Speakers
2025
Meet our speakers
Connect and learn from over 30 small business owners who are leading the maker movement.
Our speakers come from diverse backgrounds, with expertise spanning product development, marketing, retail, and community-building within the maker space.
(Agenda and speakers are updating daily)
Capital City®, the beloved D.C.-born condiment brand, is proud to announce its partnership with Shop Made Brands during the inaugural Maker Summit, a first-of-its-kind event celebrating D.C.’s thriving maker and creative community.
As part of this partnership, Capital City will award a $5,000 grant to one exceptional local small business to help them grow and scale their operations. This grant is part of a new annual commitment from Capital City, reinforcing its deep roots in the District and its dedication to nurturing emerging entrepreneurs.
“Organizations like Shop Made (in DC) were fundamental to Capital City when we started 14 years ago,” said Arsha Jones, CEO and co-founder of Capital City. “They gave us space to be seen, to sell, and to connect with our community. It’s an honor to now pay it forward and give back to the ecosystem that helped build us.”
Shop Made DC, known for spotlighting D.C.-based makers and creatives, has long been a pillar in supporting local entrepreneurship. Now with makers in DC, VA and MD, the brand’s Maker Summit represents a powerful milestone in that journey—offering workshops, panels, and networking for artists, artisans, and entrepreneurs looking to build sustainable businesses in the region.
Both Capital City and Shop Made share a legacy powered by community support. This grant represents not only a financial investment but a continued commitment to celebrating and sustaining D.C.’s unique creative economy.
About Capital City
Founded in 2011, Capital City® is a family-owned business best known for its signature Mambo Sauce—a sweet, tangy, and spicy condiment rooted in D.C.’s go-go culture. With local and national partnerships that include the Washington Commanders (NFL), Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Mystics (WNBA), D.C. United (MLS), Papa John’s, and KFC—and a retail presence in stores like Walmart, Target, and Costco—Capital City remains committed to its local roots through community-driven initiatives and grassroots engagement.
Danielle Vogel is a Professorial Lecturer at American University. Her classes focus on the intersection between entrepreneurship and sustainability. She also serves as the Assistant Director of the Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship, where she helps run the AU Business Incubator. Prior to joining the faculty, she founded and operated a climate change motivated grocery store called Glen's Garden Market in Dupont Circle. Glen’s was beloved locally and recognized nationally as a leader in sustainability and innovation. She sold the business in 2021.
Torie Partridge is the founder and map illustrator behind Terratorie. Our collection is inspired by a love of city neighborhood culture grown through her travels and time living in many cities. Our maps are a reflection of her vision for the world: one that’s connected, community-driven, full of color. A growing project in collaboration with neighborhoods everywhere, we creates maps that celebrate the places we feel at home.
With over 70 DMV area maps and over 40 city neighborhood maps, Terratorie takes a hyper-local approach to the art on your walls. We believe neighborhoods are the canvas for community connectedness, warmth, and belonging. We’re women-owned, independently-run, and use sustainable local printing methods. Visit the Terratorie shop on the Brookland Arts Walk in Washington, DC or browse the full collection at terratorie.com.
Mallory Shelter is the founder and owner of Shelter, a contemporary fine jewelry boutique in Washington, D.C., known for its curated selection of 30+ independent designers and thoughtful custom design services. Since opening in 2018, she has led Shelter’s growth into a trusted destination for meaningful, well-crafted jewelry—specializing in engagement rings, wedding bands, and heirloom redesigns. Mallory oversees all aspects of the business, from buying and merchandising to marketing, custom client experience, and vendor partnerships. She is also the creator of DC Shop Small, a website and initiative aimed at amplifying small businesses across the DMV area. A passionate advocate for independent makers and underrepresented designers, she has built Shelter on values of inclusivity, approachability, and personal connection. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, Forbes, Elle Decor, Martha Stewart, Southern Living, and Refinery29.
BlueHenry entered the market in 2018, crafting all natural beverage garnish: dried fruit garnishes and complex sugar and salt glass rimmers. Adrienne is a former senior manager at the FDA. Now, she’s on the other side of the regulations making delicious, all-natural mixers for the cocktail enthusiast.
