Merchants and Makers Gatherings
• – • Grand Rapids, 49503
About this Club
Merchants and Makers showcases local artisans and creates a space for them to share their creativity and passions and a space for the community to gather together with friends via our markets.
Community over competition has become the motto for the makers; we support one another and meet quarterly to discuss small business topics.
We are convening to allow creatives a space for learning and friendship. We will discuss topics that are interesting to makers/small business owners.
✨WHAT TO EXPECT
✔️ We have some social time, about an hour of a presentation/panel, and then some more social time.🎒WHAT TO KNOW OR BRING
✔️ You do not need to bring anything, but we do meet at SILVA, so you are able to order food and drink if you desire.ABOUT YOUR HOST
Hi, my name is Shyle Lyons. I am a former social worker and small-business owner who created the first Merchants and Makers event in 2017. The event was a success and I had so much fun planning it. Why not do it again? I recruited my former Hope College roommate + friend, Meghan French, to do branding and marketing for the next event.
We learned over time what shoppers wanted and what makers craved: fun, ease, quality, local products… and community over competition! We now host 11 markets a year and always have live music, great food, drinks (a bar and other), and a hand-picked group of makers from all over West Michigan.
Most of our events have around 100 different makers who make items like handcrafted bath and beauty products, unique jewelry, delicious drink mixers, home decor made from reclaimed wood, hand-spun cotton candy, succulent planters, screen printed t-shirts, gifts for kids and adults alike, and so much more. We aim to get these amazing creatives together to talk about topics that are of interest to them!
