Known for concierge-style service and expert market knowledge, PorchLight Real Estate Group serves the Greater Denver area’s home buying and selling needs. They also know a thing or two about keeping their agents and staff healthy and happy with initiatives such as the PorchLight Fitness and Nutrition Challenge—a six-week fundraising wellness challenge benefitting LiveWell Colorado. With other efforts like “healthy vending machines,” this Denver real estate company is actively promoting the business of healthy living.

Why is the health and wellness of your employees important to you?

PorchLight was built as an agent-centric business, focused on the life-work balance of its employees. We know that a happy, healthy worker is one who succeeds and remains loyal to the company.

Tell us about your worksite wellness program/activities.

We regularly host events for our employees and clients that promote mental and physical health. Our most recent was the PorchLight Fitness & Nutrition Challenge where we partnered with Bonza Bodies Fitness Studio and offered a six-week package of boot camp and yoga classes along with nutrition advice. The 39 participants who completed both the weigh-in and weigh-out (100 in total participated in the Challenge) lost a combined 220 pounds of body fat, and we raised $1,200 to donate to LiveWell Colorado.

How do you measure the success of your program?

We think the success of the wellness program shows in the success of the business. We’ve had tremendous growth over the last two years and that—combined with the loyalty the vast majority of the employees have shown toward PorchLight—indicate that we’ve created a healthy, happy environment where employees can thrive.

What obstacles did you have to overcome to get your program started? How did you overcome them?

Obviously any wellness program will come with costs—both monetary and time-related. But we believe that we’ll recoup these costs ten-fold with a balanced work environment. By investing in fun and healthy events, along with office fixtures like supportive office chairs and a healthy snack machine, we create a workplace where people want to be, and the increased work production makes up for any costs we expend up front.

What tip/advice would you give to a business that is considering starting a worksite wellness program?

Do it! There’s a “vibe” at PorchLight that visitors frequently comment about. That feeling is one of excitement, happiness, drive, and balance. There is nothing better you can do for your company than creating a similar environment for your employees.