With applications now open for the third annual Denton Pitch Competition, here are some insights, tips, and updates from last year's winners—Danielle Sibley of Speak Easy Speech Therapy, Betz Baker and Lois Robertson of Triptych Coffee Co., and Dave Weaver of Goldenroot Gingerbeer. Discover how their businesses have evolved since winning last year’s competition and learn how the pitch coaching and exposure can transform your entrepreneurial story.
Pride Month is not just a marker of time but a celebration of resilience and equality for the LGBTQ+ community. As a queer owned and operated business deeply committed to inclusivity, Stoke resonates with the spirit of Pride on a profound level. Our core values of authenticity, connection, and inclusivity drive everything we do. From supporting LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs through programs like AccelerateHER to participating in local Pride events, we strive to create a safe and empowering workspace where everyone can thrive.
We were thrilled to host this year’s FlintConf at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center, home of the Greater Denton Arts Council. GDAC is a catalyst for creativity, advocacy, and collaboration while Stoke is a champion for creative entrepreneurs and Denton’s hub for ambition and community. Name a more iconic duo, we’ll wait.
But while we wait, here’s a recap of this year’s FlintConf - Let’s Start a Fire.
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, 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.
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.
Denton’s conference for creatives, techies, and entrepreneurs had a great fifth year, its second time being hosted at Sunago Bell, the top floor of the Wells Fargo building on the square. Previously held at Stoke and virtually, the venue for the conference once again proved to be the perfect atmosphere for learning from expert speakers and panelists and engaging with one another during breaks, lunch, and Big Ideas.
Being an entrepreneur, small business owner, consultant, contractor or otherwise working independently can feel lonely at times. You’re driven and disciplined, and you have your routine and methods, but you might lack motivation, inspiration, or the tools you need to work better or improve your operations. It’s natural and familiar to experience this, even if you work with a team rather than just working solo.
This is one of the reasons why Stoke hosts FlintConf, Denton’s startup conference for hipsters (creatives), hackers (techies), and hustlers (entrepreneurs). Not only are the speakers and panelists familiar with that experience and are able to speak to how to improve it, but so are your fellow attendees sharing the table.
As part of Stoke’s mission to cultivate community and empower entrepreneurs, Stoke participates in Global Entrepreneurship Week each year in the fall, planning and hosting events for Denton’s creatives, makers, small business owners, techies, and entrepreneurs. Community members interested in learning more about business-related topics like branding or tools for efficiency and productivity can attend free events to gain insight for their endeavors, plus connect with other Dentonites.
Denton has an amazing, diverse community of entrepreneurs, and many of them are creative startups, art entrepreneurs, and small business owners working in interesting, enriching, and creative-at-its-core fields.
Take a look behind the scenes and take part in live demonstrations, make-and-take activities, and refreshments at the various stops on the Denton Startup Crawl this year! You'll learn how you can support and get involved with Denton's creative community at the stops as well. Stay safe, mask up, and distance, and enjoy the fall weather in North Texas while exploring the creative startup spaces in town.
FlintConf 2021 (virtual) invites techies, creatives, entrepreneurs, and those in-between or all of the above, to take control of their professional projects by participating in interactive, workshop-style sessions.
Speakers will guide you to apply their expertise and insights to your own endeavors with materials in the FC Playbook, an activity, worksheet, and resource-filled exercise book compiled with contributions from speakers by Playable Media and designed by Stoke to help you make the most of your conference experience, before, during, and beyond.
We were so impressed by the presenters at Big Ideas this year! Thank you to everyone who participated.
Speaking to Denton’s creative culture, we heard ideas for a Peterbilt Park (reminiscent of Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo), public spaces for theatrical performers and dancers, and complete neighborhoods where you can take a ten-minute walk and in that span, pick up your groceries, grab coffee, and visit with a neighbor instead of spending 15 minutes in your car to run those errands.
Who thought of turning an old warehouse into a pop-up music venue for 35 Denton (and where did they meet?) How do initiatives like beginning a startup and tech nonprofit like TechMill happen? What *finally* brought liquor to Denton County?
Dentonites sharing ideas and making connections at past creative mixers.
We see you, working hard and hustling every day, running your business, excelling at customer service, thinking of fresh ideas and innovations to your processes, and maybe asking yourself whether you should take the leap into something new or take further steps wherever you are (we’re all in varying stages of growth, professionally and personally, right?).
That’s a wrap for Global Entrepreneurship Week 2019!
We watched entrepreneurs and community members meet and connect and learned from those experienced in starting their own companies and working in their industries. We hope you made it out to some of the events! You can read a brief summary of each one in this blog post.
Wondering why you should be excited about Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW)? We need entrepreneurs to continue solving problems, meeting needs, and filling gaps by designing and innovating with the future in mind. GEW is a celebration of the contributions of entrepreneurs then, now, and looking forward. During the week all over the world, organizations host events and offer resources to entrepreneurs and those who are aspiring to be.
Cover photo by Royce Gossett
Aligning with an international effort, lead by the Kauffman Foundation, to break down barriers to entrepreneurship and encourage entrepreneurial hopefuls to take the leap, we’re participating in Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), which is November 18th through November 22nd. Stoke is celebrating all week by hosting events, sharing resources, and listening to Dentonites regarding their wants and needs in terms of resources and support.
