Company Culture: Fast-paced, energetic and full of excitement. That’s how Sara Hurtgen, vice president of operations, describes the culture at Gator Garb (asi/202667). The distributor is big on recognition, and employees appreciate feeling valued by both management and their peers, resulting in a culture of mutual respect. The team’s passion for promo spreads throughout the company. “Each person has certain categories or products that they enjoy more than others, so we’re always building our knowledge of products and are able to share that knowledge with others on the team,” says Hurtgen. “Also, each team member wants the other to do well and succeed, so it’s nice to see everyone helping each other out.”

COVID Changes: Before COVID, Gator Garb had already begun discussing a hybrid work policy, so the pandemic proved a perfect opportunity to test it out. The company has found the hybrid work policy – with the office staff in the office three days a week – to be perfect for its team. “The staff enjoy the change of scenery and have been efficient in their work in both places,” says Hurtgen.

Even with people working from home two days a week, “we’ve always had internal events to keep employees engaged and together and COVID hasn’t changed that,” Hurtgen says. These include birthday and anniversary lunches, as well as group outings that this year are being planned by the staff.

Parting Tip: If you’re hiring, “be honest on what the position requires and the skills needed to fill that position,” says Hurtgen. “Using everyone’s connections and networks to spread the word also is helpful. If you have employees who enjoy their job and share that with others, the passion and excitement for the organization is what draws people to find out who you are and what you do.”