Golden Hippo Blog

Comparably's Companies Supporting Women in the Workplace

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 19:00:00 +0000

We were featured in Comparably's article on companies supporting women in the workplace. Read through our responses down below and check out the article here.

What does your company do, especially vs. competitors, to promote gender equity?

With slightly over half of our Hippos identifying as female (52.1%) as of June 2023, there is a significant representation of women within our community. Embracing different gender identities not only promotes equal representation but also enriches the community by incorporating a wide range of perspectives, fostering creativity, and encouraging understanding among members; additionally, this information is made public to candidates via our DEI page on our careers site so applicants can see an accurate representation of our employee breakdown. We’ve also adopted recognition programs such as Women of Impact, where employees can nominate coworkers during Women’s History Month who they feel have made a difference in the workplace. These anonymous nominations are then shared with the employees as well as social media.

What does your company do differently to even the scales for women in the workplace?

Golden Hippo is delighted to share that after conducting a thorough audit over the past two years, we are at nearly 100% pay parity for men and women, and across diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Pay equity means we provide equal pay for comparable work. We evaluated pay equity by analyzing base pay to assess whether employees in similar roles, experience and performance earn equal pay for comparable work. This is an area that we will continue to closely assess and invest in because equality and diversity makes us all stronger.

The Hippo Pod: Christina

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 19:00:00 +0000

In this podcast, Employer Brand and People Experience Manager, Tannum, talks about Golden Hippo’s exciting and unique company culture with the people who know it best. This episode, we spoke with Christina, who has been at Golden Hippo for almost three years and is currently an Associate Copywriter. She even wrote our company video!

Here are some of the highlights of Tannum and Christina’s conversation:

What’s your Golden Hippo story? How did you start your career here?

I have a degree in English; as a kid I wanted to write books. But writing books for a living is really hard to do - I discovered that in my college career. I worked in Accounting for 15 years. During that time, the pandemic hit and like many other people I was ready for a change, so I started applying to writing jobs because that was always the goal. I didn’t get a single response, except for Golden Hippo. It ended up working out, and here I am three years later.

Can you share any memorable moments or achievements that have had a positive impact on your career?

The most fun moment was writing our company video. It was outside the normal work I do, and I had more freedom in what I wrote and our vision for it. It was fun to work with all the other teams and see it all come to life. When we debuted it for the whole company and everyone loved it, it was awesome. I feel like they saw my vision through from beginning to end, and I was so proud of it.

How would you describe our company culture to a candidate who’s interested in working at Golden Hippo?

I came from a pretty toxic workplace, so coming to Golden Hippo was a huge culture shock. My corporate PTSD still sometimes surfaces, but that’s what I think Golden Hippo is: non-corporate. People are really fun and easy to work with. There's a lot of collaboration and teamwork. It's pretty laid back but you can still be professional and accomplish great things. I am 100% remote but I can still feel that culture from here.

What do you find most fulfilling about your current role and career at Golden Hippo?

I write for one of our pet brands. I love animals, so writing for animals and selling products that help pets is a fulfilling thing for me. It connects my work with my passion.

How do you balance work-life responsibilities while maintaining a focus on your career goals?

Golden Hippo is great about work-life balance and very respectful about your personal time. It’s easy to end my working hours when I want them to end. It’s never overwhelming or bleeding into my personal life, and I’ve never felt that my job overshadows my personal life. It’s all about managing my time well so I don’t wake up in the morning already feeling like I’m behind.

What does a typical work day look like? (Remote)

I usually start around 7AM PT by choice. On my team it’s fairly flexible. I start by checking my emails and messages, making sure my campaigns look good, and then I’ll send out some emails to editors for revisions. I’ll then start writing what I need to get done for the day. Starting early helps me stay motivated because I can have my quiet time before people start messaging me. If I need to block out time to write, I’ll pause my Slack notifications, set a short timer, and go for it. Once I’ve done that and it’s all written, I’ll take a look at it and tweak as needed.

Is there a mentor or leader in your career who has positively impacted you that you’d like to give a shoutout to?

It’s hard to pick just one person because I’ve learned from a lot of people here. Something our leadership team imparts on us is to fail fast, which is something I really had to teach myself. It’s okay to fail strategically, basically.

If you could give job seekers one piece of advice, what would it be?

In general, don’t give up. I almost didn't apply for this job because I’d gotten tired of getting rejected. I kept chugging along and it was the one that did reply. Be your authentic self and don’t be nervous. Even in my interviews, it felt like talking to a person. It was friendly and easy to talk to them and learn about the company.

For copywriters, try to think outside the box. Be humble and open to feedback, no matter what your writing background looks like. Be ready to learn new things and possibly unlearn old things. Always be looking for ways to grow your skills - it’s very growth-oriented here.

If you’d like to listen to the full conversation, click here!

To apply for one of our Copywriter positions (or any other available positions), click here!

Comparably's Companies Supporting Parents

Sun, 05 May 2024 21:09:47 +0000

We were featured in Comparably's article on companies supporting working parents. Read through our responses down below and check out the article here.

Tell us how your company supports working parents.

At Golden Hippo, we prioritize supporting working parents by offering a range of flexible options tailored to their needs. Our hybrid and remote work options empower parents to balance professional responsibilities with family commitments. We’re proud to offer a Parental Leave Program as well, providing Hippos with ample time to bond with and care for their growing families. We offer paid parental leave to both Primary Caregivers and Non-Primary Caregivers. But we don’t stop there, we go beyond the basics by providing additional support programs specifically designed to assist parents in navigating their careers while managing familial responsibilities, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all.

Golden Hippo is a Vetster Certified Pet Friendly Workplace!

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 19:00:00 +0000

We're proud to receive the Pet Friendly Workplace™ Certification from Vetster, a recognition that underscores our commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all our employees and their furry companions! Achieving the Pet Friendly Workplace™ Certification is a proud moment for us, as it highlights our efforts to cater to the diverse needs of our employees, both in the office and remotely. We're committed to maintaining a pet-friendly culture that acknowledges and embraces the unique bond between our staff and their pets, wherever they may be working from.

Ready for a career in a company that values pets as much as you do? Our Pet Friendly Workplace™ Certification is a testament to our inclusive culture and commitment to employee satisfaction. Check out our job openings here!

An Intern's Perspective — A Fresh Look at the Golden Hippo Journey

Sun, 12 May 2024 21:29:10 +0000

At Golden Hippo, we're passionate about nurturing the next generation of talent. Through our internship program, we offer current students and recent graduates the opportunity to dive into real-world experiences, fostering growth and igniting their career journeys. Celia’s first-hand experience showcases the journey our interns undergo as they explore and learn within our vibrant workplace.

“My experience at Golden Hippo as an employer branding and people experience intern has been nothing short of inspiring. As a recent graduate, joining Golden Hippo has been an eye-opening experience into the real-world application of my education. From day one, I’ve been encouraged to bring fresh perspectives to the table and embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. The collaborative environment has not only allowed me to expand my skill set but also provided me with opportunities to explore other departments of the company.

Throughout my internship, I’ve had the chance to work on various projects that have allowed me to apply my knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios. Whether it’s collaborating with the team on employer branding initiatives or assisting with other projects to improve both internal and applicant experiences, every task has been a learning opportunity.

What sets Golden Hippo apart is its commitment to maintaining a supportive and inclusive work environment where everyone’s voice is heard and valued. I’ve felt empowered to share my ideas and contribute to meaningful projects, knowing that my input is appreciated. Moreover, the mentorship I’ve received from experienced professionals has been incredibly valuable in guiding my professional development journey. The guidance and feedback has helped me grow both personally and professionally, giving me the confidence to pursue future career endeavors with a solid foundation.

I am filled with gratitude for the experiences and meaningful connections I’ve made. It’s been a transformative journey that has prepared me with the skills, confidence, and passion to pursue my career goals with determination. I look forward to continuing to learn and grow with Golden Hippo as I move forward to the next chapters of my professional journey.”

Comparably's Places Work if You Want To Make the World a Better Place

Tue, 21 May 2024 19:00:00 +0000

We were featured in Comparably's article on places to work if you want to make the world a better place. Read through our responses down below and check out the article here.

Why does your company do to make the world a better place?

At Golden Hippo, we’re committed to making a positive impact on the world through various avenues. Through our charity partnerships, we’ve proudly contributed over $6 million to support causes that uplift communities and foster change – like supplying clean water to those in need or providing cleft lip repair surgeries. Additionally, we develop best-in-class health, wellness, beauty, and pet products, aiming to enhance the lives of our customers and their furry companions and promote their overall well-being and happiness.

What should potential employees know about your culture?

Our culture is defined by its friendly and laid-back vibe, where everyone’s ideas are not just valued but actively sought after. We prioritize innovation and emphasize maintaining a healthy work-life balance to ensure our team members thrive both personally and professionally. Moreover, we regularly host a variety of remote and in-person events to foster connections and celebrate our team’s achievements, underscoring our commitment to building a supportive and inclusive work environment where everyone can excel.

The Hippo Pod: Max

Thu, 16 May 2024 22:09:21 +0000

In this podcast, Sr. Employer Brand and People Experience Manager, Tannum, talks about Golden Hippo’s exciting and unique company culture with the people who know it best. In this episode, we spoke with Max, who has been at Golden Hippo for 2 years and is currently a Sr. Manager, Facebook Ads.

Here are some of the highlights of Tannum and Max’s conversation:

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m from Ukraine, and growing up I developed this American Dream of being a successful, self-made business owner. Early on in my career, I went into business development. In 2016, I moved to Silicon Valley to surround myself with entrepreneurs hoping that they’d inspire me with ideas for my own business. I quickly realized that B2B sales techniques were not as effective as they wanted it to be, so I started looking for more efficient ways for them to grow. I came across a meetup with a guy talking about Facebook Ads which I knew nothing about. I was completely mind blown and saw a lot of opportunity in it, so I decided that’s what I wanted to do.

What’s your Golden Hippo story? How did you start your career here?

One of the Golden Hippo recruiters reached out to me on LinkedIn to see if I’d be interested in helping them develop their internal Facebook Media Buying team. I had never heard of Golden Hippo prior to that and I was pretty surprised that Golden Hippo is one of the biggest players in this industry, so that caught my attention. I think primary drivers were the scale at which Golden Hippo is operating, and the fact that I‘d be able to work side by side with some world class digital marketers.

You’re hiring remote Facebook Ads Specialists and Youtube Ads Specialists. Can you talk through the skills and qualifications you're looking for in an ideal candidate?

One of the top things is experience working with higher budgets, something in the realm of $30,000+ in daily ad spend, and experience scaling products and offers from $0 to around that budget. We are requiring the person to have analytical skills, great communication skills or experience working across different teams. We are paying a lot of attention to the ability to understand what kind of creative converts on each platform, and helping creative teams to build it. A personal value we’re looking for is someone hungry for results. Golden Hippo is very performance-driven, and our team is not different.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

Each day is different and probably half of my time I’m spending on calls for different initiatives. I’m starting my day by logging into my task managers and checking results. I do this on a daily basis, and probably an hourly basis to optimize campaigns. My main responsibility is supporting my team and making an environment for them to succeed. Based on that, my second responsibility is trying to drive different initiatives or different tests. The third thing right now would be hiring.

How do you stay motivated and inspired with your work?

I think it’s the way I was raised in eastern Europe - my parents gave me really high standards to strive for and I feel like I’m still pursuing that American Dream. I’m driven the most by seeing results, and seeing results accomplished by my team members.

How would you describe your management style?

My management style is adaptive. I’m trying to adjust to our specific Media Buyers’ needs. I feel that one of my responsibilities is creating an environment for them to succeed. I also believe that there is no reason behind hiring smart people and micromanaging them. Usually when we hire new Media Buyers, I’m making sure that the person understands the way the company operates as well as our media buying strategies and tactics. After that process, it’s almost a requirement for the person to try something new and bring something new to the team. As long as you're able to generate results, that’s what counts.

How would you describe our company culture to a candidate who’s interested in working at Golden Hippo?

We are somewhere in between a well-established big company and a startup. We are operating in an industry that is constantly changing with a need to adapt. This is the perfect environment for someone who is performance-driven and wants to see results. The company does a really good job taking care of employees with their benefits, work-life balance, and ability to work remotely.

