In 2017, The Atlantic published “The Disappearing Right to Earn a Living.” The article reveals irrational and restrictive licensing regulations that bar aspiring entrepreneurs from competing against larger businesses. In word, the US cultural narrative champions the small business owner, but in deed, the systems in place tell a different story. Social systems and cultural values run contrary to one another, making it difficult for people (particularly POC) with skills to start their own businesses. This reality is mirrored across the world, in Jaipur, India, where culture and society run parallel in their opposition to creatives and artists trying to start small businesses.
Adityendra (Adi) Solanki and Elizabeth Schrock are the founders of The Maker’s Space (TMS). In a city that values professional, white-collar work and pressures women into certain roles, TMS subverts the cultural narrative of Jaipur. We recently interviewed the founders of TMS as they fundraise to complete the construction of their space. Watch their video above, then read the interview to hear their story. The conversation that follows has been edited and condensed.
Questions for The Maker's Space
What is The Maker's Space?The Maker’s Space is a members-only, community focused co-working space in Jaipur, India. We are designed to cater to local and traveling entrepreneurs, freelancers, start-up companies, and creatives who desire to work together in a professional space, yet don’t want to have the ever-increasing overhead costs of a private office.We offer a variety of membership packages to meet the needs of our clients, giving them access to a welcoming and clean, aesthetically pleasing, fully-outfitted work environment. We also provide event space on rent, cross-cultural exposure and the cross-pollination of ideas through collaborative conversation encouraged by the open-concept office floor plan, and opportunities for growth through personal and professional developmental workshops and seminars.The name, The Maker’s Space, is a nod to the Ultimate Maker’s grace and goodness in giving talents and gifts to people. We see His creativity in each person and want to celebrate that in our members. This space is dedicated to Him. Additionally, we want our members to feel a sense of ownership for the space. It is theirs to grow, to use, to invest in. They have a place to call their own, along with their fellow members.
What inspired you to create the space? role do disabled persons share in our culture-making?Elizabeth: The original inspiration came from communications with new friends I was making when I first moved to Jaipur in 2015. When young women get married in this culture, they move in with her new husband’s entire family. Many of these women are not allowed to work outside of the home because they must be available to meet the needs of the family. So, home-based business seems like the only way to fulfill their dreams or have a bit of an escape from what feels like a heavy hand from the new family. Textiles, clothing, and jewelry design seem to be the most popular, but many don’t have the resources they need to succeed and do well in their venture.As I got to know more about these needs, I met more people who desired to follow a dream or passion, but didn’t have the confidence or prior training, and felt the need to help in some way and begin to think about a design studio to encourage new ideas in design.In early 2017, I reconnected with Adi whom I had meet two years prior through a mutual friend. I knew he would have some good insight about this potential project with his experience as a freelance photographer. Our first meeting lasted four hours, and in that time, I realized that the issues I had seen in the lives of young women trying something new were for all freelancers and entrepreneurs in much of India. That meeting helped to form my scattered ideas into a concrete idea for a co-working space, catering to more individuals than just women or designers.
