Navigating the world of manufacturing hasn't always been a walk in the park. Factories and sourcing facilities are hard discover, unless you know people in the business or are willing to shell out a huge fee for directory information. Enter Maker's Row — a new attempt at cataloging, organizing and representing the best American manufacturers so designers and entrepreneurs can go from concept to prototype without going overseas or going over budget.

This is the world of Small Empires with Alexis Ohanian, our weekly show where we give you a never-before-seen look at rising New York City startups, offering an inside look at the people behind the companies.