Common Ground Makerspace

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Executive Summary

Common Ground Makerspace will be a community workshop in Pennsylvania where members can use professional tools they could never fit in a garage: saws and a metal bench, welders, 3D printers, a laser cutter, an electronics bench and sewing machines. People come to make furniture, repair a bike, build a robot, start a small product line or learn something new. We sell monthly memberships, classes, youth summer camps and day passes.

Many people have ideas and no place to build them. Tools are expensive, loud and take space. Hobbyists, students, small business owners and families all tell us the same thing: we would make things if we had a place to do it and someone to show us how to start safely.

Here is what our numbers show. We expect about $183,800 in sales in Year 1, growing to about $408,880 by Year 5. We expect a small profit of about $4,300 in Year 1, then about $18,300, about $33,400, about $47,100 and about $61,400 in Years 2 to 5. We need $125,500 to open, as the Funding Need Calculator in this plan shows, and we plan to start with $135,000: $30,000 of my own savings, $25,000 from family and a local investor and an $80,000 small business loan. These figures are estimates built from the assumptions at the end of this plan, not promises.

I am Jordan Ellis, the owner and makerspace director.

Company Description

Common Ground Makerspace will be a limited liability company (LLC) owned by Jordan Ellis and based in Pennsylvania. We will lease about 5,000 square feet of light industrial space with loading access, divided into a wood shop, a metal shop, a digital fabrication room, an electronics and sewing area and a classroom.

What we believe. Making things is a skill anyone can learn, and good tools and good teachers should be within reach of the whole community.

What we offer.
- Monthly memberships that include access to the shops during open hours, after a required safety class on each tool.
- Classes for beginners and intermediate makers in woodworking, welding, 3D printing, electronics and sewing.
- Youth summer camps for ages 10 to 16 with adult supervision in small groups.
- Day passes for visitors who want to try the space for a day.
- Private team workshops for schools, scouts and small companies.

What we do not do. We do not let anyone use a tool they have not been trained on. We do not allow children to use power tools unsupervised. We do not provide engineering or legal advice about what members make or sell.

Safety, insurance and rules. We follow fire code and building rules for a shop space, carry general liability insurance, require signed waivers and keep first aid and fire equipment in every room. Rules for shops vary by city, so we will confirm zoning and fire requirements with the city before we sign the lease.

Where things stand today. I have visited a dozen makerspaces to learn what works, drawn a floor plan, priced the tools and identified a building. Sixty people have signed up on an interest list, and two teachers have offered to lead classes.

Problem & Opportunity

Many people want to build, repair and invent and do not have the space, tools or know-how.

Space and tools. A table saw, a welder and a laser cutter cost thousands of dollars, are loud and need good ventilation. Apartments and garages are not made for this.

Learning. A video can show a technique, but it cannot stand next to you and correct your hand. Beginners worry about getting hurt or wasting money on materials.

Safety. Power tools can injure people who do not know how to use them. Many people avoid trying because they are afraid.

Kids and teachers. Schools have fewer shop classes than they used to. Children who like to build have few places to learn. Teachers want to give students hands-on projects and often lack the equipment.

Small makers. A person who sells furniture, jewelry or crafts needs access to equipment before they can afford their own shop. Many small ideas never become businesses because the first step is too costly.

What we hear.
- A father says he wants to build a bunk bed with his daughter and has no tools.
- A retiree says he spent his career as a machinist and misses the shop.
- A teenager says she wants to learn welding and her school does not offer it.
- A woman who sells handmade furniture online says she needs a place to cut and finish her work.

We do not claim to replace a trade school or a professional shop. We can offer a safe, welcoming place to learn and build, at a price many people can afford.

Products & Services

Common Ground Makerspace gives people access to tools, teachers and a community of makers.

