Business – SpaceLab Detroit

As America Celebrates 250, It’s Time to Ask: What Are We Building?

July 2, 2026July 2, 2026by spacelabdetroitLeave a comment

July 4^th marks the United States’ 250^th birthday. There will be fireworks, parades, fairs, historical reflections, and so, so many conversations about where we’ve been and where we’re going.

As an entrepreneur, I’ve been thinking about a different question:

What are we building that will still matter when America celebrates its 300th birthday?

As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to become consumed by what’s urgent. We chase the next client, the bigger contract, the viral social media post, the latest algorithm, the next quarter.

Those things matter.

But history reminds us that the people who left the greatest mark didn’t just create businesses. They established companies, schools, hospitals, museums, neighborhoods, civic organizations, and places where people could work, learn, gather, and thrive. Their greatest contribution wasn’t simply making a living, it was leaving something behind that continued serving others.

That kind of work doesn’t always make headlines or go viral, but it does shape communities. It strengthens our economy. And it becomes part of the story future generations inherit.

As business owners, we can do the same.

Every company we build can become more than a source of income. It can become a place where careers begin, ideas are nurtured, wealth is created, and communities are strengthened. Every entrepreneur has the chance to contribute to the next chapter of our country’s history.

As someone who has spent my career in architecture, construction, real estate development, and entrepreneurship, I believe we’re all builders—even if we’ve never poured concrete or raised a steel beam.

Whether it’s companies, neighborhoods, wealth, leaders… or hope. The question isn’t whether you’re building something. The question is what you’re building, and who will benefit from it long after you’re gone.

As we approach America’s 250th birthday, perhaps the best way to celebrate isn’t just by looking back. It’s by asking ourselves:

Inspirational quote about creating lasting opportunity over the next century.

What am I building today that will still create opportunity 25, 50, or even 100 years from now?

The next generation won’t inherit our social media feeds. They will inherit the businesses we built, the institutions we strengthened, the neighborhoods we invested in, and the opportunities we created.

That’s a legacy worth celebrating, not just on America’s 250th birthday, but for generations to come.

Karen A.D. Burton

CO-founder, CEO, SpaceLab

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SpaceLab’s COO Bobby Burton Talks Pivoting, Resilience, and Scaling to Two Cities

September 26, 2025September 26, 2025by spacelabdetroitLeave a comment

SpaceLab’s COO Bobby Burton talked with iPostal1 staff about how the company successfully pivoted its coworking business model to achieve resilience and scaling by integrating digital mail services, initially partnering with iPostal1.

“Detroit’s rejuvenation really helped us and our customers,” Bobby says. “Our members are directly involved in rebuilding the city. Every time I walk downtown, I’m amazed by the progress.

Article Summary: Although the business was designed and branded as a design and construction-focused coworking space, the company quickly adopted digital mail as a new, highly profitable revenue stream, a strategic decision that proved to be a lifeline when the COVID-19 pandemic halted the core coworking business. This pivot allowed Spacelab to remain operational and retain customers during mandatory workplace shutdowns.

Leveraging this service, Spacelab was able to confidently scale and expand to a second location in St. Petersburg, Florida, using digital mail as a low-risk entry point to build brand trust and invite mail clients to become future coworking customers, creating a more resilient and geographically diversified enterprise. Read the article on iPostal1’s website.

Meet the Founder: Emmanuel Jones on Scaling His Business from Family Team to NFL Draft Projects

June 20, 2025by spacelabdetroitLeave a comment

At SpaceLab Detroit, our community is made up of innovators, designers, builders, and changemakers who are shaping the future of our cities and industries. Each month, we shine a light on one of our outstanding members — sharing their journey, their passions, and the impact they are making in their fields and communities.

Through these stories, we celebrate the creativity, collaboration, and commitment that make SpaceLab more than just a workspace — it’s a launchpad for big ideas and lasting connections. This month, we’re proud to feature Emmanuel Jones, founder and owner of Jones Cleaning Group .

by Mari Byrd

Emmanuel Jones, founder and CEO of Jones Cleaning Group and member of SpaceLab, recently sat down with Mari Byrd, SpaceLab’s co-community manager, for an interview.

Emmanuel shared how his journey in the cleaning industry began when he worked as a custodian at a local school while in college. Over time, he transitioned into entrepreneurship, initially hiring family, friends, and a small team. Today, Jones Cleaning employs over 20 part-time staff members, including disabled veterans and returning citizens.

Emmanuel Jones

The company frequently receives referrals from both employment agencies and team members.

Emmanuel attributes much of his business growth to word-of-mouth recommendations, networking events, client referrals, and public bidding opportunities. When asked about his ideal contract, he described a manufacturer’s warehouse operating five days a week in a 9-10 story, 30,000 square-foot building, providing about 30 hours of work per week for his team.

Some of the company’s most notable projects have included providing services to the Big House at the University of Michigan, Chrysler Arena, and one of their proudest achievements was assisting with the NFL Draft in 2024 in Detroit. For that event, they hired 82 people over three weeks to handle cleaning before and after the event.

Jones Cleaning Group offers a wide range of services, including carpet cleaning, post-construction/renovation cleaning, window cleaning, tile and grout care, trash removal, debris haul-out, floor stripping and waxing, and more. Emmanuel emphasizes that no job is too big or too small for his team.

Emmanuel is committed to ensuring that all staff are well-trained, held accountable for their tasks, and work in a safe environment. A manager is typically on-site to ensure all tasks are completed according to client specifications. Jones Cleaning Group takes great pride in maintaining high standards of cleanliness, and they prioritize delivering quality service. Jones Cleaning Group is ready to accommodate quick requests, often completing jobs within three days to one week’s notice.