Belle Communication has been named one of Inc.’s Best Workplaces for 2019. This annual list honors top companies to work for in the U.S., according to a rating system based on employee surveys.
Out of nearly 2,000 submissions, Inc. singled out 346 honorees. Belle Communication is one of only eight Ohio companies – and the only Ohio PR agency – represented on the list.
Cultivating a Different Kind of Agency Culture
“We’re proving that you can deliver exceptional results and be successful in PR while living a holistic, self-care centric lifestyle.”
Belle operates on a unique all-remote model, with 15 employees across six states. The agency offers progressive benefits like unlimited paid vacation, eight weeks’ paid maternity leave, profit-sharing, IRA matching and bi-annual retreats in destinations like Key West and Savannah. According to Inc.’s employee survey results, Belle team members praised less tangible benefits, such as a supportive environment, respect from leadership and an emphasis on both personal and professional growth.
It’s all part of the vision set by Belle Communication’s CEO, Kate Finley, who founded the agency in 2013. Public Relations is consistently ranked one of the most stressful jobs in the U.S., and Finley knew she wanted to build a different kind of agency – one that went against the industry’s work-obsessed norms to instead, prioritize meaningful work, positive culture and healthy work-life integration.
“We’ve been intentional and meticulous to cultivate the culture we have at Belle,” said Finley. “We’re proving that you can deliver exceptional results and be successful in PR while living a holistic, self-care centric lifestyle. This award belongs to every member of our team, and I couldn’t be more proud.”
Thoughtful, Purpose-Driven Growth
Winning this highly competitive award comes on the heels of other recent award wins for the agency, including Ohio Business Magazine’s Best Workplaces in Ohio and PR News’ Top Places to Work. Finley was also named a finalist for PRSA of Central Ohio’s Tom Poling Practitioner of the Year Award, and the agency just received five award wins for its work with Central Ohio clients like The Ohio State University’s Risk Institute and Visit Fairfield County.
Belle Communication celebrated its six year anniversary in April, having grown steadily from its humble beginnings as a one-woman startup, including 140% revenue growth over the past two years. Specializing in the food and beverage, restaurant, tourism and business services industries, the agency is in the midst of its strongest growth to date, already adding eight clients and six team members in 2019. Belle Communication represents household names like Shake Shack, Nestlé and The Halal Guys.
Tying PR strategy to tangible business results and employing the use of social technology in place of outdated industry approaches, the agency’s work has increased sales, leads and thought leadership for clients, resulting in more than $1.5MM in sales, national distribution gains and 4,000 editorial media opportunities to date.
A results-driven approach, commitment to measurement and focused set of services have been key to the company’s success. “We aren’t a jill-of-all-trades agency,” Finley said. “We aren’t trying to be all things to all people. We have a deep expertise in digital public relations, influencer marketing and social media, which allows us to be a true strategic partner to our clients in those areas and drive results that impact the bottom line.”
Learn more about life at Belle on our Team page or come say hi on Instagram.
