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Fab Lab ICC director Jim Correll helps a student create a project on the maker equipment.
Located in southeast Kansas, Independence (pop.8,799) is home to Fab Lab ICC, which is on track to be the world’s leading innovator in combining entrepreneurial mindset education with a fab lab maker space. The opportunities and impact the Fab Lab has brought to this rural community and its entrepreneurs are immeasurable, but can be better understood through some of its success stories.
What is a fab lab
A fab lab (short for fabrication laboratory) is generally a resource of “maker” equipment—from traditional construction tools to 3D printers—designed to foster innovation and invention among its users. In the case of Fab Lab ICC, the maker space and its equipment are accessible to members of all ages and walks of life pursuing all manner of creative projects, from hobbyists and crafters to teachers and students to earnest entrepreneurs and small business owners. It is equipped with a broad range of equipment to allow entrepreneurs and the general public to turn their ideas into a physical object.
Fab Lab ICC
Fab Lab ICC opened October 1, 2014, after a quick seven months of discussion between the Independence Community College (ICC) president and Jim Correll, now the director of Fab Lab ICC. After receiving a matching grant to purchase most of the start-up equipment, the Fab Lab set up shop in an available 8,000-square-foot building on ICC’s campus.
Correll realized that running the Fab Lab would quickly become too big for one person to manage, so he set about finding a Lab Manager with the right mindset and aptitude to learn to use the diverse technologies—a tall and challenging order. He found Tim Haynes, an assistant librarian in the ICC library, and knew instinctively that he was the right person for the job. Recently, a third staff member, Laura Schaid, joined the team as the Lab's Program Developer.
As the Fab Lab began helping people create tangible things, Correll started noticing the intangible benefits—the physiological impact on these newly initiated “makers.”
“In the beginning, our mission was to help people make things,” Correll said. “Now, we see our mission as improving the self-efficacy of all Fab Lab ICC users.”
Correll also discovered that this self-efficacy boost is especially beneficial to entrepreneurs and small business owners struggling to start or grow their businesses. By encouraging members to make prototypes or finished, marketable products in the lab and even create their own marketing materials, which some labs frown upon, Correll says, the entrepreneurs and small business owners developed a new sense of empowerment.
Further expanding on this link between a maker space and entrepreneurs, Fab Lab ICC offers educational courses to examine the entrepreneurial mindset and how to think and approach business (and life) like and entrepreneur.
The course curriculum is based on the book, “Who Owns the Ice House? Eight Life Lessons from an Unlikely Entrepreneur,” co-authored by Gary G. Schoeniger and Pulitzer nominated author Clifton Taulbert.
“Taking the thoughts from the Ice House classes, what we’ve discovered in our three years of existence is a potential for entrepreneurship combined with the Fab Lab to increase the self-efficacy of not just individuals, but entire communities,” Correll said. “This may truly be the magic formula for achieving economic development and population growth in small rural communities such as ours.”
A Shining Example: Fab Lab Divas
One of many success stories to come out of Fab Lab ICC is the Fab Lab Divas. This company, the brain child of Fab Lab members April Whitson and Laurie Rutland, has hit upon a magic formula of their own—inspiring dozens of local women to unleash their inner “maker.”
Like all great ideas, the Divas’ concept evolved over time.
Originally, Whitson and Rutland came to the Fab Lab with the notion of using the maker tools to reinvent classic board games to sell and promote family game time. While working with Correll to learn what each machine did and how to use it, they realized this is something all women should learn how to do.
They floated their idea of engaging other women to Correll and sought the Fab Lab’s support. Correll was ecstatic to see how the Divas’ concept aligned with the Fab Lab’s mission, and with his enthusiastic stamp of approval, the ladies launched an all-out campaign to share the fab lab experience with other women.
The Divas host classes in the Fab Lab throughout the year that offer women the opportunity to create Pinterest-like projects while learning how to use the technology in the lab. Most classes sell out quickly, and the Divas constantly get requests to teach more.
Participants of Diva’s Day Out work on projects they created at Fab Lab ICC.
They are continuing to expand their offerings and just completed their biggest event to date, a full day of activities around the community. Called “Divas Day Out, Fabulous Fall Frolic,” this event included a maker project at the Fab Lab, a culinary class, fashion show and a trip to downtown Independence for a candle-making class.
When asked why they believe their classes have become such a success, Whitson and Rutland explained, “The Divas Day Out is an abbreviation of our original idea—having a diva weekend that included an overnight stay. As working wives and mothers, we realize how important it is for women to set aside time for themselves. We see the Divas Day Out and classes as a way to replenish their spirit with some good old-fashioned girl time. Of course, we hope they learn a new skill or spark of energy that will continue after the event.”
