business

Running a business often feels like sprinting a marathon. There’s always a new goal to reach, a new challenge to solve, or a next step waiting for you on the horizon. In the middle of that hustle, it’s easy to overlook something that doesn’t always feel essential: pausing to celebrate how far you’ve come.

At Stoke, we know small business owners and founders work hard every single day. But here’s the truth: celebrating your wins isn’t just nice, it’s necessary.

Why Celebrating Matters

Celebration is more than balloons and cake (though we always love a delicious slice of cake!). It’s about creating momentum, boosting morale, and building resilience.

• Momentum: Every milestone, no matter how small, fuels your next big leap.

• Morale: Recognition gives your team, even if it’s just you, the confidence to keep going.

• Resilience: Celebrating helps balance the stress that naturally comes with entrepreneurship.

When you make celebration part of your business culture, you give yourself and your team the encouragement to keep pressing forward.

Celebrating Stoke’s 9th birthday

What Counts as a “Win”

Wins don’t have to mean doubling revenue or opening a new office (though those are awesome!). Wins can also look like:

• Signing your very first client.

• Launching a website or new service.

• Hiring your first team member.

• Completing a big project you’ve been working toward.

• Simply making it through a tough month with lessons learned.

If it moves your business forward, it’s a win worth celebrating.

Practical Ways to Celebrate

You don’t have to throw a party every time you hit a milestone (unless you want to!). Small, intentional moments of recognition can have just as much impact.

• Share your milestone on social media to inspire your community.

• Treat your team to coffee or lunch.

• Write a thank-you note to clients or collaborators who helped make it possible.

• Create a “wins wall”, this can be physical or digital, to track your progress.

• Take 10 minutes to reflect and simply say out loud: “We did that!”

Celebration can be public or private, loud or quiet,  the point is to acknowledge progress

The Ripple Effect

Here’s the best part: when you celebrate, you don’t just lift yourself up, you encourage your team, your clients, and your community. Celebrating wins shows that your business is thriving, builds trust with your audience, and helps create a culture of gratitude that attracts both customers and talent.

By sharing your milestones, you also remind other founders and small businesses that progress, in any form, deserves recognition.

As you look ahead to what’s next, take a moment to reflect: what’s a recent win you can celebrate right now? Maybe it’s landing a new contract, finishing a rebrand, or even just surviving a busy season.

Whatever it is, don’t rush past it. Take the time to celebrate, because every step forward is worth honoring.

Now go out and celebrate! 

Spotlight: Anthony Najera of Colectivo Creative Media

We’re excited to highlight Stoke member Anthony Najera, founder of Colectivo Creative Media. With over a decade of experience producing video content in the DFW area, Anthony and his team bring stories to life on screen, especially those that raise awareness for causes and spark meaningful change.

Anthony shared more about his journey, the inspiration for Colectivo, and how he continues using storytelling to make a difference. Here’s a look at his story:

What inspired you to start Colectivo Creative Media, and how did the idea first come to life?

My old boss actually gave me the idea after chatting about how to better represent my work to potential clients. I’d been working for years just as a freelancer under my own name, but struggling to land the larger projects I wanted to take on. By starting a company, a potential client would see me as much larger than I really was and able to tackle projects beyond the scope of a single person. 

In mid-2020, I finally decided to move on the idea, utilizing much of the free-time I had during lockdown. Built a website, portfolio, LLC, bank account, all the things a small business would need. Then in 2021, I left my full-time job to be completely on my own, under Colectivo Creative Media.

Can you share the meaning behind the name Colectivo Creative Media and why it felt like the right fit?

Colectivo (collective) was chosen with the intention of inspiring collaboration and a team of creatives that it takes to take on any project.

The name has a few origins and details that are important to me. Primarily, the name needed to signify the services we provide. I didn’t want someone to just see a single word and wonder, “huh, what does Colectivo do?”  Incorporating “Film Production”, “Videography”, and ultimately “Creative Media” was important. It was also vague enough that we could potentially take on projects like photography, animation, or other similar mediums.

