Pros
The people I worked with directly (management and associate levels) were incredible and truly got me through some difficult days. I would not have stayed as long as I did at this company if it weren't for them. This company also ignited my love for and taught me many valuable things about the startup world.
Kontras
Not to be dramatic, but this place did some serious damage to my mental health and confidence in my professional abilities. The culture that the original founders built was quickly shut down when the new CEO came in and turned it into a corporate hellscape. I always want to support fellow women in leadership, but unfortunately some give the rest of us a bad name. The leadership execs knew nothing about the business nor made any effort to understand the work that was actually getting done (too far down the ladder from them), resulting in lost appreciation for those who were actually busting their butts to make sure the company stayed afloat (meanwhile doing the job of 3-4 people at half the salary of those doing nothing). We were constantly walking on eggshells hoping we didn't say the wrong thing that would get us fired or pushed out, then bracing for the false positivity that seemed to consume everyone at the leadership level. Completely toxic and I wish I had left far sooner than I did.