If you’d like to listen to the full conversation, click here!

To apply for the remote Facebook and Youtube Ads Specialist positions Max is hiring for (or any other available positions), click here!

From Intern to Full-Time: Mia's Golden Hippo Journey

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 17:17:56 +0000

We recently welcomed back Mia to the Golden Hippo team! Mia started as an intern while in school and returned to us as a full-time employee. Her journey is a testament to our stellar culture and reputation as an employer of choice. Read more about her story below:

When did you start as an intern at Golden Hippo? What was your title?

I became the Product Development Intern during the Summer of 2022.

What brought you back to Golden Hippo as a full-time employee? What is your new position?

I graduated from FIDM in 2023 with a degree in Beauty Marketing and Product Development and knew I wanted a job in the Product Development field. I was applying to other positions at various companies, but because of the great experience I had at Golden Hippo during my internship, I was holding out for a position to open up here. The kind of work being done, the great company culture, and all of the amazing people I met during my internship really cemented that. Thankfully, I have been hired as the Product Development Coordinator full-time and get to be part of this amazing team and company again!

How has your experience been since returning?

My experience since returning has been great! Because of my previous experience as an intern, I’m already kind of familiar with aspects of how the company operates and the culture here, which has made for a smoother start for me. There are both new and familiar faces on the Product Development team and everyone has been really nice and helpful. I am super excited to be working here again!

To view our open positions, click here!

The Hippo Pod: Adam

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 18:08:43 +0000

In this podcast, Sr. Employer Brand and People Experience Manager, Tannum, talks about Golden Hippo’s exciting and unique company culture with the people who know it best. This episode, we spoke with Adam, who has been at Golden Hippo for almost 10 years and is currently our Chief Marketing Officer.

Here are some of the highlights of Tannum and Adam’s conversation:

Can you walk us through your journey within Golden Hippo, from your early days to becoming our Chief Marketing Officer?

My friend Ethan and I started writing screenplays together after college. I retired from writing after a writer’s strike and ended up leaving LA for a long time. The month before I got hired at Golden Hippo, I was living in a tent on a farm in Hawaii. I reached out to Ethan who was still in LA, who told me he was working at Golden Hippo and thought it would be a good opportunity for me. I got hired as an e-mail writer without having done copywriting before. There were 30 people at the company at the time. I was coming from such a weird place of not knowing what I was doing and I was just grateful; it put me in a mindset where I was super humble and happy to be wanted somewhere.

Can you walk me through a brief overview of the history of Golden Hippo? How has the culture evolved since you first started?

When I started, it kind of felt like the Wild West. There was so much open land to claim. The low-hanging fruit had already been grabbed, but there was so much more to explore. Within the larger industry, I still feel like it’s the Wild West - if you just look at the last few months with AI and how much departmentally it’s sprinkling in.The good thing about Golden Hippo is that we’ve recently been hiring from other companies in our space that are shrinking. Because we’ve been so successful, there’s always new brands that require new teams and leadership. It never ends, and even though at 30 people it looked different, that spirit is still alive and well. One note I give to us is to always blend that the right way. We have to remember that new people might be coming from traditional spaces and might not understand that they can grow outside of their role.

What do you believe sets Golden Hippo apart from other direct-to-consumer marketing companies in terms of company culture and overall strategy?

We are all in-house; we don’t get hired to work on other people’s brands, we work on our own brands. We’re also an employee-owned company through our ESOP which is great. All of us being in house really lends itself to collaboration. I’m in awe of many of our competitors - they all seem to do it a different way. What Golden Hippo has leaned into is long-form copy and educational storytelling. When I approach a new product, the two most important things the video must be is educational and entertaining. I don’t think of it as persuasion, I think these brands and products speak for themselves if you’re informative.

In what ways do you collaborate with other departments, such as product development or customer service, to ensure alignment in our overall approach to customer experience?

Since the pandemic, most people are hybrid or remote. When we were smaller and everyone knew each other, the collaboration was natural. Now, some of that has been lost because the company is larger and we’re spread out. As much as possible, I would recommend not to silo yourself. You want to have a feel for what’s going on. Some people take on more of an individual contributor role, but if you understand what other people are doing, that’s valuable. Naturally you want to work with people who are good, but you only know which people would be great to work with on a project if you are familiar with them. Jobs are more fun when you work with people you like, and you respect the quality of their work.

What do you envision for the future of Golden Hippo?

We talk about it every day. Without getting too specific, we want to break out into new categories. I’m working on a few new brands now which keeps me excited to come in. I don’t think we should be hypercompetitive; if you are happy and relaxed, you will naturally grow. On the individual side, people growing into leaders and achieving their dreams.

What advice would you give to aspiring marketers looking to make an impact in the direct-to-consumer industry? And specifically those who are trying to get their foot in the door at Golden Hippo?

Cutting through the applicant pool is applying to the right role and being overqualified for the right role. One of the luxuries for Golden Hippo is that we’re taking the best. In a more general sense if you’re getting into marketing here: be a sponge. If you can present successes that you’ve had, that’s shorthand. The resume can only say so much. When I do an interview with someone, they have to be prepared to explain your successes. Explaining your impact on that success is so valuable. You might have 5 years of experience doing marketing at another company, but it’s not what we do. You have to get good at doing things the way they’re done here, and after you’ve proven that, you can start coloring outside the lines from a position of strength having already had success.

If you’d like to listen to the full conversation, click here!

Golden Hippo's Newest Comparably Award

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 19:00:00 +0000

Golden Hippo is thrilled to share that we've clinched another prestigious Comparably award! We're honored to be acknowledged for Best Company Leadership, which is awarded based on sentiment feedback on how employees rated our CEO, leadership team, and direct managers. This award would not be possible without our exceptional team members, whose dedication and hard work drive us forward each and every day!

To view our open positions, click here.

The Hippo Pod: Boh

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 19:00:00 +0000

In this podcast, Sr. Employer Brand and People Experience Manager, Tannum, talks about Golden Hippo’s exciting and unique company culture with the people who know it best. In this episode, we spoke with Boh, who has been at Golden Hippo for a little over 1 year and is currently a Manager/Sr. Producer, Ad Creative.

Here are some of the highlights of Tannum and Boh’s conversation:

What’s your Golden Hippo story? How did you start your career here?

My background before Golden HIppo was mostly freelance; I was heavy into creating and directing my own UGC content before I came to the company. I had several clients, a business I built during Covid, and was really busy. I really enjoyed it, but I also wanted to look for a full-time corporate job for a few reasons. I wanted to grow and learn from this environment - getting to work with a team, have more resources at my disposal, and collaborating. I came to Golden Hippo through LinkedIn - I was looking for agency jobs and a lot of companies at the time were specifically hiring content creators. The listing stood out to me because it was looking for someone with more than just content creator experience. It looked very intriguing, so I applied.

What is your team’s dynamic like? How do you all work together?

We have a lovely team that has been growing. It started fairly small and now we’re up to over 30 people. It’s not as big as it sounds because we are working on various offers and brands, so you have a smaller group of people that you’re working with regularly. I know everyone on the team and have worked with everyone, and it’s a really great, positive, communication-oriented team. Everyone seems happy to be here and they show it through their Slack communications, meetings, and when we go into the office. Everyone has unique personalities, and it makes for a very fun, unique team.

How do you balance work-life responsibilities while maintaining a focus on your career goals?

I work 9 to 5 for the most part. I think there’s a healthy balance of being able to close your computer at the end of the day. When you’re shooting, things can be a little more intensive, but there’s definitely a healthy flow from shoot time and more relaxing days.

What does a typical work day look like? (Remote)

It’s all over the place, but storytellers are always in a cycle of ideating, executing, and seeing it through post-production. A typical day could be spending time on TikTok and Instagram doing market research and scouring the internet for original angle ideas. The next step of that process is really scripting the idea; that can be anything from writing a full script or writing interview questions. It really just depends on the content and format that we’re going to execute. Our team is very high output, so we move quickly and get a lot of ideas out there fast. Personally I thrive in that environment because I have a lot of ideas and I like to just get them all done.

What is your management style like?

I am hands-on in the beginning, making sure someone feels they have all the tools at their disposal. I like to give people projects right away to have something to do and give them the opportunity to showcase their ideas as early as possible. I think that helps you learn - that’s always how I’ve learned. I’m heavy on positive feedback and telling people what they're good at.

What makes Golden Hippo stand out as an employer?

Golden Hippo is a unique place because people get to be themselves. It’s relaxed in the ways that it should be, and we’re professional where we need to be. For creatives, it’s great having it be a hybrid role. I love being able to be in the comfort of my own home when I’m writing and coming up with ideas. You also get to go into the office and communicate with people. It’s such a great balance. The benefits are unbelievable. Everyone says great things about the benefits here, and it’s one of the great things about this job.

If you’d like to listen to the full conversation, click here!

Comparably's Companies Promoting Healthy Work/Life Balance

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 17:39:32 +0000

We were featured in Comparably's article on companies promoting healthy work/life balance. Read through our responses down below and check out the article here.

What is your company doing to help employees achieve work life balance?

At Golden Hippo, we prioritize the well-being of our employees by offering flexible work arrangements, including remote & hybrid work options for most positions. Additionally, we provide resources such as virtual yoga & meditation classes, mental health support, and employee assistance programs to promote a healthy work-life balance. Our goal is to create an environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally.

Why is this important to your company?

We deeply value the holistic well-being of our employees. A healthy work-life balance is essential because it promotes mental and physical wellness, allowing our team members to perform at their best. By prioritizing this balance, we cultivate a positive and supportive work culture where individuals can thrive both personally and professionally. Ultimately, this approach not only benefits our employees but also contributes to the long-term success and sustainability of our company.

Comparably's Companies Supporting Strong, Unique Mentorship Programs

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 19:00:00 +0000

We were featured in Comparably's article on companies supporting strong, unique mentorship programs. Read through our responses down below and check out the article here.

What are the key benefits, and differentiators, of your mentorship programs?

We have a dedicated team that develops and nurtures our unique mentorship programs, covering everything from onboarding to long-term career guidance. What sets our programs apart is the meticulous curation by our team, who craft and mold each program with care. Our Mentorship Program offers personalized mentorship tailored to employees’ career goals, providing targeted guidance and support. Mentors and mentees are hand-selected based on their professional expertise and alignment with the program’s objectives, ensuring a successful pairing. Additionally, our “Hippo Buddy” program helps new employees navigate their first few weeks at Golden Hippo. Each new hire is paired with a seasoned employee who offers guidance through our unique company culture, as well as personal and professional support. After each mentorship cycle, our team conducts surveys and feedback sessions to continuously improve our programs. This dedication and personalized approach make our mentorship initiatives exceptional.

How does it benefit your company to offer substantial mentorship?

Offering robust mentorship programs is beneficial to us at Golden Hippo because it fosters employee growth and development, which enhances overall productivity and innovation. It also helps in retaining top talent, as our employees feel supported and valued, leading to higher job satisfaction and loyalty. Our mentorship programs create a strong organizational culture because employees feel valued and supported in their professional growth, ultimately contributing to our long-term success.

The Hippo Pod: Lauren

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 15:59:16 +0000

In this podcast, Sr. Employer Brand and People Experience Manager, Tannum, talks about Golden Hippo’s exciting and unique company culture with the people who know it best. This episode, we spoke with Lauren, who has been at Golden Hippo for 6 months as a Senior TA Partner.

Here are some of the highlights of Tannum and Lauren’s conversation:

What is your career journey? How did you get into recruiting?

I did not seek out recruiting, it happened by accident. I went to school for Criminology & Criminal Justice. I was living in the DC area and wanted to catch bad guys. I was fortunate enough to get a government job with the Department of Homeland Security and did that work for about 3 years as a Research Specialist. It was interesting, but it admittedly was not fulfilling. When my life picked me up and moved me to LA, I needed to figure out what I would do now. When I started applying to jobs, I was focused on entry-level HR and Talent jobs. I was on the job market for about 6 months and looking back, a lot of that experience really shaped how I approach recruiting today. About 6 months later, I landed a role with a local video game company. I found myself working for 6 months as a contractor there, and was eventually hired full time.

What do you find most fulfilling about your current role at Golden Hippo?

