Marissa Lucero
Founder of Maker Studio Kids
Established: 2017 | Number of employees: 2
Website: makerstudiokidz.com | Social: @makerstudiokidz
The Lab at ICA Alumni (2021)
“Maker Studio offers STEM + art classes and camps for kids, facilitating limitless learning possibilities engineered for curious, creative minds.”
Why did you decide to start Maker Studio?
Maker Studio was founded with a mission to rewrite the STEM narrative to empower girls and nontraditional learners who are often left behind. Our interconnected curriculum embraces self-expression through a holistic approach to STEM learning.
We don’t just teach coding or art, we teach the art of coding. Kids walk away leaving barriers behind to fully embrace the core and love of learning that's all around us.
What’s your best piece of advice for other entrepreneurs?
Build a community to support you, and find mentors and advisors to have on your side. Times can be tough and uncertain, but having these people will ground you when things get tough.
What has been your most impactful interaction with ICA and why?
Community building! During COVID, I was spinning in so many different directions, trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my business. I was also a new mother. There were times I wanted to push my dreams aside and quit what I was doing. But within this community of other business owners, I found my safe space to talk about my struggles and had support in rebuilding my business.
What is your biggest priority as an entrepreneur as we emerge from the pandemic?
Finding my voice and unabashedly embracing who I am. My first couple of years as a business owner were really challenging and taxing on me. I was insecure, just trying to figure out things as I went. Now, my biggest priority is growing my network, mentorship, and mentoring others.
How do you envision your business contributing to a more equitable small business ecosystem?
I see these classes growing and connecting with more artists, and I’ve been committed to training and developing my staff so they can continue to grow themselves. It’s so important to invest in your staff and to set them up to become leaders themselves.
