Employee feature: Toren Curtis

Meet Toren Curtis, Business Developer at SPACE, Inc. 

How did your path lead to SPACE?

Coming from an art and interior design background, I’ve worked with residential, commercial and hospitality sectors of the industry, and I found that working with SPACE allows me to gain expertise in workplace design for the Federal Government. This is exciting because it’s an additional way to expand and apply my skill-set. I believe it’s important for one to continue to learn and grow in their career and SPACE allows me to do this!

What are you most proud about throughout your time with SPACE?

I am proud of the innovative ideas and thought leadership, my team and I bring to the table. Being with SPACE, I’m able to think outside the box and be more solution oriented; and this contributes to me building genuine and long-lasting relationships with my clients. 

In your opinion, what is the future of design — and how will SPACE be able to help?

In my eyes, the future of design is sustainability. It’s been a focal point in the industry for quite some time, but there’s been increased awareness over the years and it’s becoming commonplace for companies to have sustainability initiatives. 

SPACE is able to help with this through SPACE anew; which is our furniture exchange program that allows one to reimagine their space using like-new remanufactured furniture. Up to 98% of existing assets are reused, and there’s minimal landfill impact!

Fun facts about Toren:

  • Loves to stay active whether at the gym or playing tennis
  • Repurposes and renovates furniture
  • Reads and writes fantasy fiction
  • Has an interest in astrology and mythology 
  • Is an advocate for self-wellness; meditation, yoga, grounding with nature and sound-baths
  • DESIGN STYLE: My personal design style Transitional. I like combining Traditional with Modern, and touches of Hollywood Regency. I prefer solids over patterns, and my color pallet is monochrome of white and grey. I use plants to add color, texture, and warmth.
  • DESIGN TRENDS THAT NEED “TO GO”: I believe we can do away with furniture of planned obsolescence, and small footprints. Though there’s a market for everyone, I find that furniture keeps getting smaller, less comfortable, and of poor construction. Let’s bring back solid, comfortable, heirloom quality furniture! 

SPACE Inc. approved as first woman-owned small business to provide antimicrobial solution to federal agencies

federal government building at sunset

When Zaneta Puller and Sahar Pena attended a General Service Administration (GSA) small business town hall meeting last spring, they had no idea it would turn into something big. They couldn’t have guessed then that it would lead to a GSA schedule addition making SPACE the only women-owned agency in the U.S. approved to provide an antimicrobial solution for the COVID virus to federal agencies.

SPACE approved to provide SPACE Facility Armor to federal agencies

In 2004, SPACE received its first GSA schedule. It approved us to provide furniture installation and design solutions to federal government offices. Since then, we’ve proudly completed more than 1000 federal projects across the country. 

But the events of last summer have positioned us to provide even more for these customers. 

As the pandemic swept through the U.S. in March 2020, Zaneta Puller, Government Sales Support, and Sahar Pena, Director of Business Development, attended a webinar hosted by GSA. 

GSA expressed interest in expediting certain COVID-19 preventative solutions. The organization promised a speedy review of innovative PPE that could protect government employees—with extra emphasis on women-owned and/or small businesses.

Throughout the spring, we considered how to respond to the great need across the country. We began offering SPACE Facility Armor—which combines a CDC-approved, hospital grade disinfectant with an electrostatically charged application. It prohibits the growth of mildew, bacteria, and viruses on furniture and critical touch surfaces for over two years. 

We were confident that there was a need for this unique combination of science and technology.

And we’re proud to announce that SPACE Facility Armor has been added to our GSA schedule! Through this affordable product, we’re able to play a part in keeping workers safe.

The General Service Administration (GSA) is a government agency that oversees anything related to the operation and construction of federal buildings. Because they control the market of companies approved to provide services to federal agencies, holding a GSA contract is pivotal.

SPACE also is approved to provide sustainable SPACE Anew upcycling services to federal agencies

But that’s not all! We also were approved to add SPACE Anew into our GSA schedule.

In addition to creating healthy workplaces, we’re also mission-driven to pursue sustainable spaces. So, as the opportunity to present innovative solutions to GSA arose, we decided to share our upcycling service, SPACE Anew, as well. 

SPACE Anew is a bold, but simple, idea. It involves upcycling existing office space at 30-50% less cost, with 0% of furniture ending up in the landfill. According to the EPA, every year, the office furniture industry creates 9 million tons of waste. 

When we officially launched SPACE Anew in 2010, we saw a clear need for an alternative and sustainable furniture solution. We’re grateful to now expand this offering to the federal government!

The future of our work and GSA schedule

We’re thrilled to be at the forefront of serving the federal government. One of our core values at SPACE is caring for our community—which involves both people’s safety and the environment’s protection.

Through these groundbreaking GSA schedule additions, we’re now able to provide a full package to our government customers. 