I love being able to see a process from end to end. The cherry on top is being able to help someone find their next opportunity. Also, being able to impact that process, provide a great experience for candidates, and operate on behalf of a great company is one of the many fulfilling parts of recruiting for Golden Hippo.

What specific elements make a resume stand out to you, and what consistent traits do you see in top talent that ultimately get hired?

Do the best you can do to align your experience via your resume to the job opening. I know it sounds cliche and it’s a lot of work, but the way I think about it is that your lifetime of career experience is so much more than one page, so using all of the projects that you’ve done and using the resume to cherry pick those accomplishments will really set you apart. That level of alignment is so important in this job market.

Are people actually reading our cover letters?

Yes, we are. I like to see a cover letter, I really like to see a cover letter if you’re applying to a role related to writing. If you are going to opt into writing a cover letter, really use it as an opportunity to explain maybe a career pivot or a gap in your resume, or use it as a way to make a connection to the brand. It really should not be a recap of your resume. A few sentences that make you feel connected to the brand or role or to fill in some gaps in your story is really what the cover letter should be used for. That being said, the cover letter is a prime place for candidates to slip up if they forget to update the title or the company name.

What are some things that recent hires at Golden Hippo have done that stood out during the hiring process?

I get really excited when candidates are also excited and engaged in the conversations. Doing your homework about the company - I talk to candidates all the time who mention listening to the podcast - and learning more about our brands. As best as you can, be engaged and responsive in the process. We will chase you down, but it’s much more exciting when we can move things quickly. Sharing your excitement on the role, doing your homework on us, and being responsive.

Postings say apply even if you don’t hit every qualification. Is a lack of a degree an instant no?

No, it is not. We love to see relevant experience. If your path in life did not hit a degree but you’ve had years of experience to be effective in the role, we want to talk to you.

Can you share some common ‘red flags’ that would definitely disqualify a candidate from being hired at Golden Hippo?

There are many reasons that candidates don’t work out. The only ‘red flag’ from my perspective is if a candidate is rude. The best advice I can give is to be nice to the Talent Acquisition team, your coordinator, and your interviewers. We’ve all had a not-so-great experience in a job, but talking poorly about your previous employer is not a great look.

Any parting advice for candidates you’d like to share?

Update your resume, whether it’s for one of our jobs or somewhere else. Really use that resume to be that highlight reel for yourself as it pertains to the job you’re interested in. Recruiters are active on LinkedIn and we’re navigating a lot of InMails. If you’d like to connect, I’d like to reiterate that I don’t work on every role here. A connection is great, but use it more as an opportunity to put up the beacon. In terms of asking specific questions or a few minutes to talk about the opportunity, it’s not really something anyone on our team has the bandwidth to do.

What do you think makes Golden Hippo stand out as a place to work?

We really care about our employees here. We have an amazing benefits package. It really fosters an environment to share and implement ideas. Because we're not overly corporate, it allows us to share those ideas from everybody and see results faster. And we have a great infrastructure to support those ideas.

If you’d like to listen to the full conversation, click here!

Golden Hippo's Newest Comparably Awards

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 20:35:41 +0000

At Golden Hippo, our team is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re excited to announce that we’ve been recognized for our commitment to creating a positive and supportive workplace. We recently won three new Comparably awards: Happiest Employees, Best Perks & Benefits, and Best Work-Life Balance!

Happiest Employees

This award highlights what makes working at Golden Hippo truly special. Based on employee feedback, it recognizes the positive environment we’ve built, where team members feel supported, fairly compensated, and excited about their work and coworkers. Our employees also share a deep pride in our company goals and feel invested in our long-term success.

Best Perks & Benefits

We know that a great workplace isn’t just about the work – it’s about the benefits that make life better for our team. This award reflects employee feedback on our perks, paid time off, and comprehensive benefits package. From flexible work arrangements to robust health coverage, we make sure our team is supported both in and out of the office.

Best Work-Life Balance

At Golden Hippo, we believe that maintaining a healthy balance between work and life is essential. This award celebrates our commitment to providing a work environment that encourages time off, avoids burnout, and ensures manageable work hours. Whether it’s flexible schedules or encouraging time for yourself, we’re proud of how we help our team achieve balance.

These awards are a testament to the unique culture we’ve cultivated at Golden Hippo. We’re incredibly proud of our team and the workplace we’ve built together. If you’re looking for a company that values your happiness, offers exceptional perks and benefits, and prioritizes work-life balance, Golden Hippo might be the perfect place for you.

Ready to join a team that’s consistently recognized for excellence? Explore current openings here!

Comparably's Companies With Strong Onboarding Programs

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 22:03:38 +0000

We were featured in Comparably's article on companies with strong onboarding programs. Read through our responses down below and check out the article here.

What does your current onboarding process look like?

After employees have received a welcome kit full of company swag and an option to order and test out our products, our onboarding begins with an immersive 6-hour orientation on their first day. This orientation covers general company information and values, forms of communication, an inside scoop on our brands and products, friendly faces to know, time for additional questions, and more. Once new employees have gone through orientation and met with their managers, they are set up with a Hippo Buddy. Our Hippo Buddy program connects new hires to a current employee, where they will routinely meet over a 45-day period to familiarize themselves even more with our company culture and give them a resource outside of their direct team to ask questions. New hires also dive into their role directly with their team & managers after day 1 where they have customized onboarding experiences for their 30, 60 & 90 day experience with different check-ins & surveys scattered throughout.

Why is it important to have a strong onboarding program?

A strong onboarding program is crucial to us as it sets the foundation for new employees' success and integration into our company culture. Effective onboarding ensures new Hippos feel welcomed and equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to perform their roles efficiently. This leads to increased employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention. Ultimately, our robust onboarding process enhances productivity and contributes to the overall growth and success of the organization.

To view our open positions, click here!

Built In: "Companies With an Ecosystem of Impactful Perks and Benefits"

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 16:08:32 +0000

Check out Built In's newest article, featuring our state-of-the-art perks and benefits! Hear from Misty, our Director, People Services, as she describes Golden Hippo's unique offerings, compensation strategy, and more!

Read the article here.

Golden Hippo is a Top 50 Most Influential Pet Industry Company!

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 18:14:14 +0000

At Golden Hippo, we’re dedicated to transforming the lives of pets and their people through premium nutrition, science-backed formulas, and a deep commitment to pet wellness. We are thrilled to announce that Pet Age has recognized our efforts, naming Golden Hippo one of the Top 50 Most Influential Pet Industry Companies!

This prestigious recognition celebrates companies across the pet industry that are innovating, inspiring, and setting the standard for excellence. Being included on this list is a reflection of our team’s hard work, our passion for animal well-being, and the trust that our customers and pet parents place in us every day.

Why This Recognition Matters

We strive to redefine the industry standard through our pet food brands with clean ingredients and innovative, science-driven formulas that truly make a difference. Our team works tirelessly to create products that nourish pets, support long-term health, and strengthen the bond between pets and their people.

This award from Pet Age affirms our commitment to these goals and reflects our role as a leader in driving positive change within the pet industry. Golden Hippo is in great company on this list, among other brands that are equally passionate about elevating the standards of care and nutrition for pets worldwide. View the full list here.

Thank You to Our Golden Hippo Team

We extend our gratitude to every Golden Hippo team member who has played a part in this achievement. This award is a tribute to your passion, innovation, and commitment. As we celebrate this honor, we remain focused on what’s next: advancing pet wellness and continually raising the bar in our industry. We’re inspired to keep pushing boundaries, discovering new ways to serve pets and pet parents, and striving for even greater levels of influence and impact.

Thank you, Pet Age, for this incredible recognition. Here’s to many more years of creating the very best for our pets!

Comparably's Companies Celebrating Company Culture

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 23:26:30 +0000

We were featured in Comparably's article on unique companies celebrating their company culture. Read through our responses down below and check out the article here.

How do you celebrate culture internally?

At Golden Hippo, we celebrate our incredibly unique and thriving company culture through virtual and in-person events hosted by employees eager to share aspects of their heritage, such as cooking classes or cultural traditions, with their colleagues. In our weekly company-wide meetings, we spotlight different departments and recognize individual or team accomplishments on key projects. Additionally, our Slack channels #thismademyweek and #diversityandinclusion provide dedicated spaces for employees to share culture-related posts and stories, fostering a sense of community and inclusivity across the company.

What impact do external awards or recognitions have on your culture? How do you promote these accolades?

External awards and recognitions affirm the positive culture we work hard to cultivate at Golden Hippo. These achievements not only boost employee morale but also highlight the success of our efforts to prioritize employee well-being and satisfaction. We celebrate and promote these accolades through internal channels, such as company-wide meetings and our monthly newsletter, to inspire pride and engagement among our team. Additionally, we share them on social media to showcase our strong company culture to a broader audience.

To view our open positions, click here!

Golden Hippo Wins Comparably Awards for Best Compensation, Best CEOs, and Best Company Culture

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 19:04:31 +0000

We’re thrilled to announce that Golden Hippo has been recognized by Comparably for excellence in three significant categories: Best Companies for Compensation, Best CEOs, and Best Company Culture! These awards are a reflection of the voices of our employees, whose valuable feedback drives our continued commitment to building a thriving and supportive workplace.

Best Companies for Compensation
This award celebrates the outstanding feedback we’ve received regarding our approach to total compensation. From competitive salaries and meaningful bonuses to comprehensive benefits, 401K matching, and equity opportunities, we’ve designed our compensation packages to show our appreciation for the incredible work our employees do every day.

Best CEOs
Our leadership team is honored to receive this recognition for fostering an environment of trust, transparency, and inspiration. The high approval ratings from our employees affirm the impact of leadership that genuinely listens, values input, and drives a shared vision of success.

Best Company Culture
Culture is at the heart of everything we do at Golden Hippo. This award highlights the strength of our community, built on trust, collaboration, and shared goals. Whether it’s career growth opportunities, outstanding perks and benefits, a focus on work-life balance, or simply celebrating our wins together, we’re proud to provide a workplace where employees feel supported and empowered to thrive.

These accolades belong to every member of our Golden Hippo family. Your dedication, innovation, and passion are what make these achievements possible. We remain committed to continuing this journey of excellence together. Here's to more shared success and an even brighter future!

Want to join our award-winning team? Check out our careers page for opportunities!

Lights, Camera, Retirement! Rich’s Golden Hippo Journey

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 05:41:13 +0000

After years of shaping unforgettable campaigns and sprinkling his creative magic across Golden Hippo, our Creative Director Rich is heading into retirement! To celebrate, we're digging into his career highlights, favorite moments, and what’s next. Continue reading to hear from the man behind so many of our creative wins and join us in congratulating Rich on this achievement!

What is your title? What has your career journey looked like at GH?

I have been the Creative Director at Golden Hippo for the past 5 years. I was responsible for Web/UX (my primary area of expertise), visual brand design, print design, and photography. There are other talented Golden Hippo creative directors in charge of video, storytelling, and copywriting.

I was recruited to Golden Hippo in December, 2019, as a result of my background in UX design, ecommerce, and direct-response marketing. I wasn’t looking for a full-time job at the time, and I was content to split my time doing contract UX design and start-up consulting. At the time, I had a mix of media, retail, SaaS, marketing tech, and insurance company clients, and I was also a board member for the L.A. Venture Association and a mentor for a local startup accelerator.

Initially, I questioned whether I was the right fit for a Creative Director role—that title can mean different things at different companies. Nevertheless, the recruiter persisted, and I was intrigued enough to interview. After a couple of rounds I realized that the role sounded similar to my former job as Design Director for Beachbody in the early 2000’s. With that, the buzzing atmosphere of the office—something I was missing—and the scrappy entrepreneurial culture made me want to work at Golden Hippo.

I soon discovered that print design and photography were a bigger component of the job than I bargained for. Other than my ancient training as a graphic designer I had no experience managing that, but Golden Hippo supported me to catch up in those areas. The Web stuff coupled with Golden Hippo’s culture of entrepreneurship though… right up my alley.

Starting a new job anywhere and taking on an existing team is naturally a daunting task, and it was no different for me. Thankfully, the design team I was hired to manage had developed some solid expertise prior to my tenure, and I was eventually able to hire more, equally skilled people who knew things that I didn’t. It certainly helped that everyone was so talented to begin with.

