The owners -- MD father and 1 active son who sold phones at Verizon - manage by emotion and nepotism. The son was the single, loudest, most disruptive source of complaints. That the parents are overruled by their impetuous son describe the ethos of the company. If the family cannot speak truthfully among each other, how can they be expected to act authentically among staff, contractors, producers, and employees? Neither have acted ethically or demonstrated business skills -- but that doesn't stop them from opining and playing favorites.
If you're a rep considering taking on the product line, stay clear of the owners, and all should be ok.
If you're looking at a W2 position, ask for references from those who have worked directly with the owners. You'll discover a lineage of disenchanted and burned predecessors.
The giddy, apocryphal reviews herein exemplify the childlike, "we'll show um" antics. Public smears and prevarication are beneath what you'd expect of the owner/MD (in quotes)
"The posting was undoubtedly made by our previous CEO."
Undoubtedly? Senior consultant who had near front-row seats.
"He was uniformly disliked by everyone"
ALL CAPS. Uniformly? Such certainty is suspect. More the opposite. Lots of former and current contracts and/or employees struggled with the owners’ wayward decisions, poor judgement, favoritism, and ethics. "Trumpian” - “watch your back" - “impossible to deal with." Not sure why this unlikable person had so much support and remorse when the imperial son took the reins.
"was spending money in a reckless fashion"
Shameful defamation. No dedicated office space expense. No management team expense. No perks. Nearly every micro task outsourced to save cash. Not reckless, prudent.
"by putting us deeply in debt"
It's hard to know whether the owners make up stories and know better, or ignorant of the basic mechanisms of finance. What they call debt is inventory accounts payable based on demand. That's a good problem, and one easily solved.
"my son .. turned the company around again."
Father providing sensational testimonial for son. That’s, well, strange.
"the two employees our ceo had hired quickly left the company as they saw bankruptcy was imminent."
High growth, cash flow positive, profitable business without outside financing. Bankruptcy? Imminent? Audacious untrue claims. One employee left as soon as he realized the sordid situation. The other was pushed out or terminated.
"ceo has a business that ended in bankruptcy"
That's correct, sort of. $1.2M raised in 2007 by $100M corps without the aid of parents’ money, connections and expertise. By its launch, Oct 2008, the economy in free-fall, the venture never saw the light of day, much less ended.
In conclusion, proceed with caution and ask for references.
