Hey there, This week we're doing something a little different. We spoke with Scott Van Campen of MakerSpace NYC, New York's largest makerspace, which operates nearly 4,600 square metres of shops and studios across three locations. |
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Hey Scott, how does running a makerspace differ from traditional coworking? |
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"The biggest difference is really the safety around the tools, and the ability to support those ‘I made that’ moments. It is incredibly rewarding to provide a space for collaboration across all types of work." – Scott Van Campen, Executive Director at MakerSpace NYC Most coworking operators spend their days thinking about desks, meeting rooms, and community. MakerSpace NYC is thinking about welding equipment, machine shops, laser cutters, and how to safely give members access to them. But as we kept talking, it became clear that many of the challenges are surprisingly similar. How do you build trust? Encourage collaboration? Give people reasons to stay? |
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1. Collaboration Is Retention When we asked Scott what draws people to making things together, he said partnerships form naturally as people discover each other's skills and expertise. MakerSpace NYC creates the conditions for that. Members share access to everything from woodshops and metalshops to ceramics studios, laser cutters, and 3D printers. Their Art in Makerpark residency also brings six artists into the space each year to create public sculptures with staff support and training. Members learn from each other, collaborate on projects, and become part of a network. |
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The group after a welding session in Brooklyn. |
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A member who has found project partners or learned new skills has a reason to stay that goes far beyond pricing. As Scott put it: "We really strive to build a supportive and inclusive community of makers of all kinds. The welcoming community combined with a wide variety of professional tools is what makes us unique." Retention comes down to one question: Does your space give members something valuable they can't easily recreate elsewhere? |
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2. Trust Is Operational Scott also spoke about how members handle expensive shared equipment: "When something goes wrong or gets damaged in some way, it is important that members communicate that something happened so we can repair the tools ASAP." That only works when people feel comfortable speaking up. If members are worried about being blamed, problems stay hidden. Equipment stays broken longer than it should. In a makerspace, that can quickly become a safety issue. A damaged tool nobody flagged is the next member's accident. This isn't just unique to makerspaces. The member who points out a recurring problem is giving you a chance to fix it. The member who stays silent is often already halfway out the door. Trust is built by showing people that feedback leads to action. |
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3. Give People a Smaller First Step Makerspaces face a challenge that many coworking spaces don't. Professional equipment can be intimidating. People worry about using tools incorrectly, damaging something expensive, or simply not knowing where to start. MakerSpace NYC addresses that through classes. |
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A new ceramics studio, introduced with a low-commitment first step. |
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Welding, 3D printing, laser cutting, wheel throwing, Damascus knife making. Each class gives people a low-risk way to experience the space, learn a skill, and build confidence before deciding whether membership is right for them. By the time they join, they already understand how the space works and have experienced the community firsthand. The same principle applies to coworking. Day passes, workshops, community events, and open houses all make it easier for someone to imagine themselves as part of your space. Membership becomes much easier when the first step feels small. |
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Thinking of Starting a Makerspace? We asked Scott what advice he would give operators considering it. "Seek input from the community you are looking to serve. What do your potential members want to do or make? You will need to make sure people are safe and have a solid understanding of the tools they want to use. Keep in mind that you will have to maintain those tools." Three takeaways that stood out: - Ask before you build. The community should determine the tools, not the other way around.
- Training is part of the product.
- Equipment requires ongoing maintenance, repairs, and replacement.
One initiative we particularly liked is MakerSpace NYC's Community Give-Back Program, which provides 50 free Pro memberships each year to local residents, artists from underrepresented communities, and people on lower incomes. What we covered here is only a small part of what MakerSpace NYC does. The support they provide to artists, the events they host, and the community they've built around making are worth exploring in their own right. Their Instagram offers a glimpse into all of it. Big thanks to Scott for the conversation. |
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🤔 Two minutes, one reply: what's the one capability your members can't get anywhere but your space? |
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See you next Wednesday and happy coworking! 🥳 |
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The topic for next week is: "The Coworking Operator's Guide to Choosing AI Tools" 🤖 |
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If you missed last week's newsletter, check it out here: |
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Reply to this email if you have any questions, disagree with something I said, or have a suggestion for a collaboration/future topic. I'm always happy to stay in touch. |
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Cobot Coworking Software, 2026 |
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