Over the years, Stoke has built a proven curriculum, provided beneficial small business coaching and curated valuable resources for entrepreneurs in programs like the AccelerateHER women-owned small business incubator and the Denton Pitch Competition. We want to continue to grow our support for local entrepreneurs sustainably by offering the curriculum and resources we’ve created in our programs. So, using the principles from connected learning, like building a solid network, accessing valuable resources, and collaborating with peers and experts, we designed the Colearning Program to support small business owners upskilling as they grow their businesses.
Connected Learning for Entrepreneurs
Here are some of the benefits of connected learning we are prioritizing as we’re developing Stoke’s Colearning Program:
The Stoke Network: Connected learning helps entrepreneurs build a strong network of peers, mentors, and industry experts. This network can provide valuable insights and support and opportunities for collaboration and partnership.
Access to resources: Stoke’s online Learning Hub provides entrepreneurs access to online courses, webinars, podcasts, and other educational materials. As we roll these out, we aim to help entrepreneurs stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.
Flexibility: Our approach to colearning is flexible and adaptable to the needs of our entrepreneurs. With online courses and other digital resources, entrepreneurs can learn at their own pace and schedule.
Collaboration: Connected learning builds in collaboration and knowledge sharing among entrepreneurs. This can lead to new ideas, products, and services to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
Personalization: The Colearning Program includes group and 1:1 coaching to meet individual entrepreneurs' needs. With personalized learning goals and tailored resources, entrepreneurs can access support and focus on the most relevant areas of their businesses.
For those who are interested in learning about business planning and strategizing, branding and marketing, system development and process refinement, and additional topics related to owning, operating, and otherwise improving their businesses, this membership was designed for you! If you are self-driven and enjoy collaborating with others for constructive critique and actionable feedback, the colearning membership offers you opportunities for that and more.
Colearning Program Details
As a member of the Stoke Colearning program, you’ll have
High accountability group coaching program to move your business forward
One (1 hour) group session per month
One (30 min) 1:1 coaching session per month with business solutions manager and associate director of Stoke, Juli James, or owner and executive director of Stoke, Heather Gregory. This session is personalized to meet your needs - whether it’s objective-based coaching, accountability and learning/progress tracking
Monthly “study guide” newsletter - this will include tools/tips/resources for each month’s theme w/links to past editions for new participants to review anytime as they jump in.
Access to online learning platform
Meet Your Coaches
Juli James, photo taken by Juniper Saint Butcher
Heather Gregory, photo taken by Juniper Saint Butcher
Juli James is an accomplished founder, business owner, educator, educational technologist, broadcast journalist, and veteran who has a wealth of knowledge and a critical thinking, systems-oriented mind. She can speak to a number of startup situations thanks to her experience as both a media entrepreneur and ed-tech cofounder. These days, Juli’s favorite thing is to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses with sanity and efficiency.
Heather Gregory is an ecosystem builder, designer, place maker, community organizer, and entrepreneur based in Denton, TX. Heather has served as the Director of Stoke Coworking since January 2017 and as owner since 2020 making use of her multifaceted background in entrepreneurship, nonprofit management, operations, event planning, and program development.
In her time at Stoke, Heather has launched programs and events that help entrepreneurs connect with the people, knowledge, and resources they need to move their business forward. Prior to working at Stoke, she was the Director of SCRAP Denton, project manager at a full-service marketing agency, and the creator and owner of a food truck in Portland, Oregon.