Hello makers. This week will not be the usual podcast episode. This week I am taking a moment. A moment to let the weight of what is going on in our country just sit. To the black members of this maker community, especially the black women of this maker community, I want you to know that I stand in solidarity with you. I know as a white person, with the privilege that being white gives me, I need to do and be better. In the past I have been timid to speak up to fellow white people about their behavior towards black people and other people of color. I will no longer be timid. I will speak out about verbal or physical acts of violence against black and brown people. I will have the tough conversations. I will continue to educate myself. I will fight for justice and the reform of our systems in this country and my local community. This is my personal pledge to you.

Nicole is a wife, mom, engineer, and DIY room renovator. Her interest in how things work together lead her to her career as a mechanical engineer. After purchasing a house that was mid- renovation, her DIY side kicked into gear. Now she is making her house her own, one room at a time.

Belinda and Venise of Simple Goodness Sisters, a garden to glass company, bring us the first series of Maker Mom minisodes. In part three they talk about what to do when you have limited space for growing, how to keep track of what you planted, and how to use your growing zone to plan your garden.

Christy is a wife, Mom, and laser sign maker extraordinaire. That is a bit of a mouthful! Christy was a RN who went to stay at home Mom when her two kids were born. She wanted to find something just for her that could also be a business. So with no previous experience, she bought a $20K laser and jumped into the sign making business. She has been going strong for a year and has no regrets.

Bonnie is a Mom of two, carpenter and cabinet maker by trade, and really a jane of all trades. Even as a kid Bonnie loved to make things and tinker and that never really stopped. She has worked as a cabinet maker for several years while also being a crafter and maker for her own projects like restoring a VW bus. Now she is following her dream of owning her own company and empowering women to make on their own.