M3 Group puts plans in motion to reinvent 19th century church for new headquarters

A full-service branding and publication agency that started out 14 years ago from an in-home office is making a move that will provide more space to a growing staff.
 
In July, the M3 Group purchased a landmark church building on the corner of Seymour Avenue and Saginaw Street with plans to renovate and make the 19^th century structure their 21^st century home. The group's CEO and Founder Tiffany Dowling budgeted $625,000 to reinvent the church's interior, and envisions an open, airy atmosphere that fosters collaboration and creative thinking.
 
"Lots of people might say we could have people work at home and we don't need this adjustment," says Dowling. "But we're a creative group and the type of organization that likes to collaborate and brainstorm. You want people together to make that happen easier."
 
The M3 Group is currently lodged in two offices, located side-by-side in the 600 block of Seymour Avenue. Dowling says she has always had a crush on the 1892 church, and imagined making the structure their next home when the time came.
 
Dowling will expand the 6,800-square foot property by about 1,200-square feet by adding a mezzanine and upgrading the garden level. She is working with REO Town's Studio Intrigue to pull together ideas, including glass walls, modern furnishing, work stations or "pods," a sound booth, photography studio, and event space for clients.
 
Dowling estimates staff will be in their new spaces by March 1. The reinvented interior, Dowling says, provides the company the flexibility to grow from 25 up to 50 employees.
 
"That's aggressive," she acknowledges. "But I want this to be our forever office."
 
Originally founded in 2002 as Motion Marketing and Media, the M3Group offers clients a full array of services that include public relations, communications, brand creation and assessments, graphic design, website development, social media management, video production, audio production, event planning and management, and media planning and buying. The company is also the publisher of three area magazines: Capital Area Women’s Lifestyle Magazine, Greater Lansing Business Monthly and ing Magazine.
 
Source: Tiffany Dowling, Founder and CEO, M3 Group
Writer: Ann Kammerer, News Editor
    
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