Pros
SD was a highly desirable employer for many individuals due to the opportunity to work with rare cars, participate in YouTube content creation, and pursue a unique career path in Wisconsin. While I enjoyed many positive experiences during my time at the company, it is important to consider the drawbacks alongside the benefits. The company culture fostered close relationships that extended beyond the workplace, and I made several lifelong friends while employed there. The concept of a work family was pervasive, whether or not one actively sought such an environment. Business travel was a frequent perk of the job, which provided opportunities to attend events and activities of personal interest. For automotive enthusiasts, this aspect of the job was particularly appealing. The company frequently hosted notable and charismatic individuals within the industry, affording employees the chance to establish close connections with larger-than-life figures. While the office environment was typically positive and upbeat, it was not without its challenges, which I will discuss in the cons section. Notably, pet owners were allowed to bring their dogs to work, although this policy occasionally resulted in office disruptions. The company was committed to creating a welcoming environment and did not tolerate hate speech or discriminatory behavior. In most cases, issues were resolved satisfactorily through the appropriate channels. Overall, while SD had many desirable attributes, it was not without its drawbacks.
Cons
While I did have some positive experiences during my tenure at the company, it became increasingly difficult to trust the corporate leadership as they perpetuated a culture of dishonesty within the marketing department. Unfortunately, the company underwent several rounds of layoffs that left many employees feeling uncertain about their job security, and questionable firings below the C-Suite level only added to the confusion. Witnessing multiple layoffs and not knowing who would be next on the chopping block took an emotional toll, despite not being personally impacted. Job security at EE/SD is not guaranteed, and the company has been known to operate under the mantra "If you don't like your job, then quit," without replacing those who do leave. In 2021, the company over-hired and grew too quickly, leading to an unsustainable amount of overhead. Eventually, half of the employees were let go due to budget constraints. The reduction of workable hours, coupled with an ever-increasing workload, led to further dissatisfaction amongst employees. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse when the company moved to Wrightstown, WI, resulting in a mass exodus from November 2022 to March 2023. The company lost its family culture and many of its key team members. At present, there is a lack of opportunities for growth within the company, making it an unfavorable time to apply for a position. Entry-level pay does not meet market standards, and the company's PTO policy is lacking, offering only three days for the first five years. Overall, while the company may recover in the future, I would recommend waiting before considering employment there. For Context, when I started at the company there were 792 people in the slack channel, when I left there were 298.