Guest Post - Observations from an Honorary Carrot

We had a guest in the Yes To office this week -- writer James Marshall Reilly -- and we thought we'd ask him to jot down his observations.

This Monday I arrived at the Yes To offices in San Francisco, prepared to interview founder and friend Ido Leffler for a business book I am writing for Portfolio/Penguin. Knowing Ido’s amazingly positive energy and “just say yes!” approach towards everything he does, I knew I was in for an interesting day, but I had absolutely no idea what to expect in terms of the office, the company culture, the employees, and the general atmosphere of the Yes To corporate garden.

Ami greeted me right away, asked so nicely if I needed anything, and I made my way back to Ido’s office. As I walked through the open-floor office, I could immediately tell that this company is different in the best sense of the word. Young employees were already at their work-stations, typing away with palpable energy, and the bright orange carpet that I was walking on only further emphasized that Yes To is more than a brand – it’s a way of life. Products from the Yes To line are displayed proudly around the office, from the new Cucumber Facial Towelettes to Carrot Facial Moisturizer (that also happens to be SPF 15), and beyond.

When I finally got to Ido, who was wearing, you guessed it, a bright orange sweater, he gave me a big hug, introduced me to several members of the team and I could instantly tell why the employees were there early. As we made our way over to the conference room, which has paintings of vegetables hanging on the wall, a flat screen TV, and a Nintendo Wii (there is also a classic foosball table right nearby) it was apparent that the culture at Yes To is just as important to Ido and his team as the amazing products they create. This is a company that is inclusive, inspiring, and revolutionary - in a wholesome, organic kind of way - where everyone at the office is treated as an equal, as part of a passionate team of, well, carrots and cucumbers and tomatoes.

I was hoping to get some basic questions answered and cover some business and lifestyle concepts that I am exploring for my book. Instead, what I got was full and unfiltered access to Ido and the Yes To team for the entire day – I was even invited to sit in on a meeting with new employees. The passion and energy in the air was nothing short of inspiring – from the Seed Fund and the mantra of saying “Yes,” to the power and importance of close relationships with their consumers (aka Very Important Carrots), to the array of new organic products they are developing.

What an honor to be included and welcomed by such an amazing team and socially conscious group of individuals. Now, as I apply my new Carrot SPF Moisturizer to my sunburn-prone skin and prepare to head out into the San Francisco sun before a flight to LA, I only hope that I can capture the amazing stories and insights that Ido and the Yes To team shared with me on the pages of my book.