Tom James Company Reviews

Current Employee – been working at Tom James Company full-time

Pros – There are so many great things about Tom James. They take care of you and really focus on people development. If you stay with the company long term the financial benefits from that are great.

Cons – There aren't any cons that i can think of. I would just say get ready to work and put the time in to build YOUR business.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Former Employee – worked at Tom James Company full-time for more than 3 years

Pros – Worked in downtown Chicago location. Company has great bi annual trips, decent discount on clothes but they are still making a good profit on employee buys. Some really great people. If you love cold calling and working 12 hours a day this is a good place for you.

Cons – Terrible leadership in many locations. All expenses are paid by employee, including any marketing expenses. Company is way behind the times as far as technology or current marketplace. Very similar to MLM scheme and they feed on young professionals that come in, build up quick client bases and leave for greener pastures and their boss keeps all their clients.

Advice to Senior Management – You've been stuck at the same sales number for years, spend some money, hire some experts and figure it out.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend

Former Employee – worked at Tom James Company full-time for more than 8 years

Pros – Tom James is an ideal starting point for someone interested in a sales career. You will learn the right habits and sales skills to succeed in the sales arena regardless of the product. You will also develop a network of high level business people that will be essential to your success in the future. Work there for two or three years then decide where you want to spend the rest of your sales career. It may be at Tom James but, if not, you will be well trained and prepared to sell anything, anywhere. I worked there for ten years and have gone on to great success in my other sales endeavors. The skill set that I acquired from my time at Tom James has be invaluable.

Cons – Like any successful sales organization, Tom James has great leaders and others that are untrustworthy narcissists. The former and the latter can both teach you something from which you can benefit. Just beware of the narcissists. The company has a decent commission structure but requires its sales professionals to carry too much of the burden related to expenses. Most troublesome is that when people move on other opportunities, they are spoken off as defective of character and maligned for having poor judgment. The belief in Tom James is that no one can achieve greater success outside of the organization. That is simply a joke. Just be prepared for the leadership to take it personally when you depart.

Advice to Senior Management – Respect your former sales professionals and recognize that they are not miscreants for taking another opportunity. They aren't leaving a cult so don't act like they are. They should be respected and appreciated for making Tom James a better place. Make them into advocates for the organization when they enter the market place and the company will benefit from positive word of mouth.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Tom James Company full-time for more than 7 years

Pros – Numerous ways to make commission or receive incentives
Greatest coworker/friends I have ever had
Literally unlimited income potential across multiple platforms
Exceptional training
Get to associate and work with the most successful business people in my area
Extremely ethical and principle based founding partners
Leaders come along side and assist to ensure retention and growth of partners
Company-paid sales meetings and award trips are phenomenal
Personal growth opportunities present themselves daily
Flexible schedule
Simple daily habits to ensure success
Escalated pay scale first 40 months
Company constantly evolves to keep up with fashion and technology

Cons – Hardest thing I have ever done in my life
Challenging business atmosphere
100% commission based
Industry of fashion changes frequently
I failed many times, over and over, to succeed
Catalogs appeal mostly to older, less style conscious demographic

Advice to Senior Management – Maintain the emphasis on growth in people, sales, then profit
Promote transparency throughout all levels of leadership
Integrate more elements of modern style into catalogs
Recognize that the best salespeople don't always make the best leaders
Evaluate promotion to leadership with a character-centric emphasis, not just sales
Encourage more partnerships by co-branding with other firms or universities

Former Employee – worked at Tom James Company full-time for less than a year

Pros – flexible schedule. Some offices have access to a fitness center.

Cons – Strictly Commission, very selfish commission structure, overpriced products trying to take advantage of overpaid executives. Would not recommend this experience to anyone.

No, I would not recommend this company to a friend – I'm not optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Tom James Company full-time for more than a year

Pros – The greatest sales organization in the world. Built soley on priciples and by charectar centered people. Though we are a massive salesforce (500+ worldwide) we maintain an extremely tight knit, family atmosphere. The people you meet within the company will be lifelong friends. You have the ability to write your own paychecks and schedules, and mingle with the most successful people in your city.

Cons – Like anything worth having you have to work hard. There is absolutely no room for slackers or people who want 'vacation days.' If you want vacation days go teach 2nd grade science. At Tom James, you build your business from the ground up. When you become successful it is because you made it happen. If you fail, it is your fault. There is no micromanagement whatsoever so this job requires highly motivated people, with a hunger and drive for success. This is my first job out of college and will be my only job for the rest of my life. It is a lot of work, long hours, and endless rejection, but so is every other sales job in the world!

Advice to Senior Management – Do not change a thing. This company is ran by first class people and I trust ever decision made at their end.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend – I'm optimistic about the outlook for this company

Current Employee – been working at Tom James Company

Pros – Flexibility is great; control your own schedule.

Cons – Poor leadership, concern only about bottom line ($$). Too many double standards.

Advice to Senior Management – Treat people w/ sincere respect and appreciation. Promote leadership based on leadership capabilities, not sales.

Current Employee – been working at Tom James Company

Pros – Tom James is a great vehicle to get what you want out of life. Whether it is a large income, a balanced lifestyle, high net worth or beyond. Tom James can help you accomplish it. The company makes you a better person by working on basic success principles and character traits. You can get whatever you want out of your life at this company.

Cons – Initially you do put your time in. It is a proven system that works. Discipline and mental toughness are necessary to go through this sales position just like any other. It is not for everyone.

Advice to Senior Management – Keep listening to the people.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Tom James Company

Pros – Tom James provides an atmosphere in which your income and growth is entirely up to you. Those who choose to work diligently toward building a clientele are afforded the opportunity to earn an income with no ceiling. And those who choose to build a team can earn additional income by training others to do exactly what they've learned themselves. The leadership income can even outweigh the sales income in the long run. In a nutshell, you decide exactly how much you are going to earn. Recognition through incentive trips and cash bonuses are also a terrific perk. The training is first rate too.

Cons – Like most commissioned sales jobs, the most diffiicult part is getting in front of the potential clients. You are not given any customers or leads, you must build your business yourself from the ground up. This means you must have the guts to get through a lot of "nos" on the phone to get to the "yeses". They teach you to get referrals however which makes phone calling much easier.

Advice to Senior Management – Direct feedback to and from senior management is limited, if not by time, then by distance. A more open conduit to receive and give information would be useful.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend

Current Employee – been working at Tom James Company

Pros – It's like building your own business from scratch, with someone else footing the bill. All of the expenses of starting your own business are covered by the Company. It's a client building business, and once you establish a clientele, the job becomes very simple. Most people no longer make any cold calls after their first 18 months, unless they opt for leadership and training opportunities. You have the ability to build an organization of people to work for you and the average income per person you hire is $9K per year. Very Nice! It is truly a work place that you can honestly can call home. I will never work anywhere else.

Cons – Like any client building business, it is hard work in the beginning. You have to prospect and make phone calls to get started. The Company provides all the tools and resources to begin your career, but you have to do the work. There isn't any micro managing, so your success depends on your own self discipline. If you need someone to babysit you and tell you to go to work every day, then this job isn't for you.

Advice to Senior Management – Keep doing what you are doing.! Tom James is a company that is run on principles and positive attitudes. The Company has been around for over 44 years, and the average incomes of a typical 5 year sales reps is well over $100K per year. The Company is financially solid and the stock value has maintained consistency despite this economic times. There are very few companies that didn't have decreases in 2008 and 2009.

Yes, I would recommend this company to a friend