Discover the secrets to happier employees in this week's edition of Happy Office Hour, powered by Brand Sauce. Packed with industry insights, hot new products for your company store, and valuable tips to make your office happier—while making your company culture the envy of your industry.

A Dash of Industry Insights 📰

Industry Headlines, Insights, Data & Upcoming Events

🏆 Employee Appreciation Day Alert: March 7th is approaching fast! Leading CPOs are already implementing our CRAFT program to revolutionize their employee experience. Don't wait—start planning today.

🎯 Brand Impact Insight: Studies show that 86% of employees proudly wear branded swag outside of work, highlighting the importance of high-quality company merchandise.

📝 The Rise of Revenge Quitting: Employees frustrated by low salaries, limited growth opportunities, and feeling undervalued are driving a trend dubbed "revenge quitting," reshaping workplace dynamics in 2025. Read more here.

💰 OpenAI Eyes Massive Funding Round: OpenAI is reportedly in talks to raise up to $40 billion at a $340 billion valuation, with SoftBank expected to lead the round. Read more here.

The HR Corner

Building Better Culture With CRAFT

This week, we're focusing on the 'R' in CRAFT—Recognition. Recognition is about publicly acknowledging employees' accomplishments and contributions. It's more than just a pat on the back; it's about highlighting specific achievements, like meeting goals, completing projects, or going above and beyond.

Recognition programs that work include:

• Awards and bonuses

• "Employee of the Month" initiatives

• Public praise in meetings

• Peer recognition systems

The impact? Employees who receive regular recognition are:

• 5x more likely to feel valued and appreciated

• 6x more likely to invest in their work

• 7x more likely to stay with their current employer for at least another year

You can learn more about our CRAFT program for building a better culture here.

Words of Wisdom

Quote of the Week

In today's competitive talent landscape, this idea captures the delicate balance between investing in employee growth and fostering a culture worth staying in. The most successful organizations understand that providing robust professional development isn't just about skills training—it's about demonstrating a genuine investment in employees' futures, whether those futures are with your company or elsewhere. By creating an environment where people feel both challenged to grow and valued enough to stay, companies transform what could be a talent pipeline into a thriving community.

This philosophy aligns perfectly with modern retention strategies, where the goal isn’t to tether employees to their roles but to create an environment so compelling that leaving feels like walking away from something special.

Swag School

🔥 Hottest Product of the Week: Featuring Vantage Apparel

Level up your company swag with the ultimate New Jersey jacket from Vantage Apparel. Customizable with your logo, sleek patches, and standout branding, it’s the perfect blend of team pride and style. Whether for the office or casual outings, this jacket seamlessly combines comfort and company culture.

Ready to elevate your company swag? Contact us today.

Client Spotlight

Client Spotlight: PDS Optical

Meet PDS Optical - Serving Those Who Served

Founded with a noble mission, PDS Optical is a beacon of excellence in vision care for our nation's veterans. Their commitment to Pride, Dignity, and Service isn't just a tagline—it's woven into every aspect of their operations. By providing high-quality, affordable prescription eyewear, PDS Optical ensures that every veteran receives the exceptional care they deserve.

Holiday E-Commerce Company Store: A Brand Sauce Success Story 🌟

This holiday season, we partnered with PDS Optical to create a meaningful recognition program for their dedicated team members—those who work tirelessly to serve our veterans. Understanding the importance of choice, quality, and alignment with their values, we crafted a custom holiday pop-up store that truly reflected their commitment to excellence.

The Impact:

• Personalized digital gifting experience

• A curated selection of premium products that align with company values

• Streamlined fulfillment for effortless execution

• Enhanced team appreciation during the holiday season

• A stronger internal culture of recognition

From concept to delivery, we helped PDS Optical transform their holiday gifting into a meaningful expression of gratitude, honoring their team's dedication to serving veterans.

🤝 Partner with PDS Optical

Interested in working with PDS Optical? I'd be happy to make an introduction—reach out at [email protected].

🚀 Join the PDS Optical Team

PDS Optical operates two state-of-the-art optical labs in Louisville, KY, and Fort Lauderdale, FL. They also run optical shops nationwide, including in Puerto Rico. Explore their career opportunities here.

Weekend Update

Around The Water Cooler With Ross

Family Over Everything: Lessons in Time Well Spent

"Family over everything" and "family comes first" aren’t just phrases—they’re the foundation of how I was raised. My cousins are my best friends. My aunts and uncles are like second parents. My grandparents were a daily presence in my life. And now, as a parent, I work every day to instill that same deep sense of family in my own kids.

But here’s the thing—I’ve learned that it’s not just the words that shape this value. It’s the experiences. It’s the family dinners, the vacations, the holidays, and the celebrations. It’s the time we choose to spend together that teaches the next generation what it truly means to put family first.

My son, Bo, who’s 10, hears me say “Family Over Everything” all the time—and to be honest, he’s a little over it. He doesn’t always love that our vacations include extended family, and he doesn’t quite get why it matters so much.

That changed last weekend.

My friends—Josh, Kort, and Tyler McCumber—were in San Diego, and they came over to watch football and enjoy some BBQ. Josh and Kort are brothers, and their first cousin is Tyler. They live in different parts of the country—Florida, Colorado, and California—but despite their busy schedules, they made time to be together for the weekend.

After they left, Bo turned to me and asked, “Dad, are they all brothers?”

That was my moment. I explained that while Tyler is their cousin, they treat each other like brothers. That even though they live far apart and have demanding lives, they prioritize spending time together.

Bo thought for a moment and then said, “So their family is like our family.”

That was it. That was the lesson.

Thank you to the McCumber boys for not just reminding me why family comes first—but for helping Bo see it, too.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about saying "Family Over Everything"—it's about living it.

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