SPACE Inc. named 101 Best and Brightest Companies to work for in the nation

SPACE, Inc. has been named by The National Association for Business Resources as one of The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the nation.

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For competition identifies and honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in operations and employee enrichment that lead to increased productivity and financial performance. This competition scores potential winners based on regional data of company performance and a set standard across the nation.  This national program celebrates those companies that are making better business, creating richer lives and building a stronger community as a whole.  The Best and Brightest Program honored 437 national winning organizations from across the country out of 2000 nominations. In addition to honoring all national winners, this year a new subcategory was introduced, The Top 101 National Winning Companies.

SPACE Inc. was recognized as one of the highest 101 scoring companies that demonstrated exceptional innovative human resource practices and set high standards for all businesses. The elite categories include: Compensation, Benefits and Employee Development; Recruitment, Selection and Orientation; Employee Achievement and Recognition; Communication and Shared Vision; Diversity and Inclusion; Work-Life Balance; Community Initiatives; Strategic Company Performance and the Best of the Best Businesses.

SPACE is a commercial interior design firm and office furniture dealership that transforms workplaces into beautiful and productive work environments across Michigan and across the nation, the company stated. Founded in Midland in 1995, SPACE has always put employees’ needs at the forefront of their policies, according to the company. It said with a strong focus on innovation, continuous improvement and community engagement, SPACE positively impacts the lives of the SPACE family and the overall community.

“We are thrilled to be recognized as a 101 Best and Brightest Company to Work For in the Nation” said Kathie Fuce-Hobohm, president and CEO. “We have always been highly committed to our clients, our team and the Midland community. It is the way we do business and the right thing to do. Winning national recognition for these core values is an unexpected honor.”

SPACE Anew Community Service Project Goes From Ghastly to Gorgeous!

This week SPACE Inc. donated time and man power to turn an office from ghastly to gorgeous!  An office for the Greater Midland Early Care and Education program housed in the Longview Early Childhood Center was completely transformed.  Greater Midland Early Care and Education is partnered with the Longview ESA to provide wrap around care for children who are enrolled in programs or receive therapy services at the Longview building.  In addition Longview houses Great Start to Readiness Program, Head Start, Early Head Start, WIC, Mid-Michigan Health Pediatric Center and ECSC Preschool.  Children are also provided much needed services and therapies including Physical therapy, Occupational Therapies, Speech services and Applied Behavior Analysis for children on the autism spectrum.

“I want to thank SPACE Inc. and all of the wonderful people who came out and volunteered their time to make my office amazing!  The installers were a joy to work with and I couldn’t ask for anything else in a new office!  It is absolutely stunning!!” – Tai Petrillo, Program Director of Greater Midland Early Care and Education at Longview  “A very special thank you to John Dybas, Jeff Young, Mike Campbell, Paddy Hobohm and Bob Hobohm for volunteering their time to install this office after hours and Kathie Fuce-Hobohm for designing the work surfaces and coordinating the effort. I truly appreciate it!”

Just take a look at the before and after of this unbelievable transformation!

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.