The Maker City Summit is fast approaching. Whether it’s your first year or your fifth, you’ll want to start planning your Summit journey.
This Summit is designed for makers of all types — from illustrators to innovators, bakers to brewers, tinkerers to full-timers, and everyone in between — who are looking for maker business education and creative inspiration. By attending the Summit, you have access to practical know-how and dialogue about growing a successful maker business. Our goal is that you’ll leave ready to accomplish your next business milestone. All it takes is an eagerness to learn.
In addition to full-crowd presentations and opportunities to network with fellow makers, the Summit offers a trio of “Breakout Sessions” twice a day — interactive smaller group workshops that niche into the topics you need to support your maker journey.
Check out the Session descriptions below and reflect on which will be most helpful for you.
Saturday, September 28 at 11 am
Kickoff your Summit Day 1 with a business deep dive that meets you where you are! All three presenters are experienced entrepreneurs who can guide you through just getting started, solidifying your place in the market, and growing into your next stage.
Biz of Making 101
Haseeb Qureshi, Forthlaw PLLC
A foundational session where we'll explore the essential principles of turning your craft into a thriving business. From setting up your shop to pricing your products, discover the key steps to launch your creative venture with confidence.
Biz of Making 201
Damon Rawls, Innovation Digital Agency
Level up, where we dive deeper into the strategies and tactics essential for growing your creative enterprise. Explore advanced topics such as expanding your product line, scaling production, and optimizing your online presence for maximum impact.
Biz of Making 301
Sarah Loebner, Towns Toffee
An intensive session designed for established makers ready to scale their operations and maximize profitability. Dive into advanced topics such as supply chain management, strategic partnerships, and diversifying revenue streams to future-proof your business. With expert guidance and practical insights, this session empowers you to navigate the complexities of growth with confidence.
Saturday, September 28 at 2:30 pm
Are you searching for new ways to tell your story, grow your business online, or improve your brand photos? After a delicious, locally-catered lunch, settle in for storytelling, scaling, or scroll-stopping photography tips with three experienced makers.
If you’re not sure which to choose, what would help you most: More confidence communicating as your brand, moving into and growing with eCommerce, or improving the content you serve your social media audience?
Power in Story
Chrissie Batts, Mama Bear Sweet Treats
Discover why people remember stories more than bullet points and how it taps into our innate need for connection. Learn about the pillars of storytelling, including finding your voice and staying authentic to your brand.
Scaling Your Business Online
Mel Mullins, All Ya’ll Skincare
Embark on an immersive exploration of e-commerce in this enlightening session. Delve into the heart of online retailing as we uncover essential strategies for optimizing your digital storefront. From customer engagement to conversion optimization, gain invaluable insights and hands-on experience to propel your e-commerce journey forward. This session equips you with the tools and expertise needed to thrive in the dynamic world of online retail.
Stop the Scroll with Photos
Krista DeSocio, DeSocio in the Kitchen
In this instructional session designed to empower makers to capture their work effectively and stand out on social media, Krista will share essential tips and techniques to elevate your photography skills and create eye-catching images that command attention. Learn how to showcase your creations in the best light, stop the social media scroll, and represent your designs well.
Sunday, September 29 at 11 am
Grab your coffee and cast your sights on the future with the Day 2 morning Breakout Sessions, focusing on passion & purpose, funding opportunities, and a Maker Space conversation. These Summit speakers will help you see the bigger picture from above the hustle, guide you towards grant success, and offer a glimpse in The Maker City’s next phase.
Branching Out: Navigating Hustle Culture with Passion & Purpose
Ty Murray, The Bottom + Ty’s Eye
The grind never seems to stop as a maker or business owner. This reflective workshop takes a creative approach to branching out amidst the everyday hustle and bustle. To help balance your profession, productivity, joy and passion, the following resources will be explored:
Building your personal ikigai, a Japanese concept where what you love, what you’re good at, what you can get paid for, and what the world needs all overlap
An interactive approach to passion mapping
Feel Good Productivity techniques
The Search for Funding
Sara Baker, Non-profit Consultant
Learn how to secure grants and funding for your creative projects, from identifying opportunities to crafting compelling proposals. Whether you're new to seeking funding or a seasoned grant writer, this session equips you with practical tips and strategies to access the resources needed to bring your creative visions to life.
Maker Space Conversation
Maker City Council Team
Join us for a dynamic breakout session presented by the Maker City Council on Maker Spaces. After a year of intensive research, interviews, and collaboration with architects and developers, we're excited to share our findings and recommendations. Whether you're a seasoned maker or new to the concept, this session offers valuable insights and actionable strategies to optimize Maker Spaces.
Sunday, September 29 at 2:30 pm
The Summit’s final Breakout Sessions offer inspiration and tactical guidance for marketing, branding, and intentional organization. There’s always more to learn, and Expert Sessions are available after the Summit. Choose the session that’ll make the most impact as you synthesize everything you’ve learned over the weekend!
Elevating Marketing with Data Science
Amanda Martin, Future Garage
Learn how to leverage data to uncover actionable insights, optimize campaigns, and enhance customer engagement. This session will provide practical techniques and real-world examples to help marketing professionals harness data for more effective decision-making and drive measurable results.
The 1, 2’s and 3’s. Brand Strategy Basics
Tricia Bateman, Tricia Bateman Design
Explore the link between your brand's visual identity and your business objectives. Learn how to align the look of your brand with your overarching goals for maximum impact. Discuss what essentials your logo should include—and what it can do without. Plus, delve into the elements beyond a logo that are essential for building a strong brand presence. This session equips you with the knowledge and tools to create a compelling brand identity that resonates with your audience.
Reading the Room: From Clutter to Inspired Action
Monika Miller, Space Witch
What if our spaces could talk? This session delves into the transformative power of deep decluttering and intentional organizing, transforming your environment into a catalyst for creativity, business innovation, and personal growth. Learn to listen and respond to your space, turning insight into action.
No matter what you choose, your Summit journey is sure to be jam-packed with valuable insights and information! Breakout Sessions are just one part of the weekend, and they’re a great opportunity to meet and network with other like-minded makers. Consider planning your Sessions with fellow entrepreneurs at similar business stages so you can work together and continue the conversation after the event.