Good Vibes Only: Touring the HelloGiggles Office

"We set the tone from the beginning that we would only allow positivity and a supportive community, and that took the lead." Co-founder Sophia Rossi on maintaining the voice of the site.  

And hustle. The startup was recently acquired by Time Inc. for a reported 30 million. 

Development Executive Caroline Edwards finds working on the couch in the lounge, "a very comfy, social, and productive area." 

Shelves are filled with games and books that take you way back. "Sweet Valley High" and "Baby-Sitters Club" back. When forced to choose between the two series, Sophia says "SVH, all the way." 

As for the expansion, Sophia sees the company becoming, " A multi-platform media brand-- from a marketplace for our illustrators, to original digital series, to TV and Film."

The conference room that launched a million giggles. 

Contributor artwork hangs on the wall. 

Also in conference room: VIBB. Very important boom box. 

Editor in Chief Jen Romolini has been with HG for almost 2 years. Her most valued item in her office, nay world? "My Meryl pic is my favorite thing in the world. She's such a kick ass, creative, intellectual woman, who calls her own shots. Which is what I want to be. In control of my own destiny." 

"Hello, Ryan Gosling?" Sale Director Evelyn Weisskohl answers her Dream Phone. 

On the desk, copies of Sophia's latest book, "A Tale of Two Besties: A Hello Giggles Novel." Aforementioned Dream Phone. And a peppy mug. The usual. 

To stay positive and snark-free a la HelloGiggles manifesto, Sophia says, "I TM (transcendental mediate twice a day)." Also keeping her giggling: "Anything that Erin Foster or Nicole Richie text me."

HelloGiggles played nice on the internet. And won. The company, founded in 2011 by Zooey Deschanel, Sophia Rossi, and Molly McCleer, had one initial goal: to be a place to make the internet smile. Almost five years later, the site has turned its posi content readers into full-fledged giggle junkies, with a reported readership of 18 million uniques a month.

Sales Director Evelyn Weisskohl told us, "I was a fangirl before I worked here. This office is exactly like reading the site, but in real life." 

At the moment, IRL, HelloGiggles has a staff of 29-- 4 of whom are based in New York. It's a number that Sophia expects to at least double over the next two years, as the team also intends to take over the office space next door. 

A recent acquisition by Time Inc. for a reported $30 million, is making the expansion possible. Sophia, who is staying on and will report to Time Inc.'s executive VP says, "It feels very validating to go from my apartment to being a part of a public company like Time Inc. We are going to be run independently but have all the benefits of this legacy brand as partners."

We popped into the company's DTLA office on the heels of the purchase and in anticipation of Sophia's trip to Dallas for Create & Cultivate this January. Click through to get the deets on their digs and the happiest staff, maybe, ever. 

All images courtesy of Jeff Mindell. 

HelloGiggles office designed by Clayton Asher Doyle of Plantation Design.