Additionally, being Latino owned, I wanted to incorporate Spanish in some way. One, as a personal touch, and two, as a way to signal to clients with similar cultural backgrounds that there’s a production company for them in their community.

Anthony Najera - Colectivo Creative Media

What has been your proudest moment since launching your company?

The proudest moment was the transition from working on other peoples’ projects to being able to  sustain my business through my own projects. At the beginning, I often played a role in someone else's production and doing the job for the day. About 3 years ago, I essentially stopped working on other production company’s projects and solely focused on my own. Each year, we’ve steadily grown in the amount of projects Colectivo is doing, producing larger budget projects, and increasing the overall revenue from our projects in a year.

Lastly, I’m incredibly proud about the amount of jobs we’ve been able to create with our various projects. While Colectivo does not have any additional full-time employees, the film industry is built upon freelancers and we’ve been steadily increasing the amount of freelance opportunities available. It feels great to see friends and collaborators paid and to be a part of that.

What’s one challenge you faced early on in building Colectivo Creative Media and how did you overcome it?

There are quite a few, but one that sticks out is knowing my worth, both in time and money. As Colectivo is a project based company, there are moments where work is slow and I’m itching for income. I’ll get an inquiry where the proposed budget is well-below standard (maybe insultingly) and/or the client seems like they’ll be a challenge to navigate. In moments of desperation, I’ve taken those projects and regret them every time.

It can be a challenge to turn away work when you’re hungry, but in the long-run it's proven beneficial. I’m not killing myself over peanuts and it allows me to focus more thoroughly on my awesome clients. This was very tough to manage the first couple of years in business, but in the long run it increased my standards as a company and the services I can provide.

How has being part of the Stoke community influenced or supported your business journey?

Stoke has been a great resource in my business journey. I’ve been able to find collaborators and use the community as a resource in my business needs. It's also been fun to help others who are starting their journey who are looking to the Stoke community and their resources for help.

What kinds of projects or clients do you specialize in, and what makes your approach unique?

I think we specialize in working with clients who are looking to take narrative risks and tell a unique story. Sure, we can do the standard paint-by-numbers corporate approach that can be ubiquitous in my field, but when clients have allowed us to tackle their project with creative freedom, they’ve always been blown away by the results.

How do you hope your work with Colectivo Creative Media impacts your clients and the broader community?

While Colectivo does a lot of work with larger corporations and brands, I love when I get to work with local organizations and businesses. This means creating content and media that has an effect on my community directly and will be seen by my friends and neighbors.

For the past 2 years, I’ve made it a point to focus more on not only working on local projects, but keeping our budgets and spending local. That means hiring local freelancers for our crews, offering opportunities to film students at UNT, utilizing local locations for filming, and even ensuring our food and coffee is provided by Denton based establishments. Keeping money local is what would really impact the broader community.

What does a “day in the life” look like for you as a media company owner?

You want the real answer or the #entrepreneur-life answer…

Every day is different and depends on the projects we currently have in development and their stage in the production pipeline.

If a project is on the horizon, I spend a lot of time preparing for that shoot. Meetings with stakeholders, other production partners, crew, and talent. Visiting potential shoot locations, building documents so my team knows how we’re approaching the project and what we’re delivering. Lots of emails, crossing T’s and Dotting I’s to ensure everything is in place for the actual shoot days coming up.

Shoot days can be exciting because it looks so glamorous. Big camera, lenses, lights, crew. Lots of moving parts that come together to make a pretty image on screen. These days can be very long, as a standard shoot day is 10hrs, plus commute and all of the extra time I put into it to ensure it goes well. This is where I’m having the most fun, honestly, but also the most exhausting part of it all. 

After a shoot day, we begin post-production, so either myself or someone on my team will begin editing the project. This turnaround can be days (lighting fast) or months. Once that’s completed, we’re onto the next one, or finishing another project that’s happening simultaneously. 

While that all seems like a lot, there are many days with very little “production” going on and it's much like any other business. Paying bills, answering emails, and a whole lot of waiting for a new project to reach out. When it's busy, it feels like you don’t have enough time, when it's slow, you’ll wonder if you’ll ever work again. 

