Center for Transforming Lives has officially opened its new social enterprise: Riverside Coworking.
The unique small-business incubator pairs commonly needed resources along with free drop-in child care, workshops and other education opportunities to empower women and families to thrive economically.
Riverside Coworking is open to all participants of Center for Transforming Lives along with the general public. The nonprofit opened its new Riverside Campus headquarters May 2.
“When we invest in entrepreneurs, we invest in the future,” Carol Klocek, chief executive officer of Center for Transforming Lives, said in a news release. “Affordable business resources aren’t just helpful, they’re essential, especially for low-income entrepreneurs. Access to these resources, training and support can mean the difference between an idea that fades and a business that flourishes.”
The goal is to create an ecosystem of entrepreneurs who can inspire and support each other, Klocek said, while affordable pricing and scholarships keep the space accessible to all.
Riverside Coworking is located in the nonprofit’s new Riverside campus headquarters. Riverside Coworking offers:
- A variety of desk memberships as well as access to meeting and training rooms.
- A commercial kitchen with 24-hour access and storage options.
- A teaching kitchen.
- A makerspace with a laser engraver, 3D printer, heat press and embroidery and sewing machines.
- Fully equipped audio and visual studios, with editing bay.
- Free drop-in child care, available for parents working on-site.
- A professional mailing address, phone booths, printing and copying, Wi-Fi, snacks, coffee and a wellness room.
Entrepreneurs can also take advantage of free classes and other events that build skills, community and connection.
It’s hardly the Center for Transforming Lives’ only venture into small business.
Podcast studio at the coworking space at Center for Transforming Lives. (Courtesy photo | Center for Transforming Lives)
The organization’s small-business program has supported nearly 200 low-income entrepreneurs in launching and expanding their own businesses. The small-business group includes specialized coaching in business planning, legal structures, financial management, marketing and other support services.
Upon completion of the program, participants can apply for a matched savings small-business grant of up to $5,000.
Teaching kitchen at the coworking space at Center for Transforming Lives. (Courtesy photo | Center for Transforming Lives)
Launching a social enterprise geared toward supporting entrepreneurs was the next natural step for the nonprofit: an estimated 100 small businesses will be created or expanded annually through small-business programming and the new coworking space.
“The majority of our participants are single mothers with young children,” Klocek said. “By combining child care and other support services within the small-business incubator, we’re unlocking the potential of parents as innovators. We’re empowering mothers to pursue their dreams so they can thrive. The two-generation approach nurtures mothers, who are building change, and their children, who will inherit it.”
Riverside Coworking is at 3001 S. Riverside Drive. Longtime locals will know the building as the former Montgomery Ward Riverside Plaza building.
Going to the dogs
A pet-focused streaming platform based in Fort Worth named Buddi has launched a content and sales partnership with Bark TV, the first multi-platform network with 24-hour-a-day programming dedicated exclusively to dog lovers.
The partnership creates opportunities for the platforms to collaborate on unique content, including original programming and a “Buddi Bark channel,” where Bark TV will be available on the Buddi app for free.
“Collaborating with a platform that values seeing our furry friends on the big screen as much as we do here at Buddi presents an exceptional opportunity,” says Buddi executive vice president of programming Nathan Fletcher. “We’re excited to expand our audience and introduce more people to our platform — Bark TV has millions of viewers nationwide, so this partnership provides additional reach and unparalleled visibility.”
While viewers can now watch Bark TV on Buddi, two original Buddi shows are also joining the Bark TV lineup: “Buddi’s Besties” and “Pawsome Profiles.”
The partnership arrives on the heels — or paws — of the recent announcement that the Buddi app is available in the Samsung Smart TV app store, which broadens Buddi’s distribution to 111 million U.S. homes and 90% of the connected TV space.
Fruit basket turnover on University
With Pottery Barn moving across the street to reside next to its corporate sister, West Elm, in the Westbend space formerly occupied by Market by Macy’s, it looks like a good time to take a look at what all is happening at University Park Village.
There will obviously be a new spot available when Pottery Barn vacates, but coming soon to University Park Village will be Vuori Fort Worth. The performance apparel brand has filed its plans with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
Construction will begin in October and is slated to finish in January 2026 in part of the space being vacated by the Apple Store, which is moving to a larger spot on the north side of the center near Eatzi’s Market & Bakery.
Next to the new Apple Store will be an Abercrombie & Fitch that is set to open soon.
Medical care at Fiesta
OnMed CareStation clinics are opening in July at Fiesta Mart locations in Fort Worth and Missouri City. The Fort Worth CareStation is made possible through grants from Molina Healthcare of Texas.
OnMed’s CareStation clinics are private, high-tech health hubs offering real-time consultations with licensed physicians, supported by advanced diagnostic tools such as thermal imaging, real-time scanning and remote vital signs monitoring.
Fort Worth’s CareStation location is in the Fiesta Mart at 421 W. Bolt St. in the La Gran Plaza center.
Do you have something for the Bob on Business column? Email Bob Francis, business editor for the Fort Worth Report, at bob.francis@fortworthreport.org.At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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