During a trip to Whistler, I had the pleasure of scheduling a visit to Create Makerspace in Squamish and sitting down with the founder of this creative outpost, Oscar Radevsky. In the midst of high-tech tools and creative energy, Oscar shared the inspiring journey behind this vibrant community workshop. From woodworking and metalwork to textiles and pottery, Create Makerspace is fostering a space where local artisans and hobbyists can come together, learn, and thrive.
What is your business called and what does it do?
Create Makerspace is a community workshop for metalwork, woodwork, textiles, pottery, and we also have a CNC router and a laser cutter. We have a core team of 6, with many more instructors, stewards and community members. One of the core team members here named Richard started at the makerspace in East Van as a novice and 7 years later now has a very successful woodworking business, he is doing custom commissions. We are running a lecture series soon to inspire other makers to start businesses here. We’re becoming an incubator for small businesses. Opening this space is good for the local economy, and stimulates economic growth. It’s great to support locals instead of people buying low quality furniture from IKEA. Gentrification is a big force in Squamish right now for better or for worse and community initiatives like Create Makerspace help to ensure that Squamish retains its character and its soul.
What made you want to do this work?
I used to do woodwork in a garage, using low-end hand tools that I bought secondhand, which was pissing off all my housemates and neighbours. Eventually, I became a member of a makerspace instead. I ended up achieving way better results with wooden furniture, and I learned to weld shortly after. On top of that, I got to know the East Van makers’ community. When I moved to Squamish, I lost access to that valuable resource and shortly after that, I started setting up this place. I talked to people and networked with other makers in the area, and it became clear a space was badly needed. In January 2024, we opened.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
To provide the tools and space that are needed for woodworking, metalwork, textiles and soon pottery… this space is for anybody to learn and hone in on a craft, and we all really inspire each other.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
Everyone and anyone who wants to make stuff! We attract a broad group of people, and it has been really nice to see the varying types of people come in and join classes. We have everyone from professional artisans who use the space for their commissions and also complete newbies, so it really plays into the mentoring idea as well. Everyone has the opportunity to learn from and inspire one another.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
We offer memberships, classes, and custom products on the CNC and laser. We sell custom products to local companies such as merch at the Adventure Center gift shop. It’s all very exciting and new, and growing rapidly.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
This is currently the only makerspace in Squamish.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
What do we do differently?
We have a high standard of tuition, all of our instructors are Red Seal-qualified or they are professional teachers. We offer a wide variety of various mediums to learn and hone in on, and that will only get better. On top of the woodwork and metalwork, we offer textiles and soon, we will be offering pottery. We have high-tech machinery and we have the laser and the CNC router, which is definitely hard to get ahold of. We can even do auto work here which opens opportunities for projects such as van conversions, which can lead to doing stuff in the woodshop, some more metalwork, and even changing your brakes. We are even considering taking someone on who can teach auto classes, offering classes like what to look for in a used car.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
Best part: Seeing people discover their passions is rewarding, and just seeing people in an environment where they can be creative. Some epic shit comes out of here sometimes. It’s such a joy to watch. Giving my friends and peers a stage to teach on is amazing, and all the accumulated experiences are building the community that’s quickly coming together in our space.
Worst part: Being a small business owner you have to learn like, ten different professions… I’m the head of accounting, HR, also a professional fabricator on the CNC router, I spend a lot of time quoting things while managing the business. It is just a lot to know and learn. I know I’ll look back on it and be like, wow I learned a lot.
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
I don’t know about a joke, but we have a slogan like “Make it till you make it”.
Where can we follow you?
Instagram, Facebook, or sign up for our newsletter on our website.
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
The Brackendale Art Gallery is brilliant. They recently changed hands from the original owners who built it in the 70s, and the new owners are local Squamish business people who have had successful ventures with a café and climbing gym. Now they’ve renovated the Art Gallery and they’re putting on great programming while supporting the community.
