Posted on: 02-28-2012 at 3:09pm
By Internal Communications Editor Brian Hale
For the second consecutive year, Stream Energy partnered with WFAA to sponsor the Big D NYE Fireworks Spectacular. Big D NYE is a huge outdoor New Year’s Eve celebration in Dallas that provides partygoers an experience similar to the famous atmosphere in Times Square in New York City. This past New Year’s Eve, the event was broadcast to over 6.6 million homes in areas across Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico and Kansas.
Two Stream Energy employees were on hand to take in this special night and to start the fireworks celebration in style. Office Manager Jessica Vitela and Receptionist Gayrelyn Miller recently told us about their experience at Big D NYE 2012.
1. How did you learn you were selected to represent Stream Energy at Big D NYE and how did you respond to the offer?
JV: I was at home on vacation when I got the call. When I heard what the opportunity was, there were no words that came out of my mouth—I just screamed in excitement. I didn’t say one word. Once it was mentioned that Gayrelyn was going to be joining me, I got even more excited and screamed even more. I was so thankful and words couldn’t express how excited I was.
GM: I was here at work by myself since Jessica was on vacation. When I was asked if I had plans for New Years Eve and if I would like to push the button to begin the fireworks show, I was so excited, proud and overwhelmed.
2. What did you do while at the event?
JV: I arrived at the about same time the Dallas Stars game ended so traffic was crazy. There were so many people and I panicked a little bit because I was worried I wouldn’t make it to where I needed to be. I finally made it through the crowds and met Gayrelyn inside the WFAA studios where they were having a private party for the WFAA employees. We were able to stay and enjoy the party with them. We met a lot of great people, including contestants participating in different contests that night. Our Chairman, Rob Snyder, sent me a text message that said: “Don’t shame us” in a playful tone to wish us well. About 30 minutes before midnight, we were escorted to an area behind the stage where we were going to push the button. We were able to enjoy the music backstage until they escorted us onstage to get the crowd excited with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. We were in shock at the thousands of people in attendance.
GM: When I first got into the WFAA studios, the first thing that struck me was how extremely welcoming everyone was. It was a laidback party atmosphere, and it was really nice. We stayed inside the studios and enjoyed the party until it was time to go out on the stage with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. I got really excited when it was time to push the button to start the fireworks show. It was such a great experience. It was an opportunity and an experience that I will never forget.
3. Describe the moments just before midnight.
JV: When the countdown got down to 10 seconds, we began counting down with the rest of the crowd. Once it got to zero the crowd went wild and crazy, and we pushed the button with Jeanne Reyer from Captain Hope’s Kids. It truly was an once-in-a-lifetime experience.
GM: We were on stage yelling and cheering with the thousands of people in the crowd. We pushed the button, and the fireworks started going off above us. We were hugging the cheerleaders and were watching everyone in the crowd celebrate. My eyes welled up when I realized how thankful I was to make it to another year and to do it such a great fashion.
4. What was your favorite part of the night?
JV: For me, my favorite part was being onstage right before midnight and feeling the energy from the crowd. The sea of thousands of people were cheering, yelling and celebrating all together. It was really neat.
GM: I agree with Jessica. My favorite part was being onstage, pushing the button, seeing the fireworks and seeing how happy and joyous everyone in the crowd was. It was really amazing to see people of different color, gender, size and shape all celebrating and being happy together. To experience that with everyone was amazing.
5. How did you spend the rest of the evening after starting the Stream Energy Fireworks Spectacular?
JV: After the fireworks were over, we went backstage and mingled with people we had never met. We just had a great time. Everyone was so happy and excited. We got to meet some really neat WFAA personalities and other local celebrities who were there. I brought my mom to the event with me, and she also had a great time. I had to go find my mom on the dance floor dancing the night away inside the WFAA studios after the fireworks show!
GM: We stayed and watched the fireworks and then partied the night away with everyone. I left about an hour after midnight, but we had such a great time. Our boss texted both Jessica and I, and she thanked us for representing Stream Energy so well at the Big D NYE.
Both Jessica Vitela and Gayrelyn Miller are incredibly thankful and grateful to have been chosen to represent Stream Energy on such a grand stage. They would like to thank WFAA for the great hospitality and Stream Energy for the opportunity to represent the firm in front of thousands of people on the streets in Dallas and millions of others watching on television.
The two both said they would love to return to the stage next year to help ring in 2013 but said it was such a great and memorable experience that they hope other dedicated Stream Energy employees will have the opportunity to experience the once-in-a-lifetime event.
Posted on: 02-16-2012 at 1:34pm
By Internal Communications Editor Brian Hale
About eight years ago, a small group of people led by Rob Snyder and Pierre Koshakji put into action a ground-breaking business plan. The idea was to adopt a multi-level network marketing approach similar to those used by extremely successful direct-selling companies like Avon and Mary Kay, and apply that strategy to the recently deregulated energy market in Texas.
As details began to take shape, new investors committed to the idea; a PUC license was obtained; and a small amount of office space was leased in one of the most recognizable buildings in Dallas – the INFOMART. As a basic framework became operational, Stream Energy and Ignite were born.
In the more than seven years since Stream Energy was awarded a PUC license to operate in the state of Texas, Stream Energy has grown to over half a million customers in five states (Texas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey), employed hundreds of exceptional people at the headquarters in Dallas, and allowed thousands of Independent Associates the opportunity to seize control of their financial future and build relationships that can last a lifetime.
Along this journey, Rob, along with the executive staff and more than 260 Stream Energy employees, has been graciously thanked countless times by IAs who appreciate the vision, dedication and commitment to the plan first conceived in 2004.
While Stream Energy and Ignite have enjoyed record success in our short time, none of it could have been possible without the hard work and dedication of thousands who have worked to ensure our success.
The Stream Energy headquarters in Dallas employs more than 260 employees on a daily basis. When needed, these employees have worked weekends, overnight and incredibly long hours to ensure the success of Stream Energy and Ignite. They believe in this business—in helping people succeed. To the employees of Stream Energy: thank YOU.
Thousands of IAs bought into the idea of warm marketing and asking friends and family for their business. They have done so with such success that Stream Energy is in the record books as one of the fastest-growing companies in American business history. The success of this firm and the employment of over 260 Stream Energy employees would not have been possible without the hard work of our thousands of dedicated Associates. To the Ignite Independent Associates: thank YOU.
As most people know, the success or failure of a company hinges on its customers. Stream Energy and Ignite are in the business of helping our customers save money on one of life’s necessary commodities (energy) and doing it with a successful business model. With variety of different service providers offering energy service, customers in deregulated service areas are free to choose any service provider they like. To the loyal customers who continue to choose Stream Energy as their service provider of choice: thank YOU.
The hundreds of thousands of IAs who have joined us along the way, have attended at least one business presentation in a variety of venues to get more information on Ignite’s award-winning success model. Managers and owners of restaurants, hotels and motels have opened their doors to Ignite. Homeowners have opened their homes to new and prospective Associates. To all those who allowed the Ignite Opportunity and the Stream Energy story to be told: thank YOU.
There are countless people who have contributed in some form or fashion to the success of our business. To anyone who has contributed to this business; to anyone who has positively affected our firm; to everyone who remains loyal, committed and dedicated to the continued success of Stream Energy and Ignite: thank YOU.
Although our achievements and successes are exciting, inspirational and motivational, Stream Energy and Ignite still have a lot of unfinished work. With over a half-million customers in five states, Stream Energy has proven it is a powerful and permanent force in the deregulated energy market.
What began as a simple business plan eight years ago has emerged into a business that has changed and bettered the lives of so many. With our spectacular team, Stream Energy is primed to continue our national expansion for a long time come.
