Proceed with Caution: Limited Diversity and Lack of Transparency - Social Media Specialist DMA Solutions Employee Review

DMA Solutions is a mission-based agency that operates with true care for its employees. Like every place I've ever worked, people are flawed and imperfect, but Dan'l (the President/CEO) and the team at DMA truly want every person who works there to have opportunities to grow and learn. Even after leaving the company, Dan'l has supported my career moves and given me personal and professional advice because as much as she cares for her business, she cares more about the people in it. In my time at DMA I was given ample opportunity to travel, lead thoughtful conversations with the team, learn from the best in the business through training courses, try new areas of marketing that I hadn't done before, teach and be taught, and stretch myself to do things I thought were reserved for the "older, wiser people." I wouldn't have the massive opportunities I do today if I hadn't worked at DMA. Dan'l is passionate about the work, but she's also deeply invested in the people. In fact, the benefits package is, to this day, the best I ever had. When you take into account that you're not just being paid a salary, but also getting to travel, having amazing health benefits (which I've heard has increased exponentially since I left), a paid cell phone, and being shown extreme generosity through things like catered in lunches, retreats, etc. it's shocking. That doesn't happen many other places and goes unnoticed if you've never worked anywhere else. I also want to speak to the negative reviews on this site, which are clearly orchestrated by a group of disgruntled former employees. As a former employee myself, I encourage anyone interested in working at DMA to ask those who work for the company currently about their honest feedback. Ask tough questions in the interview process if anything is concerning. One thing you'll find is that there's' no "shield over the eyes" there - people are real and will own what they need to own and address any lies for what they are.

With that being said, yes, there have been challenges in the past, and there will always be as long as human beings work at this company. Culture is a challenge in many agencies, and DMA is no exception. It's a tough job for those coming out of college and not fully ready for the hard work and sometimes long hours it takes to manage several clients' needs. However, it's something that I've personally seen the leadership team address and grow from. There are several things in place now to protect boundaries, support those who need remote work options, and retain the right people who refuse to gossip and poison the culture. DMA is not historically a diverse company, but they are certainly not anti-diversity or anti-inclusion. I can say first-hand that the hiring process does not exclude anyone who wants a job at DMA based on race, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or anything else. Could there be more representation? Absolutely. I think we would all love to see more representation in the fresh produce industry as a whole.

A young workforce, travel opportunities, casual dress code, an atypical office space, a mission statement that feels good. You learn a lot and you gain new marketing skills for the future.

I'd advise anyone that is considering DMA as an employer to ask the tough questions during the interview process. Ask to speak to current employees. Ask to speak to former ones. Ask about work-life balance. Ask about leadership. Ask about what is expected of you in order for you to grow. Ask about turnover. And when you aren't satisfied with a vague answer, ask it differently until you find clarity. What I'd hope you'd learn with these questions is that the work is life-consuming and can impact your overall feeling of wellness and stability, your personal relationships, even your health. Once you begin to feel underwater, that feeling doesn't fade. Work/life balance is poor because PTO is discouraged and hours are long. Compensation is poor and opportunities for growth tend to be a carrot on a stick you'll never reach. Leadership, though extremely involved, lacks the integrity and compassion to provide anything beyond gaslighting. You may, as many others have, feel afraid to leave because of the manipulative practices that prevent you from feeling strong enough to do so. If you are considering DMA as an employer, it is my responsibility to share my experience with you and encourage you to ask the questions I wish I would have asked myself.