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HartfordBusiness.com | March 6, 2023 | Hartford Business Journal 19 1st Place 1st Place Winner Winner The company serves markets including food and beverage, alcohol, financial, wellness, hospitality, automotive and more. Brigante said she appreciates how leadership supports its employees with learning growth opportunities to empower them to do their best work. Snyder said that embracing a performance management system, "StandOut," has been a great way to regularly communicate and provide feedback to individuals in real time that "nurtures and guides" them into their next roles. "They know they have a home here and a career path," Snyder said. "Communication aligns us on what goals and paths forward to take." Diversity, charity Employees are given the freedom to work at their own time and pace using a hybrid schedule of two or three days in the office and the rest virtual. The office atmosphere is enhanced by fun events like happy hours at the company's own "Bar Infuse," complimentary bagels on Thursdays, participation in club leagues and 5K races, and book club meetings. Teamwork is also built at seasonal events where employees are tasked with bringing a brand concept to life. Snyder noted the company made a major investment in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) with the hiring of a full-time manager, the creation of a 20- to 25-member volunteer equity alliance that meets twice per month, development of employee resource groups, guest speakers and recruitment efforts within minority communities. Teamwork, mission, culture drive Inspira Marketing Group Inspira Marketing Group Headquarters: Norwalk Industry: Advertising/PR/Marketing Website: www.inspiramarketing.com Top Executive: Jeff Snyder, Founder & Chief Inspiration Officer By Susan Gonsalves W hen Jeff Snyder founded Inspira Marketing Group in March 2008, he said he thought about how to build something "from scratch" that personified the company he envisioned. It would be a place with an incredible culture, where people feel listened to and valued. It would also be structured in a "less hierarchical and more philanthropic" manner, he said. Since then, Inspira has grown from five to 10 employees to over 350, including 50 workers in the Norwalk headquarters. "Those core attributes still are true today and it reflects in the work product. Everyone gives extra and feels like part of something bigger," Snyder said. Group Creative Director Farah Brigante, who joined Inspira full time four years ago after working as a freelancer, said she is most impressed by how the company creates a more "holistic" experience for clients, whether through overarching advertising campaigns, experiential ideas or developing toolkits for brands. Brigante said she and her co- workers are passionate about what they do because part of Inspira's profits go to a worthy cause. The recipient, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, is an initiative close to Snyder's heart. The organization was founded by parents whose child died of cancer. The foundation carries on Alex's legacy. Since age two, Snyder's own daughter has battled a spinal cord tumor, he said. Discovering pediatric cancer is underfunded, Snyder made it his mission to raise money in that area, he said. Along with donating a portion of Inspira's profits, Snyder said the company gives its time and creative talent to find sponsors, develop marketing programs and organize fundraising events. "I've even dressed up in a lemon suit and run around…," Snyder said. "Whatever it takes." He added, "I'm truly blessed to work with such talented, passionate people." Large Cos. BEST PLACES TO WORK IN CONNECTICUT