By Julie Leith
The AccelerateHER program provides intellectual and social capital to founders of women-owned businesses. The Center for Women Entrepreneurs – Texas Women’s University provides a lifetime of support and connections priceless to women in business. As part of this program, Sesh Coworking has been the cohort’s home away from home for months.
Each AccelerateHER cohort member was gifted a dedicated desk space in November 2022. I hesitate to say ‘dedicated desk’ because Sesh has been much more than a groovy desk. It is a community; it is coffee; it is Wi-Fi, it is Dane who greets us all as we come in, it is birthday celebrations, and community events, it is laughing, networking, and most importantly, it is a safe space. Although AccelerateHER concluded in March 2022, Sesh Coworking generously extended each Houston AccelerateHER cohort’s dedicated desk space through August 1.
Although I only understood co-working spaces after walking through the doors of Sesh, it has become one of the most valuable in-kind donations I have received through the launch of Durable Assistance & Consulting. As a female founder, the mountain of challenges can sometimes feel lonely and insurmountable. However, this community co-working space has been a home away from home with like-minded female founders. Sesh has created a space that supports female entrepreneurs in all aspects of their business.
The cohort spent each Tuesday working diligently together to move our businesses forward, each at a different stage in the business world. We came with our fears, excitement, and readiness to work. We were like sponges soaking in the numerous workshops from vendors, advisors, and from each other. TWU-Center for Women Entrepreneurs graciously gifted us a media package including five headshot images, and of course, the cohort embraced the camera with a glass of wine. We completed the program with a mock pitch in front of hand-selected judges who gave us positive feedback on each of our companies and a professionally edited 1-minute pitch completed by a videographer.
And we certainly did not just complete work tasks at Sesh, the AccelerateHER cohort created its’ own community within the Sesh Community, hosting our own Mardi Gras party and Galentine’s event.
The AccelerateHER program and The Center for Women Entrepreneurs – Texas Women’s University has been a significant support for me to move from the launch of Durable Assistance & Consulting to brand awareness, establishing processes, seeing clients, developing a capability statement, completing certifications, fine-tuning a business plan, grant writing, recording podcasts, speaking engagements, photo shoots, and pitching. The AccelerateHER program gifted me a place at the table and a voice as a female founder. Sesh Coworking gifted me a community.
Julie Leith, LMSW, MBA
Certified Aging in Place Specialist
Durable Assistance & Consulting
Life is Better at Home
