The State of the Handworker Economy 
2nd Edition: US Makers
building a new handworker economy
www.buildanest.org
Photo Courtesy of Tasha Throws Raw | Sacramento, CA

Table of Contents
01
Introduction
02
Defining the US Artisan & Maker Economy
03
Executive Summary
04
The Maker Movement in the US
05
Consumer Demand & Perspectives
06
Makers & Their Local Economies
07
Barriers to Equity
08
Conclusion
Photo Courtesy of Freedom Apothecary | New Orleans, LA

3 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
In 2018, Nest released our inaugural State of the Handworker Economy (SHE) Report. The report 
was a first-of-its-kind, data-driven investigation of the invisible workforce behind many of the 
clothes we wear, accessories we carry, and objects that decorate our homes. It aimed to shine 
a light on the social and economic realities of the unseen individuals, primarily women, who 
support our global supply chains through both simple and highly-skilled handwork. Working 
outside of traditional factories, these individuals are often left unprotected and undervalued.
Since 2006, Nest has championed the rights and interests of handworkers around the world 
through our grassroots programming and systems-change advocacy. Sitting at the intersection of 
artisan production and brand sourcing, we are the leading advocate of this powerful workforce.
Nest delivers many of our programs globally—reaching artisans 
in more than 120 countries. However, there remains a unique 
need for support among American makers in our own backyard. 
Hearing the stories of local artists, makers, and creative 
entrepreneurs over the years, Nest was inspired to act. Many 
shared that access to the growing American Makers’ Movement 
and the social and economic opportunities it offers were not 
shared equitably within communities and were often split by race 
and class.
Nest launched Makers United in 2018. The program is building a 
more vibrant and inclusive Makers’ Movement across the United 
States by providing artists, makers, and creative entrepreneurs 
who often face barriers to accessing the support they need with 
the resources and market access opportunities they need to 
thrive. With a focus on elevating the voices of overlooked makers 
and delivering innovative market access solutions, Makers United 
is ensuring that the growing handmade craft movement sweeping 
the country is generating opportunities for all regardless of 
gender, race, economic means, or physical ability.
Until recently meaningful data about this rapidly growing sector 
was largely unavailable and disparate when it was. Over the 
last four years, Nest has launched Makers United programming 
in 8 cities and two heritage craft communities, the Gee’s Bend 
Quilters of Alabama and the Gullah Basket Weavers of the South 
Carolina Lowcountry. And, we have concurrently expanded 
our outreach to American creatives outside of these locations 
enabling us to establish one of the most comprehensive U.S. 
maker datasets to date working with 1,045 makers in 36 states.
 
As you page through this report, you will glean quantitative and 
qualitative learnings from this dataset among others, as well as a 
number of corporate, philanthropic, and nonprofit leaders about 
the social and economic status of the U.S. maker economy, and 
the outsized impact investments in this sector can have.
It is my hope that this report will inspire you to join Nest in making 
meaningful investments in the creative economy to increase 
employment opportunities, advance social and economic 
equality, and preserve culture through craft. Together we can 
ensure the American-made movement has an outsized impact 
on the individuals, families, and communities.
01 Introduction
REBECCA VAN BERGEN
Founder and Executive Director, Nest

4 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
02 Defining the US Artisan & Maker Economy
The maker and craft economy has witnessed accelerated growth in the past decade. This economy 
is largely informal and home-based. These factors, alongside the rapid growth, have led to a 
range of terms used to refer to the individuals participating in this sector, as well as the sector as 
a whole. Many of these terms are used interchangeably yet are subject to varying interpretations. 
In order to align readers’ perceptions of the terms used in this report, the following definitions 
were developed for keywords:
ARTISAN
We draw our definition from UNESCO’s definition of handcraft in which an artisan is defined as an individual working on the creation of products 
made completely by hand or with the help of hand tools as long as the direct manual contribution of the maker remains the most substantial 
component of the finished product. An artisan can also be referred to as a “craftsperson.” For the purposes of this report, we define artisans as 
individuals located both within and outside of the United States, though the data shared in this report is focused specifically on the United States.
MAKER
We define a maker as an artisan practicing their handcraft within the United States. For the purposes of this report, we define maker 
exclusively as an individual working on the creation of products made completely by hand or with the help of hand tools and therefore do 
not include those working in the fields of robotics, 3D printing, or other mechanical and/or computerized trades in our definition of a maker.
MAKER-ENTREPRENEUR
A maker-entrepreneur is someone who also owns and manages their own business entity that sells the products they make. They 
can also be referred to as an artisan‑entrepreneur. The majority of this report focuses on the state and needs of maker-entrepreneurs. 
HANDCRAFTED
Also drawing our definition from UNESCO, we define handcrafted as a product or object for which the direct, manual contribution of an 
artisan or a maker remains the most substantial component of the finished product. 
LOCALLY-MADE
A handcrafted product can be defined as locally-made if the product was produced within the same county or region as the primary place of 
work as its maker. For the purposes of this report, locally-made products may be made from raw materials sourced outside the county or region. 
INFORMAL ECONOMY
The International Labor Organization defines the informal economy as a sector consisting of individuals working from their homes or small 
informal workshops, who are engaged in the production of goods or services with the primary objective of generating income for the persons 
concerned. In the context of the US economy, the informal economy refers to non-traditional, self-employed individuals—the majority of whom 
seek creative means of income generation from their homes. The informal economy presumes informal or cash-based transactions.
SMALL BUSINESS
A small business in the United States typically refers to a business with less than 100 employees. Small businesses can be privately‑owned 
corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships that typically have less revenue than larger businesses.
GIG ECONOMY
A labor market characterized by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs. Often maker 
work falls under this category of work.

5 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
03 Executive Summary
Despite contributing more than $14 billion to the US economy in 2021, there has been very little 
known about the maker economy in the United States. Estimates suggest anywhere from 5 million 
to 31 million individuals earn an income through art, craft, or other creative entrepreneurship, 
however, minimal effort has been made to understand this population more deeply—until now.
Nest’s 2022 State of the Handworker Economy (SHE) Report: US Edition is a first‑of‑its‑kind 
benchmark from which we can begin to measure the size and value of this unknown 
sector, as well as the challenges and opportunities within it.
Creative entrepreneurs reside in almost every US county, however, 
their contributions often remain invisible, often grouped within the 
nebulous world of the “self-employed,” due to the informal nature 
of their work. This makes tracking the exact size of the population 
and the value of their outputs difficult. And, it presents significant 
challenges to supporting them with business development 
programming, effective workforce legislation, and amplifying their 
presence in local, regional, and national marketplaces. 
In a national consumer survey, Nest found that 75% of consumers 
would purchase handmade products over machine-made goods. 
This is evidence of the demand for maker-made goods, as well 
as the opportunity for maker businesses to be meaningful drivers 
of employment, social advancement, and economic gains within 
their communities.
Research has found that there is a significant correlation between a 
maker’s feeling of connectedness to their local creative community, 
as well as the resources needed to grow their operations, and the 
local impact they can make through sourcing and employment. 
However, makers from historically marginalized groups—such as 
women, black, indigenous, and/or people of color—often face 
significant systemic barriers in accessing the community and 
resources their businesses need to grow and thrive.
In addition to defining the first benchmark of this growing economy, 
the SHE Report: US Edition is a data-driven appeal for corporate, 
philanthropic, and governmental investment in this sector to 
advance both social and economic opportunities.
Special thanks to Etsy, Williams-Sonoma, Inc., United Manufacturing Alliance, Garment District Alliance, Amazon, Qurate Retail Group, 
Tracy Reese, Tory Burch Foundation, and all the thousands of makers who have contributed data and insights to make this report possible.

6 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
04 The Maker Movement in the US
Having grown up with a strong connection to craft, I am thrilled to see a resurgence in making 
among younger generations and consumer interest in handmade goods. Over the past few years, 
initiatives by leaders in the handcraft sector (including Etsy, the Urban Manufacturing Alliance, 
and Nest) have generated new insight into the maker’s movement and the artisans behind this 
production leading to a deeper understanding of communities and microcultures.
The data makes it clear that the maker population in the 
United States is wonderfully diverse, representing countless 
American stories and experiences, yet this diversity is not fully 
reflected within the Movement. Designers, brands, retailers, and 
consumers must make a concerted effort to ensure that as the 
American Maker Movement grows, it becomes an equitable 
and inclusive tent for all craftspeople, regardless of their race, 
gender, ability, or socioeconomic status. A tent that reflects the 
beauty and diversity of our unique but also shared experiences, 
histories, and traditions.
Over the next few pages, you will learn more about the 
demographics of the United States’ maker economy. This report 
is the first comprehensive, data-driven look at American makers 
as a community, including who they are, where they live, what 
they do, and the challenges they face in breaking into the market 
and growing their businesses. As we continue to celebrate and 
support American makers with this information in hand, let’s 
make a conscious effort to ensure that our purchases reflect the 
rich diversity of our country and its craft traditions. 
INTRODUCTION BY TRACY REESE
Founder, Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese

