How are the career development opportunities at Zola?

Lots of growth opportunity and amazing colleagues!

Not much that I can think of.

-The best coworkers, kindest people, no mean people work here!

-The company makes it clear they don't want you working from home, they really want you in the office and make you feel like you won't advance in your career if you don't come in -Tells everyone different compensation rules. I was told the company didn't give higher than X% as a rule but as I spoke to other employees, I found that were given those percentages I had asked for. -Pretends they're still a startup to not give fair wages

Some coworkers made the long shifts a little easier.

The reality of the job was endless disorganization. Inventory systems were broken, orders were constantly misplaced, and I was left scrambling to cover gaps that never should have existed in the first place. Instead of fixing problems, leadership piled more onto the assistants and expected us to hold it all together. The stress of constant mistakes that weren't mine, combined with the lack of recognition, drained every ounce of energy I had. The polished public image of the company was a complete joke compared to the daily dysfunction.

I've worked in many other companies before and experienced lots of different cultures, so like to think I have a reasonable and fair perspective here. I can confidently say: if you are humble, smart, a critical thinker, a team player, open-minded, growth-oriented, and positive -- you will love Zola. The culture at Zola expects excellence, and if that is exciting to you? Welcome aboard. You will be given growth opportunities, creative license, exposure, and product ownership suited to your aspirations. But paired with that commitment to excellence is an appreciation for work-life balance; many of the leadership team and company are parents with families, and there is a real empathy bestowed on those of us who are juggling life outside of work. The people here are dynamic, bright, and really f-ing good at their jobs. The business is at one of the most dynamic and fast-growing phases ever in its history, and you really feel the momentum across every team and business unit. The co-CEOs and management team have painstakingly built this culture over the past decade, and you really feel it from day one. If this is the place for you, it is REALLY the place for you. Many Zola employees stay for 5+ years. I joined the team this year, and in my immediate team of 12, I was the newest employee: the next newest employee had been here for 5 years. That should tell you something.

Remember when I said up there in the "Pros" section the qualities that make you a shoo-in to love Zola? If you are not ALL of those things, I will be very honest: you will struggle. And it is hard to find people who are all of those things, or have the EQ to realize what those things mean at Zola, where the bar is set higher than most companies. That is the honest truth. This is not a place for everyone. It's not a place to coast. It's not a place to expect your work to be taken at face value. It's not a place to phone it in. It's not a place that will tolerate assumptions of bad intent. It's not a place for putting your own ego before the needs of the team. I'm listing these as "cons" but they're not "cons" to the people who will succeed here. They're just realities.

Exceptional Leadership: The leadership team at Zola is dedicated, hard-working, and leads by example. They are always engaged and ensure that the company stays focused on its mission. Challenging and Dynamic Work: There were always new and interesting problems to solve. If you wanted to take on a challenge or step up to tackle something difficult, you were encouraged and supported. Strong Company Culture: Zola genuinely values its employees. The company fosters a collaborative environment where everyone’s voice is heard, and personal and professional growth are a priority. Opportunities for Growth: Zola provides plenty of room to stretch yourself and grow, with opportunities to take ownership of projects and make a real impact. Supportive Team: I worked alongside smart, motivated people who were always ready to work together and solve problems, making every day enjoyable and rewarding.

Fast-Paced Environment: While this was a positive for me, the fast pace and constant problem-solving might feel overwhelming to those who prefer a slower, more predictable work environment.