BlueHenry is a food manufacturer located in Prince George's County specializing in the production of dried fruit primarily purchased by bar programs who are using the dried fruits as a garnish for cocktails. As a manufacturer, we also co-pack for international brands.
Naked Decor is the creation of Supon Phornirunlit, an award-winning art director, designer, and animal lover. He is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Art Directors Club of Metropolitan Washington. With more than 1,000 design awards under his belt and high-profile international clientele, the successful Thai-born graphic designer has now focused his talent on home interior and accessory design. His extraordinary design skills resulted in high-profile magazine spreads and television features. His products are available in select retailers, museums and airports in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.
Yolanda Covington [Yoco] is the Founder of YOCO CONFECTIONS, a gourmet gifting brand inspired by her passion for creating joyful experiences. After years in corporate leadership and event planning, she began gifting chocolate-covered pretzels to clients as a personal thank-you. In response to increasing demand, YOCO CONFECTIONS was founded in 2017.
In a short time, the brand expanded into retail and corporate partnerships. Yoco has collaborated with brands such as Deloitte, Shop Made Brands, T-Mobile, J.Crew, Marigold & Grey, Amazon, Georgetown University, the Nehemiah Davis Foundation and contributed to the 2016 White House Christmas Tree Lighting celebration.
A 2024 graduate of the Goldman Sachs Black in Business program, Yoco now mentors current cohort participants and early-stage entrepreneurs. She remains committed to crafting crave-worthy confections while empowering fellow small business owners. Her creations can be found in hotels, retail shops, corporate events, and wherever a bite of joy is needed.
Former Peace Corps volunteer Rahama Wright is a social entrepreneur who works at the intersection of beauty, business development, and policy. Her entrepreneurial journey has spanned bootstrapping, securing venture funding, landing retail deals, and navigating manufacturing, supply chain development, marketing, and sales. She is the Founder and CEO of Yeleen (Shea Yeleen and the Yeleen Beauty Makerspace). Shea Yeleen, a social impact beauty brand, manufactures pure plant-based shea butter body care products that nourish the skin and empower its producers by creating living wage jobs for women in Ghana. Shea Yeleen products can be found at Macy’s, MGM Resorts, and select Whole Food Markets. The brand has been featured in a variety of media outlets including O, The Oprah Magazine, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, Washington Business Journal, and MSNBC. The Yeleen Beauty Makerspace will provide manufacturing, business, and educational support for early-stage companies that manufacture and/or sell hair, skin, and body products.
An in-demand speaker, panelist, and leading voice on African women’s economic and business development, Wright is serving her fourth term as a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa and delivered talks at The United Nations, the World Bank, and the Sustainable Brands Conference. Rahama is also the Founder of the DC Pop-Up, a collective of women and minority owned businesses in the DC metro area that are a part of the Made in DC Program. The DC Pop-Up is a curated retail experience that markets and sells products on behalf of makers ranging from art, jewelry, apparel, house wares, and specialty foods. The goal of the collective is to provide inclusive business opportunities that address gender and racial inequality. Rahama resides in Washington, D.C., and is an avid traveler who has visited and worked in 36 countries.
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Victoria is the founder and formulator behind Hello Wellness, a self-care brand redefining how we experience healing. What began as a personal mission to support her mother through chronic pain—and navigate her own wellness journey—grew into a collection of plant-powered body care designed to relieve pain, nourish sensitive skin, and transform everyday routines into rituals of restoration.
A wellness advocate, maker, and creative at heart, Victoria draws from her background in health sciences, design, and brand strategy to build offerings that are both therapeutic and soulfully made. Through Hello Wellness, she’s not only creating high-impact products—she’s fostering a movement rooted in care, connection, and personal transformation. She believes that when small brands lead with purpose, they don’t just sell—they heal, empower, and leave a lasting mark.
Shannan Herbert, WACIF’s CEO, will participate in a panel discussion focused on capital access, highlighting WACIF’s suite of accessible capital products and technical assistance offerings. In addition, Marisela Rodela, Director of the Office of Women’s Initiatives; Eric Alston, Business Relationship Manager; and Jessica Randolph, Associate Creative Director of the Anacostia Arts Center, will provide one-on-one advising during Expert Open Hours sessions.
