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Meet Mari Byrd

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Mail Coordinator and Office Assistant at SpaceLab | Owner of Accessories by Gigi

In November, Mari Byrd joined the team at SpaceLab Detroit to assist with our growing virtual office and mail service. She has quickly become a valuable part of our entire community, helping to nurture our welcoming atmosphere.

Mari Byrd

Mari is an entrepreneur; she owns Accessories by Gigi and is designing and developing a line of high-end handbags. The company’s new website will be live soon. (Ask her about “Full Circle.”). See her discussion with NextOpp Social on Embracing Small Beginnings on the Way to Merchandising Success.

Previously, Mari was Business Liaison for Detroit’s District 2, working with Councilman Roy McCalister, Jr., connecting with and assisting business owners in problem solving, identifying opportunities for capital, talent resources, and business support from various City Departments. Her professional experience also includes managing art galleries at Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion and consulting as an event planner.

New! Content Creation Rooms

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All new! Content Creation Spaces are available in downtown Detroit. Reserve rooms for: podcasting, video interviews, training and online course videos, photo shoots, social media content and more.

Special Introductory Rate for Non-Members of SpaceLab: $50/hour.

SpaceLab Members can include content studios as part of their monthly meeting room booking.

HD webcams, microphones, lighting, black and white backdrops, and green and blue screens are available for use with rental. Camera equipment not yet available for rent.

Contact us at info@spacelabdetroit.com or 313-379-7000 for more information, for a tour, or to book space.

SpaceLab at Work: Meet Madison

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Who’s the new face at SpaceLab. Madison joined us about 6 months ago as a high school intern and Mail Associate. She makes sure all of the mail we receive is sorted and distributed professionally. Madison is organized and very meticulous is her work and is a great addition to the SpaceLab team.

A rising senior in Detroit, Madison says math is her favorite subject, and she is an integral member of her school’s robotics team. Madison joined the team because she wanted to build something. “I wanted (my) creativity to flow on a physical project.” She wasn’t able to participate in robotics when she was in middle school, but was persistent in joining the high school team. She proudly reports that her Renaissance team has participated in state competition and world competitions.

Madison plans to combine her love for robotics and engineering with architecture. Since working at SpaceLab, she’s been introduced to many architects, real estate professionals, and others who’ve given advice and shared experiences that can help her along her career journey. Madison hopes to attend college in California or Florida, and one personal and professional goal is to have a hand in making her parent’s dream come true by designing a new home for them.

Got PPP Questions? Here are a few answers

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SpaceLab’s COO Bobby Burton answers a few FAQs on the SBA-backed Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The deadline to apply has been extended to May 21, 2021.

The questions are being answered based on our company’s experience. Consult with your accountant, banker or the SBA directly to get answers for your individual business.

Who is eligible for PPP?

Any business with 500 or less employees is eligible to file. The Biden administration just opened the program to independent contractors and sole proprietors.

How do I apply?

The primary means to apply is through your business bank. If you don’t have a business bank, the best place to apply is community banks like Level One or First Independence.

How much money can I receive?

The formula that is used is 2.5 times your monthly payroll. If your payroll is $2000, then you will be eligible for $5000 through PPP.

Is PPP a loan program?

It is, but the loan can be forgiven and become a grant. There is a forgiveness process that you must complete. The rules change, so it will depend on the rules when you apply for forgiveness.

Featured photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Get out of the house to a safe workspace environment

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When you need to get away for a web meeting, conference call or just for a quiet space to get work done, SpaceLab Detroit has your flexible office solutions:

Day Passes $20
Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 6 PM

Get a Day Pass

See our safe workspace guidelines: build, create, innovate – safely.

More productivity options:

DeskPass Membership:
12 Day Passes* $200 + Member rates on meeting rooms
*Use one Day Pass per month, all 12 in one month, or any way in between


 Conference Room Rental with cutting-edge tech amenities


Monthly Desk and Private Office Memberships with short-term options

Call (313) 379-7000 or email us for more details. Book a tour.

Female Founders Promo Book

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We’re thrilled to be a part of Rebel Nell’s Female Founders Promo Book – a promotional book in support of Detroit women owned businesses! Enjoy discounts at 35 of your favorite small businesses. With a value of over $500 and discount codes that are valid for one year, what’s not to love!

By purchasing this book and frequenting the establishments included in it, you’re investing in women’s economic empowerment, vibrant communities, and the growth of the overall community in Detroit.