As the government determines how to safely bring employees back into the office, they’re looking for safe solutions like ours. And, since SPACE designs for the future of work, we’re right in step with them—providing sustainable, safe, and affordable services.

“SPACE offers the peace of mind that our employees need to return to the office. Their designers are the best I’ve worked with and they helped find the right contract vehicle.” —SPACE federal government client.

National Receives GEI Seal of Endorsement for Essay, Fold, and Whimsy

National Receives GEI Seal of Endorsement for Essay, Fold, and Whimsy

 

Three National products have earned the Global Educator Institute (GEI) Seal of Endorsement, placing them as among the best teaching products available today. The Essay seating collection, Fold flip/nest table, and Whimsy impromptu seating all received this endorsement based on success in these main categories: Educational Impact, Effectiveness, Design, Durability, Functionality, and Value. The products were tested in classrooms in five school systems. At the end of the six-week evaluation process, teachers provided detailed feedback via GEI’s comprehensive rubric. The GEI endorsement reflects real-world success and places National’s products among the best-designed, most effective products for learning and the learning environment.

To view the official press release, please click HERE

 

To read the complete article from National, please click HERE

Project Spotlight – Health Enhancements Systems, Midland MI

Health Enhancement Systems in Midland, MI  creates “employee wellness competitions that span the globe and engage and inspire — with fun themes, challenging goals, and built-in social connections that dramatically increase participation and success.”  We were honored to help them realize their vision of a perfect office space, and are so truly happy with how this project turned out.  We invite you to tour the NEW Health Enhancement Systems!!

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Thank you to Health Enhancement Systems for being an amazing company to work with and a true asset to our community!!

Could the Future of Your Office Space be Outdoors?

So many ideas are popping up showing the latest outdoor office spaces from around the world.  Some of the most successful US companies are offering these progressive amenities to boost productivity.  Simply put, it makes employees happier.

“Office design is often the silent partner, it influences and nudges us in ways you can’t predict. There are so many things that really impact not only how we interact and collaborate but also our performance.” Leigh Stringer,  author of The Healthy Workplace.

She adds that there is a strong correlation between employee health and productivity, so could this be the right option for your business?  Check out these offices that are promoting health and productivity for their employees.

Outbox in Downtown Silver Spring

Images VIA: Clark W. Day

Sett Studio

images via: settstudio.com

Office Pod by Manuel Villa

images via: cubeme.com

OfficePOD

images via: officepod.co.uk

Garden Studio by in.it.studios

images via: design milk

Michael Hilgers Balcony Desk

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Images VIA: 6sqft.com

Two Men and a Truck – A Michigan Based Woman Owned Business

indexSPACE Inc. would like to spotlight Mary Ellen Sheets, founder of Two Men and a Truck.  Two Men and a Truck is a thriving moving business with more than 1,900 trucks and 300 locations worldwide.  Started right here in Michigan, Mary Ellen’s business is still going strong after 25 years.  Read more about this spirited woman business owner and her journey to the top.

“In 25 years, Mary Ellen Sheets has taken her sons’ small moving business and driven it to an international corporation with more than 1,900 trucks and 300 locations worldwide. After her sons, Brig and Jon Sorber, left for college, the business continued to receive numerous requests so Sheets decided to take it over. She purchased an old moving truck for $350 – the only money she ever invested in the company – and hired two movers. The business grew steadily and Sheets’ entrepreneurial spirit became well known in the Lansing area. Eventually, she quit her state government job (foregoing her retirement) to put 100 percent into her thriving moving business. She awarded the first franchise to her daughter, Melanie Bergeron, a year later. It was located in Atlanta, Ga.

By 1989, Sheets had developed the business into the first and only local moving franchise in the country. Last year, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®/INTERNATIONAL, Inc.’s annual revenue was more than $300 million.

Sheets considers herself fortunate to have all three children actively involved in running the company. Brig Sorber is currently CEO. Melanie Bergeron acts as chair of the board of directors. Jon Sorber is executive vice president.

“When I look back, I can’t believe this all happened,” she says. “I am in shock and so grateful. I definitely think this is the American dream. We live in a wonderful country.” –  twomenandatruck.com

Awards

  • 2006 Ernst & Young International Runner-up Entrepreneur of the Year
  • 2005 Entrepreneur of the Year by the International Franchise Association for her vision and savvy. She was the first woman to earn this award in its 40 year history.
  • 2004 Michigan Women’s Foundation Women of Achievement and Courage Award
  • 2002 Athena Award
  • 1999 Working Women’s 500 Congress
  • 1999 Working Women’s Best Employer Regional Finalist
  • 1998 Blue Chip Award
  • 1995 Michigan Entrepreneur of the Year Award
  • 1994 Top 25 Michigan Business Woman of the Year
  • 1993 Lansing Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year.