Check It Out: Saint John’s DreamMaker Innovations
SAINT JOHN – Most people have that one project or idea they want to build, yet haven’t got the slightest clue how to get it off the ground.
DreamMaker Innovations in Saint John is a makerspace that wants to help turn those dreams into reality. Whether it’s an entrepreneur trying to create a prototype or a grandfather wanting to make a birdhouse with his grandson, the space aims to offer everything you could need.
“We recognized there needs to be a space in town for people who want to have a place to work,” said DreamMaker Innovations cofounder Shawn McHatten. “It’s not just for business, we are targeting that, but it’s for anyone.”
The space currently features everything from a 3D printer and power tools to sewing machines to tools for robotics. People wanting to use the space purchase memberships, which cost around $40.
“It’s just like going to the gym,” McHatten said. “You join a gym and you get the stair climbers and the treadmills, but instead you get table saws and welders here.”
DreamMaker has also been working with local businesses and schools to have students use the space for training and curriculum work. They also hold special workshops and classes.
“This is a little bit about the cool tools, but really it’s about the people and the interaction between the people,” McHatten said. “That’s what we’re really excited about, getting different people in here with different ideas.”
Besides offering the space and tools, McHatten said DreamMaker also works with other organizations such as Enterprise Saint John, Brilliant Labs, Connexion Works to help provide the other services needed for when someone wants to take their idea to the next level.
“We’re targeting more businesses and bringing people in to actually start their own business. We really see a need for people coming out of community college and they have all these great ideas and all this training but they have no place to go,” he said.
“They can either go work for the large firms or go out west. We want to try and change that mentality and say ‘look, you can stay here and you can start your own businesses.”
The plan is to eventually move into a bigger space and offer more equipment services. In the mean time, you can check out DreamMaker’s current space at 75 Prince William Street below. It’s pretty cool:
