TXRX Labs — Attraction in Houston

After multiple visits to TXRX, and extremely helpful conversations with the senior staff, I am writing to endorse this organization. Some months ago, I was referred to TXRX by key individuals on the Station Houston team and several client members of that organization. While I initially experienced difficulty in scheduling a visit and conversation, the wait and effect were well worth my while.

On the day I was able to visit, even though the facility was receiving a large group of visitors from an area high school, I was personally met at the door by Mr. Ronnie Devries, TXRX Operations Manager, who proceeded to give me a detailed and extended tour of all the many and varied spaces and core areas, seeded across multiple buildings. Ronnie is affable, knowledgeable and welcoming, and his patter as we toured made this a most enjoyable experience. The facilities spaces, equipment an activities definitely speak to the dedicated "maker community" - both those who are on TXRX staff and the many, varied client members of the extensive organization.

With obvious pride and excitement Mr. Devries shared that this bustling campus was experiencing such phenomenal growth the organization is now in the process of identifying a much larger capacity physical complex, in order to address the growth, expansion of services and diversity of programming. So inspired was I by the community, facilities and team of workers and volunteers of this not-for-profit organization, I was moved to begin introducing others to TXRX, and look forward to availing myself of their services, in future.

A huge "thank you," to the TXRX family for being so welcoming and receptive to exploring the possibilities for collaboration, and to those who first commended this organization to me. Insofar as I am concerned (having only recently relocated to the Houston area), TXRX is exactly the kind of critical infrastructure needed in Houston...really, in any city of this size, in facilitating and inspiring its start-up and maker communities.

Respectfully submitted...

Jonas...

I've been a member here for about a year now, And I must say, this place is awesome. At first, I was a little unsure. I can see why some people might think the staff members are rude. They aren't on purpose, most are just really busy handling tasks for other members or for the organization. Once you spend some time in here, you'll realize just how helpful and knowledgeable the staff is. The tools are good. A lot of the bigger tools are a little bit older, and they have tons of broken tools donated to them that aren't even usable (not their fault), but over time I have seen how well they take care of what they have and trying to always improve. People forget this is a non-profit and not a business. This isn't a place that has all the money in the world to be a perfect organization. I'm not even sure how they financially got this far, but it shows in the work and effort they have put into this place. I've brought several of my friends here to show off whats possible to get things from their head to in their hands. If you like working with your hands, this...

So I have mixed feelings about this place, on one hand it has amazing equipment, though on the other it has a large barrier to entry with expensive monthly payments which don't even cover room training and checkout costs regardless if you already have experience. I volunteered for a short while to help cover membership and because I love makerspaces, although a new lab lead joined and replaced all the lab volunteers with little explanation. I never really felt a community here and heard some hints of internal drama. After that I left and joined a smaller makerspace nearer to me and feel like I have the opportunity to learn and build way more even with less capability at a fraction of the cost and a much better community. I think TX/RX could be great if your willing to pay for the one off classes or use it for a buisness, but I don't think it reaches the average hobbyist like myself very well and needs to build a better...