Page 35 - Robins Region NCG 2019

FabLab

Fuels the Fire

of Creative &

Entrepreneurial

Inspiration

s Sara walks into the FireStarter Engineering Lab is driven by certification or “I WAS ABLE TO
FabLab, she is greeted with a credit hours for high school students. Now,
A smile and friendly banter about on nights and weekends, the focus turns to GROW MY BUSINESS
her shirt. It has the cutest quote and individuals, families, and entrepreneurs to self- FROM CONCEPT TO
picture of a dog with a bone. “Yeah, this discover the tools and philosophies of design, INDEPENDENCE.”
is my latest hot seller,” she says. Sara’s a creation, and business development.
trained architect from Ohio, a military “Fears associated with equipment, soft-
concept and bring it to life in Warner Robins.
spouse, and owner of a micro business ware, and manufacturing keep people from
Tess and Matt Chambers, owners of Against
selling her designs and products through ever starting the creating process,” says Flesher,
the Grain Designs, started their DYI décor
e-commerce sites such as Etsy and Shopify. who serves as the Managing Board Member
business in the FabLab with hopes of opening
Michelle looks up from the embroidery for FireStarter. With more than 650 participants
a local workshop. “Through FireStarter FabLab,
machine long enough to giggle at the new taking part in FireStarter programs, the FabLab
I was able to grow my business from concept
concept and say, “Great job! You should see Ms. community continues to grow.
to independence. It is an invaluable support
Julie’s earring prototypes on the laser cutter. The FabLab offers members access to
system of creative and business minds,” Tess
They are awesome!” advanced software in computer-aided design
says. “My business would not be where it is
Like many of the products developed (CAD) and graphics, as well as a compre- today without their guidance.”
inside its walls, the FireStarter FabLab, started hensive list of traditional wood and metal “I was in search of a place that provided
the same way – with a bold idea. working equipment. But what truly sets the access to state-of-the-art tools and creative
Back in 2015, Jay Flesher, Manager of Com- FabLab apart is the advanced technology in inspiration to materialize my ideas,” says Sara,
munity Development for Flint Energies, wanted computer numeric controlled (CNC) machin- the young military spouse introduced at the
to fill a need in the community by creating a ery, digital imprinting, and 3D printing. Equip- beginning of this article. “FireStarter FabLab
place where residents could gather, learn skills, ment you would see in prototyping produc- does that and more through the classes and
and possibly develop products for the local tion facilities around the world is located here the sense of community between creators that
market and beyond. By May 2016, FireStarter in the Robins Region, waiting on your creative flourishes in the workshop.”
Entrepreneurship Council, Inc. 501(c)3 and the hands and mind. FireStarter understands the next Sara will
Houston County Board of Education joined FireStarter also strives to facilitate the en- organically grow in our schools today or arrive
forces to announce the development of the trepreneurial spirit with classes, meetups, and in a moving truck tomorrow. Either way, they
FireStarter FabLab. advocacy for growth including connectivity of will be looking for help to make their entrepre-
Locating the FabLab on the campus of the small businesses to the broader community. neurial dreams come to life.
Houston County Career Academy keeps the In a recent success, a husband and wife team Find more about FireStarter FabLab at
7,000 square-foot building from sitting idle. became FireStarter’s first entrepreneurs to de- www.firestarterfablab.com or on FaceBook,
During the school day, the Career Academy’s velop a traditional brick-and-mortar business Twitter and Instragram @FireStarterbiz.

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