Ingredients for a Best Place to Work: For Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Counselor Power 50 member Lisa Hubbard, the fact that Counselor Top 40 distributor The Vernon Company (asi/351700) is family owned has a huge impact on the day-to-day interactions between employees, leadership, clients and supplier relationships alike. “Vernon’s unique,” she says. “It’s special. It’s like coming home.”

The Vernon Company (asi/351700) team frequently volunteers at Habitat for Humanity builds to put together homes for community members in need.

That manifests differently in different situations. Sometimes, it’s the hugs, tears and dozens of selfies that somehow materialize at national sales meetings. Sometimes, it’s the constantly collaborative nature of the Vernon team, and the knowledge that they’re better together. Sometimes, it’s the company’s focus on giving back through team volunteering with Habitat for Humanity or the scholarship program for employees and their children. Above all, though, Hubbard says, it means having 100% conviction in almost any interaction that your company will do the right thing.

“Being empowered to make a decision and to do the right thing – I think it just resonates,” Hubbard says. “It doesn’t matter what seat you sit in.”

Top Benefits & Perks: Hubbard and the rest of Vernon’s leadership try to offer something unique and fun each week to celebrate the team, whether it’s Super Bowl-themed games or popcorn and pizza to snack on. (Turns out, the entire Vernon team is extremely passionate about the game Left, Right, Center.) When it comes to initiatives like these, or more work-oriented tasks like employee onboarding, Hubbard says the company is the perfect size to ensure every employee is having their needs met. “We’re not so large that you’re just a statistic – but we’re not too small where we don’t have the infrastructure,” Hubbard says. “We can still cater to everyone individually.”

Parting Tip: “It’s all about emotional intelligence,” Hubbard says. “Put yourself in their shoes and listen to understand. And remember, there’s no end-game – it’s a journey.”

If The Vernon Company Were a TV Show, It Would Be Ted Lasso. “It’s a culture of support, kindness and belief in one another,” Hubbard says. “Positivity, teamwork and integrity.”