NORTHAMPTON — Western Massachusetts’ makerspace The Sphere Northampton is more than just creative hub — it’s an incubator for the next generation of women and nonbinary visionaries in the Pioneer Valley.
Its mission: to help entrepreneurs reach their full potential, strengthen the community, and boost the local economy while inspiring others.
Co-founders Christina Webster and Megan Allen say there is a growing demand for makerspaces, where fledgling business owners can co-work, share resources and build community in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inside the lab, a former family-owned bakery that has been transformed into an open, versatile, inclusive and aesthetically pleasing space, one might work alongside a roofer, artist, data scientist or food truck vendor. They collaborate or work independently on marble tabletops, in booths or plush couch seating.
“We’re really…