Have you ever walked into a company and felt the culture before you even talked to a single person?
That happened to me recently when I visited Steelhead Productions, a full-service exhibition company that builds out custom booths and experiences for the trade show industry. This is a multi-million dollar business that is growing rapidly and has been recognized as one of the best places to work. And within moments of stepping inside, I understood why.
The owners are constantly growing. They attend conferences. They read. They learn. And instead of keeping that growth to themselves, they share it. They create access for their team to learn, develop, and expand. Because they understand something most companies miss. Happy employees create productive results. And productive results create happy customers.
There was a feeling. An energy. A presence. Their culture is not accidental. It is intentional. Every single decision they make is filtered through one lens: Is this aligned with who we say we are?
That level of clarity is rare. And powerful. When they hire new employees, they are not just asking, “Can this person do the job?” They are asking, “Will this person live our culture? Are they coachable? Do they bring a positive, optimistic attitude? Will they show up in a way that is congruent with the values we have worked so hard to build?”
At Steelhead, their culture is anchored in three core principles.
- First, no surprises. That means transparency in everything they do. With their customers, with their team, and in how they deliver their services. There is clarity. There is trust. There are no hidden agendas.
- Second, awesome support. They are not just building booths. They are helping bring their clients’ visions to life. They show up as partners, not vendors. And that makes all the difference.
- Third, have fun along the way. Yes, fun. Because when people enjoy what they do and who they do it with, it changes everything. And you can feel all of this the moment you walk in.
There is literally a giant smiley face on the outside of the building. Inside, the environment is open, inviting, and energizing. There are affirmations on the walls. There is intention behind the design. It feels like a place where people want to be.
One of my favorite moments was walking into a meeting room and seeing a wall of books with a simple message: Leaders are learners. That told me everything I needed to know about their leadership.
In fact, their tagline says it all: Exhibit Happy. That is not just clever marketing. That is a strategic decision. Because when customers feel that energy, they come back. And when they come back, the business grows. That is how culture drives results
So here are three questions for you this Front-Row Friday.
- Are you intentional about your culture, or are you just hoping it works out?
- Are you attracting people who truly fit your culture, or are you settling for availability over alignment?
- And is there visible evidence that your culture is being cultivated every single day?
Because culture is not built in a mission statement. It is built in the moments. If you want a Front-Row culture, one that attracts top talent, retains great people, and drives real results, then it starts with intention. It starts with alignment. And it starts with you.
Your Head Usher,
Marilyn
