On October 6th, Lowell Makes hosted the inaugural Backyard Business Expo, a vibrant evening that brought together members of the local business community and the maker community to explore the incredible opportunities available at Lowell Makes.
The event was designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and connection—showcasing how local businesses can leverage the talents, skills, and tools of our makers and makerspace to grow and innovate.
View Photos of the Event
“Lowell is home to many amazing artists and makers and incredible catalysts for opportunity like Lowell Makes,” said Peter Crewe, Director of the City of Lowell’s Cultural Affairs and Special Events (CASE) Office. “The City was excited to help bring together our business community and creative community to network, launch collaborations, and harness the power of Lowell’s creative sector to make Lowell a great place to work, live, and play.”
Guests enjoyed live demonstrations throughout the makerspace, including 3D printing with shop captain Dana Kelly, CNC routing with shop captain Shawn Ashe, machine embroidery with FAMM shop captain Judie Barnhill, heat press demonstrations by member Kelli Verrill, sticker printing and die cutting with member Nago Snow, media and photography by Media Studio shop captain Josh Mazgelis, laser engraving with member Dusty Santos, and digital marketing insights by Marketing Committee chair Andee Wilcott.
“It’s in our DNA to share our talents, skills, and love of making with the community,” said Andee. “We are so excited and proud to host this event to showcase how businesses can benefit from Lowell Makes’ facilities and members. We’re also grateful for our partnership with CASE and Revolutionary Valley in making this event a reality and look forward to more engagement with the Greater Lowell community in the future.”
Throughout the evening, attendees explored the many workshops and studios that make Lowell Makes a hub of creativity and innovation. From seeing projects come to life on the 3D printer to discovering how CNC routing and embroidery can support small-scale production, business owners and artisans alike found inspiration in every corner of the space.
Networking flowed naturally as local entrepreneurs connected with makers, discussing ways to collaborate on product design, fabrication, media production, and marketing. Light refreshments and informal conversation made the evening both productive and welcoming.
The event was organized by Dylan Lavender (Event Committee Chair), Tracy Flynn (President), Carol Fournier (Vice President), and Andee Wilcott, in coordination with CASE and the Greater Merrimack Valley CVB/Revolutionary Valley.
“The inaugural Lowell Makes Backyard Business Expo was a dynamic event that highlighted the wealth of opportunities close to home,” said Brian Bradbury, Executive Director of the Greater Merrimack Valley CVB/Revolutionary Valley. “Business owners and artisans came together to network, exchange ideas, showcase resources, and spark collaborations—showing the power of community when we work together.”
The Backyard Business Expo marked an inspiring step toward strengthening connections between Lowell’s business and creative communities. With such enthusiasm and collaboration, the event promises to be the first of many partnerships helping make Lowell a hub of innovation, creativity, and community spirit.