Peeling Behind Make + Do
Meet Make + Do.
Make + Do hosts group workshops where people can connect, feel inspired, and learn from passionate small business owners.
We chatted with founder, Katie, and workshop host, Johna, to find out:
Their advice for growing a small business
What success looks like for Make + Do
The secret to putting on a great event (Take note all you holiday hosts!)
read on the hear all about it!
1. How do you create a successful event - A Make + Do event or someone hosting their own ?
“A great event means great connections.” A Great event means people leave feeling seen, connected, and encouraged.
One of the biggest parts of hosting these workshops is laser-eyeing the people in the room who look lost or alone and being sure they leave not feeling that way.
This year has equalled a lot of isolation and loneliness.
People are so encouraged to just do something with their hands to create and express themselves and not just screen stare or click "yes I'm still watching." (Unless it’s The Queen’s Gambit….)
The suburbs can have a mentality of isolation and fenced-in backyards, but M+D dissolves the island mentality of life to create connections.”
Make + Do
Make + Do
2. What event has surprised you by its success?
“The all-time #1 is Build Your Own Cheeseboard hosted by Marci with Community Kitchen. It's incredible!
The success of this class matches the heart of our brand: to gather people together and create a shared experience.
A charcuterie board is in essence the food version of our business. It brings everyone around a shared experience and creates the ultimate food gathering event.”
This event is happening ONE LAST TIME in 2020 and is going to be in Alpharetta on December 9th at The Commons @ Phase.
Make + Do
3. so You're an event-planning expert. when you show up to an event, what do you look for?
“It's easy for me to spot if an event has been well thought out - usually it starts from the minute you arrive.
Are there signs telling you where to go?
Do you know what you’re supposed to do when you walk in?
Does the space make me feel comfortable, known, and accepted?
A great event is all about the full user experience, so thinking through every detail someone will walk through helps create a seamless, well-executed event.”
Make + Do
4. What advice would you have given yourself two years ago around make + Do’s success and growth?
"I'd tell the Katie 2 years ago that it's okay to grow slow.
There were times I was frustrated that I wasn't an expert in every aspect of my business, but I learned to work smarter not harder. I found others who were an expert in whatever I wasn't, and hired them!”
Make + Do
5. so, WHAT do you tell someone who Doesn’t feel naturally “artistic” or that they “belong”?
In this community, we try to express that everyone is a creator and is naturally creative in their own way.
Everyone always takes home something different.
Our goal isn't to create new masters of a craft, but to show people they can create something they can be proud of.
In a fall wreath workshop we saw 12 totally different wreaths come out of the same teacher and the same supplies.
There's such health in realizing that you can do something beautiful in a way that’s all your own and that everyone ALWAYS belongs.”
Make + Do
Make + Do
thank you, Katie + Johna!
Here are three things that stood out to us:
a great event is in the small details and ways to make people feel known and heard.
we need connection and we need each other.
you don’t have to be an expert in everything, that’s the beauty of a team!
If you loved learning about Make + Do, let them know!
Grab a few pals and sign up for the infamous Build Your Own Cheeseboard class in Alpharetta on Dec 9th!
Give the gift of a workshop this Christmas.
Stay social with Make + Do.