Seven years ago, on July 01, we embarked on a journey that led us to become Awsm Innovations. As a team of WordPress enthusiasts, we initially sought our place in the vast ecosystem. From the very beginning, we embraced certain principles: simplicity, spreading happiness, and developing user-friendly products. Today, we continue to uphold these values as we reflect on our remarkable seven-year anniversary.
Reaching the seven-year milestone is a significant achievement, and we wanted to celebrate it in style. Despite the challenges posed by remote work and the monsoon season in Kerala, our dedicated Happiness Team rose to the occasion. Although our initial plans for trekking were thwarted, we found the perfect alternative in the serene and picturesque village of Kumarakom, nestled on the banks of the breathtaking Vembanad Lake—the largest freshwater lake in Kerala.
Kumarakom captivated us with its lush greenery, captivating backwaters, delectable cuisine, and rich biodiversity, making it an ideal venue for our special day. On June 30th, we gathered at Rhythm Hospitality Resort to commence our celebrations. We embarked on a delightful shikara ride, immersing ourselves in the natural beauty and tranquility of the backwaters. Later, we reveled in the joy of India’s longest swimming pool within the resort, creating cherished memories together.
As the day progressed, it was time to shift into party mode. Our esteemed CEO, Aravind Ajith, welcomed the team and, as always, announced a new set of benefits. This time, he unveiled paternity leave of 10 days and an annual vacation bonus equivalent to 25% of the monthly salary. Such gestures exemplify our commitment to the well-being and happiness of our team.
At Awsm Innovations, we recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of every team member. This time, we had a multitude of achievements to rejoice in. In June, we proudly received the prestigious Great Place to Work® certification, a testament to the incredible environment we’ve cultivated. Additionally, our WP Job Openings plugin is about to celebrate its fifth anniversary—a remarkable milestone for a product that has made a significant impact in the WordPress community.
To honor our outstanding performers and game winners, we distributed gifts as tokens of appreciation. Gathering together for an Awsm day after three long years filled us with excitement and anticipation. We stayed united until midnight, toasting Awsm Innovations’ birthday and engaging in lively conversations encompassing a range of topics. Ideas for the upcoming months were passionately shared, setting the stage for even greater accomplishments.
As we reflect on our journey, we take pride in our seven most noteworthy achievements:
Even as we celebrated in Kumarakom, two of our teammates found themselves in the UAE. We wanted them to be part of our festivities, so they came together to celebrate at the iconic Burj Khalifa. Despite the physical distance, we’ve become experts at creating meaningful celebrations that transcend borders, thanks to our resilience and innovative spirit.
In our pursuit of happiness, we’ve always believed in spreading joy to others. For some time now, we’ve been planning a visit to the Hope Community Village, an exceptional initiative caring for parentless children. Unlike traditional orphanages, Hope Village provides children with an environment resembling a normal family. The children reside in one of six houses, each under the loving care of a House Mother.
During our visit, we presented the younger members of the village with an iMac computer, games, and books. Additionally, we have committed to supporting their dreams, empowering them to achieve their aspirations.
As we look ahead, we anticipate remarkable times for Awsm Innovations. Our workshop is abuzz with the development of several exciting new products at various stages. Furthermore, we are actively engaged in discussions with our esteemed long-standing clients about exciting new projects. Additionally, we aim to play an increasingly active role in the WordPress community, committing 65% of our resources to the Five for the Future initiative.
In the days to come, we will share more significant milestones that lie on our path. Join us as we continue to innovate, create, and spread happiness, making the world a better place one Awsm moment at a time.
Happy 7th anniversary to the Awsm Innovations family! 🎉