Our Story
Zen Space Makers Inc. grew naturally out of the custom carpentry work of Sander Hicks. He has a special mix of business, design, media, and construction experience in New York City. Hicks has been in the trades since 1996, when he was a building super and indie publisher in the LES. He became a licensed contractor in 2013 and has won two awards from the City of New York.
In 2003, Hicks was the founder and Managing Partner of Vox Pop, a successful coffeehouse and community center. He led the growth of that enterprise to a two-million-dollar valuation and produced a notable social impact in the community of central Brooklyn. This experience, and his passion for design, led Sander to launch Zen Carpentry in 2013, which became Zen Space Makers, Inc. in 2016.
Since its inception, Zen Space Makers, Inc. has completed over 800 loft bed and custom furniture projects. We have innovated in the industry by making our design for cubby staircases with doors and drawers. The company has earned 4 stars on Yelp, an “A” grade on Angie’s List, and five stars on Thumbtack.
Founder Sander Hicks is a member of the Zen Studies Society and 15th Street Monthly Meeting, Society of Friends. His page on his carpentry work at Zen monasteries is here. His Dharma name is “Sho-An” “ loosely translates as “hands of peace.” His Zen name was given to him in a jukai ceremony by Roshi Sherri Chayat, Abbot of Dai Bosatsu Zendo.
Update: 2022 Golden Wind Zen retreat new axioms for the company, here.