Let's face it, in a small business, team members are not just a number — they're everything. We don't have those layers of management or siloed departments you find in bigger places. That closeness? It's both a blessing and a beast sometimes. Culture is what gets us through those crazy deadlines, helps us snag and keep the best people, and honestly, it's what shapes how our clients see us. I truly believe our vibe is a huge part of why we're where we are today. Seriously, without our energy, our internal Alipes-ness, we wouldn't be here.
Who we are (and who we are not)
At Alipes, we're super clear on our values — what we're about, and just as important, what we're not about. We started by asking ourselves, "Who really thrives here? What kind of projects light us up?" For us, it's things like being curious, straight-up transparent, all about collaboration, and flexible, with a big dose of fun thrown in. And we walk the talk. It's not just stuff we put on our website; it's how we talk to each other, how we make decisions, and how we give feedback. You'll probably hear me say "respect each other, respect the business" a lot. Because we need to say it, and we need to live it, every single day.
Keeping it real
Being a small and remote team, creating space for real conversations is key. If something's off, it throws everyone off. And that means being able to actually talk about it, whether it's a project going sideways or something in our personal lives. We're all human, right? Culture isn't just about the big wins; it's about those everyday interactions. Being able to be honest about workloads, share ideas, talk about what's working (or what's not) — that's crucial for building our culture and tackling any problems head-on.
It's the people
This is the stuff that makes you stand out in a pitch. By the time you're in that room, you've already shown you can do the work. Now, potential clients want to partner with people they trust, people they enjoy being around, and people they respect. It's easy to get caught up in the next pitch, the next quarter, the next big idea, but it's the people and the culture you build that create not just better work, but a foundation for something that lasts.