7 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
DEFINING THE MAKER-ENTREPRENEUR 
MOVEMENT IN THE US
In 2019, the estimated value of the handicrafts market in North 
America was US$ 242.4 billion.  * With the growth of scalable and 
accessible e-commerce technologies, supply and demand within 
this industry is widely acknowledged to be growing at a rapid 
rate both globally, and especially within the United States. Just 
one piece of evidence pointing to the rapid rate of domestic 
growth is Etsy’s annual seller census, which in 2021 reported a 
+167% increase since 2018, in the contributions of creative maker-
entrepreneurs to the US economy which was reported at $14.3B 
in 2021,  ** an almost three-fold increase, from $5.4B in 2018.  *** 
We define a maker within the national and international informal 
economy as an individual working on the creation of products 
made partly or completely by hand. The types of craft techniques 
utilized and product categories made are diverse and can vary 
up to thousands of configurations. Examples of makers include 
but are not limited to: a candlemaker, jewelry maker, potter, 
seamstress, and quilter.
As there is no definitive statistic around the number of makers in 
the US, we rely on cross-cutting industries to derive a potential 
estimate range. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) 
reports over 5 million individuals employed in arts and cultural 
industries  **** whereas the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 
estimates 31 million entrepreneurs in the US.  ***** Makers and 
maker‑entrepreneurs fall somewhere in between these two 
widely different ranges. While these statistics lend a starting 
point to quantify the size of the national maker economy, the 
true extent remains unknown. In addition to the substantial size, 
*	
Research and Markets (2020). North America Handicrafts Market: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2020-2025. IMARC Group. ID: 5135756
**	
Etsy (2021). 2021 Seller Census - US and All States.
***	 Etsy (2019). Celebrating Creative Entrepreneurship around the Globe.
****	 National Endowment for the Arts (2019). Artists and Other Cultural Workers: A Statistical Portrait. Produced by the Office of Research & Analysis.
*****	Apollo Technical (2021). 20 Entrepreneur Statistics You Need to Know. 
we know the dispersion is widespread—a report by Etsy in 2017 
revealed that the creative entrepreneurs in their network reside 
in almost every US county (99.9%). 
Additionally, there is limited publicly available data and general 
public knowledge and awareness around maker demographics 
and trends across local creative economies. Despite their 
ubiquitous presence, makers are overlooked in national datasets 
such as census and local government data as they are rarely 
identified as a working group or are grouped into broader 
categories such as “self-employed” due to the informal nature 
of their work. A perfect example is the inability to truly quantify 
the size of this sector, as it is not captured within the National 
Census in the way that other more traditional occupations in 
the labor force are. This presents a growing concern as more 
jobs shift to non-traditional formats, including an increase in 
home‑based work and entrepreneurial endeavors. We need 
better representation and recognition of this workforce at the 
national level.
As a result of under-representation, makers tend to be hidden 
within local economies and their contributions are largely 
unknown. This presents an unfair consequence of inadequate 
access to economic opportunities and initiatives for support.
JAY RODRÍGUEZ is a textile designer who produces handwoven textiles 
with a contemporary twist, from her studio in Puerto Rico. Her textiles explore 
color and structure, achieving a sophisticated balance. Through her work, she 
aims to promote the education of traditional techniques, with the hopes of 
passing them on to future generations. She says, “technology is great, but 
it should never fully substitute the hand. I believe traditional techniques, 
such as weaving, enrich our culture, can help our economy, and benefit each 
individual’s overall wellness.”
maker spotlight

UNDERSTANDING THE COUNTRY’S 
MAKER-ENTREPRENEURS
As new programs and initiatives emerge to support makers in the 
US, we are able to peel back the layers and better understand this 
workforce. In 2019, Nest launched its flagship domestic program, 
Makers United, to build a more vibrant and inclusive maker movement 
across the United States by supporting maker‑entrepreneurs who 
often face barriers to accessing the training and development 
resources they need to expand their small businesses and create 
sustainable livelihoods. This was also an opportunity to address the 
data gap in this sector and build a foundational knowledge base 
around maker-entrepreneurs, their business structures, challenges, 
and demographics of makers themselves.
Currently, the Makers United network includes 1,045 makers from 
across 36 states. To inform tailored and relevant programming, Nest 
collects qualitative and quantitative data on business and maker 
demographics through a national survey and localized landscape 
mapping surveys that zoom in on makers within specific cities. 
To date, the maker landscape has been mapped for seven 
locations, and this dataset continues to grow with projected 
landscape mapping for an additional three cities per year. 
The landscape mapping employs a mixed-methods approach, 
with quantitative data collection via a detailed digital survey as 
well as in-person, qualitative focus groups with makers. This 
is complemented by the national survey which is available to 
every maker nationally and is a quantitative digital tool for data 
collection. Once a maker is enrolled in the network, they receive 
free access to resources for business growth, capacity building, 
and market access. Data is collected on maker and business 
demographics on an annual basis.
The outreach strategy for this network is equity-driven. This 
dataset aims to represent the demographic make-up of makers’ 
local geographies, and the program emphasizes an approach 
to identifying and supporting maker-entrepreneurs from 
marginalized communities. Metrics derived from this dataset 
represent this diversity of makers.
8 | The State of the Handworker Economy 
Photo Credit: Aneris Photography

9 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
Business Demographics
7 years
Average Age of a Maker Business
(ranging 0 to 50)
$53,706
Average Revenue
(ranging from $0 to $2,000,000)
AVERAGE # STAFF EMPLOYED
BUSINESS STAGE
9
5
3
1
Total
Full-time
Contracted
Part-time
Early start-up, 
47%
Mid-stage/Growth, 
41%
Mature, 8%
Idea Phase, 
3%
The aggregated findings from Nest’s Makers United datasets are visualized in the statistics below:
Maker Demographics
41 years
Average Age of a Maker
(ranging 19 to 87)
87%
Female Makers
RACE DISTRIBUTION
CRAFT AS AN INCOME SOURCE
WORKSPACE LOCATION
$75,276
Average Annual Maker 
Household Income
33%
Average % of Household Income 
Coming from Maker Income
Caucasian or White, 47%
African American 
or Black, 35%
Hispanic or Latinx, 
7%
Asian, 5%
Other, 5%
Primary Income 
Source, 60%
Supplemental 
Income Source, 
40%
Home 70%
Workshop 16%
Private office 7%
Co-working or Shared 
Office Space 7%

10 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
What Makers are Making
 PRODUCT CATEGORIES MAKERS SPECIALIZE IN
CRAFT TECHNIQUES MAKERS SPECIALIZE IN
Sales Channels
PRIMARY SALES CHANNELS 
UTILIZED BY MAKERS
SALES CHANNELS  
MAKERS WISH TO EXPAND TO
99% 
Makers Interested in Growing their Sales
6%
7%
8%
14%
15%
17%
18%
24%
29%
35%
48%
Furniture
Children's Products
Office & Stationary
Apothecary/Beauty
Fabric/Textiles
Table Top
Home Textiles
Apparel
Fashion Accessories
Jewelry
Home Decor
 A small number of businesses (less than 5%) also 
specialize in Rugs/Floor Coverings, Shoes and Toys
5%
6%
6%
8%
9%
9%
10%
10%
11%
13%
14%
15%
15%
15%
18%
Quilting
Knitting
Macrame
Weaving: Textiles
Painting
Leatherworking
Woodworking
Jewelry-making
Embroidery
Sewing
Ceramics/Pottery
Printmaking
Metalworking
Beading
Illustration
A small number of businesses (less than 5%) also specialize in Dyeing: Resist, Weaving: 
Natural Plant/Grass, Stone Masonry or Stone Carving, Paper Mache/Paper Pulping, Applique, 
Rug Weaving, Glass-working/Glass-blowing, Goldsmithing, Botanicals/Floral Preservation, 
Dyeing: Natural, Fiber Arts and Silversmithing, 
2%
11%
14%
28%
33%
35%
35%
42%
51%
61%
67%
Independent Sales Network
Shared Physical Storefront
Email or Mail Order via Catalog
Shared Online Storefront
Friends & Family
Cultural Events & Festivals
Standalone Physical Storefront
Pop-ups or Trunk Shows
Weekly Farmers or Craft Markets
Social Media
Standalone Online Storefront
4%
11%
11%
14%
15%
19%
23%
26%
27%
35%
42%
Friends & Family
Shared Online Storefront
Independent Sales Network
Email or Mail Order via Catalog
Weekly Markets
Cultural Events & Festivals
Shared Physical Storefront
Standalone Online Storefront
Social Media
Standalone Physical Storefront
Pop-ups or Trunk Shows

MAKER SUPPORTS
Makers’ go-to source for business advice is a fellow small 
business owner, family member, or friend, highlighting the power 
of peer-to-peer connections and network-building. The second 
most common source is the internet, which also highlights the 
potential opportunity for digital resources and programs that 
support makers. 
Only 8% of makers reported turning to their local Chamber 
of Commerce or local government programs for support, 
underscoring a gap in government-led initiatives for this 
population likely due to:
	
⊲A lack of existing programs for makers
	
⊲Inadequate access to any available programs
	
⊲Lack of knowledge of existing available programs
WHO MAKERS TURN TO 
FOR BUSINESS SUPPORT
National Business League, 3%
Local College Programs and/or Alumni Networks, 7%
Local Chamber of Commerce, 8%
Co-working Space, 8%
Public Library, 9%
Professional Development Organization, 12%
Local Government (Small Business Pgms), 13%
Business Incubators or Accelerators, 22%
Artist or Entrepreneur Collective, 27%
Local Nonprofits (Small Businesses Support), 31%
Internet, 74%
Small Business Owner, Family, or Friend, 75%
11 | The State of the Handworker Economy 
Photo Credit: Stacy k. Allen Photography

