Dulcedo has recently been awarded Great Place to Work certification, a recognition of our commitment to fostering a work environment that prioritizes the mental health and well-being of our incredible team. As we embrace and cap off Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to shine a spotlight on the outstanding individuals who make Dulcedo a supportive and nurturing workplace. In the spirit of this celebration, we will be featuring testimonials from our dedicated staff, sharing their personal experiences and highlighting how Dulcedo's exceptional work culture plays a vital role in supporting mental health. We firmly believe that a thriving work environment is one that prioritizes the well-being of its employees, and we are thrilled to showcase this commitment. #GPTWCertified
Taylor Yu, Model Agent
“Mental health begins with creating your boundaries and respecting them.”
How would you describe your understanding of mental wellness and its importance?
Definitely very familiar. I've been on my own wellness & healing journey since 2013.
What steps do you personally take to prioritize your mental health?
Prioritizing my mental health is very important to me. I believe it begins with creating your boundaries and respecting them. I try to maintain healthy working hours - especially when working remotely it can be difficult as it becomes easy to continue on emails or text messages after working hours. I try to maintain a healthy balance of work and leisure, taking the necessary breaks when I feel I need to recharge (and not feeling guilty about it, that's a huge one). Meditation and breathwork have become my main practice for my mental well-being (and lately, pilates!). Therapy - self-explanatory and no, it doesn't mean anything is 'wrong' with you. More people need to get on this, to be honest. It's a combination of many things and some days it works, other days, it's more challenging, but I continue on!
How does Dulcedo prioritize employee mental health and well-being?
Dulcedo really allows us so much flexibility - we're given the opportunity to work both from the office and remotely, a quite generous vacation policy, mental health days, and we are very supported when we need anything outside of that. We're encouraged to take the time we need when we're not feeling our best to recharge - no hassle and no questions asked.
Are there any specific policies or programs in place at Dulcedo to support mental wellness that you appreciate?
Note to any of my colleagues who have not yet taken advantage of our health benefits - naturopathy is covered and it is SUCH a game changer in your mental health + well-being to really be in tune with your body and know how to heal it, NATURALLY.
How does Dulcedo leadership encourage practicing a work-life balance?
They not only talk the talk but walk the walk and lead by actions.
Do you practice any mindfulness or relaxation techniques to promote mental well-being?
Meditation, breathwork, exercise, travel, or even some 'smaller' moments such as taking time in the morning to ease into the day, taking time during my skincare routine - to be honest, I've realized you can find/create mindfulness, relaxation, and peace in 'big' or 'small' moments in your day/life.
Are there any books, podcasts, social media accounts, or resources related to mental wellness that you would recommend to others?
Cross-promo here, I work on a platform with a friend of mine Bianca Harris, who is a yoga + breathwork instructor and founder of the platform called @wippwellness which focuses on being well, but in a cool way. Having this outlet has been a massive guide in my own healing journey and helping others has been therapeutic for us both. Books: A Course In Miracles (start with the made-easy version), The Untethered Soul, The Body Keeps The Score. Podcasts: Any of the Supersoul podcasts, Abraham Hicks, and random things I come across.
What advice would you give someone looking to prioritize their mental wellness but doesn't know where to start?
Be selfish. Start where you are, when you can. Whether it is 2 minutes of breathwork or 20 minutes of meditation. Whether it is not rushing through your morning or taking an entire day off. Every single step, big or small, towards prioritizing YOU will help you on your 'healing' journey. Everything you need to get done, will get done. The difference will be which version of you will do it - one that is overwhelmed, exhausted, and burnt out or one that is recharged, refreshed, and the best you there is.
Alexander Melendez, Team Manager, and Senior Talent Agent
“I think how you start the day is the most important thing for your mental health.”
How would you describe your understanding of mental wellness and its importance?
Mental health is something that doesn't get enough attention in today's society. It is something that people tend to brush under the rug a lot but is a huge problem in today's world. Especially in the industry we work in, where our talents are constantly under the social microscope of performing and making sure they maintain a pristine image online. Just because things are going well on the outside doesn't mean everything is okay on the inside. Whether it is financial struggles or the anxiety of not knowing what is next, everyone deals with mental health in a different way. Some people bottle it up and some people go to therapy. It's something that is finally being talked about more, and more people are willing to share their experiences to let people know they are not alone, no matter what their background is.
What steps do you personally take to prioritize your mental health?
I try to create a morning routine. I think how you start the day is the most important thing for your mental health. I personally love to start with a cold shower, workout, and meditation. I think getting into a routine can change your mind a lot. Feeling productive in the morning and waking up early is the most important thing for my mental health. How I start the day is usually how I finish the day. Also writing things down is huge. Don't try and keep everything in your head. Having stuff written down on a list and checking it off shows how productive your day has been and makes you feel more accomplished.
