Holiday Gift Guide Feature Challenge: Photo Inspiration + Tips Series

October 28, 2017

The Maker City is launching its first-ever Holiday Gift Guide! We’re selecting high-quality products made in Knoxville to inspire shopping locally this holiday season. We’re choosing products and makers with exceptional photos, easy-to-navigate shops, and stellar selling reputations.

To help you up your photo game this holiday season…

We want to help YOU take awesome photos. On October 25 – 27, we hosted a 3-day Instagram photo inspiration + tips series. This is the full series we posted to Instagram, featuring the photos that inspired the tips!

Strategic & Sustainable Growth: Going From Side-Biz to Full-Scale Company and Beyond

September 18, 2017

In this panel preview special, Andrew Edens of Smoky Mountain Vintage Lumber shares some of the driving points behind his moderated panel: Strategic & Sustainable Growth.

Visit this panel and more at The Maker City Summit, happening all-day at The Mill & Mine in Knoxville. Also joining Andrew on this panel are:

Jesse Barlow, Blacksheep Printing Co.
Leanne McQueen, McQueen Pottery
Shaun Parrish, Old City Java, Wild Love Bakehouse, Pearl
Zack Roskop, Knox Brew Tours

Jesse Barlow of Blacksheep Printing – The Maker City Summit Panelist Feature

September 15, 2017

We’re proud to feature local maker and business owner Jesse Barlow, founder of Blacksheep printing.

Before joining us for the Summit panel: Strategic and Sustainable Growth, moderated by Andrew Edens of Smokey Mountain Vintage Lumber, we caught up with Jesse to learn more about his personal journey with Blacksheep and how his business has grown successfully in spite of the challenges he faced.

If you haven’t yet, grab your tickets for The Maker City Summit, happening at The Mill & Mine on September 19, 2017.

Brand Thinking for Makers

September 11, 2017

Joseph Nother | Designsensory/PopFizz presents

BRAND THINKING FOR MAKERS

Your brand identity is what makes you more than a business in the mind of your customer. It forms a bond between what they believe and why you’re the right choice for them. Whether you find it a daunting task or an exciting adventure, going from “big idea” to tangible brand is a process, and JosephNother of Designsensory is here to guide you through it. He’ll be sharing of his 20+ years of experience as a design, business, and marketing practitioner, with best practices tailored to makers taking the leap into personal branding and entrepreneurship.

The Maker City Summit Panelist Feature: Alyssa Maddox of Retropolitan

September 11, 2017

We caught up with Alyssa in preparation for her participation in the panel Ready, Set, Sell!, a 1:15 pm session moderated by David Harmon of Native Maps. We asked a few questions about her journey in creating Retropolitan and what it’s like to be responsible not only for her own sales but providing an atmosphere of profitable sales for her vendors.

Bold Steps in the Maker City

September 5, 2017

Ilana Preuss, Founder | Recast City LLC presents

BOLD STEPS IN THE MAKER CITY

Knoxville intends to be THE Maker City and Ilana Preuss, Founder of Recast City, will be leading the discussion on strategies to make that happen. Ever thought about taking your homemade products to the next level? Have questions about how your studio or workshop can grow in this evolving landscape of Knoxville?

Pro Tips from Top Etsy Sellers

August 30, 2017

Isabella Diaz, Shop Optimization Specialist | Etsy presents

PRO TIPS FROM TOP ETSY SELLERS

Since its launch in 2005, Etsy has exploded to become one of the largest internet marketplaces for makers, curators, and resellers worldwide. Whether you’re an established Etsy shop-owner or a maker ready to take your goods global, the question remains: How can your shop stand out in the sea of over 1.5 million sellers?

Goal Setting

August 25, 2017

Steph Crowder | Fizzle presents

GOAL SETTING

A keynote presentation at The Maker City Summit 2017

The Maker City Summit is pleased to announce that one of our Keynote speakers will be Steph Crowder, the head of Member Success at Fizzle. Fizzle is a community of 2,000+ other small, independent entrepreneurs who are working hard to earn a living doing something they love.

Lead the Social Media Revolution

August 24, 2017

Mark W. Schaefer | Schaefer Marketing Solutions presents

THE SOCIAL MEDIA REVOLUTION IS BEING LED BY YOU