The Bureau of Digital, a buzzing community with over 1,400 members, has found a fun and effective way to strengthen connections and celebrate its members with HeyTaco. Led by Carl Smith, the Bureau has seamlessly woven HeyTaco into its daily interactions, making it a key tool for peer-to-peer recognition and a little bit of friendly fun.
The Bureau of Digital started in 2012 as a small group of digital agency owners who came together to swap stories and figure out how to run their businesses better. Fast forward to today, and it’s grown into a thriving community of over 1,400 members with 20,000 alumni. The Bureau is all about sharing knowledge, finding solutions, and building meaningful relationships. Members hang out in Slack, where they chat, learn from each other, and support one another through all kinds of business challenges.
The Bureau’s journey with HeyTaco kicked off with a bang—literally, with a GIF of raining tacos. The community loved it, and within a month, over 230 people were giving out tacos left and right—a big jump from the 100 or so in the first month.
"We’re a community of just over a thousand in Slack," Carl said. "Seeing the engagement grow so quickly shows how much people enjoy it. It’s not favoritism; people vote with their tacos."
The Bureau isn’t just about business; it’s about helping each other out. Members are always sharing advice—whether it's tweaking a contract clause or navigating a tough conversation. HeyTaco fits right in, giving everyone an easy way to say thanks for the help.
"A big part of our community is about sharing knowledge," Carl explained. "HeyTaco lets us show appreciation for the support we get from each other, and it really boosts our collaborative vibe."
Taco Tuesday has become a beloved tradition in the Bureau. Every week, Meredith, a key team member, kicks off the day by thanking someone in the community. This simple gesture often triggers a "waterfall of tacos" as more and more people join in, spreading good vibes across the Slack channels.
The tacos don’t just stay in one place, either. Carl mentioned that one of the most common requests early on was to add HeyTaco to more channels. Now, tacos are flying everywhere, making sure everyone gets their moment of recognition.
The Bureau has also introduced a "Member of the Month" award, a long-time dream of Carl’s. Thanks to HeyTaco, the award is now determined by the community, based on who receives the most tacos.
"Last month, Lori Rice got 50 tacos, the most we’ve seen so far," Carl shared. "It’s awesome to see the community come together to celebrate someone’s contributions."
This monthly recognition doesn’t just stop at tacos. It feeds directly into the Bureau’s annual Bureau Award of Dedication, or BAD Award. The BAD Award is a prestigious honor within the community, traditionally given to members who have gone above and beyond in their contributions. "We started with the BAD Award to recognize the people who do so much for the community," Carl explained. "But we wanted to find a way to celebrate this more regularly. The Member of the Month award does just that, creating a pathway to our annual award."
At the end of the year, the monthly winners become top contenders for the BAD Award, which is a big deal. "Last year, Cathy Atkins won the BAD Award," Carl shared. "It felt great to acknowledge her hard work with something tangible—a crystal award that, let’s be honest, is pretty hefty."
But it’s not just about giving out an award. Carl sees HeyTaco as a way to spread positive energy: "When someone helps you, it’s okay to say thank you. It doesn’t take much time, but it can make a huge difference."
The Bureau of Digital isn’t stopping at virtual tacos. Carl hinted at plans to bring tacos into the real world at upcoming events. The idea is simple: you can only receive tacos from others, making it a fun, interactive way to keep the good vibes going.
As Carl put it, "The best thing about HeyTaco is how easily it spreads positive energy. Whether it’s in Slack or in person, we’re all about keeping that energy flowing."
The Bureau of Digital’s experience with HeyTaco shows how a simple recognition tool can transform a community. By making gratitude part of everyday interactions, they’ve built a culture where everyone feels valued and motivated to help each other out. Isn’t that what communities are all about?