New Business Opportunities for Local Makers
(From Left to Right): MESO Makers Dijenaire Crijuan, owner of DC RingZ, Dorie Horne, owner of Midnite Oils and Tralice Lewis, owner of Callie's Custom Hat Wigs.
Local makers are gaining more visibility and growing their customer bases thanks to a new partnership between Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) and OnPoint Community Credit Union. The micro business incubator, recently renamed MESO Makers Market Empowered by OnPoint, showcases handmade local products from a diverse group of makers from the Portland metro area. With OnPoint’s support, these small businesses can show their products for longer hours to make shopping more convenient.
“This partnership with OnPoint represents more than just a new name for the market,” MESO CEO and Executive Director Cobi Lewis said. “It represents a shared commitment to supporting local talent, providing new opportunities, elevating the maker experience, and celebrating the spirit of entrepreneurship.”
Small and micro businesses are vital to Portland’s economy. According to a Portland Metro Chamber report, small businesses in Multnomah County reached over 25,500 total establishments and micro businesses increased by 10% between 2017-2022. Located at 376 N.E. Sumner St., MESO started the market in 2022 as a place for clients with small businesses to sell handmade items.
In the past, the MESO Makers Market operated monthly with rotating themes and limited hours. This year, the MESO Makers Market Empowered by OnPoint is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11a.m. to 5p.m. The market also has several special events and new opportunities planned for 2024. This past February for example, the market honored Black History Month with a lineup of Black-owned small businesses. Women’s History Month in March featured a roster of women and non binary vendors and their arts-and-crafts-focused small businesses.
“As a community credit union, it’s our responsibility to support local small businesses and the people behind them,” said Rob Stuart, President/CEO, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “We’re proud to work alongside MESO in cultivating a community hub for creativity and entrepreneurship in Portland.”
Community partners like OnPoint have been key to the success of the market since it opened, according to Lewis. In addition to OnPoint’s generous support, MESO partner Prosper Portland made it possible for the market to make a retail space at the Alberta Commons its permanent home.
“With OnPoint Community Credit Union by our side, we’re gearing up to bring the Portland metro area an even more enriched market experience,” Lewis said. If you are a maker in the Portland metro area and are interested in showcasing your products and art at the MESO Makers Market Empowered by OnPoint, visit https://www.mesopdx.org/meso-makers-market.