Virginia Business Magazine/Feb 2023 Issue
Spurrier Group, a performance-based media company located in Richmond, VA, knows what it takes to make employees feel valued, appreciated, and rewarded. Founded in 1996 by Donna Spurrier, this strategy-focused media buying agency is a pro at navigating the diverse, ever-changing media environment and has always upheld the value of its employees. Donna’s goal is to provide an environment that is safe, supportive, inquisitive, challenging, fun and that celebrates the small victories that they achieve each day. The icing on the cake was making Inc5000’s list of Fastest-Growing Private Companies of 2022.
Because of the processes that have been honed and optimized over 25 years, Spurrier Group has a relatively small boutique size staff considering the level of billing that they manage each year. Currently, Spurrier Group is comprised of women of all ages from various backgrounds, but with one simple goal: to provide the best service to their clients and be an agency partner that you’ll want to work with again and again. They hold fast to the idea that working as one team delivers the best results. It’s a collaborative environment and a truly close-knit team. “The feeling of being heard and that my ideas are validated makes Spurrier Group the best place to work every day. Everyone’s input is listened to and respected”, says Susanne Loving. Managing Director Jennifer Walker adds, “We all really love the work we do and know that our contributions to the whole are valued by our coworkers and clients”.
In addition to providing a space for women to thrive in business, Donna has made sure that the office culture maximizes productivity and stays grounded in a positive atmosphere. Along with an open-door policy, full benefits package, and generous annual bonuses, staff can take advantage of early leave for childcare, weekly wellness massages, and bi-monthly car washes. One beloved perk that has remained since the pandemic is “work from home Fridays”. “After only a few weeks at home at the start of the pandemic, the majority of our staff wanted to come back into the office!”, Donna says. “We took all the precautions, followed all the regulations and we made it work. We had been in the office throughout the pandemic; however, when I saw how many people were working from home, for what ended up being an extended period, I wanted my amazing and loyal employees to get to work in their sweatpants occasionally, too, so I started the “work from home Fridays”, she adds.
As well as the thoughtful perks, the office is just a fun place to be. A permanent puzzle area often comes in handy throughout the day when staff want to stretch their legs, get their creative minds engaged, or just catch up with a co-worker.
Another core value that Spurrier Group has always maintained is philanthropy. Regularly over the past 25 years, Spurrier Group has given a charitable gift of 10% of the years’ remaining revenue. Most recently, in celebration of their 25th anniversary, ten charities were selected and $25,000 was donated to each. These gifts supported causes close to their hearts like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Prevent Child Abuse America, Innocence Project, and the Global Fund for Women, just to name a few. The company has also given tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships as well as participated in local outreach within the Richmond community. They have also serviced pro-bono clients in the non-profit space since the very first days of the company.
Donna has always maintained the idea that the best success is when employees get to share in the accomplishments of the company. Her mindset is simple: when employees are happy, then the best work is being done and our clients are happy. “People have a choice of where they want to work.”, she says. “Employers shouldn’t take it for granted if they have loyal employees. Every business owner worth their title knows that their employees are a major component in the company’s success. I say make it worth their while and then the investment you are making into each employee will pay off in countless ways.”