12 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
BUSINESS CHALLENGES & BARRIERS 
MAKER-ENTREPRENEURS FACE TODAY
The primary barriers to business growth for makers include a 
combination of structural barriers and educational/training gaps. 
Over half of makers report access to capital and investment 
(53%) and standing out and increasing online sales (56%) as their 
primary barriers to growing and scaling their business. In tandem 
with access to capital, the cost of scaling is also highlighted as 
a primary barrier to growth for over one-third of makers (36%) 
emphasizing the financial gaps in this sector as the capital and 
investment available do not meet the needs and business costs 
for makers to scale and grow.
BARRIERS TO GROWTH
Diving deeper into business challenges resulting from education, 
the most common skill gaps that makers report are around 
branding and marketing followed by sales strategy, particularly 
with wholesale compared to direct-to-consumer sales. 
TOP SKILL GAPS
A key reflection from this data is the connection, or lack thereof, 
between barriers to growth and the resources makers turn to 
for business support. Many makers rely on their peer networks 
for support with business growth and developing skills, and 
we understand that access to capital and marketing and sales 
strategies are the core areas where makers require additional 
support. This is a call to key stakeholders such as local 
governments, decision‑makers, and community NGOs to tailor 
their programming and design resources that tackle these 
key areas and allow businesses to share knowledge and work 
together as peers.
Additionally, an important call-out is that these are aggregate 
statistics. While they highlight gaps in the availability of resources, 
equitable access is perhaps more important. This is explored in 
further detail in “07 Barriers to Equity” on page 28 of this report.
 A small number of businesses (less than 5%) also listed Transportation as a Barrier for 
Employees or Customers and Childcare as Employment Barrier
Lack of Support for Non-tech Businesses, 8%
Access to Talent/Skilled Workers, 12%
Few Retail Outlets, 15%
Lack of Ready to Use Production Space, 15%
Raw Material Access, 15%
Lack of Demand for Product, 16%
Access to Professional Service Expertise, 36%
Cost of Scaling, 36%
Creating Brand Awareness/Storytelling, 49%
Access to Capital/Investment, 53%
Standing Out & Growing Online Sales, 56%
Client Relations, 5%
Networking, 6%
Contracts & Licensing, 8%
Grant Writing, 8%
Manufacturing, 8%
Protecting your Work, 8%
Product Photography, 9%
Target Market Analysis, 11%
Shipping, Inventory, & Fulfillment Logistics, 11%
Taxes & Insurance, 12%
Digital Merchandising, 13%
Advertising, 15%
Product Pricing, 16%
Budgeting & Financial Management, 18%
Sales Strategy (DTC), 19%
Business Planning & Goal Setting, 24%
Sales Strategy (Wholesale), 27%
Branding & Marketing, 49%
 A small number of businesses (less than 5%) also listed  
Human Resources, Graphic Design and Employee Training & Management

Sample: 103 maker-entrepreneurs
	
⊲85% women-owned and led & 35% minority-owned and led
	
⊲Most common product categories: home decor (30%) and 
fashion accessories (27%)
	
⊲Primary business challenges reported: creating brand 
awareness and access to capital/investment
7 in 10 makers feel disconnected from the people and resources 
that will help them grow their businesses pointing to a need for 
a stronger sense of community amongst Birmingham’s makers.  *
*	
Nest (2019). The Handwork Landscape: Birmingham, Alabama. Nest’s Makers United Project.
Courtesy of Civil Stoneware | Photo Credit: Paula Coldiron
BIRMINGHAM
13 | The State of the Handworker Economy 
Sample: 105 maker-entrepreneurs
	
⊲Austin: 92% women-owned and led & 44% minority-owned 
and led
	
⊲San Antonio: 95% women-owned and led & 70% 
minority‑owned and led
	
⊲Most common product categories: home decor (30%) and 
jewelry (27%)
	
⊲Primary business challenges reported: growing online 
sales and access to capital/investment
The lowest-earning makers in this sample earn less than the 
median household income in their community (based on zip 
code). These makers face the challenge of steep market entry 
fees that create a barrier to entry for makers who may still be 
early-stage or have fewer economic resources available.  **
**	
Nest (2020). The Handwork Landscape: Austin and San Antonio, Texas. Nest’s Makers United Project.
Photo Courtesy of kathyphantastic
MAKER ECOSYSTEMS: CITY SPOTLIGHTS
The aggregated data shared previously provide a high-level understanding of the demographics of maker-entrepreneurs in the US. 
Taking one step further and disaggregating by geography, the landscape mapping of makers within cities yields interesting regional 
challenges and city-specific highlights. The spotlights below represent findings from the sample of makers engaged in Nest’s Makers 
United program within each city.
AUSTIN AND SAN ANTONIO

Sample: 106 maker-entrepreneurs
	
⊲82% women-owned and led & 93% minority-owned and led
	
⊲Most common product categories: home decor (37%) and 
apparel (35%)
	
⊲Primary business challenges reported: creating brand 
awareness and access to capital/investment
Race and household income were correlated across 
participating makers, with 28.8% of minority makers coming from 
lowest‑income households (under $30,000) compared to only 
18.2% of Caucasian makers. Additionally, 51.5% of Caucasian 
makers belonged to the highest‑income households ($75,000 
and higher) compared to only 30.1% of all minority makers.  * 
*	
Nest (2020). The Handwork Landscape: Detroit, Michigan. Nest’s Makers United Project.
DETROIT
14 | The State of the Handworker Economy 
Photo Courtesy of Cait Courneya | Minnetonka, MN
Photo Courtesy of Creative Hina Design llc
Sample: 90 maker-entrepreneurs
	
⊲90% women-owned and led & 64% minority-owned and led
	
⊲Most common product categories: home decor (31%) and 
jewelry (28%)
	
⊲Primary business challenges reported: creating brand 
awareness and access to capital/investment
More than half of the makers in this sample (58%) shared that 
they are unsure of the resources to turn to when seeking help 
with their business highlighting the need for greater mobilization 
and/or awareness of local programs and initiatives.  **
**	
Nest (2021). The Handwork Landscape: St. Louis, Missouri. Nest’s Makers United Project.
Photo Courtesy of Sara Patino Jewelry
ST. LOUIS

Sample: 105 maker-entrepreneurs
	
⊲43% women-owned and led & 73% minority-owned and led
	
⊲Most common product categories: apparel (91%) and 
fashion accessories (34%)
	
⊲Primary business challenges reported: decreased sales/
lack of work and ongoing costs such as rent and overhead
The Garment District is an industry of immigrants built by 
immigrants—73% of makers in this sample are foreign-born 
and come from 19 countries. The diversity of this ecosystem 
has contributed to a richer labor market, combining a variety of 
backgrounds, experiences, and unique craft specializations.  *
*	
Nest (2020). The Handwork Landscape: NYC Garment District. Nest’s Makers United Project.
Photo Credit: Kristen Blush Photography
NYC—GARMENT DISTRICT
15 | The State of the Handworker Economy 
Photo Courtesy of Framed Florals | New York, NY
Sample: 71 maker-entrepreneurs
	
⊲83% women-owned and led & 100% minority-owned and led
	
⊲Most common product categories: jewelry (45%) and 
home decor (34%)
	
⊲Primary business challenges reported: access to capital/
investment and the cost of scaling their business
Only 65% of makers in Puerto Rico have formally registered their 
business. Makers reported high costs, lack of transparency in 
services, and inconsistencies in incentives for registration, as key 
reasons due to which they have been unable to register their 
business. Compared to the national sample where over 90% 
of makers are registered, this highlights a unique geographic 
inequity in potential for business growth as challenges within 
the local economy are disincentivizing makers from registering 
their business, thereby limiting new opportunities and inclusion.  **
**	
Nest (2021). The Handwork Landscape: Puerto Rico. Nest’s Makers United Project
PUERTO RICO
Photo Courtesy of Jay Rodriguez

Photos this page | Courtesy of Pearl Park; Credit: Paul Hester
16 | The State of the Handworker Economy 
Houston: 107 maker-entrepreneurs
	
⊲76% women-owned and led & 51% minority-owned and led
	
⊲Almost half of the maker-entrepreneurs are at an early 
business stage, with half of the makers classifying 
themselves as early start-ups
	
⊲Most common product categories: jewelry (36%) and 
home decor (32%)
Business challenges in Houston differed substantially by race. The 
top challenge for BIPOC makers was access to capital/investment 
with almost half (48%) of the BIPOC makers reporting this. In 
contrast, only 28% of non-BIPOC makers listed access to capital 
as a business challenge. Of the seven city spotlights, Houston 
had the highest concentration of makers (over 80%) agreeing that 
their city is a great place to start a creative business.  *
To learn more about city maker landscapes, visit Nest 
Research to access complete findings in detailed reports 
with each city’s landscape mapping findings.
*	
Nest (2022). The Handwork Landscape: Houston, Texas. Nest’s Makers United Project
HOUSTON