JC Smith is the Co-Owner of Bailiwick Clothing Company, a DC-based apparel brand that makes t-shirts, hats, and accessories that represent DC & The DMV. For nearly eight years, Bailiwick has designed and printed some of DC’s favorite t-shirts, and their mission is to tell the stories of the things that make the DC area so special.
Tory Pratt is the Founder of Pratt Standard Cocktail Company. She started her business in 2014 to help home bartenders up their game, and since launched a wholesale business in syrups, mixes, and fresh citrus juices that services hundreds of bars and venues from Virginia to Philadelphia.
David Burton is the founder of The Capital Candy Jar, Washington, DC’s hometown candy company. Dave began making and selling lollipops to classmates in junior high—until the school principal shut him down for cutting into vending machine profits. He earned a degree in Business Management from Brigham Young University and built a successful career in retail marketing before following his true passion: candy. In 2014, he launched The Capital Candy Jar, out of a shared kitchen space in the NOMA neighborhood of Washington DC. The company has grown into a thriving business with a store near the U.S. Capitol, and confections now sold in gourmet shops across the country.
Melinda F. Emerson, “SmallBizLady” is America’s #1 Small Business Expert, She’s an internationally renowned keynote speaker on business development, social media selling, and marketing strategy. As CEO of Quintessence Group, her marketing consulting firm serves Fortune 500 brands that target small businesses. She has an online school www.smallbizladyuniversity.com that teaches business owners online marketing. She has published over 5000 articles on her blog SucceedAsYourOwnBoss.com. Her advice is widely read, reaching more than 1 million entrepreneurs each week online. She hosts The Smallbizchat Podcast and is the bestselling author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months.
Kemi Tignor, a former fundraiser and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, founded Upbounders® in 2018 as a mom seeking high-quality toys that reflected her young son and his wonderfully diverse circle of friends. Upbounders® creates premium, eco-friendly toys that celebrate children, joyful learning, and connection—helping children see themselves and their everyday world in their playthings.
Locally, Upbounders® is available at all SMIDC locations, Labyrinth Games & Puzzles, Politics & Prose, and the DAR Museum Gift Shop. Nationally, the brand is sold at Nordstrom, Barnes & Noble, select Ace Hardware stores, and independent retailers. In Canada, find them at Indigo Kids.
In summer 2023, Upbounders® toys were featured in all Chick-fil-A Kids Meals, with over 10 million prize-sized toys distributed nationwide. The brand was recently spotlighted on Good Morning America: https://press.upbounders.com/GMAFEB25. Kemi lives in Ward 4 with her husband—a lifelong Washingtonian—and their son.
Billie Claire is a Richmond-based illustrator specializing in hand lettering, botanicals, and line work. Her wholesale stationery line is in over 50 small shops across the country, and she offers custom illustration services, teaches workshops, and paints windows and murals. She has been fully self-employed since 2016, and after moving from Austin, Texas in 2019 - got her start in the DMV area as a regular vendor at the historic Eastern Market and as stationery vendor with the Shop Made stores. Inspired by her New Mexico roots and a passion for observing nature’s tiniest details, she’s here to keep it real and make you laugh with her dark and sassy sense of humor.
Meredith Artyukhina is the co-owner and founder of Capital Stitch Co., an DIY embroidery kit business that focuses on the beginner stitcher. We make it our mission to ensure that handicrafts accessible to beginners, because we believe that magic happens when we get people off of their phones and working with their hands.
Amanda Preske is the founder of Because Science, a (mostly) handmade, science-themed gift shop and production studio in Adams Morgan. With a PhD in chemistry, Amanda brings a data-driven mindset to creative retail—blending the scientific method with playful design to both create and curate products that resonate deeply with STEM professionals and enthusiasts. Her business philosophy is rooted in the belief that science is for everyone, and that handmade goods can be both beautiful and intellectually meaningful. Every product—from molecule earrings to science pun stickers—is crafted or curated with intention, drawing from real-world scientific concepts and customer feedback. Because Science also serves as a platform to support diverse creators in STEM and spark curiosity through events and hands-on learning.