Then, 4 months after starting my job… the pandemic. ‘Nuff said.

I was barely getting my feet under me when everything changed as we transitioned to a remote, then hybrid workplace. In spite of that, the design team and I figured things out through trial-and-error, and the executive team provided us the time, space, and resources to do it. What’s more, online sales massively increased during the pandemic which had the effect of focusing the design team, and our effectiveness delivering work for the digital acquisition marketers rose markedly as a result. We actively contributed to the growth of our many brands that existed prior to my arrival at Golden Hippo, and as we emerged from the “Covid era” we launched several new brands, most of which have been wildly successful.

Over the past 5 years we grew the design department to 18 people from just 7, including a fantastic team of Web and CRO (conversion-rate optimization) design and production specialists. The new Art Director we hired will be a game-changer for Golden Hippo’s brand design and photography teams.

What has been your proudest achievement during your time at GH?

I think there are two main things:

The first is the growth of the design team—not only in number but in the individual development of the designers as professionals. Each team member has greatly expanded their skillset and breadth of knowledge. They’ve deeply grasped how design can translate into measurable company success in ways that designers at other companies often don’t. Together and collectively, the designers continually earn tremendous wins that contribute to the company’s goals, and I like to think that I played a meaningful role in facilitating that.

The second thing I am proud of is what I hope will become a permanent transformation in the way Golden Hippo designs, builds, markets, and manages its branded websites. When I arrived at Golden Hippo the branded websites were languishing and serving to mostly support the front-end acquisition funnels. Don’t get me wrong—acquisition marketing through the funnels is the lifeblood of the company—but we’ve brought the branded websites much further forward as part of Golden Hippo’s overall retention and ecommerce marketing strategy. In partnership with our developers, marketers, brand managers, and PMO’s, the design team has played a pivotal role in driving this transformation.

What will you miss the most about working here?

The people, the people, the people. That’s the hardest part of leaving. The tribal effort to get things done and solve problems is very satisfying and motivating. I’ve become friends with so many Hippos. I’ll miss the buzz of activity, the Tuesday company lunches, watching my co-workers grow, and one-on-one meetings with members of my team. I’ll miss Marieta and Julia who are so much smarter than me. I’ll also miss sidetracking meetings with dad jokes. Occasionally, I’ll get a laugh, but mostly it’s eyerolls.

What are you most excited about as you enter this new chapter? Are there any new hobbies, activities, or goals you’re looking forward to pursuing in retirement?

Excitement and fear produce the same physiological response so I’m not sure how much of each I’m feeling.

Maintaining physical and mental wellness is at the top of my list so I will reorganize my life to maximize that. With that dialed in, I plan to spend more time with my family. One of my adult children lives in Brooklyn so we want to visit them more often.

Then, I’m going to propel my Iron Maiden tribute band as hard as I can and see how far we can go (shameless plug: Follow us @maidenunitedband on IG or FB). I’ll definitely do as much skiing, hiking, traveling, and mountain biking as I can, and I want to learn how to surf.

I’ll be engaged with other business interests to which I haven’t paid enough attention over the past 5 years so I will put some focus there. I’m not very good at sitting still so there’s a good chance I’ll start—or get involved in—some other venture. We’ll see. I’ll take a breath first. “Semi-retirement” is probably a better description of this next stage of my life.

I recently joined an organization called Connecting a Caring Community, and through them I am able to do volunteer work for various non-profit and charitable organizations. I’m hoping to align whatever I might have to give to where it can best be applied.

What song, book, or movie best describes your career journey?

Career-wise I’ve read things like Good to Great, and I inhaled books about ecommerce early in my career. A co-worker reminded me of a book I read over 20 years ago entitled Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug, and a multi-day Web usability workshop I took in 2004 with Jakob Nielsen, the original Web usability guru, greatly impacted my focus on UX design. I also have a stack of graphic design books from which I stole all kinds of visual ideas for websites during the first third of my career.

Everyone should also read A Random Walk Down Wall Street—it’s the only book on the stock market anyone will ever need. I got a lot from Radical Candor, but I’m not sure how well I put it into practice. I’ve been listening to a great business podcast that my dad recommended to me called How I Built This by Guy Raz, and I’ve read books about the building of Silicon Valley companies like Twitter and Facebook. The Four by Scott Galloway is good, too. He’s got a couple of great podcasts, and I like the way he thinks.

I read at least two books per month, and they all influence me. I’m probably influenced the most by books on science, social psychology, history, and biographies of musicians and political figures. I just finished two non-fiction books about tyranny (How Tyrants Fall and Autocracy, Inc.) and I’m currently reading The Invention of Good and Evil. I’ve read everything by Malcolm Gladwell.

Songs? All of them. I just bought a proper turntable and a pair of high-end speakers so I’m obsessively adding to my teenage vinyl collection that’s been sitting in boxes for decades. I’ve been developing an appreciation for country music like Chris Stapleton—his song “White Horse” has been on repeat lately. When I’m not listening to metal or classic jazz and I need a shot of positivity then I listen to Jason Mraz. I call it the “Mraz Meditation Method.”

What advice would you give to someone just starting their career?

Each of us is responsible for our own career growth. No company or person can do it for us, but good ones can be great catalysts. I took responsibility for propelling myself, and I actively sought out experts and partners wherever I could. I certainly experienced a couple of lucky breaks, but I was prepared to leverage them. If I found something interesting then I figured out how to do it, or I enrolled in a class. When I realized at age 24 that I probably wasn’t going to get that elusive record deal I went back to school and learned new skills that serendipitously prepared me to ride the Internet boom in 1995. One never knows how things will change so keep learning.

I networked like crazy and attended all kinds of business mixers and meetups. I also faced my fear of public speaking and positioned myself as an “expert.” I wasn’t any more an expert than anyone else, but people saw me out front, and that mattered. I recommend joining a networking group in order to meet colleagues in your industry.

Don’t be afraid to make bold moves especially if you are early in your career—you’ve got time to recover if it doesn’t work out. On the flipside, a really good company like Golden Hippo is an amazing place to develop one’s career so take chances within the relative security it provides. In other words, Golden Hippo encourages employees to take risks, and they are encouraged to keep trying even when they don’t succeed at first. If you see an opportunity then get after it. Many of our most successful Hippos have done that.

Develop your writing skills. Over-communicate. Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to challenge ideas even if you might be wrong. In fact, be willing to be wrong. I don’t like being wrong. Admittedly, I’m rather allergic to it, but conceding where others are right is when I learn something new. As Golden Hippo states, the best idea wins.

As Rich embarks on this exciting new chapter, we couldn’t be prouder of all he’s accomplished and the creative legacy he leaves behind at Golden Hippo. Congratulations on your retirement, Rich—we can’t wait to see where your next adventure takes you!

Built In: "Tech Companies Hiring"

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 05:51:10 +0000

Our Video Production Manager, Austin, was just featured in a new BuiltIn article! He shared how Golden Hippo has helped him grow his skills, climb the career ladder, and create content that drives results. Check out the full story here.

Comparably's Companies Creating a Positive Candidate Experience

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:00:00 +0000

We were featured in Comparably's article on companies creating a positie candidate experience. Read through our responses down below and check out the article here.

Describe your company’s approach to creating a positive candidate experience throughout the hiring process.

Golden Hippo is dedicated to providing a positive and transparent candidate experience at every stage of the hiring process. From the first interaction, we prioritize clear and timely communication, ensuring candidates feel informed and valued. Our Talent Acquisition team reflects our company culture by maintaining open and thoughtful dialogue, offering timely follow-ups, and providing insights into what makes Golden Hippo a great place to work.

To help candidates better understand our workplace and opportunities for growth, we share engaging resources such as our comprehensive “Benefits at a Glance” document, which outlines our industry-leading perks and is available on our careers site. Additionally, we set candidates up for success through transparency and connection through our Hippo Pod. We even have an episode with our Senior TA Partner, Lauren,who went in-depth on the recruiting process and offered valuable insights into what to expect.

Once candidates join our team, they are welcomed through our Hippo Buddy program, which pairs new hires with experienced team members to provide guidance and support as they transition into their roles. Through these efforts, we ensure that every candidate—whether they join our team or not—has a positive and informative experience with Golden Hippo.

How do you gather and implement feedback from candidates to improve your recruitment process?

We continuously refine our recruitment process by actively seeking feedback from candidates and new hires. We conduct surveys throughout the hiring and onboarding experience to gain valuable insights into what’s working well and where we can improve. Additionally, we conduct outreach five weeks after a new employee starts to submit anonymous thoughts on their experience on our 3rd party review sites, ensuring we capture honest feedback.

Our commitment to listening and adapting is reflected in our high new-employee rating on our orientation process. By consistently gathering input and making thoughtful adjustments, we create a candidate and new hire experience that is transparent, engaging, and reflective of our company culture.

To view our open positions, click here!

Golden Hippo Wins Comparably Award for Best Company Outlook

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Exciting news: We’ve won a Comparably award for Best Company Outlook!

We’re excited to share that our company has been recognized with the Comparably Award for Best Company Outlook! This prestigious award highlights the hard work and dedication of our incredible team and the positive trajectory we’re on as we continue to grow and innovate.

What Does This Award Mean?
The Best Company Outlook award is based on feedback from our employees about their confidence in the company’s future. It’s a reflection of the strong foundation we've built and the exciting path ahead. Winning this award means we’re on the right track—our employees believe in what we’re doing, and that belief is driving our continued success.

A Huge Thanks to Our Team
We couldn't have achieved this without our dedicated and passionate team members who work tirelessly to push our mission forward. Their commitment to excellence and their belief in our shared vision is what makes us stand out in the industry.

Looking Ahead
This recognition is not just a moment to celebrate—it’s a reminder of the great things yet to come. As we continue to innovate, grow, and expand, we’re excited to see where this journey takes us. We are more committed than ever to providing top-tier products and services, creating an amazing workplace culture, and positively impacting the world around us.

We’re proud to be recognized, but we’re even prouder of the work we do every day to create a company that’s truly special. Thank you to our incredible team and to Comparably for this honor. Here’s to the bright future ahead!

Comparably's Companies Creating Effective Onboarding and Integration for New Hires

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 19:00:00 +0000

We were featured in Comparably's article on how companies are creating an effective onboarding and integration for new hires. Read through our responses down below and check out the article here.

What approach does your company use to onboard and integrate new hires effectively?

At Golden Hippo, we take a structured and engaging approach to onboarding to ensure new hires feel welcomed, supported, and set up for success. Our process includes a comprehensive orientation program that introduces employees to our company culture, values, and mission. We provide all new hires with a Hippo Buddy mentor, and provide ongoing check-ins to help new team members integrate seamlessly. Additionally, we foster a collaborative environment through Slack communities where new hires can connect with colleagues across departments, making their transition both smooth and meaningful.

How do you ensure a consistent onboarding experience across different departments or locations?

We ensure a consistent onboarding experience by providing a structured orientation program for both onsite and remote employees. All new hires go through the same comprehensive introduction to our company culture, values, and mission, regardless of their role or location. We use a mix of live sessions and digital resources to keep the experience engaging and informative. As part of their welcome, every new employee receives a Welcome Packet along with points to redeem in our employee store for exclusive Hippo swag. Additionally, regular check-ins and mentorship opportunities help new employees feel supported and connected as they transition into their roles.

To view our open positions, click here!

Built In: "Onboarding Done Right"

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 16:50:39 +0000

Our HR Generalist, Carly, was just featured in a new BuiltIn article! She shared about her onboarding process and how she has hit the ground running since joining Golden Hippo. Check out the full story here!

When a new hire walks into the Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, office of Golden Hippo, they might see a teammate handing off their keys for a weekly car wash, or another teammate headed to the gym for a complimentary conditioning class. They could wave ‘hello’ to a member of the operations team who’s setting up the office kitchen for a happy hour later that day.

Or, it’s possible they would see Noah, the receptionist, leading an office tour for Carly Campbell, a new hire and HR generalist.

“The onboarding process was great,” Campbell said. “I felt welcomed as a Hippo as soon as I entered the doors on my first day.”

After the office tour, Campbell sat down with the IT helpdesk site lead to set up her equipment.

“This helped me set up for success for the rest of my day with my team,” Campbell said.

But even well before her first day, she said she felt incredibly supported by her employer.

