Rather than acknowledging the dedication and accomplishments of long-standing employees, the CEO chose to publicly criticize employees' past and current initiatives but also obsessively focused on past executives, including the very founder who had taken a risk to hire her. Instead of moving the company forward with vision and humility, the CEO and CFO spent time gossiping about which past leaders were “the worst” and focused more on dismantling the past than building the future. The CEO, in particular, masked condescension behind overly rehearsed, corporate jargon that felt hollow and performative. Her leadership style appears driven by ego, insecurity, and a constant need for personal validation. She surrounds herself with people who will praise her rather than challenge her. If I heard “YASSS QUEEN” one more time….Rather than cultivating a collaborative, empowered culture, she created one rooted in fear, distrust, and favoritism. She claims she loves to be challenged but saw first hand, if you did, you better watch out.
One of the most alarming moments came when she openly disparaged the very providers who made RealSelf successful (and paid our salaries), saying they “didn’t pay us enough” to matter. She confidently declared that the company’s future was in brand partnerships, not providers, and insisted that soon enough, doctors would be “knocking down our doors” to throw their money at us. This complete dismissal of the provider community, people who helped build the brand, is not only reckless but shows a stunning lack of industry understanding.
The company’s new “social first” strategy lacks originality or depth. RealSelf’s Instagram feed is now bland and full of stock images, catering to a narrow, curated aesthetic. It’s missing the raw, educational, and empowering content that once set the platform apart. What remains is all style over substance, recycled content you can find on any pop culture beauty page. I can’t tell you how many messages I have received from the doctor and aesthetic community with “what is going on at RS?” accompanied by a screenshot of one of their questionable posts. I know the CEO’s goal is to go viral but this isn’t it or a real strategy - it’s embarrassing.
And then there’s this. The CEO was recently quoted in Vogue referring to women being in “our smaller bodies” era. In 2025, when the industry should be championing inclusivity and body positivity, how could someone in her position think a statement like that is remotely acceptable? It’s offensive, tone deaf, and completely misaligned with the RealSelf values that once resonated with so many.
The lowest blow came during the mass layoffs right before the holidays in December. Just one day before cutting 70 percent of the company, the CEO held an all hands meeting, rallying everyone around her vision for the future. Then, the very next day, HR delivered mass layoffs via a two minute, black screen/camera off Zoom call while the CEO was absent, too cowardly to face the employees she had misled. There was no real explanation, no gratitude, and no dignity. Employees who had poured years of energy and insight into the company were dismissed in seconds. Even more confusing was who remained and why. Some employees on recent performance plans got to stick around, while top performers were let go. It underscored the arbitrary, shortsighted nature of the decisions being made. Everyone had been duped - we were tapped for insights for months under the guise of alignment, only to be discarded when no longer needed.
The culture is now defined by toxicity, insecurity, and favoritism. Leadership roles have been handed to the CEO’s close friends and inner circle, regardless of qualifications. The most glaring example is hiring her own brother into a leadership role, despite his lack of relevant experience. This is not just nepotism. It is a clear sign that the company no longer values merit or expertise.
It’s devastating to witness what’s happened to a company that once stood for purpose, community, and impact. I was proud to work at RealSelf. I believed in our mission, our clients, and the teams that made it all possible. What’s most disappointing isn’t just the layoffs. It’s the total collapse of leadership, values, and a very special company with a unique mission.
For anyone reading this, be wary of the recent flood of overly positive reviews written by employees with less than six months of tenure, newly hired contractors, and friends or family of current leadership. A quick scan of employment dates and locations reveals how manufactured they are. And reading through the current “positive reviews”, the audacity to call those who were laid off “toxic”? That speaks volumes. The real toxicity is coming from the top.
