Victor believes in appreciating the people who have helped make Guaranteed Rate a success, and to-date, he’s perfected the secret to an awesome company culture. Nestled in a tree-lined neighborhood on Chicago’s north side, Victor has restored and turned a former button factory into a modern open-floor-plan office with large windows, exposed duct work and all glass meeting rooms. This transparent open office space is just one way Victor lives up to the spirit of the Guaranteed Rate core values.
Guaranteed Rate employees enjoy more than just a modern space. Great amenities such as a fitness center with showers, yoga and CrossFit classes, a gourmet kitchen, a 5,000sf roof-top deck and conference rooms that are named after famous Chicago sports figures.
Aside from a really cool office environment, there are monthly team building employee events. From the bags tourney to the Mardi Gras party, Guaranteed Rate loves celebrating. Make no mistake, there is always a competitive twist…Great Mac-Off, Chili Cook-Off, limbo, Pop-a-Shot…we’re over achievers and love to win. The Guaranteed Rate core values and culture is sewn into every activity and design of our headquarters. We not only talk about our values, but we live them.
While the GR family loves competition, it has to be balanced with a healthy mind and body so Victor offers employees a free 20-minute massage every month and access to our in-house nurse practitioner. This, in addition to the daily fresh fruit and veggie smoothies – maintaining optimal health is our priority.
The celebrations don’t end with our cook-off competitions. Victor celebrates collective successes, such as exceeding company milestones, with a free lunch for all. During the holidays, all employees receive a free turkey and rock out at a super fun holiday party at the House of Blues.
The GR sales teams are not left behind in all this competitive fun. Loan originators who earn entry into the President’s Club are awarded with an all-expense paid trip to a Caribbean destination each spring. Also, every winter, the company hosts “GR-Palooza” for its referral partners and loan originators, a night of rock featuring national musical acts at Chicago’s Park West Theatre.
When Victor Ciardelli founded Guaranteed Rate, he didn’t just set out to create a different type of mortgage company – he also sought to build a fun company culture that rewards employees for their hard work. Guaranteed Rate’s direct, transparent and hard-working culture isn’t for everyone, but for those who fit-in, it’s like coming home.