How it works.
1. Join. A member signs up online or in person, pays a monthly fee of about $85 in Year 1 and signs our safety agreement and waiver.
2. Get trained. Before using any machine, members take a short class on that tool. Staff sign them off, and the sign-off is recorded in our system.
3. Make. Members use the shops during open hours. A shop technician is on duty to answer questions and keep the space safe.
4. Learn more. Members can take classes in woodworking, welding, 3D printing, electronics and sewing, priced at about $60 a seat in Year 1.
5. Share. Members share projects, help each other and join community events, repair days and open nights.

Youth programs. Summer camps for ages 10 to 16 run in small groups with an adult for every few campers. Campers build a project they take home. Power tools are used only with direct supervision.

Day passes and workshops. Visitors can try the space for a day. Schools, scouts and companies can book a private workshop.

Why it works. A shared shop lets many people use equipment that none of them could afford alone. Staff, training and clear rules keep it safe and clean. Classes and camps bring in new members and add steady income.

What we do not promise. We do not promise that every member will sell what they make or that a class will lead to a job. We promise a safe space, good instruction and fair treatment of every member.

Market Analysis

Who we serve.
- Hobbyists and families who want to build and repair things.
- Students and young adults interested in design, engineering and the trades.
- Small makers and business owners who need equipment before they can afford their own shop.
- Teachers, scout leaders and community groups that want hands-on workshops.
- Retired tradespeople who want to use their skills and share them.

How we estimate demand. We cannot say how many people in our area would join, so we plan from what we can count. Sixty people signed our interest list before we had a name or a location. Our Year 1 plan is for an average of about 90 members over the year (1,080 member-months), 800 class seats, 80 camper-weeks and 900 day-pass visits. By Year 5 we plan for about 180 members, 1,600 class seats, 160 camper-weeks and 1,700 day-pass visits.

Where members come from.
- Our website, social posts and local events.
- Schools, libraries, scout groups and community colleges.
- Local small business associations and craft fairs.
- Word of mouth from members and instructors.

Seasons. Interest tends to rise in fall and winter as people move indoors, and camps fill in summer. We plan class schedules and events with that in mind.

Capacity. Each shop has a maximum number of people who may use it at one time. We never let the space become unsafe or crowded.

Competitive Landscape

What people do today, and how we are different.

1. Building at home. Some people have a garage shop. Most do not have the full range of tools or space for one, and learning alone can be slow and risky.

2. Hardware store classes. Short classes can help. They rarely give regular access to tools.

3. Community college and trade school programs. They offer strong training and take time and money. Our classes are shorter, more flexible and priced for hobbyists and beginners.

4. Other makerspaces and hackerspaces. Some exist in larger cities, and they can be far away. We aim to be close and welcoming for our neighborhood. If a space opens nearby, we will talk with them and share what we learn.

5. Renting time in a professional shop. Useful for small businesses, and often expensive and without teaching.

What makes us different.
- A wide range of tools in one place, with required training on each.
- A shop technician on duty during open hours.
- A focus on beginners, families and small makers.
- Classes and youth camps that bring in new people.
- Fair, clear pricing and community events.

What we will not do. We will not cut corners on safety to attract members. A good safety record protects everyone and our reputation.

Marketing & Sales Strategy

How members will find us.

Before we open (the three months ahead):
- Turn the interest list into founding members with a discounted first three months.
- Build the website with the tools list, class calendar, prices and online sign-up.
- Meet with teachers, librarians, scout leaders and community college instructors.
- Hold two open house evenings so neighbors can see the space and try a hands-on project.
- Post short videos of our teachers and tools.

After we open:
- Hold a monthly open night where visitors can try a project for free.
- Offer a beginner class every week and a bring-a-friend discount.
- Ask members, with permission, to share photos of their projects.
- Hold a repair day each month where volunteers help neighbors fix household items.
- Attend craft fairs and school events with a portable project table.
- Send a short monthly email with class dates and member stories.

Pricing and offers. We publish all prices. We offer a small discount for students and for members who pay a year in advance. We never pressure anyone to join.

What we watch. Visitors, day passes, how many convert to members, class fill rates and member retention. We use that to decide where to spend our $6,000 marketing and software budget in Year 1.

Operations Plan

How the makerspace will run day to day.