Chord Bezerra is the founder of District CoOp, a DC-based lifestyle brand known for bold design and sharp social commentary. With a background in brand strategy and years of experience working at the intersection of creativity and community, Chord launched the brand in 2021 to amplify voices often left out of the mainstream. His work is rooted in advocacy, style, and storytelling—whether it’s designing a best-selling hoodie that supports breast cancer research or creating space for LGBTQ+ pride through wearable art.
Outside of District CoOp, Chord is also a DJ and creative collaborator, bringing vibrant energy and perspective to everything he touches.
District CoOp is a bold, community-rooted lifestyle brand based in Washington, DC. Since 2021, we’ve been turning up the volume on local pride, social justice, and self-expression through statement-making apparel and accessories. We celebrate the spirit of DC—its activism, diversity, and unapologetic swagger—while giving back through cause-driven collections that uplift the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
From cheeky “Judging You” tees to our sell-out “Women Run DC” hoodie, we create more than clothes—we create conversation. With the support of Shop Made in DC, we’ve raised thousands for breast cancer research and fueled LGBTQ+ advocacy, proving that fashion can flex with purpose.
Marisela Rodela is the Program Director for the Office of Women’s Initiatives at the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF), where she advances inclusive economic development by expanding access to capital, knowledge, and networks for women entrepreneurs across the DC Metro region. A passionate leader in economic and community development, she brings over a decade of experience as a small business owner and has worked in public health, the food & beverage sector, and the local small business ecosystem. She previously held leadership roles with DC Brau Brewing and the DC Brewers Guild, and currently serves on the boards of the Heurich House Museum and Craft x EDU, among others.
She holds dual master’s degrees in Social Work and Public Health from the University of Michigan and a BA from Trinity University. A Ward 5 resident, she is a trained facilitator, dedicated community volunteer, and champion of locally owned businesses.
The Office of Women Initiatives (OWI) builds on Wacif’s history of empowering entrepreneurs in the DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia (DMV) region by providing equitable access to capital, knowledge, and professional business networks, working to close the gap in entrepreneurship while fostering economic growth.
Starting from humble beginnings, Beez Wax Candle Brand, owned by Bianca Turner, is based in Alexandria, Virginia, and specializes in handmade soy candles, room sprays, bath teas, and more.
Her goal has always been to provide exceptionally curated scents and designs while remaining an honest, affordable brand for customers.
She believes that her work is about much more than profitability; she creates non-toxic, feel-good products that people can ethically and consciously enjoy.
Kari Miller is a Baltimore-based, Texas native with a deep love of paper, printing, history and color. She is the owner, designer and print maker at Tiny Dog Press in Baltimore City which is a letterpress and silkscreen print studio. After acquiring a BFA in Studio Art with an emphasis in printmaking from Baylor University, Kari set her sights on having her own creative based business. It took a bit of time and some trial and error, but in March of 2013 Tiny Dog Press became a reality. In addition to running Tiny Dog Press, Kari is a mom to an adventurous 6 year old daughter and teaches printmaking at Stevenson and Towson University. She is currently finishing up her MFA at Towson University focusing her thesis on collaboration with her daughter expressing disability history, visibility and justice through their prints and installations.
Miranda Stein is the Regional Retail Manager for Shop Made Brands, where she leads multiple retail locations and supports the success of local makers and small businesses throughout the region. With nearly a decade of retail leadership experience and a deep commitment to community-focused commerce, she has built her career around helping creative entrepreneurs thrive. A Georgetown University graduate and proud Washington, DC resident of nine years, Miranda brings both local insight and strategic expertise to her work in the small business ecosystem.
Amanda Gowin is the Director of Operations at Shop Made Brands, where she focuses on supporting people - both the teams she works with and the makers they serve. Since joining in 2021, she’s been all about building strong connections, creating smooth systems, and making sure everyone has what they need to thrive.
With over 20 years of retail and people leadership, Amanda has always believed that good leadership starts with taking care of your people. She’s passionate about creating a positive work culture, encouraging growth, and helping others do their best work.
Amanda McClements is the founder and creative director of Salt & Sundry, a pair of lifestyle boutiques located in DC. After working as an editor and writer covering food, travel and lifestyle for a decade, Amanda made the leap into small business with the opening of her first Salt & Sundry in 2012. In the years since, the award-winning brand has been featured in Vogue, House Beautiful, Bon Appétit, and The Wall Street Journal.