“The interview process and conversations I had with my team were amazing, and they welcomed me with open arms even before day one,” she added. “I have already learned so much through my new hire orientation with my teammates! I am excited to see what we will accomplish together.”

It makes sense that Golden Hippo works hard to have such a welcoming environment, considering that the company is employee-owned and wants employees to feel invested — and rewarded — for their work.

“I am excited to explore the many resources that we have to develop my career here at Golden Hippo,” Campbell said. “I am personally aiming to grow into an HR business partner role.”

By the end of day one, Campbell felt set up for success and excited about the little perks that she didn’t know about before coming into the office.

“I was surprised that the company offers weekly car washes!” Campbell concluded. “On top of all the other perks and benefits, this was an added bonus that I did not learn about until after I joined.”

View our open roles here.

Comparably's Companies Supporting Hybrid/Remote Employees

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 20:33:58 +0000

We were recently featured in Comparably’s article on companies supporting hybrid/remote employees. If you would like to learn more about our unique benefits for virtual employees & how we emphasize connection and engagement, read our responses below!

How has your company adapted its employer brand messaging to reflect changes in work arrangements (e.g., remote or hybrid options)?

We’ve adapted our employer brand messaging to highlight our commitment to flexibility, collaboration, and work-life balance. We recognize that top talent thrives in different environments, so we offer hybrid and remote work options where possible while maintaining a strong culture of innovation and teamwork. Our messaging emphasizes connection, recognition, and the resources we provide to ensure employees stay connected and engaged, no matter where they work. Through authentic storytelling and employee testimonials, we showcase how our team members succeed in various work arrangements while staying aligned with our mission to improve lives through best-in-class products.

What unique benefits or support do you offer to remote or flexible workers?

We provide unique benefits to support our remote and flexible workers, ensuring they have the resources needed to thrive. One key perk is our monthly cell and internet reimbursement, helping employees stay connected and productive no matter where they work. We also offer flexible work arrangements, virtual yoga & meditation classes, and monthly benefits webinars and challenges that are open to all employees regardless of location. Our commitment to work-life balance and employee well-being ensures that every team member feels supported, whether they’re in the office or working remotely.

Read the full article.

View our open positions here.

AAPI Month Employee Spotlight: Meet Chelsea

Tue, 27 May 2025 19:00:00 +0000

In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, we're proud to spotlight Senior Tax Analyst Chelsea! From her most meaningful accomplishments to the meaning of her heritage and empowering guidance for others, her words are a powerful reminder of the strength in diversity. Continue reading to hear her story.

How has your heritage influenced who you are today?

Growing up Filipino American instilled in me the importance of family, resilience, and humility. These values guide how I collaborate with colleagues and approach challenges, reminding me to stay grounded and give my best in everything I do.

What accomplishments in your career have been the most meaningful or rewarding to you?

Transitioning from public accounting to an in-house tax role has been a significant milestone. It's rewarding to streamline complex processes and support my team, knowing that my contributions make a tangible difference.

What guidance would you share with aspiring professionals, particularly those navigating challenges as part of underrepresented communities?

Your voice matters—don't be afraid to use it. Embrace your unique perspective, ask questions, and advocate for yourself. Representation is powerful, and every step you take helps pave the way for others.

Jewish American Heritage Month Employee Spotlight: Meet Melie

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 22:13:54 +0000

In honor of Jewis American Heritage Month, we're proud to spotlight Associate Digital Acquisition Marketing Specialist Melie! From the milestones she’s most proud of to the significance of her heritage and the inspiring advice she shares, her story is a testament to the power of embracing our differences. Keep reading to learn more.

How has your heritage influenced who you are today?

My Jewish heritage has deeply shaped my identity and values, both personally and professionally. Growing up with a strong cultural and spiritual foundation taught me the importance of resilience, community, and a commitment to lifelong learning. These principles influence how I approach challenges, collaborate with others, and strive for excellence in my work.

What accomplishments in your career have been the most meaningful or rewarding to you?

One of the most meaningful accomplishments in my career has been building a skill set that allows me to do what I love—so much so that work rarely feels like “work.” I’ve been able to contribute across departments, from copywriting to creative strategy and beyond, which not only keeps things exciting but also allows me to make a broader impact.

What guidance would you share with aspiring professionals, particularly those navigating challenges as part of underrepresented communities?

Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.

Comparably's Companies with Robust Internship Programs

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 19:00:00 +0000

We were recently featured in Comparably’s article on companies with robust internship programs. If you would like to learn more about our internship program & professional development initiatives, read our responses below!

Describe your summer internship program’s core components and resource allocation. How many interns do you typically hire, what is the program duration, and what dedicated resources do you allocate to support the program?

Our summer internship program is a 12-week experience designed to provide meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities across a range of departments. While the number of interns varies each year, our current summer cohort welcomed over 15 interns, with some positions offering the potential for extension beyond the initial program duration. The program is supported by two dedicated recruiters along with the broader Talent Acquisition team, ensuring a smooth and engaging experience from onboarding to completion. Interns are given real, impactful projects, not just coffee runs, so they can contribute to the business in a tangible way while developing professionally. We also invest in various resources to enrich the program, including team-building activities, resume workshops, and other professional development opportunities.

How does your summer internship program contribute to your organization’s strategic objectives?

Our summer internship program allows us to assess potential, invest in emerging professionals, and strengthen our culture of learning and growth across the company. By providing hands-on experience, access to development resources, and meaningful project work, we help interns build the skills and confidence needed to thrive in our industry. Whenever possible, we strive to convert interns into full-time employees, aligning with our long-term goal of cultivating internal talent.

Read the full article.

View our open positions here.

Built In: "Tech Companies With Great Company Cultures"

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Our Creative Director, Lluna, was just featured in a new BuiltIn article! She shared about our company culture and how a recent project has helped her grow professionally. Check out the full story here!

Describe your company culture in one word. What made you pick that word?
One word: growth.

Growth defines not just my personal journey within the company, but also the mindset that drives our entire team. It captures our continuous push to evolve, learn and take on new challenges.

I started seven years ago as a video editor. Through consistent learning, trust from leadership and a culture that values potential over titles, I gradually took on more responsibility. Today, I’m a creative director, leading a high-performing team that delivers over 30 creatives a month. That journey resulted from a company culture that rewards data-backed results, supports internal growth and gives people the chance to rise when they deliver. Growth is not just encouraged — it’s expected and supported at every level.

What’s the coolest project you’ve worked on recently, and how did it help you grow professionally?
Every shoot we have feels like a new and exciting project. Each one comes with its own creative challenges and opportunities to push the boundaries. What I enjoy most is the process of conceptualizing new sets and discovering new talent. There’s something incredibly rewarding about taking a creative idea from a rough sketch to a fully realized visual story — with the right setting, mood and cast.

View our open roles here.

Comparably's Companies With Employee Development Programs

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 19:00:00 +0000

We were recently featured in Comparably’s article on companies with employee development programs. If you would like to learn more about our unique professional development programs and how we nurture talent, read our responses below and check out the full article here.

Can you describe your company’s approach to career development, including any unique programs or initiatives that set you apart from other employers?

At Golden Hippo, we take a proactive and personalized approach to career development. Our mentorship program pairs seasoned team members with those looking to grow specific skills, fostering meaningful one-on-one learning experiences. New hires are also matched with a “Hippo Buddy,” a peer recommended by their manager, who helps them navigate company culture and feel supported during their first few months. We also host “GH 101” trainings to build business acumen and strategic understanding among newer team members. To further support growth, we introduced a Career Enrichment Guide that outlines career pathways and resources to help employees confidently navigate their development journey. Additionally, our internship program runs in the fall, spring, and summer, offering hands-on experience and opportunities for long-term growth.

How do you identify and nurture high-potential talent within your organization, and what success stories can you share?

We identify high-potential talent by observing initiative, adaptability, and a growth mindset across all levels of the organization. We prioritize internal mobility, giving employees opportunities to explore new roles and take on greater responsibilities as they grow. Our internship program has been a strong pipeline for talent, with multiple interns converting to full-time roles and thriving in long-term careers here. Through regular check-ins, manager support, and mentorship, we ensure high-potential team members are recognized and given space to succeed. These efforts reflect our belief that investing in our people is key to our continued success.

Check out our open positions!

Comparably's Companies That Have Great Employee Well-Being & Benefit Offerings

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 16:18:59 +0000

We were recently featured in Comparably’s article on companies with great employee well-being & benefit offerings. If you would like to learn more about our unique approach to employee wellness and how we've adapted our benefits in response to changing needs, read our responses below and check out the full article here!

Beyond standard benefits, what innovative programs or perks does your company offer to support employee wellness and work-life integration?

Beyond standard benefits, our company takes a holistic approach to employee wellness and work-life integration. One of our standout initiatives is our monthly benefits themes. Each month, we spotlight a different wellness topic and share related information, tools, and resources. These themes are paired with an engaging challenge or event, giving employees the chance to participate and win prizes. Past themes have included a hydration challenge, sugar-free week, and a healthy eating challenge, all designed to promote healthy habits in a fun, community-driven way. We also offer an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP), empowering team members to take ownership in the company’s success. To further support a positive and motivating work culture, we have robust recognition programs such as Win of the Week, Spot Bonuses, and Shout-outs, ensuring that outstanding contributions are celebrated regularly. Together, these programs reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting employee well-being, engagement, and a strong sense of belonging.

How has your organization adapted its benefits and support systems in response to changing employee needs and expectations?

Our organization has adapted by listening closely to employee feedback and evolving our support systems accordingly. Our monthly benefits themes were a new approach to communicating our offerings through cohesive, focused messaging. These themes are designed to help employees better understand and engage with their benefits in a more meaningful way. We’ve also expanded our perks to reflect the lifestyles of our team. A great example is the addition of Vetster, a virtual veterinary care service, in recognition of how many of our employees are pet parents. These changes are part of our ongoing commitment to meeting employees where they are and supporting their whole selves, at work and beyond.

Check out our open positions!

Comparably's Companies That Encourage Innovation & Creative Problem Solving

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 18:01:02 +0000

We were recently featured in Comparably’s article on companies that encourage innovation and creative problem solving. If you would like to learn more about how we reward innovative thinking and how we implement employee feedback, read our responses below and check out the full article here!

Can you share an example of how your company encourages and rewards innovative thinking among employees?

One way we encourage and reward innovative thinking is through our monthly Pitch Contest. Employees are invited to share a brief pitch for a creative idea or concept, which is then judged by a panel of peers. It’s a fun, engaging way for team members to showcase fresh ideas and think outside the box. The winner not only gets bragging rights, but also a mix of exciting prizes: $100, a free car wash, the chance to choose a company lunch, front-of-the-line lunch privileges while wearing the championship belt, and a feature spot on our Pitch Competition Wall of Winners. This initiative creates a culture where innovative ideas are celebrated, and employees are recognized both publicly and tangibly for their creativity.

What processes do you have in place to gather and implement employee feedback and ideas?

We have several processes in place to ensure employee feedback and ideas are heard, valued, and acted upon. As an employee-owned company through our ESOP, we believe every voice matters; whether you’re an intern or an executive, all employees are encouraged to share suggestions and ideas. One way we do this is through our virtual suggestion box, which our CEO personally reviews each week. We also dedicate time in our weekly town hall meetings for live Q&A sessions, giving employees the chance to ask questions and share ideas directly with leadership. In addition, we regularly conduct internal and external surveys, and we host a monthly Pitch Contest where employees can present creative ideas to be recognized and rewarded. These initiatives reflect our values of transparency and innovation, and they ensure employees not only have a voice but also see their input actively shape the company’s direction.

Check out our open positions!

The Golden Lounge: After Hours (Jim - Brand Manager, Health & Wellness)

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Golden Lounge After Hours: Jim on Culture, Cold Plunges, and Drag Queens

Golden Hippo’s new podcast series gives an inside look at what it’s really like to work here, blending humor, career journeys, and personal passions. Hosted by Noah, our Amazing HQ receptionist and Golden Hippo's podcast host, the series brings to life the values that make Hippos thrive.

For our inaugural episode, Noah sat down with Jim, our Health & Wellness Brand Manager, and longtime friend. Their conversation was full of career insights, wellness tips, and plenty of laughs, but also gave a real sense of what it means to live the Golden Hippo way.

