Pros
1. The coworkers I met there were genuinely kind and supportive. People in production, sales, and design were easy to get along with and talented, even though each “team” was basically one or two people. 2. The office location is convenient, with cafés, restaurants, and public transit nearby.
Cons
Almost every negative experience here comes directly from the founder/CEO: 1. CEO is highly controlling, often micromanaging tasks they don’t even have expertise in. This slows everyone down and creates constant frustration. 2. The atmosphere is extremely tense when CEO is present. Their energy is so negative that people literally relax the moment they leave the office. 3. Feedback is not welcomed. In weekly meetings, employees are invited to share thoughts, but the moment you voice criticism, it’s dismissed and you’re told you’re wrong (by CEO). 4. The turnover rate is alarming. Many employees start looking for another job within weeks of joining, and most leave or are terminated within a short time. 5. Communication is unprofessional. Conversations often feel belittling or disrespectful. 6. Gossips about employees happens openly, which creates a toxic culture. 7. I personally witnessed racially insensitive “jokes” that were completely inappropriate. 8. Compensation starts below California’s minimum standards, with benefits pushed off for months under the “probation” excuse. Even after the probation period, it’s common for leadership to extend it further instead of providing benefits. 9. There is no HR function at all, meaning there’s no safe channel to report problems or mediate conflicts. 10. The company has no clear structure or processes in place. Everything depends on one person’s (CEO).