Company Name: Mosaic Makers Collective
Location: Dallas, Texas
Year Founded: 2018
Website: mosaicmakers.co
When you walk into Mosaic Makers Collective, you don’t just see shelves — you see stories. Founded in 2018 by Katy Sensenig Schilthuis, the Dallas-based collective began as a small experiment in shared retail. It has since grown into a two-location platform representing over 130 women-identifying artisans, as well as a space where creativity and commerce reinforce each other.
Mosaic Makers has been recognized as the 2025 CO—100 Top Honoree in the Champions of Adaptability category, not just for its beautifully crafted goods, but for the way it reduces barriers, expands opportunity, and turns local talent into lasting livelihoods.
Crafting with intent
Mosaic Makers curates jewelry, apparel, paper goods, home décor, gifts, and self-care items — each one small-batch, story-forward, and proudly made by local creatives. Yet the shop’s essence is bigger than its assortment.
“We sell goods handmade by female artisans from Texas, and we also form [a] community and coach them,” explained Schilthuis.
The “makers,” or artisans, sign up to work with the retail collective via a six-month contract. In return, they get 50% of their sales back — no questions asked. A small, transparent monthly fee also covers shared infrastructure like the artisan’s shop portal, coaching, and admin costs. The result is a storefront that doubles as an incubator, designed to shift with its makers, turning adaptability into opportunity.
As artisans experiment, the shop adapts its shelves to reflect what makers are creating and what customers are seeking. House-created lines help stabilize margins and invite collaboration.
“We operate mostly on that consignment product, and then we also mix in our own house collections … like Girl Riot Society, a bold, feminist-forward collection designed by our team,” Schilthuis said.
[Read more: How to Protect Your IP: A Guide for Artists and Creators]
Adaptability in action: A pandemic pivot and opportunity
In early 2020, Mosaic Makers expanded into a new, larger retail space. Their grand opening plans were disrupted by the pandemic, which forced Schilthuis and her team to quickly launch an online storefront.
“That was the first lesson for me in really learning how to adapt, how to pivot, and how to wear your values and make the most of what you believe in,” she told CO—. “Without knowing how to pivot, you can’t survive.”
That sprint rewired the business to find new ways to connect with its customer base. In addition to online sales, Mosaic Makers built out curbside pickup and used its platform to spotlight and support makers virtually until it was able to reopen its doors to the public.
“That season shaped our business permanently,” Schilthuis shared. “It reinforced the power of community and creativity under pressure, and led us to evolve in new ways.”
Since then, Mosaic Makers has opened a second location, expanded into wholesale, launched a mentorship program, and continued to find ways to give back to its maker network.
“Each change we’ve made has been grounded in purpose: to serve, adapt, and uplift — not just for the success of our shop, but for the success of the women artisans who are at the heart of what we do,” said Schilthuis.
That was the first lesson for me in really learning how to adapt, how to pivot, and how to wear your values and make the most of what you believe in. Without knowing how to pivot, you can’t survive.Katy Sensenig Schilthuis, Founder, Mosaic Makers
Growing makers while growing community
Mosaic Makers invests in workshops, one-on-one check-ins, and a consignment-based wholesale program to help its artisans step into larger markets. Digital storytelling — artist bios, consistent product photography, and a lively social presence — connects customers to the hands behind the work and makes every purchase feel personal.
The business has numerous programs that stitch the collective ecosystem together, including:
- RISE: ALAANA Mentorship Academy (with the City of Dallas) pairs four African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native American (ALAANA) high-school students with established ALAANA artists who are making an impact in their local communities.
- Make [Her]Story offers free, practical resources and coaching for aspiring entrepreneurs.
- She Makes podcast helps amplify candid conversations about building creative businesses.
These initiatives deepen confidence, widen networks, and create opportunities for creatives across North Texas and beyond, and the numbers prove it: Since its inception, Mosaic Makers has put more than $1.5 million into the hands of local women artisans.
“Whether customers shop in-store or online, every purchase supports real women, real stories, and a shared mission to build an inclusive creative economy,” said Schilthuis.
[Read more: Grow Your Business Through Mentorship: A Science Entrepreneur's Top Tips]
View the full 2025 CO— 100 List, here.
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