We were thrilled to host this year’s FlintConf at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center, home of the Greater Denton Arts Council. As a catalyst for creativity, advocacy, and collaboration, the Greater Denton Arts Council provides foundational support for Denton’s artists and community arts organizations, frequently collaborating with area universities, the Denton Independent School District, and the City of Denton. Teaming up with them for FlintConf felt like kismet, as one of our main goals is to bring together creatives and entrepreneurs for a day of connecting and learning.
Photo by Will Milne
In the six years since the first FlintConf, attendees have consistently asked for more time to connect. With that in mind, we kicked off the day at 8 am with our friends from Triptych Coffee Co. and some morning networking. But as always, we had a lot to cover. Soon after, Stoke’s Executive Director, Heather Gregory, took the stage to welcome everyone, introduce our charismatic emcee, and get the day officially started.
This year’s emcee was Neil Foote, a seasoned journalist, educator, and esteemed leader known for his expertise in storytelling, brand building, and mentorship. With a rich background in journalism and media, including roles at prestigious outlets such as The Miami Herald, The Washington Post, and The Dallas Morning News, as well as leadership positions at A.H. Belo Corp, Neil has left a lasting mark on the industry. Recognized with numerous awards, including induction into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame, Neil remains dedicated to community service and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We were honored to have him as our emcee for the day and he was a brilliant addition to the lineup, offering his own valuable insights throughout the day.
Photo by Will Milne
Our keynote speaker, Amber Briggle, founder of Soma Massage Therapy and a massage therapist since 2004, captivated us with her journey from a home-based business to a thriving downtown enterprise. Her business survived the challenges of the pandemic and continues to thrive, earning multiple accolades including Best Pain Management 2023 and Best Massage Center in Denton for the last 10 years. Amber’s talk highlighted the importance of properly compensating your employees, knowing your brand values, surrounding yourself with supportive people, and investing in your community.
Next we heard from Michelle Williams, VP of Texas Strategy for MassChallenge. Michelle brings over 15 years of experience as a social impact and innovation strategist and has been recognized as one of the “Top Innovators Reshaping Texas” by Texas Monthly. Her talk, titled “Why Start-Ups Fail: Crash-Proofing Your Business,” emphasized the importance of support networks, learning from failure, and the value of communities like Stoke.
Photo by Will Milne
For our last session of the morning, local legal experts William Scazzero & Lucas Holl provided an essential overview of legal considerations for small business owners. William, a distinguished attorney with a Political Science degree from UNT and a law degree from SMU's Dedman School of Law, has been repeatedly honored as a Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star. His extensive experience in civil litigation and his role as a mediator in Texas provided valuable insights, emphasizing that "investing in the legal foundation of your business is smart and helps prevent disputes," and urging attendees to thoroughly understand and be comfortable with the documents they sign. Lucas, with his background in Public Policy Analysis from Pomona College and a law degree from the University of Illinois, brought a wealth of knowledge in commercial real estate transactions. His commitment to guiding clients toward efficient and satisfactory resolutions shone through as he advised, "define your deliverables clearly in any agreement."
Following three valuable sessions and a delicious lunch catered by local favorite Chestnut Tree, we brought the room back together for a long running FlintConf & Stoke staple, Big Ideas. But, this year with a twist. Stoke Marketing Coordinator (& Big Ideas enthusiast), Mary Chavez, teamed up with Associate Director and Game Designer, Juli James, to develop an engaging Big Ideas workshop that encouraged attendees to collaborate with one another to develop an idea that would benefit the greater Denton community. Attendees rolled dice to randomly select elements like focus areas, stakeholders, challenges, impact, and bonuses to guide their brainstorming. This joint effort resulted in innovative solutions to community issues such as the Denton parking crisis and promoting mental well-being through an adult field day.
Following the workshop, we reconvened for a talk by Dave Weaver, the owner of Goldenroot Gingerbeer and second-place winner of last year’s Denton Pitch Competition. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Dave has made Denton his home since 2015. His diverse background as a world traveler, jazz musician, and woodworker has influenced his approach to entrepreneurship. In his talk, “Beverage Entrepreneurship: A Roller Coaster (With A Drink In Your Hand),” Dave highlighted the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, emphasizing that setbacks don't define the overall potential of a business.
Jese Gary, with her diverse background from plus-size modeling, a degree in Business Management from Pennsylvania State University and experience in various customer service roles, provided a unique perspective to retaining customers. Her talk, “From One-Time Buyers To Lifelong Partners: Sparking Sustainable Business Growth,” taught us that "when people see you as a transaction, they treat you as such," and stressed the importance of realistic goal-setting and maintaining an active email list.
Photo by Will Milne
To close out the day, Holly Burrow, founder of eqALL Business Solutions, delivered a talk on financial planning for growth. Holly, a serial entrepreneur and advocate for community engagement, has advised over 1,000 small business owners. Her talk, “Planning For Growth: How Much Money Do You Need To Build Your Business?” provided crucial insights like understanding the risks associated with your business and being able to articulate your business plan clearly. She reminded us that "there will always be challenges in business, big or small."
Photo by Will Milne
We wrapped up the day with a Happy Hour at Harvest House, where attendees continued to network and reflect on what we learned that day. FlintConf having once again proven itself to be a testament to the power of collaboration, community, and the shared goal of fostering entrepreneurial growth in Denton.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, TWU Center for Women Entrepreneurs, The City of Denton, and The Local Circuit, for their generous support. Additionally, our gratitude goes out to the Greater Denton Arts Council and the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center for providing a wonderful venue. We are grateful to all our speakers and participants for making this event a success and look forward to another year of inspiration and innovation.
The Stoke team, Photo by Will Milne