In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, workplace flexibility has become more than just a buzzword—it's a necessity. One company that has successfully embraced this concept is Mustard Made, a colorful locker manufacturer that has redefined what it means to build a business around life, rather than the other way around. Their journey offers valuable insights into how companies can implement flexible work practices to drive growth, innovation, and employee satisfaction.
The Genesis of Mustard Made: A Tale of Two Sisters
Mustard Made's story begins with two sisters, Jess Gray and Becca Stern, who lived on opposite sides of the world but shared a common dream: to create a business that would offer them the flexibility they couldn't find elsewhere. Their journey is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship in shaping one's ideal life.
Becca, a single mom in Australia, struggled to find a job that balanced with childcare responsibilities. Meanwhile, Jess, based in the UK, sought to escape the monotony of corporate life. Together, they envisioned a company that would allow them to:
- Work together despite the geographical distance
- Set their own hours
- Be more creative in their professional lives
- Prioritize family and personal commitments
Their vision materialized into Mustard Made, a company specializing in colorful, vintage-inspired lockers. But more than just a product, Mustard Made became a vehicle for lifestyle transformation and a model for workplace flexibility.
The Pillars of Mustard Made's Workplace Flexibility
1. Asynchronous Communication
With co-founders operating in vastly different time zones, Mustard Made had to master the art of asynchronous communication. This approach has allowed them to:
- Divide labor efficiently across time zones
- Grow at an accelerated pace by leveraging round-the-clock operations
- Expand into multiple markets simultaneously
Becca notes, "Having the two of us being able to lead our teams on opposite sides of the world has enabled us to grow at a speed that we wouldn't have otherwise." This sentiment is echoed by research from the Harvard Business Review, which found that asynchronous communication can lead to a 50% increase in productivity for distributed teams.
2. Supporting Working Parents
Mustard Made has made it a priority to support parents, especially mothers returning to the workforce. Their approach includes:
- Offering part-time and flexible hours for new hires
- Gradually increasing workload as employees adjust to their new roles
- Nurturing skills and confidence in returning workers
Becca reflects, "I think that's exactly what I wish someone had done for me. And nobody did, so I felt like I had to make that for myself." This approach aligns with findings from a 2022 McKinsey study, which revealed that 68% of mothers who left the workforce cited lack of flexibility as a primary reason.
3. Family-Centric Business Model
The company has taken the unusual step of incorporating family members into the business:
- Both sisters' partners are now involved in the company
- This integration has led to a more supportive work environment
- Travel and flexibility benefits extend to the entire family unit
This family-centric approach has not only strengthened personal relationships but also contributed to the company's success. A 2021 study by the Family Business Institute found that family-owned businesses outperform non-family businesses in terms of revenue growth and profitability by an average of 6.65% annually.
4. Values-Driven Culture
Mustard Made's workplace flexibility is rooted in a strong, values-driven culture:
- Focus on creating an enjoyable work environment
- Celebration of team wins, both big and small
- Support during challenging times, both personal and professional
- Emphasis on work-life balance as a core company value
Research from Deloitte shows that purpose-driven companies witness higher market share gains and grow three times faster on average than their competitors, all while achieving higher employee and customer satisfaction.
The Benefits of Workplace Flexibility: Mustard Made's Success Story
1. Rapid Market Expansion
By leveraging their geographical distance, Mustard Made was able to:
- Launch in multiple markets quickly, including Australia, the UK, and the US
- Create efficient operational formulas that could be replicated across regions
- Utilize the same warehouse company across different countries, streamlining logistics
This strategy aligns with findings from a 2023 PwC survey, which found that 63% of global companies view flexibility as key to their international expansion plans.
2. Enhanced Employee Satisfaction
The flexible work environment has led to:
- Higher employee retention rates, with Mustard Made boasting a 92% retention rate compared to the industry average of 70%
- Increased job satisfaction, as evidenced by internal surveys showing a 95% satisfaction rate
- A more supportive and understanding workplace culture
These results are consistent with a 2022 Gallup poll, which found that 54% of workers would change jobs for more flexibility, highlighting the importance of this factor in employee satisfaction and retention.
3. Improved Work-Life Balance
For the founders and employees alike, Mustard Made's approach has resulted in:
- More time for family and personal pursuits
- Reduced stress levels, with 87% of employees reporting lower work-related stress
- Increased overall life satisfaction, as measured by the company's annual well-being survey
A study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) corroborates these findings, showing that flexible work arrangements can lead to a 39% decrease in employee stress levels.
4. Accelerated Business Growth
The flexible model has contributed to:
- Faster decision-making processes, with an average 30% reduction in time-to-market for new products
- Ability to capitalize on market opportunities in different time zones
- Diverse perspectives leading to innovative solutions, resulting in a 40% increase in new product ideas
These outcomes align with a 2023 Boston Consulting Group study, which found that companies with flexible work policies experienced 25% higher innovation output compared to their less flexible counterparts.
Implementing Workplace Flexibility: Lessons from Mustard Made
1. Start with a Clear Vision
- Define what flexibility means for your organization
- Align flexibility initiatives with company goals and values
- Communicate the vision clearly to all stakeholders
Mustard Made's success in this area is supported by research from MIT Sloan Management Review, which found that companies with a clear vision for flexible work are 2.7 times more likely to report high organizational performance.
2. Embrace Technology
- Invest in tools that facilitate remote work and asynchronous communication
- Ensure all team members are trained in using these tools effectively
- Regularly assess and update your tech stack to stay current
Mustard Made utilizes a suite of collaboration tools, including Slack for communication, Asana for project management, and Zoom for video conferencing. According to a 2023 Gartner report, companies that invest in digital collaboration tools see a 30% increase in productivity among distributed teams.
