A Workplace Highlight | Agora Financial

March 10th, 2017 Daisy Smith

Today we want to give you a look inside one of the many companies we work with…

Agora Financial is a publishing group that offers subscribers expert financial research on unique opportunities, from a fresh perspective.

And they’ve been consistently kicking ass at it for more than 25 years. If you really think about it, their massive success should come as no surprise. Basically, these guys will go to any and all lengths to give their readers not just sound information, but real knowledge… and ultimately, power.

What we love about Agora Financial is that they make all the same promises to their employees; opportunity, knowledge and power.

How do they do it?

Well, in their own words…

“Work Hard, Play Hard”

This is one passionate posse. It’s not unusual for a couple of “copy guys,” a marketer or two, and a designer to pull an all-nighter to get the job done to their liking. But they seem to be of the thinking that a little leisure time can go a lonnnng way for creativity, productivity, and building the strong and innately collaborative culture that drives them.

AF leaders have been known to treat their employees to a rooftop barbeque to celebrate a job well done, throw together a game of paintball, splurge on some team gear from Patagonia, and throw one heck of a holiday hoe down.

“If You’re Not Failing, You’re Not Learning”

Agora Financial is all about outlying ideas. And so their folks needs to be in the mindset to keep testing and trying. But that also means they need to be OK with failing. At AF, failing = learning. And the minute you stop taking chances, shaking things up, and exploring new ideas is the minute you fall behind.

This workplace encourages a high level of competition, and a super high level of energy. And these are qualities that come naturally to them…..but that doesn’t make the job “easy.” These guys believe in putting in the hard work, and pushing one another. They believe that personal growth and development of individuals is only a small piece of the pie. And that the real wins are higher quality products for subscribers, and success for the team at large.

The result?

One of the most close-knit, open…. and simply put, awesome work dynamics we’ve seen. In fact, Agora Financial has been recognized as one of Baltimore top workplaces… even during and after recent explosive growth spurts. Their Baltimore headquarters (they also have offices in London and Paris) has grown from 40 employees to roughly 125 in the last 5 years.

BUT…

They’d rather you know them for their power-packed staff, including several best-selling authors. One of the most notable being, Addison Wiggin, a New York Times best-selling author and the driving force behind the critically acclaimed documentary film I.O.U.S.A.

Or maybe some of the recognition from dozens of other media sources, including The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Financial Times and others.

Or that in recent years, Agora Financial has managed to expand its business portfolio by acquiring the companies Wall Street Daily and Laize Faire Books.

If you’re as impressed as we are, check out their job listings here. It’s not easy to get “in,” but if you’re able to do it then we’re willing to wager you won’t regret it.

Daisy Smith

Assistant Director, Communications

"Don’t take yourself too seriously.”

I found myself at 14 West after 18 months of traveling and teaching in Bali, Thailand, and Australia. And now 5 years later, I’ve learned and grown with my team in extraordinary ways. I think that’s due in large part to the fact that I’ve been encouraged to approach my work and explore my potential in the same ways I’ve explored other parts of the world. I’m constantly asking questions, seeing and doing new things. And learning A LOT. I didn’t expect to find an experience like this in “an office back home.”

I love my position at 14 West because I’m invited to take on a diverse range of responsibilities. From running our Wellness Program to brand development and brand marketing to writing, I have a broad range of interests. And my role allows me to develop my skills through work that truly excites me. I have a hard time saying no to new projects, even when I already have a full plate. But when I take on too much, the leaders here are there with the support I need to get the job done. At the same time, I’m given the creative freedom to feel real ownership over my projects, which only motivates me more.

What is one thing you have to do every day in the office? Gotta have my essential oil diffuser going. Five of us share an office and we’re all hooked on the diffuser now, but it’s my job to create the perfect oil cocktail each morning to set the tone for the day. I’m obsessed.