17 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
05 Consumer Demand & Perspectives
At West Elm, we’re focused on offering our customers beautiful, handcrafted products, preserving 
traditional techniques, and contributing to the handworker economy—a commitment we first 
made in 2009. Starting with our first handwoven pillows from India and papier-mache from Haiti, 
our assortment and commitment have grown in line with both our business and the customer’s 
desire for ethically handcrafted, locally sourced, and/or BIPOC-made goods.
Organizations like Nest help us set and meet goals around 
values-aligned sourcing. Nest is the first and only organization 
to certify ethical production for goods made outside of traditional 
factories. West Elm began working with Nest in 2013 as a 
founding partner and collaborator in building and launching the 
industry standards tied to the Nest Seal of Ethical Handcraft. This 
fall, we built on that commitment across our parent company, 
Williams‑Sonoma, Inc., announcing a company-wide goal to 
source $50 million in Nest Certified Ethically Handcrafted 
products by 2025. 
At West Elm, we listen to our customers and follow their habits, 
interests, and tastes. In recent surveys, we found that 1 in 2 
customers say that sustainability, social causes, and philanthropy 
play an important role in where they choose to shop. This is 
particularly true among younger consumers, who are almost 
twice as likely to prioritize ethical or sustainable factors over 
older generations. You will learn more about this trend and 
others in the pages that follow.
As we consider the future of our company and our customers’ 
evolving tastes, we know that high-quality, ethically produced, 
and beautifully designed products are what will continue 
to distinguish our brand and delight our customers. We will 
continue to listen and learn from our customers to ensure we 
are meeting their needs and doing our part to support makers 
and communities through ethical and sustainable sourcing. 
INTRODUCTION BY ALEX BELLOS
President, West Elm

18 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
Photo courtesy of Cromwell Home
CONSUMER PURCHASING TRENDS 
The growing demand for handcrafted products is evident both 
globally and notably across the United States, with multiple 
recent studies showing that consumers are willing to pay more 
for handmade goods. This trend is only projected to accelerate, 
as it is led by younger generations who express a greater 
preference to buy from transparent and ethical sources. 
According to a recent survey conducted by the Consumer 
Insights team at Williams Sonoma, Inc., over two-thirds of their 
US-based consumers reported that a retailer’s environmental, 
social, and governance (ESG) considerations have at least 
a moderate influence on their purchasing decisions. ESG is 
an umbrella term for several mission-driven motivations that 
underlie an organization’s collective approach to integrating 
social and environmental factors into its processes. For this study, 
ESG considerations were distributed across the categories of 
Sustainability, Social Causes, and Philanthropy:
SUSTAINABILITY
	
⊲Uses sustainable/organic/non-toxic materials
	
⊲Reduces climate and energy impact (e.g., net-zero 
carbon commitment)
	
⊲Reduces waste and packaging in manufacturing and shipping
	
⊲Supports recycling/refurbishment/re-use of materials 
and products
SOCIAL CAUSES
	
⊲Promotes fair trade and ethical labor practices
	
⊲Promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion
	
⊲Supports small businesses/locally made/handcrafted
	
⊲Supports domestic businesses
PHILANTHROPY
	
⊲Makes corporate donations
	
⊲Makes in-kind donations
	
⊲Promotes volunteering
Breaking down the data by consumer demographics, there is a 
strong correlation between the age of the consumer and how much 
of an influence ESG considerations have on where they shop. 
Almost 80% of consumers in the youngest age bracket (18–25 
years) reported that these considerations play a significant or 
most important role in decision-making around where to shop. 
When asked to rank the importance of actions retailers can take 
in supporting social causes, consumers said supporting “fair 
trade and ethical labor practices” was most important to them, 
followed closely by supporting “diversity, equity & inclusion” and 
“small businesses, locally made and handcrafted.”
This revealing data raises the question of both where consumer 
knowledge of “locally made” stands today and what are the 
key drivers of consumer interest in handmade and locally 
made products? With these questions in mind, Nest developed 
and conducted a market research study in 2021 to explore the 
driving factors behind consumer purchasing patterns in relation 
to handmade products across a representative digital panel of 
980 consumers in the US. Consumers were selected to represent 
national average demographics and a qualifying factor for inclusion 
was the purchase of a handcrafted product in the past three years.
The findings from this study form a compelling and foundational 
base of evidence on consumer perspectives on the handworker 
sector. The data makes a strong case for investment in local 
manufacturing and ethical production that would bolster support 
and opportunity to help makers grow. 
79%
71%
54%
48%
39%
42%
18-25
26-35
36-45
46-55
56-65
66+
% consumers with a significant+ rating
Age Bracket (years)
Photo Courtesy of Cromwell Home | Haiku, HI

3 in 4 consumers would buy handmade products 
over machine-made. 
The study asked consumers about their optimal preference for 
product types when purchasing. Given the option of handmade 
versus machine-made production for the same items, 75% of 
consumers selected handmade over machine-made. The motivations 
behind this purchasing preference varied across consumers, but 
similarities in rationale emerged with three top reasons: 
1.	 Unique features of handmade products compared to 
machine-made
2.	 Higher quality of finish with handmade products
3.	 Desire to support the handmade workforce
Local sourcing is an important purchasing 
consideration for 1 in 2 consumers 
Consumers were asked to share the most influential factors 
that impact their purchasing decisions to understand the 
commonalities across driving factors of handcraft purchasing. 
Almost half of the consumers in the study consider local sourcing 
an important factor while purchasing handcrafted products, and 
over half consider ethical production an important factor.
FACTORS INFLUENCING PURCHASING TRENDS 
OF HANDCRAFTED PRODUCTS
On average, consumers are willing to pay a 
premium for handcrafted many would pay 
almost 1.5x the unit cost.
To quantitatively understand the value consumers attach to 
handcraft, the study used a price sensitivity analysis method to 
calculate the monetary premium a consumer would be willing to 
pay for handcrafted products. Study respondents were provided 
with a sample product priced at its retail value and were asked to 
share the dollar amount they would pay as a premium if the product 
were known to be handcrafted. 21% of consumers in the study 
shared they would pay a premium over the given retail price for a 
handcrafted product, and on average they would pay a premium of 
$36 on a product costing $79, translating to a 46% premium.
19 | The State of the Handworker Economy 
Photo Courtesy of Janel Foo | Pasadena, CA
Pricing, 40%
Sustainable Sourcing, 44%
Visual Appeal, 47%
Locally Made, 47%
Ethical Production, 50%

Purchasing habits are changing, with trends 
forecasting higher demand for locally made in 
the future.
Nearly three-quarters of consumers report that their purchasing 
habits have changed in the past 5 years—with a key change being 
an increased interest in and willingness to purchase locally‑made 
products and/or products with fair labor certifications. 72% of 
consumers also noted similar changes in purchasing habits 
among their family and friends, highlighting that these consumer 
trends are reflected on a community and national level.
Consumers purchase locally made products 
most commonly at local markets.
Over half of the consumers in the study purchase handcrafted 
products and locally made products at least once a month. The 
most common purchasing platform for consumers buying locally 
made products is local markets (65%), followed by online sales 
channels (51.7%). 
PURCHASING PLATFORMS OF PREFERENCE
3 in 4 consumers are aware of makers in their 
local communities.
Over three-quarters (77%) of consumers know of local markets, 
cultural events, and hubs that feature makers in their local 
communities. Of these consumers, almost 80% have attended 
these markets or events in the past, highlighting a strong link 
between awareness and interaction with makers. Additionally, 
the frequency of interaction among these consumers is high, 
with 1 in 3 consumers visiting a local market or cultural event at 
least once a month, and 15% visiting as regularly as once a week.
20 | The State of the Handworker Economy 
Photo Courtesy of Peacesake Candles & Co | Forestville, MD
National Retailers with 
Locations in Town, 28%
Local Small Business in Town, 41%
Online, 52%
Local Markets, 65%

21 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
FOSTERING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN MAKERS AND CONSUMERS
In 2021, Amazon Handmade and Nest teamed up to support artisan and maker businesses leverage 
the power of Amazon’s marketplace to increase their sales and impact. This partnership led to the 
launch of a dedicated cohort of artisan businesses who were promoted through a dedicated gateway 
on Amazon Handmade.
 
The collaboration featured businesses like Espacio Handmade—a women-owned artisanal leather goods 
business based in Austin, Texas. After receiving dedicated training from both the Nest and Amazon 
Handmade Team, Espacio Handmade was featured on Amazon Handmade’s Our Favorite Finds, and 
within days received dozens of orders for Espacio’s Big Spender Leather Wallet. In just a matter of 
weeks, founder Katrina Marhefka received hundreds of orders, more than she had previously received 
on the Amazon platform in the last five years combined. “I received 78 orders for the Big Spender 
Leather wallet on Amazon on just the first day!” shared Katrina. “It was unbelievable and amazing.”
Reflecting on the partnership between Nest and Amazon Handmade, Katrina shared, “Nest has been a pleasure to work with, I’m so 
grateful for the opportunities that the relationship has brought me. I’ve experienced exponential growth on Amazon Handmade since 
focusing my efforts using the tools and guidance provided by Nest.” As a result of the partnership between Amazon and Nest, and her 
exponential increase in sales, Katrina has had to hire additional production help to keep up with all the orders.
The viral success of Nest Guild members like Espacio Handmade on the Amazon Handmade 
platform reaffirm our commitment to providing maker businesses with a dedicated channel and 
platform to reach new consumers. In the wake of Covid-19, providing small maker businesses with 
a multi-channel sales strategy is essential to their resilience and ability to withstand unprecedented 
times. We are proud to support creative maker and artisan businesses as they leverage the Amazon 
Handmade platform in a way that efficiently connects them to the growing consumer demand for 
handmade product.—Leigh Anne DeWine, Director of Social Responsibility, Amazon
Photo Courtesy of Espacio Handmade | Austin, TX

