Innovative News For February 2026

Michelle Smith
Jan 31
6 min read

Welcome to the Innovation Spot, a flexible coworking solution less than a mile from Downtown Woodstock! This month's newsletter highlights some new members, announcements for upcoming events, updates on exciting happenings this month, and more!

Upcoming Events at The Innovation Spot:

Friday, February 6 - Sure Connexions. Sure Connexions has moved to Fridays! Sure Connexions is an interactive faith-based networking organization that meets at 12:00 PM online through Zoom, and in-person with lunch at The Innovation Spot.

ClickHEREto sign up for Sure Connexions!

February 16-20 -Random Acts of Kindness Week. We will be celebrating Tuesday, February 17, National Random Acts of Kindness Day - ALL WEEK LONG! Stop by the Coffee Bar or Kitchen to snag an idea or two to brighten the world, one act of kindness at a time.

Welcome to the Inspiration Blog! We will occassionally have an article on our website that we want to share with you in our newsletter. In this section, you'll find an excerpt of the article along with a link to our website to finish reading it. We hope to provide helpful business practices and ideas, information about coworking and shared spaces, event planning advice, and many other useful topics!

To Sit or To Stand; That Is the Question

Standing desks might seem a bit trendy today, but they actually come from a long history of use. Artists and architects alike are known for their use of easels and drafting tables, both being forms of a standing desk. In fact, even though it doesn’t seem to be recorded in the annals of history anywhere, many still believe that Leonardo Da Vinci...read more here

Member Spotlight: Michael Paupeck [StorSquare]

After 13 years as an attorney specializing in construction and commercial litigation, Michael made a bold career pivot to join some good friends in leading STORsquare through its next phase of growth.

STORsquare is a portable storage and moving company taking on industry giant PODS by delivering what the sector has long been missing: exceptional customer service paired with best-in-class containers and equipment.

Under his leadership, the company has expanded to five locations across Atlanta, Central Florida, Charlotte, Knoxville, and continues growing through both franchising and new corporate sites. STORsquare has recently expanded its services beyond local moving and storage to include long-distance moving, further challenging the established players in the industry.

Michael’s legal background gives him unique insights into the administrative, operational and customer service challenges that plague the moving and storage business—insights he’s using to build a company that actually puts customers first.

Contact Info:

STORsquare

michael@storsquare.com

844-888-STOR

STORsquare.com

Tuesday, February 10 emPOWer by INWDSTK. Come be emPOWer'd with Beyond The Spotlight & The Little Sober Bar @ 119 Mill Street!

EmPOWer is a Young Professionals IN WDSTK event designed to create relationships,

spark personal development, and have a great time!

What to expect:

5:30-6:00p - Let's network!

6:00-7:00p - Topic Discussion

7:00-7:30p - More networking!

Membership with IN WDSTK isn't required to attend,

but attendees are encouraged to join by clicking here: https://inwdstk.glueup.com/org/inwdstk/memberships/

We invite anyone who would like to connect with the community inside Woodstock.

Bring your friends and come ready for a fun and collaborating event!

Event will be held at Beyond The Spot Light Dance Studio. Please use side door when entering.

Event registration is required to attend.

Tuesday, February 10 Business After Hours hosted by Cherokee Chamber of Commerce.

4:30 - 6:00 pm

Location:

The Hollar

301 W. Main Street

Canton, GA 30114

Cost for 2026 Business After Hours:

2026 Standing Reservations are available for $65 and may be purchased here.

If you do not have a standing reservation, pricing is as follows:

Chamber Member Advance Registration: $10

Chamber Member Registration: $15

Future Member Registration: $25

If you do not have a BAH standing reservation, you must register by 3 PM on the Monday prior to the event to receive a printed name tag and advance pricing. After the 3 PM advance registration deadline, you may register at the price below or pay at the event!

Saturday, February 14 Guns 'n' Hoses 5K.

Cherokee Recreation and Parks will host its 20th Annual Guns & Hoses 5K Run/Walk on February 14, 2026, at Hobgood Park in Woodstock, GA.