Hours. Open six days a week, with a mix of daytime and evening hours. Open hours are staffed by at least one technician.

Safety. Every tool has a required class and a sign-off before use. Members wear protective gear, follow posted rules and keep the shop clean. We keep first aid kits, eyewash stations and fire extinguishers in every room and conduct a safety walk-through each week. Waivers are signed by every member and guardian, and we do not allow children to use power tools without direct adult supervision.

Equipment. We buy about $58,000 of equipment at the start: woodworking tools ($22,000), metalworking tools ($12,000), 3D printers and a laser cutter ($18,000) and an electronics bench, sewing machines and hand tools ($6,000). We spend about $14,000 on ventilation, dust collection and fire protection.

Staffing. In Year 1 it is me and one part-time shop technician and instructor, paid $28,000. We add a second technician in Year 2, a part-time program coordinator in Year 3 and more technicians as membership grows, to four by Year 5.

Money. Memberships are billed monthly by card. Classes and camps are paid in advance. We keep simple books and track each shop's use and costs.

Risks and how we plan for them:
- An injury. Required training, protective gear, supervision, waivers and insurance.
- A slow start. We keep Year 1 costs low, and our cushion covers about three months of expenses.
- A machine breaks. We keep a maintenance fund and spare parts for common repairs.
- Noise or dust complaints from neighbors. We choose a space away from housing and install dust collection and sound control.
- Lease issues. We negotiate a multi-year lease with a renewal option.
- Burnout. We hire a second technician in Year 2 so I am not the only person who can run the space.

Management & Organization

Jordan Ellis, owner and makerspace director. I started this space because I have seen what happens when someone makes their first thing with their own hands: they stand differently. I have worked in shops and taught informal classes, and I will complete the tool and safety certifications our insurer requires before we open.

What I bring. I am patient, organized and comfortable with tools. I know how to explain things simply, and I like working with beginners. I understand small business basics: simple books, clear pricing and good contracts.

Who helps me.
- A volunteer advisory group of three people: a retired machinist, a high school technology teacher and a small business owner.
- Two part-time instructors who have offered to lead classes.
- A bookkeeper, paid by the hour, who handles monthly books and taxes.
- An attorney who reviewed our membership agreement and waiver.
- An insurance agent who helped us choose the right coverage.

Our team. We hire technicians who know the tools, are good teachers and take safety seriously. Each completes our training before working alone.

My pay. I pay myself $44,000 a year from the first year. That is built into the numbers in this plan so the makerspace does not depend on unpaid work.

Milestones Narrative

Our goals and when we plan to reach them.

Before opening (Months 1 to 4):
- Month 1: Register the LLC, open a business bank account, confirm zoning and sign the lease.
- Month 1 and 2: Begin the build-out for ventilation, dust collection and fire protection.
- Month 2 and 3: Buy and install tools, hire the first technician and write the safety rules.
- Month 3: Hold open houses and sign founding members.
- Month 4: Open to members.

Year 1:
- Reach an average of about 90 members, 800 class seats, 80 camper-weeks and 900 day-pass visits.
- Keep a clean safety record with every tool sign-off recorded.
- Hold monthly open nights and repair days.
- Ask members for feedback twice during the year.

Year 2:
- Reach about 115 members on average and add a second technician.
- Add classes in new areas based on member requests.

Year 3 and beyond:
- Reach about 140 members on average in Year 3 and about 180 by Year 5.
- Add a program coordinator in Year 3 to run classes, camps and events.
- Explore partnerships with schools and community colleges.
- Consider adding a small retail shelf for member-made goods, after we check local rules about selling on site.

Funding Request

How much we need and how we will use it.

Total needed: $125,500, as the Funding Need Calculator in this plan shows. We plan to start with $135,000, which covers that amount with a little room to spare.