22 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
06 Makers & Their Local Economies
Much like the larger US maker landscape, sellers on Etsy’s marketplace are small business owners, 
sole proprietors, and self-employed creative entrepreneurs that may individually be small in scale 
but, collectively, have a significant economic impact. In the US, small businesses like those on 
Etsy’s platform have, and continue to be, the heart of the national and local economies.
Looking at Etsy data alone, in 2020, Etsy sellers contributed $13 
billion to the U.S. economy, a +142% increase from our baseline 
of $5.7 billion in 2018; created 2.6 million jobs in the independent 
worker economy; generated nearly $4 billion in income for 
sellers; and produced $6.8 billion in additional economic value by 
harnessing their creativity and bringing unique products to market.
Etsy remains committed to making conscious decisions to create 
and grow economic opportunities for creative entrepreneurs. 
We proudly serve as an on-ramp for entrepreneurship: anyone 
with a creative idea and $0.20 can open a shop, reach tens of 
millions of buyers around the world, and build a small business 
from the ground up. While our marketplace eliminates many 
barriers to entry for creative entrepreneurs, we know that 
significant hurdles still exist for makers on and off our platform. 
And as you will see in this chapter, which identifies a number 
of these challenges and suggestions for addressing them, the 
more we acknowledge and embrace the collective impact of 
these creative entrepreneurs, the better positioned we will be to 
inclusively support this undervalued national resource. 
INTRODUCTION BY DINAH-KAREEN JEAN
Senior Manager Social Innovation, Etsy

HIRING PRACTICES 
The substantial contributions of maker businesses to local 
communities and the economies they operate in are evident, yet 
under-documented due to the often small-scale and informal nature 
of their operations. From sourcing raw materials to creating new jobs 
in their communities to selling high-quality finished products to local 
consumers, makers increase economic opportunity in myriad and 
diverse ways within their local ecosystems. 
However, they are overwhelmingly under-represented in public 
datasets and their contributions to their local economies are not 
widely recognized, understood, or acknowledged. 
Within Nest’s Makers United network of 1,000+ makers, 59% 
report hiring additional staff including full-time, part-time, and 
seasonal workers. On average, this translates to employment for 
9 individuals per business, who are typically located within their 
local communities. 
Across the same population, we found that makers who had been 
established for longer employed significantly more individuals 
as their businesses grew. Supporting makers and the growth of 
their businesses over a longer duration directly creates more 
jobs within their communities, and this impact is felt increasingly 
as businesses grow.
AVERAGE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS 
EMPLOYED BY MAKER BUSINESSES 
BASED ON YEARS ESTABLISHED
Makers’ ties to their communities are a strong indicator of the 
opportunities they are able to create within their local areas for 
employment. There are strong correlations between a maker’s 
feeling of connectedness to a creative community where they 
live and the number of individuals they employ. Makers who 
experience this connectedness employ more than 2X the 
number of individuals than makers who do not. 
AVERAGE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS EMPLOYED 
BY MAKER BUSINESSES BASED ON MAKERS’ 
CONNECTEDNESS TO A CREATIVE COMMUNITY
3
10
17
0-5 years
6-10 years
11+ years
7
3
Makers who feel connected
to a creative community
Makers who don't feel
connected
23 | The State of the Handworker Economy 
Photo Credit: Kristen Blush Photography

24 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
Similarly, a maker’s perception of being closely connected 
to the people and resources they need to grow is intrinsically 
linked to the size of their business (Chart 3). Makers who feel 
connected to the resources they need to grow employ 4 times 
more individuals than makers who do not. 
AVERAGE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS 
EMPLOYED BY MAKER BUSINESSES 
BASED ON MAKERS’ ACCESS TO RESOURCES
While this highlights the potential of maker contributions to local 
economies, there is still a lot to be done to increase makers’ 
access to the resources needed to thrive. Across the sample 
of makers above, less than half (43%) reported feeling closely 
connected to the people and resources they needed to grow.
Similar to hiring practices, maker connectedness reveals 
interesting correlations to overall business revenue in the Makers 
United network. On average, makers who feel connected to a 
creative community where they live report an annual revenue of 
almost double that of makers who do not feel this connection. 
AVERAGE BUSINESS REVENUE 
BASED ON MAKER CONNECTEDNESS 
TO A CREATIVE COMMUNITY
*	
Etsy (2021). 2021 Seller Census - US and All States.
**	
Etsy (2021). 2021 Seller Census - US and All States.
Makers who feel connected to the people and resources they 
need to grow report an average annual revenue 150% higher 
than makers who do not perceive a similar connection to people 
and resources needed for growth.
AVERAGE BUSINESS REVENUE BASED ON 
MAKER ACCESS TO RESOURCES
MAKER CONTRIBUTIONS TO LOCAL 
ECONOMIES 
Etsy’s 2021 Seller Census reveals further supporting data on the 
value of makers to their local economies. The census found that 
the vast majority of their sellers (95%) source their vendors and 
supplies domestically within their country of business. Almost half 
(48%) source within their own states, highlighting the opportunities 
that each individual maker creates for their local ecosystems. The 
extent of this impact is especially outstanding when recognizing 
that 98% of these sellers operate their businesses from their 
homes and do not have traditional formal establishments.  * 
Further, Etsy has documented makers’ contributions to the 
broader retail ecosystem, with more than half of sellers in 2021 
(57%) selling their goods via other channels in addition to Etsy, 
such as retail stores, craft fairs, social media, and other online 
sales platforms.  **
19
4
Makers who feel connected
to the people and resources
needed to grow
Makers who don't feel
connected
ALABAMA SAWYER is a certified Woman-Owned Business that mills urban 
timber from beautiful, local old trees that have fallen from storms, been displaced 
by development, or that are otherwise headed for the landfill or a fireplace. Its 
founders, Cliff and Leigh Spencer work with expert craftspeople at transforming 
this urban timber into elegant furniture, architectural elements, and objects, 
obsessively crafted to delight and to endure.
maker spotlight
$66,554 
$38,478 
Makers who feel connected
to a creative community
where they live
Makers who don't feel
connected
$74,694 
$30,056 
Makers who feel connected
to the people and resources
needed to grow
Makers who don't feel
connected

25 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
LOCAL BRANDING INITIATIVES AS AN 
EQUITABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOL
A Case Study by Urban Manufacturing Alliance
Making is an important part of a vibrant community, bringing 
innovation, creativity, and stability, as well as building a sense 
of place and economic opportunity. Yet, economic development 
leaders often struggle to understand the relevance of making 
in urban centers and regional economies because of outdated 
perceptions of the sector. But over the past decade, making—
also referred to as small-batch manufacturing, or craft or artisanal 
production—has emerged as a strong economic driver, in large 
part due to changing markets, technologies, and ownership 
demographics. These new models of manufacturing bring with 
them higher paying jobs and career pathways, helping a region’s 
economy become more diverse, resilient, and sustainable—
before and during major disruptions. 
The Urban Manufacturing Alliance (UMA) has found that Local 
Branding Initiatives (LBIs) are an impactful economic and 
community development structure that helps current and future 
urban manufacturing business owners.  * An LBI is a pioneering 
approach that creates an interconnected ecosystem of 
stakeholders that supports making and manufacturing businesses 
as they start and scale up. They each create and bolster 
ecosystems that respond to the unique needs and qualities of 
makers and manufacturers in their specific region. 
*	
Examples include: Made in Baltimore, Made in NYC, Seattle Made, Portland Made, The Maker City in Knoxville, and Bridgeway Capital’s Creative Business Accelerator in Pittsburgh.
**	
Further reading on LBIs: 
Moving Towards Equitable Maker Ecosystems: The Role of Local Branding Organizations
Discovering Your City’s Maker Economy
Local Progress Policy Brief: Local Branding Initiatives
LBIs across the country are developing programs, resources, 
and networks that support urban manufacturing—both legacy 
companies and the growing new wave of maker businesses 
—in order to increase diversity, build generational wealth, 
and establish a resilient regional economy. These systems 
are being created and improved upon through collaborations 
and relationships among diverse stakeholders engaged in a 
manufacturing entrepreneurial ecosystem that is open and 
accessible to diverse entrepreneurs. Underpinned by LBIs, UMA 
envisions an active, equitable, and interconnected community 
of makers and manufacturers in every region, with access to the 
resources and market opportunities needed to thrive.
No two cities, manufacturing ecosystems, or LBIs are the same; 
however, UMA sees consistent impacts, including helping 
manufacturers: access new markets and increase sales; create 
jobs; connect training programs with open jobs forging new 
workforce pipelines; and increase access to capital for women 
and business owners of color. LBIs often promote women- and 
BIPOC-owned companies in particular, emphasize the importance 
of both place and making, and educate consumers and leaders 
about the benefits of buying locally-made products. Underlying 
all LBIs is a belief that equitable economies, via making and 
manufacturing, are vital to the stability and sustainability of cities. 
Luckily, there is no single or ‘right’ way to bring together makers, 
manufacturers, and their supporters. This allows for any region to 
leverage their skills, abilities, and resources to create a space that 
is inclusive, regenerative, accessible, and collaborative to lift up the 
importance of manufacturing and see it thrive in their community.  ** 
UMA'S LOCAL BRANDING INITIATIVES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES
THE MAKER CITY | Knoxville, TN
400+ Members in 6 years
BRIDGEWAY CAPITAL CREATIVE 
BUSINESS ACCELERATOR
Pittsburgh, PA 
600+ Members in 4 years
MADE IN NEW YORK CITY 
New York, NY
1,500+ Members in 19 years
MOUNTAIN BIZWORKS 
CRAFT YOUR COMMERCE
Asheville, NC
800+ Members in 4 years
MADE IN BALTIMORE
Baltimore, MD
400+ Members in 6 years
PORTLAND MADE | Portland, OR
120+ Members in 10 years
SEATTLE MADE | Seattle, WA
400+ Members in 6 years

