40 Under 40: Making moves with maker-focused media
Photo / Tara Rice
Kristan Vermeulen’s podcast about makers across the U.S. has hundreds of thousands of total downloads.
Founder and host
“Makers of the USA” Click here to see all 40 Under 40 honorees
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Significant professional accomplishment: My podcast has over 300,000 total downloads as of mid-September, over 8,000 social media followers and over 200,000 unique weekly visits to the website. I’ve also been featured on national television stations, including “Good Morning America,” FOX Business News and local programs like News Center Maine.
Passion project: Because of the podcast’s success and continued growth, I have other items within the business that I’m currently tackling. I’m developing a maker’s directory where my audience can find hundreds of makers throughout the nation with a click of a button, filterable by location, type of business (women-owned, Black-owned, etc.), type of product, considerations like that. I’m also hoping to increase maker markets across the nation that invite makers from across the nation to attend. I’m all about the makers!
Audacious goal: I’m turning my podcast into a national television show, which started when Netflix reached out in August 2021 with interest. Currently there isn’t a show that focuses specifically on makers in this country. I hope to fill this void with a creative program that benefits so many small businesses and communities.
Favorite quote: “We are here to awaken from our illusion of separateness.” — Thích Nhat Hanh
Influential book: “Handcrafted Maine: Art, Life Harvest & Home,” by Katy Kelleher and Greta Rybus
Favorite movies/TV shows: Anthony Bourdain’s “Raw Craft,” Questlove’s “Quest for Craft” and “Into the Wild”
How do you recharge: By playing volleyball every Thursday night in Portland, sailing with friends on the weekends, going on adventures and discovering new places in Maine with my family.
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