Looking to the future, the Divas hope to partner with the local Chamber of Commerce and Main Street organization to fulfill the idea of a weekend event.
Other Successes
The Divas are just one of many success stories Fab Lab ICC has produced in the last three years. The people who have benefited from the lab are diverse in many aspects, from their geography to their ages and whether their business was intentional or accidental.
Tim Voegeli, owner of Tubeless Solutions from Wichita, stands in Fab Lab ICC with his product to help cyclists change their tires.
Tim Voegeli came to the Lab from Wichita, Kansas, after he was told there was no one in Wichita (pop. 400,000) who could create a prototype of the product he wanted to manufacture. Voegeli had an idea to create a new kind of bicycle rim clip to aid in tire changes, and after learning the Fab Lab’s capabilities, he bought a membership. Within five weeks of joining the lab, he had 3D printed multiple copies his prototype, tweaked it and printed 50 final sets to distribute to a test market. This led Voegeli to create his Tubeless Solutions company, which has now grown to offer multiple products.
High School Senior Jaden Roggow travels to the Lab weekly for his business J Engravings.
Jaden Roggow, a high school senior from a neighboring rural community and owner of J Engravings, drives 40 miles to the lab once or twice a week for his business. Roggow creates custom-engraved products such as drink tumblers—something he did as a gift for his mother that turned into a business. Lab Manager Tim Haynes taught him how to use the laser engraver, and his finished products led to many word-of-mouth referrals in his home town and from the Fab Lab.
The Future of Fab Lab ICC
All the stories and learnings to come out of the lab in the last three years have generated unexpected interest and support. This has sparked the need for a facility and program expansion. With the help of private donations and a recently awarded federal grant, Fab Lab ICC will soon double in size. The expansion, expected to be completed next spring, will house more equipment and an “Entrepreneurs Bullpen,” an open collaboration space for entrepreneurs.
Rendering of the Fab Lab ICC expansion that will be completed next spring, doubling the size of the current building.
Gathering inspiration from the Divas, Correll and his staff are working on a new program geared towards women. With additional grant funding this program will be designed to help women become interested in entrepreneurial pursuits and gain confidence to start their own businesses.
Correll says Fab Lab ICC has only scratched the surface of its potential, but he firmly believes supporting and encouraging entrepreneurship is essential to the economic vitality of any community, and most particularly those in rural America. The beauty is, it can be replicated in any community. In fact, Fab Lab ICC has become a sought-after information resource for other fab lab startups across the country, and Correll and team have now packaged a “boot camp” curriculum to train others. In February 2018, they will offer “Community Boot Camp: How to Start a Fab Lab from Ground Zero,” at the Fab Lab ICC facility in Independence. Spots for the boot camp are limited, and registration information is available at www.fablabicc.org.
“We don’t want the magic of the fab lab-entrepreneurship experience to be our well-kept secret,” Correll said. “It’s truly a phenomenon that is changing lives and whole communities, and we want to share it with the world.”
All photos courtesy of Fab Lab ICC.
Author: Miranda Eastwood is a Creative Partner at FAB Creative Services in Independence, Kansas. She can be reached at (620) 779-2480 or fabcreativeservices@gmail.com
Contributor: Jim Correll is the director at Fab Lab ICC at Independence Community College. He can be reached at (620) 252-5349 or by email at jcorrell@indycc.edu
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The global pandemic gave us all a glimpse of a further dispersed future – a time when you don’t sit in a classroom at school, watch movies in a theater, or even go to the grocery store. Where do Main Streets fit in that model?
Main Spotlight: Get Used to It — The Pivot Is Not Going Away
The COVID-19 pandemic has long-lasting effects on the economy. Here are 11 changes that small business owners should continue to remain competitive.
Reflecting on the History, Legacy, and Future of Black Wall Street in Tulsa
This May marked the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre in the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma. We explored the impact and legacy of this tragic event.
Tulsa, OK © Dr. Tiffany Crutcher
Main Spotlight: Creating a Community for Inclusive Entrepreneurship in Fremont, CA
Learn about the various programs and initiatives that Fremont is using to promote inclusive economic development.
Fremont, CA © Fremont Economic Development
For an Inclusive Recovery, We Need Support for Small Business and the Groups that Help Them
BDOs are place-based organizations that help small businesses and entrepreneurs to flourish. They have been on the frontline of support for the country’s hardest-hit entrepreneurs throughout the pandemic and have been working to enable thriving commercial corridors throughout the crisis.
Main Spotlight: Five Takeaways on Supporting Entrepreneurship from Matthew Wagner, Ph.D.
Matthew Wagner, Ph.D., Chief Program Officer at Main Street America, was featured on Breaking Down Barriers: a podcast from Startup Space highlighting stories of community leaders who break down barriers to entry for underserved and unrepresented entrepreneurs.
Main Spotlight: Windows of Opportunity — The Transformation of Empty Storefronts on Main Street
A vacant storefront is the perfect stage to creatively promote the available space or to showcase other businesses and events in the area.
Ripon, WI © RetailWorks, Inc
Small Businesses E‑Commerce Usage Continues to Increase as Holiday Revenues Were Mixed: Results from Our January 2021 Survey of Small Business Owners
We heard from 289 business owners in 35 states plus the District of Columbia in our new text message-based survey of small business owners across the network.
Community Spotlight: Paving the Path from Pop-up to Permanent at the Batavia Boardwalk Shops
The Batavia Boardwalk Shops are freestanding, purpose-built structures acting as seasonal pop-up locations for entrepreneurs, offered in tandem with a business incubator program.
Batavia, IL © April Duda Photography
Business Spotlight: Black Entrepreneurs Leading By Example in Chicago
For Black History Month, we want to recognize and celebrate the Black business owners and entrepreneurs who have overcome challenges and obstacles in launching and running their own businesses, thanks to resilience, creativity, and hard work.
Main Spotlight: Pop-Up Retail: Not Just For Start-Ups, And Other Learnings From Its Evolution
As a vital place factor within an entrepreneurship ecosystem, pop-up programs allow for emerging businesses to test their product, gain consumer feedback, and promote their brand at an extremely low cost. In essence, allowing for a ‘fail-fast’ product development cycle.
Asheville, NC © Ablohkin
Coping with the COVID Crisis in the Midst of the Holiday Rush: Nine Takeaways from Our December Surveys of Small Business Owners and Main Street Programs
In early December, as the COVID-19 crisis intersected with a peak moment in the holiday shopping season, we surveyed small business owners and Main Street programs to learn more about how they were managing.
© Cindy Shebley
Jump off the Business Recruitment Train: The Real Returns are in Cultivating Local Entrepreneurship
New research by Main Street America suggests greater returns on our missions and resources can be had by transitioning to more deliberate economic vitality work centered on cultivating new business development from within our own communities and neighborhoods.
Community Spotlight: Storefront Activation Through Storytelling in Fredericksburg, VA
Fredericksburg Virginia Main Street (FVMS) is taking storefront activation to a new level with their new initiative, the Scan & Love Project, which tells the stories of business owners through personal and engaging videos.
HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program: Spotlighting Tina’s Timeless Threads
Meet a recipient of the HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program
HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program: Center of the Yarniverse
Meet a recipient of the HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program
HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program: Spotlighting The Bankery
Meet a recipient of the HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program
HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program: Spotlighting BuzzBomb Brewing
Meet a recipient of the HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program
HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program: Spotlighting The Owl Wine Bar & Home Goods
Meet a recipient of the HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program
HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program: Spotlighting Griff Goods
Meet a recipient of the HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program
HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program: Spotlighting Mockingbird Bar and Tacos
Meet a recipient of the HartBeat of Main Street Grant Program
Economic Gardening Takes Root: Redesigning the Bricks & Clicks Business Retention Program During the Pandemic
Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance explores how they redesigned their Bricks & Clicks Business Retention Program during the pandemic.
Business Spotlight: Women-Owned Businesses on Main Street (Part 3)
Meet some amazing women business owners!
New Survey Results: How Small Businesses are Managing the Pandemic and Social Unrest
Read the results of our survey aimed at understanding how business owners are managing the recovery from COVID-19 and responding to recent protests and social unrest related to police violence against Black Americans.
Research Spotlight: Black-Owned Businesses on Main Street and Beyond
Our research team dug into some of the data about the state of Black-owned businesses on Main Street, the structural challenges they face, and how Main Streets can support them.
Main Spotlight: Holiday Shopping During COVID: What Should Main Streets Expect?
Matt Wagner explores how the pandemic may affect the shop small holiday weekend.
Main Spotlight: How Rural Economies Can Leverage the Rise in Remote Work
COVID-19 has led to a rise in remote working. How can small and rural towns leverage this shift to create vibrant local economies?
The Impact of COVID-19 on Small Businesses: Follow-up Survey Report
Detailed findings from our follow-up survey on the impacts of COVID-19 on small businesses to better understand the continued challenges businesses face as the crisis evolves.
Main Spotlight: Recovery and Revitalization Depend on Understanding Human Psyche
How does psychology impact the recovery of our downtowns after the COVID-19 pandemic?
Local Impact: Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday® is more than a day to shop. It’s a nationwide movement that shines a spotlight on the importance of supporting small businesses in communities across America.