The purpose of this event is to raise funds for local charities selected by both groups, Guns and Hoses.

The charity for the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office (Guns) is The Frank Reynolds Charities, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established to raise funds through events and community initiatives that support individuals in Cherokee County and other local charitable organizations. Funds raised through The Frank Reynolds Charities for this event are earmarked for the Charlie Ferguson Community Center. Donate to the Frank Reynolds Charities here! Donate to the Charlie Ferguson Community Center here!

The charity for the Cherokee County Fire Department (Hoses) is the Goshen Valley Boys Ranch, a nonprofit home providing care and support for young men in Georgia’s state foster care system. Donate to Goshen Valley here!

When registering, participants will select the team they wish to represent, Guns or Hoses, and a portion of their registration fee will be donated to that team’s designated charity.

Dogs are welcome, as long as they are on a leash!

The Guns & Hoses 5K is a certified qualifying race for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race.

Click HERE for more details and to register!

Friday, February 20 Arbor Day.

Celebrate all things green with our annual free tree seedling giveaway! Seedlings will be given away while supplies last between 8 am and 5 pm at the Woodstock City Hall Annex, William G. Long Senior Center, and Woodstock Visitor’s Center at Dean’s Store.

A tree will also be planted in the name of City of Woodstock Employees who are celebrating 20 years of employment.

Click HERE for more information!

Thursday, February 26 Cherokee Chamber Power Hour.

Join us for an hour of fast paced networking with fellow business leaders

as well as the Chamber Board Chair, Debra Williams, and Chamber President & CEO, Pam Carnes!

Before the hour ends, you will have the opportunity to share about your business or organization for all to hear! You don’t want to miss this event as we are turning up the power on Power Hour with PowerPoints!

Your name will be entered into a drawing for each Power Hour you attend this year.

One lucky winner will be chosen in December who will receive a PowerPass --

free attendance (non-transferable) to every Power Hour in 2027!

Don't forget to bring promotional items from your business for the share table!

Location:

Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce

3605 Marietta Hwy

Canton, GA 30114

10:00 - 11:00 am

Cost: Chamber Member: $5; Future Members: $10

Advance registration by 12 PM on 2/25 is appreciated but not required; onsite registration is available.

Click HERE for more info!

Friday, February 27 INWDSTK Morning INfluence.

Morning Influence is a networking event which includes breakfast and a brief presentation that focuses on updates given by Greater Woodstock on important issues or services offered that affect the community as a whole.

BRING A GUEST and you will be instantly entered in our raffle to win some great prizes and giveaways!

Time & Location:

8:00 am - 9:00 am

Chambers at City Center

8534 Main Street

Woodstock, Georgia

Event registration is required.

For registration and more details, click HERE.

Welcome to our newest members of the Innovation Spot team!

Tammy Meyer-Christopher

Rhino USA

Andrew Rose

Horace L. Carter

Carter-Hazel Realty

John Bonilla

Onland

Autumn Hunter

Cherokee Tax & Accounting

Katie Smith

Brandi Sluss Law, LLC

We L♥VE Reviews!

We appreciate you and your partnership with The Innovation Spot! Leaving positive reviews on Google really helps small businesses more than you know. Every review helps, and we thank you in advance.

Click Here to Leave Us a Review!

Let us help you broaden your horizons this new year! 💡

The Innovation Spot partners with some great local businesses!

See more information below...

It'll Buff Detailing offers a variety of services that will transform your vehicle. They have three fully functioning bays utilized to offer services such as paint correction, ceramic coating, and full vehicle details.

Visit their website by clicking HERE or call 714.714.1325.

You can also visit their new shop location at

195 Stockwood DriveWoodstock, GA 30188

We are thrilled to provide virtual assistant services through MD Virtual Assist. Are you in need of an extra hand with a variety of tasks such as social media marketing, calendar scheduling, and email campaigns? If it's on your to-do list but not a good use of your time, leave it to Mandy! She can provide dedicated support to executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs.

Check Out: www.mdvirtualassist.com