From my first Flint as the newest member of the Stoke team, to helping cultivate an event that means so much to me - the inspiration and dedication surrounding each FlintConf is palpable. This year marks my third FlintConf and I can't help but feel a surge of gratitude and nostalgia for the growth and transformation these years have brought. Not just me, but the event as a whole. Join me (Mary) in reflecting on the two FlintConfs I helped bring to Denton as we approach FlintConf 2024.
In the heart of Denton, Texas, Stoke stands not only as a coworking space but as a beacon of empowerment and support for entrepreneurs. As a woman-owned and operated business, uplifting women entrepreneurs has been particularly important to our mission. Let’s take a look at the history of Denton’s favorite coworking space with one key theme: women supporting women.
In the heart of Denton, Texas, lies a vibrant creative scene that brings together a diverse array of artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers, and more. Dentonites' dedication to supporting local businesses and artists creates an environment where creative professionals and entrepreneurs can thrive side by side.
Taushey Sias is the CEO and Founder of Taushey’s Vocal Lab, a premier vocal coaching resource offering lessons to both aspiring and seasoned singers across diverse musical genres. Taushey brings a wealth of expertise to her one-on-one sessions, where she collaboratively explores each student's strengths and growth areas. Taushey's approach fosters an open and healing platform for students to express themselves confidently. Her mission is to instill self-belief, guiding individuals to trust their innate talents and hard work on the path to personal success. Keep reading to learn more about Taushey and her business in her cohort story.
Katherine Waddell is the owner of and creative force behind Faul Magic. Faul Magic is a Denton-based brand that got its start crafting inclusive art with a cheerful aesthetic, but recently Katherine has pivoted their business to include Digital Marketing and Accessibility Consulting. A graduate of Dallas College, Kat launched Faul Magic in June 2022 to reshape narratives around invisible disabilities and neurodivergence. Originally envisioning a nerdy business wear line, the brand evolved to express Kat's experiences as a nerdy, queer, and neurodivergent individual through captivating art. Faul Magic challenges societal notions of laziness, embracing authenticity and creativity.
Connie Ligus is the Chief Creative Officer and Owner of Yellow Rose Paint Party. Painting has been her lifelong joy, evolving from a personal retreat to Yellow Rose Paint Party – a mobile paint extravaganza rolling through Texas and beyond. She’s blending art, laughter, and (sometimes) a bit of spilled wine to create unforgettable moments. Balancing roles as a mom, wife, and independent business owner, she’s turned her passion into a company. Read on to learn more about Connie and Yellow Rose Paint Party in her Cohort story.
From her roots in Grenada to the flourishing food scene of Denton, Latoya's culinary adventure is a story of passion and perseverance. As the proud owner of a thriving food trailer Groovy Chicken and Waffles and T's Table Catering Services, she has transformed her love for cooking and baking into thriving businesses.
From her roots in Grenada to the flourishing food scene of Denton, Latoya's culinary adventure is a story of passion and perseverance. As the proud owner of a thriving food trailer Groovy Chicken and Waffles and T's Table Catering Services, she has transformed her love for cooking and baking into thriving businesses.
Sunday, November 19th marked the wrap of another Global Entrepreneurship Week. For the last five years, Stoke has participated in GEW by hosting both in person and virtual events that celebrate and support entrepreneurship in our community. This year’s theme was ‘Entrepreneurs Thrive Here’ and well, that’s kind of our whole mission. We look forward to this week all year and we couldn’t be more grateful for how our community continues to turn out for us. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from the week.
Madison Newman is the founder and artist behind Found & Forged Design Co. and a self taught brand expert. She build brands that are handcrafted and intentionally created to showcase your businesses values, and unique offerings; building you a tribe of adoring fans, and increasing your profit. Read on to learn more about Madison and her business.
Christina Barrientos is the owner and founder of Heartstone Creative. Heartstone Creative is the soft-skill training solution for young adults and entry level positions for small businesses. They’re closing the gap between long-time employees and entry level workers by providing scenario-based learning to help meet business expectations. Read on to learn more about Christina, her inspiration, and her business.
“…The city has a thriving arts and culture scene and is also located near three lakes and outdoor areas that make planning leisure and entertainment easy. Just down I35 from Dallas and Fort Worth, Denton is the ideal place to be near enough to the hustle and bustle of the DFW metro area but far enough that you still have a small-town feel, the kind where you can grow a strong community and see familiar, friendly faces when you’re out in town. “
Connecting online, even with the most robust of activities and questions, is possible but lacks the impact of connecting over coffee or in a spontaneous conversation in each other’s presence. Coworking spaces can provide positive social health for remote workers, freelancers, and other people who work outside of the office or from home on a distributed team.
Stoke works to support and empower entrepreneurs, and one of the ways we are able to accomplish that goal is partnering with the Center for Women Entrepreneurs (CWE) at Texas Woman’s University. We offer the AccelerateHER incubator program in partnership with CWE. Administrators Heather Gregory, executive director of Stoke, and Tracy Irby, director of the Center for Women Entrepreneurs, selects a cohort of women business owners through an application and interview process and then equips them with education, tools, and resources to grow their businesses.
