PODCAST Biz503: Meet the Makers

Portland is at the forefront of another movement. It has nothing to do with recycling, vote-by-mail, land-use planning, or weed. The Portland-made zeitgeist in the air is the Maker Movement, part of a global trend away from mass-manufactured goods and toward handmade one-of-a-kind items.

This week on Biz503, we are re-visiting a show from our archives that asks why an entire generation (millennials) missed out on certain “how-to” classes in school – and how they’re now filling that vacuum with self-made businesses and products.

GOLocalPDX reports Portland is leading the global DIY trend with Portland Made, a digital storytelling platform and collective of 500 members. Its partner “makerspace,” ADX, is a hub where people make and learn by sharing tools, knowledge, and experience. According to ADX, “designers work alongside students, retirees share their knowledge with novice builders, and entrepreneurs collaborate with hobbyists.”

Tune in this Friday between 1-2 p.m. for our encore presentation of the Biz503 episode “Meet the Makers.” You’ll hear from advocates and observers of the PDX Maker Movement including:

Andrea Edgecombe, Director of Events, Maker Faire Organizer, OMSI
Matt Preston, Communications Director at ADX (Art Design Portland) *See below for details of ADX holiday market, Gifted
Malia Spencer, Staff Writer, Portland Business Journal
Garrett Michael, Makers Woodworks
Jenn Woodward and Gary Hanson, Co-founders, Pulp and Deckle *See card examples in photos below
Inger McDowell, Owner; With Love, From PDX
Vieng Oudon, Owner, Sommi Wine Cellars