I clearly remember the exact time and place where I received my offer to join OLIPOP. It was a moment I will never forget. Not only was it an opportunity to join an organization I was an avid consumer of (Root Beer and I go way back!), but more than that, it opened the door for me to make a lasting impact at a brand I loved.

Now, two years later, OLIPOP has been named one of Inc.’s Best Workplaces of 2025. This recognition personally means a great deal because it reflects something I see every day: a company built on care, integrity, and purpose. And more than that, this honor is a real validation of how we, as an organization, have chosen to grow as an employer.

From Day One: A Culture That Stood Out

During my own interview journey with OLIPOP, I had the opportunity to speak with our Co-Founder, CEO, and Formulator, Ben Goodwin. As a Talent Acquisition professional, this experience stood out to me as incredibly unique. Throughout my career, I’ve conducted numerous interviews and coached teams on cultivating an excellent candidate experience, but the way OLIPOP went about the process caught my attention. 

Each interviewee shared their personal story of mission connectivity, and it came through with unwavering, genuine honesty. I remember listening to Ben share how important the way we hire and foster company culture is to him, and the authenticity in his voice was truly impactful. Many leaders emphasize the importance of hiring quality talent from a business growth standpoint, but few do so with the same conviction as our leaders at OLIPOP. Hearing so genuinely that fostering a culture where employees have the resources to grow and thrive is a top priority made an incredible impression on me from the start. 

More Than Soda: Our Mission & Values

At OLIPOP, we’re not just reimagining soda, we’re also reimagining what a business can be. This means creating products that support health for all and building a business grounded in humanistic values. From the ingredients we source to the culture we foster, we’re committed to proving that business (and beverage) can be a force for good, and that soda has the power to bring people together.

That’s a big statement, I know. But the core of what makes this award so meaningful is the confirmation that we don’t just talk about our values, we live them every single day.

I align with these values and the mission of OLIPOP (as many applicants do) and found this to be a company that strives to do good in the world and for its people. 

Our values and mission are reflected not only in how we conduct interviews, lead teams, and measure performance, but also in how we approach these tasks on a day-to-day basis. The grit, resilience, humility, and critical thinking skills required to be successful at OLIPOP are crucial, but equally as important is how you show up every day. Whether it’s taking the lead when it counts or having courageous conversations, this is a job that challenges you—in the best way!

We've grown substantially in my two years at OLIPOP. From tools and resources to our organizational structures and employee development, it’s been an incredible journey of scaling and growth. The Talent Acquisition team and I have had the great opportunity to extend offers to some truly amazing humans.

The Recruiter’s Dream

As a recruiter, it’s a dream to work for an organization that you see not only offering great benefits and flexibility for employees, but also one that creates a place for its people to grow and thrive. I have personally found it nearly impossible to recruit for an organization you feel does not provide these things, knowing that candidates are trusting your transparency about the culture and working environment.

At OLIPOP, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to highlight the amazing ways we support employees and cultivate an environment that enables them to thrive. From our unlimited PTO to our remote-first environment and comprehensive benefits package, we support employees in a way that organically aligns with our mission.

One of my favorite OLIPOP benefits is our monthly wellness reimbursement, which covers personal wellness expenses like therapy. In today’s world, it’s truly a differentiator to support mental health in the way we do. We also offer OLIPOP Leadership University (OLU), a learning and development program for people leaders. OLU offers a structured development experience through in-person intensives and year-long, cohort-based learning. Through these ongoing sessions, peer learning, and practical leadership challenges, leaders can apply new insights within their teams and across the company, driving growth and collaboration throughout the organization.

Benefits like these, combined with our unprecedented growth, contribute to the amazing workplace experience recognized now by Inc.’s 2025 Best Workplaces award.

Raising a Can to the Culture We’ve Built

It is an honor to see OLIPOP recognized for the foundational culture our people have cultivated over the years. I lift my (Root Beer) OLIPOP can to every single member of our organization in celebration of this recognition, as this truly starts with our community and our people.

The culture we’ve built didn’t happen by accident; it’s the result of care, collaboration, and a shared belief in doing things differently. Whether you’re enjoying OLIPOP from your fridge, following along on our journey, or dreaming about joining the team yourself, we’re so glad you’re here for the ride. Come sip with us, grow with us, and be part of what’s next. 

Interested in joining our team? We’re always on the lookout for passionate, curious, and kind humans to grow with us. Check out our open roles and apply today.

Meet our Expert This article is written by Kelly Bogey, who is a paid member of the OLIPOP team.  Our Director of Talent Acquisition, Kelly Bogey, leads recruitment and hiring at OLIPOP. Since joining in 2023, her team has focused on elevating the recruitment process by implementing hiring manager training programs, enhancing the candidate experience, and bringing the OLIPOP culture front-and-center of our overall hiring program. Kelly is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, earning a degree in Business Management. Ironically, upon graduation, Kelly was seeking an opportunity but hadn’t determined a clear career path. After speaking with a recruiter to gain advice about her personal career search, she learned about the role of a recruiter and at that point, definitively decided her passion was to help others in their career journey. Her career has since spanned full-time to consulting across various industries, including public accounting, hospitality, and most recently retail.