What’s next for Colectivo Creative Media, are there any exciting projects or goals on the horizon (I already know there are!)?

Last month we produced a fun project announcing the new Garland Public Library. This project was a lot of fun and a blast to shoot. The turnaround time was incredibly fast (1 week), but we managed and are super proud of it. 

Check out the video here: https://vimeo.com/1101284800

On the horizon, we’re continuing to produce content in virtual reality for use cases in public health. We may have an opportunity to go to some really breathtaking locations for the project, but that’s still in the works.

Anthony Najera - Colectivo Creative Media

For more information on Colectivo Creative Media visit the website here.

Why Supporting Local Businesses Matters, Especially for Small Businesses

When small businesses support other small businesses, the ripple effect goes far beyond a single transaction. It’s more than just buying a product or service; it’s investing in your community, strengthening the local economy, and creating a cycle of support that uplifts everyone.

Strengthening the Local Economy

Dollars spent locally tend to stay local. Studies show that for every $100 spent at a small business, $68 of it is reinvested back into the community, through wages for employees, local suppliers, and neighborhood improvements. When small businesses choose to hire, shop, or outsource locally, that money circulates multiple times, building economic resilience right where it’s needed most.

Building Community Connections

Small businesses aren’t faceless corporations; they’re owned and run by neighbors, friends, and fellow entrepreneurs. Supporting each other creates a web of trust and connection. When one business thrives, it often opens doors for others,  whether that’s a delicious local coffee shop sourcing pastries from a local bakery, a marketing agency hiring a local photographer, or a boutique collaborating with a local artisan.

Creating a Greater Impact

The truth is, small actions make a big difference. A single contract, a purchase order, or a referral from one small business to another can be transformative. Unlike working with large corporations, where your dollars disappear into a much larger system, supporting your neighbor has a visible, immediate impact. You’re not just fueling business growth, you’re fueling dreams, stability for families, and opportunities for your community to flourish.

Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

In times of economic uncertainty, small businesses are often the first to feel the squeeze, but also the ones most capable of adapting, innovating, and leading with heart. By intentionally choosing local and supporting one another, small businesses create a collective strength that helps entire communities weather challenges and build a brighter future.

Supporting local isn’t just a nice idea, it’s a powerful strategy. When small businesses collaborate and invest in each other, they create a thriving ecosystem where everyone wins.

9 Years of Stoke: Fueling Denton's Creative & Entrepreneurial Spirit

This summer marks nine years since we opened our doors at Stoke, Denton's coworking space and entrepreneurial hub, and what a journey it's been.

Back in 2016, Stoke started with a vision: to create a space where creators, founders, freelancers, and dreamers could come together, find support, and grow their ideas into thriving businesses. Today, we’re proud to be the home base for a dynamic community of entrepreneurs and innovators who are actively shaping the future of our local economy and culture.

We’ve evolved over the years, and today Stoke spans over 9,000 square feet of coworking space which includes twenty private offices, thirty dedicated desks, and shared office amenities. Our members enjoy access to conference rooms with whiteboards and TV’s, reliable printer/copier/scanner access, and a shared kitchen that’s always stocked with coffee, tea, soda water, and locally brewed beer.

Programming That Powers Progress

Over the past nine years, we've built a strong foundation of entrepreneur support programs and community-focused events that meet people where they are and help take them where they want to go:

• 9 years of mentorship and coaching to help entrepreneurs navigate the highs and lows of building a business. Early on mentorship was office hours and 1:1 mentorship. It evolved to small group mentorship with an expert since 2020, which was virtual through 2024 and we began hosting these in person in 2025.

• 7 years of Flint Conference, our annual day-long event which draws 100 creators and founders each year looking to learn, grow, and connect which started in 2019. This event has showcased dozens of speakers, breakout sessions, hands on workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with 100 local entrepreneurs - all designed with the needs of local entrepreneurs in mind.