Adi: As a freelance photographer myself, I know the struggles that those who try a self-made business face and I wanted to help Elizabeth bring a space to Jaipur to help people like myself. I believed in the vision that she had and wanted to be a part of bringing dignity back to the individuals who take the risk to follow a passion.Adi, you mentioned that freelancers and entrepreneurs are often deemed “failures” by the society in Jaipur. Can you tell us more about the social expectations for work? Why are freelancers and entrepreneurs deemed failures?Local entrepreneurs, freelancers, start-up companies, and creatives have been ostracized in the community due to their choice in profession. Historically in India, this group of people have been looked down upon by society, including friends and family, for not having a socially acceptable, corporate job, and no office of their own to work from. In the eyes of those around them, freelancers are seen as lazy, rebellious, and lower class individuals who couldn’t make anything good come from their life in the way a doctor, engineer, or lawyer could, and are not serious about providing for their families or other social duties. The amount of risk involved for a creative entrepreneur and freelancer is high, and because of the lack of support and exposure to opportunities, many freelancers and creatives become discouraged and give up, losing much of their potential to the demands of family and society. I left a well-paying job and a lot of opportunity in Australia in 2013 due to a family crisis. I had done a masters program in hospitality and event management and had a bright future in Australia. But, when I came back to India, I immediately fell back to the lowest of the bunch and knew I would be doing tasks I was too qualified to do in the corporate world. I realized very quickly that life was too short to be miserable in work and decided to pursue something that I wanted to do and brought me happiness.As I studied and taught myself photography, my immediate family was supportive, but only as much as they could be. My other relatives were much less supportive and understanding, and I became the focus of jokes. This was hard, but not as discouraging as what I faced from society. In India, art and creativity are not highly valued. So, as a photographer, someone with the stress of capturing important events and editing them well, my clients see very little value in paying me a fair price for what is considered to be a lesser job. I know the frustration freelancers and creatives face in this society, and want to help support them and share my experiences with them. By providing our members at The Maker’s Space a place to work outside of the home, but still allowing them the freedom to work for themselves, we want to bring a sense of dignity to the freelancer and increase the sustainability of their work through community support and training.
How do you envision The Maker’s Space changing the story about success and work in Jaipur?Jaipur has always been a hub for traditional Rajasthani art and design and a widely known and attractive place for international designers. As the age of industry has come, much of the traditional ways of doing art has been lost, and in turn, jobs for artisans have been lost. However, many at the front of a movement to preserve such creativity are local and international creatives, many of whom are looking for community and support as they venture into entrepreneurship in Jaipur for the first time. By working under one roof, our members from various backgrounds will benefit from a network of people and the cross-pollination of ideas through collaborative conversation and developmental resources fostered and provided in the co-working space. It is our goal that the relationships and personal and professional growth developed through The Maker’s Space empowers our members, the freelance and creative entrepreneur community, to excel in business and make a difference in their spheres of influence. The level of our social impact is directly related to the level of personal touch we have with our members and therefore the community. When we directly impact our members, we will indirectly impact those whom they are connected to in life and business. In addition to this, the traditional arts of which Jaipur is known, will have a better chance of surviving if those who are working to save such artistic practices are supported and promoted. This also means more jobs for local artisans and the opportunity to expand the reach of local traditional art into the global markets.
Elizabeth, you expressed a special interest in serving the women of Jaipur. What can you tell us about their situation and how The Maker’s Space intends to enable their work?As we work specifically with women, we hope to encourage their growth by providing them necessary resources and help them gain a sense of ownership for their work and provide a platform from which to launch into the local and global markets. Life for women is hard in a patriarchal society, especially now as Jaipur is in the middle of redefining itself between the traditions of old and the rise of modernity. Women are being educated, but there is still a desire from the older generations for them to not work outside of the home once they are married. Traditionally, once a woman is married, it is her job to cook, clean, and care for her husbands extended family. However, today’s newly married women are finding it hard to submit to that traditional expectation as she has been educated through college or post-college degrees. She finds it hard to leave all of that behind when she has spent so much time, effort, and money on bettering herself through education. Both Adi and I see so much value in young working women, however, we both know Jaipur will not change overnight. We think it is the perfect time for TMS, especially for women. Having a co-working space to slip away to for a few hours each day meets the expectations of both young woman and new in-laws. She can take care of the household yet have the resources she needs to be empowered to follow a passion or dream. She has people who believe in her and support her, and a place to call her own.
The Maker’s Space is a subversive cultural space, providing opportunities for growth and support to cultural outsiders. Do you expect resistance to your space? If so, how will you respond?Adi: I don’t think there will be much active resistance to The Maker’s Space, but there will be many people who will not fully understand the need for it. Because there is not a value for freelancers and creatives in Jaipur, there is not an understanding of their specific and unique needs. We have talked with many people inquiring about office space for a large team of upwards of sixty people. It’s hard for directors of larger companies to understand that we are a community oriented, not cubical “9-5,” kind of business. The best way for people to understand who we are and what we do is to show them photos or bring them into the space and explain the needs of our members and how The Maker’s Space benefits them.
