Company Culture: Fairware (asi/191452) prides itself on being clear about its mission of sustainability and ethical sourcing – a message that carries through the entire company, even to the job postings. CEO and co-founder Denise Taschereau says the staff loves the “inclusive, collaborative and supportive company culture.”

“As a company, our team comes together around a shared purpose and ideology to do better for the world,” Taschereau says, “and to encourage each other with a positive and respectful demeanor.” She adds that the distributor truly values diversity, and looks beyond “fit,” which can trap a company into looking and thinking the same. “We look for cultural ‘contribution’ to ensure we bring in team members that add new perspectives to the mix.” 

COVID Changes: Some staff at Fairware are completely remote, while others split their time between working from home and in the Vancouver offices. Those in shipping and logistics are in the offices every day. The company’s daily staff meeting went virtual in 2019 during a renovation and stayed that way during the pandemic. The distributor has sought to offer balance in these difficult times through employee-focused initiatives (such as mental health resources and extending meetings to discuss important topics) along with welcome doses of fun, including outside picnics and half-day Fridays in the summer.

Parting Tip: Articulating your brand and culture is crucial for potential candidates to see if their values and interests are aligned with yours before they apply. “Employees want to feel part of the vision and strategy of your company. Being transparent about the big picture and living your values in the day-to-day operations are two ways you’ll keep your team engaged,” says Taschereau.