• 5 years of AccelerateHER our incubator program designed specifically to support female founders in building scalable, sustainable businesses. Since it’s inception, we’ve provided workshops, coaching, accountability, and access to our work space for the over 35 women that have been through this program and continue to support the AccelerateHER Alumni through quarterly meetups.

• 3 years of hosting Denton Pitch Competition through which we’ve providing local startups with the platform and resources to attract funding, feedback, and visibility. Since 2022 we have coached the 28 business that pitch their plans for growth to a panel of judges , and have put over $30,000 directly into the hands of Denton based entrepreneurs.

• Just last year, we launched a new series of networking events tailored for Denton's vibrant community of creatives. Spark Creative Mixers are a way for creative entrepreneurs to come together to connect and gain knowledge about running a business in a community of their peers.

These programs have sparked new ventures, accelerated growth, and created ripple effects across our local economy and culture of creativity and small business that thrives in Denton.

The Impact We’re Making

Stoke has become a cornerstone for Denton's entrepreneurial landscape, a place where hundreds of people have come not only to work but to belong, to be challenged, to get support, and to take bold steps in their business. We've helped local founders turn side hustles into full-time careers. We've supported artists in building creative businesses. We've helped innovators find co-founders, clients, mentors, and meaning in their work.

As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also looking to the future. We are excited to be expanding our footprint into an additional 3,000 square feet which includes 8 private office, and improved mail/copy room, and a multi use room that can be used for trainings, workshops, and large meetings.

More space, more programs, more support, and more stories of people who took the leap, and found what they needed to keep going right here at Stoke. We’re proud to play a role in a Denton that is more collaborative, creative, and entrepreneur-friendly than ever before.

Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or just recently discovered us, thank you for being part of this community. We’re here because of you and we are here for you. You may have to work, but you don’t have to work alone.

Here’s to the builders, the creatives, and the big dreamers. Here’s to 9 years of Stoke.

FlintConf 2025: Denton’s Creatives and Entrepreneurs Lit the Spark

On May 8, 2025, the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center creatives, entrepreneurs, service providers, and big-dreamers packed the space for FlintConf 2025, a full-day event built for connection, growth, and unapologetic honesty about what it really takes to run a business.

Presented by Stoke with support from the City of Denton, FlintConf is more than a conference, it’s a home base for Denton’s doers. Here's what made this year’s event unforgettable:

The day kicked off with breakfast and coffee sponsored by The Local Circuit. Heather Gregory, Executive Director of Stoke, opened the morning by sharing why FlintConf exists: to create space for inrpiration, shared learning, and the good that can come when entrepreneurs gather together..

Educational and Inspirational Speakers

Emily Roden, founder of ReadyRosie and Frankly, delivered a keynote that was equal parts inspiring and enlightening. She shared the behind-the-scenes realities of building a tech-based educational platform from Denton, highlighting the pivots, doubts, and lessons learned along the way.

Elle Hall of Girlfriend’s Budget led a dynamic workshop on “Budgeting Like a Boss.” Elle brought her signature mix of financial wisdom and empowering energy, helping attendees break down how to manage money in their businesses without shame or confusion.

Juli James led an interactive session - MVP Prototype Showdown, a rapid-fire session showcasing early-stage business ideas. Participants saw firsthand how experimentation and feedback can transform an abstract concept into something tangible. The ideas prompts were challenging, the ideas were inspired, and the pitches were hilarious.

Creative Connections

We added a few new components this year as we thought about what would be helpful to the attendees. We offered free fun headshots with Will Milne during the lunch hour were a great way to provide professional photography assets to attendees. Additionally, we invited anyone who wanted to the opportunity to introduce themselves and their business to help ignite connections during our networking breaks.

Two rounds of breakout sessions in the afternoon gave attendees a chance to go deep on topics like using AI to enhance and streamline processes, learning tools to address burnout, and understanding how to fight imposter syndrome and find your confidence in the works of entrepreneurship. These sessions were designed to be tactical not theoretical and the feedback was clear: people left with tools and knowledge they could use the next day.

