How does a man go from a radio job to a brand development company to his own enterprise reinventing workspace productivity and helping his clients think outside of the box to improve the work environment?

Mark Henson loved introducing people to new ways of thinking, challenging and stimulating them, and recreating the typical conference room environment. Sometimes this meant dragging around bean bag chairs and transporting extremely expensive furniture to the great outdoors. One thing is for sure- he got better and better results. More and more clients would say “I wish I could work in a place like this!” Realizing how many work environments lack creativity, Mark decided to build a space in 2000 and rent it out so people would have a sanctuary of thinking outside of the box when it comes to their business.

To this day, that space feels new and fresh. The best part is that  Mark gets to make it whatever he wants it to be and gets to play around. The space is anything but static and has expanded seven times since opening. Located in Columbus, across from the hockey arena, Sparkspace is an innovative environment where people can move and be comfortable, breaking down barriers in the process.

Corporate clients rent the space and to conduct workshops, seminars, and executive retreats. It’s also perfect for blowing off steam and doing team building.  Without a background in education or business management, Mak even began to implement their own team building programming. Simply put, he put together things that were fun and that people liked to do. Now Sparkspace is abuzz with public events and team building/development for companies.

Most people underplay ENVIRONMENT, Mark says, especially in smaller businesses and startups. Most people are working on garage sale furniture because of lack of startup capital. A work environment must encourage collaboration and creativity. Behind the scenes should be as strong as the front end of the business. That’s where your people are after all! Bright colors and good lighting don’t seem like worthy investments, but they ARE, and they increase productivity! How is your environment set up to encourage what you want out of your employees and your business? Most offices are horrible places to go to work.

Mark doesn’t have to worry about marketing Sparkspace, because they’re in the business of making people happy. Sparkspace IS, however, moving forward with webinars and live streaming. Technology helps businesses join people wherever they are, and if you’re not threatened by it, it works for you. Creativity is having to fight against the way it has always been done and many people like the status quo. Sparkspace, however, is not opposed to pulling people along.

Also, remember to keep it healthy for increased productivity!

-      - Most people are not operating at their physical peak.

-      - A lot of service people take care of others, not themselves.

-      - Put the oxygen mask on first. Take really good physical and mental care of yourself.

Don’t be paralyzed by fear. Mark has had to learn everything himself, from learning about creating his space, to how to work with contracts.

Don’t be afraid to experiment! Push buttons until stuff works. It is actually really difficult to break things.

Sparkspace and all of its magic can be found on the equally fun website here: www.sparkspace.com

Mark’s long-running blog can be seen here: www.sparknewthinking.com

New programming and ventures can be found here: www.rockstaracademy.biz

You can also follow Sparkspace @sparkspace on Twitter