When Hope is Not Enough - Anonymous employee Kendo Employee Review

1.0
Jul 6, 2017
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The portfolio of brands and founders. Hardworking individuals that are eager for engaged leadership. Sephora discount and occasional free product.

Cons

Dont let them fool you by stating that this is a start up. Its not a startup anymore. Sure, they can call it whatever they want, but the truth is, the company has scaled. Its no longer nimble, and the dynamic and energetic culture from its startup stage is non-existent. What is left is a company that grew too fast, still has no structure, and is disorganized. They hired so many people in desperation that the company values were lost. New hires don't have the same roll-up-their-sleeves, Get It Done mentality and thats from entry level to Executive. Work/life balance is non-existent. They've thrown the whole Operations department on some random rental floor and keep having the company throw pity happy hours for them. Leadership doesn't realize that the Ops team doesn't even come to the pity parties. Unfortunately, its also normal to see someone crying each week in the bathroom, and receive emails from coworkers between 9pm and 2am!

Explore other reviews about Kendo

5.0
May 5, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Ez work flow that everyone will like

Cons

No cons I currently think of

2.0
Apr 23, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

There are some really amazing people to work with depending on the team you're on. Good exposure to what it's like to work on a celebrity brand and for a larger corporation (though it's also a con). They have a good selection of snacks, coffee, amenities.

Cons

There are some really awful people to work with. Lots of "mean girls" which will stay this way unless they swap out some people at the top. Huge lack of accountability, lots of blaming and pointing fingers. They have a beautiful set of principles that they don't follow. Processes are terrible - no one will take ownership and put proper ways of working in place. Kendo is best for younger folks just out of college so they can train you to believe this is the best way of working, and it's just not.

5
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