Community Spotlight: Benson, North Carolina
The Town of Benson started a special project to highlight their downtown businesses.
Community Spotlight: Berkley, Michigan
The Berkley Downtown Development Authority (DDA) proudly debuted its Downtown Berkley Shopping Bag for a Cause through a partnership between Better Life Bags.
Main Spotlight: Learnings from the ESHIP Summit
Supporting new and existing small businesses, and the entrepreneurs who run them, represents a vital aspect of the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhood business districts.
Creating Equitable, Inclusive and Transparent Cities: A Year in Review
The Equitable Economic Development Fellowship is a two-year, one million-dollar effort funded by the Surdna Foundation and the Open Society Foundations to help equity, transparency, sustainability and community engagement become driving forces in local economic development efforts.
Community Spotlight: Mini-Grants Offered to Small Businesses in Jefferson, Iowa
The Jefferson Rotary Club partnered with Jefferson Matters: Main Street to offer mini-grants for building facades and storefront signage to two dozen businesses for up to $500 each.
A Memorable Makeover on Main Street
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) partnered with Retailworks, Inc., a commercial interior design, display and branding firm headquartered in Milwaukee, to launch Wisconsin’s Main Street Makeover Contest.
Creative Discovery on the Maker Trail in Enid, Oklahoma
Kelly Tompkins of Main Street Enid shares more about the Maker Trail project and how it inspired creativity and helped people discover downtown.
City Sidewalks, Dressed in Holiday Style
Too often, as we’re strolling our favorite Main Street, we pass empty or dark shop windows that make us want to hurry home a little bit faster. Imagine instead, a charming streetscape adorned with vibrant, lively window displays, showcasing retailers’ favorite products and seasonal gift ideas.
Community Spotlight: #ShopSmall in Goldsboro, North Carolina
Small Business Saturday promo pic from Downtown Goldsboro, North Carolina, showing all the folks who took the pledge support a small business in their community.
Using Local Search Trends to Attract More Customers to Your Main Street
We’ve put together a practical list of some of the things that local store owners can do right now to help them capitalize on this increasing trend in local searches.
Network Spotlight: Main Street Iowa Restaurant Week
From authentic comfort food to farm-to-fork fresh and everything in between, these restaurants, bars, and cafes are key to the thriving social, business, and residential life in the historic commercial districts in Main Street Iowa communities.
Community Spotlight: Morganton, North Carolina
The craft beer industry is playing a key role in the rebirth of Main Streets and neighborhood commercial districts across the county.
Rethink Storefront Accessibility to Rethink Community Viability
Appealing to mobility-challenged shoppers yields benefits beyond the store.
Sparking a Movement in Small Business and Small Towns
Being the only person in the know can be fun, exhilarating even. Except when you are the one person out of 600+ in a room and you know bad news is coming.
The Lowdown in Downtown LaBelle
Fritz the dog has made his way into the hearts of the residents of LaBelle, Florida, and helped our Main Street Community find a way to make what we do more noticeable.
Pop-Up Altavista 2.0
Altavista On Track, the local Main Street organization, is working to cultivate and sustain local entrepreneurs with an educational business launch competition, Pop-Up Altavista 2.0.
The Bright Center: A Space for Winchester’s Bright Minds to Create, Innovate and Thrive
In Winchester, Virginia, one woman’s vision and commitment to downtown’s revitalization created an innovative community space for the Creative Class.
Why Business Retention and Expansion Plans are Important for Downtowns
A business retention and expansion plan, properly implemented, not only helps keep businesses open but possibly even helps them expand.
Business Investment Guides: “Think B.I.G.”
The first rule of conducting business is “make it simple.” The easier it is to pay for merchandise, get entertainment or obtain a service, the more likely it is that people will take advantage of those options.
Small Box – A Creative Retail Project
Main Street communities across the country are no stranger to seeking creative strategies to solve their most nagging issues – vacant buildings, marketing downtown, bolstering retail to name a few.
Supporting Immigrant Entrepreneurs in the Heart of Boston’s Main Streets
To understand the role that immigrant business owners play in Boston’s small business ecosystem, you need only to walk through any Boston Main Streets district.
Measuring the Economic Impact of Storefront Improvements
Façade appearance is a critical aspect of the overall aesthetic appeal and unique character of downtown.
Sign Design Guidelines
A lot of signs are necessary to make a downtown work well, but not every community knows what a good sign system looks like, or how instrumental it can be to the creation of a successful downtown.
Improving Performance in Main Street Iowa Communities
Main Street Iowa, a program of the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center, created a one-of-a-kind three-year program to provide help for performance venues located in Main Street districts.
