Sure, we’ve all heard of the Googles, the Facebooks, the Nikes, and the Hiltons of the world — the “bucket list” companies that both millennials and baby boomers pine over. But what about those of us who don’t make it past the looming wall of HR, and instead, get lost amidst 10,000 other eager resumes floating in their online database? Are we destined to a mundane cookie cutter job that barely motivates us out of bed in the morning?
NO. Think bigger.
There are hidden gems hiding around every corner that are equally, if not COOLER companies to work for. Zoning in specifically on Southern California, check out the below “hidden gems” that might just actually be THE coolest places to work in Southern California. [Companies are listed in random order.]
72andSunny
Global Marketing, Advertising, and Design Company
Playa Vista, California
This global marketing, advertising, and design company describes themselves as follows: “We’re makers and doers, idealistic, and uber-modern. We embrace difference, strive for generosity over egos, are culture-driven, and gif-sharing obsessed. We’re hell-Yes’ers!, perpetual learners and a sunny side-up kind of team. We’re looking for like-minded people to join our team, so get clicking!” With an animal-friendly office located in Playa Vista, 72andSunny provides Free Food Fridays, unlimited vacation days, and internal learning sessions, speakers, and events to inspire and enhance employee skills. The company even celebrates its own birthday by allowing employees to get away from their desks with the objective to try new things, meet new people, and celebrate its collective accomplishments. 72andsunny.com, @72andsunny
GeoLinks
Innovative Telecommunications Company
Camarillo, California
Headquartered in Camarillo, GeoLinks is a leading telecommunications company nationally recognized for its innovative Internet and Hosted Voicesolutions. Ranked No.5 by category on Inc. Magazine’s 2017 Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America, GeoLinks was recently named a Top Innovator in Diversity and Inclusion alongside industry giants such as Nike and Intel. With a founding mission to cultivate the best company culture around — one that combines respect, collaboration, and a “best idea wins mantra” — the company recently moved into a 38,000 square foot office building fully equipped with an employee gym, basketball court, spacious kitchen stocked full of complimentary food and drinks, and a break room with shuffle board, pool tables, a retro jukebox, air hockey, foosball, and vintage arcade games. With local brewery Institution Ale Company located just steps away, happy hours and lunch breaks are encouraged to celebrate team wins, in addition to mid-day pickup basketball games, and frequent taco trucks. Offering employees a variety of free online training and education courses, it’s no surprise that the company is rated a remarkable 4.9-stars on GlassDoor.com. GeoLinks.com, @GeoLinks_USA
COOLA
Organic Sunscreen + Organic Suncare Company
Carlsbad, California
With celebrity fans including Jennifer Garner, Kerry Washington, Ryan Reynolds, and more, this 50-person operation based out of Carlsbad is quickly becoming a trendy house-hold name in the world of sunscreen. In-house, the company upholds a laid-back vibe where sandals and short sleeves are the everyday norm, dogs are encouraged, employees rock stand-up desks, surfboards adorn the walls, and bikes and paddle boards are available for everyday use. One other perk? Unlimited sunscreen. Coolasuncare.com, @COOLA_Suncare
Idea Hall
Hybrid Marketing and Public Relations Agency
Costa Mesa, California
Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Idea Hall is a hybrid creative agency that provides branding, PR, advertising, digital, and video services. Amongst a variety of benefits, the company offers a Wellness Reimbursement Program to employees that covers up to $200 per month for fitness classes, gym memberships, massages, chiropractors, etc. Around the office employees can enjoy giant darts, mini bowling, casual Fridays, a fully stocked kitchen, and an “Employee of the Month” parking spot and car wash. A firm believer in annual retreats, in 2017 the agency went to Disneyland where the day started with a private Q&A lead by one of Disney’s top producers, and evolved into Mickey ears and front line passes to all theme park rides. On top of all this, Idea Hall provides access to Franklin Covey (an online professional development database) for employees to participate in online courses to grow in their careers. ideahall.com, @ideahall
Procore Technologies
Construction Project Management Software company
Carpinteria, California
Nestled in a contemporary nine-acre campus on the bluffs above the Pacific Ocean in Carpinteria, this Construction Project Management Software company believes in the power of openness, optimism, and ownership. Whether it’s by providing employees with the latest tech, catered lunches, onsite massage and haircuts, or a variety of fitness programs, they believe in going the extra mile to make their employees happy. Need to take a vacation? Procore provides value-driven paid time off with no accruals and no “use it or lose it” game playing. Employees also have the opportunity to take personal ownership in Procore through employee equity plans. Procore.com, @Procoretech
Fidelitas Development
Full-service Marketing, Advertising, and PR agency
San Diego, California
Fidelitas Development, a full-service marketing, advertising, and PR agency, is headquartered in downtown San Diego in a former Wonder Bread Factory—a recognized historic landmark. Also located directly above local Mission Brewery, Fidelitas employees can take advantage of cool perks like a fully-stocked bar, weekly team lunches, a nap room, and luxury seating from client 4Seating.com. Outside of the office, team members can enjoy work-from-home Fridays, unlimited time off, training programs, and transferrable certifications. Centered around its culture, Fidelitas remains focused on adding A-level players to its team that treats teammates like family. Fidelitasdevelopment.com, @_Fidelitas
Promocodes.com
Coupon Codes and Deals Website
Santa Monica, California
Promocodes.com, a coupon codes and deals website providing verified offers from the nation’s top retailers, is headquartered in Santa Monica just steps away from the Third Street Promenade and a couple of blocks from the beach. Rocking a nautical office vibe (think wood floors, wood ceiling panels, beach-themed artwork, and a dramatic metal staircase), the company has a tiki bar and a gigantic rooftop where employees enjoy hosting frequent BBQs. Whether it’s sweating it out at their bimonthly company-sponsored spin class, or catching up at weekly office lunches, the company states that every single member of the Promocodes.com team is part of the family, and thus managers work hard to organize ample team bonding activities that everyone can enjoy. Promocodes.com, @Promocodescom
MyCorporation
Online Legal Filing Services
Calabasas, California
Work hard, play hard — that’s the MyCorp way. Located in Calabasas, the online legal filing services company is proud of their open floor layout that duels as the perfect stage for hosting employee talent shows and spontaneous musical karaoke announcements. Casual dress to work is always encouraged — AKA, dress up if you like, but Lululemon yoga pants and sneakers are cool too. In the summer employees head to “Camp MyCorp” for a week full of fun and festivities including picnic potlucks, team spirit dress days, and hula hooping (yes, hula hooping). The company also celebrates the winter holidays with the “12 Days of MyCorp” in December, kicking off the month with an epic holiday party that is hosted anywhere from Malibu Wine Safari to a local escape room. Stating “We’re pretty big on celebrations,” MyCorporation takes every opportunity to throw a party. From an employee anniversary, to a birthday, to a baby shower, the office hosts themed potluck team lunches as frequently as possible. MyCorporation.com, @mycorporation
