Recently ranked as one of the Top 5 “Best Places to Work for Millennials,” UrbanBound continues to be recognized as one of the fastest growing startups in Chicago, and it is no coincidence that a company which is scaling so fast is also one of the best places to work. (Ok, I might be a little partial on that one.)
Co-founder Michael Krasman says that, “We almost always hire individuals who have little to no experience because they tend to be the most driven and hungry to learn, grow, and succeed. They also make for a younger and fresher company culture.” And that is exactly what drives UrbanBound’s growth - company culture. Culture can be a tricky thing to establish at a startup. On one hand, employers want to create a relaxed and upbeat environment for their co workers, but on the same token, they want to steer away from creating an environment that’s so laid back to where work is not getting done. This is where co-founders Jeff Ellman and Michael Krasman seem to have things figured out.
Jeff explains that “The bedrock of Urbanbound is our culture. It is something that no other company can replicate and something we take tremendous pride in building day by day. We believe a great culture is caught and not taught.” Take a step into our office on any given day and you’ll see exactly what Jeff is talking about. The atmosphere is extremely collaborative; we are encouraged to use the strengths of individual teams cross-departmentally. This not only makes for a cohesive company that is on the same page with one another, but also brings value to each team as they are able to be of use to their peers.
Members of the team at UrbanBound, whom are 70% GenY, know the boundaries. Jeff and Michael, along with the rest of the leadership team, have made it very clear that the workplace can be fun as long as progress is constantly being made and hard work is evident in the achievement of goals. VP of Marketing Erin Wasson explains that "Based on goals set at the quarter and weekly/monthly scorecards, we manage our team and company through data. Every team member knows what success looks like and has a plan to get there. As a manager, I love stepping out of the way and letting my team run." When you hold employees accountable for specific and agreed upon goals, there is no question about whether or not you are being an effective member of the team. The answer is in the numbers.
When employees love the work they do, they don’t mind putting in the hours, and that is exactly the kind of atmosphere cultivated at UrbanBound: You’ll work hard, but you’ll also enjoy the ride. Member of the Leadership Team Jaime Lindsay explains that “it is incredibly refreshing to lead a team of people who are so young and energetic but down right relentless when it comes to hitting goals and working hard. We set an environment here that has a balance of fun and liveliness on one hand, and high expectations and productivity on the other.”
Motivating your teams is one of the most valuable assets you can give to your employees. Positive and excited attitudes are contagious - many of us have seen it first hand, and I’m sure we’ve seen the effects of the other side of the coin as well. As said by fellow Marketing Team member Mike Armstrong, “It’s definitely work, but it doesn’t always feel like it. We get after it everyday, but everyone gets along and we know how to have a good time.” When you respect the people you work with and truly believe that what you are doing matters, work doesn’t always feel like a hassle. Members at UrbanBound are constantly inspired and motivated by their leaders, which instills belief in the work being put out. You not only develop respect for your managers, but you develop a huge amount of pride in the work that has your name on it. When people want to see something succeed so much, they will do whatever it takes.
Sales Team member Mitchell Munsell says that he likes working at UrbanBound because “The aura of the company is one that you are eager to learn in. Being a newcomer into the professional world, it’s great to know that you are empowered to make your own decisions, but also have the support and guidance of your leaders.” The Leadership Team understands how to let members in their departments run with their ideas while still keeping a loose hold on the reins. Management style is one of the first things a company should establish when laying down the groundwork for culture. Keeping a tight hold on your workers will give you more control, but at the same time, you may be missing out on the creativity and innovativeness that comes out of freedom.
The relationships that the co-founders form with each member of the company is something unlike anything I have ever seen before. As I’m sure many people know all too well, it is nothing unusual to be a part of a company where you rarely see the CEO or members of the Executive Team. They sometimes tend to take on a “big brother” role, and while this may work for some companies, that is not the approach that Jeff and Michael take with their employees. They make a constant effort to have an actual relationship with their employees. They know where each person is at with their projects, which might be difficult to do as a company scales, but for now, it is refreshing as you don’t see that kind of management very often. As said by Susan Kifus, “It’s so great to have leaders who know who I am on a personal level. We’re basically a great, hardworking, dysfunctional family.”
And that’s really the best way to put it - A great, hard working, dysfunctional family.