How does Dulcedo prioritize employee mental health and well-being?
Dulcedo is one of the few places I have been a part of that gives us mental health days but also allows us to work remotely under our own schedules. There is not a lot of micro-managing that goes on so it allows us to truly work with our schedules and helps set us up for the most success. Dulcedo is always hyping others up and making people feel welcome. The agency feels more like a family than every person for themselves.
Are there any specific policies or programs in place at Dulcedo to support mental wellness that you appreciate?
The ability to work remotely and have mental health days.
How does Dulcedo leadership encourage practicing a work-life balance?
In our industry, it can be really difficult to balance your work and life. Dulcedo is a place where your time will directly correlate to your output. We never feel pressured to work more, it is always up to us. It is rare that we are "forced" to work more than expected. I work more than is expected partly because I do so on my own accord, not because I feel like I have to. I think loving what you do under your own will is super important when it comes to having a healthy work-life balance. If your work is always pressuring you to work more, then it can become an issue. Here, Dulcedo never makes us feel like this but also makes sure that our extra work is rewarded. It's one of the few places I've ever been where I genuinely enjoy working and never get the feeling of the "Sunday Scaries".
Do you practice any mindfulness or relaxation techniques to promote mental well-being?
Mostly drinking a ton of water, meditation, and finding a new skill and try to practice it every day. I think getting better in some way shape or form every day is super important. To relax I usually play men's league sports or something competitive to tire me out and help get my mind off work for a little bit. Eating healthy is also one of the most important things. Whenever I put healthy things into my body, I feel more alert and good about myself.
Are there any books, podcasts, social media accounts, or resources related to mental wellness that you would recommend to others?
I usually watch Tom Bilyeu's YouTube videos in the background while I work, which always helps motivate me and teaches me new things.
What advice would you give someone looking to prioritize their mental wellness but doesn't know where to start?
I would first try to meditate and try getting into a healthy routine. If that is not helping, don't be afraid to go reach out to a therapist. I needed to go to therapy after taking the bar because of how mentally grueling it was. Don't be afraid to seek out resources and don't let anyone tell you that you don't need therapy or to change your habits. Lastly, cut out anyone who does not want to see you succeed or is understanding that you are trying to work on your mental.
Elizabeth Fugere, Model Agent
“Practice tolerance for yourself and for others.”
How would you describe your understanding of mental wellness and its importance?
Mental wellness is really important to me. I take a lot of time to become the best version of myself and to keep a balance. Is it easy? No but I think all errors or excesses are there for me to learn from, help me to become a better person, and help me to help others to keep or develop a balance in our life. Mental wellness needs to be the first priority because it is the first reason why we can love, work, play, and develop solid relationships. For me, mental wellness is the balance between self and others and how good you are at setting and expressing your boundaries.
What steps do you personally take to prioritize your mental health?
I read a lot of books, do a lot of volunteering, do yoga and physical activities, take time to move each day, and prioritize good food for me.
I try to limit my consumption of alcohol, bad sugar, and coffee. I focus on healthy relationships. I prioritize the person who takes time to understand me and be present for me and be honest with me. Where I can be myself without judgment or fear of being imperfect.
How does Dulcedo prioritize employee mental health and well-being?
Dulcedo organizes a lot of activities to develop interpersonal relationships and gives Mental Health days when we need to take a break. I really like being in an organization that advocates the balance between work and good habits.
Are there any specific policies or programs in place at Dulcedo to support mental wellness that you appreciate?
Yes, the Mental Health Days every quarter.
How does Dulcedo leadership encourage practicing a work-life balance?
Letting us work remotely, offering Mental Health Days, and organizing activities for the group to partake in like sports days and whatnot.
Do you practice any mindfulness or relaxation techniques to promote mental well-being?
I do a lot of pranayamas and meditation before my day. I take time all day when I wake up to observe my internal dialogue. If it isn't a good dialogue or a negative one I change the words and be sure to have a positive dialogue that can be good for me. And I repeat these words like a meditation: I must be tolerant towards myself and towards others. Practice tolerance for yourself and for others. No judgment, try to understand and accept differences.
Are there any books, podcasts, social media accounts, or resources related to mental wellness that you would recommend to others?
The alo moves app.
Books: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski, Radical Friendship by Kate Jonhson, Brain Saver by Anthony William.
And doing yoga and breathwork.
What advice would you give someone looking to prioritize their mental wellness but doesn't know where to start?
Step by step. The first step is to observe inside us. We need to understand what our pattern is and what we need to change. After that, you can read a book or begin a new activity but the first step is to take time to observe how you feel and what you are uncomfortable with.
