STAY AWAY, TERRIBLE TOXIC WORKPLACE - Production MICHI Employee Review

Working within a small, agile team allows for meaningful involvement across departments, fostering rapid skill development and a strong understanding of the business. Leadership is intentional with hiring, bringing together a team of motivated, capable professionals who are great to collaborate with.

Compensation is significantly below industry benchmarks relative to the workload and level of responsibility. The founder/CEO is highly cost-conscious, and discussions around salary growth are typically dismissed without meaningful negotiation. While some roles carry managerial titles, in practice, they function more as coordinators, with limited decision-making power and little room for professional growth. Strategic decisions are centralized entirely with the founder, who frequently overrides team input—even after structured meetings—and communicates changes last-minute or not at all. The founder also spends a considerable amount of time attending entrepreneurship events and business trips, often leaving the internal team scrambling to execute deliverables without adequate support or timely feedback. This disconnect raises concerns about the long-term scalability of the company, especially given the absence of structured systems or shared leadership. Ultimately, the lack of operational infrastructure and centralized control hinder both individual and team development.

Michi is a good place to grow professionally, especially if you're ambitious and eager to learn. The company has a small team, which is great for gaining exposure to multiple departments and roles. You can feel comfortable speaking up and being part of important discussions. The best part of working here is the team—the company does a great job of hiring people who create a supportive, collaborative environment. The relationships and friendships that form here are one of the biggest highlights of the workplace. Roles at Michi are best suited to individuals who are proactive and able to solve problems with minimal oversight. It's an environment where curiosity is key—being someone who asks lots of questions and seeks to understand complex, detailed situations is important. If you enjoy being challenged and taking initiative, this is a good place to learn across a variety of roles.

Since it’s a small company, turnover can be higher, which can lead to extra workload and responsibilities, particularly during transition periods. The workload can be demanding at times, as each employee plays a critical role. Though I appreciate finding the right people as replacements, this can make the hiring process slower.