Staffing firm moves out of downtown

Staffing firm moves out of downtown

Wyoming-based Management Business Solutions, founded in 2007, is a staffing firm. Courtesy MBS

A staffing firm formerly based downtown has moved — citing the need for more office space and its own parking lot.

Management Business Solutions, or MBS, said yesterday it moved to Wyoming, at 2935 Buchanan Ave. SW, to an 8,200-square-foot building the company purchased from Columbus, Ohio-based Crownover Farms II.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. MBS worked with Cherry Street Partners to broker the deal and obtained financing from Comerica Bank.

The company formerly leased office space in Grand Rapids, at 77 Monroe Center NW, from Hinman.

Moving

Floriza Genautis, MBS owner and founder, estimated the former space was about 1,200 square feet.

The firm’s eight employees and two interns didn’t have enough desk space, and the firm’s planning to grow its staff. Genautis also said the lack of access to affordable and convenient parking was a factor in the decision to move.

“As we increase employees and start hiring…we pay for parking for everyone,” Genautis said.

“It’s gotten a little harder for employees to go to DASH lots, especially in the winter time. It was making it harder to attract talent. It was a small portion of the decision but not entirely.”

She said the decision to leave downtown was not easy.

“We love Grand Rapids, and we wanted to stay there, but there was a shortage of properties available to purchase,” Genautis said. “We looked at downtown, near downtown….I love downtown and being able to be there and be walking distance to clients, festivals, events, but there wasn’t anything available. We needed parking and space.”

Growth

Genautis said one of the most important factors in the decision was the need for room to grow.

“We were looking to have a space that will be able to house 15 to 18 employees,” she said.

Now that the firm has moved, Genautis said she’s “excited” about the new location.

“It’s hard to contain how excited we are to have space to call our own and know we’re going to be able to grow,” she said.

The space

Genautis said MBS will occupy about half of the building, renting the rest to two or three tenants once renovations are finished.

The firm is currently working out of one of the smaller, finished suites in the building and will move to its new office after the build out.

The firm’s suite in the one-story, ranch-style brick building will feature a large reception area, open-plan office space, training rooms, a full kitchen and a conference room connected to an employee lounge that can accommodate up to 30 people for events.

The property also has an attached parking lot with more than 30 spaces.

MBS

Founded in 2007, Management Business Solutions offers staffing services for various clients, such as the City of Grand Rapids, National Guard, Ferris State University and CSM Group.