Ingredients for a Best Place to Work: At Counselor Top 40 distributor BAMKO (asi/131431), the adage “the people make the place” couldn’t be more true. Content Marketer Laura Hiserodt described the company as extremely “people-first.” In practice? That means clear opportunity for individual members to stand out on their own merits – but also a team culture that supports collaboration, and encouragement to make each day better than the last, together. “People are invested and involved with each other. It’s really about the way we interact on a day-to-day basis,” Hiserodt said. “We’re not a ‘that’s not my job’ kind of company. Everyone jumps in where they’re needed if they can.”

BAMKO (asi/131431) celebrated its 2025 accomplishments and top performers with a “high rollers”-themed extravaganza.

Top Benefits & Perks: Accordingly, investing in those team members is a top priority at BAMKO, whether it’s through recognition initiatives like the company’s annual BAMMY Awards, Slack channels where employees constantly offer shout-outs and share wins, or professional development initiatives and employee groups built on shared interests, offered Stephanie Bass, vice president of global human resources. (Hiserodt, for example, is a huge proponent of the company’s Women in Business forum). Those priorities, in turn, extend to a focus on flexibility – fueled by options like remote work, adjustable hours and summer Fridays – to allow for life outside the workplace. At the end of the day, it’s all built on trust – trust that the team can manage their time and deliver results they’re proud of.

Parting Tip: “Hire great people, be clear about expectations, listen often and act on what you hear,” Bass says. “Culture isn’t built by HR throwing team happy hours – it’s built through daily behavior, consistency and how leaders show up when things are hard.”

If BAMKO Were a TV Show, It Would Be Parks and Recreation. “It’s optimistic, team-driven and full of people who genuinely care about doing meaningful work together,” Bass says, “while still having fun and embracing a little chaos along the way.”