Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1543749
HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | MARCH 9, 2026 B3 TURNKEY BUILDS WORKPLACE CULTURE AROUND 'REMARKABLISM' PHILOSOPHY By Susan Gonsalves A fter touring the Las Vegas headquarters of online shoe and clothing retailer Zappos in 2008, Steven Martorelli said he was inspired to build a business with a similar workplace culture. e visit exposed Martorelli to an office with a gym, free lunches and a board tracking metrics such as longest time spent on the phone with a customer. More importantly, he saw employees who enjoyed coming to work. So when he founded Turnkey in 2009, the Meriden-based business services company was designed to "create hap- piness," he said. Turnkey has 17 full- and part-time em- ployees in the U.S. who help business- es set up and manage credit and debit card payment processing and point-of- sale systems. e company also offers offshoring services, recruiting workers in the Philippines to perform adminis- trative and operational tasks for clients. Martorelli says it's not just the speak- easy-inspired office space, medita- tion room with a massage chair or a pay-to-read book club that sets his company apart. Instead, he points to an overarching philosophy he calls "Remarkablism." To support what he describes as a "journey of physical, mental and spiritual growth," Martorelli created a voluntary initiative known as the Re- markablism Challenge. e program blends elements of longevity science and positive psychology. "Codified habits are turned into a game where you get points for doing good things," Martorelli said. "e work stays the same, but the employ- ee makes a commitment to more responsibilities outside of it." Employees set personal goals that can range from losing weight or reduc- ing debt to completing a long-term passion project, such as producing a full-length film. Participants compete for a prize valued at up to $2,500, which can be used for a dream vacation or to fulfill a bucket-list goal. A People's Choice award recog- nizes what the company considers the most significant life transformation. Martorelli said he measured employ- ee happiness before and after the challenge using a 10-point scale. He said the company's average score rose from 5.6 to 7.7. He also said an iPhone app is in devel- opment — not for sale, but to encour- age others, including clients, to take part in the Remarkablism Challenge. "Because I've been designing and optimizing this" Martorelli said, "em- ployees love to be here. It is a great office and this is taking a culture of well-being to the next level." Employee loyalty Michael Pucci, Turnkey's marketing director for the last eight and a half years, said the company's culture stands out for its emphasis on collab- oration and personal development. "ere is a lot of effort for person- al growth and wellness," he said. rough the Remarkablism Challenge, Pucci said he walked 3,000 miles and earned a project management certification. He said flexible schedules and unlimited time off make him more willing to adjust his work hours when needed. "I'm willing to be there for a com- pany that is willing to be there for me," Pucci said. Pucci said the company's ap- proach goes beyond surface-level morale boosters. "It is not a static, inhuman met- ric. ere are personal conversa- tions about `how can we make this better?'" Pucci said. Meantime, Martorelli said he questions the term "work-life balance," calling it a "silly notion." Instead, he believes that when employers support workers' ef- forts to improve their well-being outside the office, the benefits ultimately carry over into the company's success. TURNKEY HEADQUARTERS: Meriden INDUSTRY: Merchant Services WEBSITE: www.processwithturnkey.com TOP EXECUTIVE: Steven Martorelli, CEO N0. 1 RANK SMALL/MEDIUM EMPLOYER (15-199 U.S. EMPLOYEES) CATEGORY