Change Labs expands with new coworking space in Shiprock, NM
The second location will provide vital resources and support to fuel business growth across the Navajo Nation and beyond
Shiprock, Navajo Nation (NM) — Change Labs, a Native nonprofit dedicated to cultivating entrepreneurship and business growth on the Navajo and Hopi Nations, will open its second entrepreneurship hub in Shiprock, New Mexico, this July. This new “E-ship Hub” represents a bold step forward in the movement to uplift Indigenous entrepreneurs by increasing access to the tools, mentorship and community support—all of which are essential for turning ideas into thriving enterprises.
Located in the heart of the Shiprock community, the new 2,000-square-foot community workspace is designed to be a launchpad for visionaries—a place where creativity, collaboration and innovation converge. Whether someone is building their first business, scaling an existing venture, or thinking about starting a nonprofit, Change Labs offers knowledge, networking opportunities, business workshops, startup loans, growth loans, and business coaching tailored to meet both aspiring and existing entrepreneurs where they are and help them grow.
“Opening the Shiprock E-ship Hub is a huge moment for Change Labs and for our community,” said Heather Fleming (Diné), executive director of Change Labs. “We know how hard it is to start a business out here, because we’ve lived it. This hub is about backing our Native entrepreneurs with the space, support, and belief they deserve. It’s a big step toward making sure our people can build businesses and futures right here at home.”
The new facility, located in the Tse' Bit' A'i Shopping Center, will feature:
1,000 square feet of community workspace with desks and complimentary, reliable high-speed internet
8-person tech-enabled meeting room
Color printing, scanning and large document printing
On-site coaching and business support from experienced staff
Regular workshops and training events covering marketing, finance, loan readiness and business leadership
A resource library with business books, worksheets and tools
Flexible space for hosting community meetings or events
The Shiprock expansion builds on the success of Change Labs’ first coworking space, which opened in Tuba City, Arizona, in June 2023. The flagship location has since become a vital resource, drawing more than 1,000 visitors annually for coworking, workshops, and dynamic community gatherings focused on entrepreneurship and self-determination.
“The Shiprock E-ship Hub represents what’s possible when Native people invest in Native entrepreneurs,” said Jackson Brossy (Diné), Change Labs Board member and former Assistant Administrator at the U.S. Small Business Administration. “Change Labs is showing the Nation—and the country—what it looks like to build from within. This space supports ideas, business growth, and job creation rooted right here in our communities. It’s a model for what we need more of across Indian Country, and I look forward to seeing the fruits of this labor flourish from the seeds planted today.”
A grand opening event, sponsored by Bashas, Wells Fargo and Nusenda Credit Union, is scheduled for Friday, July 18, at the Tse' Bit' A'i Shopping Center, Unit 10. The event will include a business pitch event at 1:00 p.m., a formal ceremony and an open house with opportunities to meet fellow entrepreneurs and community leaders at 4:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
For more information about, please visit www.changelabs.org/shiprock.
