Pros
The office is beautiful and there's an outdoor rooftop that you can escape to for when you need some alone time...and you'll need some alone time. Benefits are good, however if you're not married with kids then they're just another $20 co-pay and a free physical once a year if you're responsible enough. You get the entire week in between Christmas and New Years off, but don't be fooled...you'll still be working. It was always a decent conversation starter in social settings when I'd tell people that I worked at Spanx...it usually resulted in the name game ("One of my sorority sisters works at Spanx! Do you know ______?") or a discussion about Sara Blakely and if I had ever met her. Yes, you'll most likely get to meet Sara Blakely and will see her around the office often. You get $250 per quarter to spend on new Spanx. That's over $3000 in Spanx that I have acquired or gifted...it made my mom happy (she loves the bras). If you're very lucky, you may get a ticket to a Hawk's game that no one wants to attend or a concert when there's an 80% chance of rain. I came across some amazing and talented people during my time at Spanx, which is unfortunate when considering all that I know now...most of the ones that are still there are being used and abused and it is my hope that they will eventually have the courage to leave. None of these pros are worth any of it and I would take it all back if I could.
Cons
The company runs on lies, manipulation and bad secrets. There are the kind of secrets that are necessary for a company to stay fresh and innovative, but I'm not talking about those. You'll be encouraged to provide input and ideas, but any good ones will be stolen and used…you won’t get credit for them. You’ll hear over and over again “I hear you”, but don’t ever expect to be “listened to”. Change happens frequently, but it will won’t be to your benefit…be prepared. While they will tell you there are perks of being privately owned, they are all lies… even the most loyal of employees are treated as a number and will suddenly be let go. This became so frequent that if someone went on vacation for a week, you’d assume they were no longer with the company. No body will bother to tell you anything and when they use words like “transparency”, they are trying to trick you into thinking they are being honest when really that are covering some serious stuff up. Some people can play the “Spanx Game” well, but that means spending years sucking up to entitled, under-qualified women who are extremely power hungry. If you are an amazing, educated and talented human being, please do not drink the koolaide and accept an offer here. I know that it’s the closest you’ll get to "fashion" in the southeast and that it looks like a glamorous place to work (I thought the same thing), but in reality, Spanx is just a shiny BMW that's completely immobile. Sure, you can take a picture in the driver’s seat and post it to Instagram and you’ll probably get few likes…but you in the driver’s seat of that BMW will never, ever go anywhere. It will only ever be good for the picture. Sometimes, that’s all some people need…and if that’s you and you’re will to take the risk, I truly wish you the best of luck. However, if you’re wanting to advance in your life, skillset and career then this is not the place for you. The reviews are true…the environment is toxic. You can do better than this.