26 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
FOSTERING PRODUCTIVE CONNECTIONS 
WITHIN LOCAL ECONOMIES 
A Feature on the Garment District Alliance’s Business Development 
Collaborative
Established in 1993, the Garment District Alliance (GDA) is a 
nonprofit organization serving New York’s famed Garment 
District. For nearly 30 years, the GDA has supported building 
owners and local businesses to improve the quality of life and 
economic vitality in their local community. In 2019, the GDA 
launched the Business Development Collaborative (BDC), 
an initiative that provides grants to organizations promoting 
business and workforce development in the District. 
Soon after the launch of the inaugural program cohort, the onset 
of the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed the landscape 
of the Garment District. Business closings were widespread, both 
temporary and permanent, and pedestrian volumes dropped by 
72% year over year by July 2020.  * While the sudden impacts 
were shocking, they also compounded the challenges in 
production capacity and orders that businesses in the District 
had been facing for decades. Employment opportunities in 
manufacturing in the Garment District have dropped to around 
5,000 jobs in total, in parallel to an alarming 74% decline in 
apparel manufacturing job.  **
In the immediate wake of the pandemic, the inaugural program 
cohort, a diverse group of leading workforce development 
organizations that included experienced nonprofits, academics, 
and consultants, pivoted to address the compounding challenges 
that faced District businesses in the immediate wake of the 
Covid-19 pandemic. After intensive interviews with business  
leaders to identify immediate needs, cohort members delivered 
relevant workforce development training and expert operational 
support to business leaders to help them weather the storm and 
strengthen their resiliency.
*	
Economic Quarterly Report: 1st Quarter 2021, Garment District Alliance, Spring 2021. Retrieved August June 6, 2022.
**	
Economic Quarterly Report: 1st Quarter 2021, Garment District Alliance, Spring 2021. Retrieved August June 6, 2022.
Across all of the diverse services delivered throughout the 
inaugural year, program providers made important strides towards 
advancing their individual goals and realizing the Business 
Development Collaborative’s vision of catalyzing business 
development in the district, ensuring the neighborhood’s workforce 
remains competitive and fostering the ongoing dynamism of 
the district. Together they surveyed the District businesses to 
develop a comprehensive report that outlines key challenges 
and opportunities in the District; provided expert-led workshops 
designed to address business‑identified issues; developed a 
public campaign to bring greater attention to the skilled labor and 
potential of the District; and, hosted a virtual event to connect 
brands and corporate partners with manufacturers.
In June 2021, the BCD cohort members completed their services 
in the District. Together, they supported almost 130 businesses 
through comprehensive programming designed to address 
their short-term needs and better position them for long-term 
success. The achievements of this cohort are the result of 
tremendous flexibility, creativity, and resourcefulness in response 
to ever‑changing conditions. Throughout their service terms, cohort 
members learned critical lessons related to program recruitment, 
participant retention, and implementation capacity that will inform 
future activities in the District.
Photo Courtesy of Helen Edna | Dana Point, CA

27 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
HOW DO MAKERS CONTRIBUTE TO LOCAL 
COMMUNITIES? 
Qurate Retail GroupSM comprises seven leading retail brands – 
QVC®, HSN®, Zulily®, Ballard Designs®, Frontgate®, Garnet Hill®, 
and Grandin Road®—all dedicated to providing a more human 
way to shop.
Qurate Retail Group was inspired by the role that small 
businesses and entrepreneurs played in creating resilience 
within their communities by developing innovative strategies 
and initiatives to address the unforeseen challenges brought 
about by the COVID crisis. In addition to their contributions 
to innovation and local employment, these small business 
leaders met urgent needs for PPE production and distribution 
of other local goods and services when global supply chains 
were disrupted. Recognizing this essential contribution, Qurate 
Retail Group also saw that small businesses needed to access 
new audiences in order to continue to grow and contribute to 
their communities in a meaningful way. Many small businesses 
and makers struggled to transition into a competitive online 
marketplace quickly enough to make up for the revenue lost 
from sales in local stores and in-person events such as markets 
and community fairs.
Acting quickly on this opportunity for impact, Qurate Retail 
Group launched the “Small Business Spotlight” program in 
2020, a collaboration with the NRF Foundation to build on their 
longstanding foundation of supporting small businesses and 
giving them a platform when they needed it most. At a time when 
these businesses were dealing with the dual challenges imposed 
by pandemic restrictions and limited opportunities for market 
visibility, Qurate Retail Group helped raise their profile with 
customers nationwide, who then bought products directly from 
these small businesses. The Small Business Spotlight offered 
unparalleled access for these businesses through on-air and 
digital opportunities on QVC, HSN and Zulily. Through the power 
of live video storytelling, discovery-driven shopping experiences, 
and loyal customer community-building, Qurate Retail Group 
brought small businesses exposure to and traffic from millions of 
homes and devices across the U.S. Market access is one of the 
most important drivers of success for entrepreneurs in the United 
States, helping businesses increase sales and market share to 
grow and scale. Across the 850+ makers in Nest’s Makers United 
program, the most sought-after programming is reported to be 
market access and sales opportunities, such as sourcing support 
and participation in pop-ups and roadshows in order to expand 
their customer reach.
After the first phase of the Small Business Spotlight 
program in 2020, more than 80% of businesses reported 
increases in online sales and new customers in a 
follow-up survey. Overall, many Small Business Spotlight 
entrepreneurs have reported double-digit or even higher 
increases in sales, new customers, and/or customer 
contacts as a result of their participation in the program.
Based on the initial impact and success of the 2020 program, 
Qurate Retail Group expanded the program in 2021, with a focus 
on supporting entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups. 
Qurate Retail Group recently announced the application launch 
for their 2022 Small Business Spotlight program.
Ming-Ming Tung-Edelman is the Founder and Executive Director of REFUGEE 
ARTISAN INITIATIVE (RAI), which provides artisan skills training to recently 
resettled refugees and immigrant women in Seattle. As an immigrant from Taiwan, 
Ming-Ming has a deep connection and passion to educate, employ and foster this 
community of women. She says, “We believe that the power of tools plus skills, 
can change lives.” Her sentiment was actualized when RAI pivoted early in the 
pandemic to begin mask production which resulted in the creation of 80,000 
face coverings for Seattle Metro bus drivers, postal service workers, prisoners, 
healthcare workers, members of the Navajo Nation and many others. They have 
now transitioned to making sustainable medical scrubs for healthcare workers.
maker spotlight

28 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
07 Barriers to Equity
When I started my company in 2004, empowering women was in my business plan. My concept 
was to create luxury products that were aspirational and accessible — the pieces I was missing 
in my own wardrobe. But I also wanted to start a foundation for women. 
I dreamed of building a company that would change the dynamic 
for women, particularly women entrepreneurs. As a working 
mother who was raised by an incredible mom, I understood the 
obstacles they face. Access to funding is one of them—50% 
of entrepreneurs are women, but they receive less than 3% of 
venture capital. There are other barriers to women’s equality, 
too: stereotypes, biases, limited childcare support, and more.
We launched the Tory Burch Foundation in 2009 to help fill 
those gaps and encourage women everywhere to embrace 
their ambition. Our annual Fellows program provides resources, 
education, and community to women entrepreneurs, and every 
year its impact grows. Tory Burch Foundation Fellows regularly 
outperform the average early-stage U.S. company; they generate 
higher revenues, raise more capital, and stay in business longer. 
Many of our Fellows also have what we call a “double bottom-line”: 
giving back is built into their growth. It is so gratifying to support these 
women, who are in turn supporting and uplifting their communities.
For these reasons and more, I am thrilled to partner with Nest on 
the Revolving Maker Fund, a dedicated no-risk loan program for 
women artisans in Nest’s Makers United group. I have a deep 
respect for American art, craftsmanship, and design, so Nest’s 
mission is especially close to my heart. Through partnerships 
like this, we can celebrate artisans’ creativity and help them 
thrive as entrepreneurs.
We distributed our first grants to makers across the country in 
2021 and gathered data that emphasized the need for this work. 
For 47% of loan recipients, the Revolving Maker Fund’s financing 
was the first type of funding they had ever received; 90% of 
makers said their personal savings were their primary source 
of funding; and 65% of women reported that access to capital 
was their greatest barrier to success. For minority artisans, these 
challenges are often even more difficult to overcome. 
In the following chapter, Nest explores the various barriers to 
equity faced by women and minority artisans in the U.S., as well 
as the solutions that could help level the playing field. 
I hope these learnings can inform a world where all American 
makers—regardless of their race, gender, or other identities—have 
the opportunity to succeed.
INTRODUCTION BY TORY BURCH
Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, Tory Burch 
Founder, Tory Burch Foundation
Photo Credit: Patrick Demarchelier