The final speaker, Monique Segovia of The Brown Thumb and winner of the 2024 Denton Pitch Competition closed the day. In her talk, “Rooted in Growth: How Authentic Marketing Can Build a Loyal Small Business Community,” Monique showed how marketing can be an act of care, not just strategy. Her story of building a plant business grounded in identity, accessibility, and joy brought the audience to their feet.

The day wrapped with Happy Hour at Harvest House, where the conversations kept flowing. Over beers and kombuchas, FlintConf attendees reflected, celebrated, and continued planting seeds for what’s next.

You showed up. You asked brave questions. You celebrated each other. You reminded us that business building doesn’t have to be lonely, it can be collaborative, creative, and human. We’ll see you next year for FlintConf 2026. Until then, keep building, keep connecting, and keep that spark alive.

Why You Can't Miss FlintConf 2025

Big ideas. Practical skills. Real community. FlintConf 2025 is Denton's premier event for creatives, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small business owners who are ready to spark their next chapter. Presented by Stoke Coworking, this high-energy, one-day conference is your chance to step out of the daily grind, plug into real inspiration, and leave with the tools and the people to move forward faster.

Whether you’re launching something new, scaling something great, or figuring out your next move, FlintConf is built for you.

Here’s why you need to be there:

Five Reasons You Should Attend FlintConf 2025

1. Gain Real-World Business Skills from Proven Entrepreneurs
FlintConf speakers aren't just talking theory, they're sharing personal, battle-tested lessons. Emily Roden, founder of ReadyRosie and Frankly, will dive into The Critical Trimesters of a Start-up, helping you anticipate the early challenges every new business faces. Elle Hall, of Girlfriend’s, Budget, will show you how to Budget Like a Boss, ensuring your finances can fuel (not sink) your dreams. Whether you're launching, growing, or pivoting, these sessions will give you practical tools to strengthen your business foundation.

2. Connect With Denton’s Boldest Creative and Business Minds
The conference is intentionally designed for authentic connections. You'll start the day networking over coffee and breakfast, have a chance to collaborate during breakout sessions, and wrap it all up with a relaxed happy hour at Harvest House. We’ve also made sure to make a little time for connecting to the folks in the room throughout the day through, the Starter Offer Lab Workshop with Juli James (Eqall and Stoke Coworking), networking break, and an hour long lunch. Whether you're a service provider, a creative entrepreneur, or a budding startup founder, you’ll find your people here.

Headshots provided by Will Milne

3. Walk Away With a New Professional Headshot and a Stronger Brand Presence
It's time to update that LinkedIn photo (no more cropping yourself out of a wedding photo!). FlintConf attendees get a professional headshot included with their ticket during the lunch break. Great branding starts with a strong, approachable presence, and this small but mighty perk helps you level up your digital footprint instantly. These aren’t any old headshot either, they will be creative and colorful (the photographer will create colorful shadows) so they are perfect for designers, musicians, and folks looking to add a more artistic headshot to their brand assets.

4. Learn How to Innovate, Market, and Scale Authentically
Beyond big-picture talks, FlintConf gives you tactical strategies for marketing and innovation. Dive into Rooted in Growth with Monique Segovia of The Brown Thumb to learn how authentic marketing can build a loyal small business community. Plus, breakout sessions after lunch allow you to dig deeper into niche topics with experts and peers who are navigating the same challenges you are.

5. Spend a Day Investing in Yourself (With Great Food, Great People, and Great Energy)
Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs happen when you step out of your routine. FlintConf gives you permission, and the perfect environment, to focus on yourself and your growth. You’ll be fueled by great coffee, a delicious lunch, new connections, and tangible momentum to take back into your work. Plus, a celebratory happy hour at Harvest House ensures the day ends on a high note, Denton-style.

Ready to Stoke the Fire?

FlintConf 2025 is more than an event, it’s a spark for something bigger.
Join us on May 8 for a day of learning, collaboration, and celebration with Denton’s most creative minds. Let’s build businesses, brands, and communities that thrive together.