Female Founders Promo Book

The Female Founders Promo Book, curated by Rebel Nell, is a promotional book in support of Detroit women owned small businesses. Included in this promotional book are discounts to over 35 women owned businesses in Detroit. Value: over $500. Discount codes are valid through 02/28/2022. Promo Book: $35 + $2 shipping

$37.00

Promo Books can also be purchased at SpaceLab Detroit (downtown).

Thank you to Amy and Diana, the fabulous female founders of Rebel Nell, for curating this book and inviting SpaceLab to participate. Rebel Nell provides employment, equitable opportunity, and wraparound support for women with barriers to employment. Read more about their artful mission here.

PROMO BOOK PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES

BAGS TO BUTTERFLIES

BEA’S DETROIT

BETTER LIFE BAGS

BLACK GIRL MATHGIC

BON BON BON

BUSTED BRA SHOP

CANINE TO FIVE

CITIZEN YOGA

DBD COLLECTION

DETROIT EXPERIENCE FACTORY

FERNE BOUTIQUE

GOOD NEIGHBOR

HUMANKIND BOX

ILERA APOTHECARY

KAIVI JEWELRY

KANOPI SOCIAL

LIVIN’ FOR MEDIA

LOVE TRAVELS IMPORTS

MARROW

MOTOR CITY WOMAN

NATURALICIOUS

NOT SORRY APPAREL

PIZZAPLEX

QUETARSHE TEXTILES

REBEL NELL

SPACELAB

SWEET POTATO SENSATIONS

TERRI’S CAKES

THE CONGREGATION

THE PEACOCK ROOM

THE ROYCE DETROIT

THE VEGAN MARY

UNFORGETTABLE YOU LLC

UPTON LAW

WELL DONE GOODS

WORK SPACE SPARK

YAMA

Newest Coworkers Design and Power City Buildings

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Welcome Bryant Electrical Contractor and Dokes Design & Architecture to SpaceLab Detroit!

Roland Bryant is founder at Bryant Electrical Contractor and leads the company in a variety of project types. Successful projects include those with the City of Detroit – at Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Belle Isle and Cadillac Square – Eastern Market Corp, Detroit Metro Airport, multifamily residential projects, and health facilities, including the USC Medical Center in Los Angeles.

Dokes Design Architecture is a full-service design firm with a focus on urban building projects. Founder and principal Kimberly Dokes was recently named one of Crain’s Detroit Business’ Notable Women in Design. Damon Dickerson is the company’s Director of Architecture and an adjunct professor at University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture.

Caldwell teaches nonprofit series at Schoolcraft College

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SpaceLab member Orletta Caldwell is founder and CEO of Beyond Existing Enterprises. With 20 years in the nonprofit industry, she’s sharing her expertise through a seven-week series at Schoolcraft College. Courses in the series are:

  • Ethics & the Nonprofit
  • Communications & Marketing for Nonprofits
  • Volunteer Recruitment, Management & Retention
  • Grant Research & Writing
  • Leadership & Governance in Nonprofit Organizations
  • Financial Management for Nonprofits
  • Certificate in Nonprofit Management

Classes begin January 19, 2021. Register on the Schoolcraft website.

Ask the Expert: Branding and Design for Your Business Build-Out

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It’s important to have good team members around you. (Architects and designers) can save you money because of what we know. – Bryan Cook

In this online panel discussion and presentation, branding experts, architects and designers answer business owners’ pressing questions about designing, building out and refreshing their commercial spaces.

Business owners with existing space and those who are in the planning stages pose questions to our panel of experts:

Meaghan Barry, partner and creative director – Unsold Studio (and recently named one of Crain’s Detroit Business’ Notable Women of Design): “With our clients, we talk about a priority list and a wish list. We identify what is the priority – what will make the most impact.”

Naomi Beasley-Porter, architectural designer – NSPIRD Design Studio: “(Designers) can work together to create a style guide so there are minimum standards in place. It pertains to finishes and quality, so the design is consistent throughout.”

Bryan Cook, registered architect – Berardi Partners: “It’s important to have good team members around you. (Architects and designers) can save you money because of what we know.”

Kenneth Crutcher, registered architect – Crutcher Studio: “If you have a budget, we can work with it, but you have to be upfront and honest about what that budget is.”

These experts have designed some of the best known small commercial businesses in Detroit. Watch to get helpful advice and tips before you build.

This program was featured as a 2020 Detroit Month of Design event with Design Core Detroit.