MEETING THE MOMENT: CREATING A PATH 
TO MAKER FINANCING
by Chris van Bergen
Chief Financial & Operating Officer, Nest
In 2021, as the longer-term economic effects of Covid-19 were 
coming into focus, Nest was contacted by the Tory Burch 
Foundation about developing a maker financing program. 
The program would complement the Foundation’s mission of 
supporting female entrepreneurs with the business development 
resources and capital they need to grow their enterprises by 
leveraging Nest’s expertise to extend this opportunity to maker 
entrepreneurs, a population the Foundation had not previously 
worked with due to their overall size of business.
Maker businesses in the US often operate as a side hustle 
and are therefore overlooked by traditional business incubator 
programs as well as lending programs. Many of the makers 
in Nest’s Makers United program report never successfully 
engaging in either grants or financing programs, as traditional 
lending institutions often do not regard them as legitimate small 
businesses because they cannot determine appropriate credit 
risk. More community-based lending initiatives such as CDFIs 
require business history and/or accounting that the makers 
are not yet sophisticated enough to provide. And now, in the 
wake of Covid-19, makers are more hesitant to engage due to 
concern over interest rates and credit rating impacts, given the 
unpredictable business climate of the last few years.
In response to this reality and with generous funding and 
development support from the Tory Burch Foundation, as well 
as economic guidance from the Social Impact Lab at Lynn 
University, Nest launched the Nest Revolving US Maker Fund 
Supported by the Tory Burch Foundation in late 2021.
This pilot program provided small-scale repayable grants of 
$2,500-$5,000 to 50 women or woman-identifying, and/or 
BIPOC maker entrepreneurs in four of Nest’s Makers United 
program geographies. Additionally, selected entrepreneurs 
received financial acumen training and were matched with a 
dedicated program advisor to support them as they walked 
through the program. 
The goals of this pilot program were to prove that when given the 
opportunity, makers can successfully borrow capital to grow their 
businesses and social impact, and that they have the ability and 
desire to repay the funds back to establish a revolving fund—
thereby generating more inclusive economic opportunities and 
strengthened networks. This program was also designed to be 
a stepping stone to traditional lending programs: through this 
program, participants gain the business practices, skills, and 
borrowing history required to successfully apply for financing 
through more traditional and advanced avenues. 
Six months through the pilot program, preliminary data shows 
the social and economic impact this program is having among 
women or woman-identifying and historically marginalized maker 
entrepreneurs. For almost half of the recipients, this opportunity 
was the very first time they received any sort of financial support 
(either grants or loans). Through quantitative and anecdotal 
feedback, makers are confirming their ability to take full 
advantage of the program in order to take their businesses to the 
next level: improving their branding, marketing and e-commerce 
presence; improving back-office systems through the acquisition 
of accounting services and business software;; purchasing 
materials and/or employing more workers to fulfill new orders; 
and increased confidence in business planning and seeking 
future funding opportunities. 
29 | The State of the Handworker Economy 
Photo Credit: 1212 Designs

30 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
GENDER
The global majority of artisans, handworkers, makers, and 
creative entrepreneurs are women. Etsy’s 2021 Seller Census 
found that 79% of sellers on the platform based in the US identify 
as women.  * This statistic is corroborated by Nest’s findings in 
their Makers United network, where 87% of maker-entrepreneurs 
identify as women. This presents a significant opportunity to 
advance gender equity in business leadership as nationally, 
only 36% of businesses across industries are owned and led by 
women. The craft and maker sector deviates from traditional 
and antiquated norms of business ownership and highlights 
success stories of women-founded businesses that are thriving.
Yet, women makers face critical barriers to business growth 
and market access compared to their male counterparts. 
Within Nest’s Makers United network, a significant finding 
was the structural differences between male-led and 
female-led maker businesses. Maker businesses led 
by women are on average, more recently established 
compared to male-led maker businesses, with an average 
business age of 7 years. 
 BUSINESS AGE BY GENDER
Almost half of women maker businesses are in the early start-up 
stage (defined as the phase where businesses have some customers 
and initial products but are still developing their business plan), 
and only 7% consider their businesses to be mature (defined as 
significant year-over-year growth and/or a solid core of employees.) 
The proportion of male-led maker businesses that are in the mature 
phase is two times higher than that of women-led maker businesses.
 BUSINESS STAGE BY GENDER
Female-owned Businesses
*	
Etsy (2021). 2021 Seller Census - US and All States.
7
10
Female
Male
Idea phase 3%
Early start-up 47%
Mid-stage/growth…
Mature 7%
 BUSINESS STAGE BY GENDER
Male-owned Businesses
These statistics highlight that while women make up the majority of 
the maker workforce, male-led businesses are in more advanced 
stages of growth. 
From a smaller sample of makers that provided revenue data, 
we also see substantial differences in average revenue between 
women-led and male-led maker businesses, with the latter having 
an average revenue almost 2X higher.
The top three primary barriers to business growth disaggregated 
by gender revealed interesting variations in the types of barriers 
makers face and the intensity of the challenge this presents. A 
higher proportion of female makers reported the following as 
primary barriers:
	
⊲Access to capital/investment
	
⊲Access to professional service expertise
	
⊲Childcare as a barrier to employment
	
⊲Cost of scaling
	
⊲Creating brand awareness/storytelling
	
⊲Standing out and growing online sales 
When asked about connections within their local communities, 
a higher proportion of male makers (53%) shared they felt 
connected to the people and resources they needed to grow 
their business. In comparison, only 42% of female makers 
reported the same.
In addition to disproportionate business demographics and 
access to growth opportunities, data from Etsy reveals that 
women sellers on the platform find it more challenging to 
dedicate time towards their business due to personal reasons 
such as childcare—which women cite as a barrier seven times 
more than men.  ** It was also found that more women are more 
likely to face barriers to acquiring digital skills, which put them at 
an unfair disadvantage to building capacity as a large proportion 
of current opportunities rely on digital literacy.  *** 
**	
Etsy (2020). Global Etsy Seller Census.
***	 Etsy (2020). Global Etsy Seller Census.
Idea phase 43%
Early start-up 2%
Mid-stage/growth
37%
Mature 18%

31 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
RACE
The Makers United data was disaggregated by race, specifically 
by categories of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) 
and non-BIPOC makers to evaluate any substantial discrepancies 
resulting from systemic racial inequities, in makers’ access to 
resources and capital as well as opportunities for business growth.
The average annual revenue for a BIPOC maker in this dataset 
is $37,391, which was found to be less than half of the average 
revenue of a non-BIPOC maker in the same network. 
REVENUE BY RACE
In parallel, maker household incomes also varied substantially, 
with the average household income of a non-BIPOC maker 
reported to be 31% higher than a BIPOC maker. 
ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME BY RACE
Within the maker dataset, wider discrepancies were found in 
specific regions—for example, in Detroit, 29% of minority makers 
come from lowest-income households (under $30,000) compared 
to only 18% of Caucasian makers. Additionally, 52% of Caucasian 
makers belonged to the highest‑income households ($75,000 
and higher) compared to only 30% of all minority makers. 
These findings confirm the intrinsic correlation between race 
and income across makers nationally and also align with 
national census data around income variations between BIPOC 
and non‑BIPOC households. In 2019, the median household 
income for Caucasian/White households was $76,057 compared 
to Black households that had a median household income of 
$46,073—implying that the median Black household earned just 
61 cents for every dollar of income a median white household 
$37,391
$77,239
BIPOC makers
Non-BIPOC makers
$67,475
$88,362
BIPOC makers
Non-BIPOC makers
earned.  * Racial disparities in income have largely remained 
unchanged in the past few years despite overall income growth, 
highlighting the need for targeted investments and solutions 
for BIPOC makers who face systemic challenges to increasing 
income and growing their business.
When reporting primary barriers to business growth, the 
responses to many of the common barriers were similar however, 
one standout difference was in the number of makers who 
selected access to capital and investment as a barrier to growth. 
Almost two-thirds of BIPOC makers (64%) reported access to 
capital as a key barrier whereas less than half of non-BIPOC 
makers (48%) reported the same.
BARRIERS TO GROWTH BY RACE
A small number of businesses (less than 5%) also listed Transportation as a Barrier for 
Employees or Customers and Childcare as Employment Barrier
Similarly, the Etsy Seller Census asked sellers about the financial 
challenges they face, and it was found that Black sellers selected 
more options for this response than any other race/ethnicities. 
The top two challenges were revealed to be inconsistent sales 
(68%) and marketing and business/brand promotion (66%).
These statistics highlight the disparities in opportunities and 
challenges faced by makers of different demographics, and 
must be an underlying consideration when designing solutions, 
programming, and investment for this diverse sector.  ** 
*	
Wilson, V. (2020). Racial disparities in income and poverty remain largely unchanged amid 
strong income growth in 2019. Economic Policy Institute: Working Economics Blog.
**	
Etsy (2020). Global Etsy Seller Census.
4%
23%
12%
17%
15%
9%
40%
41%
63%
70%
48%
12%
14%
14%
15%
17%
20%
38%
38%
46%
54%
63%
Lack of support
for non-tech businesses
Lack of demand
 for product
Access to
talent/skilled workers
Few retail
outlets available
Lack of ready to use
production space
Access to raw materials
Access to professional
service expertise
Cost of scaling
Creating brand
awareness/storytelling
Standing out and
growing online sales
Access to capital/investment
BIPOC
Non-BIPOC

