Create Your
Own Adventure
2025
Ticket includes
+ 1.5 full days of educational sessions
+ Breakfast, snacks, lunch and beverages
+ Networking opportunities with industry leaders
+ Block Party Thursday after sessions
+ One-on-one expert sessions with industry experts (first come, first serve)
+ Morning wellness activities (optional)
+Special Maker Summit swag and DIY activities
Add-On Tickets
+ Opening Reception
+ Sector Dinners / Lunches
Join us for 1.5 days of education and meaningful connection. Enjoy flash talks, panel discussions, workshops and more. Attendees will walk away with inspiration and community needed to take their business to the next level.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 19
5-7PM Opening Reception (add-on ticket, limited)
7:30PM Roundtable Themed Dinners (add-on ticket, limited)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20
8:00am - Registration Opens
8:00am-9:30am - Breakfast
General Session
Location: Dock 5
9:30am Opening Remarks (15min)
Stacey Price, Shop Made Brands
9:45am - Keynote - Beyond the Sauce: Legacy, Resilience & the Future of DC’s CPG Community (45 min)
Arsha Jones, Co-Founder and CEO, Capital City
10:30 - Breathwork/Stretch/Stage Set for Panelists (5min)
Raj Aggarwal, Provoc
10:35am Panel #1: True Confessions of Growing a Maker Business- PT 1 (50 min)
• [Moderator] Roxanne Bellamy, Roxanne Bellamy & Co
• Kari Miller, Tiny Dog Press
• JC Smith, Bailiwick Clothing
• Victoria Makinde, Hello Wellness
11:25am Panel #2: Maker to Manufacturer: Scaling Production (50 min)
• [Moderator] Stacey Price, Shop Made Brands
• Adrienne Walker, BlueHenry
• Dave Burton, Capital Candy Jar
• Tory Pratt, Pratt Standard Cocktail Company
12:15pm Stacey & Verizon Fireside Chat (30 min)
Stacey Price, Shop Made Brands
SPEAKER, Victoria LeBeaux, Hortiki Plants (Verizon Grant Winner)
12:45pm - 2:00pm - Lunch
Breakouts 2PM
Breakout 1: Turning Art into Assets
Location: Galería
• [Moderator] Peter Chang, Studio Usan
• Torie Partridge, Terratorie
• Supon Phornirunlit, Naked Decor
• Billie Claire, Billie Claire Illustration
Breakout 2: Building a Financially Sustainable Business
Location: Balcón
Danielle Vogel, Good Food Consulting, LLC
Breakout 3: From Shelf To Storefront
Location: Dock 5
• [Moderator] Abby Davids Rocha, Pedal Retail Advisors
• Amanda Preske, Because Science
• Jodi Kostelnik, The Neighborgoods
• Mallory Shelter, Shelter
Breakout 4: How to Sell and Market Online
Location: Autoshop
Melinda Emerson, SmallBizLady Enterprises
AFTERNOON BREAK - 3:00PM-3:30PM - AUTOSHOP
Breakouts 3:45PM
Breakout 1: The Community Economy: Turn Followers into Buyers and Brand • Ambassadors
Location: Autoshop
Donna Maria, Indie Business Network
Breakout 2: What Retailers Really Want
Location: Dock 5
• [Moderator] Stacey Price, Shop Made Brands
• Amanda McClements, Salt & Sundry
• Anna Fuhrman, Proper Topper
Breakout 3: Access to Growth Capital
Location: Balcón
• [Moderator] Maria Louisa Ramirez, Shop Made Brands
• Shannan Herbert , WACIF
• Bria Marie Hodge, Latino Economic Development Center
• Victoria Brown, DAI, Mastercard Strive
• Yolanda Covington, Yoco Confections
Breakout 4: Enhancing the Ecosystem
Location: Galería
• [Moderator] Marisela Rodela, Washington Area Community Investment Fund (WACIF)
• Andre Byers, Near
• Janie Velencia, The Card Bureau
• Rahama Wright, Yaleen Beauty Maker Space
5pm - 8pm - MAKER SUMMIT Block Party! More info here.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 21
9:30am - Opening Remarks (25min)
9:55am Panel #1 - Navigating the New Economy
• [Moderator] Miranda Stein, Shop Made Brands
• Meredith Artyukhina, Capital Stitch Co.
• Vince Lopez, A Toda Madre Roasters
• Yolanda Covington, Yoco Confections
10:55am Panel #2 - True Confessions of Growing a Maker Business - PT 2
• [Moderator] Amanda Gowin, Shop Made Brands
• Adam Godet, Godet Woodworking
• Bianca Turner, Beez Wax & Co
• Kemi Tignor, Upbounders®