Work-Life Harmony and the Secret Sauce of Employee Happiness

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Welcome to the latest episode of Meet Us in the Kitchen, PromoKitchen’s vibrant hub for serving up the freshest ideas in the promo industry! In this episode, we dove into the spicy topic of work-life balance—or, as our guests prefer to call it, work-life harmony. We gathered an inspiring group of leaders—Kate Alavez, Jodie Schillinger, and Kenny Ved—to share their recipes for fostering happiness and engagement in the workplace. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about balance—it’s about flavor!

Kate Alavez, President of PromoShop, set the table with her thoughts on creating impactful employee experiences. From introducing hybrid engagement calendars to curating activities as diverse as crafting and tequila tastings, Kate emphasizes listening and adaptability. “Needs shift—just like seasons and consumer values. Our role as leaders is to respond creatively,” she shared. By inviting her team to co-create moments of joy and connection, Kate proves that leadership is less about prescriptions and more about invitations.

Jodie Schillinger, EVP of Maple Ridge Farms, brought the heat with her perspective on harmony over balance. Jodie highlighted how her team at Maple Ridge Farms found renewed energy through intentional flexibility—like giving Fridays off during slower seasons. “It’s not balance—it’s harmony,” she explained. “By freeing up space for life’s golden moments, employees return to work more engaged and fulfilled.” Jodie’s thoughtful approach reminds us that leadership isn’t about perfection; it’s about creating space for others to thrive.

Kenny Ved, Director of Global Sales at Goldstar, stirred things up with his focus on fostering culture in a remote-first world. While his team at Goldstar embraces the freedom of working from home, Kenny emphasized the importance of in-person “collisions” to maintain a sense of community. Whether through regional meetups or thoughtful gifting, Kenny’s team is proving that even a global organization can preserve its connective tissue. “It’s all about finding ways to collide, even if it’s quarterly,” he shared.

Here are my Key Takeaways from our conversation about Employee Happiness:

  • Blend flexibility with intention: Like any good dish, the best work-life harmony requires the right mix. Flexibility isn’t about endless freedom; it’s about creating meaningful choices for employees.

  • Season your culture with collisions: Whether virtual or in-person, intentional “collisions” between team members spark creativity and connection. Don’t let remote work leave your culture bland.

  • Serve harmony over balance: True engagement isn’t about perfectly dividing work and life; it’s about finding harmony that resonates with your team’s needs.

  • Listen like a master chef: Just as great chefs adapt their recipes, leaders must continuously listen and adjust to evolving team dynamics.

  • Invite creativity to the table: From tequila tasting sessions to “chunky knit pumpkin” parties, creating joy through shared experiences leads to happier, more connected teams.

I'm beyond grateful to Kate, Jodie, and Kenny for taking time away from their teams and stepping into the kitchen to cook up such thought-provoking insights. If you’re ready to dig deeper into these flavorful conversations, watch the full episode now! And hey, grab some chips and guac—it’s not every day you get to spice up your workday with such refreshing ideas.

Watch the full episode here: https://www.promokitchen.org/videos/work-life-harmony-and-the-secret-sauce-of-employee-happiness