Pros
I have been employed at Practichem in an administrative position for several months and this is the second time in which I have been afforded the opportunity to join a start up in the early years. Yes, there are many areas of responsibility which keep me challenged, engaged and extremely busy. Yes, priorities change on almost a daily basis. There is nothing unusual about that. No-one will learn, grow and advance by carrying out the same routine tasks every day. This is the way start-ups operate. For myself, I love the challenges and the opportunities to volunteer for a task and be allowed to gain the knowledge required to successfully master a new skill. The organization may be flat, however employees are on a first name basis with the owners, who treat everyone with more than the basic respect and cordiality and who lead by example. The owners work hard and put in longer hours than the employees. As is the norm with any start up, all employees will have the ability to grow and advance as the company grows. The future will be very bright and rewarding for anyone who wants to work hard and is willing to take a step into the unknown and master it!
Cons
The only cons that I see are ones that an employee may create for themselves. If you are not enthusiastic, energetic, willing and eager to accept whatever comes your way, don’t join a start up! They all start with the same challenges and will all suffer the same growing pains, but if you have the fortitude to stay the course (as often as it changes) great satisfaction and reward will come your way.