CASE STUDY: THE QUILTERS OF GEE’S BEND 
Traditional Craft & Racial Equity
Gee’s Bend, also known as Boykin, is a small town along the 
Alabama River with around 250–300 residents, most of whom 
trace their lineage back to slaves and shareholders of the 
Pettway Plantation. Individuals in the Gee’s Bend community are 
renowned for their exceptional artisanal skills in quilting which 
are believed to have been passed down through generations 
over the last two hundred years and their story constitute a 
crucial chapter in the history of American craft.
While this community has earned global acclaim for countless 
patchwork masterpieces, the fame has not translated into 
economic advancement. The average annual income in Gee’s 
Bend remains at about $16,000.  * Some residents live without 
the basic amenities of mobile and internet access, limiting the 
quilters’ ability to expand the sale of their goods. 
Since 2019, Nest has been working closely with the community 
of Gee’s Bend in partnership with Souls Grown Deep, Etsy, and 
other brand partners to achieve market linkages that expand 
economic opportunity and the wellbeing of the community. 
From setting up individual storefronts on Etsy to establishing 
wholesale partnerships with preeminent fashion brands including 
Chloê and Greg Lauren, these cross-sectoral partnerships have 
provided capacity building support, built local infrastructure, 
and cultivated creative and long-lasting market linkages. These 
initiatives have resulted in: 
	
⊲Over $400,000 in income to the quilters who have 
become shop owners on Etsy’s direct-to-consumer 
marketplace platform 
	
⊲Partnerships with fashion brands including Chloé, Greg 
Lauren, and House of Harlow that have led to over 
$122,000 in income for quilters participating in these 
wholesale collaborations 
	
⊲A 400%+ increase in average quarterly income for quilters 
who launched Etsy shops, increasing from $4,210 to $17,625 
	
⊲A 291% return on investment based on $180,000 of 
philanthropic investment in the community and over 
$524,243 in income through cross-sectoral partnerships 
	
⊲Ongoing community trainings, facilitated by leaders in 
the community on topics ranging from digital literacy to 
opening a bank account to product photography to keep 
Etsy shops up to date 
*	
Nest (2021). Shared Prosperity Study in Gee’s Bend: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Income 
and Cost of Living. Nest Research Briefs 1(1).
Photo Credit: Stacy k. Allen
32 | The State of the Handworker Economy

Reflecting on what these recent opportunities have meant for 
her own economic independence, quilter and community leader 
Claudia Pettway Charley shared, “The collaboration between 
Nest, Etsy, and Gee’s Bend is undeniable in its success. My shop 
has been extremely successful, and I’ve gained so many new 
customers…it has allowed me to pay for my children’s college 
tuition, help my family with household expenses, and travel, and 
offers me peace of mind. Additionally, it has allowed me to give 
back to my community and other non-profit groups.”
In 2021, a community research study by Nest and Souls Grown 
Deep interviewed a number of quilters on their hopes and 
aspirations for how craft can continue to serve as a primary source 
of income for them and their families. The study found that none of 
the quilters they interviewed were interested in moving to another 
occupation in place of their craftwork if they were to receive 
the same amount of financial compensation or even a higher 
amount. This highlights the economic opportunity of quilting in 
this community and the value that the quilters place in this craft. 
This research also revealed that the opportunity remains to further 
support the quilters’ income-generating activities. Analyzing the 
gap between income and expenditure at the individual quilter 
level, 40% of quilters reported a cost of living that is higher than 
their monthly household income. Additionally, all the quilters are 
seeking new sales opportunities. In addition to 100% of quilters 
sharing their interest in continuing to generate sales through 
their own shops or directly to friends and customers, 90% are 
interested in sales to museums and galleries and 80% would like 
to collaborate with designers and fashion brands.
33 | The State of the Handworker Economy 
Photo Credit: Stacy k. Allen

34 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
FEATURE: EMBRACING THE SIDE HUSTLE
by Ashia Sheikh Dearweaster
Chief Strategy & Partnerships Officer, Nest
In March 2020, Covid-19 threw our social and economic lives 
into total upheaval. In the immediate wake of global lockdowns, 
an unprecedented number of employees were furloughed from 
what were once considered “stable” 9-to-5 jobs. It was those 
who had “side hustles,” like owning their own Etsy shops or Uber 
Eats drivers, who were able to bring in desperately needed 
income to keep themselves and their families afloat.
The pandemic drove many individuals to start creative 
businesses at a time when more traditional forms of employment 
were unavailable or unable to meet individuals’ health and 
safety concerns or new caretaking responsibilities. According 
to Etsy, 42% of sellers who started their businesses in 2020 did 
so in response to Covid-19. Additionally, half of all sellers cited 
employment-related financial challenges as being the primary 
reason they started their business. 
As a whole, sellers reported their Etsy earnings as an important 
source of income throughout the pandemic. 9 in 10 sellers shared 
that the importance of this income stayed the same or increased, 
and two-thirds reported that their total earnings stayed the same 
or increased during this time.
It’s easy to claim ROI or financial impact from traditional employment 
opportunities as the driving force of community‑focused 
investments, but there is a greater story to be told. There is 
enormous potential for social and economic advancement, as 
well as personal stability when side hustles are embraced and 
investments are made to support them.
What does this overlooked pathway for income generation 
mean for individuals and their families in terms of economics, 
impact, and personal fulfillment? According to the US Census 
Bureau, two of the largest growing industries since the onset of 
*	
Breaux, C., Fernandez, J. & Griffis, B. (2021). Quarterly Services Survey Shows Pandemic’s Economic Impact Varied by Industry During 2020. United States Census Bureau: Not All Industries 
Experienced Declines During the Pandemic
**	
Stankiewicz, K. (2021). Etsy CEO hopes to build more e-commerce market share no matter what happens with Covid. CNBC E-Commerce.
***	 Broda, K. (2022). Gig Economy – The Economic Backbone of the Future? Brodmin Case Studies.
Covid include Courier and Messenger Services as well as Retail 
E-commerce.  * With the rise of direct-to-consumer platforms 
that offer low barriers to entry—like Etsy, Amazon, Instagram 
Shopping, Square, and Shopify—supplemental incomes from 
entrepreneurial side hustles are significant. 
Etsy alone grew full-year revenues by +111% from 2019 to 2020,  ** 
meaning more direct income for Etsy shop owners. Within the 
craft space specifically, more than one-third of makers cite 
revenue from their craft as supplemental, rather than primary, 
income. That supplemental income can be integral to financial 
resiliency as businesses and organizations strive to have 
diversified sources of revenue. 
From a human standpoint, the personal motivation, fulfillment, 
and desire for a side hustle are not to be overlooked. Practically 
they provide tremendous flexibility, which is especially critical 
for women, many of whom have left the traditional workforce 
because of the nimbleness needed to care for children and 
other dependents throughout the pandemic. In the US, 79% 
of full-time independent gig economy workers said they were 
happier when working on their own than at a traditional job  *** and 
that comes as no surprise.
Almost 1 in 2 makers in the Makers United network report their 
income from making to be a supplemental income source. 
Unlike other descriptive variables, this statistic has little to no 
variation across demographic variables such as makers’ gender 
and race, emphasizing the universal and equitable nature of the 
security that supplemental income can provide to all individuals. 
Side hustles provide personal gratification while supporting 
self-determination and mental well-being for those who desire 
to create. They are able to provide much-needed flexibility and 
opportunities during unforeseen social and economic crises 
in ways that more traditional jobs cannot—emphasizing the 
critical need for recognition and philanthropic investments in 
opportunities outside of primary income sources.
Photo Courtesy of Candlessentials | Los Angeles, CA

08 Conclusion
The US artisan, maker, and creative economy is vast—employing millions of individuals across 
the country. While much remains to be known about this ever-evolving sector, the SHE Report: 
US Edition has established a first-of-its-kind benchmark against which its economic growth and 
social advancement may be measured. It also offers a case for greater corporate, philanthropic, 
and governmental investment within this promising sector.
By examining the US maker economy’s demographics, it is 
evident that this sector is not only massive in number, but greatly 
diverse—representing countless gender and racial identities, 
ages, and physical abilities from almost every corner of the 
country. While this diversity is something to be celebrated, it is 
not without its challenges. Historically marginalized makers, such 
as women and people of color, often face significant barriers to 
accessing the resources they need to grow and sustain their 
businesses over time. This remains true in spite of research 
that shows that maker entrepreneurs who have the social and 
economic support they need to succeed create meaningful 
sourcing and employment opportunities within their communities.
Further strengthening the argument for greater investment in the 
creative economy is a growing body of evidence highlighting 
the substantial consumer demand for handmade and/or locally-
made products, the willingness of customers to pay a premium 
for them, and the evolving purchasing habits of consumers 
towards buying local. 
Market demand combined with evidence of the social and 
economic benefits maker entrepreneurs create within their 
communities should compel more private and public sector 
actors to make capital and resource investments in local maker 
hubs. By bringing greater awareness to this sector, meeting 
their business needs in practical ways, and shopping their 
products, we can all take part in elevating the creative economy, 
ensuring that it remains diverse, vibrant, and impactful for many 
generations to come.
35 | The State of the Handworker Economy 
Photo Courtesy of Shana Luther | Brooklyn, NY

36 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
Report Partners
This report has been generously made possible by the support of:
Other contributors include:
Amazon
Etsy
Garment District Alliance
Qurate Retail Group
Tory Burch Foundation
Tracy Reese
Urban Manufacturing Alliance
Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
Photo Courtesy of Lili Arnold Studios | Felton, CA

37 | The State of the Handworker Economy   
@buildanest
Press Contact: Ashley Post
ashley@buildanest.org
For Other Inquiries, please email 
 info@buildanest.org