Can you tell us about some of the entrepreneurs and freelance workers you already work with?Currently, we are still in the renovation process of the space, and do not have any signed on members. However, the people who have shown positive interest in future memberships have been mostly local entrepreneurs, freelancers, and a few expat designers who come to India for a few months at a time.We have also been in communication with a two local textile designers who recently did a project on an all-but-lost art form call Jajam, which is all about communities coming together. They came to us asking if we would host an exhibition of the work they have done and help promote this restored traditional art form in the community. It is projects and people like these that excite us for the future of The Maker’s Space and its place in and for the creative community of Jaipur.
What kind of training, workshops, and seminars can members expect in TMS?The vision behind TMS boils down to growing and celebrating the God-given talents and passions in each individual, so everything we do points in that direction, including any training, workshops, seminars, and events. Examples of some of these are trainings on how to write a good business plan, hands-on workshops on local art to help preserve what is nearly lost, seminars on balancing a healthy lifestyle, and events to promote community such as Saturday member’s brunch or open-mic nights. The possibilities to promote personal and professional growth are endless.
Five-years from opening day, how do you imagine Jaipur changing because of TMS? What will Jaipur be with a vibrant creative community?Elizabeth: My goal in the first five years of TMS is simply to help make artistic, God-given passions and talents valued in society and bring a sense of dignity to the creative people in Jaipur.
Adi: I want to see more established people and brands growing together under our roof. Through their success stories, Jaipur will be a more colorful city and people around the world will know it for its creative community.How can people support The Maker’s Space?While we are actively desiring to pioneer a change in identity for the freelance and entrepreneur community in Jaipur and provide the necessary platform for growth and celebration, we are inviting you to join us and make our efforts go even further. We are seeking support through financial contribution in the form of a tax-deductible donation, which would help us finish the current renovations and help us meet our first-year operational expenses goal. Any money raised beyond that will go toward sponsoring memberships for female entrepreneurs who are breaking the mold of what has traditionally been their role in society and are seeking empowerment through entrepreneurship. Training for these women, as well as for locals in creative fields (artists, freelancers, startup companies, etc.), is needed to broaden their worldview and help them to think outside of the traditional box when it comes to growing their business or gaining a presence locally or globally. You would provide them an option close to home which will help them gain a new perspective, open their eyes to see their potential, and collaborate with a supportive community. You can give a tax-deductible donation online through the link on our website, www.themakersspacejaipur.com.
About Elizabeth and Adi
Adityendra (Adi) Solanki
A Rajasthan native and a freelance photographer, Adityendra Solanki has brought a necessary cultural understanding to the co-working concept in Jaipur. His unique perspective has encouraged the growth of the desire The Maker’s Space has to support individuals and teams who may not have support outside of their community. His bachelors and master’s degrees in hospitality technology and management and international tourism have also helped in making The Maker’s Space the best it can be for both local and international members. When you come to an event at TMS, you can be sure that Adi worked diligently to make it happen. Be sure to check out Adi’s other work, too. As someone who values people, culture, and traveling, his work is captivating.
Elizabeth Schrock
The Maker’s Space is the brain child of Elizabeth Schrock. After spending a few years living in India, Elizabeth saw a need in the freelance and creative entrepreneur community in Jaipur for resources and support. The desire to help her friends led to a dream to help the community, and thus, the idea for The Maker’s Space was formed. Elizabeth dabbled in many art forms while growing up in the Unity States, and has a love for all things creative, appreciating the value of each individual and their work. You will find her behind much of the networking and collaboration connections in the co-working space community and curating events to foster community and individual growth.