In the dynamic landscape of modern business, the term ‘hospitality’ transcends traditional boundaries, entering the realm of corporate structure and employee relations. garden3D, a collective of creative studios based in New York City, stands out as a compelling case study in this evolution. Spearheaded by Hugh Francis, its founder, the company exemplifies how businesses can operate with a focus on inclusivity, transparency, and collective prosperity—principles that might be termed ‘corporate hospitality. 

Creating a Non-Oppressive Work Environment

Hugh introduced garden3d not just as another creative agency but as a beacon of what a liberatory, inclusive, and empowering creative company should look like within capitalism. Rejecting the hierarchical pyramid where “the money goes up and the bullshit goes down,” garden3d operates on a flat structure where profits are shared, and all members have equal access to the financial pool.

Profit Sharing and Worker Ownership

Central to garden3d’s ethos is its profit-sharing model and worker ownership. Each employee earns profit share units based on their tenure, fully vesting after four years. This approach not only incentivizes long-term commitment but also ensures that everyone, from interns to the founder, has a stake in the company’s success. Hugh proudly noted the company’s transparency and auditability, crucial for maintaining trust and accountability within their profit-sharing framework.

Salary Setting and Moral Compass

Garden3d employs a peer-to-peer salary setting process aided by a deterministic skills matrix, promoting fairness and transparency. Remarkably, salaries are consistent across disciplines and geographies, reflecting the company’s commitment to equality and resistance to market-driven wage disparities. Additionally, the company’s moral compass dictates their business choices, steering clear of partnerships that contradict their ethical standards.

Cultural and Operational Innovations

Francis highlighted several innovative practices that foster a supportive and inclusive workplace. These include the adoption of a generous parental leave policy, an optional four-day workweek at 80% pay, and a rigorous stance on environmental sustainability. The company also encourages a culture of continuous improvement through company-wide experiments where any team member can propose policy changes.

Building Community Beyond Business

Garden3d extends its community-oriented approach beyond its walls by fostering spaces for creative collaboration. From Index, a local community space in Canal Street, to supporting global creative hubs through its Nodes Grant program, the company invests in building ecosystems that support diverse and dynamic interactions among creatives worldwide.

Towards a Hospitable Workplace  

Garden3d’s model challenges conventional business practices by demonstrating that a company can be both profitable and profoundly human-centered. Hugh’s presentation not only outlined the practicalities of running a business with radical openness and equity but also posed a broader question about the potential for businesses to act as communities—not just companies. As corporate structures evolve, garden3d offers a visionary blueprint for what the future of work might look like, marked by a deep commitment to employee well-being, ethical integrity, and ecological sustainability.