BUFFALO, N.Y. — From the outside, it looks like just another old warehouse in Buffalo's Masten Park neighborhood. But go inside The Foundry on Northampton Street and you'll find a bustling maker-space.
"It's a place of possibilities," said The Foundry's executive director Megan McNally.
McNally is a woodworker by trade, but she started The Foundry 10 years ago to help other struggling entrepreneurs.
"The reality is, it's really hard to run a business and the non-traditional trades as a woman. You get treated differently, and I just really wanted to create a safe space for folks to kind of explore and get into running their own businesses," said McNally. "Having those experiences as a woodworker, I just didn't want other people to experience that. Building together and learning from each other was really organic but then intentional after that."
The Foundry is an incubator for more than 30 businesses, like Paige Williams' custom apparel company called "Made 2 Make It."
She doesn't just get to use the physical workspace, she also gets mentorship, and legal, financial, and networking support. And now she also works there as a youth entrepreneurship pipeline coordinator.
"There are so many amazing, creative people here that just feel you and just keep you inspired and motivated every day," said Williams. "From the moment I walked in here, you can just feel the spirit and the aura of support, camaraderie, collaboration. You never feel like you can't share your ideas like that. No idea is too small here. And I think Megan's created that type of environment to nurture that."
From welding in the metal shop, to 3D printing in the technology lab, to sewing and embroidery in the textile room, and all sorts of equipment in the wood shop, McNally created adult classes and open hours with a pay-what-you-can model, so all of it can be accessible to everyone.
"If I could use one word to describe Megan it would be mastermind. Just to have all the aptitude to put this together and have the vision to excel and carry it out and not only create it as a community for entrepreneurs, but just a community where everyone comes together, just to embrace their uniqueness," said Toni Jones who owns TJ Divine Image, a business with space in The Foundry. Jones also works as a product development assistant at The Foundry.
"When I think about The Foundry, when I think about Megan, I just think about authenticity. You come into this place, you come into this environment, you're free to be yourself. Whether you're creative, whether you're an entrepreneur or whether you're a professional," said Jones.
Students also come to The Foundry for after-school programs. Jadon Buckley, who also goes by Lumiere or Lite, finds mentorship as he tries to bring his designs to life.
"I make a lot of bags currently and I make some of my clothes because there was a point in time where I didn't have enough money to buy clothes. So I knew something I wanted to do is to be able to make my own stuff so I wouldn't have to depend on money or materialistic things," said Buckley. "I hope for one day to be able to perform in my own outfits and just to even show my work in public. It would be a blessing."
Entrepreneurship students can earn a stipend for being at The Foundry, and they also split the profits of the sale of the items they make with The Foundry.
"So they learn full circle, like what it is to run a business, but also how to stand up for themselves and advocate and, you know, dream big," said McNally.
So much of what's made here goes back into the community, like tables and benches for the Central Terminal, bike racks for Slow Roll, doghouses for the SPCA, and 3D printed nightlights for Beds for Buffalo.
Ideas are born at The Foundry, and Megan and her staff help them come to life.
"I think that we're here to kind of say, you could really do anything, what do you want to do? And how do we help you get there?" said McNally.
Although it's a giant warehouse, they've run out of space and are hoping to expand. If you'd like to donate or sponsor or learn about more activities at The Foundry, click here.
A youth showcase will be held June 1, giving the student in the after-school program a time to shine
The steel garden stakes made at The Foundry will be sold at the Massachusetts Avenue Project's Seedlings Sale May 4 and at the Botanical Gardens at the end of June.
You can watch past segments of Selfless Among Us on the WGRZ-TV YouTube Channel