Company Culture: Jeff Golumbuk, CEO/founder of Custom Logos (asi/173183), knows that his staff is his most valuable asset, and he works hard to take care of them and recognize their accomplishments. So even though annual reviews were suspended in 2020 due to COVID-related challenges, in 2021 the company handed out 5% minimum cost-of-living raises for everyone on staff and regularly awarded bonuses throughout the year. Respecting employees’ autonomy, listening to their concerns and acknowledging their achievements are also a big part of company culture. “Our company motto sums it up: Have fun, make money,” Golumbuk says. “We’re equally focused and very good at both.”

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Appearances on Best Places to Work

COVID Changes: Though its in-house decoration staff has remained on-site during COVID, admin staff has been working remotely on and off over the past two years, and is currently working a hybrid schedule during omicron. The plan going forward, Golumbuk says, is to give all staff the option to work remotely 20% of the time. Thanks to programs like the Paycheck Protection Program, Golumbuk was able to retain about 90% of his staff in the early days of the pandemic, and the distributor’s current staffing level is actually above pre-pandemic levels. “We’ve done our best to keep things as normal as possible, bringing in lunches, holding company meetings and barbecues when possible,” Golumbuk says. “We even slipped in a raucous holiday party just prior to omicron, where we bought out a country-western bar, had a live band, prizes for best-dressed, dance lessons, an open bar, free Uber service to and from and a sumptuous barbecue buffet.”

Parting Tip: “Don’t shy away from nepotism,” Golumbuk says. “We employ husbands and wives, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, mothers and daughters and a variety of other relations. Despite what most HR professionals may say, we’re strong believers that family, in fact, works well together and helps keep things running smoothly.”