Three mornings a week I roll out of bed just before seven. I shuffle past the coffee maker in my kitchen and skip the bowl of cereal because I have a hunch I won’t need either. I throw a warm sweater over my work clothes and pack slippers in my briefcase. Then I get in my car (soon to be my bike) and listen to about 4 minutes of Morning Edition before I score an amazing parking spot and walk about 20 steps to the office door where I am greeted with fresh, organic coffee, a pleasant morning chat and, usually, a fresh baked good. I change out of my dress shoes into my cozy slippers, hang up my coat and revel in the greatness of my life. Why? Because I work at the Green Garage.
A retrofitted Model-T showroom in the heart of Midtown, the Green Garage is arguably the most unique co-working space in Detroit. From the fallen cedar floorboards to the solar-powered, year-round heating system, the Green Garage is a beacon of sustainability and community. My host company, PM Environmental, was generous enough to allow me to work from the Green Garage instead of our office in Berkley so that I could be a part of the innovative atmosphere of both this space and all of downtown Detroit.
The Green Garage opened its doors in the Fall of 2011 after several years of construction and many volunteer hours from community members. The number of businesses in residence grew slowly and deliberately because of the strong emphasis on community at the Green Garage. The Green Garage does not advertise its space, nor does it actively solicit businesses to take up residence. Instead, the leadership fosters a sense of organic growth, rigorously interviewing any prospective community members to make sure that they will fit in with the “triple bottom line” lifestyle.
The “triple bottom line” refers to a business model that focuses not just on profits, but also measures success through the vitality of the community it serves and the health of the environment as a whole. Businesses within the Green Garage have access to a sustainability library, sustainable business lunches, brown bag community discussions and a host of other conversations focused on how sustainability and business intersect.
Beyond the ease of my morning routine, my participation in the Green Garage community over the past few months has been an incredible experience. I have had the opportunity to learn about important topics in sustainable business such as risk and competencies. I have been surrounded by innovative sustainable practices from rooftop gardening to thoughtful refrigeration. But most importantly, I have become a member of a community that supports each other, supports the environment and supports Detroit. And I couldn’t be happier.