From Jordan to California
Jim shared his empowering journey from growing up in Jordan to moving to Southern California in 2015. One of the biggest shocks? The openness of West Hollywood’s LGBTQ+ community after coming from a place where he couldn’t be out. For him, California represented freedom, authenticity, and the chance to build a new life. We cherish, uplift, and appreciate the diverse backgrounds of our Hippos, knowing these experiences enrich our culture and make it the inclusive, vibrant place it is today.

A Career Across Industries
Although Jim studied Industrial Design, his career led him into advertising and e-commerce. From healthcare devices to beauty and air purification products, he’s gained over 15 years of experience in the direct-to-consumer space.

Now at Golden Hippo, Jim thrives on the flexibility to explore multiple brands and take initiative:

“This is a great company. I love it from the top to the bottom. It’s very casual, people can explore, and that’s something rare.”

Jim’s Wellness Wisdom: Cold Plunges
When asked about health and wellness, Jim didn’t hesitate: cold showers and cold plunges. For him, they’ve been game changers for mental clarity, energy, and focus! At Golden Hippo, we encourage every Hippo to find the routines and practices that help them feel their best, inside and outside of work.

CC or Circle Back?
In the show’s fun segment, Noah and Jim rated workplace trends like “Coffee Badging” (popping into the office just for coffee and socializing): Jim says CC it! At Golden Hippo, our hippos believe in making the most of these moments of connection — a reflection of our collaborative culture, where building relationships drives our team success.

The pair also bonded over their shared love of pop culture — especially RuPaul’s Drag Race and horror movies. Jim shouted out some of his favorite queens (Monét X Change, Shea Couleé, Sasha Velour) and horror classics (The Exorcist, Hereditary, The Babadook). At Golden Hippo, we are so thrilled when we see employees like Noah and Jim sharing their passions — during and after office hours!

Friendship & Favorite Memories
The episode also spotlighted Jim and Noah’s friendship, from caring for Jim’s beloved bulldog, Bifi (RIP 🐾), to spontaneous dance breaks in Silver Lake. Their banter underscored the success of Golden Hippo’s culture: genuine connections that make work (and life) more fun.

“This is a great company. People can share ideas and see results faster. I love being here!”

If you’d like to listen to the full conversation, click here!

Golden Hippo Wins 3 Comparably Awards for Workplace Excellence

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 19:07:08 +0000

We’re proud to share that Golden Hippo has been recognized with three Comparably Awards this week, celebrating our commitment to creating an exceptional workplace for our team members.

Comparably’s awards are based entirely on employee feedback, making these honors especially meaningful to us. Here’s what we earned recognition for:

🏆 Happiest Employees
This award highlights companies where employees report high levels of workplace happiness, thanks to a positive environment, fair pay, meaningful benefits, and excitement about their work, teammates, and company mission.

🏆 Best Perks & Benefits
We’re honored to be recognized for offering perks and benefits that support our team’s well-being, including paid time off and comprehensive programs designed to help employees thrive inside and outside of work.

🏆 Best Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is key to long-term success, and this award reflects our team’s feedback on their ability to recharge, take breaks, and maintain healthy boundaries between their work and personal lives.

At Golden Hippo, we believe that when our team feels supported, valued, and energized, amazing things happen — for our people, our products, and the millions of customers we serve worldwide. These three Comparably Awards are a direct reflection of the culture our employees help build every day. We’re grateful to every Hippo for making Golden Hippo a place where people can do their best work and feel fulfilled while doing it.

Want to join our award-winning team? Check out our open roles here!

Comparably's Companies With Employee Recognition & Rewards Programs

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 17:56:59 +0000

We were recently featured in Comparably’s article on companies with employee recognition & rewards programs. If you would like to learn more about how we celebrate employee achievements and make sure our programs remain meaningful, read our responses below and check out the full article here!

What creative approaches does your company take to recognize and celebrate employee achievements?

At Golden Hippo, we’re dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the people who make our success possible. We do this through a variety of programs designed to show appreciation in meaningful ways. Our Pitch Contest gives team members the opportunity to share innovative ideas and be recognized for their creativity, while our new IMPACT Awards spotlight employees who embody our core values. We celebrate milestones with our Work Anniversary Program and make birthdays special with a gift card and mailed postcard for every employee. To recognize exceptional efforts in real time, we offer Spot Bonuses, rewarding those who go above and beyond their job duties. We also highlight achievements through our Win of the Week Program and run company-wide recognition campaigns, such as our Women of Impact initiative and diversity spotlights, to ensure voices across the organization are celebrated. Beyond recognition, we value growth and development through our mentorship programs, company book club, and other opportunities that reward initiative. Together, these programs help foster a culture of appreciation, motivation, and connection at Golden Hippo.

How do you ensure your recognition programs remain meaningful and motivating across different departments and roles?

We ensure our recognition programs remain meaningful by tailoring them to celebrate a wide range of contributions, milestones, and personal growth across departments and roles. For example, while some employees are motivated by company-wide visibility through our Win of the Week Program or IMPACT Awards, others may find more value in the personal acknowledgment of a Spot Bonus, a birthday postcard, or a work anniversary celebration. Our Pitch Contest and mentorship cohorts allow employees in every role to be recognized not only for innovation but also for initiative and professional development, while our book club and reimbursement program further support individual growth. At the same time, our recognition campaigns, such as Women of Impact and diversity spotlights, ensure we are shining a light on the unique contributions of employees across different backgrounds and experiences. By balancing personal, team, and company-wide recognition, and by offering opportunities that honor both accomplishments and growth, we make sure our programs feel genuine, inclusive, and motivating for every Hippo.

Check out our open positions!

The Golden Lounge: After Hours (Jesse - Sr. Shooter/Editor)

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 19:00:00 +0000

Golden Lounge After Hours: Jesse on Applying 5 times to Work at Golden Hippo & His Career Journey

Golden Hippo’s new podcast series gives an inside look at what it’s really like to work here, blending humor, career journeys, and personal passions. Hosted by Noah, our Amazing HQ receptionist and Golden Hippo's podcast host, this show brings to life the values that make Hippos thrive.

This episode, Noah sat down with Jesse, a talented Sr. Shooter/Editor at Golden Hippo, to chat about persistence, creative growth, and finding the humor in every step of your journey.

From Hunting Videos to Pet Wellness Stories

Jesse’s career story is anything but ordinary. Growing up in the Midwest, he began his editing career at an outdoor production company filming hunting videos before making the big move to Los Angeles. With his loyal dog, Drax, by his side at the time, Jesse set out to chase even bigger creative opportunities and found his way to Golden Hippo.

Though he studied film in college, Jesse admits his best editing skills came from real-world experience; long hours spent learning on the job, trying new techniques, and saying yes to any opportunity to grow. His journey of taking initiative, staying curious, and never stopping the learning process is the core to all of our hippos and special insight into what we look for in candidates.

A Comedic Start to Golden Hippo

Jesse’s road to Golden Hippo wasn’t a straight line. In fact, he applied five times over seven years before landing his dream role in 2021. Each time, he found new ways to stand out, including one unforgettable introduction line in his application:

"I look like if a wizard cast a spell on a thumb and it came to life and grew a beard."

His creativity and determination are exactly what make Jesse and so many of our Hippos stand out. Today, he’s part of our creative video team, producing inspiring stories for top wellness brands and proving that perseverance pays off.

Jesse's Wellness Wisdom: Balance is Key

When asked about his health and wellness tips, Jesse's answer was refreshingly honest: work out, don't fear enjoying your favorite foods (Shake Shack is alright!), and never skip breakfast. For real results, he credits Golden Hippo’s on-site gym and our personal trainer for helping him stay consistent!

"TikToks At Work" Segment

In a lively segment, "TikToks at Work," Noah and Jesse react to trending workplace videos, with the first video sparking some meaningful reflections on creative feedback and collaboration. Jesse shared how important it is to be personable and thoughtful when giving feedback and Noah chimed in with his own take from studying in Prague — that honest, constructive feedback (even when it’s blunt) is better than false praise. Together, they strongly felt that growth only happens when people can be open, respectful, and real with one another.

When a TikTok about awkward work events appeared, Jesse laughed and set the record straight — that’s not the Hippo vibe. From epic company parties to meaningful team moments, he shouted out Noah and the Facilities Operations team for creating events people actually love to attend and make lasting memories from.

Favorite Golden Hippo Memories

Jesse also shared some favorite Hippo memories, from seeing teammates get promoted to celebrating new parents. Noah then topped it off with a hilarious Halloween story involving a late-night cleanup and a waterfall of wet trash! Even in those chaotic moments, they agreed: it’s the people and energizing culture that make Golden Hippo such a special place to work.

If you would like to listen to the full conversation, click here!

Comparably's Companies With Innovative Approaches to Team Building

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 16:31:56 +0000

We were recently featured in Comparably’s article on companies with innovative approaches to team building. If you would like to learn more about how we foster collaboration and create meaningful connection among team members, read our responses below and check out the full article here!

What innovative approaches does your company take to foster collaboration across departments and locations?

Collaboration is built into the way we work across teams, departments, and locations. One of the ways we foster this connection is through our monthly KPI challenges, which encourage cross-departmental participation and creativity. Teams not only collaborate to meet goals but also contribute to shared goals, including submitting homemade videos that may be featured in our advertisements. This gives employees across the company a chance to impact our brand storytelling directly. Beyond performance initiatives, we keep our culture thriving through a variety of Slack channels that help employees connect on a personal level, whether it’s sharing pet photos, celebrating personal wins, introducing themselves, or discussing the latest company book club pick. We also ensure collaboration and transparency go hand in hand. Each department’s team intranet is accessible through our broader company intranet, allowing anyone at Golden Hippo to see what other teams are working on, learn from shared resources, and stay aligned with our company values of transparency and collaboration.

How do you create opportunities for meaningful connection and relationship-building among team members?

We believe meaningful connections are the foundation of a strong, collaborative culture. Our Hippo Buddy Program helps new hires feel welcomed from day one by pairing them with a teammate who can offer guidance, answer questions, and help them navigate both the company and our culture. Our open floor plan at HQ encourages organic interaction and spontaneous collaboration, making it easy for team members from different departments to connect, share ideas, and build relationships throughout the workday. We also create intentional opportunities for growth and connection through our mentorship program, which pairs employees looking to learn and develop with experienced mentors across departments. This program fosters personal and professional development while strengthening bonds between team members at all levels of the organization. Beyond day-to-day work, we bring employees together through a mix of in-person and virtual events; from celebrations and wellness activities to learning sessions that engage our entire team, no matter where they’re located. And through Hippo Reads, our company book club, employees can connect over shared ideas and discussions that inspire both personal and professional growth.

Check out our open positions!

Built In: "Companies That Create Clear Paths for Employee Growth"

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 16:48:25 +0000

Our VP of Operations, Jesus, was recently featured in a new BuiltIn article all about creating clear paths for employee growth! He shared how our values-driven approach to promotions, our impactful mentorship program, and the importance of gaining team buy-in all contribute to meaningful career development at Golden Hippo. Check out the full story here!

What makes promotion criteria feel fair and clear — and what evidence supports that?

Promotion criteria can be hard to put down on paper. What we do that makes it fair and clear is that we follow our values of being results-oriented and data-driven. First and foremost, if you can achieve measurable results, you have a great chance. We also make sure that the criteria involves being a person who can work across departments with external stakeholders. Being the best or meeting your goals are great, but when it comes to promotions, the next level involves more coordination and collaboration with others. I feel that the way we highlight wins and great results in our company meetings is a great support of that. In addition, those great results highlight all the people directly and indirectly involved in those achievements. Over the last few years, there have been promotions that happened to be individuals mentioned regularly in those win presentations.

Which program changed your capability — with what measurable result?

Our mentorship program has tremendously helped in socializing our collective capabilities. It pairs senior leaders with those who are interested in career progression. This is not just people who are looking to be promoted but also those who just want to improve on their skills and background. Since it has been established, there have been various mentees who have then gone on to be promoted, two of whom I know personally from either being on my team or being my mentees. The measurable part is the amount of people who were promoted, but there are many other great benefits that are harder to measure in cross-functional collaboration and skill enhancement that will undoubtedly help all the participants in their careers going forward.