Posted on: 02-10-2012 at 3:01pm
By Senior Human Resources Generalist Stephanie Strong
Stream Energy, one of the largest energy retailers in the state of Texas, launched its employee wellness initiative called Highway to HEALTH in mid-August 2010. This program – available at no cost to its employees – promotes a full range of activities and services that are being offered as a tangible demonstration of Stream Energy’s commitment to our employees overall well-being.
The Highway to HEALTH initiative is a comprehensive program that features a wellness assessment, quarterly seminars, quarterly wellness challenges, preventive screenings and personal health coaching. Highway to HEALTH also includes a range of interactive wellness activities available to employees as well as related efforts focused upon helping those with specific health conditions.
As part of this program, all employees are incentivized to attain wellness points throughout the calendar, by participating in wellness seminars and exercise programs. By reaching a certain point total in the year, employees are eligible for sizeable discounts on their health insurance programs for the subsequent calendar year.
On Stream Energy’s online wellness portal, the company offers resources such as health calculators, medical dictionaries, prescription drug information, and personalized information about a variety of topics ranging from physical to emotional to financial wellbeing.
In 2011, Stream Energy offered a variety of programs such as:
- Money Management seminar
- BBVA Compass bankers onsite to answer questions and help employees open checking/savings accounts
- Gym representative onsite to provide discounted gym memberships to employees
- Weekly onsite yoga classes
- Onsite self defense/kickboxing class
- Opportunities to register for charity run/walk events
- Punt/Pass/Kick contest for employees
- Mo-vember participation for cancer awareness
- Fresh fruit provided in the office for employees every other week
- Healthy eating cookbook created from recipes sent in by employees
- Healthy eating potluck
- Flu shots
- Onsite blood donation
- A “Biggest Loser” weight-loss challenge
- Annual Wellness Assessment and Preventative Screenings onsite
At Stream Energy, we believe it is vitally important to take care of the people who take care of our customers and Associates.
Posted on: 02-02-2012 at 10:48am
By Senior Director of Communications Paul Thies
Soon, we will have thousands of Ignite Associates visiting the Stream Energy offices when they are in town to take part in Ignition 2012.
While walking through our office space, they will see dozens of “golden balls” adorning employees’ work stations. If you are one of these visitors to our office, you may wonder what the “golden balls” are all about.
Actually, they are part of Stream Energy’s peer-to-peer employee recognition program. This program was created as part of our comprehensive strategy to ensure employees are valued and appreciated here at Stream Energy and that they are empowered to recognize their colleagues.
Named after the award which is presented to the best player at each FIFA World Cup soccer finals, the Stream Energy Golden Ball was created to give ALL employees the opportunity to recognize their fellow co-workers who go above and beyond the call of duty.
(You should know that our company has this fascination with soccer. Must have something to do with the fact that our chairman Rob Snyder is something of a legendary soccer nut. You’d think he played the game or something.)
When a fellow employee helps someone in a significant and meaningful way, employees are encouraged to handwrite a note of gratitude on the award. They then deliver the completed award to that employee being recognized so he or she can proudly display it at his or her workstation for all to see. Employees also inform the Golden Ball recipient’s manager so he or she is aware that the employee is being recognized.
Be on the lookout for these awards when visiting the Stream Energy office, and when you spot one hanging in an employee’s work area, be sure to congratulate that person for delivering the Stream Difference.
By Internal Communications Editor Brian Hale
JV: I was at home on vacation when I got the call. When I heard what the opportunity was, there were no words that came out of my mouth—I just screamed in excitement. I didn’t say one word. Once it was mentioned that Gayrelyn was going to be joining me, I got even more excited and screamed even more. I was so thankful and words couldn’t express how excited I was.
GM: I was here at work by myself since Jessica was on vacation. When I was asked if I had plans for New Years Eve and if I would like to push the button to begin the fireworks show, I was so excited, proud and overwhelmed.
