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.
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.
An appetite for learning and an understanding that the business world is always evolving is essential for success as an entrepreneur. With the way the last few years have gone, it’s more important than ever to seek out opportunities for growth and stay up to date with the latest small business news. Here are five reasons you should continue learning as a small business owner.
Denton has a unique mix of entrepreneurs: those who are the founders of scale-able, high-growth startups, seeking employees every so often to meet the needs of their growing company; and those who are business owners who nurture and sustain small businesses that contribute to the richness of the town and fulfill needs in the community. Stoke is here to empower and support them.
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.
Lillia Whittington is the owner and head content creator of The D. Diaries, a fashion and lifestyle blog that highlights what makes Denton unique! Motivated to give Denton a voice and put it on the map for North Texas and beyond, Lillia’s written about and promoted local events, lifestyle activities and shops plus compiled useful tools like the Denton Guide and holiday shopping tips for locals and visitors alike. Coming from someone who grew up in Denton and knows the town like the back of her hand, The D. Diaries is filled with love for her hometown; anything born from the heart has to be good, and what Lillia creates is indeed delightful.
Like many entrepreneurs, Michelle Schodowski sought to solve a problem with her business, one that was near to her passion and profession: connecting emerging professional musicians with high level teachers, no matter their location. The idea for Radda came from her experience studying to become a professional pianist while in the rural Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee but still being able to learn from experts in New York online.
Read on to learn more about her story.
Need help starting to plan your business or in the middle of preparing to launch your startup? You might find that having someone to act as a sounding board or hearing from a person who’s been in your shoes before is just what you need to begin or keep going. Whoever fills roles such as these could be considered a mentor.
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?).
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.
Celebrating Stoke’s 3rd anniversary and the thriving culture and economy of Denton, Kevin Roden, VP of education technology startup ReadyRosie, and Heather Gregory, executive director of Stoke, hosted Big Ideas - a lil d creative mixer, inviting community members to deliver three minute pitches about their big ideas for Denton.
