I've worked for 3 very successful small businesses going back to the mid 1980s. They compensated their employees fairly and all had a unique culture or vibe that was established by their founders and ground-level workers. Every one was eventually "acquired" after skyrocketing to success, leaving some top-level employees better off, but most of their workforces with a much shittier place to work. (Two of those companies have been purchased multiple times since my departure)
Great work here! Thank you! 👍👍