High Expectations, Many Tasks, Low Income Potential - Designer CB2 Employee Review

2.0
Mar 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Gorgeous store with unique, artistic, and compelling collection of housewares and furniture. Creative role with potential for a lot of fun and problem solving with customer designs / space planning.

Cons

There are simply far too many unrealistic expectations in a role that is really a sales position masquerading as "interior designer." Designers are supposed to: cold call (usually 30-50 per week), generate their own leads, convert store walk-ins...essentially driving sales for the store, and really acting like liaisons/concierges for client retention/relationship building. As a designer we attend in-home, virtual, or in-store design appointments...with the expectation that we will get clients to close anywhere from $5k - $50k+ in primarily furniture sales, from design deliverables returned to the customer within 24-48 hours. However the biggest challenge? Upper management expects that the designers and sales associates essentially operate as if they are running their own miniature business within the CB2 family...expecting us to foster, and maintain relationships with clientele as a means to bring revenue to the store...none of which is a problem inherently, but at $25/hour, and a incredible weak bonus/compensation structure...let's just say it leaves way more to be desired and there is little to no incentive to "be the rockstar" or advance in this path. You would essentially need to sell $3,000,000 in sales to achieve a maximum cap of $25,000 total. For most employees, their maximum earnings are approximately capped at $75,000. To give perspective, our store did $2.8m last year in sales. It is nearly impossible, and to achieve this, your work-life balance suffers. To add insult to injury, our executive management (below C-Suite) has been some of the most negative, scrutinizing, and unpleasant people I have had the misfortune to work under. We would constantly hear of their feedback from site visits, always cold, stiff, and distant. Afterwards...the berating, criticizing our performance (with little education/encouragement/training otherwise...would take a toll on our staff. It feels like we are all under-valued cogs in a corporate mass-produced furniture machine, with very little room to push the boundaries/grow/expand into something better.

Explore other reviews about CB2

5.0
May 2, 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great experience that I have carried with me across many different jobs. Wonderful co-workers Inspiring Product

Cons

Pay is not the best but this industry is generally on the lower side.

2.0
Jun 26, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Fun work environment with the right people.

Cons

As a designer you are responsible for 80% of the business/money making. You are also responsible for meeting clients and getting designs and mood boards out within 48 hours to clients that 80% of the time will ghost you. Also constant client communication and follow ups, expected to balance design work while also helping on the sales floor. And constantly being put down because you aren’t selling enough. You will never feel like you are doing a good job. You’ll will be written up of you don’t make your sales goals each quarter.

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