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Rank: 13
Icon Blue (asi/229398), Los Angeles, CA

Icon Blue is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2018.

Benefits & Perks: Encouraging and flexible management, dedicated and honest co-workers. Charitable initiatives once a month and constant recognition of milestones big and small.

Workspace Highlights: Colorful open spaces with motivating quotes and sayings on the walls.

Creativity takes top billing at colorful and collaborative Icon Blue.

The distributor, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is a true family company. Walter and Bonnie Hill founded it in 1998 as a boutique distributor and in 2012, Walter’s daughter, Eden McClellan, came on board and took over as president and COO.

Brightly hued open spaces encourage collaboration and spur the creative process, and different office sections have cheeky names – like the “True Blue Wall” that displays positive customer feedback and “The Cloud,” a conference room for meetings, celebrations and volleyball breaks.

Leadership at the company knows that happy employees are one of the keys to success. Recognition is a huge part of the culture as a result – both team and individual goals and milestones are celebrated with luncheons and catered food. Even major sales, birthdays, and simply just one employee going above and beyond are all rewarded, whether by bonuses or a party.

That fun and recognition continues out of the office as well. Icon Blue’s annual team-building day is more than just a chance for McClellan to provide a mid-year update and review annual goals. It’s also a time for fun challenges, like bowling or video game competitions, or last year’s two-team scavenger hunt at Dave & Buster’s.

“It’s a time for us to come together and get refocused on our goals, to have some time together outside of the office, and to work on our collaboration skills in a fun environment,” McClellan says. “We enjoy a nice lunch, and we give the staff a gift and a MediaTree (asi/70303) gift card.”

One of the reasons Icon Blue employees love the company so much is because of the open-door policy here that actually works. Aric Bayer, an account executive, says that this makes a huge difference for him in the workplace.

“I don’t have any hesitations or qualms about bringing my ideas, concerns and feedback to management on any matters,” Bayer says. “The ability to candidly convey my thoughts is welcomed, acknowledged, understood and appreciated.”

Everyone supports each other at Icon Blue – employees describe the culture as honest, collaborative, dedicated, fun and just downright fabulous. “From the moment I first walked through the doors, I could feel an immense sense of camaraderie,” says staffer Hayden Pierson. “As a team, we manage not only to reach our goals but to surpass them. It’s my personal belief that the fellowship we have at Icon Blue sets us apart from the rest.”

It’s also a charitable culture. Every month, the team comes together outside of work to participate in at least one volunteer effort. In the past, they’ve helped serve lunches at Midnight Mission, a resource center for the homeless, and worked with the Children’s Institute. Every year, Icon Blue hosts a Salvation Army Angel Tree. “I enjoy working for a company that truly makes the effort to give back to the local community,” marketing coordinator Patrick Mickelson says.

Aric Bayer, Jose Encinas Jr. and Patrick Mickelson know how to celebrate.