When the world slowed to a standstill during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Anissa Ferguson’s entrepreneurial drive accelerated. Long before lockdowns, Ferguson was quietly assisting small business owners to sharpen their brands and grow their ventures. But the crisis exposed a deeper need—a need greater than just for business strategy, but for physical space where creativity, commerce, and community could mutually thrive. Close to home.
“I realized people didn’t want to be isolated at their homes, but they also weren’t eager to return to long commutes or rigid corporate offices,” Ferguson recalls. “They wanted a professional space that was both flexible and inspiring, and most importantly, within their own community.”
That insight sparked MakerSpace Offices, which first opened its doors in Fort Washington, Maryland, in 2023. Exactly one year later — on the anniversary of that first launch — Ferguson expanded with a second, in Charles County, a 10,000-square-foot hub in Waldorf.
But MakerSpace Offices is far more than desks and private offices. Ferguson has built what she calls a full-scale ecosystem for entrepreneurs. It’s a place where founders, creatives, and work-from-home professionals can not only work but also access the resources that fuel growth. Inside, members find more than workspace; they tap into a network of other professionals, including attorneys, consultants, trainers, and other specialists who collaborate, exchange ideas, and help each other scale.
Why Charles County?
Though Ferguson lives in Prince George’s County, she saw Charles County as the perfect fit. “This is where people have made their lives,” Ferguson says. “Yet for years, Charles County—like many other surrounding counties—has been overshadowed by Washington, D.C. Entrepreneurs shouldn’t have to leave their community to find the space and support they need.”
By expanding into Waldorf, Ferguson was afforded proximity to home while tapping into a vibrant, growing community. It also allowed her to expand beyond her smaller first site in Fort Washington, where office space filled within it’s first six months.
Plugging Into Resources
From the beginning, Ferguson has tapped into local resources to strengthen MakerSpace Offices and its members. She worked with the Charles County Economic Development Department to offer certification training for small businesses. In 2025, she secured the Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) certification—a move that has already connected MakerSpace Offices to opportunities with county programs and business training initiatives.
The Charles County Chamber of Commerce has also been a key partner. MakerSpace Offices hosted its official ribbon cutting through the Chamber, served as the host site for the Chamber’s inaugural 2025 New Year Mixer, and hosted the on-site monthly trainings for their Small Business Growth Academy.
A Community of Entrepreneurs
Today, MakerSpace Offices in Waldorf hosts a growing community of entrepreneurs organized across three membership tiers: virtual (providing a professional business address), co-working, and private executive suite holders. The community includes everyone from consultants and nonprofits to real estate professionals and creatives.
Business Resources
With roots firmly planted in Waldorf, Ferguson envisions MakerSpace Offices as the go-to destination for Charles County entrepreneurs seeking not just an office, but a community. Future plans include expanding partnerships with Charles County Government and pursuing Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Program certification to further open doors for opportunities.
Two resources mentioned in the blog are Charles County’s Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) Program, which assists small and local businesses in accessing government procurements, and the Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Program, which assists minority and women-owned businesses in the government procurement marketplace. To learn more about those programs and other business resources, visit Business Support on our website.
