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.
Photo by Juniper Saint Butcher
Heather Gregory became Executive Director in 2017 and the proud owner in 2020. Heather's years of experience in entrepreneurship, her visionary leadership and dedication to fostering inclusivity have been instrumental in shaping Stoke's culture. Alongside Heather is a team of passionate women from diverse backgrounds committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all members.
Community Coordinator, Robyn Harris is a dedicated creative and musician with over a decade spent in the vibrant music scene of Nashville, TN. Mary Chavez, Stoke's Marketing + Communications Coordinator, embodies the spirit of creativity and curiosity, a committed life-long learner. Associate Director, Juli James, whose background in digital media and education brings a unique perspective to Stoke's strategic planning and entrepreneur education initiatives. Juli James was also part of the first ever AccelerateHER cohort, an incubator program for women-owned businesses created in partnership with the TWU Center for Women Entrepreneurs.
Photos by Juniper Saint Butcher
AccelerateHER: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
One of Stoke's flagship initiatives was the AccelerateHER program, launched in 2020 in collaboration with the TWU Center for Women Entrepreneurs (TWUCWE). This groundbreaking incubator program provides tailored support and resources for women-owned startups, helping prepare them for success in the competitive small business landscape. Through mentorship, workshops, and networking opportunities, AccelerateHER paves the way for women entrepreneurs to turn their visions into reality and shatter glass ceilings. Since launching in 2020, Stoke has empowered 28 women-owned businesses through the AccelerateHER program.
Fostering Growth through Programs and Collaboration
Stoke's commitment to empowering entrepreneurs extends through a diverse range of programs and partnerships. Collaborating with organizations like TWUCWE and HERTexas, Stoke amplifies its support for women-owned businesses statewide. Recently having sponsored the HERTexas Coffee + Mimosas event with TWUCWE, Stoke helped provide an opportunity for women entrepreneurs to connect and learn from a panel of innovative women business owners.
HERTexas Coffee + Mimosas Denton
Additionally, Stoke's annual creative startup conference, FlintConf and Denton Pitch Competition highlight the importance of diversity and representation in entrepreneurship. FlintConf always features a diverse lineup of speakers/panelists - 60% of the programming being led by women over the past 5 years. Last year's pitch competition saw remarkable success for women-owned ventures, with two out of three winners coming from such businesses. Stoke's Coffee + Convo, a monthly virtual meetup, offers a supportive environment for skill-sharing and camaraderie among entrepreneurs, with a commitment to diversity evident in the demographics of its mentor pool. In 2023, 70% of Coffee + Convo mentors were women, 50% were BIPOC, and 20% were LGBTQ+.
Celebrating Influential Women Members
Within Stoke's own vibrant community are trailblazing women whose achievements inspire others to reach new heights. From innovative startups to established businesses, these women contribute to Stoke's dynamic ecosystem, driving innovation and collaboration. One such member, Randi Skinner of RS Consulting, was recently nominated by the Denton Chamber of Commerce for their Small Business Big Heart award, highlighting their service and philanthropy. Randi is a powerhouse - having started her business following the birth of her daughter five years ago, serving as president of the Denton Rotary Club, working closely with fellow Stoke member Heather Steele (Blue Steele Solutions) and nonprofits like Friends with Benefits.
Randi is just one of many inspiring women working out of Stoke - other members include creatives Delaney Smith-Vaughn and Courtney Marie of Spiderweb Salon (who will soon be moving a Risograph into the space), accomplished musician and multi-talented creative Katina Stone-Butler, as well as women across a wide range of tech-enabled industries.
While we are rounding out Womens’ History Month and this may conclude a women's history of Stoke - we remain steadfast in our commitment to uplifting women in business and fostering a culture of inclusivity and innovation. Together, we continue to write the next chapter in Stoke's legacy. To quote Beyoncé, likely the most influential woman to come out of Texas, who run the world?