Ingredients for a Best Place to Work: “We believe people make the business, not systems or technology,” says Tom Meissner. They’re telling words for the president of iCoStore (asi/229785), who started the tech-driven company nearly 25 years ago by building on-demand online web stores – long before they were a widespread industry offering.

Employees at iCoStore (asi/229785) benefit from the distributor’s focus on flexibility and balance.

Meissner says the company seeks smart, skilled people and then gives them the autonomy and trust to thrive. “When people have clarity, ownership and support, they take pride in their work and grow with the company,” he says. “Many of our leaders started in entry-level roles and worked their way into management, which speaks to the opportunity and culture we’ve built.” The distributor also uses tools like The Predictive Index, which generates behavioral insights to make sure people are aligned properly for their roles.

Top Benefits & Perks: Beyond competitive pay and benefits like health insurance and 401(k) with company match, the distributor prioritizes flexibility and balance. “We don’t want people missing important family moments like kids’ sports, school events or personal milestones,” Meissner says. Team lunches and company celebrations build camaraderie and reinforce relationships.

Parting Tip: “Culture starts with leadership being intentional,” Meissner says. “Our job as leaders is to create an environment where people want to work and can do their best work. That begins with hiring the right people, clearly defining our core values and making sure everyone understands the company’s direction and purpose.”

If iCoStore Were a Movie, It Would Be Remember the Titans. “Teamwork, trust, accountability and shared ownership,” says Meissner. “Different personalities and skill sets come together, align around a common goal and succeed by supporting one another and pushing each other to be better. That mirrors how we operate every day.”