One of a kind place - Anonymous employee SurfMerchants Employee Review

5.0
Feb 26, 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Hate to keep repeating what others have said but it's really true - this is a quirky, humane, smart work environment that you'll want to stay in for a really long time. I've been here for more than 5 years and I can't believe how fast it's gone. There's also been quite a few people who left and quickly came back once they realized what they'd taken for granted. If you have a family or outside interests (there are lots of musicians in the company) this place really gives you the flexibility to do that stuff right. One thing I haven't seen mentioned is how this is a company that knows how to win and keep winning. They're the kings of their niche and have a rock solid business where the income is very consistent (it's a Software as a service, or SaaS company, so the money keeps coming in every month) and where the clients would find it super hard to leave for a competitor. Despite that, they never go on cruise control - they are really competitive and really determined to stay on top. For us workers, that means unbelievable job security and the fun of knowing that new stuff is being made all the time. One cool story: one employee who got fired wrote an amazing letter saying how much they appreciated the opportunity and how patient and kind the owners were and that it was a special place to work. When someone who gets FIRED says such nice stuff on their way out you can believe that it's true, right? I think it also shows that they really try to help people who aren't cutting it - they let you know where you stand and make it very clear where you need to get to and do their best to help you get there. I know some of their best people were once in trouble and really improved. I can also say that everyone I've seen fired was fired fairly and that this was really just the wrong place for them.

Cons

The pay is competitive (especially if you've established yourself as an up and comer) but not luxurious - if your top priority is raking in the dough as fast as possible, you might get more elsewhere. But in my experience you can't put a price on not dreading work every morning, knowing your job is safe and secure for as long as you want it and being able to trust that your managers are caring, logical people that will listen to reason. Working from home 50% of the time is definitely not for everybody - it probably requires more discipline than working from home 100% of the time and if you start slacking off or getting too distracted for too long there's no place to hide in this company. This much freedom can be kinda stressful in a weird way. There's are career paths here, but it's not typical or obvious like other places because it's not always based on job titles or big shifts in responsibilities. If you're ambitious and really prove yourself valuable and motivated in a needed areas your job will change (and sometime change often) and you will get ahead and you will make more. Just don't expect that management will hand you a blueprint and handhold you through the process. There are lots of opportunities here (like any small company, there's always stuff that can be done better) - you just gotta jump on them yourself.

Explore other reviews about SurfMerchants

5.0
Jan 14, 2019
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- The people, the people, the people. - The company has a flat structure so you can have a massive impact on day one - It's a playground for self-starters. You are encouraged to try new things, new roles, or new ideas. Every year you can take an "inovacation" week to work on a self-motivated project of your choosing. - Management is incredibly accessible. You don't like your chair? Just send an email. You don't like the software they are using? They'll hear you out, and if they agree, they'll change it. Any problem I ever had was resolved within a week. - Surfmerchants is human, compassionate, caring and kind. A few years ago, my Dad ended up in the hospital. SurfMerchants gave me the space I needed to prioritize my time in the way that made sense for me and my family without any hesitation or pressure. - Management genuinely wants you to succeed, and if SurfMerchants is no longer the place for you, they will support you and do whatever is in their power to help you move on to where you need to go. - And then, of course, the work from home schedule, 401K matching, free health insurance, lunch on Fridays, beer o'clock, cold brew coffee, pool table, DOGS (you can bring your dog to work!!), snacks, and friendships that will last you a lifetime.

Cons

- The pay is little low - As a social person, the work from home schedule took some getting used to

5.0
Jul 17, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The thing I loved most about Surfmerchants was the culture of the company. The only thing that mattered was that the customers were happy. If you love serving customers, then you will enjoy it here because so long as your customers are happy, you can pretty much pick and choose what else you do. There is a lot of work, so never a dull moment. I had the opportunity to work in various jobs, each time suggesting and being allowed to move from one to the next. Flexibility that allows you to have a life. The work from home days are a huge help if you have kids or errands to work as you can schedule these on those days. If you do your job, you will be cared for, you will be appreciated and you will feel like you are making a difference. Turn over is low and most of the staff that leave, hang around as friends for a while. There is no room for slacking off. If you are not doing your job, it will be apparent very quickly and if you do not take advantage of any support offered to improve, then you will be let go. Leaders try to nip gossip in the bud by keeping an open door policy.

Cons

Flexibility to get your job done and have a life sometimes means that you could overdo one or the other. It teaches you to be a good time manager and understand where best to spend you time.

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