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

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.

Jones Cleaning Group logo

Member News for August 2023

Sat., August 5, 3 PM – 9 PM: CHAMP Community Foundation, Inc,. a non-profit community organization
in partnership with Detroit DREAM Investment Solutions, develops innovative affordable and supportive housing solutions for low-income and special needs populations in Wayne County and metro Detroit. Join them for the Your Future in Tech (YFIT) Block Party! Experience live music, guest speakers, demonstrations, and information sessions, explore career pathways, and more!

Get tickets here


Izzie, LLC participated in the Demo Day Block Party in July, beautifying the Ali Legacy House that is part of a ground up apprenticeship program for young people. See Izzie’s CEO Audra Carson on Fox 2 below.


Damon Dickerson of Dokes Design Architecture continues to move his real estate development project at 16703 E. Warren Avenue forward. The project team conducted a months-long community engagement campaign that asked residents in and surrounding East English Village near their property what food and drink options they’d like to see in the building. Read more on Eater >


Lott3Metz Architecture is celebrating its 22 birthday. Cheers to many more years of success in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and beyond! See more of their work on Instagram>


Have you seen the Midwest’s first 3D printed house? It’s right here in Detroit and was design by Architect Bryan Cook of developArchitecture. The process started inside a warehouse production facility and then was built on site. Read more and then drive by the house at 1444 Sheridan, Detroit >

Lunch and Learn: Interactive Building Code Education

Allegion invites you to participate in one of their most popular programs, Code Jeopardy. The course is delivered in an interactive game format, and discusses ADA requirements, occupancy classification codes, Fire and Life Safety codes, and the hardware that can provide for the needs of an owner while also complying with applicable codes. Course Objectives:
– Identify requirements for accessible openings according to the ADA
– State code requirements for means of egress
– Specify opening products that meet fire code requirements
– Discuss code requirements for electrical hardware products
(1 HSW Continuing Education Hour)

Date: Jan. 31, 2023

Time: 12 noon – 1 pm

Audience: Architects, contractors, builders, interior designers, specifiers, property and facility managers, building owners

Complete 3 short questions to let us know your role in the design and construction industry to get an invitation. Tell us your role in the industry for an invitation >

See more events here >