Pros
1. Decent salary. no much complaints there
2. Company is growing fast (which explains the chaos).
3. Nice office. If you enjoy spending most of your limited PTO , free life there, you’ll appreciate the décor
Kontras
Let’s start with the legendary 12 days PTO per year. Yes, per year. Not per quarter. Not flexible. Twelve. But wait , there’s a twist! If you belong to a certain “inner circle” team, you somehow unlock unofficial unlimited leave. If you’re not in that circle? Congratulations, you get the standard policy like everyone else. Equality at its finest.
The culture is… selective. If you talk to the CEO every day, you gain influence. If you don’t, you gain character. There’s a very visible “proximity to power” reward system. One particular influential figure seems to shape decisions, hiring, and culture. Hiring heavily favors one specific location, and unfortunately, common sense doesn’t always make it through the interview process.
Treatment across teams is wildly inconsistent. Rules apply differently depending on who you are and who protects you. Feedback? Only effective if it’s directed at teams without political shielding. Some teams are simply untouchable, no matter the complaints, no matter the issues.
The CEO is undeniably talented and hardworking. However, handling too much means details slip, and that’s where office politics thrive. If someone constantly feeds narratives upward daily, that narrative becomes reality. Others then spend their time defending themselves against unnecessary escalations and exaggerated highlights.
Also, be prepared for CEO public shouting, selectively distributed, of course. Backup from leadership depends heavily on whether you’re in the favored orbit.
Who will thrive here?
1. Those who are overpaid and protected by someone who manages the CEO’s perception.
2. Highly paid/high stock individuals willing to tolerate politics for the financial upside.
3. Short term strategists who want a startup AI tag and salary bump before jumping to their next role.
Overall:
If you’re politically savvy and positioned close to influence daily basis, you’ll do great. If you expect equal treatment, transparent rules, and consistent leadership behavior, adjust expectations accordingly.
Great place to earn. Questionable place to belong