Note: I left this company on my own cognizance, after applying for and receiving a better opportunity. I am not seeking vengeance with my words, I am just wanting to share my personal experience - hoping future applicants will find my information to be helpful.
My below experience encompasses the core problems at 4moms - false promises, zero opportunity for growth, cultivating an inexperienced and/or unprofessional management team, and masking poor salary and lack of opportunity with perks like free breakfast on Mondays and "unlimited" PTO (which is "encouraged" to be 18 days, unless unforeseen circumstances arise).
After some wonderful interviews with various people in the company, a tour of the modern, young, vibrant office - I was extremely excited for the opportunity to work at 4moms. Although I was taken aback by a salary that was MUCH lower than industry average - I was ensured that the opportunities were endless in this fast growing company. I'm sad to report that after multiple years of putting in 50+ hour work weeks (often working on weekends and holidays), ensuring I was growing professional relationships within the company (within my team, outside of my team, joining various "clubs" around the office), continuously working towards specifics goals that I set for myself and verbally expressed to my manager - all while the company nearly TRIPLED in size around me - I ended my employment at 4moms in the same position, and same salary (other than an insignificant cost of living increase), that I started with. The promises they give employees in similar standings/positions are absolutely FALSE. I continually asked and sought after more responsibility and opportunity, checking in with my manager on progress on a WEEKLY basis - always receiving positive feedback and encouragement (often hearing "good things are coming your way" "I will have good news for you soon"). Unfortunately, my manager (who would barely qualify for a management position outside of 4moms) wanted to focus on personal affairs during out weekly meetings (i.e. what did you do this weekend), instead of my opportunity for growth. Towards the end of my time at 4moms, I became more vocal to my manager on my lack of growth and where I wanted to go professionally, and he/she would come up with excuses like - you haven't asked for it previously, why didn't you tell me before, etc. It was laughable. At that point my suspicions of false promises had been confirmed. As I hope you can see in my above description - I didn't nothing but eat, breath, sleep 4moms, always going above and beyond my call of duty - all on the salary of a fast food worker. At the time of my exit, I knew THREE (yes, three) out of the 100+ employees that were promoted from within - one is related to one of the first employees of the company (part of the inner circle by relation), and the other two are part of the CEOs running club (see below for more information). Unfortunate for me an many others, I was not related to anyone, nor am I a runner. Please note I am not including "title" changes that are given to employees that are already in charge of their team (and go from being "manager" to "director"), nor am I including people who received a new title WITHOUT an increase in salary.
Overall, I appreciate the experience I received at 4moms. However, when looking back - I am shocked at how different a company can be from the exterior to the interior. Unless you are part of the "Inner Core" of this company (which includes being in upper management, one of the original 5 employees, or oddly enough, being in the CEOs running club (yes, you read that correctly) - then you are more than likely not going to be promoted. In hindsight, 4moms encourages a very cult-like environment - starting in the interview process. Everyone is all smiles, they will share their "Words We Live By", offer you free soda and catered lunches a few times a week, and tell you how fast the company is growing - and that they would love for you to growth with them.. Of course I fell for this - who wouldn't? I admit I drank the Kool-Aid ("free soda"). I drank it for quite some time. However, when you wean yourself off the Kool-Aid, you will see the truth.
Eventually, I saw the truth and began looking for a way out. I found a VERY similar position at a much more established (and stable) company - whom offered to pay me OVER double what I was earning at 4moms. Let's just say, I don't miss the free soda.
"Many cults start off with high ideals that get corrupted by leaders.. who become power-hungry and dominate and control members' lives. No group with high ideals starts off as a 'cult'; they become one when their errant ways are exposed."