What coaching habit consistently moves careers forward?

For me, the ability to attain buy-in is the key to moving careers forward. I use it as well but preach buy-in as a key factor to getting results from teams and on projects. As your career progresses and you are in charge of bigger teams, your direct impact on projects and results is diminished. Your influence on projects and teams is what needs to increase. The best way I have found to do that is to make sure that my teams buy into the goals or projects. This is a process in itself. It comes with thorough explanation, sometimes hearing valid counter points and emotional resistance to change. This is where positive results are established. If a leader can take the time to take those points in and show that they are taken into account, buy-in usually follows. If the team has bought into the goal, your role as a coach is made much easier, because you are not trying to convince or create the momentum. The team rightfully takes that role. You can now be the one who removes obstacles and uses their experience to help the team along.

Check out our open positions!

Comparably's Companies That Celebrate Their Culture

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 18:03:06 +0000

We were recently featured in Comparably’s article on companies that celebrate their culture. If you would like to learn more about how we celebrate culture internally and the impact rewards & recognitions have on our culture, read our responses below and check out the full article here!

How do you celebrate your culture internally?

At Golden Hippo, our culture isn’t just what we say, it’s what we do every single day. We recognize individual and team wins in real time through Spot Bonuses, Win of the Week highlights, and Town Hall shoutouts, because speed of implementation matters and great work deserves fast celebration.

We believe the best idea wins, no matter where it comes from. That’s why our Pitch Contests are open to everyone across the company, giving any team member the chance to bring bold ideas forward, spark innovation, and help shape our next breakthrough ad or strategy. Transparency is another core part of how we operate. Through our anonymous suggestion box, anyone can submit questions for our executive team to address weekly, keeping communication open, honest, and truly two-way.

We keep things personal, too. Every employee gets a handwritten birthday card; because even in a fast-moving, innovative environment, human connection always comes first. We also share promotions, career milestones, and team accomplishments across social channels and bring people together through virtual and in-person events, strengthening our sense of community no matter where we’re working from.

Altogether, this blend of recognition, transparency, innovation, and rapid action ensures our culture isn’t just talked about—it’s lived, felt, and built by all of us.

What impact do external awards or recognitions have on your culture? How do you promote these accolades?

External awards and recognitions reinforce the culture we practice every day at Golden Hippo, and are proof that our innovation, collaboration, and commitment to excellence are being noticed far beyond our own teams. These accolades energize our employees, validate the work they’re doing, and strengthen pride in the culture they help create.

We promote these wins widely. Internally, we highlight them in Town Halls, Slack channels, and our company newsletter, always spotlighting the teams and individuals who made the achievement possible. Externally, we share awards through social platforms and our Careers site to showcase the people, values, and mindset that make Golden Hippo stand out.

These recognitions also hold us accountable to our cultural commitments. They give us a benchmark to measure against and fuel momentum to continue innovating, piloting bold ideas, and investing in initiatives that strengthen our culture. They remind everyone that culture is a company-wide achievement and that every team member contributes to making Golden Hippo an exceptional place to work. Ultimately, external validation motivates us to keep raising the bar, living our values in action, and building a culture we’re proud to sustain and share with the world.

Check out our open positions!

Golden Hippo Wins 3 Comparably Awards Based on Employee Feedback

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 17:38:32 +0000

At Golden Hippo, our mission has always been to improve lives through best-in-class health, wellness, beauty, and pet products. But just as important is the experience we create for the people behind that mission—our team.

Today, we’re proud to share that Golden Hippo has been recognized with three major workplace awards, each grounded in direct feedback from our employees:

🏆 Best Companies for Compensation
This award reflects employee responses across key factors that make up total compensation, including salary, raises, bonuses, benefits, equity, and 401(k) offerings. We’re committed to building a compensation structure that supports our team’s financial wellness, growth, and long-term success, and this recognition reaffirms that effort.

🏆 Best CEOs
Leadership matters, especially when it comes to transparency, trust, and empowerment. This award is driven entirely by employee ratings and feedback on CEO performance and approval. We’re honored to see our leadership team recognized for cultivating an environment where people feel valued, supported, and inspired.

🏆 Best Company Culture
Culture is at the heart of everything we do. This award measures employee sentiment across core areas like leadership, management, career development, compensation, perks and benefits, work environment, work-life balance, company outlook, and overall happiness. Being recognized here means a lot to us, because it reflects the day-to-day experience of those who make Golden Hippo what it is.

What These Awards Mean for Us
What makes these awards especially meaningful is that they come directly from our employees. Every score, every comment, every perspective shared paints a clearer picture of how we’re doing and where we can continue to grow. These honors are a celebration of our team’s passion, collaboration, and commitment to living our values: innovation, mindfulness, analytical decision-making, transparency, and always putting people first.

Looking Ahead
We’re incredibly proud of this recognition, and even more energized to keep building a workplace where people can grow, thrive, and make an impact. Thank you to every Hippo for your contributions, your feedback, and your belief in our mission. Together, we’ll continue shaping a culture worthy of celebration.

Want to join our award-winning team? Check out our open roles here!

Golden Hippo Named One of Built In’s Best Places to Work 2026

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 19:28:34 +0000

We’re proud to share that Golden Hippo has been recognized by Built In as one of this year’s Best Places to Work, a meaningful acknowledgment of the culture, innovation, and dedication that define our team.

A Recognition Rooted in Our People
This award celebrates more than just our benefits or perks, it reflects the passion and expertise our employees bring to their work every day. At Golden Hippo, we’re united by a mission to create best-in-class health, wellness, and beauty products, and our success is only possible because of the people behind them.

From product development to customer care, creative strategy to logistics, every department plays a key role in delivering products and experiences that improve lives. This recognition highlights the collaborative spirit and shared values that make Golden Hippo a uniquely rewarding place to build a career.

Our Commitment to Growth and Innovation
As we continue to evolve and grow, we remain committed to fostering an environment where employees feel supported, empowered, and inspired. With a strong culture of transparency, learning, and cross-team collaboration, we prioritize both individual development and company-wide progress.

Thank You to Our Team
We’re honored to receive this recognition, and even more honored to work alongside the talented professionals who made it possible. Thank you for your commitment, creativity, and the impact you make every day.

Interested in Joining Golden Hippo?
We’re always looking for passionate, driven individuals who want to be part of a team that values innovation and meaningful work. Explore our current openings and learn more about what it’s like to work at Golden Hippo.

Golden Hippo’s TA Coordinator Samantha Featured in Built In’s Latest Culture Spotlight

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 19:10:20 +0000

We’re excited to share that our Talent Acquisition Coordinator, Samantha, was recently featured in a Built In article titled “Why I Joined: New Hires Share Why Their Company’s Culture Made Them Say ‘Yes.’” The piece dives into what drew employees to their organizations and why culture played a defining role in their decision.

Samantha’s story reflects exactly what we strive to create at Golden Hippo: a people-first environment that blends growth, collaboration, and genuine connection. As someone just entering her career, her perspective is a meaningful reminder of the impact culture has on emerging talent and seasoned professionals alike.

Below are the full responses Samantha shared with Built In, offering a candid look at her experience with Golden Hippo so far.

What stuck out to you the most about Golden Hippo’s culture during the hiring process, and what was it specifically that convinced you to join?
"What stood out to me most during the hiring process was how intentional and people-focused the culture at Golden Hippo felt. From the very beginning, everyone I interacted with was welcoming, transparent and genuinely excited about the work they do. It didn’t feel transactional but like the team truly cared about both the candidates and each other.

What really convinced me to want to join was the strong emphasis on growth, collaboration and ownership. I could tell that Golden Hippo values developing talent and empowering employees to make an impact, even early in their careers. As someone just finishing college, that really resonated with me because I’m eager to learn, contribute, and grow within a company that invests in its people. I also appreciated how the company balances high performance with a supportive environment. It made me feel confident that I’d be joining a team where I could work hard, ask questions, and continue building my skills while being encouraged and supported along the way."

How does the company culture encourage peers to connect with each other either virtually, in person or both?
"The company culture encourages connection by intentionally creating opportunities for employees to build relationships, both virtually and in person. Through team events and holiday parties and gatherings, as well as team bonding opportunities, Golden Hippo makes it easy for peers to connect outside of day-to-day work. I also appreciate the focus on inclusivity through ERGs and cross-team collaboration, which helps foster a welcoming and supportive environment. These efforts make it easier to build strong relationships and feel connected as part of the team!"

What opportunities are available for employees to level up their careers?
"Golden Hippo creates exciting opportunities for employees to grow right from day one, especially through its mentorship and buddy programs. When you first start, the buddy program makes onboarding feel less overwhelming and more welcoming by pairing you with someone who’s there to answer questions, share tips, and help you settle in quickly. It’s a great way to build connections and feel supported early on!

The mentorship program adds another layer of growth by giving employees access to experienced leaders and team members who are genuinely invested in helping you learn and develop. Together, these programs create a fun, supportive environment where asking questions is encouraged, learning is hands-on, and employees feel motivated to grow their skills and confidence over time!"

Samantha’s insights capture the heart of Golden Hippo’s culture: caring about people, investing in their development, and creating space for meaningful connection. We’re proud to see her story recognized and even more proud to have her on our team.

View our open roles!

Comparably's Companies Who Support Employee Health & Wellness

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 20:00:00 +0000

We were recently featured in Comparably’s article on companies who celebrate employee health & wellness. If you would like to learn more about our health & wellness programs and how they've impacted our employees, read our responses below and check out the full article here!

What specific health and wellness programs or initiatives has your company implemented?

At Golden Hippo, we’re committed to supporting the well-being of our employees through a holistic approach that prioritizes physical, mental, and emotional health. Last year, we launched a year-round wellness initiative anchored by monthly wellness themes. Each month focused on a dedicated health topic such as stress management, financial well-being, nutrition, movement, or work-life balance, and included webinars, interactive challenges, and curated wellness resources.

Employees can participate in monthly challenges designed to promote healthy habits in fun and accessible ways, from step and hydration challenges to mindfulness and gratitude prompts. To keep engagement high, we also offer wellness-themed prizes each month such as walking pads, smart water bottles, water flossers, and smart watches, helping our teams stay motivated and connected.

Beyond monthly programming, we offer a robust suite of benefits and resources, including mental health support, an on-site gym and kitchen stocked with healthy food, access to EAP services, and opportunities for personal development. Our goal is to make well-being a consistent part of our culture rather than a one-time effort.

How have wellness initiatives affected your employees and your business? Are you seeing improvements in areas like morale, retention, performance, or overall workplace culture?

Our wellness initiatives have had a meaningful and measurable impact across the organization. Participation in our monthly themes and challenges has helped foster a stronger sense of community and engagement among teams, especially those working in hybrid or remote environments. Employees have shared that the programs make them feel more supported not only as professionals but as people, reinforcing the idea that Golden Hippo truly values their well-being.

We’ve seen a positive influence on morale, with employees reporting greater energy, improved work-life balance, and increased connection with coworkers. Plus, it’s a great way for us to engage in some friendly competition throughout the year! Culturally, the focus on wellness has created a more supportive and empathetic workplace. Teams are more communicative, more collaborative, and more mindful of healthy work habits. While wellness programs are not a singular solution, they play a significant role in making Golden Hippo a place where people feel empowered to do their best work and feel good doing it.

Check out our open positions!

Comparably's Companies Creating a Positive Candidate Experience

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 19:45:47 +0000

We were featured in Comparably's article on companies creating a positive candidate experience. Read through our responses down below and check out the article here.

Describe your company’s approach to creating a positive candidate experience throughout the hiring process.

At Golden Hippo, we take a thoughtful, people-first approach to the candidate experience, focusing on clarity, transparency, and connection at every step of the hiring journey. From initial outreach through final conversations, we emphasize timely, consistent communication so candidates always know what to expect and feel respected throughout the process. Our Talent Acquisition team serves as an extension of our culture, fostering open, genuine conversations and offering meaningful follow-up along the way. We aim to give candidates a true sense of life at Golden Hippo by sharing resources that highlight both our culture and growth opportunities. This includes our “Benefits at a Glance” overview, which showcases our competitive perks and is easily accessible on our careers site.

