THE LOOP
Cassidy

Work and Life

After this extra long, super generous Christmas/New Years break, I hope you all are feeling rested, energized and ready to start another huge year for SlideBelts (and personally, as well, of course).

 

The work-life balance that we're afforded here at SlideBelts is awesome. I've worked for companies in the past where we were expected to work the day after Thanksgiving; where I'd work a full 8+ hour day and then have to get home and eat dinner at my computer while I continued to work for another 3 or 4 hours; where I felt I had no time to myself to do anything outside of work...besides do work more. That was miserable. Even still, friends at Nike will send me Snapchats of themselves leaving campus at 10pm during certain times of the year. Now that I know the flip side - that's crazy.

 

I think this long week off was a great opportunity to remember - and appreciate - the importance of a work/life balance that we're incredibly lucky to have here. I think it says a lot about the culture and the type of people that we have, that we just had the kind of record year we did - with 35 hour work weeks, hour-long lunches and an unlimited paid vacation policy. We packed more wins and more productivity into our shortened weeks than some companies will do in a month - and that's something to be hugely proud of.

 

For the companies and CEOs who think more work is the answer to underwhelming results, hopefully companies like ours can be an example of the huge things that can be achieved with motivated employees who are treated well and given the opportunities to live life outside of work - to go on vacations, to have dedicated time with their kids every evening, to not have to spend family time tied to a computer. The resulting joy and happiness that comes from living a full life outside of work shows when those fulfilled employees come into work every morning ready to work hard, knowing that they'll get to play hard, too.

 

We are a prime example of this principle working to perfection, and we'll prove it again in 2017. Let's get it!

 

Navi

Annnd...We Out

Happy Friday!

With the Christmas Holiday upon us and 2016 coming to a close, a big THANK YOU to everyone for all your valuable contributions and dedicated efforts this year. Now it's time to celebrate. Have a wonderful break and enjoy this time with your family and friends. 2017 will be another big year. Looking forward to seeing you all in the New Year! Have fun, be safe!

  

 

Nery

Story Time With Nery

Eyes filled with excitement; as we drive past the poorly constructed barrier, meant to keep intruders out. It was late spring, so the immense white blanket covering all that was visible was a surprise. 
We had heard of this place, rumors mostly. Iron Mountain, an abandoned ski resort ripe for exploration! Recruiting a partner in crime took little convincing and off we were, wandering the El Dorado National Forest. 
We hop out of the car, with little more than sweatshirts and vans, our curious minds getting the best of us. The snow, deep and unforgiving, quickly informed us that we were grossly ill prepared. As the cold continued to set in, we decided to head back. 
As the car began to move, the four wheel drive kept us confident, but the mountain was not done with us. SHUUSHCH, the car sinks into the cold white abyss. . . I step out to assess the damage. . . I lose my mind. 
I run through our supplies: sweatshirts, vans, shovel? Tire chains? No. We are stuck. Did I mention we lost phone signal about 30 miles earlier? I lose my mind a second time. 
In my panic, I ran to the abandoned lodge and proceeded to punch and kick wildly. Then my eyes, red with fear and anger, spot a 2x4. The perfect tool to continue my path of destruction. I paused, letting the panic slowly drain from me. 
"This is our way out" I shout. I grabbed the piece of wood, with a newfound respect for it, and began to fashion what I can only describe as snowshoes for tires. 
Alas, Iron Mountain let us free with cold hands and feet and an interesting story.