Today we’d like to introduce you to Cat Ashton & Clairissa Simmons.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
We’re both serial crafters and problem solvers, and in 2023 we found ourselves at a crossroads. The community makerspace we belonged to was closing its doors, and we did not want to lose the community we’d found there. Rather than letting that space disappear, we decided to step in and take over. We recognized a gap in the Austin makerspace scene—while many makerspaces cater to those who are already familiar with modern tools, there wasn’t a space dedicated to entry-level users or those traditionally excluded from such environments, particularly minorities and people identifying as women or nonbinary.
We envisioned a space where everyone could embrace their innate desire to create something beautiful while fostering inclusivity, creativity, and safety. With this vision in mind, we founded Make At Rosie, a community makerspace in Austin, TX. Both of us share a deep passion for making and community building. Cat, a fourth-generation entrepreneur, also runs a boutique social impact consultancy, while Clairissa, an educator and curriculum creator, understands the transformative power of hands-on creation. Together, we spent 2023 transitioning operations, branding, and membership from the former co.lab community makerspace to what is now Make At Rosie.
From day one, our mission has been clear: to create an inclusive and safe space where women, nonbinary folx, and BIPOC artists can come together to create, learn, connect, and even generate revenue from their art. What started as a haven for artists has quickly become a meaningful space for all ages—including kids! As moms ourselves, we’ve been thrilled to extend our programming to makers as young as 5, offering them fabulous opportunities to explore and create. We’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come and are excited for the future as we continue to grow our vibrant community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When we took over the makerspace in early 2023, it was in need of some serious TLC. We rolled up our sleeves, scrubbed floors, cleaned A/C ducts, and troubleshot machines. But all that hard work paid off—within just a few months, we connected with over 100 local makers and artists. Today, more than 25 members proudly call Make At Rosie their creative home.
Balancing the demands of the makerspace with our full-time jobs and families has been challenging. The makerspace remains a labor of love, and we’ve had to navigate the constraints of our time while trying to achieve everything we envision. Accepting a slower pace of growth and progress has been difficult, but it’s allowed the space to be truly shaped by the community and the classes that we’ve been able to offer as a result have been incredibly creative and unexpected.
We’ve also had to become adept at maintenance—a skill we didn’t expect to need so much! Having the makerspace tools at our disposal has come in handy, as we’re the ones servicing the laser, troubleshooting the A/C, and repairing the woodshop. We’ve even learned to 3D print parts for the laser – taking DIY to a whole new level
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Make At Rosie, our core belief is that anyone can be a maker! Whether you’re an experienced artist or just curious, you’re welcome in our space. You don’t need any skills or even a project in mind—just a willingness to explore and create. We’re proud to offer a place where people of all ages can learn, whether they drop into a class or become a member. It’s not uncommon to see a 10-year-old 3D printing a prototype alongside a 60-year-old learning to use a laser cutter for the first time.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. Extensive research shows that many makerspaces still struggle with inclusivity, and when we launched Rosie, we wanted to address this head-on. We conducted surveys with makers and artists, and the feedback was clear: many, especially women and underrepresented groups, had concerns about accessibility and inclusion. Neurodiverse artists, those with physical limitations, and BIPOC, women, and queer artists expressed fatigue over the persistent gender and racial divides in traditional makerspaces.
In response, we’ve made it our mission to build a community that intentionally reaches out to these typically underrepresented makers. We focus on values-aligned marketing and word-of-mouth outreach to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed. We currently offer weekly classes and pay-what-you-can monthly crafting happy hours, ensuring that our space is accessible to all. Our members are the heart of our community, and we’re dedicated to making Make At Rosie accessible to everyone. We love that we can offer flexible membership options, including free access for kids under 10 when accompanied by an adult. This flexibility ensures that our space is welcoming to families, individuals, and groups of all kinds.
We’re also proud to partner with local organizations like Austin Creative Reuse, the Book Burrow, and many local makers. These collaborations allow us to deepen our connection with the broader Austin community and offer even more resources and opportunities to our members.
Make At Rosie is more than just a makerspace—it’s a community center where people come together to learn, share their passions, and support each other’s creative endeavors. We also offer a variety of programs and resources to help makers launch their own businesses and careers.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Our biggest piece of advice is to focus on running the business first, then let your passion guide you. It’s tempting to dive headfirst into the creative side, but without a strong business foundation, that passion can become overwhelming. We’ve learned that there’s always something unexpected—whether it’s repairing a tool, managing finances, or handling a surprise issue—that can take up your time. It’s a constant challenge to find the balance between working on the company—strategizing, growing, and refining—and working in the company, managing the day-to-day operations.
Another crucial lesson we’ve learned is to listen to the people around you and let them guide you. Our members constantly bring us ideas for classes, requests for new materials and tools, and recommendations on how we can strengthen our community. We love that the space is so much more than just our “business”—it’s a true community, shaped by the voices and ideas of everyone involved. Making room for those voices has been incredibly meaningful, and it’s helped us stay focused on the bigger picture of what we’re doing, versus getting sucked into the daily grind.
Pricing:
- $180/month for 25 visits to the space
- $90/month for 10 visits to the space
- $65/month for 3 visits to the space
- $35/day pass
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.makeatrosie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeatrosie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MakeAtRosie/