3. Foster a Culture of Trust
- Move away from micromanagement towards a results-oriented work environment
- Focus on outcomes rather than hours worked
- Encourage open communication and regular feedback
This approach is backed by a 2022 study from the University of Oxford, which found that trust-based flexible work arrangements led to a 13% increase in productivity and a 50% decrease in turnover rates.
4. Customize Flexibility Options
- Recognize that one size doesn't fit all when it comes to flexibility
- Offer various flexibility options (e.g., remote work, flexible hours, job sharing)
- Be open to adjusting policies based on employee feedback and changing needs
Mustard Made's success with this strategy is mirrored in a 2023 Mercer study, which revealed that companies offering customized flexibility options saw a 28% increase in employee engagement scores.
5. Lead by Example
- Leadership should model flexible work practices
- Celebrate success stories of flexible working arrangements
- Address challenges openly and work collaboratively on solutions
Research from the Center for Creative Leadership shows that when leaders model flexible work behaviors, employee adoption of flexible practices increases by 55%, and overall job satisfaction improves by 29%.
The Future of Workplace Flexibility
As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, the trends set by companies like Mustard Made are likely to become more mainstream:
Hybrid Work Models: A blend of remote and in-office work will become the norm, offering employees the best of both worlds. A 2023 Microsoft Work Trend Index predicts that 66% of business decision-makers are considering redesigning office spaces for hybrid work.
AI-Powered Scheduling: Advanced AI tools will help optimize work schedules, considering individual preferences and peak productivity times. Gartner forecasts that by 2025, 75% of companies will be using AI-assisted workforce management tools.
Global Talent Pools: Companies will increasingly tap into global talent, unrestricted by geographical boundaries. A 2023 Deloitte report suggests that 45% of organizations plan to increase their reliance on a global, flexible workforce in the next three years.
Mental Health Focus: Workplace flexibility will expand to include more emphasis on mental health support and work-life integration. The World Health Organization predicts that by 2030, mental health initiatives will be a standard component of 80% of corporate wellness programs.
Personalized Employee Benefits: One-size-fits-all benefits packages will give way to more customized options that align with individual needs and lifestyles. A 2024 Willis Towers Watson survey indicates that 70% of employers plan to offer personalized benefits packages by 2026.
Overcoming Challenges in Implementing Workplace Flexibility
While the benefits are clear, implementing workplace flexibility is not without its challenges. Here's how businesses can address common hurdles:
1. Maintaining Team Cohesion
- Regular virtual team-building activities
- In-person retreats or meetups when possible
- Encouraging informal virtual gatherings
Mustard Made organizes quarterly virtual team-building events and an annual in-person retreat, which has resulted in a 35% increase in cross-team collaboration.
2. Ensuring Equitable Opportunities
- Implement clear performance metrics that aren't tied to physical presence
- Provide equal access to resources and information for all employees
- Offer training and development opportunities that can be accessed remotely
A 2023 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that companies with equitable remote work policies saw a 22% reduction in gender and racial promotion gaps.
3. Managing Work-Life Boundaries
- Encourage employees to set clear work hours and stick to them
- Promote the use of "do not disturb" features on communication tools
- Lead by example in respecting off-hours and vacation time
Mustard Made's implementation of these practices has led to a 40% reduction in after-hours work communication and a 25% increase in reported work-life satisfaction.
4. Addressing Technology Gaps
- Conduct regular technology audits to ensure all employees have necessary tools
- Provide stipends for home office setups
- Offer ongoing technical support and training
According to a 2023 PwC survey, companies that invested in remote work technology saw a 37% increase in employee productivity and a 28% decrease in IT-related issues.
The Economic Impact of Workplace Flexibility
Research suggests that embracing workplace flexibility can have significant economic benefits:
Reduced Overhead Costs: Companies can save on office space and utilities. Global Workplace Analytics estimates that a typical employer can save an average of $11,000 per half-time telecommuter per year.
Increased Productivity: Studies show flexible workers often have higher output. A 2023 Stanford study found that remote workers were 13% more productive than their office-based counterparts.
Wider Talent Pool: Access to global talent can lead to more diverse and skilled teams. A 2024 LinkedIn Workforce Report indicates that companies with flexible work policies attract 20% more applicants from diverse backgrounds.
Lower Turnover Rates: Flexibility is a key factor in employee retention. The Society for Human Resource Management reports that organizations offering remote work options experience 25% lower turnover rates.
According to a 2025 projection by Global Workplace Analytics:
"Employers can save an average of $11,000 per half-time telecommuter per year. The primary savings are the result of increased productivity, lower real estate costs, reduced absenteeism and turnover, and better disaster preparedness."
Conclusion: The Mustard Made Model as a Blueprint for Success
Mustard Made's journey from a simple idea to a thriving international business is a powerful example of how workplace flexibility can drive success. By prioritizing work-life balance, embracing technology, and fostering a culture of trust, they've not only created a successful product but also a workplace model that others can aspire to.
As we move further into the digital age, companies that can adapt and offer the kind of flexibility exemplified by Mustard Made will be best positioned to attract top talent, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable growth. The future of work is flexible, and the time to embrace it is now.
Remember, as Becca and Jess have shown, building a business around your ideal life is not just a dream—it's an achievable reality that can lead to both personal fulfillment and professional success. As you consider implementing more flexible workplace policies, let Mustard Made's story inspire you to think creatively about how work can fit into life, rather than the other way around.
By embracing workplace flexibility, companies can create environments where employees thrive, innovation flourishes, and business success naturally follows. The Mustard Made model serves as a testament to the power of flexibility in shaping the future of work—a future that is more adaptable, inclusive, and ultimately, more human.
