I’ve heard people say, “My office feels like family,” and honestly, I never really bought it. Let’s face it—most of us spend a huge chunk of our lives working in places with people we didn’t choose. These aren’t childhood friends or cousins from the holiday table. They’re co-workers, often strangers at first, selected through a hiring process you had no hand in.

And yet, three years into working at MKD Wealth, I get it. I really do.

Culture is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot.  It is overused, under defined, and often underutilized. But when it’s done right, it’s magic. And here, it’s real.

The right kind of Manic Monday

Every Monday, our team has the option to go into the office. Most people would roll their eyes at that. Me? I look forward to it.

I can’t wait to hear how Monica’s golf game is shaping up, or how Katie took home a Grand Championship at her horse show. I want the latest on Bradley’s summer rucking adventures, or Blake’s back-and-forth between golf and squash. I love catching up with Tim and his Leader Dog in training, or seeing pictures of Cassie’s sweet baby. I want to know what vacation Lisa’s planning, or how Emily’s and Katie’s girls are enjoying the sunshine. I love hearing about Joe’s and Nathan’s golf games and family adventures.

That kind of connection doesn’t just happen. It starts at the top.

Culture from the top down

When I first joined MKD, I asked Joe, the Visionary at the firm, if we could reschedule a meeting so I could attend my son’s field day. He didn’t hesitate:

“I’d be mad if you missed your son’s field day.”

That moment stuck with me. It was a leader not just saying he values family, but proving it.

Or take the time I had a review with Nathan. I mentioned I’d need a few minutes to try to grab tickets to the Savannah Bananas (if you know, you know). His reply?

“Take your time and get those tickets!”

No eye rolls. No guilt. Just understanding.

That’s culture. Not ping pong tables or casual Fridays. Real culture shows up in how we treat each other, how leadership supports balance, and how teams genuinely root for one another at work and beyond.

Intentional culture 

Intentional hiring plays a huge role in this. It’s not accidental. At MKD, people aren’t just hired because they can do the job; they’re hired because they want the job, and because they fit here. One toxic hire can derail even the best culture, and thankfully, that’s not our story.

So yes, my office feels like family. And this time, I believe it.

Thank you, MKD, for creating a workplace where people feel seen, supported, and celebrated. Culture isn’t just something we talk about. It’s something we live. Every day.

Meet all of the team members at MKD.  Check out their introduction videos.