Why Being A Maker Made Me Want To Start A Business

Lately, I've gotten serious about building a maker-focused business, but where did it come from?

I've always been interested in how things work, even as a kid. I would take apart old VCRs (who remembers what those were?), try to figure out how they worked, tinker, and try to put them back together... unsuccessfully. I was even fascinated with the DVD bonus features of how movies were put together and why magic tricks fooled people.

Without knowing what a Maker was or how to use any tools, I had started down the Maker path that I love today.

Being A Maker Unlocks A Mental Superpower

Makers think differently than anyone else on the plant.

We are compelled to understand, break down, and recreate our own way. We mentally pull seemingly unrelated ideas together, mashing them into something new. We don't like buying something "anyone else can have" from a store because we know that we can build it closer to what we want ourselves (eventually at least... the build list gets long).

Makers are life-long learners who are always looking to improve their craft, get new ideas, and be inspired. For example, when I see a new movie, I cannot help but find different details, color, and textures that I want to figure out how to create myself.

As I continued to grow and learn as a Maker, what all I wanted to do myself expanded.

From Garage To Business

That expansion prompted me to switch from Southern Style DIY to The Maker Edge and get serious about Making a business.

Just like I used to break down VCRs and watch the behind-the-scenes mini-docs of movies, I enjoy seeing what does and doesn't work on the business side of branding. It's a little nerdy, sure, but it's also served me well in my corporate career. I like taking a social post, seeing what did or didn't work about it, try to understand what could be doubled down on or changed, and iterate (having the analytics we do in 2025 helps a ton).

I also recognize that many Makers are significantly more creative than I am and cannot stand that side of running their business. If I can create something that helps others have more success or faster success, than I view that as success for me as well.

If everyone benefits, how could I not give it everything I have?