Startup costs: $92,000.
- Woodworking tools: table saw, band saw, jointer, drill press and workbenches: $22,000.
- Metalworking tools: welders, grinders and a metal bandsaw: $12,000.
- Digital fabrication: 3D printers and a laser cutter: $18,000.
- Electronics bench, sewing machines and hand tools: $6,000.
- Ventilation, dust collection, fire protection and safety signage: $14,000.
- Business registration, waivers and attorney review of the membership agreement: $3,500.
- Insurance first payment: $3,500.
- Opening stock of lumber, filament, wire and consumables: $5,000.
- Signage, website and member sign-up system: $5,000.
- Opening events and first class marketing: $3,000.

Cushion. The calculator adds about $33,250 for roughly three months of Year 1 expenses and about $0 for cash the business uses before it breaks even, so a slow first season does not force us to close.

Where the $135,000 comes from. $30,000 of my own savings, $25,000 from family and a local investor and an $80,000 small business loan (SBA 7(a)). Loan: $80,000 at 10.5% over 10 years, which comes to $1,079 a month.

Phase 1: Open with the wood shop, the digital fabrication room and a small classroom, using the lowest-cost tools first.
Phase 2: Add the metal shop, the electronics and sewing area and the summer camps once membership reaches about 60, using profit from Year 1 and Year 2.

Sales and profit. Year 1 sales are about $183,800. We expect a profit of about $4,300 in Year 1, about $18,300 in Year 2, about $33,400 in Year 3, about $47,100 in Year 4 and about $61,400 in Year 5. Year 5 sales are about $408,880.

Cash. The lowest year-end cash balance in the plan is about $81,900 at the end of Year 1. At the end of Year 1 customers owe us about $7,352, so we follow up on unpaid bills each week.

Where each Year 1 dollar goes. Pay: owner / Makerspace Director $44,000; shop Technician and Instructor (part-time) $28,000. Direct costs of goods and services: about $25,360. Other yearly costs: building Lease and Utilities about $36,000; insurance and Safety Compliance about $9,000; consumables and Tool Maintenance about $10,000; marketing and Software about $6,000.

Appendix Notes

Documents to attach before you share this plan:

- Your business registration and zoning confirmation.
- Your insurance certificate.
- Your lease or letter of intent.
- Your membership agreement, waiver and safety rules.
- A list of tools with quotes.
- Your floor plan and fire and ventilation plan.
- Letters of interest from schools, instructors and community groups.
- Your member interest list (numbers only).
If you don't have any of this yet, no worries - let's continue.

The assumptions behind our numbers (change them in the Financials section to match your own):
- Monthly Memberships (per member per month): 1,080 in Year 1 at $85, growing to 2,160 at $93 in Year 5. About $7 each goes to direct costs.
- Classes (per seat): 800 in Year 1 at $60, growing to 1,600 at $68 in Year 5. About $14 each goes to direct costs.
- Youth Summer Camps (per camper per week): 80 in Year 1 at $325, growing to 160 at $365 in Year 5. About $60 each goes to direct costs.
- Day Passes (per visit): 900 in Year 1 at $20, growing to 1,700 at $24 in Year 5. About $2 each goes to direct costs.
- Pay (a full year, per person, including payroll taxes and workers' compensation): owner / Makerspace Director $44,000; shop Technician and Instructor (part-time) $28,000; program Coordinator (part-time) $26,000.
- Other yearly costs in Year 1: building Lease and Utilities $36,000; insurance and Safety Compliance $9,000; consumables and Tool Maintenance $10,000; marketing and Software $6,000. These grow between 3% and 5% a year.
- Equipment: $58,000 at the start, then $4,000 to $6,000 a year.
- Startup costs: $92,000, paid once from $135,000 in startup money.
- Members: an average of about 90 in Year 1 (1,080 member-months), growing to about 180 in Year 5.
- Classes, camps and day passes: 800 class seats, 80 camper-weeks and 900 day-pass visits in Year 1.
- About 4% of each year's sales is still owed to us at year end.
- Taxes: 21%, as a simple estimate. Check with a tax professional about how your business is taxed.
- Every dollar amount is an estimate. Replace them with your own prices, quotes and real costs.

Startup Costs