By David L. Snelling
As a cancer survivor, Joy St. Clair, 39, overcame adversity to reach the pinnacle of entrepreneurship.
The Liberty City native is co-founder of Co-Space, a coworking studio in Miami Gardens which helps entrepreneurs achieve their dreams. Some can’t afford their own facilities or rent, so Co-Space offers shared space and ample resources to help their companies thrive. So far, Co-Space accommodates 42 businesses at 17560 N.W. 27th Avenue.
In just three years, she has transformed a modest creative space into a widely recognized brand and cultural hub. “Members love it,” said St. Clair. Co-Space members include realtors, hair and nail salons, non-profit organizations, lawyers, doctors and fitness instructors. “The Black community can be together. They love working around people and feel safe.”
She launched Co-Space after her cancer diagnosis. At the time she accepted her fate but wanted to save up enough money to leave her family. Going into remission altered those plans. “My husband said use the death money to start my own business,” she quipped. “I wanted to do something on my own.”
St. Clair had a vision of starting something unique but didn’t know what it was. “People told me it doesn’t exist so you have to create it,” she said. St. Clair wanted to bring people together and better connect with the Black community. “People started understanding what I was doing,” she said.
During a declining economy, St. Clair said Co-space can help relieve entrepreneurs’ anxiety. “Starting a business during an economic downtown can be scary,” she said. “People are looking to cut costs and Co-Space is the answer.”
With her success, St. Clair offers a roadmap for entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners seeking a similar journey. “I would tell them to, of course, to have an idea and look for problems people are having and solve those problems,” she said. “Identify the problems and focus on them. People will pay you to solve their problems.”
Dr. Karine Melissa, a college professor and president of the Miami-Dade Women Chamber of Commerce, said Co-Space offers a lot of benefits.” Co-Space makes you feel at home that I have never found anywhere else,” said the Miami Gardens resident. “They have a team of people who are very hospitable. They take care of their members and provide great services and anything else we need for our businesses.”
St. Clair’s entrepreneurship spirit and leadership earned her national recognition. But most of all, she’s thrilled to still be alive. “People ask me why I’m so happy,” said St. Clair, who has been in remission for the past 10 years. “I wasn’t ready to die but felt my days were numbered. “Everyday I wake up I’m grateful because I was preparing not to wake up.”