When candidates become employees, that experience continues seamlessly through our Hippo Buddy program, which connects new hires with seasoned team members to help them feel supported and confident from day one. Whether candidates ultimately join Golden Hippo or not, our goal is to ensure they walk away with a positive, informative, and authentic impression of our company.

How do you gather and implement feedback from candidates to improve your recruitment process?

Feedback plays a key role in how we evolve our recruitment and onboarding experience. We regularly collect insights through surveys at various points in the hiring and early employment journey to understand what resonates and where there may be opportunities to improve. In addition, we invite new hires to anonymously share their thoughts via third-party review platforms, allowing for candid and constructive input.

We take this feedback seriously and use it to inform ongoing improvements to our processes. This commitment to listening and learning is reflected in the strong ratings we consistently receive for our orientation and onboarding experience. By acting on feedback and making intentional updates, we ensure our candidate and new hire experience remains engaging, transparent, and aligned with the values of Golden Hippo.

Check out our open positions!

Golden Hippo’s Video Production Manager Donald Featured in Built In’s Latest Culture Spotlight

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:53:09 +0000

We’re proud to share that our own Donald Richey, Video Production Manager at Golden Hippo, has been featured in a recent article by Built In.

In the piece, “How Golden Hippo Managers Protect Creativity With Clear Expectations and Empathy,” Donald offers an inside look at how our social media creative teams operate and why clarity, trust and a deliberate pace drive better performance than constant pressure. From removing obstacles for his team to using performance data to guide smarter creative risks, Donald shares how empathy and accountability work hand in hand to produce standout advertising at scale.

At Golden Hippo, we believe great work starts with great leadership. Donald’s approach reflects the values we prioritize every day: clear communication, autonomy, analytical decision-making and a calm, focused environment where creatives can think big and execute with confidence. We’re excited to celebrate his feature and the culture it highlights: one built on trust, transparency and a commitment to helping our people do their best work.

View the full article here or continue reading:

On Golden Hippo’s social media team, no one is under pressure to churn out content as fast as possible. In fact, Donald Richey, a video production manager, said that maintaining a deliberate pace is part of what makes the team at the direct-to-consumer marketer and builder of health, beauty, and wellness brands successful.

“People often assume that because we produce a lot of social media ads, it’s a high pressure, nonstop production environment,” Richey said. “The reality is the opposite. We structure our teams to give creatives time and space to think, because great creativity comes from clarity, not constant pressure.”

“Great creativity comes from clarity, not constant pressure.”
As a manager, it’s Richey’s job to remove obstacles to free up space for his teammates to think big and operate with autonomy.

“Even at scale, we prioritize a calm, focused environment so people feel confident enough to take smart risks,” Richey said.

Built In spoke with Richey in detail about his management style, including how he paces his team for success and why empathy is central to every conversation.

What a Video Production Manager Does at Golden Hippo
Describe your role and responsibilities. How long have you worked at Golden Hippo?
I’ve been at Golden Hippo since 2019, so just over six years. At the core, my job is understanding how people behave online and in social feeds and turning that into ads that work. I’m a manager specializing in online video advertising and creative strategy. I focus on building ad concepts and scripts that stop the scroll and actually convert. I also lead an amazing team of creatives and my main job there is to make sure they have everything they need to be successful.

Golden Hippo’s Management Style: Trust, Clarity and Autonomy
How would you describe your approach to managing and coaching your team?
My role as a manager is to remove obstacles, not create them, whether that’s unclear direction, unnecessary pressure or friction in the process that gets in the way of great work. I focus on giving the team trust and room to think. I believe a happy, supported and relaxed creative team consistently produces better ideas and better results. When people feel confident and protected, they take smarter risks and that’s where the best creativity comes from.

What specific routines or habits help you keep communication clear and consistent?
I’m big on clarity and consistency, because most problems come from miscommunication, not bad intent. I make it a habit to clearly define expectations upfront: what we’re doing, why we’re doing it and what success looks like. I keep communication simple and direct and I encourage questions. We should all ask WHY sometimes. I also try to be very available; if something feels unclear or off, I’d rather talk it through quickly than let it turn into frustration.

How Feedback and Coaching Work at Golden Hippo
How do you balance accountability with empathy when supporting team members?
I don’t see accountability and empathy as opposites, I think of them as complementary. I always like to start from the assumption that everyone on the team wants to do good work. So I try to lead with empathy first, then anchor the conversation in responsibility. If someone’s struggling, my approach is to ask ‘why’ before jumping to what went wrong. But once expectations are clear, I’m consistent about following through. Supporting someone doesn’t mean lowering the bar, it means helping them reach it.

How Golden Hippo Uses Performance Data to Improve Creative Work
Can you share an example of a time when feedback or mentoring led to meaningful growth for an employee?
One thing I can think of is how I’ve coached my team to better understand what makes a good ad by reading and learning from the data. I’ve spent a lot of time helping them connect performance metrics to creative decisions and optimization. Over time, I’ve seen real growth, not just in results, but in confidence. Team members are now more comfortable building ads on their own, experimenting and taking smart creative risks. That confidence and ambition is a big shift from when they first started and it’s led to better work across the board.

How do you help your team understand how their work connects to company priorities and long-term goals?
I make sure the team understands why the work matters, not just what they’re working on. I connect creative decisions back to performance and how our ads support the bigger picture of the brand, the offer and the company. When people see how their work impacts results and long-term growth, they’re more invested and more thoughtful in how they approach what they create.

Check out our open positions!

Golden Hippo Recognized for Best Company Outlook, Best Company for Women, and Best Company for Diversity

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 00:43:27 +0000

At Golden Hippo, we believe that building great brands starts with building a great workplace. That’s why we’re proud to share that our company has been recognized with three new awards: Best Company Outlook, Best Company for Women, and Best Company for Diversity.

These recognitions reflect the culture our team works hard to create every day, one where talented people from different backgrounds can do meaningful work, grow their careers, and collaborate to make an impact.

A Strong Outlook for the Future
Receiving recognition for Best Company Outlook highlights the momentum our team continues to build. From developing innovative health, beauty, and pet care products to expanding our brands and capabilities, we’re focused on long-term growth and opportunity.

But what truly drives our outlook is our people. The creativity, dedication, and problem-solving mindset of our team fuel the progress we make as a company.

A Workplace Where Women Thrive
Being named a Best Company for Women reflects our commitment to creating an environment where women can succeed, lead, and shape the future of our organization. Across teams, from marketing and product development to operations and leadership, women play a critical role in driving innovation and business results.

We’re proud to foster a culture where voices are heard, contributions are recognized, and career growth is supported.

Championing Diversity
Diversity makes teams stronger, more creative, and more resilient. Recognition as a Best Company for Diversity underscores our dedication to building a workplace that values different perspectives and experiences.

By bringing together people with diverse backgrounds, ideas, and skills, we create better solutions and stronger brands while ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute and succeed.

Built by Our Team
Awards like these are meaningful because they represent the experience of the people who work here. Every collaboration, challenge solved, and milestone achieved contributes to the culture that makes Golden Hippo a place where people can thrive.

We’re grateful to our team for the passion and commitment they bring every day.

Join Us
As we continue to grow, we’re always looking for talented people who want to build, innovate, and make an impact.

Interested in joining our team? Explore open roles and apply today.

How Golden Hippo Supports Employees in Doing Their Best Work

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 20:50:29 +0000

At Golden Hippo, we’re proud to foster a culture where employees feel supported, valued, and empowered to do meaningful work.

Recently featured in Built In’s article, “How These Companies Help Employees Do Their Best Work — Without Burning Out,” our own Manager of Digital Acquisition Marketing Kathryn shared her perspective on what makes that possible day to day.

Here’s what she had to say:

What makes you feel supported and valued at Golden Hippo on a day-to-day basis?
“I feel most supported when there’s open communication and a strong level of trust across the team. I’m fortunate to have a manager and leadership team who are approachable, set clear expectations, and give regular feedback, which makes a big difference day to day.

I also feel valued when hard work is recognized, whether that’s through a shoutout in a team meeting, thoughtful feedback or being trusted to take on meaningful projects. When a company creates a culture where people can collaborate, share ideas openly, and feel comfortable asking for help, it makes it much easier to stay motivated and do your best work.”

How does your team prevent burnout while still delivering meaningful work?
“My team does a good job of preventing burnout by being thoughtful about priorities and staying in close communication. We focus on the work that will have the biggest impact and direct connection back to company goals, and we have the trust and communication built to adjust timelines or projects when needed.

We also value teamwork. We are all working toward the larger company goals, and I am lucky to work with very driven people, but if someone is feeling overloaded, people are always quick to step in and help out, whether that’s a quick huddle to align on priorities or a brainstorm. That kind of support makes it possible to keep delivering meaningful work without burning out or sacrificing quality.”

What’s one way Golden Hippo shows appreciation that genuinely resonates with employees?
“One way Golden Hippo shows appreciation is tying our individual goals back to company goals, and rewarding those wins accordingly. We have monthly key performance indicators to hit and are rewarded with varying levels of compensation based on hitting those goals. In addition, we are able to recognize a colleague for going above and beyond their day-to-day responsibilities in companywide shoutouts and spot bonuses.”

At Golden Hippo, creating an environment where employees can thrive isn’t just a priority, it’s part of how we build better brands, stronger teams, and lasting impact.

Check out the full article here!

View our open positions!

The Golden Lounge: After Hours (Hannah - Head of Business Development)

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:46:01 +0000

We’re excited to share the latest episode of Golden Lounge After Hours, featuring a conversation between host Noah and Golden Hippo’s Head of Business Development, Hannah.

This episode offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at both the professional journey and personal experiences that have shaped Hannah’s path. From her early days in the Bay Area to building her career in Los Angeles, Hannah shares how she found her way into business development, and what it takes to lead impactful partnerships across affiliates, agencies, and beyond.

Along the way, the conversation dives into the realities of podcast production (including a few behind-the-scenes challenges), memorable career moments, and what makes Golden Hippo’s culture unique. From team traditions and milestone wins to everyday perks, listeners get a glimpse into the experiences that define life at Golden Hippo.

The episode also highlights the importance of wellness, with Hannah sharing how habits like consistent movement, getting enough sunlight, and prioritizing protein have played a role in her overall health. She opens up about her personal journey managing a genetic collagen condition and how strength training has helped her build resilience.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Golden Lounge After Hours without a little fun. The episode features a rapid-fire question segment, unexpected stories (including a possible ghost encounter), and a lively discussion on workplace trends. Hannah and Noah weigh in on “conscious unbossing,” embracing a culture where the best ideas win, while also sharing their thoughts on the more curated side of LinkedIn culture.

Whether you’re interested in career growth, company culture, or simply enjoy authentic conversations, this episode has something for everyone.

👉 Tune in now and get to know the people behind Golden Hippo.

Comparably's Companies Creating an Effective Onboarding Experience and Integration for New Hires

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 23:01:16 +0000

We were featured in Comparably's article on companies creating an effective onboarding experience and integration for new hires. Read through our responses down below and check out the article here.

What approach does your company use to onboard and integrate new hires effectively?

At Golden Hippo, we approach onboarding as a critical first step in setting new team members up for success. Our process is designed to balance structure with personalization, ensuring that every new hire feels welcomed, informed, and empowered. From day one, employees are introduced to our culture, values, and mission, alongside the tools, systems, and processes they’ll need to excel in their role. We combine interactive training sessions, mentorship opportunities, and hands-on experiences to help new hires connect with their teams and gain a clear understanding of how their work contributes to the bigger picture. Beyond the initial orientation, we provide ongoing support through our Hippo Buddy program, helping employees confidently navigate their responsibilities while building strong relationships across the organization.

How do you ensure a consistent onboarding experience across different departments or locations with unique needs?

To maintain a consistent onboarding experience across departments and locations, we establish core onboarding principles and standardized materials that reflect Golden Hippo’s culture, values, and operational expectations. At the same time, we allow for flexibility so each team can tailor the experience to the specific skills, workflows, and tools relevant to their function. We equip managers and HR partners with clear guidelines, training, and resources to deliver a high-quality experience, no matter where the new hire is located. Regular check-ins and feedback loops ensure any gaps are identified and addressed quickly. By blending standardization with role-specific customization, we create an onboarding experience that is cohesive, scalable, and still responsive to the unique needs of every team and location.

Check out our open positions!