For the last 11 years we have been driven every day by our purpose: helping independent Makers and small businesses find their people and grow their business. The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting these businesses in an unprecedented way across the US and around the world. We’re connecting with a few of our Makers to elevate their stories and share the challenges they face. With these stories, we hope our community can see the impact of their support and how these businesses are foundational to our society.
Massachusetts-based American Bench Craft is led by Makers and brothers Jason and Chris Angelini. We caught up with Jason, a National Guard reservist with a background in mechanical engineering, to hear how they switched from crafting leather goods to making personal protective equipment, also known as PPE.
When a fellow small business asked for help making masks urgently needed in New York, American Bench Craft worked around the clock to get the job done in time. They haven’t looked back and, despite the current economic downturn, the team has actually expanded to keep up with demand for PPE.
“We’re hoping that we can continue to operate and employ as many as possible in the fight against this.”