Creators and makers know the importance of space. Space to make a mess, lay out all ideas on the table and grow a small business. In this space, you can do just that. MIX Creative Community opened in March 2023 by a creator/maker/small business owner for creators/makers/small business owners.
Written by Giovanna Zavell, DSMG Contributor
For this creator, running and owning a business based on her craft wasn’t always the way she filled her days. Mindy Carlson, owner of MIX Creative Community and Minderson Press, first had a career in numbers. Growing up in Western Iowa, Mindy went to Iowa State where she majored in finance and accounting. After graduating, she worked as a Certified Public Accountant.
“It’s a funny thing now, being a creative entrepreneur, to say I worked as a CPA,” Mindy says. “My favorite projects in my previous corporate job were the random offshoots because I was able to use my creativity, and they were different from the typical number-based tasks of an accountant.”
After marrying her husband, Brad, the two set off for what Mindy calls a “two year honeymoon in the Netherlands.” Brad’s career brought them the opportunity to live abroad, which is when Mindy was able to reconnect with her creative side. “It was amazing,” Mindy says. “ During that time I did a lot of drawing and painting and took a number of art classes.”
When they returned, Mindy worked at Ephemera, a stationery store in the East Village. Working part time and becoming a mother, Mindy continued to feel the urge to start her own business. After a little over three years, she took the leap.
Hot Off the (Letter) Press
In 2018, Mindy bought her first table-top press and started playing around with it in her basement. As someone who always made her own greeting cards, it was only natural to turn this hobby into a business. And so, Minderson Press was established.
“I started piddling around with the press, making cards mostly for friends or myself, but I knew I could sell my cards,” Mindy says. “I had the retail and business background. It was just a matter of figuring out how and where to sell.”
The cards Mindy creates are simple, clean and modern. They use only one color and a mix of messages for every occasion. Each word or image printed are inspirations from relationships and connections among people. When coming up with a design, Mindy says she thinks about the sentiment first.
“I love thinking about the moments each card would be used for and what people are trying to say to one another when finding the words to say it may be difficult,” Mindy says.
Mindy looked local when it came time to share her cards with the community. She has sold at a number of markets and her cards can be found at Ephemera. As a self taught printer, Mindy quickly mastered her little press and was ready for something bigger. During this same time, fellow printer and owner of The Permanent Collection Letterpress + Design Studio, Sarah McCoy, was downsizing her studio space and selling one of her presses. If you didn’t know, locating a printing press, especially one in good working condition, is no easy task. This opportunity was not one Mindy could pass up.
“I had to have it,” Mindy says. “I knew what kind of care Sarah took of it and finding one is sort of impossible. So we moved it into my garage.”
With a bigger press, Mindy is able to up her production and begin on the next step of growing her business. Wholesale. While you’ll still be able to find Minderson Press cards locally, Mindy wants to expand to stores across the country, focusing on the Midwest to start. To add to this excitement, Mindy relocated her press out of the basement (forklifted, to be exact) and into a new space she hopes other creators can call home.
A Space to Mix
“I knew working out of my garage wasn’t going to work long-term,” Mindy says. “And I knew I didn’t want to have a retail space because I have the printing press. There are some pretty specific requirements when it comes to operating a press inside. So I started scouring all over town for an available commercial space, hoping to find one that would fit.”
It wasn’t just her needs Mindy was looking to meet. She was on the hunt for a space she could open for others to use too. Running her business during the pandemic was isolating. Mindy led a young mother’s group that got together often, but it wasn’t the same as seeing familiar faces in a workplace. She dreamed of bringing people together under one roof.
In July of 2022, the perfect space was found. “I was very picky when it came to finding the right space,” Mindy says. “I didn’t want it to look or feel like an office or retail space. I also wanted it to be centrally located and easily accessible from all sides of town.” A little less than a year later, MIX Creative Community opened its doors.
One of the first things you are greeted with when you walk in the door of MIX are the high ceilings and beams that give off an industrial feel. Shades of green (Mindy’s favorite) add color to the work and common spaces, making it all feel cozy. Unlike other coworking spaces, MIX is dedicated to someone who needs a creative space. Instead of having desks, MIX provides large tables for creators to sprawl out and make a mess.
“I really want this to be a space where people come in with ideas and are able to get them all out using whatever medium they want,” Mindy says. “Bring your ideas and make something out of them. No matter how it’s done, I want them to feel supported in this space.”
Before she even had the idea of opening a community space, Mindy created a name and logo. MIX stands for just that-to mix. Mix color, mix people and mix crafts. “The name came from the idea of mixing people who are doing different things,” Mindy says.
Join the MIX
There are three membership levels you can choose from based on workplace needs. All three levels include access to the common areas, one free event rental, a place to receive mail and packages, and, of course, coffee and snacks.
- Level One includes access to the various coworking spaces. This level is designed for someone who is looking to come hang out, sprawl out at one of the tables, package orders or work on their computer up at the coffee
- Level Two is for creators who have a lot of materials and nowhere to put them. Locked storage spaces can be reserved to keep materials and finished products, in addition to the coworking spaces.
- Level Three is for creators who need just a little bit more space to themselves.Studio spaces are available for reservation to house equipment and materials need to fuel creations.
“I want everyone to know that this space is for them,” Mindy says. “I’m here to operate my business as a member right alongside them. I look forward to connecting and collaborating with more creators as our membership grows.”
Events at MIX
Many creators and entrepreneurs love sharing their craft with the community. That’s why MIX encourages members and non-members to host a workshop or pop up event in the space. Just another way to support small businesses, share skills and grow as a creative community. Be sure to check on MIX socials to sign up for upcoming workshops.
Want more?
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