Make + Shift atx Information

make+SHift was created in 2011 by founder Brooke M Davis, IDSA. A former professor of Industrial Design, Davis noticed a lack of resources available to those trying to develop their product ideas. Acknowledging there was a void of a creative space for entrepreneurs to grow their ideas from conception into a physical product, Davis created make+SHift as a way to provide entrepreneurs with the necessary tools to make their ideas a reality. make+SHift is a one stop shop that allows the clients to be as hands on in their process as they want from building their own products to outsourcing the design process. Davis says, "Design is as much about a discovery process as it is the end product. We all had these amazing resources in our university training but when you get into the real world, it becomes about what you can stick in your garage. Not to mention the lack of incredible knowledge you get in that setting from professors to shop technicians. It just seemed natural to bring the dialogue and discovery part back into the forefront of the design work by creating a physical place for it. In a down economy businesses strive to achieve the most with the least. Make+Shift addresses their needs for DIY prototyping and micro manufacturing to help get their ideas launched. If we have the resources, why not make them available to everyone else who is in the same boat? In 2011, Davis entered and won $25,000 in the 2011 Business Plan Challenge for the make+SHift business plan. The completion was funded by A+ Federal Credit Union and co-sponsored by BIG Austin and the Texas Small Business Development Office. Davis along with 6 other winners were awarded the $25K to launch their businesses and promote small business growth in Austin.