Starting any job is nerve-wracking; you’re in the honeymoon phase, so it feels like every step forward is a long-lasting impression on your colleagues. You have the “dumb” questions that you keep to yourself, and you kill time by getting familiar with your employee handbook. If you’re lucky, you already know someone, so the ramp-up period is less lonely. But, for many of us, we’re charting new territory with new faces and with a firehose of information to digest.

When I think about all the jobs I have had, I don’t really remember the work (probably intentionally, lol), but I remember the people I’ve worked with. I remember the friendships that were made in the trenches of god knows what. At Haus, a former DTC Silicon Valley darling and bev brand, I started at the same time as our lead designer, Kelsey. From day one, we were always in sync. While I worked on different parts of the business, I always had Kelsey to complain to, vent to, and/or strategize with. Taking it a step further, one of my colleagues offered me their apartment to stay in while they were away, and I was dealing with the fallout of a breakup (we were living together). That generosity has stayed with me through the years. Those friendships are still strong today. So much of my circle has been output of work.

Even now, when the rubber meets the road, I have a work bestie that I can lean on.

According to Gallup (2024), data showed that having a "best friend" at work has become more important since the start of the pandemic, especially as we navigate in-person and remote environments.

I don’t find that surprising at all. Gallup also notes that work friendships can lead to positive business outcomes. Your friendship is quite literally increasing the bottom line. Gallup reports that connection, and specifically intentional connection, can increase work satisfaction. It makes sense—your friends enhance the environment, encourage you, and it becomes a symbiotic, beneficial relationship.

Luke was the only Customer Success Manager at the time, and he reached out to me right on my first day. We were both noobs, trying to find our way in the exciting world of beehiiv. Luke has always been like a buoy for me. While we might not always have it all figured out, he’s definitely made some workdays a lot smoother. TBH, we’re both smart dumbasses, and what a joy that is.

But, actually, at beehiiv, friendship is (surprisingly?) a cornerstone of our All-Hands meeting.

When people ask me what beehiiv culture is like, it’s kind of hard to explain. But friendship feels like a close sentiment. To put it simply – we’re serious about the work, but unserious about quite literally everything else. At the most recent All-Hands meeting, we reviewed our company goals and shared our first jobs. I quickly learned that child-labor experiences shaped our company’s character (aka worked for our families at a young age). Beyond that, our All-Hands meetings are both productive and incredibly fun. There are at least two memorable All-Hands meetings wired into my brain forever. It might sound strange, but we have a lot of fun at these things. I would say that this is a core component of our success because people like working here. Friendship equals retention!

But, in all honesty, it just creates a chill, safe, and energizing environment. If you have to work, might as well make it fun.

So, to recap:

The best marketing ideas come from marketers who live it.

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